The Last Warrior (Shifters Unbound #13) - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,55

watching her fingers unbutton the jeans and slide down the zipper. The jeans eased from her hips, and Rhianne lifted her shapely legs from them one at a time.

Ben had seen some of her beauty as they’d played in bed together, but they’d been tangled in sheets and pillows, and he hadn’t seen the whole of her. Now he could look his fill.

The camisole and matching panties bared sweet curves, from her full breasts to soft hips, her thick red braid snaking over her shoulder like a silken rope.

“That’s enough for now.” Ben moved to her, pretending complete indifference to her beautiful, sexy, beguiling, delectable … I need to shut up.

“What I’m about to teach you might seem a little eccentric but go with it. It’s a human thing. They’ve come up with amazing ways to cope with life.”

“Will it involve more shrimp?” Rhianne bathed him in a smile. “Or gumbo?”

“Not at the moment. But good idea for when we’re done for the day.” Ben grasped Rhianne’s shoulders and positioned her in front of him. “I’m going to teach you some moves that will help you control energy, whether it’s inside you or coming at you. To keep it from overwhelming you.”

Rhianne nodded, though Ben guessed the nod was out of courtesy, not understanding.

“First, do nothing but feel the ground beneath your feet,” he began. “Take that energy up through the earth and into your core.”

Rhianne closed her eyes, her chest rising with her breath. She’d been a little shaky this morning, though she’d tried to behave as though she was calmness itself, but now she stilled, her trembling easing.

Ben didn’t have to close his eyes, having done this so often it was second nature. He focused on his connection to the ground, its energy steadying him as it was steadying Rhianne. He sensed the ley line running beneath the property like a river of light, the magic that made the house a living creature instead of merely bricks and wood.

Rhianne slowly opened her eyes. “There is much magic here.”

“Probably one reason why whatever ability you have manifested last night. Now, we’re going to do some exercises that help take that energy and flow it through you, channeling it instead of resisting it.”

Ben moved to stand beside her, showing her how to balance herself and do a few basic slow tai chi moves—warding off, rolling back, pressing, pushing, striking, and the basic footwork.

“This is an ancient practice,” Ben said as they went through the postures. “Well, ancient for humans, anyway. Tai chi ch’uan is a martial art. Most people nowadays think it’s just an exercise routine for balance and meditation, but it’s really a fighting form. One based on understanding and controlling energy, not resisting or avoiding what’s coming at you. Softness instead of hardness. Learning to be slow. Fast and hard is not always better.”

Fast and hard. Listen to me.

“I think I understand.” Rhianne halted her movements, which were as graceful as a willow tree, and waited for more instruction.

Ben showed her the beginning sequence of the tai chi simplified form—opening the door, parting the wild horse’s mane, white crane spreads its wings—then turned her to face him again.

“This next thing is called tai chi push hands, or tuishou. We learn to take energy and return it, feeling and controlling the other person’s intent. Like this.”

He grasped her arm and positioned it across her body, then he pushed his hand against hers, teaching her to turn her wrist and send the force back to him.

Rhianne wanted to resist at first, blocking his strength or shoving him away. She overbalanced, predictably, and danced a few steps back, growling in frustration as she tried to keep to her feet.

Ben repositioned her gently. “It’s about patience. Awareness. If you resist my strength, you double its effect. See?” He pushed hard, and she instinctively struggled to prevent him from shoving her over. “But if you take my energy and turn it back to me …” Ben motioned for her to push at him. As she did so—revealing her strength—he pivoted his body with her pressure, his hand turning to send her arm back to her chest.

Rhianne regarded him in surprise, then delight. “How did you do that?”

Ben barely heard her. He wanted to linger at her breasts, warm through the silk, but he made himself release her and step away. Training. We’re training.

“Like this.” Ben rested her fingers on his arm once more. “You turn your hand when I start my journey toward