Page 34 of Embers of Torment

"Okay, you can stop with the dramatics." I hooked my arm in his and zig-zagged around the other participants as I walkedhim to the mirrored wall. "I'm sure you'll do fine. I doubt you're clumsy, and I bet you can dance."

I set my backpack on the wood flooring. Jace followed my lead, setting the one he brought next to mine.

"We're about to find out, aren't we?" Jace hilariously waggled his eyebrows, making me burst out laughing.

Naomi from the fourth floor stepped into line beside us. Smiling, she eyed Jace and leaned toward me. "Della, your friend is adorable."

I moved closer and whispered, "I know, but don't tell him that. I don't want to inflate his ego." We both giggled. I turned to Jace, catching his raised brow. Ignoring it, I smiled pleasantly. "Are you ready for this? It'll be an energetic workout."

"Not in the slightest. No laughing at me, either. Deal?"

"Deal."

Our instructor, Georgia, welcomed everyone. Positioning herself in front, she turned on the music and started us with some warmup stretches, followed by an easy dance. Once we went through the various steps, they repeated, giving Jace a chance to learn the basics. A new song came on with more vibrant beats and challenging moves. Jace did well for someone who hadn't attended a hip-hop exercise class before. He went the wrong way a few times but got the hang of it quickly enough, although he was routinely a half beat behind.

The hour flew by, and I was sure it was because I had so much fun. Jace was a trooper to give it a go and never complained. He grinned, sweated, and labored through the steps the best he could, almost keeping up.

I was impressed.

After an easy cool-down dance, Georgia turned off the music and dismissed everyone. She joined us at the back wall.

"You must be my newbie," Georgia said, smiling at Jace. "I saw your registration online this morning. Welcome to our group. What did you think?"

"I have to admit. It was a tougher workout than I imagined."

"Well, hopefully, you enjoyed it. That's the key: have fun so you keep doing it."

"Oh, I did. I'll be here again if Della doesn't kick me out." Jace winked at me, which I ignored.

"I better run. Thanks for joining us. I'll see you next time." Georgia spun around and went to the front of the room to gather her equipment.

Jace bent over and retrieved a towel from his backpack. My eyes traveled from his muscled arms to his chest as he wiped the glistening sweat from his skin, a wisp of hair peeking out from the neckline of his tank top. I swallowed, envisioning Jace's sweaty body hovering over mine while we did the bedroom rodeo like two sex-starved rabbits.

"Della?"

"Huh?" I pulled my eyes away from his chest, wishing I could see it without a shirt. I blinked at him. "What's up?"

"How about we go outside and chill? I don't feel like going back to my apartment right now."

"Sure." I followed Jace from the fitness center to the outdoor deck. My gaze worked its way down his muscled back to his tush, nicely outlined in his track pants.Holy moly, he has a gorgeous butt.Do I need to worry about Adam's feelings? I mean, my God, look at what the frick I'm missing. Yes, darn it! You do. Adam's your best friend. Don't screw it up.

I silently groaned.

"Did you say something?" Jace looked at me curiously as he set his water bottle on a table by the railing and sat in one of the chairs.

"Nope. Sure didn't." I put my backpack on the ground and peered at the harbor, visible through the swatch of green space diagonal from our building. Successfully clearing the barrage of steamy thoughts from my brain, I sat across from him and smiled. "What do you have planned for the afternoon?"

"Based on your list of things you like to do, I thought we could go to a place I found on Newbury Street in Back Bay with sip and paint classes. From what I saw online, it looked like fun. What do you think?"

"Umm…didn't I make it clear last night that I don't want to go out with you?"

"You did, and this isn't a date. We'll go as friends. Come on. We can have a drink while we dab some color on a canvas. I've never painted before, other than a wall, and it'll be interesting to see how bad or good I do." Jace gave me one of his winning smiles. "I'll even allow you to laugh at my priceless artwork."

"Ugh." I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. "I swear. You're making this difficult."

"I am not. It's an easy yes or no answer. I'll be the perfect gentleman. Like I said last night, I won't kiss you again unless you want me to. See? Friends, nothing more."

"All right. I'll go. What time?"

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