My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 348

Chapter 348: Say Please

****************

Chapter 348

~Valerie’s POV~

I narrowed my eyes, trying to sound unaffected. "That’s a pretty bold offer for someone who’s about to lose."

Ace chuckled low, rolling his shoulders like a predator. "Oh, Princess, you really think you stand a chance?"

"Against you?" I raised my chin defiantly. "Absolutely."

Before I could blink, someone walked in and handed me a folded bundle. I blinked down at it; it was a simple training gear. Ace smirked knowingly. "Go on."

I muttered a quick thanks, changing swiftly behind the divider. The fitted top and shorts hugged me snugly, and when I stepped back onto the mat, Ace’s gaze swept over me shamelessly, heat flashing in his blue eyes.

"Better," he drawled, amusement dancing in his eyes as he stalked closer. "Now at least you’ll look good when you lose."

"Confident," I corrected, squaring my stance. "Don’t confuse the two."

"Oh, trust me," he murmured, smirking as he circled me slowly, "by the end of this, there’ll be no confusion about who’s in control."

I scoffed, pretending his words didn’t send a shiver down my spine. "Big talk for someone who’s about to get his ass handed to him."

"Ass handed, huh?" Ace stopped just in front of me, towering, close enough that I could feel his heat. "Funny. Because last time I had my hands on you, Princess, you weren’t exactly complaining."

Heat flushed my cheeks instantly. "That... That’s different!"

"Mm, sure," he teased, lowering his voice, "keep telling yourself that."

I clenched my fists, refusing to let him fluster me. "Shut up and fight."

Ace grinned wickedly and, without warning, he lunged.

I dodged the first swipe, barely, and countered with a quick strike aimed at his ribs. He blocked effortlessly, catching my wrist and spinning me around until my back hit his chest.

"You’re fast," he whispered against my ear, breath hot, "but not fast enough."

I shoved my elbow back hard, making him grunt and loosen his grip. Twisting free, I ducked low and swept my leg under him. He stumbled but didn’t fall, catching himself on one hand like some damn acrobat.

"Cute move," he said, lips curving. "Wanna try again?"

"You talk too much," I shot back, charging forward.

For the next few minutes, we clashed: dodging, striking, countering. My lungs burned, my body buzzing with adrenaline, but Ace was relentless.

Every time I thought I had an opening, he read me like a book, blocking with maddening ease.

"You’re holding back," he said suddenly, catching my kick mid-air and tossing me onto the mat.

I landed on my back with a soft thud, groaning. "I’m not holding back," I snapped, rolling to my feet.

"Oh, you are." Ace stalked toward me, sweat glistening on his jaw. "You’re scared of me."

I scoffed loudly. "Please. I’m not scared of you."

"Prove it."

Before I could respond, he rushed me again, this time even faster. His movements blurred, and before I knew it, my back was pinned to the mat, his body hovering over mine, his breath ragged but steady.

"Round one," he said smugly, his lips curling in victory.

I glared up at him, chest heaving. "You cheated."

He raised a brow. "Did I?"

"You distracted me!"

"Princess," he drawled, lowering his head until his nose brushed mine, "if you can’t handle a little distraction, how do you plan on winning?"

I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move an inch. "Get. Off."

Ace smirked, deliberately staying where he was. "Say ’please.’"

My cheeks flamed. "Not a chance."

"Then I guess we’ll stay here," he said innocently, though his weight pressed me deliciously into the mat.

"Fine!" I snapped. "Please."

Satisfied, he rolled off me slowly, deliberately brushing his hand along my waist as he stood.

I scrambled up, scowling, trying to ignore the way my heart raced. "Round two. This time, I’m winning."

"Sweetheart," he said, stretching lazily, "you can’t even lie convincingly."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify