Stone Cold Knockout (House of Pain Book 1) by Lavender Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

his face and he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
    “ You are such a cheater!” she managed to get out through her short breaths.
    “ You are out of shape,” he said, laughing. “Not my fault.” Her bare stomach was slick with sweat and the more she squirmed, the more she slipped in his arms. Suddenly, he was very aware that her luscious ass was smashed against him and her tits were brushing against his arms. Not the worst way to spend a Saturday, he wagered.
    “ I am not out of shape,” she threw over her shoulder.
    “ You won't be when I get done with you,” he murmured, resisting the urge to drag his teeth across her salty skin. As if sensing the change in him, she stopped squirming and turned her face to look at him.
    “ I think you've made your point,” she said and he set her on her feet, reluctantly. She took a step away from him but he pulled her back against his chest.
    “ What point am I making?” he asked.
    “ That you're stronger and faster than me.”
    “ Wrong.” He shook his head. “I am your trainer. Do not bother trying to beat me. It is pointless,” he said, raising his hand to run his finger along the curve of her neck, brushing away the soft curl of her hair that rested there. “I am here for you. Trust me.” He heard her breath catch and he took a step back, letting her go. She turned to face him, the dappled light playing across her features. She was scowling again, but he was used to that. Her eyes flashed with fiery anger. Sweat dotted her brow and her chest rose and fell with every breath. In the summer sun, she looked just as alive as he felt.
    His eyes dropped to her lips. There was still a small bruise on her bottom lip from their sparring match. He wondered how it would feel to kiss her, to touch his mouth to hers. He wondered how her arms would feel around his neck and her tongue would feel against his tongue. He wondered how her dark hair would look spread out on his pillow and how her smooth brown legs would look wrapped in his white sheets.
    In that split second, he wondered a lot of things.
    The moment passed.
    “Come,” he said. Turning, he jogged off, continuing down the wooded path. For once, he wasn't sure he knew where it was leading him.
     
    ***
     
    “Hands up,” Mikhail ordered and Gennifer seriously considered punching him in the face. Her shoulders ached from swimming and her thighs ached from jogging. The only thing she wanted to do was lay flat on the grass and pass out. It was a beautiful day in the park and she wished she could enjoy it. Unfortunately, the Russian was not going to let her do that. Now or ever. So she lifted her hands and got in fighting stance because she was a glutton for punishment. “You are slouching,” he said, and she could've sworn she saw glee dancing behind his dark eyes. With a groan, she pushed her shoulders back, ignoring the cry of her muscles. “Good. Now jab.”
    Gennifer resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his authoritative tone. She had asked for this, after all. She'd known exactly what she was getting herself into. So she jabbed, aiming for the mitts that covered his hands.
    “Harder,” he demanded. Gritting her teeth, she swung harder. He popped his gum and shook his head, not impressed. She tried again, and he shook his head again.
    “ Okay,” she said. “Show me.”
    “ Show you?” He cocked his head, his jaw working.
    “ Yeah.” Gennifer held up her gloved hands, mimicking him. “Show me how you want me to do it.” A slow smile worked over his lips. He pulled the mitts off and dropped them in the grass. She steeled her spine, bracing for his blows. He brought his fists to his face and the intensity in his eyes was slightly concerning. He jabbed quickly with no warning, right then left. The force behind his movements sent a jolt through her, but she could see his muscles straining from holding back. He didn't want to hurt her, she supposed. He was big enough, he could have knocked her on her