Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
NOAH
We pull up to a little storefront in Montrose. The front windows boast huge mandalas. I see hanging pathos just behind the windows. Their cheery green leaves cascading toward the floor. I’ve never been here before, but one of the trainers swears by the chakra cleansing they do.
Audrey beams at me. “What is this?”
“This,” I pause for effect, “is a private tantric yoga class.” She lights up. Her happiness cranks up to a ten. She claps her hands together in front of her.
“I’ve always wanted to do this!”
I smile back at her, my heart beating loud in my chest. I couldn’t frown at this moment if I tried. I would be lying if I said this wasn’t a gift for me too. I just started doing yoga, but ever since I’ve wanted to try something like this.
We hold hands as we walk into the studio.
The smell of incense is strong, even in the front.
A young woman with long, black hair stands behind the counter clicking away at the screen.
She looks up when the chimes above the door jingle.
“Good afternoon! Welcome to Twisted Bliss Yoga! I’m Lotus.
Is this your first time here?” We both nod.
She clasps her hands together. “Amazingggg.” And the amazing sounds so feathery I wonder if she’s totally here with us.
Whatever this lady is smoking, I hope she’ll share.
Just kidding. I get drug tested all the time.
Audrey jumps in without missing a beat. “I’m Audrey, and this is my boyfriend Noah.” My already flying heart soars higher hearing the word boyfriend on her lips. My chest puffs a little with pride.
“Nice to meet you both, have you done couples tantric yoga before?” We both shake our heads. “Do you have a regular yoga practice?”
“We’re both members at Big Power Yoga on Waugh,” Audrey explains. If it’s possible, Lotus looks even more elated.
“Oh, great! You guys are basically pros. This will be so fun!” She steps out from behind the counter and starts walking toward the back.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the studio we’ll be using.
” As she walks, she explains, “This studio has been here for twenty years. We offer everything from regular yoga, hot yoga, tantric yoga, yoga teacher certification classes, and more. This space is only fifteen-hundred square feet, so it naturally lends itself to smaller, more intimate classes. Today, we’ll be in the back room.
” She dims the light in the small space with soft floors and a mirror along the front wall.
It’s mildly heated and cozy. In the center of the room there are two mats, two blocks, and two bolsters.
Lotus walks in and spreads her arms open like a dancer. “Come in, please get settled, and we’ll begin.”
Audrey and I put our stuff down in front of the wall right by the door. I brought us two water bottles, not knowing how heated it would be. Audrey brought her mat, which doesn’t surprise me at all, but the mat Lotus provided is huge. Way bigger than a single mat.
Lotus hits play on her phone, and slow spa music starts up over the speakers.
“The most important thing,” Lotus begins, “is paying attention to your partner’s body and listening to what they need.
Don’t be afraid to ask for more or less.
This is meant to be enjoyable and amorous.
” She gestures for us to sit before her.
I’ve never had this much attention from an instructor before, and I feel a little watched.
When my ass hits the mat, though, I feel the comfort of the familiar rubber rush over me.
I look at Audrey for a split second before we get started, and I see brown eyes full of excitement.
Her radiance envelops me, and her sunshine scent fills my nose.
In those skintight leggings and that high pony, she looks like a yoga goddess.
I might have put myself in a world of hurt planning this little surprise.