Chapter 44
forty-four
The rest of the week goes by pretty quick. There haven’t been any updates from Dylan. Jax has been treating me like a roommate instead of an FWB, just like I asked.
We’ve avoided each other as much as we can, passing like ships in the night. The old cliché is the only way I can think of to describe the last few days.
Jax’s confession had me almost running for the hills. But as hard as it is to admit, I can’t deny the fact I’m starting to feel things too. Things I hadn’t expected to feel.
I mean, hello, what did I expect to happen? I read romance. Hell, my best friend, who warned me this would happen, writes it for a living. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew we could end up in this scenario. But what did I do? I chose to ignore it. And now I have to live with it.
I arrive at Summit an hour early, jittery with nervous energy. My nipples are still tender, a constant reminder of Jax’s hands on me, his dick in my mou—
Nope. I shake my head, forcing myself to focus. Today is about Summit, not my complicated whatever they are for my neighbor-slash-former FWB-slash-now just a roommate.
The new Summit looks perfect.
Morning light filters through the large windows, casting a warm glow over gleaming light hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and state-of-the-art equipment.
After all the drama lately, I needed this win.
“What do you think?” I ask Noia when she comes in, carrying two cups of coffee.
“It’s amazing,” she says, handing me a cup. “You did it again, Sash.”
“We did it,” I correct her, taking a sip. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
She squeezes my arm. “Any news from Dylan?”
“Nothing yet.”
“Morning!” Reyna bustles in looking fresh and energetic in pale blue yoga pants and a white tank top. “It looks incredible. I can’t believe today’s finally here.”
Grateful for her enthusiasm, I return her hug. “Me too. People should start arriving in about half an hour. You ready to do this thing?”
“Born ready,” she grins. “Just tell me where you need me.”
We spend the next twenty minutes going through last-minute preparations. I show Reyna how to use the sound system and walk her through the check-in process for new clients.
“So we’ll have them fill out these waivers,” I explain, pointing to the stack of forms on the front desk. “And then they can set up wherever they’d like in the room.”
She nods. “Got it. And what about props? Should we put blocks and straps out?”
“Already done,” I say, pointing to the neatly arranged shelves at the back of the room. “There is enough for everyone who signed up, but if we need more, there’s extra in the storage closet.”
As we go over a few more details, people start filtering in. It begins with a trickle, but soon grows to a steady stream of excited faces. Most are women, though there are a few men in the mix, all clutching yoga mats and water bottles.
My heart swells with pride as I watch them find spots on the floor, chatting excitedly among themselves.
“Sasha?” A familiar voice redirects my attention. Turning, I find myself face to face with Lizzy, dressed in black leggings and a purple tank top.
“You came!” I exclaim, genuinely surprised to see her. Knowing she’s not a big fan of yoga—she’s more of a gym rat—the fact that my new friend is here to support me means the world.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it,” she grins. She jerks her chin. “I’m gonna grab a spot before all the good ones are gone.”
Before I have a chance to refocus on the task at hand, the door to the studio opens again, and my heart does a funny little skip.
I wasn’t expecting Jax to show up, not after how things have been between us the past few days.
Wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and a pair of his favorite basketball shorts, he surveys the room before his eyes lock onto mine. Then, his gaze shifts, traveling slowly down my body and back up, taking in my fitted black leggings before pausing on my breasts, hidden behind a tight green sports bra.
When I got dressed this morning, my piercings were more than obvious, even beneath the tight fabric, so I found a couple of round makeup remover pads and tucked them inside, shielding them from view.
Heat floods my cheeks at his perusal, and when our eyes lock again, there’s something soft in his expression that I can’t quite read.
He gives me a small smile, just a slight upturn of his lips, and heads to the back of the room to where Lizzy is sitting and unrolls his mat next to hers.
My stomach sinks when I see him lean over to whisper something in her ear that makes her laugh. I shouldn’t care that he didn’t come over to say hi. This is what I asked for, isn’t it? But the fact that he’s here, even if it’s just to support me as a friend, makes my heart happy.
Taking a deep breath, I glance at the clock. It’s time.
