Author's note: this is from Serina's point of view

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​​

After Duke washed his hands at the villa, I examined him thoroughly and I relaxed only after confirming that he is unharmed.

"I told you I heal fast.", he said with a smirk. "Thank you for worrying about me."

"Dummy…", I huffed. "I was scared that you might get hurt."

Duke pulled me closer and kissed me on the lips once, twice, and I felt all my grumpiness dissolve into nothing, making me wonder what was bothering me just a second ago.

I was frustrated that Duke can pacify me with only a few kisses. Why am I so weak against him?

Next, we went to the kitchen to confirm that everything we bought arrived.

Duke wanted to prepare meat personally for grilling, so I offered him a hand.

The cook and one maid helped in sorting, cutting, chopping, and mixing while Duke made sure everything is done according to some recipes he kept in his head.

I was putting meat and herbs in airtight containers while stealing glances at Duke. He was very handsome with an apron. I wished that we were alone and that he was wearing only that apron. Ah, one can dream.

"You are mixing things.", Duke said.

"Eh?" I was spacing out and it seems that my hands worked on their own.

Duke chuckled and repeated instructions he gave me previously. "Beef goes with rosemary and peppercorn rub, while orange and garlic marinade is for tuna. You just put two beef steaks in the marinade."

"Uhm…" How embarrassing. Think of something, Serina! "Just these two pieces. I was curious how it will taste."

Duke eyed me suspiciously for a moment before turning to the cook. "Make sure to keep these two separately, so that Serina can eat them."

The cook nodded and I hoped that I didn't get myself in some weird situation. It can't taste too bad, right?

With four people working, it didn't take long to prepare everything and store it in the fridge.

"Now it only needs to sit a few hours so that flavors seep into the meat. It will be perfect by tonight.", Duke said. "There is still some time until lunch. Do you want us to hit the beach?"

I knew that he was talking about badminton and beach volleyball Mona mentioned earlier that morning, but I had something else on my mind.

The incident from the alley was fresh in my mind and I hated that I had to rely on Duke to handle the situation. Luckily, these were humans and Duke could hold his own, but what if they were werewolves or some other creatures? What if they used some abilities? I didn't want to think about it, but a painful knot formed in my stomach and there was only one way to fix it.

"How about you teach me to fight?"

Duke paused. "You want to start now?"

I shrugged. "What happened in the town reminded me that I should know how to throw a punch. If you were not with me, I don't know what would happen."

"If you are with me all the time, I will protect you.", Duke said matter-of-factly.

I had a strong feeling that he would rather lose an arm than let anyone touch a strand of my hair.

Duke's words directed at the leader of muggers in the alley, how no one gets to touch HIS woman (aka me) and leave unscathed, still echoed in my mind and made me giddy.

"I know you will, Duke. But I want to know how to protect myself, and you. Teach me. You said you will."

…

The gym was well equipped with soft flooring and a variety of machines such as treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights, and there was a pull-up bar where one could set the desired resistance. One-quarter of the space was empty, and I assumed that's the area for stretching or maybe yoga (there were several mats rolled in the corner).

Adjacent to the gym was a separate changing area with showers, just like in public gyms and after seeing spare exercising clothes, I wondered if Aldus ever brought people here and that's why this was so guest-friendly.

I slipped from my dress into a sports bra and biker's shorts.

If I'm about to jump and roll, this is the most comfortable outfit, and it will increase the surface for that much-needed skin-to-skin contact with Duke.

Duke changed into sweatpants and a somewhat loose tank top, and I wondered if there is any piece of clothing that can make him look shabby.

No matter at what part of his body I looked, he was delicious, and it took me a moment to notice his lustful gaze directed my way.

I felt naked, ready to pounce on him as the air between us became heady.

Duke didn't say a word, but somehow I heard his every raging heartbeat that urged him to claim me as his and a mental image of us going at it right on this floor took me by surprise.

Damn! I was already wet and needy and my core throbbed in a silent cry for Duke to soothe it.

To my disappointment, Duke peeled his eyes away from me and focused on the gym.

He observed available equipment before going toward the kicking sandbag that was hanging from the ceiling.

He patted the sandbag. "Show me what you've got."

"Eh?" I made a silly sound. Somehow, I was imagining the two of us wrestling on the ground with our limbs intertwined, and my enthusiasm dwindled when I realized that he wants me to hit stuff.

"What do you want me to do?", I asked dejectedly.

Duke cocked an eyebrow at me. "I thought you want me to teach you."

I responded with a stiff smile and a nod. There was no way I would speak my mind. Not now. Not ever.

If Duke finds out how wanton I am maybe he will dislike me.

"Kick or punch. I want to see you in action before I come up with ways to utilize your skills. It will be better than teaching you something new, and we can add more things later. Put your strength into it.", Duke instructed and held onto the sandbag that was now between us, to keep it steady.

I balled my hands into fists and gave it a punch reluctantly. And then another one, and another.

"Stop!", Duke exclaimed and stepped backward before showing me a stance with his legs parted. "Bend your knees slightly. It will help you balance. Your punch loses strength when you are not standing firmly."

He returned to hold the sandbag. "Again!"

About a dozen punches later, Duke urged me to stop, obviously disappointed with what he saw.

He walked behind me and put his hands on my hips.

"Don't punch just with your hand.", his deep voice sounded close to my ear and the heat of his body splashed on my back, making me flustered in response.

How am I supposed to focus like this?

The only thing I wanted was to press my behind against his hard hot bulge and feel him. Was he aroused? If he isn't, I could take care of that. I licked my lips and the heat pooled at my core. Ah, I was lewd again!

I realized that Duke was talking.

"Make a fist and let the power travel from your core. Rotate your hips slightly with the punch, it will help…"

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