Chapter 57

The air in the Muay Thai gym hung thick with the sharp snap of leather on skin and the musky bite of exertion. Elodie was a human Beyblade, spinning and striking with unstoppable momentum, a flurry of elbows and knees aimed at Ari’s ribs. Each blow landed with a satisfying thwack, but he barely seemed to register them. He countered with a fluid sweep, his leg a whip of muscle that sent Elodie sprawling onto the mat. She rolled with the fall, coming up a blur of defensive jabs, but Ari danced through them. He feigned a right hook, then spun on his heel, his leg flashing out in a picture-perfect teep kick. Elodie couldn’t react fast enough. The blow caught her square in the chest, knocking the wind right out of her sails. She stumbled back, gasping, and before she could regain her balance, Ari was there, a wall of warm muscle pinning her to the mat. His grin widened. He leaned in, close enough for her to feel the heat of his breath on her cheeks. The scent of adrenaline and citrus cologn