her breasts, her nipples pressing against her tank top, her face open and reflective. He had a quick image of him pinning her to the bed while she welcomed him deep inside, but it freaked him out, so he quickly pushed the image away. Whoa. Who would’ve thought he’d get turned on by a tree pose?
Shaking his head, Stone mimicked her movements, thinking this wasn’t as bad as he thought.
He fell over.
She remained in position, neither swaying nor moving. “If you fall out of a position, recenter yourself and begin again.”
Okay, no problem. He got this now. He took a breath, resettled, and did it again.
Then fell over.
A dark cloud of irritation swept over him. This was so stupid, but simple enough he refused to be beaten. He boxed in the gym, and his trainer told him his balance was spot-on. He’d get this.
Over and over, he tumbled out of position, his crankiness growing by leaps and bounds. When she instructed him to start on the other foot, he found the same problem. The minutes ticked by in growing horror, and Stone finally came to the realization she’d beaten him. He couldn’t stand on one fucking foot for more than a second.
He sucked.
Unfolding from her tree stance, she offered him one of those sympathetic smiles that burned in his gut. “Do you feel angry?” she asked, gaze probing his.
Stone clenched his fist. “For being stuck imitating a damn tree when I could be at work catching real criminals? Nah, I’m good. I’m peachy.”
Her smile widened. “Good. Let’s move on to the next asana.”
His mouth dropped open. “It’s been way over fifteen minutes.”
“No, that was five. And let’s begin.”
The torture was long and deep and mean. By the time she finally called an end to the session, Stone decided to go to the pool hall and start a fight. Yeah, a nasty, testosterone-ridden, stupid fight with fists and blood and that wonderful feeling of release afterward. So much better than this. Completely manly and dudelike.
“How are you feeling now, Officer?”
And then he kinda exploded.
“We’re alone now. My name is Stone. I’d like you to say my real name once instead of jerking me around for fun. Here, I’ll even start the conversation. Did you enjoy our session today, Arilyn? Are you finally satisfied with my conduct in your anger management class, Arilyn? Will you sleep better tonight knowing you won this round, Arilyn?”
An odd expression skittered over her face. Those green eyes darkened, as if his saying her name aloud affected her on some level. He panted for breath, challenging her with his direct stare, and that crackle of electricity went berserk between them. She caught the vibe, because her mouth did a little O and she took a tiny step back in complete denial.
Sexual attraction. Well, damned if that wasn’t a kick in the ass. She felt it just as strongly as he did.
The question was what to do about it.
Her tongue dragged over her lower lip in a complete nervous gesture. “Umm, sorry. Stone. You did well.”
He ached to make her say it again, but it was already way too weird between them. “Good. Can I go?”
“Not yet. I need you to do me a favor.”
He laughed. “Somehow, I’m not feeling too charitable.” He turned away to dismiss her, but her voice cracked like a whip in the air, making him freeze.
“I’m not asking.”
His brow shot up. Was she serious? Her jaw tightened in that stubborn gesture he was beginning to spot, and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you blackmailing me?” he asked in a dark tone.
“Of course not! I need you to take a ride with me out to a property. I suspect a dog is being abused and I want to get an overview of the situation.”
He didn’t respond. Just studied her. Definitely defensive. Almost like she didn’t like pushing him but was forced to, due to the circumstances. No way. She wasn’t getting away with bullying him to do something in the name of his job. “As you like to point out, I’m suspended. I can’t do anything in an official capacity.”
She practically snarled. “Since we already called the police, who refused to do anything to help, that won’t be a problem.”
“That’s what the animal protection groups are for,” he shot back. “Unless we witness a crime being committed, we’re not allowed to prowl through people’s backyards ’cause we want to. We have what’s called the Constitution and all.”