in a mirror. Like she didn’t give a crap how she looked. Also obvious in the lack of makeup on her face.
Imagine that. A woman who didn’t spend hours on her appearance. It was like the yeti—an intriguing but never-before-seen legend.
“Let’s breathe in, hold, and release from the position. Excellent work, gentlemen.”
His body creaked and cried, but he made sure to look like it was easy. The glint of laughter in those grassy-green eyes called him an outright liar.
“Later this week we’ll break from group, and I’ll be meeting with everyone on an individual basis. Have a good night.”
He pretended to be all Zenlike so he’d get a few extra moments to get himself up. Trying not to hobble, he made a note to check out the gym calendar for Pilates or something, and headed for the door. Thank God. He was gonna shoot some damn pool and put his supplies to use to gain his revenge. Then he’d—
“Officer? Are you forgetting our additional fifteen-minute session?”
He wanted to close his eyes and groan. Instead, he turned and pasted a confident grin on his face. “Nope, been looking forward to it all day.”
“I’m sure you have. Would you like a quick break to smell a cigarette pack? Drink a Coke? Gobble down some chips?”
He chuckled. “No, thanks. But I understand if you’re in a bad mood. Did you hear too much fiber backs you up?” He shook his head. “Quite uncomfortable, I bet. Me? I don’t have problems like that.”
She jerked back and pressed her uncolored, lush pink lips together. Her nose crinkled as if she smelled something bad. “Good for you. Of course, the other issues must be difficult to deal with.”
He cocked his head. “What issues?”
“Impotence. One of the major causes is a high-sugar and high-fat diet. Better think before that next Twinkie, Officer.”
For God’s sake, the little brat caused a hoot of laughter to escape. Damned if she didn’t know how to word rumble with the best of them. “Never been a problem before,” he drawled. Took a step closer. The clean smell of peaches and soap hit his nostrils. The sheer purity of her scent turned him on. Who would’ve thought? “Wanna see?”
“No, thanks. Let’s get to work. Please take a spot on the mat.”
Ah, crap. No more mat work. Stone swaggered to the dreaded instrument of torture. “Haven’t we done enough breath and pretzel work for the day?” he muttered under his breath.
“Agreed. I thought we’d go over another important element we deal with. Frustration. Failure. How the mind can slip and judge us, affecting our anger and how we express it.”
She looked way too satisfied, so he knew something bad was coming his way. He could do anything for fifteen minutes. Right? He was a cop, for God’s sake, and been put through both physical and mental torture in order to succeed at the academy and his job. “Sounds like a real party,” he offered. “So, tell me the big secret.”
“No secret. Just practice. We’ll begin simply with some balancing asanas.”
“Ass what?”
She moved to the front of the room. Her face smoothed out and reflected a calmness he only wanted to shake up. “Asanas. Postures to help open different parts of the body. Balancing techniques are important to learn and explore on the mat.”
Yeah. This was going to be bad. “You mean standing on one foot will help anger?”
Arilyn smiled like a female Buddha. “Yes. Let’s begin.”
Maybe five minutes needling her had already passed. Then he’d only have ten minutes left.
“Our time will start from now.”
He really disliked her. A lot.
“Taking in a breath, fix your gaze loosely on a spot on the floor. Lift your right leg and place the bottom of your foot against your inner calf. Once you can hold the position, remain breathing, and lift the leg higher. Watch me first.”
In one smooth, continuous motion, she lifted her hands like a ballerina, seemingly rising taller from the earth, her swanlike neck lengthening. Her foot pointed out, rose in the air, and pressed against the inner flesh of her thigh. She looked like a tree rising from the mist, strong in the trunk and graceful in the branches.
“As you gaze at your spot, empty your mind and concentrate on the breath. Let your body lead. You’re solid in the legs, unbreakable as the root of a tree. Bendable and open to the wind with your hands and upper body. Now go ahead and try when you’re ready.”