15.
Later in the afternoon, Oliver gave Nola her first lesson in self-defense.
« All right, feet apart, put your support foot in front. »
« Well, that's part of the problem. It's the left one, the one that was amputated. »
« It doesn't change anything. You just have to balance your body to find your equilibrium. Lets try this. Close your eyes and extend your arms on your sides. »
She did as he told her. The ship had a slight roll and she had to compensate to keep her balance. He observed her and showed her some basic movements to start. Punch, punch, evade. She wasn't fit, but she could move with ease. He had made a tour of the ship and seen the gym room they could use to get her in shape. Her stunt in front of the captain and his own presence should prevent any harassment from the crew.
They ate dinner and went to bed without having said much more. Oliver had planned his trip back to Lian Yu without thinking anyone could discover his true destination so he was still bothered by Nola's presence.
Meanwhile, Nola still regretted having tricked Oliver into taking her on that journey. She was feeling a bit ashamed of her behaviour and promised herself she would do her best to mimic a mouse and be nearly invisible.
The next day started their new routine. After a large but tasteless breakfast, they would go to the gym and work out a couple of hours. Oliver showed her how the machines worked, what exercises to do. He would train by her side, usually bare chest, so that every man walking in would see his tattoo. He ended up telling her the star was the mark of the Bratva, the Russian mob, and that the crew owed him the respect due to a captain. Nola found it disturbing. The mobs were not known for their peaceful manners and kind hearts, so she wondered what Oliver had done to get that star.
She, on the other hand, worked out in a big t-shirt and large jogging pants that would hide her figure and make her less visible and less susceptible to unwanted solicitations. After lunch, they would go to the hold where his crates were stored and he would show her how to fight with her fists, her feet and her cane.
Day after day her strength and fighting skills improved. Oliver was actually proud of her, he enjoyed training with her. She took hits without whining, always got up when she fell, and carefully listened to his remarks.
On day twelve of their travel, Nola decided to skip the morning workout and have a couple of hours to herself. She didn't mind Oliver's presence, but she wanted to wash her hair and didn't need him around to do that. She was in the rinsing phase, which was a pain because the washbasin was so small, when she heard the cabin door open. She was about to shout to Oliver that she wasn't finished when she smelled grease and sweat and something dark red that scared her. She was still hidden from view so she took a second to put her t-shirt back on and think about what was going to happen. There were two men outside the closet, exploring the cabin, obviously joking in Russian. She took a deep breath and prepared herself.
When the first man showed through the opening, she used the heel of her hand to hit him hard under the nose. Blood spurted, staining her. She dropped on her knees and punched him hard again, this time in the crotch. The man fell, whimpering, in a fetal position. The second man hurried to his side. Still crouching, Nola evaded him, grabbed her cane and gave him a good whack in the legs. He stumbled forward and she used his momentum to hit him on the head. He fell down without a word, knocked out.
The fight had lasted only a few seconds. Nola stood in the middle of the room, unsure of what would happen next. She heard running in the gangway and Oliver burst inside the cabin.
« Are you okay ? I heard crewmen talk about you. »
He looked around and saw the two sailors lying on the floor. She was standing on her own two feet, shaking slightly but barely out of breath, blood on her right hand. He took it in his own to examine her.
« Where did he hurt you ? »
« It's his blood, not mine. I think I broke his nose. »
Oliver took them both by the collar and threw them in the passageway.
« I should never have left you alone. This is my fault. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. »
« Ollie, I'm okay, don't beat yourself up. If anything, I'm glad it happened. »
« Glad ? Are you crazy ? »
« I told you from the start I wanted to take care of myself. I proved I can. I didn't freeze, or tried to run, I fought back. And I even discovered something. When you're in a fight, you have to want to hurt your opponent. I never thought I'd be capable of that. Now, if it's okay with you, I'd like to finish washing my hair. »
Oliver looked at her and saw that she was still wet, dripping even.
« Sure. But Nola… it was your first fight. Don't expect things to go well the next time. »
« I'm not. This time I had a few seconds to release the fear and find my courage. I wasn't hurt, they didn't have time to put a finger on me. I'll have to train harder. »
« Nola... »
« Oliver, I never want to feel helpless again, like I was when I got shot. Today I got lucky. Tomorrow I may not. When we train this afternoon, don't go easy on me. I have survived worse than bruises. »
« I don't want to hurt you. »
« And I don't like pain. But I need this. Don't hold back your blows as much. Let me figure out what I'm capable of. »
Oliver hated the idea of hurting her, but he understood the helplessness, and the need to overcome it. This time, they didn't spar in the cargo hold. They went to the gym.
