In Secret (Sequel to Behind the Scenes)

Sparks and Flames

Gajeel's P.O.V.

Gihi. She's tired... Leavin' herself wide open. I struck at the hole in her defenses, but even as tired as she was, Shrimp was fast. She lurched backwards, preventing connection with my gloved fists. It left her off balance though. Quick as a thought, I dropped and spun, knocking her feet out from under her.

I knew she had to be struggling for breath, but I wasn't going to give it to her easily.  In a flash I was astride her tiny torso, pinning her shapely arms to the floor. I firmly focused my attention on making sure I didn't hurt her, and not on the little strip of skin I could see between her skin tight grey tank top and those ridiculously bright orange shorts. It wasn't hard to keep my weight off of her, but it was a challenge to keep my mind off the warmth I could feel where I touched her.

I brought my face directly in front of hers, a smug grin creeping across my face. Her eyes... Damn... So beautiful. Her gorgeous hazel eyes stared up at me, determination and rage simmering just under the surface.

"Make yer move, Shrimp." I growled at her, running through possible escapes in my head to decide which she was mostly likely to use. Levy grinned wickedly and my confidence slipped a little. She made a play to free her hands, and I shifted my attention to making sure my iron grip wasn't going to hurt her as she struggled. Just as I glanced to my hands, her head came up and I felt her lips on mine. I froze, locking my gaze onto hers.

What the... Before my stupid brain could catch up enough with what had happened for me to kiss her back, I felt her shifting underneath me. I threw myself with the push from her hips, making sure I landed next to her, and not on top of her. Her deceptively strong hands snatched the front of my shirt, pulling her over me.

Still, all I could do was stare at her. Shrimp just sat there for a second, staring at me. "So, I win?" She asked, and then jumped up and turned away. I saw a few of the kids smothering giggles and smiles as she walked off the mat.

I stayed there for another moment, trying to force my thoughts to...anything other than her lips. Her scent had already been driving me mad, but then her touch, the electricity coursing through me. I heard another snicker off to the side and snapped my attention back to the task at hand. I sat up and rose to my feet, glaring around at the kids.

"That obviously ain't a tactic I would say to use against an attacker. It MIGHT work for ya. But I doubt it." I was really proud of the shrimp, actually. She didn't hesitate to use the strengths she had. If she hadn't disarmed me so thoroughly with that... sneak attack... she probably wouldn't have been able to break free. I glanced at the door to the showers, wondering if she was going to help me with the kids' magic practice or not.

"Alrigh'. Get in yer teams." I walked around the mat as the bastards paired off and made corrections to their stances. They were minor corrections, these kids being quick studies. Finally, the pairs were set up to my liking and I stood off the mat, watching. This wasn't very aggressive. With them all on the mat, they were only taking turns performing strikes and blocking. My ears perked up at the sound of the door closing, but I forced myself to stay still. Whipping around to stare at her would only frighten the tiny woman.

God she's beautiful. Her azure hair was down around her shoulders now, swaying as she walked up to the mat again. She smiled at one of the children, her gaze shifting around the room as she walked. Levy wouldn't meet my eyes, but it didn't feel like she was avoiding me. She just looked around, watching the kids. I watched her, resisting the urge to grab her and drag her outside. I couldn't tell if the urge was to talk to her or kiss her again. Maybe both.