Chapter 5 I Don't Hit Women

"Is this really the best you can do? You sent me these useless people earlier, and now, you throw a woman at me? Is the Oasis Club just begging to go out of business?"

Ayden's voice wasn't loud, but every word had the club owner outside the room trembling.

He instantly regretted his decision. If he had known that Ayden disliked female sparring partners, he wouldn't have dragged Nicole into this.

But before he could do anything, Nicole marched up to Ayden and said, "I mean no disrespect."

Without waiting for an answer, she came at him fast. Ayden had just stood up when her kick slammed right into his chest.

He choked out a rough gasp.

Nicole had held back, using only a fraction of her strength, but that was more than enough to drop Ayden onto the carpet. His chest burned, and it felt like his heart was being torn apart.

He stared up at Nicole in disbelief, shocked that a woman could knock him down so easily.

Nicole did not give him time to gather himself. She reached down, grabbed his collar, and pulled him up as if he weighed nothing.

He could not wrap his head around her strength.

It made no sense.

Before Ayden could get his guard up, Nicole hit him with sharp, controlled strikes. Each blow hurt, but none did much damage.

Everyone else watched with wide eyes, thinking Nicole had lost her mind.

Did she even realize who she was hitting?

Ayden refused to be a punching bag. He took two more hits, then spun away, steadied himself, and looked at Nicole. "Leave. I don't hit women."

Even with all her power, she was still a woman, and he refused to hit her.

Nicole folded her arms, flashed a faint smile, and said, "Mr. Hayes, that kind of politeness after getting hit is admirable. Still, you really shouldn't underestimate a woman."

Without missing a beat, she shot forward and aimed another kick right at his head.

Ayden was prepared for this and ducked away in time.

He barely caught his balance before Nicole was on him again. This time, she was even faster, and he struggled to defend himself.

Spectators pressed closer, eager for every second of the fight.

They believed Nicole was too bold, daring to hit the club's VIP like this.

Worry creased the club owner's brow while he worried that Ayden might be offended and refuse to pay.

"I want every single one of you out of here!"

Ayden's voice boomed when he caught sight of the onlookers. Shadows cut across his face, clouding his features.

No one liked to be watched like a spectacle, especially Ayden.

Trainers wasted no time leaving, eager to avoid his anger.

The club owner even closed the door for Ayden and Nicole when he left.

Inside the room, Nicole drew in a breath, then launched a kick at Ayden without warning.

Ayden's guard shot up in time. Even though he blocked her kick in time, he didn't get any advantage. Nicole recognized real skill in him and ramped up her tempo with genuine interest.

Back and forth, they moved so quickly that arms and legs blurred together, every strike delivered with careful control.

Even in the chaos, Nicole began to notice something about Ayden.

He kept a respectful gap, never using this fight to take advantage of her.

Whenever their bodies tangled, he always eased up quickly, refusing to cause real harm.

But Nicole wasn't one to go easy on her opponent.

When an opening flashed at a weak spot, she never hesitated to drive her fist right in.

Holding back in combat only invited defeat.

Ayden felt each strike start to pile up, Nicole's strength turning every solid hit into an ache that spread across his body.

At last, Nicole threw a direct punch at Ayden's nose.

Ayden grunted in pain, stumbled back a couple of steps, and pressed a hand to his face.

Sticky blood met his fingertips.