They started with simple moves. Punch, punch, evade. Hit, block, pivot. Moves they had already practiced enough so Nola was familiar with them. She concentrated on Oliver's eyes and scent to avoid being distracted by all the men not on duty showing up, including the two Nola had beaten up, one of them supporting two black eyes and a bandaged nose.
Oliver passed her guard and landed a punch on her shoulder. She winced, used the propulsion to turn and hit him in the back. The crew cheered. His next move made her fall down on her face and she was almost hit again trying to get up. He jabbed her in the thigh and she fell down again. He wasn't pretending anymore, he was kicking her ass thouroughly and she couldn't touch him.
Nola suddenly remembered a phrase she heard somewhere "The only way to win is to deny the battle." She decided not to try to hit Oliver but to avoid getting punched by jumping sideways, crouching, or rolling. After a minute or two where he mostly grazed her, he ended the sparring lesson by bowing. Nola bowed back under the applause of the men and became acutely aware of their scents. Enjoyment, virility and… the deep red hue of lust.
She had been so focused on the fight she hadn't noticed the pheromones in the air and now she felt hot and turned on. She pushed through the crowd and headed back to the cabin. In this state she needed only one thing and she figured asking Oliver or a sailor was a bad idea. She was out of breath and flushed when they arrived.
« You're okay ? »
« Could you leave me alone ? »
« Not when you're like that. »
« Ollie, you have no idea the effect odors can have on me, do you ? Even if you already saw me like that. »
« Like what ? »
« Do you remember the club ? »
Oliver did remember the moment they spent in the office was well spent.
« Yes. »
« When I told you I can smell desire, it's more than that. »
« It wakes up yours. That's what you told me the first time. »
« Yes. I'm like intoxicated by all the pheromones in the air. At the moment, I'm barely in control. When I was in college, they called me WildFire because I didn't control myself. You have no idea how wild I can get. At the club, we were going out, so that was okay to have sex with you. But not now. I'd be using you and I don’t like the idea. And I don't see myself asking a crewmember. So please, could you leave me alone for a few minutes, so I can cool down. »
Nola turned away and heard Oliver leave. She went to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. But she was much too high now to be relieved that way. She took her clothes off and lied down on her bed.
*****
She had always enjoyed making love with Oliver, but if she conjured him up now, she would feel very awkward afterwards. So she pictured one of the sailors. She'd seen him in the gym pretty much every day since she started training, an African man of slender build who smelled like sand and desert.
She closed her eyes and put her hand on her sex. She pictured his dark skin against her own so pale, imagining what he could do to her. And there he was.
His kisses were intense, demanding, and her lips met his with fervor. His hands were caressing her body, fondling her. The image of his black hands roaming her white body was intensely erotical and enhanced her pleasure. She pinched her nipple and imagined he was biting her. She felt his body on hers, her hand mimicking the strokes she was fantasizing about. In her mind’s eye she saw the sailor penetrate her and pushed two fingers inside herself. It wasn’t quite the same as reality, but it would have to be enough. She started to move her hand rhythmically, like a lover would, felt the pressure build inside her body and finally release. She let out a moan and just laid there, not quite satiated but calmer.
*****
She got up a little while later, washed herself and put on some clothes. She opened the door and saw Oliver sitting across the passageway.
« I knew you’d be here. Thanks for watching over me. »
« Always. You’re feeling better ? »
« Sort of. I need a good night’s sleep. »
Nola laughed.
« Actually that’s not what I really need, but that’ll do. »
« I didn’t understand how intense it could be, your… »
« Oversensitive sense of smell ? Scents-induced drunk-like state? »
« Gift. »
« Most of the time, I’m in control. One or two men who feel lust, I can deal. More than twenty, that’s really hard. And when we fought, I was so focused on you and your moves, I didn’t realize I was getting intoxicated until it was over. And I got overwhelmed. »
« You know… I could have helped you. »
« I know. But I didn’t want our friendship to be smeared by this need. I’m gonna be fine, don’t worry. »
« No more workout in the gym. We should be in Nagoya in three days, until then you can do pushups and crunches here. »
« I suppose. »
In the middle of the night, Oliver woke up to the sound of Nola’s sobs. He jumped off his bed and shook her shoulder to wake her up. She turned to him, and in the moonlight he saw the pain in her eyes.
« Ollie… »
« Shhh… I got you. »
He got in bed with her, spooning against her body and pillowing her head on his arm. She was burning up and sweaty. He linked his fingers with hers and thought about what she had told him about smelling desire. He tried to think about anything but her. Like Tommy’s body under the fallen building. He didn’t know if guilt had a particular scent, but if it had, it would probably be what she could smell at the moment.
Nola was thankful for Oliver's presence at her back. She was used to smelling his scent in their room, but being so close to him, it was like she was surrounded by a rainforest. She inhaled deeply the crisp and dark scent and they fell asleep quietly.
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