Trial And Error

Chapter Forty-Seven

Kian's POV

The exhilarating run to the gym helped Kian burn off some of the pent-up tension and desire that had been building since those heated moments with Madison in Olivia's office. She felt like a tightly wound coil, ready to snap at any given moment. The last few nights had been pure torture.

By the time she made it through the gym's front doors, Kian's skin was already glistening with a fresh sheen of sweat. She offered a brusque nod to familiar fighters who trained at the gym. Not breaking stride, she made a beeline straight for her usual corner where Lucas would be for her gym bag.

Her best friend looked up as she approached, giving Kian an easy grin. "Was wondering if you were gonna show," he teased lightly, tossing her the duffel bag.

Kian caught it deftly. "Sorry, lunch ran a little longer than expected."

Lucas watched with an amused look as Kian stripped off her t-shirt in exchange for a compression long sleeve and shorts, muscles rippling under tanned skin. "I can see that. Looking pretty motivated today, Lieutenant."

"You could say that," Kian muttered, more to herself than Lucas.

Kian wasted no time, swiftly wrapping her hands and slipping on her MMA gloves. Today, she felt inclined to mix things up a bit. Landing a few kicks on Lucas should help relieve some of this pent-up energy.

"I promised your wife I'd go easy on you today," Kian said with a smirk as she stepped into the octagon

Lucas scoffed, mimicking her movements by taping up his hands. "Since when do you ever take it easy, Shep? Especially when we're sparring."

"Fair point," Kian conceded with a shrug of her broad shoulders. She began moving around the perimeter of the octagon, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet to loosen up.

She waited baiting him, if Kian knew anything about Lucas, it was that he lacked patience in the ring. Sure enough, she could predict his first move before he even made it - he'd undoubtedly shoot for a takedown, trying to use his size and strength to bring the fight to the mat. Kian knew his first move before he did, and she knew he was going to shoot for her legs for a takedown. She countered it perfectly, pushing him back to maintain distance. Kian punished him with a jab to the head, falling back to reassess.

Lucas shook off the blow, giving an acknowledging nod to Kian's defensive skills. His lips curved into a taunting smirk. "Getting slow in your old age, LT? Usually, you'd be all over an opening like that."

"Just biding my time," Kian replied calmly, arms loose and hands hovering protectively in front of her face. "You know I like to make an entrance."

Feinting with her hands, Kian suddenly launched herself forward in a furious flurry of movement. She led with a blistering combination of punches, her fists a blur as she snapped off jab-cross-hook combos with blinding speed and precision.

Lucas backpedaled, bringing his guard up to deflect the onslaught. But Kian was relentless, pursuing him around the octagon as she continued raining down strikes. A few well-timed kicks lashed out, aimed at his lead leg and ribs to set up potential takedowns.

To his credit, Lucas managed to avoid getting clipped with any fight-ending blows. He had always been defensively sound, with a knack for riding out Kian's frenetic assaults until he could create an opening to counter.

Sure enough, as her offensive burst began to ebb, Lucas seized his opportunity. He caught one of Kian's kicks on his forearm, trapping her leg before stepping in close to attempt a takedown. His free hand reached for an overhook around her neck to help finish the maneuver.