Chapter 19 The Step To Protection

Ethan’s insistence on Emily taking self-defense lessons was not something she could easily dismiss. He had been firm, almost to the point of being demanding, though Emily couldn’t help but notice the care in his eyes. She tried to resist, of course—at first. The thought of learning how to defend herself, from the very man who was offering his protection, felt… strange. But there was something about Ethan’s approach, the way he always seemed to know exactly what she needed, that made it impossible to ignore. She stood in front of him now, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Ethan stood a few feet away, his posture relaxed but alert, his usual calmness mingling with a new intensity. There was a softness to him today, but also an edge, a determination she had never seen before.