The Fighter's Fierce Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

cover up for a few more minutes. She turned to see Bryant watching her, a look of awe on his face.
    Clapping his hands, Bryant cheered her actions. “I always wondered what those were for. That was great!”
    Lowering her voice, she addressed him as she turned to step back. “Now you know. Tavvy will take you through some of the motions slowly. Go gently. I don’t want you too bruised to work out this afternoon.”
    “Yes, sir. Those wooden arms look like they might hurt a tad.”
    Tavvy chuckled. “They do at that. But they will also build up your tolerance and allow your body to become accustomed to taking strikes in those areas. This will help give you an edge in the ring.”
    “Well, that’s what I’m here for. I’m not losing this next fight,” he said, his voice trailing off as he moved to the dummy. At the same time Anders tried to step out of his way, and the two ended up colliding, with Bryant using his hands on Alice’s arms to stop from knocking her over.
    Alice barely contained her gasp of surprise when she felt Bryant place his hands on her upper arms to steady her and stop her from falling on her backside. She shivered in reaction to his nearness and quickly pulled herself away, muttering a quick “sorry” as she skirted around him and headed to the other side of the gym.

Chapter 8
    Bryant released Anders as quickly as he’d grabbed him, confused at his reaction to being near the man. God, what is happening to me? He’s an old man, for gods sake! Wow. I never realized how much difference there might be in muscle tone with an old man. I mean, he’s toned… but his muscles just didn’t feel as big as I thought they would. And I really need to get laid if touching an old man gets me this hard, this quick! And why in the hell am I noticing how he smells?
    He watched Anders walk away, struggling to keep from showing how disgusted he was with himself. Shaking his head, he stepped up to the dummy and delivered a sharp strike to the wooden arm closest to him, forgetting he also needed to block the opposing one, receiving a sharp knock on the back of his head for his effort.
    Tavvy chuckled and reached out a hand to stop Bryant from getting hit in the face as the arms rotated once again. “Easy, son. We need to start out a little slower and a lot lighter, or you’re going to give yourself a concussion!”
    Bryant rubbed the back of his head and nodded, his physical reaction to being near Anders forgotten amid the pain lancing across his skull. God, this thing hurts! How did that old man hit this thing so hard and not come away black and blue?
    ***
    Alice watched Tavvy take Bryant through several more moves before she left the gym and headed back to the main cabin. She was still reeling from the way her body had responded to being so close to his. Her nipples were hardening just thinking about him again and there were butterflies in her stomach causing quite a commotion.
    She met Marguerite in the front doorway and removed her sunglasses. Marguerite was peering closely at her. “What happened?”
    Alice shook her head. “Why do you think anything happened?” She tried to act normal, but from the look on Marguerite’s face, she was failing dismally.
    “You look shocked. What happened in the gym?”
    Alice thought about making up a story, but she’d never been any good at lying and she caved under Marguerite’s watchful eye. “Nothing. Bryant and I got in each other’s way for a moment and I almost fell on my butt.”
    Marguerite nodded. “But you didn’t. How come?”
    “Bryant stopped me from falling by grabbing my arms.”
    Marguerite gasped. “Does he know you’re not your father?”
    Alice waved a hand. “No. Nothing like that. It’s just that I got this funny feeling when he was touching me. I think maybe I’m coming down with something.”
    Marguerite grinned. “Well, it’s about time. I wondered when you’d finally wake up and see all of that fine eye-candy your daddy brings