Page 38 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

“Actually,” I say, moving toward Gemma. “I’d like to work with you.”

Gemma’s eyes meet mine, and every fucking time it’s the same, like I’m tethered, pulled tight and held. Rich amber at the center bleeding into violet, giving way to teal, edged in green so dark it nearly swallows the rest whole. How eyes like hers are even possible, I’ll never know.

“Finn can help you,” she says.

“I’d rather train with the best. Trials and all,” I say.

“Flattery won’t make you any better at disarming, Ryewood.” Her lips quirk up, and I feel it everywhere.

There she is.

“Who said I was trying to flatter you? I’m just stating facts,” I say with a grin.

“Right.” She crosses her arms with that adorable smirk.

I step close enough to catch her scent, wildflowers on a sea breeze with smoke threaded underneath.

“You don’t have to hold back,” I murmur, circling her into the ring. “I like it when you make me work for it.”

“Okay, Ryewood. Let’s see if you’re ready to train with me, hmm?”

Stones, the challenge in her voice does something to me.

She gestures for me to take position. “Attack when you’re ready.”

I adjust my grip on the knife, watching her stance. She looks relaxed, bored almost, but I know better.

I feign left, then strike right, but she’s already there, catching my wrist mid-motion and twisting. The knife drops from my hand before I can even process what happened.

Her wiping the floor with me shouldn’t feel this good.

“See, this is why I need more training from you.” I move past her to pick up my knife and graze her arm as I go by.

“You’re not focused.”

“Trust me, Gemma, you’re about all I’m focused on.”

She shifts toward me without seeming to realize it.

“You’re not focused on my center of gravity. You need to watch my hips…that’s where the movement starts.”

I feel myself grinning, “Oh, if that’s all I need to focus on, I don’t think we’ll have any more problems.”

“Is that why you’re so distracted, Ryewood,” she says, taking a step closer.

I move and wrap my hands around her hips from behind. “They do consume a lot of my attention.”

She turns, and I feel her breath against my neck, and every part of me leans toward her.

“If you don’t let go,” she says softly, “I’ll put you on the ground in front of everyone.”

“Promise?” I say, tightening my grip. She fits perfectly against me, so warm and dangerous. This close, I can feel her heart pounding as fast as mine.

She moves—and the world tilts.

I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from my lungs, and she’s on top of me before I’ve taken my next breath. Her knees pin my arms, one hand pressing my chest down, the other holding the knife to my throat.

“If this is what I get for not listening.” I grin, breathless. “You’re not exactly discouraging me, little fox.”