Felicity, truthfully, was not good at holding it in…which she had aknowledged begrudgingly several times in the past. She held her heart on her sleeve for all to see. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option now.
Because it never was an option when Oliver was touching her.
She struggled to keep her face wiped of emotions. Usually she sparred with Diggle. It was just easier that way. Learning to defend herself was important in this line of work, and she knew that. But somehow it was Diggle who volunteered to teach her, and Oliver had never shown an interest in her training.
Until now.
Because today was the first day she had knocked Diggle down. It had only been for a moment, and Felicity had been too stunned to follow through, but her move had gotten Oliver's attention. She'd been pleased at first, but now…
Now she wasn't so sure that was a good thing.
"Here." Oliver's arm had snaked around her wrist, "Do it like this."
So she did the move again, using Oliver as her test subject.
"This isn't working," Felicity said. "You know it's coming."
"Try again," Oliver said, grabbing her waist, "but roll back like this so you can dart away when your opponent geta up."
He was showing her how to roll her hips away, but all she could think was that, wow, his arms were strong.
"Oliver," Diggle called out, "make her straighten her back a little more. Balance it, Felicity."
So, thanks to Digg, Oliver had moved behind her and held her back while she practiced the move. Except she was NOT thinking about kicking ass like she was supposed to be. And when Oliver moved his hands lower, to the small of her back, Felicity had to bite back a moan and stop a shiver.
He doesn't know, Felicity thought, that his touch can set me off.
And I can't let him know, she thought in desperation. So she wiped her face clean of emotion and tried it again.
"Legs bent. You need to spring backwards, remember?"
Truthfully? No. She doesn't remember, and bites back the rambling speech coming.
It's when Oliver pronounces the move perfect that Felicity relaxes, his hands sliding away. She gathers her stuff without a word, ignoring Diggle's offer of another match. It isn't until Oliver calls out after her that she stops and smiles.
"Great work, Felicity!"
Because if anything, she loves the feeling her name on his tongue more than any touch.