Read Online Escape From Obsession by Dixie Lynn Dwyer - Free Book Online

defeating that move. The past is the past, remember?” Helena said and Gia nodded her head.
    “Thanks.”
    The sound of laughter and some commotion drew their attention toward the front room and the entrance to the dojo. Lee’s partner Pierce had just finished up another class that focused on ground struggles and grappling.
    The others began to head that way while Shane continued to talk with her.
    “I can’t seem to get the flashbacks out of my mind. I can’t stand this,” she stated as she grabbed her bag and flung it over her shoulder.
    “Don’t make yourself nuts. Sometimes it just takes more time and a bit of refocusing.”
    “Refocusing?” she asked as she turned her head toward him while they walked out of the room.
    “Yep,” he said and then she felt the water go down her back from behind.
    She squealed then turned to yell at him and take a swing, but he ducked, weaved, and wound up ahead of her.
    “I’ll get you back, Shane!” she yelled as she chased him from the room and right into the others who were saying goodnight. That was when she saw Gunner McCallister standing there next to Lee and Pierce, towering over them and dressed in shorts and an army-green T-shirt. The man was filled with rippling muscles. She paused and Shane knocked over her bag. It fell to the floor and as he went to grab her, she ducked and swept his feet out from under him, causing him to fall to the mats.
    The others laughed and teased him.
    “Got you back,” she said with attitude to Shane as she smiled.
    “I will be sure to return the favor, baby.”
    She felt her chest tighten and that feeling of fear the instant the situation went from friendly to possibly something more.
    “I was looking for Gia. I saw her car outside after I finished at the gym,” Gunner stated, making her turn to look at him. She nibbled her bottom lip as he seemed to absorb her attire.
    “You two know one another?” Lee asked, sounding so parental, yet he was probably the same age as Gunner.
    “See you on Friday, right, Gia?” Shane asked as he picked up his bag, looking at her then Gunner.
    “Goodnight, Shane, I’ll see you here on Friday.”
    He waved and left.
    “Well, we’re getting ready to close up,” Lee said as Pierce smiled then shook Gunner’s hand.
    “See you later.”
    “Yeah, good seeing you, Pierce.”
    “Yeah right, Gunner. You’re just saying that but I know you want a rematch.”
    “Anytime anywhere, you know I’m in.”
    Pierce chuckled and made some comments about Gunner not having the goods to compete.
    Gia didn’t know what they were talking about as she pulled her keys from her bag then slung it over her shoulder.
     
    * * * *
     
    Gunner felt his heart racing. He had debated about coming into the dojo after the gym, but after seeing Gia’s car out front, he had wanted to see her again. A quick talk with Pierce indicated she trained often. Seeing her now, in her relaxed, black martial arts pants and a black tank top, he could tell she was in great physical condition. She had a fucking body and a half on her, and as Shane flirted, Gunner felt his muscles tense and the twinge of jealousy place a sour taste in his mouth. He decided to let the guy know that Gia was off-limits.
    “I’ll walk you out,” he said to Gia as she gathered her things then waved good-bye to Lee.
    He opened the door for her, as the warm night air hit them.
    “It’s a beautiful night,” he said and she pulled on a light half sweatshirt in black, then moved her ponytail to the side.
    “It sure is. So what’s up?” she asked as they approached her car. She sounded kind of nervous, which only made him feel nervous, and that was completely unlike him.
    “I saw your car and I haven’t seen Lee and Pierce in a while and thought I’d stop in. You’ve been coming here long?”
    She leaned against her car and pulled the sweatshirt tighter. She swallowed hard then looked up toward him. He knew he was a big man and very tall, especially