Heart of a Warrior by Theodora Lane

would only make him sound dumb, and he’d had to fight the image of being a dumb muscleman for a long time. Carrying around his BS in civil engineering to show everyone he had brains wasn’t easy or convenient.
    “Right, I got it. You’d have to kill me.” She tried to keep the smirk out of her voice, but the twist of her lips gave her away.
    The waiter returned with several platters of food. The pungent aromas of twice-cooked pork, Hunan chicken, and pork fried rice wafted over the table.
    “So, how’d you get so good with a sword?” Nic passed Fiona the fried rice.
    “Years of practice. I got interested in the martial arts when I was about twelve. I started taking classes and never stopped. I have black belts in a few styles.” She placed a mound of rice on her plate.
    “Want to work out when we get home?” As soon as he said the word “home,” he wanted to take it back. He watched for her reaction, but it didn’t seem to bother her.
    “Sure. Sounds like fun. Hope you’re not a sore loser.”
    “Hope you don’t mind getting your beautiful ass kicked,” he shot back.
    “Can I watch? This should be fun.”
    “Sure, Cho. That way, you can remind him how he got beat by a guurrrll.” Her voice taunted Nic.
    “That was my plan.”
    “Promise me you’ll never let him live it down, Cho.”
    Nic rolled his eyes. “Overconfident, are we?”
    “It’s all about skill. Not size.”
    Nic paid the bill. Fiona didn’t even offer to pay, and in a way, he liked that. It was somewhat old-fashioned, but then, with what she’d said about sex and saving it, she would be. Fiona stuffed the last egg roll into a napkin and shoved it in her purse.
    “Thanks. Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?”
    “I figured you might want something for the ride home or for later.” She smiled down into her purse.
    “You’re spoiling him, you know that.” Nic shook his head.
    “No, she’s just treating me right, for once.”
    “Cho, I found that receipt last night. I could ship you back.”
    “Just try it, Nic. I’ll get Fiona to whip your ass.”
    Nic grumbled all the way to the car.
    “My own lizard turns on me just for a little food.”
    “Lizards are notoriously fickle, Nic. Didn’t you know that?”
    — • —
    “Best two out of three falls.” Nic stood opposite her and bowed. Both went on guard. They circled each other, looking for an opening. He was big, but Fiona had beaten big men before. Perhaps nobody as big as Nic, but they had still been big. She watched him and looked for vulnerabilities. So far, he didn’t seem to have any.
    God, how could he be so perfect?
    She wore a pair of her workout pants and a tank top. He was in sweats, bare-chested. It was difficult for her to concentrate while watching his broad, smooth, muscular chest and those strong arms. His small, dark nipples tempted her with thoughts she usually saved for her dreams, and she kept flashing to earlier when Nic kissed her.
    She never saw him break. He took her to the ground in one smooth move. Her breath exploded out of her lungs as she slammed into the mats.
    Nic pinned her. He covered her body with his, and he held her wrists in his hands. A cocky grin looked down into her face as he lowered his mouth just inches from hers. She could feel her heart beating against his chest. Somehow, his body’s weight didn’t crush her, but felt…so damn good.
    Taking his spoils, he kissed her. His lips played over hers and then pulled away. His dark eyes glittered as he looked deeply into hers.
    “That’s one.” He stood and extended his hand to help her up.
    Knocking it away, she got to her feet and rubbed her hip. “There won’t be a two, Nic.”
    Furious with herself, she narrowed her eyes. Nic had been watching, waiting to see if he had affected her. He’d taken his shirt off to distract her. It had worked, damn it. Her eyes had glazed over like a Christmas ham, and he’d taken his shot. Okay, she was onto him now. His next throw would