No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [44]
“If you insist. But be careful, I’d take it badly if you accidentally killed her.”
“You can’t have it both ways.”
“Sure I can.”
“Will you talk to me?” Elena said to Galen through her teeth as Morgan disappeared into the house. “What’s all this about?”
“You need hand-to-hand practice. Judd has graciously agreed to act as your sparring partner. You’ll find he’s very good.”
“And what if I don’t want his help?”
“Then I went to the trouble of getting you two together for nothing. I hate it when a plan doesn’t come together.”
“And I hate it when someone makes plans without consulting me.”
“Don’t you need the practice?”
“Yes.”
“And wouldn’t it be foolish not to take advantage of a willing and able partner?” She scowled at him.
“And why wouldn’t I assume you’d do anything necessary to get ready for Chavez?”
“You could have asked me.”
“I wasn’t sure I could get Judd to cooperate. Then I would have had to disappoint you.”
“I’ve been disappointed before.”
“I know.” He met her gaze. “And it makes me sad. I didn’t want to be the one to do it again.” He started for the porch steps. “Are you going to use Judd?”
“Yes.” She grimaced. “But you’re the one I should have chopped. If you’re looking for a problem to solve, go look somewhere else.”
“But you’re such great material.” His dark eyes were twinkling as he glanced over his shoulder while opening the screen door. “And I should call your attention to the fact that you didn’t chop me. You did your damnedest to save my neck. Does that mean you’re growing fond of me?”
“It means I was half asleep.”
“Crushed again. Oh, well, better my ego than my larynx.” He disappeared into the house.
She gazed after him with exasperation. He should have consulted with her. It was true that he’d done her a favor enlisting Morgan to spar with her, but that didn’t mean he had a right to assume control. He was bulldozing ahead, providing what he thought she needed, manipulating the people around him.
But it hadn’t been bulldozing to arrange for her sessions to be in the barn instead of the gym. She was getting less traumatized about that nightmare setting every day, but Galen had realized she wasn’t ready to be thrown into combat in those surroundings. He had displayed an understanding and sensitivity for which she was deeply grateful. What the hell kind of man was he?
She shouldn’t think about him. He was too disturbing both mentally and physically. Lately she had found herself watching him instead of her son during those morning sessions. At first it had been an objective admiration of his quickness and the almost animal grace with which he moved. She wouldn’t lie to herself and claim what she was feeling now was still objective. The heat was too strong to be anything but sex.
She instinctively shied away from the thought. Not with Galen. Not with anyone. She couldn’t face it. Accept what Galen offered and don’t get involved. Don’t ever let yourself willingly do what Chavez made you do. Run away, keep up your guard.…
Run away?
She stiffened as she realized what she was thinking.
Good God.
“You’re all sweaty,” Barry said. “And you’ve got straw in your hair. Have you been playing in the barn with Judd again?”
“Yes.” She brushed a kiss on his forehead. “What have you been doing?”
“Galen went into town and bought me a keyboard. Dominic says it will work just like the piano I had at home.”
“That will be fun for you.”
“Can I come and watch you next time you’re in the barn?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I let you watch me in the gym.”
Barry would be frightened silly if he saw those workouts. Judd Morgan was good, innovative, and totally ruthless, and her response was equally unrestrained. It had been a valuable eight days and she felt almost at her old level of competence. “Sometimes grown-up games can be kind of scary.”
“But you told me I had to face scary stuff, and most of the time that made it go away. Remember when I thought there was a monster under my bed? We got down and looked.”
“Maybe after a few more sessions I’ll let you come.” She changed