by Marie Harte
Laughter filled the somber room, releasing the building tension.
Gavin shook his head. “Ignore my brother. This is about you guys learning to take care of yourselves.”
Hope spoke up, her voice light but firm. “Dating can be and should be fun. But when it isn’t, I want to be able to defend myself, or least get the hell out of Dodge and find help before my date comes on too strong. You know?”
Several women nodded. Hope turned back to Landon and whispered something that had him frowning.
Gavin directed them. “So, let’s all partner up. If you haven’t already, give yourself some space.”
The redhead who’d earlier been looking her way stood with another lady next to them. “Hi. I’m Claudia. This is Bridget.”
Sadie nodded. “I’m Sadie. This is Ava.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m so glad I’m taking this class,” Claudia said.
“Yeah, me too.” Sadie sounded a little too chipper for Ava’s peace of mind. Sadie stepped closer and leaned in to whisper, “Your man is looking over here and scowling big time. I don’t trust these two.”
Always suspicious of everyone. Poor Sadie. But Ava didn’t want to lecture her cousin. “Okay.” Easier to just agree with her.
“Just keep an eye on her.”
Whatever. Ava nodded.
The class started in earnest.
Gavin used Hope, grabbing her by the wrist. “You can see I’m bigger than Hope. I’m holding her tight. There are several ways to get free. One, break his grip by ripping your arm free where his thumb and forefinger meet. Like this.” He nodded to Hope, and she pulled her arm free. To the group, he said, “Go ahead and try it, ladies. Switch off in your pairs, so you each get to practice.”
Landon walked around while the groups alternated getting free.
“Great.” Gavin nodded. “Okay, now watch this.” He pulled Hope in again, grabbing her wrist. “Do it, Hope.”
Hope tugged and pulled as instructed, but this time she couldn’t break free. “Crap.”
“The release we just learned will usually work, so long as your opponent doesn’t have a really strong grip. I do, and my sister is kind of wimpy.”
“Hey.” Hope glared.
Ava couldn’t help but laugh with the crowd. The Donnigans were entertaining, to say the least. She noticed Landon out of the corner of her eye smiling at something two older women said.
“So another way to get free. Watch,” Gavin ordered. “Hope’s going to squat down, keeping her weight centered, and move her elbow toward my arm, breaking the angle of my grip. By doing so, it’s physically impossible for me to hold on. But this move isn’t easy. It goes against instinct to go toward danger, which is what Hope is doing by leaning toward me and not away. It’s got to be a fast move too, because as soon as she’s free, she needs to run.”
They watched Hope execute the move twice. Then Gavin ordered them to try.
Landon helped a few people. By the time he stood next to her and Sadie, watching, Ava thought she’d already mastered the move.
Sadie wore a smirk when she saw him standing there. “Good class.”
“I hope so. Long as it helps keep my sister safe, I’m happy.”
Ava realized there might be more to this class for the Donnigans than strutting around in shorts acting authoritative. Not that she’d given much thought to the reason behind his giving the class in the first place, but knowing Landon wanted to protect his sister, she softened toward him without meaning to.
“I’m Sadie, by the way,” her cousin introduced herself. “Ava’s cousin.”
Landon smiled. “Landon. Ava seems to have a lot of cousins.”
“Three, but Rose is busy at home canoodling with her husband, and Elliot’s out whoring around town, so it’s just me tonight.”
“Sadie.” Ava couldn’t believe the mouth on her cousin.
Landon laughed. “I’ve met Elliot.” He said no more, one circumspect person in the room, at least. “Okay, Sadie, let’s see you get free from me.” He gripped Sadie’s wrist.
Sadie escaped easily.
“Good job.” He smiled, then gave Ava an arched brow. “Now, let’s see you in action, Doc.”
Ava smiled through her teeth. “Bring it.”
He gripped her wrist, and she felt that tingle of connection he seemed able to engender each time they were together. She tried to pull free the first way they’d been taught, but he only tightened his grip. Annoyed, she glared at him.
He smirked. “What’s wrong, Doc? Can’t get free?” He leaned closer and whispered, “Or don’t you want to?”
She reviewed what they’d learned and squatted low, then moved toward him, until her elbow touched his forearm, forcing him to let go. But he didn’t make it easy. She was breathing hard by the time she’d scuttled out from under his massive body.
“Nice job. I didn’t want to let go, but you made me.” He nodded and moved on before she could question why he’d been tougher on her than her cousin.
It didn’t escape her notice that Claudia had watched their interaction closely. The redhead smiled at Landon, and he smiled back, but he didn’t go over to help her or Bridget with the move.
The class learned two more stances, one that aimed for the bridge of the nose, another that involved a wrist lock and knee to the face.
The hour seemed almost up when Landon and Gavin decided to show the ladies what a real assault might look like. But instead of using Hope, they used each other.
Landon looked over the crowd, lingering on her, it seemed, before shifting his gaze. “Violence isn’t pretty. We’re not trying to scare you, but you need to be aware it won’t be like the classroom. It won’t be measured, slowed enough for you to react. We’re going to demonstrate, and it’s going to get a little rough, so be warned.” He turned to his brother. “Gavin, you’re the girl, here.”
“You’re an ass,” Gavin muttered and turned pink while everyone laughed. “Okay, ladies. I’m on your side. He’s the enemy.” He faced his brother and raised the pitch of his voice. “Thanks for dinner, Landon. I had a great time. And you know, I’m surprised you paid. Rumor has it you’re a cheapskate.”
More laughter.
Landon sighed. “You’re welcome, Gavina.”
“Gavina?”
“Work with me, honey.” Landon closed the distance between them and put his arm around his brother’s shoulder. “Let me walk you home.” Then, before Gavin could take two steps, Landon had him in a headlock, dragging him toward the doorway.
It happened in the blink of an eye, and Ava watched in astonishment as Gavin struggled violently to be free, his face turning red.
Then Gavin sagged.
Sadie gaped. “Oh my God. I think he actually passed out.”
Landon relaxed, just enough, apparently, because Gavin exploded into action and soon had Landon at arm’s length, his fists cocked and ready to punch.
Then both men stopped.
“See how quickly it can happen?” Landon asked, not even winded. “Just like that, I had him in my hold. And just as fast, he was out of it, faking unconsciousness before jumping at me. We’ll work on lulling your opponent before turning the tables next week. But no chokeholds for real,” he said, a slow smile making Ava question how she’d ever thought him not classically handsome.
The class clapped as the group broke up.
“Man, that was hot.” Sadie fanned her T-shirt at her collar. “Your man is fast, for sure.”
“Not ‘my man.’ Would you stop saying that?” Ava was all too conscious of Claudia once again watching her. “But I think you’re right. Claudia keeps looking at me.”
Landon walked over to her and whispered, “Let’s go. Claudia’s getting on my last nerve.” He put a proprietary arm around her. “Nice meeting you, Sadie.”
“Yo
u too. Be good. Because I’ll know all about your date tomorrow.”
“Is that so? You kiss and tell, Ava?” he asked as they left the room.
Ava wanted the floor to swallow her. Too many people remained behind to overhear him, and the speculation and envy she sensed as they moved toward the lockers felt oppressive.
The speculation she didn’t care for, but a prideful part of her reveled in the envy.
“Who, exactly, is Claudia?” she found herself asking even after she’d told herself not to care.
“An ex from hell.” Landon sighed. “I’m sorry about this.”
“About what?”
“I had to tell her I was seeing someone else to get her to finally understand we’re through. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but we broke up two months ago and she’s not getting the hint.”
“Two months ago? Did you have sex with her since then? Because that can muddy the waters.”
To her surprise, his cheeks turned pink. They moved down the hallway before stopping outside of the ladies’ showers. He pulled her aside, away from the many gym patrons coming and going. “No, I didn’t sleep with her again,” he said in a low voice. “I’m not a dog, Ava. I’m a stand-up guy. When she and I dated, we wanted the same thing. Then we didn’t, so we broke up.”
“You mean, she wanted more, so you broke it off.” She’d nailed it, because he nodded.
“I swear, I wasn’t trying to lie or put you in the middle of any of it, but she kept bugging me to get back with her.” He rotated his neck, twitchy. “Then she cried. I hate crying, I’ll just tell you that now.”
She wanted to smile at his fierce look. “If it makes you feel any better, I only cry when I’m in pain. Although tears can be an emotional release, so it’s actually very healthy to cry. Just not all the time.”
Landon stared at her. “Good to know.”
“Yes, well, you mentioned it first.”
He lost his nervous edge. “Okay, Doc. Just wanted to apologize if I put you in the middle of my mess. I saw her staring at you in class, so she must have guessed you’re the rabbit I’m after.”
“Excuse me?” She frowned. “Rabbit?”
“Tender morsel? Hot, sexy psychologist? Do you wear glasses? ’Cause I’d love to see you in them.”
“Um, yes. But they’re just for reading.” How did the man turn an insult into a compliment so easily? Rabbit to sexy in the same breath?
“I dig smart chicks. Just so you know.”
“You mean intelligent women.”
“That’s what I said.” He brushed his finger down the slope of her nose. “Man, you are so pretty when you’re all red. I’ll meet you out here in twenty minutes, then we’ll go to dinner. Okay?”
“Yes, fine.” She reached out to make a point of her own and grabbed his wrist. “But stop being so grabby. I’m taking a self-defense class, and I have it on good authority that if you even try roughing me up, my instructor will, and I quote, ‘kick your ass.’”
He stopped smiling and drew her hand to his mouth for a kiss she felt all the way to her toes. “Ava, I swear I’ll never do anything to intentionally hurt you. And putting my hand, or any other part of my body, on you isn’t gonna happen if you ever say no. I mean it.” He paused. “If you really don’t want this date, we don’t have to go.”
The sudden seriousness took her aback. “Ah, I was just teasing.” She released his wrist. “Unless you’d rather not go, I can—”
“Dinner it is.” He looked relieved. “I’m heading for the showers. See you soon.” He leaned close and breathed her in. “Yep. Flowers. Damn.” He sighed. “Hurry up, Doc. I’m hungry for dinner. Last one to the front desk buys the first one a drink.”
