"You wish," Nora's voice laced with defiance, though a faint flush crept up her neck.
Archer's response was a low, rumbling chuckle. His eyes, dark and amused, slid past her to where Leo stood fuming, his cheeks flushed with youthful outrage.
"Afraid a single kiss might undo you, officer?"
"Don't flatter yourself," she retorted, her pride stung.
Steeling herself, She leaned in hesitantly, planted a quick kiss on his cheek, then pulled back abruptly
The moment she pulled back, Archer moved quick. His hand came up to cradle the back of her head and closed the small distance she had created, capturing her lips in a brief, sweet kiss that was over almost before it began.
He released her, a triumphant, almost boyish grin spreading across his features. He brought his thumb to his own lower lip, stroking it slowly as if savoring the taste. "Tastes so good, officer."
A sound of rage erupted from Leo. He launched himself across the mat, shoving Archer hard in the shoulder. "Hey! I haven't even kissed her yet!"
Before anyone could react, he turned, cupped Nora's face in his hands, and pressed his lips to hers in a clumsy kiss.
It lasted less than a second. Archer's hand clamped down on the back of Leo's collar and yanked him backward.
"Enough!" Nora exploded, her face burning with a mixture of anger, embarrassment, and something else she refused to name.
She shoved Archer away with one hand and put the other on Leo's chest, holding them both at bay. "Both of you… get away from me!"
She took a deep, steadying breath, forcing the chaos of the moment into a tight, focused ball in her gut. Her professional composure slammed back into place. "I got distracted. Again!" she demanded, her voice sharp. "From the top."
The second round began.
This time, Nora held nothing back.
Her attacks were a furious storm of motion. She'd learned her lesson, keeping her kicks low and controlled, relying on a blistering combination of boxing jabs and close-quarter grappling techniques.
Leo hovered at the edge of the mat, a tense spectator, shouting encouragement and warnings. "Beautiful!" "Watch his left!"
Archer, for his part, seemed content to defend, his movements economical, his eyes constantly reading her.
Then, he offered a gift.
A slight overextension, a momentary drop of his guard. Nora took the bait without a second thought. She pivoted into him, grabbed his arm, and executed a perfect, powerful hip throw.
But Archer was no amateur. Even as he sailed over her hip, he twisted in the air, and as they landed, his legs scissored around her waist, dragging her down with him onto the mat.
In a fluid reversal, he rolled over her, pinning her wrists above her head with one strong hand, his body a heavy, immovable weight on top of hers.
"Second round," he stated, his breathing slightly ragged. "Still mine."
"You left that opening on purpose!" she snarled, bucking beneath him.
Archer's eyes danced merrily. His gaze flicked over to Leo, who was practically vibrating with impotent fury and jealousy. "All's fair in love and war, my dear officer. And now, you owe me a second wish…"
The gym door burst open.
One lieutenant stood there, his face ashen, his composure shattered. "Boss! We have a—"
His words died in his throat as he took in the scene.
Archer's head snapped toward the interruption, his eyes turning to ice. "Speak."