Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2) - Megan Frampton Page 0,68

of admiration at her determination to learn from him, even though she hadn’t wanted this training in the first place.

“When you punch someone, the power all comes from the arm. Not the fist. So you want to shoot it out like an arrow. Like this,” he said, demonstrating the action.

“Oh I see,” she replied, sending her fist into the air.

“Now that’s set, you should punch him,” Finan urged.

She laughed in response.

“No, but you should,” Nash said. “It’ll give you the feel of how it would really be.”

“I find punching him greatly relieves my indigestion.”

Nash shot a quick glance over his shoulder at his friend. “You’re not helping.”

Her eyebrows arched. “My stomach has been a bit unsettled lately.”

Nash grunted, then gestured toward his chin. “Come on, then.”

He braced himself for it, wanting her to know how it felt to connect, not just to toss her hand into empty space. She would need the experience if she was to properly defend herself. He didn’t want her to be unprepared.

Even though he had no intention of letting her go anywhere without him.

Her fist shot out, connecting with his jaw, making his head fly back as he staggered to maintain his footing.

He shook his head clear, hearing Finan howling in laughter just behind him. And her shocked face in front.

“It’s fine, I told you to. How did it feel?” he asked, rubbing the spot she’d hit with his hand.

“Powerful,” she replied. “Did it hurt? I am so sorry.”

“It’s fine.” He worked his jaw back and forth to ease the pain out. It wasn’t the worst hit he’d received—that had come from Finan, of course—but it was strong, and so he was proud of the hurt, knowing that he’d done something to protect her.

“I think you should try again,” Finan said.

“Goodness, no,” she blurted. “I didn’t expect it to be so intense.”

Which could describe this moment as well as any time he touched her. Placed his mouth on her full lips, ran his fingers down her curves.

And here he was back again, thinking about her in ways he should not possibly think about her. Although now she would be able to defend herself against anyone who might want to put their hands on her.

“Oh, I forgot to mention it. The Lees sent a note. It’s to be tomorrow at the docks.” She grinned up at him. “Although now you’ve taught me this, perhaps you don’t need to bother coming?”

He growled.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’m not certain precisely what time. I will send a note later.” She bounced on her toes, an exhilarated expression on her face. “This is nearly as much fun as—” And then her eyes got wide, shifting quickly to Finan, clearly aware of what she’d nearly almost said.

He smothered a chuckle, regretting he couldn’t finish this training session with a training kiss.

“You’re going to the docks wearing that?”

Ana Maria raised an eyebrow at Nash’s startled tone.

He stood in her salon, hands behind his back, obviously pacing as he waited for her to arrive. They’d agreed he would pick her up at eleven o’clock, and it was barely forty-five minutes past ten. She was secretly delighted he was so early. Did it mean he was eagerly looking forward to being with her?

Although the same could be said of her, so they were paired in that sentiment.

“Are you an arbiter of fashion now?” she asked, reaching forward to tug on his sloppily tied cravat. “And what is wrong with what I am wearing?”

She glanced down, unable to resist smiling at her gown. It was made of spring green fabric, with little daisies embroidered all over it. The gown had no fewer than four flounces at the bottom, and the fichu she wore draped around her shoulders was a sheer green color also, giving a nod to discretion, but also revealing some of her bosom underneath.

“You’re—it’s—well, you look too good.”

The other eyebrow rose. “I look too good? Goodness, Nash, you will overwhelm me with compliments!” She bit her lip to keep from giggling at his obvious discomfiture.

“You will be with me, and I am certain you will deter anybody who attempts anything because I ‘look too good.’”

He rose up to his full height, drawing his arms from behind his back to fold them over his chest.

“You won’t intimidate me, Nash. Remember, we know each other too well.” Her eyes widened as she realized that what she said could be construed in a few ways, not all of them respectable.

“We do.” His gaze slid over