Bryant didn’t acknowledge her praise. He was too busy concentrating on taking enough oxygen into his lungs so he didn’t embarrass himself by collapsing on the trailhead! “God, I hate running! Maybe I should mention that to her father next time I see him. There’s got to be a better way than this torture to increase my endurance!”
Alice burst out laughing. “You just spoke those thoughts out loud.”
“Shit! I mean… oh, hell!” Bryant stopped talking, the extra effort stealing what little oxygen he was able to capture and making him slightly light-headed.
Alice laughed again and then patted him on the shoulder as she slowed to a jog in place. She turned to the rest of the group. “The tree’s coming up. Be careful racing the last quarter mile so that you don’t twist an ankle or worse.”
The boys and girls behind them gave whoops of joy and raced around them, steadily increasing their pace until they came level with a tall pine tree that was burned on one side from a previous lightning strike. As if an invisible starting gun had gone off, they reached the tree and the teens took off running like the hounds of hell were on their heels.
Bryant stopped running altogether, grabbing his side as he watched in amazement. “Where on earth did they get that extra burst of energy?” He glanced at Alice who was watching the kids with a soft smile on her face. It lit her up and his eyes were drawn to her lips. He watched as she licked her bottom lip before turning her gorgeous green eyes his direction.
“Got enough reserve left to beat me?” she challenged.
Bryant glanced at the tree and then at her, giving her a smile. “Care to place a wager on the win?”
Alice turned toward him. “What kind of wager?”
“A date. If I beat you, you go out with me tonight.”
“A date? And just where would we be going on this date?” Alice said, playing with a strand of her hair.
“You let me worry about that. Are you game?”
Alice thought about declining, but the smirk on his face wasn’t to be allowed. “Fine. But when I beat you, you have to promise to give me something in the future.”
“What?” Bryan asked.
“I’ll tell you when I figure it out.”
Don’t do it! She could ask for anything, and you’d give it to her. Despite the voice of reason yelling in his head, Bryant slowly nodded. “You’re on.”
“Fine. We go when we reach the tree.” Alice turned and started jogging to the tree in question.
Bryant caught up with her, and even though he was mentally prepared, physically, his body just didn’t have enough left in it to keep up with her when she shot like a bullet down the last few hundred yards. Damn it! I just got my ass handed to me by a girl! I’m glad Beck and Mason weren’t here to see this!
As he bent over to catch his breath, behind him he heard the roar of an engine and an unmistakable masculine voice.
Chapter 13
Turning swiftly, he almost lost his footing. There in the Gator stood Tavvy and Zac, both sporting huge grins at his humiliating loss.
“I thought you weren’t coming for a few more days,” Bryant said. He was struggling to gain his breath control back without letting those around him know how hard it was.
“Change in plans. A forest service chopper was headed up this way and I managed to hitch a ride. I’m afraid that means you’re my chauffeur back to Utah, but I didn’t figure you’d mind.”
Bryant shared a quick fist bump with his sparring partner and then turned to introduce him to Alice. “This is my sparring partner, and a guy that really enjoys beating me up on a regular basis—Zac Matthews. Zac, Alice.”
Alice smiled warmly at the newcomer and shook his hand. “I’m glad to meet you. We were just wondering who was going to have the privilege of pounding on him this afternoon, weren’t we, Tavvy?”
“Yes, ma’am. I can tell you from yesterday, I just don’t have it in me anymore. The kid’s too fast for me.”
Zac laughed and bowed slightly. “Glad I can be of service. So, where is Mr. Anders?”
Alice smiled and shook her head. “Sorry, but Dad’s not feeling very well today. You all are stuck with me.” Today and the days after this if I can convince fight-boy here I can teach him a thing or two.
The teens had gathered round by this time and Sara piped up. “Alice, you know that isn’t really a problem. Besides, I want you to show me that throw you used on Steve last week.”
Alice grinned. “The one I turned into an armbar at the end?’
