Beginning of something

Amelie’s POV

…His head turned slightly from the impact and for a moment I felt very proud of myself.

The hit wasn't as hard as I would have wanted it to be, but it still works for me.

A slow smirk spread across his face. Not angry. Not mocking.

Just Impressed.

Impressed that I had hit him?

“Good,” he said. “Do it again.”

I blinked. “Seriously?”

I found it hard to believe that a hit as sloppy as that made him this impressed with me.

Matteo stepped backward, lifting his hands. “You think I’d waste breath lying to you?”

I didn’t answer. I just squared up, fists raised—awkward but determined.

He struck first this time, a slow jab. I blocked it—barely—and retaliated with a hook that went too wide.

“Too slow,” he barked, sidestepping. “Commit or don’t bother.”

I scowled, then moved in again. He caught my wrist and flipped me easily onto my back.

“Oof,” I grunted as I fell on my back.

The air left my lungs in a rush and I lay there, blinking at the ceiling like that had all the answers rhat