Page 72 of Stripped

“Good idea.”

“I feel like a piece of meat,” Mitch said.

“A piece of meat who can demonstrate yoga moves to thousands of online viewers,” I said. I returned my attention to Julie. “Do you think you could film them from the back and the right side of the room? I'll get the front and the left side and then we'll edit the two videos together.”

“I'm not an expert, but I think I can do a fair job,” Julie said.

I moved to the front of the room and arranged the men so they'd all be visible at different camera angles. I didn't have a ton of experience with filming, but I had taken an online class in the subject of videography as part of my business degree. I worked out a shorthand form of sign language with Julie to let her know when she was in the shot and she was quick to move out of the way. She'd probably learned a thing or two when they were filming the reality show of her life.

I got in position and signaled Zane to start. That obnoxious music he liked was already playing and he spoke in a dulcet voice with just a hint of a rasp, a sexy voice that went right to my core. When had he learned to do that?

I tried to focus on all three of the men, but there was something hypnotic about the way Zane moved his body. His voice rolled over me like he was touching me, caressing me. I was focused on Zane when a grunt and a clatter caused me to swing around. Rodney was on the ground, groaning and holding his back.

I stopped filming and hurried over to him. “Are you okay?”

“He got stuck in the last position,” Julie said. “I got it on film for the outtakes special.”

I grinned and gave her a thumbs up. I liked the way she thought. Rodney groaned and I remembered we had a man down. I knelt next to him. “What did you hurt?”

“I twisted a muscle in my back.” He hobbled to his feet. “I'll be fine once I shift, but I can't do any more yoga until I get it straightened out.”

“Okay,” I said. “We'll continue on without you until you can come back. Take your time and heal.” He nodded and limped up the stairs, one hand on his back. And they called humans weak.

“Okay,” I said. “We'll need to keep going so we can get this video loaded tonight. Two isn't ideal, but—”

“Why don't you get in here with us?” Zane asked.

“Because I need to film. And I don't know yoga.”

“It'd be good to have someone less experienced,” he said. “You can show viewers how to do easier moves in place of the complicated ones I've been doing.”

I considered. It wasn't a bad idea. “I still need to film,” I said.

“I can handle it,” Julie said. “We've probably got enough footage of tight asses.”

“Just take your shirt off and get on the mat,” Mitch said.

“Shut the fuck up, man,” Zane growled at him. “She looks fine.”

I was wearing a t-shirt and yoga pants. “No,” I said. “He's right.” I pulled off my shirt, leaving me in a sports bra and stepped onto the mat. “Teach me, yoga guru.”

Zane went back to instructing. I was supposed to be demonstrating the easier yoga moves, but they didn't feel easy to me. By the time I figured we'd gotten enough video, I was sweating and my arms, legs, and belly were trembling.

Alec headed out and Julie went upstairs to Zane's computer to start editing. I moved to follow her, but Zane's voice stopped me. “Have fun?”

I spun to face him. “Actually, yeah, I did have fun. Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He grabbed my hips, pulled me against him and kissed me so hard I forgot all the reasons I was supposed to be keeping my distance from him.

Just as I was melting into the kiss, he released me. “You should go upstairs and edit that video.”

“Video,” I said, feeling dreamy. I shook my head and snapped back to reality. “Right. I'll let you know when we have something to show you.”

“I'm sure it'll be fine.” He looked tired and sad, and I wanted to cry. “Just let me know when we start making money.”

“Okay.” I forced a smile and hurried up the stairs to find Julie already seated at the kitchen table, Zane's laptop in front of her.

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