As I make my way to the front of the room, I’m suddenly hyperaware of my body, of how I’m moving. Knowing his eyes are on me makes my skin tingle.
“Good morning, everyone.” My voice sounds much steadier than I feel, thank goddess. “Welcome to Summit Studio’s first class in Lakeside. I’m Sasha Garrett, owner and your instructor for today. I’m finding it hard to express just how thrilled I am to see so many of you here this morning.”
As I continue with my welcome speech, talking about Summit’s philosophy and what they can expect from today’s class, I can feel Jax’s gaze burning into me from across the room. But, thankfully, I manage to keep my focus elsewhere.
“Let’s begin in a comfortable seated position.” Lowering myself onto my mat, I signal to Reyna to start the soothing background music. “Close your eyes, and let’s take a few deep breaths together.”
The class follows along as I guide them through a gentle warm-up. I try to lose myself in the familiar rhythm of the practice, but my awareness of Jax never fades. When we move into our first downward dog, I risk a glance toward the back of the room.
He’s following along perfectly, his body strong and controlled in the pose. For someone who I know isn’t a yoga guy, he moves with surprising grace.
When we transition into warrior, I let my gaze skim over his tatted arms, my mind flashing back to how tight I’d gripped them as he pounded me mercilessly into the mattress at J & R Ranch.
Unexpected arousal floods my panties when my core clenches at the thought. Right now I couldn’t be more thankful that I’d put on a pantyliner this morning.
Teaching yoga puts your ass and many other things on display. Any rational woman knows what can happen when you bend over or move to sit a certain way and your inner muscles flex—and it has nothing to do with Aunt Flo.
The last thing I need is a wet spot giving Jax any ideas about how he affects me. I’ve got too much shit going on right now to get caught up in how luscious his muscles look in downward dog.
Pushing out of my pose, I start walking the room.
“Now, bring your attention back to your breath,” I say, my voice catching slightly. I clear my throat. “Feel the expansion of your ribcage as you inhale...”
As I move around the room, I notice most students are following along pretty well. Reyna is walking the room with me assisting anyone who looks like they need help. The energy is good—focused but not too serious—exactly what I want for this first class.
“Now, we’re going to flow into a half-moon pose,” I explain, demonstrating the movement. “Remember… keep your hips squared and extend through your fingertips.”
I scan the room as everyone transitions, looking for anyone who might need assistance. My eyes land on Jax, who’s wobbling slightly as he tries to balance. His form isn’t terrible, but his alignment is off just enough that it’s probably a little uncomfortable.
Next thing I know, I’m standing next to him. “Can I help?” I ask softly.
Lifting his head, his eyes meet mine with a flash of surprise, quickly replaced by something darker as he nods.
Placing one hand lightly on his extended hip, I rest the other on his shoulder. “Rotate your hip down a bit,” I instruct, applying gentle pressure. “And reach through your fingertips a little more.”
As I guide him into proper alignment, his body shifts under my touch. A low grunt escapes his lips when I press against his hip, adjusting his stance.
I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my smile. “Better?” I ask, barely managing to keep my voice professional as electricity from where my hands are touching his warm, smooth skin flows through me.
“Yup,” he grunts again. “Thanks.”
Lizzy snickers softly as I hold his pose steady. There’s a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead and his T-shirt is clinging to his chest as his woodsy scent wafts under my nose.
Jeez, Louise.
Taking a cleansing breath, I step back, addressing the class again. “Remember to breathe into your stretch.”
As I move away, I swear I can feel his eyes burning into my back, making my nipples tingle with awareness. Brushing it off, I focus on helping a woman in the front row with her alignment.
Finally, we move into savasana, the final resting pose, and I dim the lights, guiding everyone into relaxation.
“Allow your body to become heavy,” I say, keeping my voice soft and steady. “Release any tension you might be holding... in your jaw... your shoulders... your hips.”
I walk slowly between the mats. Jax’s eyes are closed, chest rising and falling with deep breaths, his usual intensity quiet for now.
At last, I bring everyone back to seated position for a final namaste. As everyone begins rolling up their mats and chatting, I make my way back over to the front desk only to have someone gently grab my elbow.