Breaking Beast (Pounding Hearts 4)

Walking into the gym, I feel ten pounds lighter and there’s a little bounce to my step.

Dale takes one look at me and tells me to get in the cage.

Well, there goes my day.

Entering the cage, Dale shoves a padded helmet over my head and covers my hands with gloves.

“Am I going to be fighting someone?” I ask with butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“If I can find someone who won’t snap you in half,” he grunts and turns away from me.

His eyes scan over the gym and I can see several of the guys purposely turning away from him as if they know what’s coming.

Chase’s head pops up in the back.

Oh, fuck, no. There’s no way, I think as Dale stares at him. I feel my forehead breaking out in a cold sweat and I’m just about to beg Dale not to ask Chase when he calls out, “Hey, Beast! Get your ass in here and give me a hand with your prodigy.”

Oh fuck, it’s even worse than I expected.

Alex stops punching his punching bag and uses his forearm to wipe the sweat off his forehead.

“What was that?” he asks, leaning against the bag.

“You heard me,” Dale snaps. “Get your ass in here. Christy needs a sparring partner.”

Alex gives me a what the fuck look.

All I can do is shrug at him.

With a shake of his head, Alex strolls over to the cage and climbs in.

“I thought you were going to get someone who wouldn’t snap me in half,” I immediately protest, taking in the size of him.

“You won’t break her, will you, Beast?” Dale asks, tossing a set of gloves at him.

Alex catches the gloves and grins. “I’ll try not to.”

Dale nods. “That’s good enough for me.”

Fuck the both of ‘em. I’ll show them I’m not some weak little string bean.

Dale helps Alex strap both of his gloves on and then steps out of the way.

“Hey,” I frown up at Alex as he slowly approaches me. “Aren’t you going to put a helmet on?”

His lips curl at the corners with a smirk. “Nah. I don’t think you’re going to make it up that high.”

I take an angry step forward, ready to prove him wrong.

“Christy,” Dale snaps at me and I slide my glare his way. “Lesson number one. You don’t begin until I say. Got it?”

Gritting my teeth together, I nod my head.

Dale motions me forward. “Touch gloves.”

Alex’s dark eyes twinkle at me as I walk up to him and stick my fist out. He lightly taps his glove against mine.

Dale nods his head and slashes his hand down. “Let’s fight!”

Before I can blink, Alex’s fist is tapping my cheek. I stumble backwards and Alex laughs.

“Guard your face!” Dale yells at me.

Shaking my head, I straighten and bring my hands up.

“Now watch him for an opening!”

Slowly, I circle around the cage, watching Alex. Searching for that elusive opening. Every time he begins to move forward, I hastily jump backwards.

“Dammit, Christy! Stop pussyfooting around and fight the guy!” Dale screams angrily at me.

I don’t know what to do. Alex has at least six inches on me in height and a much longer reach, but if I don’t do something Dale is going to kill me.

Steeling myself, I step forward. Alex’s arm flies out and he taps me on the cheek.

“Guard your fucking face!”

I throw my arms up and kick at Alex’s legs. He easily dances out of the way.

This is beyond frustrating.

“Come on, Christy,” Alex taunts me. “Show me what you got, String Bean.”

With a growl, I stalk forward with my hands up. As my fist flies out, his arms easily block me. Before I have a chance to bring my arm back to shield my face, he’s tapping my cheek.

Someone outside the cage laughs, taking great joy in my humiliation. Alex turns his face to look at them and I step forward, striking out. My fist connects with his cheek.

Finally.

Alex grunts, takes a step back and blinks at me in surprise.

“Thatta girl!” Dale yells.

I turn my head to glare at him. I’m not a girl, dammit.

Alex’s fist connects with my cheek hard enough to cause my head to jerk to the side. I try to shake it off and dance back.

“Come on, Dale,” Alex says with exasperation as I nearly trip trying to avoid him. “Didn’t you teach her anything?”

“I’m not a fucking miracle worker,” Dale grumbles.

And that’s it, I’ve fucking had it.

I’m ready to rip my gloves off and stomp out of this gym.

But then Alex gets super cocky and turns his back on me. “She’s not ready yet. Maybe in a few more—”

I take a running jump and launch myself at his back.

Fuck this guy. Seriously.

Wrapping my arm around his neck, I take full advantage of his surprise. I manage to get my arms in the perfect position, right arm against his throat and left against his head. I’m even able to push forward and fully sink it in.