Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 45

About three days later, I stepped out of my room at Strandton House in search of a snack.

My sparring match with Roger had been cancelled and I had a couple of hours to kill before I went to my other lesson with Victor.

As I stepped into the hall, I scented Warren coming my way and when he rounded the corner my breath caught.

He was dressed in joggers and a sleeveless blue Tee shirt. His hair was damp from the shower and fell carelessly around his face. He had a towel around his neck and had fisted both ends. When he raised his head and saw me, a slow smile lit up his face. "Hello, love. Done already?"

"Roger cancelled," I responded absently, still drinking him in. "Where're you going?"

"I find myself in the mood for a little exercise." He looked me over speculatively. "Would you be up for a little sparring? Although, of course, it will have to be our secret."

I raised a brow. "Wait, you're allowed to drive but not to train?"

He moved quickly, turning me round and pinning me against his chest as his hand covered my mouth. "Hush now. Who said I have permission to drive?"

I laughed helplessly as he playfully glared at me for almost outing him.

"Now, will you spar with me?"

Still giggling, I nodded. He let go and took my hand, heading to the home gym. He walked deeper into the room and deposited his towel and phone on a bench while I placed my own stuff on a nearby bench and pulled out a hair tie. "What do you want to do?"

"The basics, I suppose." He caught my hand and snatched the hair tie from my fingers. I looked up in annoyance that turned to amazement as he easily sectioned off part of his hair and tied it back, leaving a dark fringe near his eyes.

The look was so hot that I ogled. He tipped his head with a smirk at my starstruck gaze. "Shall we get to it, then?"

I shook myself out of my daze and searched my pockets for another hair tie. When I had my hair tied back, I shook myself loose. "Okay, let's do this."

Warren slipped easily into a crouch and I warily did the same. Here goes nothing...

His attacks were unexpected, but I'd somehow expected that. He was on me in an instant and I responded a second too late, just managing to avoid getting myself in a chokehold. He raised a brow when I sidestepped him and edged around him.

For a moment he let me debate my next move and then he'd disappeared from sight again. I sensed him behind me and when I struck out blindly, he easily caught my elbow and twisted my arm behind me, pinning it between us. This felt oddly familiar...

His breath on my neck froze me in place and I felt his fangs graze my skin.

Instead of finishing me off, he wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug that immobilised me and started laughing. I laughed with him, infected by his joy. "Do you yield?" he asked indulgently.

"Hell no!" I mumbled and wriggled out of his hold.

He easily let me go and we both retreated to our corners.

"What will it take to have you submit to me?" He teased.

"Probably more that you got," I teased back, knowing I was getting in way over my head.

His grin was feral at that challenge and I prepared myself for a more focused attack. He didn't disappoint.

This time he didn't bother with hiding from me, instead attacking continually in ways that kept me off balance, never truly pressing his advantage. He was both training me and toying with me, I realized. But then again, what could I expect from an alpha?