Starbright (34 page)

Beth took his hand. “All right. Let’s do it.”

His face lit up. “Great. Now let’s get you the proper footwear.”

Beth glanced at her high heels. “Will you have shoes that fit me?”

“First of all, they’re called boots.” Aidan tossed a playful look over his shoulder as he escorted her across the gym. “And don’t worry, since Rocky started training me, he’s had a bunch of guys from the studio interested in learning how to box, too. So he ordered a bunch of equipment and clothes for the gym in various sizes.” He looked down at her feet. “What size are you?”

“Seven.”

Aidan handed over the boxing gloves and disappeared into the locker room. He emerged carrying black boots and socks. “Try these on. They’ll be a little big, but they’ll work all right. You need something with a good grip. I don’t want you to slip.” He took her hand again and led her to a chair in the corner.

Beth sat down and placed her purse and boxing gloves on the floor. Aidan kneeled in front of her like Prince Charming courting Cinderella and slipped the socks on her feet, followed by the boots, which he laced up to her mid-calf. As she took her first steps, she was surprised by their light weight.

“Now for the gloves…” Aidan picked them up off the floor. “I selected the lightest ones we have—eight ounces—in the smallest size we have. At first, they seem to weigh nothing, but they can start feeling very heavy, very fast, during training.”

Beth nodded.

“When training or sparring, professional boxers generally use heavier gloves than the regulation gloves designed for competition. That way, when they actually step in the ring with the lighter ones, they won’t tire as quickly. In your case, I want you to have the lightest gloves possible to make it easier on you.”

“What’s sparring?”

Aidan flashed a grin. “Essentially, it’s free form fighting with enough rules to make injuries unlikely. For instance, Rocky will glove up and join me in the ring, and we’ll have a pseudo match. We don’t actually go all out. It’s more for education purposes. Rocky will demonstrate a block or a jab, and a way to move with an opponent, and I’ll copy him. It’s much better training with a person compared to a punching bag. It means when it comes time to film the movie, I’ll have a better chance at looking like a true boxer.”

Beth surveyed the boxing ring in the middle of the room. “So when you film the fight scenes for
Golden Gloves
, you’re actually going to fight the other actors?”

Aidan shrugged. “Think of it as choreography—like you what you learned for
Venus Rising
—but instead of dancing, we’re boxing.”

His explanation didn’t ease her concern.

“In a few days, Rocky and I will be working in the ring with the actors playing my opponents in the film,” he added. “We’re practicing each move meticulously beforehand—that way we know what’s coming when we go before the camera and can react accordingly, including when to fake being punched. Every move will be planned so no one gets hurt.”

Beth frowned. “I hope you’ll be careful.”

“I’ll be fine.” He walked to a trunk situated against the wall and searched inside. “Okay, so for a helmet…”

Beth shook her head. “I don’t need one.”

“Sure you do.” Aidan plopped a black helmet on her head and fastened the strap under her chin. “There, it fits great.”

She peered at him sheepishly. “I bet I look ridiculous.”

He smirked. “No, you don’t. You look cute.”

Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Why weren’t you wearing a helmet during your training?”

“At pro level, they don’t use helmets. Rocky wants me to train that way so I’m used to it during filming. You, on the other hand, are much too precious.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I won’t chance you not being properly protected.”

Beth giggled. “It’s not like the punching bag is going to punch back.”

“You’re not using a punching bag.”

She arched her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

Aidan grabbed a roll of cloth from the trunk, ignoring her inquiry. “Okay, put your hands out in front of you, palms down, fingers and thumbs spread.”

Beth did as he instructed. “I noticed your hands are wrapped, too. Why?”

The end of cloth had a loop on the end, which Aidan hooked over her right thumb. “The wraps help protect the bones and tendons, so when you punch something, you don’t hurt your hands. They also help support your wrists and thumbs.”

“Do I need that even though my punches won’t have the strength behind them to do any damage?”

