A heavy tread reached her from the passage.Nikko.He walked past, so he wasn’t in need of medical treatment.Dieter’s drag-step followed him.Then Vic’s delicate footsteps headed to Tiny.
“Listen here, babe, gonna show you a few self-defense moves if you’re up for it.”
“What?”Tiny squeaked.“I’ll get my ass handed to me.”
“True, but what I’m trying to trigger is Dieter’s protective instincts.Want to work with me on this?”
“Hell yes.”Tiny grinned.“I can handle a punch or two if it gets me laid.”
“That’s my girl.Listen for my signal, then we’ll meet on the mat.”Without waiting for her response, Vic sauntered off like she hadn’t just brought a little hope to Tiny’s lonely existence.
DayspassedbeforeVicset her plan in motion.Tiny had barely a moment’s warning.Nor had she expected the woman to spring it on her in the middle of breakfast.
“Meet you in five?”She squeezed Tiny’s shoulder.
Tiny nodded, brushing her hair off her face.Silence reigned, and she swallowed, aware she was the center of attention.“I messed up a test, so Vic agreed to let me scan her again.”
When the conversation continued around her, she picked at her half-eaten toast, too aware of Dieter sitting beside her.Time ticked by, her leg bounced, and she tried to participate, but the words lodged in her throat.Her cheeks flushed when anyone spoke to her.
Desperate to get this over with or, better yet, to talk Vic out of this crazy idea, she hurried to the gym.When she approached, she caught Vic’s chuckle.
“I can call you anything I damn well please, and there’s nothing you can do about it.Now, as I see it, you can help me bring her out of her shell and find her a good man to love her.For that, you need to step aside.”
Dieter’s familiar tread paced.
Tiny hesitated, not sure if she should announce her presence or eavesdrop.But because she couldn’t see them didn’t mean they wouldn’t spot her.“Oh, am I bothering?”She slipped into the room and waited, prepared to make a run for it.
He crossed to her then gathered her hands, his touch unexpected, even as he tugged her forward.“Are you sure you want to do this?”
Now was her chance to say no and leave.A part of her, though, wanted to know if there was a chance with him, or had she wasted all this time hoping he’d notice her?“Yes.I’m an easy target.It’s why I don’t leave when we dock.”
“I can protect you.”
She smiled and cupped his cheek.“What happens when you want to find companionship?Why would I play the third wheel?”She grimaced but lifted her chin.“I need affection, too, Dieter.”She offered him her back and faced the room, using Vic’s breathing to locate her.“Shall we, Vic?”
“Sure.What I’ll teach you can only be done if they touch you.”She clasped Tiny’s wrist.“I have you; now try and get away.”
Vic wasn’t hurting Tiny, per say, but wriggling and pulling didn’t free her, only bruised her wrist.Panic set in, stealing her ability to breathe.On the cusp of crying, she dropped to her knees, using her weight in the hopes it would force Vic to release her.
“Okay, stop.”Vic tightened her hold, drawing a whimper from Tiny.“Register where my thumb is.Can you feel it?”
Tiny nodded, trying to think.Vic pressed her thumb to the underside of Tiny’s wrist.
“Good, now, instead of yanking, curl your wrist inward and tug down.”
Tiny did as instructed, and when she broke free, she squealed.She swayed her hips in a happy dance.Dieter chuckled from the sidelines.Heat flushed Tiny’s cheeks.She’d half-forgotten he watched.
“Now, I’m going to breach your space.Don’t be alarmed.Listen for my breathing; that will tell you the location of my face.”Vic pinned her body to Tiny’s.Her scent engulfed Tiny.The earlier panic reared its head.
She relied on her technique to keep her grounded.
Five sensory connections around her.
The mat under her toes, cool and warm.
The gentle waft of air from the filtration system.
Dieter’s heavy breathing.
