This was the first time he’d really seen her since that night, and he was grateful to have another opportunity. It felt like they’d come to an understanding of one another while smoking in the transmutation yard. She had more reason to fear him than anyone in the Crux, so the fact that she was here now felt significant.
Bridgette grinned before she took a seat on a padded spanking bench, seemingly at ease among all of the casting equipment. “Alright. I’ll be happy to watch my husband put you on the ground again.”
There was a hint of a challenge in her voice that stoked the fires of Arlon’s competitiveness. “Bold assumption.”
Bridgette’s grin was full of mischief. “From what Garrett’s been telling me about your little basement sparring sessions, it is not.”
Any other time, Arlon might have gotten defensive, but the jab was good-natured on top of being true. He chuckled and said, “Maybe with you here, I’ll get lucky.”
Bridgette’s blue eyes looked him over, appraising. Her smile turned sly. “Bet you could, big boy.”
It took Arlon a moment longer to realize that she might not be talking about sparring anymore. The comment should have made him uncomfortable, but hearing it from her shot a pulse of unexpected warmth through him.
Garrett let out a bark of a laugh. “Maybe having you come down to watch was a mistake. You’re going to be a distraction, aren’t you?”
Bridgette hummed as she twirled one silver strand of hair coyly around her finger. “Only as much of a distraction as you two want. Topless cheering squad is on the table.”
Garrett laughed, and Arlon couldn’t help but echo it even as his neck flushed hot. But now that she’d said it, he couldn’t help but imagine it. There was no denying she was beautiful, even fully clothed.
“Is that a yes?” Bridgette teased as she reached for the laces of her dress.
“You are a menace,” Garrett said as he stripped off his shirt and tossed it aside.
“That still isn’t an answer,” she countered, her grin widening. “What do you think, Arlon? I’ll keep him distracted, and you can pin him.”
Arlon’s face felt hot enough to catch fire, but he laughed all the same. It was a tempting offer on a few different fronts, butone he couldn’t accept. “No way. If I’m going to beat him, I’m going to do it distraction-free.”
Bridgette winked at him before she released her laces and leaned back against the spanking bench. “Suit yourself. Let’s see you take him down, big boy.”
Chuckling, Arlon gave her a mock bow before he went to join Garrett on the mat. The other man’s cheeks were flushed a few shades darker, though he couldn’t seem to wipe the grin from his face.
“For fuck’s sake, are you stretched out or not?” Garrett asked as he lifted loose fists.
Arlon rolled his neck out. “I’m ready.”
They squared off, and it was only then Arlon realized he’d gotten used to reading Garrett. Because with Bridgette here, the feel of him, his energy, suddenlychanged.
It was like a fire had been lit. Garrett’s smile was no less genuine, but the light in his eye told Arlon that this wasn’t going to be an easy spar. Garrett was playing to win, and Arlon braced himself for the challenge.
Garrett called the start of the match in his native tongue before Arlon lunged. He swung a kick towards his thigh, but Garrett blocked and countered. A fist connected with Arlon’s ribs, reminding him to keep his godsdamned elbows down, which he did just in time to stop a second strike. Arlon kept his guard up, searching for an opening.
Garrett found it first as he turned in, twisting his legs through Arlon’s as he went for a throw. Arlon managed to step out of it—barely. The failed attempt put Garrett off-balance, and Arlon pressed his advantage as he lunged forward, arms wrapping around Garrett’s waist. His leg twined between Garrett’s, going for a trip only to stumble as the other man stepped deftly out of it.
Garrett’s arms wrapped around his torso, locking themtogether as they vied for the upper hand. The proximity helped him feel every shift of Garrett’s feet, every time he tensed his core or adjusted his grip. Arlon kept his own legs wide, holding a strong stance to avoid getting his feet knocked out from under him with a lucky swipe.
It was a stalemate until, between breaths, Arlon felt an opening. He surged forward with all of his strength, bringing his leg up just in time to trip Garrett over it. The other man went down, eyes flying wide, and it was only that surprise that allowed Arlon to get on him. He grabbed Garrett’s leg, twining around it like a snake before he flipped the other man onto his front, twisting his leg into a lock.
There was a sharp tap against the mat. Arlon was so surprised that it took him a second longer to loosen his grip. Garrett rolled onto his back before letting out a booming laugh. They were still entangled on the mat, but Garrett gave him a good-natured shove as he crowed, “That’swhat I’m talking about!”
Arlon let out a hesitant chuckle, still in shock that he’d actually won. He detangled his sweaty legs from around Garrett’s and fell back onto the mat to catch his breath. Bridgette came into focus above him, a towel in hand. He took it gratefully, wiping the sweat from his face.
“Not bad, Arlon. You’ve definitely learned some tricks since the last time,” Bridgette said approvingly.
“Gods, I’d hope so,” Arlon panted, too tired to sit up. “All it took was months of getting my ass kicked.”
“Yeah, well, ass-kicking is the first step to learning,” Garrett laughed breathlessly, his smile bright. “Well done, Arlon.”
“Was this the first time you beat him?” Bridgette asked, and when Arlon nodded, her grin widened. “I’m glad I got to see it. Garrett could use a good beating every now and again.”
