Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 136048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
I laugh as I step in behind her, my hands on her waist. “You ready, doll?”
“I’m suddenly thinking this isn’t such a good idea.”
“Wasn’t it you who told me that you were sick of being a damsel and wanted to learn how to defend yourself?”
“I did not say that I was a damsel,” Harper argues. “Just that I wanted to learn how to drop an asshole, such as yourself, on his ass.”
“Alright, doll. Well, this is the first step,” I say, taking her arms and giving them a wiggle. “You’re gonna need to strengthen these little spaghetti arms if you think you’re gonna drop a six-foot-four man.”
Izzy scoffs from across the gym. “I think a knee to the balls will suffice.”
Every man in the room cringes at the thought of having a little she-devil like Izzy knee him right in the crown jewels. Harper grins at her best friend. “I’m with Iz. I could get down with a good knee to the balls.”
“Nobody is getting kneed in the balls,” I tell her, taking her waist again and watching her glance up at the bar, preparing to catch it. Harper lets out a breath and bounces her shoulders as if mentally preparing herself. Then, as I squeeze her waist, she jumps, and I hoist her the rest of the way.
Harper clutches the bar, her body dangling as it rocks back and forth. “Okay,” she grunts, already adjusting her grip on the bar. “I can do this.”
“Let’s see it, doll.”
A loud groan tears out of her, and she starts to pull herself up, but when her legs start kicking around for momentum, I have to step away to avoid getting kicked. “Oh shit. I can’t,” she grits as her arms start to shake.
I laugh and move in front of her before jumping straight up to the bar, my tight grip on either side of her hands. “Wrap your legs around me, doll.”
She doesn’t hesitate, and the moment her legs are secured around my waist, I pull up toward the bar, showing her what to do. Harper tries to help, using what little strength she possesses to pull up, but let’s be honest, it’s like when you’re playing video games with a kid and you hand them a controller that’s not plugged in just to let them think they’re doing their part.
I slowly lower us back down before going again when Izzy’s voice rumbles through the gym. “Goddamn. Ten out of ten. That’s so fucking hot,” she murmurs, letting out a heavy breath. “It’s getting hot in here, right? Shit. Maybe I just really need to get laid.”
Ace immediately makes his way over to her, and I can just imagine the cocky grin on his face. “I can help you with that.”
“I bet you could,” she purrs just as the sound of Diesel’s smack echoes through the gym, quickly followed by Ace’s groan.
“Put your dick back in your pants,” Diesel warns Ace just as Harper and I reach the top of the bar again, only for her to catch me with a swift kiss at the top.
I release the bar and drop to the ground with Harper still securely wrapped around me, and she automatically releases her grip. I hold her until she finds balance, and she looks up at me with a grin. “She’s right. That was hot, but also very eye-opening. We’re gonna have a lot of work ahead of us if I ever intend to defend myself.”
“I got you, doll. This shit doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of persistence and commitment. It’ll take some time, but you’ll get there.”
“Do we have that kind of time?” she questions. “It’s been a week and a half, and Elias hasn’t even attempted to turn himself in yet.”
I let out a heavy breath, and as I take in her concerned expression, I pull her into me and kiss her temple. “I know, but I didn’t expect it to happen overnight. I inflicted a lot of damage when I paid him a visit. There’s a good chance he’s bedridden. Not to mention, he’s always been a businessman. If he intends to turn himself in, which he will if he knows what’s good for him, then there are certain precautions he’ll need to put in place to secure his businesses and make sure your mom can’t take off with his money. He’ll be meeting with his lawyers, but I agree, time is running out, and I’m getting impatient.”
“Damn,” Harper murmurs, her hand against my chest. “It seems Izzy isn’t the only one in the room suddenly needing to get laid.”
A smirk pulls at my lips, and as I roll my eyes, a calmness settles through my chest, and it has everything to do with Harper. “Come on,” I tell her. “Why don’t we take this shit into the kitchen and make a party out of it?”