Geri laughed. "Oh, stop looking for reasons to make this not work. The man knows what he needs and you're it. He won't jeopardize that. Now you just admit that your body knows what you need, even if your head isn't working in its favor."
The confidence within Raine took a small trip out to sea as she tried to wash away the niggling feeling she really did know. What would she do if she'd finally found 'the one?'
"There's the look. Now Raine, get out here and show some old women how to take control and hurt some people."
"You have a way with words Ms. Wilder. Alright, let’s go."
Geri had a presence, and Raine found herself slightly intimidated.
Raine looked around for Gran to give her a quick little don't worry dear or something. Her lack of presence a cold reminder that Gran seemed to be around less and less these days.
"Are you teaching us how to kick some ass or are you just going to stare at the gray walls all night?"
Raine turned her attention back and smiled. "Hold on there killer. Like you really need these lessons."
The three women were obvious shifters, but this wasn't the first time she'd taught paranormal beings. Everyone needed to know the basics of self defense.
As Raine went through the motions she couldn't shake the feeling that although everything seemed fine it wasn't going to stay fine.
Raine needed Gran. She needed to tell her she’d been right, and that Kian was okay. That she finally knew he wouldn't hurt her. She told him she didn't believe in true love, or at least love at first sight. The thing was, if the quivering in her belly was any indication she was already so far into him she couldn't walk away if she wanted to.
The thud of the women connecting with the pads was her only anchor to the moment. "Alright ladies. Let’s use the bags now. Pretend they are someone you can't stand."
One of the older woman spoke out of the side of her mouth, "that would be my ex-husband."
Raine paused. "Although that’s funny, and the right idea, I thought shifters knew their mates? Why are you divorced?"
Geri turned around. "Because she didn't listen to me. Besides, not every shifter listens to their inner selves. The animal that knows what they need. Everyone can make a mistake. Not you though dear. Well, you won't as long as you don't do something dumb. To be fair, he'll get the same speech. I am never wrong."
They all turned around and took a ready stance. On Raine's command they all started to scratch and knee the bags in front of them.
The hour passed fast and soon the children were showing up. Gerri and her friends packed up as she instructed all the younger kids to stand on the mat
She turned back as Geri spoke.
"Remember dear. A man like Kian only comes along once in a lifetime. He might need some polishing, but you won't find anyone more loyal to you. I know these things."
Raine couldn't turn away as the three left.
"See dear. You just need to have faith." Gran popped out of nowhere.
Whispering she said, "where do you keep going? I need your support and you keep leaving."
"Now sweetheart, I've got things to do. I can't just haunt you all day."
Raine wanted to argue with her, but she had work.
"We will talk about this later Gran."
Her wispy figure smiled and went to sit above one of the heavy bags. Gran would always be there when it matter, Raine knew that.
Seeing the image of Gran though, she realized she was starved for physical companionship. Kian spoke to a side of her she hadn't known existed until him. Correcting a little girl’s stance she absently walked past the kids, giving commands. Raine knew that deep down she didn't want to be alone, she wouldn't have gotten into the mess with her last boyfriend had she been a functioning adult.
She felt as if a dam had just cracked and started a flood of thoughts piling high: his smile, Kian’s laugh, the way he moaned at her touch, and the vulnerability of him the other night. Maybe hiding behind her walls didn't make any sense, not when he was right there.
Raine's thoughts ran together, but the site of a little girl kicking a heavy bag and it swinging back had Raine focusing on the here and now. She laughed as the little girl gave the bag a dirty look. "Sophie, what have we said about pushing the bags? Why do we do train?”
Her little voice boomed. “To keep us safe ma’am.”
“Very good. And is pushing the bag going to keep you safe from an attacker?”
“No ma’am,” the kids said in unison.
“Nor will it keep you on your feet," said Raine.
The next forty minutes were going to be long since Raine couldn't stop thinking of Kian. She wanted him beyond just what he could do to her body. He made her smile, and he felt - well what exactly did he feel like?
Looking around at her students, she smiled. They trusted her to teach them. They trusted her to help them learn how to be safe and have confidence. She could teach herself all those things as well, in fact since her ex she had become slightly obsessed with it. Kian though, he wasn't something she could control and yet she felt safe.
"Alright guys. That’s all for today. Line up."
The bell on the door made a ding and she looked up. Butterflies danced around her stomach at the sight of him. He was all man. He commanded the room with each step, with the confident swagger of his gait as he came in. Her eyes flicked down his body knowing it was hard and muscled only to get caught at the bulge in his jeans.
Gran whispered in her ear, "you've got it bad sweetie."
Her face heated. Raine didn't bother responding to her. She did. She had it so bad she
