"They have taught you well."
He replaced his sword and strode toward her. She held out her hand for him to take the sword. Instead, he gripped her sword wrist and moved behind her. His touch sent heated energy through her, and the nearness of his body made her tense. He was heated and huge at her back. One massive hand circled her to rest on her abdomen. He drew her into his body.
"Widen your stance," he instructed, and nudged her left leg out farther with his own. "I'll teach you the first weapons form we teach our warriors."
Kiera was dumbstruck both by his willingness to teach her and his touch. Her face felt hot. A'Ran's warm chest was at her back, his intimate touch on her stomach making her feel far more delicate than she ever had. He said something that her spinning mind couldn't catch. Her body was too aware of his. It distracted her until he shifted her body forward to demonstrate and correct her stance. Kiera blinked and forced herself to pay attention. She was too stiff for him to move. He nudged her right foot forward. She complied.
" … your balance lower."
She couldn't register his words and tried hard to focus. A'Ran locked their bodies together with his large hand on her stomach. He used his body to guide hers. His legs and hands applied gentle pressure while his body balanced her in some of the awkward positions.
They went through an entire range of movements, from attacking to defending in motions that resembled a dance. He said little else, and her breathing soon fell into rhythm with his. She eased against him, awed by his pure strength yet determined not to appear as stupid as she felt. Their movements were slow and methodical, controlled, deliberate. Her body strained under muscle fatigue as the form became increasingly complex and slower. A'Ran supported her. By the time she returned to the starting position, she was sweating and breathing hard. Her sword arm shook, and her legs were rubbery. He pried the sword from her clamped hand.
"Yes, you are forbidden from training with them," he said.
Surprised, she pulled away from the comfortable position resting against him and twisted to face him.
"After this, you'll forbid me from learning?" she demanded. She took in his beautiful body as he crossed to place her sword in the sword stand.
"I said they'll not train you."
"You'll train me?" she asked, unable to keep the disbelief out of her voice.