Page 29 of Jeremy
Shebeams at me. “Wonderful. If you want to choose a mat, we’ll be starting in justa few minutes.”
“Thankyou.”
Aftera quick glance around the room, I choose a mat between a couple who can’t beout of their teens yet, and two ladies who give me a bright smile as Iapproach. “Hi, I’m Marla and this is Etta.”
“Niceto meet you. I’m Melissa.”
Beforeshe can reply, the teen girl on my other side pipes up. “Where’s your partner?”
“Oh,well…I.” The words catch in my throat as I look up at a familiar figuremarching toward me.
“SorryI’m late,” Jeremy says, sitting down beside me.
Theteen girl’s mouth drops open, which reminds me to close my own. I mean, I don’tblame her. His dark jeans and black henley do nothing to hide his muscularbuild. And that just-short-of-a-beard stubble, coupled with the smirk wouldknock any woman off her stride.
“I…noproblem.” I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think he even looked at the flyeradvertising this class and I sure as hell didn’t think he’d just show up. But Idon’t want to call attention to us by asking him what the hell he’s doing herewhen he won the bet. I’m never going to figure this man out.
“Okay.Let’s get started. Most of you are familiar faces, but I see a few newbies solet me go over our lesson plan for today,” Nellie says. She goes over a fewthings and then announces, “We’re going to begin with some relaxationtechniques and breathing exercises. Partners, please move behind your littlemothers so they can sit between your legs. Moms, lean back against yourpartners chest so they can support your back.”
Jeremyscoots around behind me, extending one leg on either side of me. My heart ratejumps, and I suddenly want to run away. Not that I don’t love to be close tohim, but I know he doesn’t want it. This is so uncomfortable.
Heputs an end to my hesitation by looping an arm around my ribs and pulling meback until I’m practically in his lap. His lips press to my ear. “You aren’tgetting shy on me now, are you?”
Humorrings in his voice. He’s laughing at me. Fine. I can do this. And I’ll enjoyevery minute. “I’m good.” I tilt my head to peek up at him and whisper, “Thanksfor coming.”
“Seemedlike a good place to pick up chicks,” he whispers back. “You know, if they’rehere, they must put out.”
Myhand doesn’t slap over my mouth quite fast enough to prevent my loud laugh fromfilling the room. So much for not calling any attention. It’s so out ofcharacter for him, from what I’ve seen so far. I’ve never heard him joke.
Ignoringit, Nellie continues. “Some of you who have entered the third trimester may benoticing an increase in back pain. Your neck and shoulders may also be feelingthe added burden, so let’s loosen up those muscles. Moms, tilt your headforward, and partners, start by applying pressure just under the bottom ridgeof the skull and rubbing small circles.”
Hesweeps my hair aside. His large hand gently grasps my neck, kneading the smallmuscles, and I have to restrain a moan. It feels so damned good.
Nelliecontinues giving instructions. “Move to massaging the curve of her neck andonto the shoulders.”
Theman missed his calling. He should’ve been a masseuse. My eyes fall closed, andI relax, leaning back against his firm chest. I let myself revel in it for amoment, the feel of him supporting me, the scent of him surrounding me, hisstrong hands rubbing and caressing.
I’mglad I put on a thick bra because my nipples aren’t hiding their excitement asmy body wakes up and wants so much more.
Themassage session lasts a few minutes, then we move on to breathing exercises. “Thisis not the Lamaze breathing you’ve probably heard about. That’s another class,”Nellie explains. “This is just to find your center and control your stress.Creating a new life is no easy feat.”
God,I want him to find my center. The absence of his hands on my shoulders feelslike a devastating loss.
“Wrapyour arms around your partner and allow them to lie back against you,supporting their weight. Run your hands across their arms, bellies, neck,anywhere they like to be touched.”
Jeremy’sbreathing seems to increase as well as he sweeps his fingertips up and down myarms, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “Are you cold?” he murmurs.
Ishake my head, not trusting my voice at the moment. No, not cold. Way, way toohot. This isn’t supposed to be a turn on.
Hispalm slides over my slightly swollen abdomen, and my breath catches. I didn’texpect such tenderness in his touch. The baby chooses that moment to deliverits first kick. I’ve felt some movement before, but not this clearly.
Jeremysucks in a breath. “I felt him kick.” He spreads his palm across my belly andwaits. It doesn’t take long before the baby obliges with another strong kick,and Jeremy laughs aloud, making me giggle too.
Nelliebeams down at us. “First time you’ve felt a kick?”
“Yes,it must like the massage,” I laugh.
Jeremycontinues to keep his hand in place, a look of reverence on his face as thetiny kicks continue, then stop. He’s quiet as we move on to different breathingtechniques, until Nellie says, “This would be a good time to offerencouragement and say something positive to the moms.”