She watched him jog toward the men’s locker room, then she turned to get her own shower.
He’d given her an out. She could have taken it, said that all that talk of predators and self-defense had freaked her out. He wasn’t her type. Heck, if he ever tried a real wrist lock and meant it, she didn’t think she’d be able to get herself free, no matter what moves she made.
She didn’t know much more about Landon than his name. And that he had a brother and sister. That he worked downtown. That he’d been a Marine. That he loved his family and was a protector of the innocent…
Landon, you are killing me.
She checked the clock by the entrance and swore under her breath. She wouldn’t be late and give him the satisfaction of holding that over her during their dinner. One she very much wanted to attend, to her bewilderment. He still wasn’t her type. She’d seen him physically overpower his brother in seconds. And he had sarcasm down to a science. That didn’t stop her excitement from building, nor did it stop her from imagining what a long, slow kiss with him might feel like.
Her shower lasted for all of five minutes. It took Ava ten more minutes to dry off, dress and apply makeup. Just as she’d finished setting herself to rights in a pair of dove-gray slacks, an emerald-green blouse and a scarf to match, Claudia entered.
“Hi, Ava. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
It appeared Ava would be buying the first round after all.
Chapter 7
Ava waited while Claudia shored her nerve. “Yes?”
“I know we just met, but I thought you should know something.” The redhead didn’t appear to be scheming, angry, or bitchy. She seemed…sad.
“That you and Landon used to date?”
“He told you?”
“Was it supposed to be a surprise?”
Claudia blinked. “I guess not.”
They stood in silence. A subtle glance at the clock told Ava she’d missed the twenty-minute mark. Darn it. “Was there anything else?”
Claudia’s eyes watered. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here to talk to you. It’s just that… I can’t…”
Ava grabbed a few tissues from a nearby dispenser and handed them to Claudia. “That’s okay. What’s really wrong, Claudia?”
“I l-love him, and he ended us too soon.”
“Recently?”
Claudia nodded. “B-before Ch-Christmas.”
Two months ago, like he’d said, so not too recently. But Claudia didn’t appear to see it that way. “I’m so sorry. I know it takes a while for the heart to heal. But you’re a beautiful woman, so you…”
Claudia sat on a bench, crying harder.
Ava sighed and joined her, unable to ignore someone in need.
“I thought I was over him. We had a strictly physical agreement, you know. But then I started falling for him. That smile, the way he loves his family. That protective instinct.” Claudia nodded.
Ava nodded with her. “Every woman wants a responsible, loving companion.” Ava paused. “If this is really hurting you, maybe you could see someone to get over—”
“He came over today. I knew he would, because I manipulated Gavin into giving him a message for me.” She didn’t sound upset over the fact she’d used trickery.
“Okay.” He saw Claudia, today? Not pleased but now wanting to know more, Ava waited.
“He told me it was over. He told me before, but I didn’t believe him. He holds a lot back, emotionally. He saw things in the Marines. Oh, we never talked about it. But if I ever mentioned the news, he’d grow cold, distant. I tried to get him to share with me, but he never would. And when I tried to tell him how I felt about him, he broke it off.” She sniffed. “Then today, he told me about you.”
“Oh?”
“Not you, exactly. Just that he’d met someone. And I could see it in his eyes, so I was curious. I wanted to talk to you, to meet you. I heard from a few friends that he was into some woman at the gym.”
“Okay.” What the heck to say to that? What exactly did “into” mean, anyway? And why were people gossiping about her? That didn’t sit well. At all.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m imposing. I just… I don’t know what I want. I miss him, but I want him to be happy. I just wish it was with me.”
Ava stood and patted Claudia on the shoulder. “Breakups can be hard, especially when it feels one-sided. If time hasn’t helped you get over him, maybe think of seeing someone who can counsel you through it. I know therapy has helped a few friends of mine.” Elliot, years ago, had talked to her extensively about losing the love of his life. At the time, it had seemed as if he’d never move on.
Until months later, when he came out of his shell and accepted himself and the gay community. Now there was no stopping him. She thought about him juggling Mitchell and Tony. Hmm. Perhaps they should have another discussion about the merits of monogamy and deepening a relationship.
She smiled to herself, because Elliot would love this drama at the gym. Knowing she’d been involved in a my-man/your-man discussion in the locker room, of all places. And before her big date with said man? Priceless.
Even Ava could see the humor in the situation, though not in Claudia’s pain.
“Therapy. I might do that.” Claudia gave a wan smile through her tears. “Just know that if you and he don’t work out, I’ll be waiting.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Ava might be a therapist, but she was also a blood-and-bones woman. Claudia was starting to seriously annoy her.
“No.” Claudia blew her nose. “I just wanted to be honest.”
“Do you feel better for having done so?” Ava asked. How about I be honest right back and tell you I want to punch you in the face? Ava breathed deeply. She felt much better imagining Claudia’s cute little nose askew and bleeding. Then she tucked the feeling away, having accepted her irritation as her due.
Claudia nodded. “I also feel stupid for bothering you.” That said, the woman bolted into a bathroom stall.
Ava sighed and grabbed her bag, then met Landon at the front desk.