“We’re going to be late,” Eva says, as we’re the only four left in the changing room.
Adrianna groans. “I’d rather not attend at all.”
Nat shoves her in the shoulder. “Man up Vasquez. You’ve still got two semesters of his shit.”
She rolls her eyes. “Unless I can put him off, but it seems like an impossible feat up to now.”
“I must admit I’m surprised he hasn’t given up and moved onto the next one,” I say.
Adrianna’s brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s renowned for having a couple of students, if not more, on the go during one year. As far as I’m aware, he hasn’t touched a single student this year, spending all his time trying to get into your pants instead.”
Her cheeks turn pink as she shakes her head. “Well, I wish he’d turn his attention to someone else.”
I hook arms with her. “Come on, let’s go see lover boy.”
She glares at me, making me laugh. “I’m only messing about.”
“Well, don’t.”
I shake my head and we walk together into the gym, where the coach is about to start a demonstration.
His dark eyes find Adrianna instantly, and I see the fire in them. There’s no way he’s going to stop trying to get into her pants this semester. I think she has the willpower of a saint, as he’s so damn hot, but I get that his reputation is off-putting.
“Adrianna, you’re late,” he says, drawing everyone’s attention to the two of us. “Which means you get to help me with my demonstration.” He waves away Anita, who looks disappointed. Everyone wants to tussle with Coach Daniels, because he’s sexy as hell, except for Adrianna.
“Motherfucker,” she murmurs under her breath, before unhooking arms with me and walking to stand in front of him.
“Today we’re going to learn how to disable your opponent without doing damage,” Daniel says, his eyes dancing with delight as he stares at Adrianna. “All you need to do is stand there and look pretty, Miss Vasquez.”
Her nostrils flare.
“And let me do the work.”
A few students chuckle at that as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“Arms up as if you are anticipating an attack,” he instructs.
Adrianna does as he says, rage blazing in her eyes as she watches him. And then he moves for her, grabbing her by the shoulder effortlessly and using it to flip her onto the safety mat below, pinning her beneath his foot. “It’s as simple as that,” he says, glancing at the students watching him. “Get a solid grasp of the shoulder and use your weight to flip your opponent to the ground. It does minimal damage but ensures your opponent is entirely subdued.”
Adrianna grabs his foot and twists it in a way that forces him to lose his balance, bringing him down onto the mat next to her. “Are you so sure about that, coach?”
His jaw clenches. “Well played, but I was distracted at the time.” He pushes himself back to his feet and offers her a hand, which she doesn’t take.
Once she’s on her feet, he grabs her hips suddenly and pulls her toward him, murmuring something in her ear.
Her cheeks flush a deep red and her jaw clenches as she takes a step away from him.
Coach Daniels has never been discreet about his pursuit of students, but with Adrianna, he’s been particularly brazen about it.
“Now get into pairs and practice,” he barks.
Adrianna returns to my side.
“What did he say to you?”
She shrugs. “The usual derogatory and misogynistic bullshit.”