the only one that encompasses all years. Dmitri probably feels, as a second year, that he’s eclipsed me in prowess.
Yeah, right. What I lack in actual training, I make up for with an extreme enthusiasm for ass kicking.
Dmitri grins, and I fervently ignore the way something flutters in my chest at that.
“Will you?” he asks, a taunting lilt coloring his deep voice.
Before I can answer, Professor Tamlin blows the whistle that lets us know to start, and I launch myself at him.
I’ve often wondered why they’re teaching us hand-to-hand combat or how to fight with blades and other weapons at a magical school. But I’m definitely grateful for the training, since it gives me the chance to kick Dmitri’s ass.
Not that I’m kicking it, exactly. Dmitri’s strong, and he’s better at this than I am. But I’m determined. No way am I going to let him win this fight easily.
We tussle, scrambling back and forth, and it’s exhilarating. Dmitri is laser-focused, all of his energy and attention turned on me, and it’s stealing my breath away. I’ve never had so much sheer intensity focused on me before, and I can barely handle it. But… in a good way. The best way.
It’s probably why he ends up winning. Well, sort of. He flips me, and I land hard on my back on the mat, just bringing my hands up in time to block him as he falls on top of me. We grapple as I try to throw him off me, and he tries to get a hold on me so I’ll have no choice but to tap out. His thigh slips between mine, and he presses down just as I arch up—
Oh God.
Sparks fly up my spine as my clit rubs hard against his leg, the shock of pleasure taking me by surprise. It feels so fucking good that I grind against his thigh without thinking, getting a good angle, making me shiver. Dmitri doesn’t notice at first, taking advantage of my distraction to grab my wrists and pin them on either side of my head.
We’re pressed together, breathing hard, and I realize I can feel…
Oh.
Shit.
Dmitri stares at me as we both absorb the position we’re in—and how the other person is reacting to it.
For a wild moment, I’m tempted to grind down on his thigh again, to rub against the half-hardness I can feel growing against me. But as soon as the thought comes, I tamp it down. We’re in public, in class, for fuck’s sake. This is not the place to give into whatever dangerous impulses we’re flirting with.
Dmitri scrambles to his feet like I’ve burned him, and I stumble to mine, my heart hammering. He’s all muscle, and feeling him on top of me like that, pressing me down, feeling the shape of him starting to fill and grow hard because of me…
Jesus, I need a cold shower. Or a bucket of ice dumped over my head.
“I didn’t say uncle,” I taunt instead, because antagonizing Dmitri is fun and easy and—safe. I know where I stand when I’m teasing him. I’m on solid ground. When other feelings rear up between us, it puts me off balance.
“Figured I’d let you off easy this first time,” he shoots back. His voice is rougher than usual, pitched a little lower, and his eyes are dark and smoldering.
We stare at each other for another moment, and then I hear the whistle signaling it’s time for us to switch to another sparring partner. As we all move, I feel a hand clap onto my shoulder and look to my left. Cam’s other hand rests on Dmitri’s shoulder as he glances between the two of us.
“Real intense fight you two were having there.” His eyebrow cocks slyly.
Dmitri glares at him. “If you were watching our fight, then you obviously weren’t paying attention to yours.”
“It was easy—took Seth out in thirty seconds. But watching you two…” Cam whistles. “That was one hell of a show. She gives you a run for your money, doesn’t she, Dima?”
I can tell he’s not just referring to my fighting abilities.
Dmitri shakes him off, avoiding my gaze. “I’m going to get some water.”
Cam rolls his eyes as his friend walks away, then turns to grin down at me. “Damn, Sin. You’re good. I’ve gotta say, it’s been a while since I’ve seen someone who can rile Dmitri up like that. And by a while, I mean, never.”
“Are you trying to compliment me?”
“Maybe. I’m just saying… Those walls he’s throwing