Chapter 33 Rain Check
ARYA
The training yard was a large clearing surrounded by trees, with various equipment set up. Weights, practice dummies, weapons racks. Luca was in the center, stretching in ways that made his muscles flex and ripple.
I tried not to stare but failed completely. Wherever I moved, it’s like my whole universe was centered on him and he was all my eyes could see.
“Good,” he said, noticing me. “You’re early.”
“You said twenty minutes.” I checked the time to be sure. But I was right on time.
“I said twenty minutes knowing you’d need thirty. You’re punctual. I like that.” He straightened, moving toward me with that predatory grace. “How do you feel?”
“Nervous.”
“Don’t be.” He circled me slowly, assessing. “You have more power than anyone I’ve ever met except myself. You just need to learn how to channel it.”
“And if I can’t?”
“You will. I’ll make sure of it.” He stopped in front of me. “The first lesson is physical conditioning. Your body is the vessel for your power. It needs to be strong.”
“I’m not exactly a warrior.”
“Not yet.” His hand touched my waist, adjusting my stance. Even through the fabric, his touch burned, making my breath catch. “Wider stance. Lower center of gravity. Good.”
His hands moved to my hips, positioning them. His touch was professional, almost clinical. Except for the way his fingers lingered just a moment too long.
“Now,” he said, his voice rougher. “I want you to throw a punch. Aim for my chest.”
“I’ll hurt you.”
His laugh was genuine. “Little wolf, I’m eight centuries old. You’re not going to hurt me. But I appreciate the concern.”
I threw a punch. He caught my fist easily, his hand engulfing mine.
“Terrible form. But good instinct.” He adjusted my arm, stepping closer until his chest was nearly touching mine.
My heart was pounding in my chest, so violently like it wanted to exit my ribcage. I bet he could hear it. Though he made no indication as he continued with his guide. “Punch from your core, not your shoulder. Twist into it. Like this.”
He guided my body through the motion, and I was acutely aware of every point where we touched. His chest against my back. His hand on my hip. His breath on my neck.
“Again,” he murmured.
I tried. Failed to hit the mark. Tried again but the same thing.
“Better, but you’re distracted.” His voice was knowing, almost smug. “You’re wondering if I’m doing this to touch you, or if the touching is just a happy accident?”
“Are you?” I swallowed thickly, not really sure if I wanted the answer to that.
“Both.” He replied without missing a beat, then he spun me around to face him, and suddenly we were merely inches apart. “I’m legitimately trying to train you. But I’m also a male who’s spent the night dreaming about tasting every inch of your skin. So yes, I’m taking advantage of proximity.”
“That’s… honest.”
“I’m always honest with you. Sometimes brutally so.” His hand came up to cup my face. “If my touching you is too much, say so. I’ll keep this professional. I want you to learn.”
I should have said so. I knew it was smarter to establish boundaries. I asked for space and he was respecting my decision. But maybe that was the point of me asking for space. I needed to know he would respect me and my choice.
“Don’t stop touching me.” My voice came out hoarse. Telling him every single dirty thought I've had about him.
His eyes flashed gold, his voice was deeper, rougher. “Dangerous words, little wolf.”
“Maybe I’m feeling dangerous.”
With those words, the kiss was inevitable. His mouth crashed onto mine with barely restrained hunger, and I met him with equal fervor. One hand fisted in his hair while the other gripped his shoulder, needing an anchor.
He lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as he walked us backward until my back hit a tree. The rough bark dug into my skin, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the way his tongue was doing sinful things to my mouth and the way his hips were pressed against mine. His throbbing erection pressing down on my center, right where I needed him. I moaned into his mouth, my hips moving on their own, seeking delicious friction.
“Fuck,” he growled against my lips. “I want you so much it’s painful.”
“Then have me.” the voice sounded like mine, my lips were moving but it wasn't me that was speaking. There was no way I just said that.
But I did. From Luca’s answering groan.
“Not here. Not like this.” He cursed under his breath as his forehead pressed against mine, both of us breathing hard. “When I take you for the first time, it’s going to be in a bed where I can properly worship every inch of you. Not rushed against a tree.”
“Very chivalrous for a king.”
“I’m many things, Aeliana. Chivalrous isn’t usually one of them. But with you?” He kissed me again, slower this time. Letting me taste the hint of mint on his tongue. “With you, I want to do everything right.”
“What if I don’t want right? What if I want primal and desperate and now?”
His control visibly cracked with a rough sound. “You’re killing me.”
“Good.”
He set me down carefully, putting a few feet of distance between us. He shook his head. “Training. We’re training. Because if we keep this up, I’m going to bend you over that bench and take you right here where anyone could see. And that’s dangerous because I would kill anyone who dared to see your pleasure.”
The image his words painted, even his words alone, made me clench with need.
“Rain check on the bench?” I tried to sound casual which failed. I sounded breathless. The arousal was clear in my tone.
“Rain check on everything I want to do to you.” His voice was pure sin. “But first, you’re going to learn how to fight. Because while I’ll protect you with my life, I want you to be able to protect yourself too.”