“Actually, that’s worse.” He wrapped her right hand in a precise pattern. “If you don’t have the proper technique or correct contact with the bag, opponent, whatever, there’s a higher risk of injury. Wrapping your hands not only protects you but also helps you keep proper form, which is important, even if you’re just horsing around.”

Once Aidan finished with her right hand, he clipped the end of the material in place and bound her left hand the same way.

“Does that feel okay?” he asked when he was done. “The wraps should feel tight, but not tight enough to cut off your circulation.”

Beth rotated her wrists and flexed her fingers. “They feel fine.”

“Good.” Aidan picked up her gloves and secured them on her hands. “Okay, you’re all set. Follow me.”

Beth trailed behind him. When they headed toward the ring, she stopped short. “I can’t go in there!”

“Sure you can.” Aidan lifted the lower rope. “Climb in.”

As gracefully as possible, Beth entered the ring. Aidan joined her in the center.

“What am I going to hit?” she asked, surveying her surroundings.

“Me.”

Beth’s wide eyes darted to him. “I’m not going to do that!”

Aidan chuckled. “All you gotta do is hit the pads I hold up.”

“But what if I hurt you?”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “You won’t.”

“I’d feel better using a punching bag.” Beth gestured her gloved hand across the gym to the bag he’d attacked earlier.

“The punching bag will be too tough for you because it doesn’t have as much give as the pads. I don’t want you hurting yourself.” His face turned serious. “And I’m definitely not gonna put on gloves and spar with you.”

Beth sighed. “All right. If you say so.”

“We’ll start off with an upright stance. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your rear foot half a step behind your lead foot. You’re right-handed, so your left foot will be your lead foot, and you’ll lead your punches with your left fist.”

Beth positioned her feet properly.

“See how your right foot is on an angle?”

Beth looked to where Aidan pointed. “Yes, I see.”

“You want your feet to be parallel, so straighten the right one out and lift your heel off the mat.”

Beth followed his instructions. She was impressed by his knowledge after only a month of training with Rocky.

“Your lead left fist is held vertically about six inches in front of your face at eye level.” Aidan took her left hand and lifted it to the appropriate height. Distracted by the close proximity of his lips to hers, Beth felt her arm falling and had to correct her position.

“Now, your right fist is held beside the chin and your elbow should be tucked against your ribcage to protect your body.” He took her other hand and raised it to the proper position, his eyes devouring her. “How’s that?”

Beth barely found her voice. “Good.”

Using a light grip, Aidan moved her elbow against the side of her body and grazed his fingers down her hip over her cotton dress. Her skin tingled. He darted his tongue across his lower lip and leaned in, dispensing kisses along her neck.

Struggling to maintain her correct stance, Beth tilted her head back to give him better access. When he nibbled at her collarbone, she thought she would fall to the mat.

Perhaps the helmet was a good idea, after all.

Aidan pulled back, admiring her with glossy eyes. “Next, tuck your chin to your chest to avoid punches to the jaw.”

Beth dropped her chin as instructed and noticed his prominent arousal pressing against his boxing shorts. She exhaled a slow breath.

“Bend your wrists slightly to avoid damage when punching.” Aidan sounded in control, but she detected his internal struggle. “And remember to keep your elbows tucked in to protect the ribcage.”

Beth managed a nod.

Aidan took a step back, placing about two feet between them, but not enough distance to quell her yearning for him. “There are four main types of punches: jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. You’ll probably be most comfortable using the jab and the cross to hit the pads. A jab is a quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand. When you extend your arm, rotate your torso about ninety degrees, so you’re horizontal upon impact.

“The cross is a more powerful punch than the jab. It’s thrown with the rear hand in a straight manner. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against your face to protect the chin.”

Aidan switched his stance and punched the air using the jab and cross combination. His movements were quick and fluid. Beth was awed by how powerful he looked. Watching him box during filming would surely torment her, since she could not act on her desires while on set.

Beth raised her arms to the correct position and fixed her stance. “All right, I’m ready.”

Aidan picked up two small black pads from the corner of the ring and secured their straps on his hands.

