The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,49
was not a good idea.
Stick to the program, Blushing. “We’re going to do a basic move now, repeating it on both sides.”
“Lead on,” he murmured, copying her position at the top of the mat.
One move after another, she guided him through a sun salutation routine. He didn’t tease or make any more comments. In fact, anytime she glanced his way, he seemed to be fully concentrated on keeping his balance.
She fell into the rhythm and ignored him as best she could. It was a strange exercise, considering how much space he took up. How close he seemed at every moment. How much less oxygen was available in the room than usual as she grew light-headed from having him beside her.
As she twisted into a new position, she could have sworn his gaze lingered on her body.
She’d pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. Something she’d worn during training a million times around her workmates.
This felt…different. Hotter, more intimate.
Dangerous?
No, not that. Not with Zach.
Then why not give him a try? The little devil was back on her shoulder.
She dropped into her lunge position too vigorously, attempting to shake sense into herself. The too-quick move tipped her balance point and she fell sideways, contorting to try and catch herself.
“Got you.” Zach’s strong arms curled around her, pulling her close as they headed toward the floor. The landing was a lot softer than it could have been, yet still firm as she settled into his lap.
“Sorry.” Julia remained motionless, not wanting to damage him in her rush to get away.
His grin said it all. “Nothing to be sorry for. I figured this was some new, interactive yoga move, and I’m one hundred percent on board.”
Her shoulders were perpendicular to his, one hand pressed to his chest. One of his arms cradled her back, and other than embarrassment, heat was the fastest-growing sensation.
“You’re terrible,” she said as calmly as possible.
His gaze had fallen to her lips, blue eyes fixed in position. “I’d heard of hot yoga before, but never thought I’d get to experience it.”
She snorted. “Dear God, that sounded like the start of a really bad Penthouse letter.”
“Are there any really good Penthouse letters?” He was still staring, hunger on his face.
It was far too tempting to lean in and close the distance between them. Press their lips together and once again enjoy a taste of the man and his wonderful kisses.
But they had twelve damn months to get through, and this was not going to make it easier.
She was about to find a way to break away when he rolled. A squeal escaped her, and he laughed, continuing the motion to his feet and leaving her behind on the yoga mat.
He held a hand down, his sexy smolder replaced with jovial amusement. “Come on. I have an idea.”
His idea involved slipping on their shoes, yoga mats under their arms as they paced to the next cabin over.
“Our own private yoga studio,” he said with a flourish as he gestured her in the door.
The cabin was smaller than Zach’s, but the living room and dining area lacked furniture, leaving an open hardwood floor for them to spread out with plenty of room to move.
Julia shook her head. “Great. Why didn’t we start in here?”
“I forgot.” He stepped into the middle of his mat and eyed her expectantly. “Ready when you are.”
The quick shutdown of her libido was a good thing. At least that’s what she tried to tell herself as they finished the session. All traces of sexy-talking Zach vanished, and when they headed back to their shared living space, it was as if she’d imagined the entire thing.
“Great yoga session,” Zach told her, hand raised in the air until she connected with his palm in a firm high five. “Dibs on the shower, though. I’ve got to meet with Cody in half an hour.”
“No problem.”
He vanished into his room, and she was left with a jumble of thoughts that made her want to squirm.
Imagining Zach in the shower, strong hands moving over his torso. Down his body…
Over his firm—
Nope. There be dragons.
The next two days passed in a blur as she transitioned into her two night shifts in a row. Working six p.m. to eight a.m. meant she left the house before Zach was back from whatever he was working on that day, falling into bed without seeing him the next morning.
She was grateful for the soft bed and the safe room to come