The little voice inside my head wasn’t helping in the least. I was genuinely curious about him, maybe too much so, but I was here. He was standing right in front of me.
He was gorgeous.
And I was completely irrational.
“Right handed? You’re putting too much weight on one side. That makes you unbalanced. You need to practice more with your left arm. That will make you a more even fighter.” I was surprised how authoritative my voice sounded.
The sudden silence sent chills trickling all the way down to my toes. I shot him a look, involuntarily licking my lips. Damn it. I could tell by the twinkle in his eyes he’d caught the obvious gesture of attraction.
“Um, if you’re wondering how I know this…” Now I was blabbering on like some scaredy cat. Great. “My cousin’s a boxer, amateur but he’s pretty good. He’s a southpaw and can’t use his right arm for shit.” Heat swept along my neck, oozing on both sides of my jaw until they flamed scarlet. Oh, my God. I wondered in the warm glow of light if he was able to notice.
Tick. Tock.
How much time had just been sucked into the wind?
“Now, do you want to tell me why you really interrupted me, moy malen’kiy ognennyy shar?”
Everything coming out of his mouth was dripping with sexual innuendoes and this time as his hooded gaze shifted to the floor, I knew he was undressing me with his eyes. That brought out the fury I’d felt earlier.
“I don’t know what the hell you just said, but it sounded like an insult and that’s not acceptable. I already told you the real reason. Noise. That noise.” I pointed toward the still swinging punching bag, giving him a nasty look.
“I would never insult a creature so beautiful.”
“Do you always flirt with women you don’t know?”
“Isn’t that what flirting is all about?”
How the hell would I know? I usually shied away from wasting my time, but with him, everything seemed different. Dirty. Sinful.
And far too delicious.
“You don’t know me,” I countered, catching his look of amusement.
“But it would seem you’d like to get to know me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, buddy.”
I was rewarded with a flash of his gorgeous eyes, although they seemed darker, more ominous than they had before.
“I assure you that I have no need to provide myself with compliments,” he growled. Again. Could the man sound more like an animal in heat?
Why was it that almost everything that came out of his mouth was frustrating? “Of course you don’t. You’re far too handsome and debonair.” I couldn’t believe I’d just told the dangerous-looking man he was handsome. While it was the truth, I needed to learn to control my mouth.
“I’m surprised you’re giving me a compliment.”
“Don’t give me that.”
“What am I giving you?” he sneered.
Why did I have the feeling he had several disgusting ideas in mind?
“Bullshit. You’re well aware of how handsome you are. I’m certain women tell you that all the time.”
He cocked his head. “Women aren’t usually as forthcoming as you are.”
“Well, I’m glad I can be of service.”
“Service. I like the sound of that.”