Page 26 of Vegas Baby

“You caught me by surprise.”

“Liar,” she said, cocking her chin and repeating the gesture with her toes.

His jaw twitched and he gripped her hands tighter and their momentum brought them toppling onto their sides. A laugh escaped from her, followed by another, and he flashed a reluctant smile.

The instructor came to stand by their mat. “Like in life, this exercise mimics balance. Marriage like all relationships, needs balance, a coming together of two people with separate but equal needs. Like with life, this is a challenging pose. When you become off balance, never give up. Please, try this once more.”

Detangling her legs, she moved into position. Foot to foot, she linked fingers with Howler’s.

He met her direct stare, a daring light in his eyes.

“Game on,” she mouthed, elevating her legs, she followed his lead.

The muscles of his arms strained, biceps bunching. Sexy.

Damn it, behave. Concentrate on anything else but the overt strength and grace in his body. She averted her gaze when the instructor gave the okay to release. She was a natural at yoga. Couples yoga? Not so much.

“Now we’ll be staying face to face. this time, the man will spread his legs wide and the women will place her feet on his shins,” the yoga instructor said.

Oh, lovely. Let’s move from awkward to downright uncomfortable.

“This is called the Seated Forward Bend. Clasping each other’s hands, she will pull him forward while leaning back. Flexibility is another key to a long-lasting marriage.”

“I like this pose,” he said, his head mere inches from her crotch. “It might come in handy.”

“I can’t believe you went there, I—” My god, had he gone there? Not literally but physically? She’d slept with him, but didn’t recall a damn thing. Had he? Had she let him? “I mean, I can’t believe you said that.”

Lord, her face flamed.

He glanced up, his eyes dancing.

She narrowed her own. “You’re such an asshole,” she said out of clenched teeth.

“Now let’s change positions,” the instructor said.

“So you’ve told me multiple times.” Amusement underlay every single word he uttered. He pulled her forward, the front of his shorts in her direct line of vision. Another horrible question popped into her mind. Had she gone there? She rested her forehead on the mat, unable to do more than close her eyes and wish herself out of this awkward loop.

“It’s not a compliment,” she said.

“That’s a matter of perspective. Like with the remote control, I value your opinion.”

“Wonderful everyone. Well done. Men lie on your backs, arms at your side and legs relaxed. Women, kneel behind him, clasp his shoulders, and lean into them lightly, breathing deeply through your nose and exhale from deep inside your belly.”

“I’m not going to dignify your question with an answer.” Although she had to admit—if only to herself—she wasn’t disappointed with her earlier assumption that it had been him and not the remote she felt.

Raina dug her fingers into the heavy muscles as she inhaled, willing her mind to remove her aroused thoughts, difficult when awareness of him flooded her being. Stupid and crazy, but she wanted what the instructor sold, an illusion. Marriage required work and sacrifice, love had little to do with it, or them for that matter. An even more obscure player, lust appeared as important on the surface but in the long run, it would fade. There needed to be a greater foundation and then one could build from there.

Howler gripped Raina’s shoulders, applying light pressure to her tight muscles as he leaned in close to her ear. “I need a massage after this human pretzel experiment.”

“You are pretty twisted.” Raina’s lips curved but she didn’t open her eyes. Long lashes brushed her high cheeks. Howler cradled the back of her head, her hair silky in his palm. The last time he’d touched her like this, he’d been snuggled next to her in bed. He gently pulled like the instructor told him, watching as her mouth relaxed, lips parting. He licked his own, his mouth dry, blood starting to pulse in an alarming way.

He swallowed and head lifted, he stared into the distance. He’d stupidly thought he’d get over her by the weekend yet her appeal seemed to be growing. Possibly because of their close proximity. Never before had he been forced to be with a woman this much. Sensual but stubborn, and a complete anomaly, his attraction to Raina freaked him out.

“And release,” the instructor said.

Howler snatched his hand back. Yoga was considered a low impact exercise, but he started to sweat under the rapidly rising sun. He hopped to his feet, reaching out a hand to assist Raina. She frowned at his offer for a brief second before she laid her fingers in his.

“Thank you all for joining us,” the instructor placed her hands together and bowed. “Namaste.”

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