Canes, umbrellas, branches. The world was full of potential weapons. “That’s the idea.” Wiping her face with the bottom of her shirt, she belatedly realized she’d flashed him with her bare stomach.

For which he rewarded her with a very masculine look of appreciation.

Oops. She straightened her shirt and felt her cheeks heat.

Smiling, he handed her back her jo. “So much for trying to show you that aikido isn’t enough to keep you safe.”

Huh. No wonder he’d agreed to fight her. The big guy was so very protective.

Laughing, she sat cross-legged beside Gryff who laid his head on her knee so she could properly pet him. “I learned the inadequacies of aikido the first time I had to fight someone in real life.”

Bull’s face went still, and he went down on his haunches in front of her. “Tell me about it.”

“It’s okay, orsacchiotto,” she murmured. He really was a teddy bear, all concerned and warm—and deadly. “We survived.”

“We?”

The teddy bear was persistent. “In college, my roomie broke off with a guy—a vindictive kind of guy.” Kit, dammit, you never did learn. “He came to pick up his stuff from our apartment and started hitting Ki—her. Jumping in, I learned aikido’s good at keeping me from getting hit, but less useful at really disabling an attacker.”

“It lacks the predatory moves,” Bull agreed.

“And I lack a predatory instinct.” She shrugged and stroked Gryff’s soft fur. “I considered Krav Maga.”

Bull nodded. “Good choice.”

Naturally, the guy would think so. Krav Maga was all about wiping out the opponent. She shook her head. “That’s not who I am. I’m a pacifist at heart. So, my instructor talked me into the jo as a compromise.”

“Ah.” He studied her for a second. “Actually, I do understand. I enjoy fighting for fun, but I’d rather no one gets hurt.”

She’d seen that. Even when she’d landed a blow, he never stopped grinning. “I hoped you’d be a typical big guy and rely only on your size to win, but your skills are even better than mine.”

Bull rocked his hand back and forth. “I’d win in pure offense, but I’m not as good as you are at defense.”

“Where did you learn? If you were raised around here, does that mean there’s a gym and classes?”

“Not hardly.” He sat down beside her. With a small whine, Gryff scooted over to be between them and heaved a sigh of bliss when Bull ruffled his fur.

Frankie had to suppress her own whine. Because she knew all too well that Bull had awesome, gentle, strong hands, so very skilled at touching.