“Okay, baby.” He lifted the pads in front of him with the cushioned part facing her. “Hit me.”

With all the strength she could muster, Beth threw her left fist first, followed by her right, as he taught her, and made contact with the pads. Aidan didn’t even flinch, nor did his hands move from their position.

“Is that all you got?” A teasing smile accompanied his remark.

Beth focused on her targets and threw another combination. Again, her punches barely made a dent.

Aidan smacked the pads together. “Come on, you gotta have more in you than that.”

She frowned. “What if I hurt you?”

“You won’t. Now hit me.”

Beth took a fortifying breath, eager to prove she could do it. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, she threw a jab, followed by a cross. This time, Aidan’s hands moved backward when she hit the pads.

His eyes widened. “Wow, you’ve been holding out on me, baby.”

Beth smiled proudly and dropped her hands. The gloves felt much heavier than when she first put them on.

She looked at Aidan with true concern. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

He shook his head. “No, but it was a solid combination.”

Beth regained the strength to lift her arms again. “What’s another type of punch?”

Aidan shook the pads to the floor and swept around her, pressing his body to hers from behind. Beth felt his warm breath on the back on her neck. The fine hairs there stood at attention.

“I’ll show you.” Aidan removed her helmet and dropped it to the mat.

Beth whimpered as his fingers danced across her wrists. He pressed his lips to her cheek, followed by her neck.

“Now, this next punch is called an uppercut,” he said in a seductive murmur. “It’s a vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand.” He moved her right arm lower than the position for the cross punch. “The rear hand drops below the level of the opponent’s chest, and the knees are slightly bent.” His other hand found her left hip. “Can you bend your knees for me, baby?”

Beth felt his arousal pushing into her back. She granted his request.

He hummed in her ear. “Good girl.”

Beth’s heart pounded so hard she could feel its pulse throughout her entire body.

“From this position, the rear hand is thrust upward in a rising arc to where your opponent’s torso or chin would be.” The word
thrust
rolled off Aidan’s tongue with sensual emphasis.

Beth moaned as he slowly moved his hand to her right elbow. He lifted her arm using the correct technique and completed the uppercut with no force behind it.

“Is that good?” Her question sounded quiet, submissive.

Aidan spun her around to face him and unleashed his passion with blinding intensity. He removed her gloves in seconds. She drove her wrapped hands into his hair as he pulled her against him and brought their lips together.

Aidan’s hands felt coarse from the tape, but his touch was gentle as he pinned her against the ropes and caressed her body. The gym was a public building, and anyone could walk in and see them, but all Beth wanted to do was let go.

She reached beneath the waistbands of his boxing shorts and briefs to his arousal and stroked him how he liked it most, mindful of the abrasive tape on her hands. He cursed under his breath and leaned against her, resting his chin in the crook of her neck.

Beth touched him as well as she could under his clothes. He rewarded her with pleasurable moans that seemed to originate from the back of his throat. As he moved his hand under her dress, she was thankful she didn’t wear hosiery today. She widened her stance and he pushed her panties aside with his fingers. At his first stroke, she gasped into his chest, the ropes behind her swaying to the rhythm of their bodies.

Beth’s breathing became shallow and her muscles tensed as Aidan touched her again and again. When his fingers circled faster, her pleasure soared.

“Aidan, I’m going to—”

Beth shuddered with the arrival of her climax. At the same time, Aidan jerked in her hand, reaching his own release. They came down together, embracing against the ropes. The only sounds in the gym were their labored breaths.

Aidan rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry for initiating this here. I mean… someone could’ve walked in.”

Beth shook her head. “I don’t regret it one bit.”

“Are you sure?” He backed away from her, dragging his hands through his hair, making it standup in all directions. “Hell, I don’t care what people around here think about me, but I’d never want to harm your reputation. I just couldn’t help myself.”

Beth giggled. “And you think it was easy for me to see you shirtless, sweaty, and looking perfect while trying to focus on learning jabs and cross punches?”

Aidan chuckled. “Okay, I get your point.”