I shook my head and tried to keep a neutral expression. “No, thanks.”

“Worried I’ll show you up?” he asked, a challenge gleaming in his eyes as they wandered over me intently. I felt like he was chronicling every tiny detail, from the way my workout pants clung to my thighs to the sheen of sweat glistening on my neck.

I laughed, trying not to let his attention affect me. “No, actually, the opposite. I wouldn’t want the whole gym seeing you get taken down by a girl.”

Lee stepped closer, so close I could smell him, soap and sweat and man. He bent his head to reply, “Hmm, I sense a wager coming on.”

Our gazes locked, and it was the first time that I noticed we had almost the exact same eye colour, except his were the tiniest shade lighter. A moment of insanity must have struck me, because there was something about his challenge that I couldn’t back away from. I was riled, and I wanted to show Lee Cross that boxing was bollocks when put up against a real martial art.

“What do I get if I win?” I asked, levelling him with a hard stare.

His smile was slow and sexy. “What do you want?”

“Hmm, let me think. How about for you to steer clear of this gym when I’m around.”

His mouth was inches from mine as he replied, “But there’s no fun in staying away.”

“Sometimes fun isn’t worth it.”

“Sometimes it is.”

I groaned. He really wasn’t going to let up. “We’re done here.”

He grabbed my arm as I turned to walk away. “Okay, fine. If you win, I’ll keep my distance, but if I win, you’ve got to let me come around to yours tomorrow and cook you dinner.”

I stared at him, incredulous. “You want to cook me dinner?”

Lee nodded firmly and held his hand out to me.

I grew flustered. Why did his end of the deal have to sound so…so romantic? A small part of me kind of wanted to lose, and that part began with a “V.”

After a moment of indecision, I finally shook with him. A couple of minutes later, we were both in the ring. I couldn’t use my eskrima sticks, because then it wouldn’t be a fair fight. It didn’t matter, though; I had a number of empty-hand techniques I could use on him. I got in position, and Lee stood less than two feet away, knees bent slightly, fists up.

“Just so you know, I’m not gonna actually hit you. This isn’t about hurting one another, it’s about submission. First person to achieve a takedown wins,” he said.

I sputtered a laugh, circling him. “It’s not a real fight unless you hit me.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want a real fight with you. Play fighting is sexier,” he said, flashing his teeth and swinging. I moved quickly, dodging the would-be strike. He swung again, and I coiled my hand around his arm, pushed his other hand out of the way, and locked his arm behind his back. He dropped his body and pressed his foot down on my ankle. I released him. He backed away a few feet.

“That was slick.”

I just smirked in response before asking, “So, we never really set the rules. Is kicking allowed?”

“Sure,” said Lee, and before I could react his leg shot out, making light contact with my upper thigh.

I shook my head at him. “Dirty move.”

“Hey, we just agreed to kicking.”

“Yeah,” I grinned. “We did.” Making sure I had enough space, I launched into a wheel kick. My foot got him right in the lower abdomen, and he drew back, winded.

“Hey, ease up, Mr Miyagi.”

“Mr Miyagi does karate.” I feigned offence. “Don’t insult me.”

Lee chuckled at my response and I went for him again, but this time he was quicker, and he caught my foot before it could descend. I lost my balance and fell to the floor, hard.

“Ah, would you look at that. Miyagi got taken down,” Lee teased, and I scowled at him, reaching around to rub the base of my spine.

“Thought you said you weren’t going to hit me.” I winced, pretending I was in real pain.

Lee’s smile fell and he hurried forward, holding out his hand to help me up. “Shit, did I hurt you?”

“I’ll survive,” I said, placing my fingers in his, but instead of letting him pull me up, I dragged him down, making short work of wrapping my legs around his shoulders and capturing his head in a lock. Grappling was kind of my forte, and I actually had a little experience with ground fighting. I squeezed my thigh muscles around his neck, and even though I knew he had to be hurting right then, he laughed.

“Is this what heaven feels like?” His chest rose and fell as he fought for breath.

I smiled wide, a little breathless myself from the effort it took to keep him down. “Pretty much.”

He struggled, moving his body and testing me, trying to find a way out of the lock.

“This is a good look for you, Snap.”

“I agree. I also think I just won.”

“Not yet.”

“Aw, that’s cute. You actually think you’re getting out of this, don’t you?”

In a shameless move, he turned his head to the side by the tiniest fraction and nuzzled his nose into my inner thigh. Electricity shot right between my legs, the shock enough to make me loosen my hold for a millisecond as he grabbed me and flipped me on my back. Before I knew it, he had my wrists captured in his hands as he straddled my waist.

“Well, what do you know,” he purred. “I managed to get out of it after all.”