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you do.
I rolled my eyes, patting the water from my cheeks. Believe it or not, that doesn t make me feel
better.
She arched a brow, her gaze moving to her own reflection as she smoothed an imaginary
imperfection on her lip and adjusted her wild ponytail. Mmm-hmm.
***
We re ready to learn the last few moves over the next hour or so defense against holds and chokes.
Next week, we ll integrate everything you ve learned into potential scenarios. Clapping his hands
together, Ralph added, Divide up and let s get started.
After the twelve of us had automatically separated into our previous groups, Ralph addressed the
men, who were partially padded up, including headgear. Don, Lucas, let s have you two switch off
for this part. Mix up the attacker tactics a bit.
Oh, God. So much for avoiding each other.
Though I knew there was no avoiding this, my brain cast about for any way out of having Lucas s
arms locked around me in front of everyone. The first attack was called the bear hug, and the intrepid,
white-haired Vickie volunteered to help demonstrate the slow-motion defense against it. I watched
with Erin and the other three ladies in my group, my breathing erratic and my heart thudding like it
was trying to break out of my ribcage. He d not even touched me yet.
The need for headgear became obvious when he explained the use of head-butts the back of the
victim s head smashing into the mouth or nose of the assailant. There was also instep-stomping
(everyone laughed when Lucas requested that we refrain from actual stomping of his unpadded foot
he would gladly react as though we d done it forcefully), elbow to the midsection, and a move termed
the lawnmower by Ralph, who came over to check on our progress.
Moving to stand in front of Lucas, he said, This ll be another move that we d prefer no one tries
in earnest on our brave instructors. He turned and clapped Lucas s shoulder. We don t wanna
render our boys incapable of fatherhood. As the ladies chuckled, Lucas flushed slightly pink and
stared at the floor, his lips screwed into a discomfited smirk. In a real life attack, if you have a hand
free and low, you will reach back and grab the goods, twisting and pulling straight out like you re
startin a lawnmower.
He demonstrated, complete with a lawnmower-starting sound-effect, and even Don s group was
watching and laughing. Lucas bit his lip and shook his head.
One by one, the six of us went to stand in front of him, facing the group, waiting for him to grab
them so they could practice the techniques. The lawnmower was a favorite of the older ladies, and
they all used it, along with the sound effect. Eyes sparkling, Erin used every single defense we d just
learned, one after the other head-butt, foot-stomp, shin-scrape, elbow to the abdomen with one arm
and lawnmower-starting with the other. The ladies in our group cheered and Lucas said, Good job.
He ll be on the ground begging you to run away at this point.
Should I kick him first? she asked, completely serious.
Uh& if he s not making a move toward you, then run. You don t want him to grab your foot and
pull you down. Erin nodded and walked back to me, squeezing my hand when she reached my side.
He looked into my eyes as I approached. I stared back, turning my back to him as I reached him,
trying to concentrate on what I was supposed to do next.
Suddenly, his arms were around me like bands, but gentler than any assailant would ever be. His
muscled arms were solid and unyielding. Unnerved, I forgot every defense I d just learned and
struggled ineffectively against his strength.
Hit me, Jacqueline, he said in my ear. Elbow.
I elbowed his pad-covered abdomen and he grunted.
Good. Foot stomp.
I acted it out, carefully.
Head-butt.
The top of my head barely reached his padded chin, but I butted it.
Lawnmower. His voice was soft, breathy, and I could not, even drawing on every bit of
imagination I possessed, picture touching him there to harm him.
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