his arms, looking loose and dangerous. Claire stood perfectly still. Her stance wasn't a traditional
jiu-jitsu crouch, nor a boxer's guard. It was relaxed, her hands resting near her waist, her balance
perfectly distributed.
"Ready when you are," Derek taunted.
Derek surged forward, intending to shoot a double-leg takedown that would lift her off her feet
and slam her to the mat. It was meant to be a show of absolute power. But as he lunged, Claire
simply wasn't there.
With a subtle pivot that seemed almost lazy, she stepped off the centerline. As Derek flew past
her, her hand casually guided his shoulder, using his own momentum to send him stumbling
forward into the padded wall. The gym gasped softly.
Derek caught his balance, his face flashing hot. "Lucky slip," he muttered. He turned and threw
a fast, aggressive combination of feints, trying to grab her collar. Claire parried every grip without
grabbing back. Her hands moved with fluid, irritating precision, slapping his wrists away before he