Trusting Love by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Free Book Online

wasn’t worth the thought.
    She exhaled and sat up. He moved to the side and stared at her.
    “Is this stupid for me to even bother with?”
    His eyes widened.
    “What I mean, is that could I use any of this if I had to? Would I make a difference? I’m petite and I mean, look how big you are. You’re using your pointer and thumb to grab my wrist, not even your full hand, and I can’t escape.”
    He stared at her, licked his lower lip and then reached out and took her wrist. He held it with finger and thumb wrapped around it. She did have small wrists. She was petite, and he was extra large. Why was she feeling so defeated?
    “I didn’t want to accidentally bruise your wrist while practicing. This is definitely worth it. Not because you may or may not be able to defeat your attacker, but because you can buy yourself time to call out for help, to run, to grab for a weapon, to catch them off guard and give yourself a fighting chance.”
    She stared at him. He was something else. A total, full-package hottie. She pulled her hand gently and he released it and stood up. He reached down, offering her his hand, and she took it. When he pulled her up, she lost her balance and wound up against him. He immediately pulled her close even when she tried to step back.
    “Listen, baby, it’s a lot to take in. That’s why these classes go on and on. You have to master each thing, find your comfort zone, and go after what you want.”
    She felt his hand at her lower back, nearly to her ass. She wished she could feel just one finger stroke over the cheek and then she damned the thought. She promised herself not to get involved with them. She was making these changes and needed to stick to her plan.
    The damn man gave her palpitations. The thick muscles, that dark, firm expression and look in his eyes, and even the scruff along his chin was badass. A man like him could protect her. She tightened up. A man like him could do her major harm, too.
    “I don’t know. I guess I’ll keep trying and maybe a few key moves will stick.”
    She pressed away and he released her. “The kickboxing class you were taking is still a good idea. That in itself can assist if someone ever tried to attack you.”
    “I liked those classes. I was still a bit sore on my chest and shoulder, though.”
    “How are they healing?” he asked her.
    She pushed her shirt down slightly to show him the nasty discoloration, which he seemed not to fully react to. She was certain the man probably saw worse as a soldier. She swallowed hard. She wondered how resourceful Milton was.
    He reached out and held her upper her arm to look at the bruising.
    “It will get really ugly before it heals completely. Just needs time.”
    She held his gaze. “It’s pretty damn ugly right now, Milton.”
    He reached up and caressed her cheek. “At least this one healed. I hated seeing your beautiful face battered like that,” he admitted and then pulled back.
    She didn’t say a word. “Well, let’s get you home and then next time we’ll work on some more counter moves that can incorporate the kickboxing that you’re learning.”
    “Great. I need to get back on the schedule. Is there room in the Wednesday afternoon class?”
    “For you, definitely,” he said and she followed him from the room. When they got into the office her cell phone was ringing. She walked over to answer it and saw it was Trevor, the guy that the hardware store manager recommended.
    “Hi, Trevor. Really? Oh, God, I hope it works out. No problem, I’ll find someone else. Thanks anyway.” She disconnected the call while Milton was turning off the lights and locking up.
    “What was that about?”
    She nibbled her bottom lip.
    “This guy Trevor who was going to come over to fix my leaky sink and look at the window. It’s rotting.”
    “What? Why didn’t you tell me? How long has this been going on?” Milton asked her as he grabbed his keys.
    “It’s okay, Milton. I’ll find someone.”
    “No,