Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(41)

Dane is. Self-defense class? Perfect.

Kit next wants me to spar with Dane, who’s grinning ear to ear. “Take it easy on me, badass,” he teases as he grins bigger, if

that’s possible.

I flip him off.

His eyebrows pop up. “I’ve never seen that move in a Disney movie,” he laughs. I just roll my eyes.

We go through the scenarios and I actually do pretty well...I think. I’m a bit distracted, I mean, Evan has a great body and is a

stellar athlete, but he’s way across a field covered in pads. Dane is right in front of me; shirtless and sweating. It’s scary

hot.

The male form in motion is a beautiful thing; skin, sweat, muscles flexing...pay attention, Laney, you’re gonna get knocked out. I

stay off my butt, get a few blocks up and get one kick on him, which I’m pretty sure he let me do, but I’d say it’s pretty good

for my first performance.

“Remember, Laney, nose or groin, and then run and scream the whole way, got it?” Dane is taking this very seriously. “Let’s do

it again, I’m attacking you from the front.”

And he does, I get the shove your nose up move in and turn to run.

“Make sure he’s down before you turn your back, Laney,” he reminds me as he grabs my arm.

I do the backwards elbow up to his nose that they taught me, and this time I spin and do the knee to groin motion, watching him go

down, before I turn to run.

“Very nice, Disney, you did very well.”

I square my shoulders and chin. “Thanks.”

Even Kit agrees I’m a very quick learner. Dane and I both thank him for the lesson and go to change.

Heading to the car, I’m actually bounce skipping or something. I can’t remember the last time I had this kind of adrenaline high.

This has been one of the best days I’ve ever had and I’m euphoric.



Last stop of this exhilarating day is dinner and we agree on Mexican food.

“Okay, so it was my turn,” he says as we wait for our food. “How did you like the defense class?”

“I really liked it, very cool and good to learn. Thank you.” I smile.

“You’re very welcome. Do you know why I took you there?”

“Well, the shoot was so I’d feel pretty, which I did, so I’m guessing the class was so I’d feel safe?”

“In part, yes. I want you to feel in control, Laney. I see a look in your eyes sometimes, a lot like fear, and as you venture out

more, I want you to have at least some control over the situation. I want that sense of confidence to emanate from you.”

“Why?” It’s insightful, but way forward.

“I can tell all this is new to you, Laney; college, going out, meeting new people. I want you to feel secure. Every woman should

make decisions based on good sense or choice, not fear.”

“How do you think you know so much about me?”

“I’m a pretty good people reader, always have been. I have to be. If I’m wrong, remember, just tell me. Either way, though, it

can’t hurt for you to be prepared, right?”

“No doubt, it was good to learn...but, I don’t know...”

“What, tell me?”

“I loved today. Everything you planned was original and creative and so fun, but both things were to make me feel something else

or be someone different. It kinda makes me feel like you see all these things about me you want to fix, like I’m not okay as I am.

Does that make sense?”

He looks at me thoughtfully for a bit before answering. “Yes, I can see where you’d think that.” He blows a sigh up and out,

ruffling his hair slightly. “I’m so sorry, Laney. Damn, talk about a backfire.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad, Dane.” I cover his hand resting on the table with mine. “I really appreciated everything

today.”

“I know you did, even though I was making you feel doubt the whole time. I tried to plan things to make you happy and it had the

opposite effect. I’m sorry.” The desolate look he now wears breaks something in me.

“Don’t do that, Dane, don’t shut down. Tell me what you meant, what your goal was, and let’s see if I can understand where you

were coming from. I bet I get it.” I smile at him encouragingly. I refuse to let this day go sour.

“That, right there.” He turns his hand in mine, linking over fingers together. “You’re so real. The last thing I’d ever want

to do is change you. I took you to the photo shoot because it’s something near to my heart, capturing beauty like yours.” He

kisses the back of my hand. “And the class, I thought it’d be fun. You play ball, so you obviously like physical activities. And

I admit I knew I’d like watching you enjoy a physical activity. So really, they were both kinda about me,” he chuckles. “As of

right now, I have no inventory of anything wrong with you.” He winks, but it’s to deflect nervousness, he thinks I won’t accept

his answer...

Wrong, it was a perfect answer. “See, I understand completely. Was that so hard? I mean, don’t you hate it when people do that?