Page 59 of The Quiet Witness

She swiped the knife toward his abdomen. In a flash, he sidestepped. Not responding, merely deflecting. Seeing what she was made of, perhaps an unwise decision. How ironic would it be if he found his death on the kitchen floor, simply by taunting her.

Another slash came for him. He watched as her eyes narrowed. Serious. It was becoming serious for her.

Time for it to end.

The third attack came. Only this time, he didn’t sidestep. He strode into her space, meeting the knife with his wrist, he turned it around and aimed it at her. The knife was inches away from digging into her exposed side. Her breath hitched at the realization.

He could end it then and there.

Lucien felt her fingers moving, trying to pry them open and drop the knife. Smart move. He reaffirmed his hold over her hand. “Nice try.”

Kate shook her head, the frustration rolling off of her in waves. “Why don’t you just do it?”

He hit a pressure point on her wrist, she winced, attempting to hold onto it. But her fingers opened, the blade falling straight into his waiting hand. “I told you, I’m not inclined to hurt you Kate.” He slid the knife across the counter. Only kill you… at one point or another.

He snaked his arms around her. Pulling her against him as he lowered his lips next to her ear. “Shouldn’t let me get this close.” She tensed against him. He felt the shiver run through her.

He wasn’t taunting her needlessly. He just needed to…

Kate dropped low. Bucking her hips, she twisted out of his hold a millisecond later. Unbalanced from her own move, she would have fallen face first to the floor. If it wasn’t for the hand still firmly clasped around her wrist. Lucien pulled her up in one smooth movement.

That. He needed exactly that.

“That was a good one!” He took a step back, shaking his head in wonder. “I guess I’ll have to stop underestimating you.”

Even though she’d lost. Her chin rose higher. “Maybe you should have thought of that before.”

“True. But.” He winked. “I’ll make sure I won’t forget this time.” Throwing another wink her way, he turned to leave the kitchen.

“Lucien.”

“Yes?” She felt it now. He knew she would.

“Teach me.”

He raised a hand beside his ear. “Come again?”

She didn’t back down. “I want you to teach me self-defense.”

“Consider me hired.” He bent into an elegant bow. Knowing it would rile her up even further. “First session starts tomorrow at ten. Don’t be late.”

Shock lit up in her eyes. She just stood there, mouth gaping like a fish.

With that he left her behind. Satisfied.

And so, the silence was broken.

What a woman.

Chapter 25

Trick of the Trade

The air left her lungs. Back colliding against the mats. Again.

What did I get myself into…

That stupid, silly moment of glory. Escaping Lucien’s grip had felt like winning the lottery. As if finally, she had some control. After being floored onto the black mats like a weightless puppet for the first time. She accepted that. Beginner and all.