might be surprised. It’s something I picked up when I was living in California. Helps clear the mind.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “I didn’t know you’d ever left New York.”
“For a few years, yeah.” He shrugged. “Don’t talk much about it.”
“Any reason?”
Because I made some shitty mistakes and don’t want everyone in town knowing about them. “It’s in the past.”
“I get that,” she said, and those delicious lips curved upward. “Okay, coach. Show me what to do.” She stretched, raising her arms above her head and revealing an inch of smooth, caramel-colored belly skin.
Dash blew out a long breath. Think about baseball. The Yankees. Pitch counts. Cold showers. Anything. He picked up two yoga mats from the stack in the corner and unrolled them. Then he turned off all the lights but one and sank to the floor.
“Ever done this before?”
“No. I’ve read a little about it, though.” She sat beside him, legs crossed.
Of course she had. She’d probably read a little about every subject under the sun. Again that feeling of insecurity washed over him. Sienna Cruz wasn’t meant for a place like Whispering Pines. She was meant for London, for Paris, for traveling the world and leaving her mark every place she went.
He inhaled and exhaled slowly. “This is a good way to wrap up a workout. Or a rough day.”
“Do I have to chant or say om or something?”
“Not unless you want to. Just close your eyes.”
She lifted one brow.
He raised his palms in innocent supplication. “I promise I won’t try any funny business.”
For just a second, her expression changed, and he thought she might say something flirtatious in response. But then she dropped her gaze and the moment was gone. Dash cleared his throat and stretched both arms overhead. The Yankees. The Rangers. The Giants. Any sports team would do.
“Okay, the goal is to breathe in for a count of four, then out for four. Then breathe in for five, and out for five. Go up to eight if you can, or if you can’t, stay wherever feels comfortable. Stay at the top number four times, then work your way back down to four breaths in and out.”
“And that’s it?”
“That’s it. Well, try not to think about anything except your breath.”
She opened one hazel eye. “That might be harder said than done.”
“I know,” he admitted. “But give it a try.”
For the next few minutes, the only sound in the room was the soft swish of inhalations and exhalations. He fought the urge to cheat and watch Sienna’s chest rise and fall. Instead, he did his best to satisfy himself with the thought of her beside him. After he’d finished, he opened his eyes, letting them adjust to the dim light. He sat there a few minutes longer, letting her breathe.
“Time’s up,” he finally said softly.
Sienna opened her eyes and brushed a few stray hairs from her forehead. The serious frown between her brows had disappeared. “You were right. That was pretty relaxing.”
He reached down to give her a hand up. For just a second, a current passed between them. Her eyes darkened. Her chest lifted, and he wondered what she was thinking. What she was wanting. I could kiss her right now. Hell, every single atom of his body wanted to kiss her right now.
Then, to his utter surprise, she leaned over and kissed him.
She tasted like lemons and the tang of salty sweat, and desire rushed over him. All his earlier vows fled as his tongue slipped over hers. She leaned into him, and he could feel the catch in her breath as the kiss deepened. He took her shoulders in his hands, bracing himself so he didn’t fall over on top of her. Not like that would be a bad thing. She ran one hand down his arm, light fingers, the touch fire. He dropped his arm and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her close, breathing her in.
Then he broke away. What was he doing? Windows lined the studio, which meant anyone could look in and see them. People would talk. Stories would hit the rumor mill. But that wasn’t what bothered him most. He absolutely, positively could not let this happen again. Not with Sienna. Not with anyone.
“Sorry.” He grunted as he stood. “It’s just...” He didn’t know how to finish.
“No, I’m sorry. I thought...I read things the wrong way, I guess.” An injured expression crossed her face. Her hair dropped into her eyes, but he could still see the confusion