Chapter 3 #2
When the rest of the class filed out of the event hall, Hope began wiping down the mats, rolling them and stacking them on the cart to put them away.
She really needed to sit down with Dayne or Dylan and see if they’d be willing to invest in some desperately needed yoga equipment, like straps, blocks, and bolsters.
The only person who lingered was Cam. Once he pulled on his socks and sneakers, he went around rolling up the mats she hadn’t gotten to yet and brought them over to the cart.
She thanked him.
“I never expected it to be such a workout.”
Hope smiled knowingly. “Used some muscles you never knew you had, did you?”
“Yes, and I regularly use the resort’s gym and pool. Sometimes I even take my bike out or go for a run on the trails, even though running isn’t my favorite.”
Just what she figured. “You might be sore tomorrow. While yoga is low impact, you’re holding poses when your body is used to movement.
If you’re unaware, the muscle contractions result in microscopic tears to the tissue.
Your muscles, tendons, and fascia will grow stronger as your body repairs itself.
If you keep coming to my classes, I promise you’ll start to feel the benefits.
Why do you think some professional athletes do yoga? Even football players.”
“To hook up with the teacher?” he suggested with a completely straight face.
Hope shook her head and laughed softly. “Is that why you showed up?”
His sudden smile blinded her. “Of course.”
She stared at him.
He shrugged. “I prefer not to lie.”
“Like in Corpse pose,” she teased.
“That was my favorite part. Also worth mentioning is the guy who farted while we were in Child’s pose.”
She pressed her lips together. “That happens. It’s natural.”
“Since I wasn’t expecting it, I had to hold my laughter in like a fart. I thought I was going to explode.”
A laugh burst from her. “Like the blond gentleman?”
“At least he had some relief.”
“So, what did you think? Other than the farting, of course.”
Cam shrugged his broad shoulders. “Honestly, I’m not sure yet. I might have to join in on a few more classes to get a better feel for it.”
“I hold different levels of classes at my home. So, if these classes get to be too easy, let me know.”
“Easy. Sure.” He snorted. “How long have you been doing yoga?”
“Since I was a kid. I used to do it with my mother. She’s the one who got me interested.”
“Does she still do it?”
“She does. But she lives in Arizona now with her second husband, so we don’t get to practice much together anymore. Only during visits.”
“And your father? Was this a family affair?”
Good lord, the man was handsome with those dark eyes and cut jawline covered in a well-maintained beard.
She couldn’t stop staring at him. Luckily, since they were having a conversation, it wouldn’t come off as creepy.
“He never got into the habit. He was more of a drink-a-six-pack-while-watching-a-baseball-game kind of guy.”
“Was? Is he no longer around?”
“Oh, he’s around, just not in my life.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
Hope shrugged. “It’s better that way. We discussed that whole opposites attract thing the other day. It might be a relationship full of exciting fireworks at first, but eventually, those sparks burn out.”
“Ah. It sounds like being attracted to the wrong men is in the blood.”
“Apparently so. I thought I learned that growing up. Obviously, I thought wrong.”
“You just need to find another yoga enthusiast, I guess.”
If only it was that easy. “My life isn’t only about yoga. And it wasn’t yoga that caused the tension between me and Darren.”
“Right. You said he didn’t like you working here. Why? Did he think you were going to cheat on him?”
“No, he doesn’t like this type of resort being in Fisher Falls. He considers everyone who visits or works here as immoral.”
“Ouch.”
Hope shrugged. “Nothing illegal happens at this resort, as you know.” She gave him a pointed look. “The owners are very cognizant of safety and security, as you know. And this place makes people happy—”
“As I know,” he finished for her. “Nothing wrong with happy, horny adults doing what adults do. Here, it just doesn’t need to be done behind closed doors.”
“I wish everyone had that outlook.”
“Same.”
“Why can’t everyone simply live and let live?” Hope sighed.
“Unfortunately, people are always going to judge others. It’s human nature.” He paused. “Well, time for me to go shower, change, and get to work, despite wanting to be a corpse for the rest of the day. Do you need my help to put things away?”
“No, I appreciate the offer but the rolling cart makes taking everything to the storage closet easy.”
He gave her a single nod. “Then, I’m out of here.” He headed toward the event hall’s double doors but stopped halfway there.
“Did you forget something?” she called out, glancing around for something he might’ve left behind.
“Yes.” He turned and took long, determined strides back to her.
“What?”
He stopped only a couple feet away. “What are you doing later?”
“How much later?”
“Say…six or so?”
She blinked. Was he about to ask her on a date or something? She knew he was single, but…
“I’m not looking for a date, per se.”
“You’re not?”
He slowly shook his head, then smiled.
That smile spoke volumes.
“Aaah. So, no dinner and a movie first?”
“Do you need that?”
Did she? “No. I have dating on hold right now.”
“I’ve had dating on hold since my last relationship ended five years ago.”
“Ouch,” she echoed him from earlier.
“Hookups are easier and usually less painful.”
“Unless someone straps you down to one of those spanking benches and smacks your ass with a spiked paddle.”
His head tilted to the side. “That actually sounds better than dinner and a movie.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re into that?”
“Remove the spikes and I’m not going to say no.”
Well, well, well. If that was true, it sounded like the resort was the perfect place for Cam to live and work. “Are you saying you don’t want your ass looking like a freshly aerated lawn?”
He barked out a laugh. “That’s good.”
“Apparently, you don’t think so.”
“Your joke,” he clarified.
“I know what you meant.”
She couldn’t stop smiling! Holy crap, she hadn’t flirted with anyone in a long time. Well, if making jokes about paddling could be considered flirting. “So, six o’clock. Where?”
“My place? Or even yours, now that you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Since you got to see me naked, I guess it’s only fair that I get to see you the same way. Level the playing field.”
“I’m game if you are, but please don’t laugh at the size of my cock. It’s cold out.”
“It’s still summer. Even the pool is warm.”
“Damn. Okay, then expect the worst so you’re pleasantly surprised.”
“You’re making me think that you have an inverted cock like a belly button. If I push on your stomach, will it pop out?”
He chuckled. “I’ll make sure not to eat first. So, my place or yours?”
“Yours, since my neighbors are pretty nosy. At least here, no one will blink an eye if we hook up.”
“If?”
She grinned. The man was bold. “When.”
“I like that confident attitude.”
I like you. “I’ll see you at six.”
“It’s a date.” He shook his head. “Nope, not a date. It’s a…a…” His mouth twisted.
“Non-date.”
“A non-date. See you later, then.” He headed toward the exit again.
“I look forward to it.”
“Same,” he tossed over his shoulder.
With a long sigh, she watched his broad shoulders and very fine ass walk out the door.
Once again, they were proving that opposites do attract. Because she was pretty sure that she and Cameron Cook had nothing in common.
Not a damn thing.
But, hey, there was nothing wrong with enjoying the fireworks while they lasted.