Alpha One (Shadow Agents 1)

Juliana forced her own body to ease its stiffness.

“When you attack—” Logan was circling her now, making her nervous “—use the strongest part of your body.” He stood behind her, came closer. His body brushed against hers. His arm slid around her, and his fingers curled over her hand. “Use your fists.” He lifted her hand, punched out with it and turned her arm. “Your elbows.” He surrounded her. So big and solid behind her, his arms sweeping out.

He spun her around so that she faced him. His fingers still curled over her fist. He lifted her fist toward his neck. “Punch at your attacker’s throat. Hit hard, with every bit of strength that you have.”

His gaze blazed down at her. “You have to be ready to take your attacker out,” Logan said.

She tugged her hand. He didn’t let go. Her eyes narrowed. “What if I’m just trying to get away?”

Another spin, and her back was to him again. He’d freed her, and she stood there, her body too tense and aware.

“I’ll be the attacker,” he said.

Her mouth went dry.

“If I come at you from behind...” And he did. In a rush, he had her. His arms wrapped around her body and he hauled her back against him. Juliana struggled, twisting and straining forward, but she couldn’t get free of his hold. Her struggles just strained her against him.

He was getting turned on.

Juliana froze.

“Hunch your shoulders,” he told her, voice gruff. “Don’t try to lunge away. Curl in...”

She did, hunching her shoulders.

“Then drop.”

She slid out of his grasp. She twisted and turned back up. Her hand fisted, ready to punch.

“When you’re free, go for my eyes. My throat.” His lips twisted. “My groin.”

She wasn’t going there. Not then. With an effort, she kept her eyes up.

“Use your elbow or fist in a groin attack. Hard as you can hit...”

She managed a slow nod.

“But if I come at you straight on...” And he did. He advanced and those big hands came for her throat once more. His fingers wrapped around her neck. Not hurting her. Again, she felt the ghost of a caress against her skin. “Then shove your fingers into my eyes.”

Vicious. Juliana swallowed and nodded. She would do whatever she had to do.

He didn’t drop his hand. Just stared at her. The air seemed to thicken with the tension between them.

“I’m not going to let them get you again.”

His fingers were behind her ear, caressing. She shivered at the touch and the memories it stirred. In the past, he’d liked to kiss her in just that spot.

“I’ll stand between you and any person who comes for you.”

She believed that he would. But Logan was flesh and blood. He couldn’t stop fire or bullets.

He could die, too.

Then what would happen?

I’d be without him again.

Her gaze lifted to his. There was arousal, need, so much lust in his eyes. But he wasn’t pushing her, wasn’t trying to kiss her, and his hand was falling away from her.