Steve rubbed his shoulder with a grimace. “That would be the one.”
“If you want to play with the big boys, you’ve got to toughen up.” Tavvy crossed his arms over his chest. His voice held not a trace of sympathy.
“And if you want to play with Alice, you have to become the man of steel,” Mark said. Everyone laughed except Bryant. The instant surge of jealousy he felt hearing the words Alice and play in the same sentence was as puzzling as it was alarming. I don’t want to even think about one of these kids playing around with her. Bryant turned away and made a production of re-tying his shoelace to hide his discomfort.
Zac wasn’t fooled as easily and squatted down to meet Bryant’s eyes. “Something you want to share with me, buddy?”
Bryant finished tying his shoe and stood back up. Zac shared a look with him and asked, “A throw that ends in an armbar? You make it sound so easy.”
Alice grinned broadly at both men. “It is. If you know how to do it correctly.” She found herself staring into Bryant’s stormy gaze and it took several breaths before she could tear her eyes away from his. Get a grip, Alice. You need to convince this guy you can train him so he’ll stick around at least one more week. Forget how tingly he makes you feel and focus on the hospital bill. Focus!
Giving her head a small shake, she turned back to address the teens. “Okay guys, hydrate and then we’re heading back.”
Already? I’d much rather stay here and stare into her eyes. What are the chances we could just find a nice place to settle in by this lake and just call this training? I can’t believe that my legs can barely support me right now! Bryant wanted to groan just thinking about running another six miles. He looked at Zac and then grinned nastily. “I’m really glad you’re here Zac. You can join us on the run back.”
Zac lifted an eyebrow and then murmured to Bryant, “You do know that I run six or seven miles a day as part of my firefighter training?”
Wonderful, now everyone except Tavvy will be able to outrun me. “Naw, I figured you’ve been cooped up in that chopper and a run might feel invigorating.”
“Sure enough.” Zac gave a wink.
Taking the water bottle Tavvy held out to him, Bryant drained it in three large gulps. “Thanks.”
Alice watched the two men’s banter, noticing that Bryant couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off of her. He was carrying on a conversation with Zac and Tavvy, but his eyes were firmly fixed on her own. And she found she didn’t mind in the least.
Several minutes later, she announced it was time to toss their water bottles back in the Gator and head back to the gym. She let the kids lead the way, and found herself slightly disappointed that this time she wouldn’t have Bryant as her constant companion.
She could hear him and his friend talking behind her, but it wasn’t their words that captured her attention. It was the certain feel of Bryant’s eyes watching her ass that had her quickening her pace beyond one that the kids could maintain.
Surging ahead, Alice left the kids in her dust as she pushed herself to complete the second half of their run in record time. When she arrived back at the compound, she skirted around the gym and headed straight for the house. She needed a chance to cool down, away from the dreamy grey-blue eyes that were causing her to think all sorts of crazy things!
***
Bryant arrived back at the gym with Zac by his side and Tavvy right behind them. He immediately began looking around for Alice. Several miles back, she had taken off. Where she’d found
the energy to do so, he still didn’t know, but even Zac had been impressed by the speed with which she had finished their run.
Now they were back though, he was curious as to what precipitated her quick departure. She’d been content to let the kids lead the way back, initially. What lit that fire under her?
He didn’t have much time to worry about that because the kids immediately went into a complicated stretching routine that seemed to include elements of tai chi and yoga. He and Zac took their places at the back of the open mat and did their best to follow along as Steve called out the techniques and poses and everyone began the cool-down.
A few minutes later, Zac said, “You should incorporate some of these moves into your training back home.”
Bryant nodded. “Not a bad idea. Hey Steve, did Anders come up with this set of moves? I’ve never done a set like it before—it’s a great workout.”
Steve lifted his head, and then lowered his body from the downward dog position he was holding, instructing everyone else to do the same. “You mean Mr. Anders?”
