Beautiful Protection

Get Away From You

Staring at the foggy mirror, Erin was trying to check her own reflection. Her heart was pounding again remembering how close Xander was earlier. She concluded that it could be the situation they were in as her wedding ring shone on her as if reminding her that she is a married woman.

She was circling the ring around her finger too many times until she decided to take it off for the first time. She tossed the ring inside the mini basket as she picked a towel to clean the mirror. Her own reflection was clearer now and she was intently looking at herself.

What was wrong with her that Will treated her that way? Erin couldn't help but pity herself. Lately has been impacting her self-esteem and if this goes on, she could do worse for herself.

She sighed at that. I guess working on herself was a nice idea after all. She was combing her hair when the thought of Xander taking her pin started to play. Erin was bothered by it.

How can she have those thoughts? She can imagine how Will shook his head in the background.

Scared about how far will it go, Erin wore her wedding ring again. She cannot allow herself to think of another man aside from Will. If only life is fair then she could have been awarded in life being faithful to his husband.

Erin was feeling anxious waiting for Xander in the living room. She can't understand why she was feeling that way. Was she anxious to see him or was she anxious that he made her wait for him? She picked the latter, but the next seconds prove her wrong.

Xander appeared in front of her and her anxiety evaporated like it was never there. She was shamelessly eyeing him and she couldn't deny the attraction she has for him.

She was confused. Will will surely throw a fit if he will know her behavior right now or does he even care that his wife is already in danger.

In danger of falling to a man who was hot even in simple yoga pants and a plain white shirt.

"Are you ready?" She was the first to break the ice, but Xander winked in return that caught her off guard.

What was his deal? Erin almost glared at him but managed to keep her cool.

"Follow me." She said as she sauntered towards the yoga room. Erin just wished that the training will end up good.

"Let's do some warm-up first," Xander announced and stood beside her. She was in relief seeing him standing beside her.

"This is a very important phase to avoid muscles sore later, but I can't guarantee you will not feel any."

"Will we go intense on day one?" She inquired.

"I will teach you the basic first."

"I actually know some of the basics." She said excitedly.

"We could test it then." His reply and went to bend his upper body. Xander was quite flexible as he was touching the ground.

Erin shook her hips and do an alternate low kick. She started to feel the sweat running at the side of her temple as they finished their warm-up.

"Let's start?" Xander asked as he walked in front of her.

They were facing each other and Erin couldn't help but stare at his face. It was her first time to take a good look at him, then to his chest that was rising up and down, then to the little bid of sweats on his neck as his Adam's apple were up and down.

Before Xander would accuse her of shameless staring, Erin looked at him in the eyes. She nodded to tell him she is ready for the training, but she saw something else in his eyes, something she can't quite understand.

Xander took two steps closer and her nostrils flared, then her heart pounded just like earlier.

"In self-defense, you must focus on your attacker's vulnerable area..."

Erin should be focusing on what Xander was telling her, but she was busy guessing the cologne he was wearing.

"Like the eyes..." Xander pointed his right eye in a snappy manner.

"Nose, throat, and groin." He continued.

"And of course, there are areas to avoid. Don't aim for the chest, as that tends to be ineffective. Aiming for the knees requires a specific kick that can be too risky for the average person."

Recovered from the short moment of distraction, Erin nodded as she was listening now.

"Use all of your force and aggression during execution. Make it known that you're a powerful lady. Use your voice, too. Be loud to intimidate the attacker and create attention in case somebody is nearby."

Erin was fascinated by how good he was. Ashamed of her secret desire, she decided to focus on what he is teaching her.

"You told me that you already know the basics. Let's do some dry run so I can check what is there to improve."

Once in position, she gave him a weak hammer strike.

"Try to put some force. Remember what I told you." He was not going easy to her.

"Make it known that I'm powerful." She said.

Before he could give a full nod, Erin launched her attack aiming at his groin, but he was the expert so he was able to dodge it holding her leg. She then gave him an elbow strike not realizing her other leg still not on the ground causing her off balance. Xander was quick to catch her as both of their breathing on a race.

"You are at the disadvantage," Xander warned.

"Not with this." She was attacking his groin again but Xander was fast in tossing her free from his hold and caught her again.

"I told you. You are at the disadvantage." Xander looked at her as if hinting her of the first lecture. She now gets it, she should have attacked his eyes or nose since she is an average person compared to him instead of launching another kick.

"Now how about this?" It was Xander this time. He flipped her body like her weight is nothing to him.

Xander was bear-hugging her. The sudden flip was not good, his nose was buried on her neck. Her reaction was instant. There was a chill down her spine because of the contact.

"I don't think I can get away from you."