I should go to her aid, but there’s no need. She glances at me, grin plastered to her face. Those heels, that skirt, none of it gets in her way. She deflects a string of punches aimed for her face and maintains focus like a professional.
Her technique is flawless. Can’t believe I teased her about getting the rainbow when she told me she took karate. The woman has elite skills.
She spins and kicks, connecting solidly with the man’s solar plexus. It’s the hit that takes him down. He grunts and teeters on his feet, but he’s done.
For the second time, he eats pavement.
I stare at the two men at my feet, wheezing and gasping for air. I saunter over to where I kicked away the knife, pick it up, and examine its edge. Really quick, I clean it on my pants then head over to Maria.
“Damn nice work. You’ve got good moves.”
“Why, thank you.” Barely out of breath, she props her hands on her hips.
I turn to the thieves, deliver a message, then take Maria’s hand in mine and stroll off like nothing happened.
26
MARIA
I feel all badass.
I’ve never been in a real fight before.
My sensei said the constant practice would develop reflexive muscle memory, that I would eventually reach a point in my training where my body would flow through the moves, instinctually reacting to an attack.
I never believed him.
Honestly, I would’ve given it all up years ago, except for two things. First of all, it’s amazing exercise, cardio and weights rolled into one. Second, I do it for my father. It was important to him, and some small part of my mind kept it up in memory of my father.
Now that the veil’s been lifted, and I know what kind of business my father was involved in—most likely involved in—his desire to have me learn self-defense takes on a different meaning. Was he worried I might one day be at risk? That I would need to defend myself against his enemies?
Against his brother?
Wow.
My mind spins out scenario after scenario, my question growing more convoluted by the second. Everything I knew about my life takes on a different meaning.
“You kicked ass back there, princess.” Liam pulls me close.
He drapes his arm over my shoulder, then locks me in a sudden armbar. I grab at his forearm, trying to dislodge him. Then I stomp down on his toe. He expects that, laughing at my pathetic attempt to free myself.
But I’m not done. While he laughs, my heel connects with his shin.
“Ow!” Liam releases me and I spin away from him, laughing.
“You deserve that.” I point at him hopping around, holding his shin. Yeah, that’s gonna bruise.
“And you deserve this.” Head down, Liam charges me.
With a squeak, I turn around and try to run. He snags me by the waist, pulling me off my feet as I laugh and pull at his fingers.
Liam nuzzles my neck, licking a wet path from the tip of my shoulder, up the sweep of my neck, ending just below my ear.
“Ew! That’s so gross. You slobbered on me!”
He puts me down on the ground. When he releases me, I wipe at the wetness.
“Just trying to keep up with expectations.” A huge grin fills his face.
I wipe again at my neck, noting how my skin tingles. I’m breathy and giddy, feeling light-headed.
“I suddenly remember …” He takes a step toward me. For no reason, I take a step back.
Liam lunges forward. One hand goes around my waist, the other grabs my nape. He closes the distance between us, until our lips are one breath away.
“Remember what?” That giddy sensation triples until I feel unsteady on my feet.
“How amazing you taste.” Liam closes the distance between us, capturing my mouth in his.
The heat of his mouth sends sparks of electricity shooting through me. My hands find his biceps and grip tight as a low, needy moan escapes me. He bends me back, fully in control, and shows me how a real man kisses a woman.
Swoon-worthy.
My hands move of their own volition. Releasing my grip on his arms, my fingers walk their way to his broad shoulders and meander over to the hollow of his throat. From there, they move around to his nape. I twine my fingers in his hair as he shifts me to the side.
Liam lowers me into a dip, his lips glide over my mouth as my heart kicks in and my bloods rushes hotter than hot. He controls my head as my arms wrap around his neck. It’s a kiss worthy of the movie stage.
His hot mouth lays a line of kisses up the curve of my neck, sucking and biting, as uninhibited moans escape me. He nuzzles my neck and the heat of his breath sends tingling chills racing down my spine.
“You taste like sin. Watching you fight that looser made me hard and hungry to taste the rest of you.” Liam sucks my earlobe into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue.
My body practically combusts beneath the stimulation overload. I, too, am eager for more.
Is that wrong?
My skin tightens with anticipation as my core throbs and aches. I’m horribly turned on.
By a kiss?
Holy hell. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. My body is ready for more. Is this what foreplay is supposed to be like? If so, I’ve been sorely cheated out of it in the past.
Liam gently pulls me upright and steadies me on my feet. He bends down, kissing me one more time. Unlike the prior kiss, this one is reverent and unhurried.
“Damn, but you feel it, don’t you?”
“I feel everything.”
Indeed, I do.
I feel the night air flowing around us. The sparse traffic rushing past rumbles. Down the street, applause for the street performers carries on the air. Somewhere behind and to the left, a neon light flickers and buzzes.
It’s sultry, steamy, and perfect.
Liam releases me. Our fingers interlace, and I spin off in a twirl, stopping when he pulls me back to him. He holds me, facing away from him, strong arms bracketing mine, hands hugging my waist.
Slowly, he starts to sway.
I tip my head back, close my eyes, and wish I met Liam on a different night, in a different place: a place far away from the ugliness into which I was born.
“We need to get moving,” he whispers in my ear.
“I wish we could stay like this forever.”
There’s a distinct chance I may be falling for Liam.
Falling hard and fast.
It’s going to hurt when I crash into the harsh reality that is the disaster of my life.
“Let’s kick back and enjoy ourselves.” Liam kisses the tip of my shoulder. “For tonight only, we’re going to forget about the Guardians, forget about your family, forget about—”
“Don’t say Sybil. I’ll never let myself forget her for a second.”
“About your friend …”
“What about her? Do you have news? Have they found her? Is she okay?” I spin around until I face him. “I need to see her.”
“Slow down, princess, and take a breath. No, I don’t have any news, but I have every assurance they will rescue her. Guardians don’t fail. But we should talk about seeing her.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no easy way to say this, but when they rescue her, Sybil won’t be able to return to her normal life until we deal with …”