“Yeah. That’s who I meant,” Bryant said.
“No. This is all his daughter. A lot of the training routines we use around here are ones she put together. She took the traditional training techniques her dad used for his MMA fighters and she fine-tuned them to work for not only the kids, but for females too.” Sara beamed as if she was one of Alice’s proud parents herself.
Bryant looked around at the kids and it was easy to see the admiration they had for the beautiful young woman he was still looking for. “So, anyone know where she is?”
Chapter 14
“Right behind you, fight-boy,” Alice said, giving him a wink. “Okay, everyone pair up. We’re going to try some of the inside fighting techniques we worked on last weekend.”
Bryant watched as Alice unzipped and removed her black jacket. He sucked in a breath as she passed him, catching a whiff of her scent—a mixture of lemon and something herbal. The woman had just completed a twelve-mile run, and yet she smelled as refreshing as a spring day. Tantalizing!
“Hey, you here to train or stare at the trainer?” Zac whispered to him, amused to see his partner so befuddled. Since high school, Bryant had always been the more focused of the two, but it appeared the tables had turned.
Zac found himself watching Bryant’s trainer with a new curiosity. Something about her had touched Bryant in a way no other woman had in the last several years. He was running with her, for crying out loud! Bryant hated running more than any other form of training!
He watched the two for another moment. He could feel something going on between these two—a tension that just about sizzled in the air, but not in a bad way. It was about time that Bryant met up with someone who not only could keep up with him, but also give him a good match outside of the sport. Picking up on what was simmering and building between these two, he smiled to himself. Let’s see what I can do to encourage this—Bryant Burton needs this.
Alice had paired up with Sara, Mark was working with his cousin Chelsea, Steve and Jimmy were working together, leaving Zac and Bryant to pair up.
“Alright, so let’s try some of those back elbows we worked on last week. This first round, choose who’s going to be striking, and the other person needs to make sure they block. Everything. Remember, this is a spinning technique and strikes can come from multiple directions in a short span of time.”
“Back elbows? Really?” Zac asked a little too loudly, drawing snickers from the boys and girls when Alice turned and narrowed her eyes at him.
“Tavvy, toss me one of those head protectors.” Tavvy did as she requested and she snatched the black padded headgear from the air. Stalking across the mats to where Zac and Bryant stood, she faced them both. “You have a comment regarding the technique we’re working on?”
Zac smiled at her and shook his head. “Not really, it’s just that in an MMA fight…”
“This is the perfect technique, and one most of you knuckleheads totally forget about. Allow me to demonstrate.” She started to hand the headgear to Zac, but when she heard Bryant chuckling behind her, she turned on him.
“Put this on.” She waited patiently while Bryant pulled the headgear on and fastened the straps beneath his chin. Walking around him in a circle, she eyed him up and down, gauging her strategy. He stood almost eight inches taller than she and he had more weight on her. This technique was much easier to pull off on someone more her size, but she was determined to make her point.
Bryant watched her circle him, his fists relaxed by his sides as he prepared for her impending attack. He could see the calculating look in her eyes and he knew something was coming. He just didn’t know what.
He made the mistake of glancing in Zac’s direction for a brief second, and Alice launched toward him.
Alice saw his eyes slide away from her and knew she wouldn’t get a better opportunity. She bent her knees and turned into his chest, folding her arms across her chest; she let her back arm swing out and caught the side of Bryant’s head with her elbow.
Before he could grab a hold of her or block her attack, she bent her knees and spun the other way, drawing her arms across her chest again. This time, she released the other elbow, catching him on the opposite temple.
Bryant grunted loudly—he couldn’t believe that Alice had caught him not once, but twice with her elbows. Luckily, she was just short enough that her strikes lacked the full weight of her strength.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, intent on pushing her away from him, but she bent her knees once again, spun the opposite direction, and planted her elbow directly into his ribs. He gasped and reaching out for her. He was holding back, he knew, but dammit, he wasn’t going to hit her.
