’Come to think of it, they’d been together for eight years, yet it seemed they didn’t really know each other at all.’

’So, what did their eight-year relationship even mean?’

Chloe lowered her gaze, a hint of self-mockery and bitterness flashing in her eyes, but she let the feeling pass in an instant.

Daniel Hayes picked himself up off the floor, looking thoroughly defeated. He turned to Walker and said, "Mr. Grant, you’ve gotten even faster."

But Walker replied, "I’m the same as always. You’re the one who’s been slacking on your training, aren’t you?"

Daniel Hayes was speechless.

He felt a sudden flush of shame.

He shuffled to the side dejectedly.

Walker’s gaze, however, turned cold. "How are you supposed to protect her when you’re like this?"

Daniel Hayes lowered his eyes. "I’ll increase the intensity of my training."

Walker walked over and glanced at Nathaniel Monroe. "You’re not good enough. You need to keep training. At the very least, you should be able to last ten moves against me."

Nathaniel gritted his teeth. "Fine. I’ll do it!"

Walker then turned to Chloe, who was standing at the side. His expression softened instantly as he asked in a low voice, "Catch any of that?"

Chloe was silent for a moment before answering honestly, "You were both moving too fast. I couldn’t see a thing."

Walker chuckled softly. "Want to learn?"

Chloe’s eyes lit up. "You’ll teach me?"

"Of course I can." The corner of Walker’s mouth curled up a little more. "But there’s a tuition fee."

Chloe was rendered speechless.

She looked at him, her face a blank mask. "What’s the fee?"

Walker slowly closed the distance between them, his dark, almond-shaped eyes fixed on hers, but he didn’t speak right away.

Seeing this, Nathaniel and Daniel Hayes exchanged a look, then got up and walked out of the room, making a show of starting a conversation.

"Nice weather we’re having, huh?"

"Oh, yeah, definitely."

"..."

Chloe’s cheeks flushed for some reason.

Walker chuckled. "The fee is two more times."

Chloe’s brow furrowed slightly. "Scoundrel."

Walker just raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You’re the one who keeps saying we’re on the verge of divorce. Of course I have to use every method at my disposal to secure some benefits for myself. Once we’re actually divorced, these perks will be gone for good."

Chloe was speechless.

’She never would have expected him to be so brazen, to admit his intentions so openly. The sheer thickness of his skin was astounding.’

Walker sat down beside her, picked up a water bottle, and took a drink. The water seemed to soothe his deep, magnetic voice, lending it a clearer, richer quality.

"Take your time thinking about it," he said. "I won’t teach you anything too complex, nothing that takes years of practice to master. I’ll show you a few techniques to take down an opponent in a single move."

His almond-shaped eyes, crinkling with amusement, gazed at her. "Besides, two more times means you get to enjoy yourself twice too. It’s a win-win, really."

Chloe was speechless.

’Shameless!’

She stood up and started to walk away.

The sound of his laughter followed her. She faltered for a step, then suddenly said, "Just twice. And only for this month."

Walker looked at her. "You’re haggling with me now? What, you don’t want to learn anymore?"

But Chloe just curved her lips into a small smile. "I can take it or leave it. It’s all the same if I just get better at shooting."

’Well played.’

’She knows I’m the one who’s thirsty.’

’She’s already figured out how to get me wrapped around her finger.’

’Was he going to let the prize that was already at his lips get away?’

’That wasn’t his style.’

Walker stood up and followed her. "Fine. Twice this month it is."

The moment the words left his mouth, he cupped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers.

His clean, crisp scent overwhelmed her senses as he pulled her into his embrace, kissing her with abandon.