She twisted sharply to the inside as she ducked under his arm, pulling him off his balance and rolling him head over ass until he landed on his back on the mats. Hard! That did it. He grabbed her shoulders and rolled with her, tangling arms and legs. For a second, he wasn’t sure he could get her pinned. She was all lithe strength and sinuous muscle—and he wanted to be tangling with her in other ways. Her scent distracted him. Her sweat slicked his skin and made him think of better ways for them to be wrapped around each other. She took advantage of his distraction and slipped out from his arms.
Standing, she turned to Zac. “Any questions about how back elbows can be used?”
Bryant shook his head and swept out her legs with a kick, taking her to the ground and putting her underneath him. “Oh, I’ve got questions all right.” He grinned down at her.
From above him he heard Zac say, “I’ll leave you two to it.”
Chapter 15
Alice looked up at Bryant and then wished she hadn’t. His eyes were dark, and as she watched him try to control the intensity that was threatening to boil up and spill over, she recognized the light in his eyes as that of determination to be the best. No way is he going to take being bested by a female! Way to go, Alice. You just poked the lion and forgot to see if his chain was still on!
She opened her mouth to speak and was silenced by Bryant instantly. “Don’t,” Bryant said, looking down at her from his position on top of her. His knees held her upper arms pinned to the mats, rendering her arms useless.
She strained to lift her head and he gave a groan. He pushed his hips back as her warm breath flowed over his thighs.
Alice groaned this time when his weight shifted. She raised her eyes to his and then it dawned on her what had caused him to shift. She had raised her head, her eyes closed as she tried to gain leverage for her upper body, but doing so had brought her with inches of his groin and as she inhaled sharply, his scent rushed over her, and she dropped her head back to the mats in confusion. She realized he was not unaware that something in the realm of sexual connection had just taken place.
Bryant licked his lips. She knew he was watching her. Could he see the same confusion that was tying her in knots? Did he know just how far she was out of her league? He mus
t because he smiled as if trying to lighten the atmosphere, rose to his feet, and offered her his hand to get up. “Want to show me how you did that thing with your elbows?”
Alice accepted his hand and let him help her to her feet. “Maybe I should have one of the guys work with you. It works much better when it’s someone your same height.”
“Oh yeah? Trying to give us both a breather? That sounds good.”
Alice wiped her sweaty hands on her pants, trying to control her ragged breathing and slow the pounding of her heart.
Bryant followed her hands, getting caught up as his eyes tracked down her chest, taking in the soft areas of tanned skin revealed by her sports bra, and the taut muscles of her abs. The gentle swell of her hips and the long legs that ended at her bright pink painted toes made him smile; he couldn’t entirely hide it. Raising his eyes back up to hers, he murmured, “You owe me.”
“What! No, you owe me. I won the race, remember?”
“Yeah, and you’re welcome to collect on that win. What you owe me for is taking me down in front of the kids.” Bryant met her gaze with a resolute look in his eyes. He would not take no for an answer, that much she could tell.
Alice swallowed and slowly nodded. “Yeah, I probably should have at least warned you what was coming. Okay, what can I do to make it up to you?”
Bryant grinned at her and leaned down so that he was close to her ear. “Lets go out to the lake. Fishing.”
Alice raised her head sharply, nearly colliding with his chin. “What? You want to go fishing?”
“Yep. After dinner tonight. I want you to take me back to the lake so we can go fishing.”
“I… well… okay.” Alice was totally confused about where this was coming from. Fishing? Fight-boy wants to go catch a fish? This must be why I haven’t dated anyone in a long time. Boys and men alike are too confusing to figure out! Nodding, she conceded. “Fine. I’ll take you and Zac fishing…”
Bryant shook his head. “Not Zac. Just me. Just you and me.”
MMA Fighter's Fierce Temptation (The Burton Brothers Series Book 1) Page 5
