“Yes, I’m new.” He returned his attention to the woman. “I’m a gym owner in Haven and thinking of adding some hot yoga classes. Thought I’d check it out for myself.”
No need in mentioning he was trying to steal Jade away from this place. For now, though, he wanted to make it through the next hour.
“Okay, let’s get started,” Jade announced. “We have a full class—”
When she turned, her eyes locked on to his, and Cash merely smiled. Damn it, she looked good in her black sports bra, oversize bright-blue tank scooping down on the sides for him to see all that creamy skin . . . skin he’d explored over and over. She’d pulled her hair over one shoulder in a side braid. The black spandex capris hugged those hips she always complained about. Cash wasn’t complaining about anything going on right now.
Jade tipped up her chin as a slow grin spread across her face. Dread overcame him, because he’d seen that smile before. Jade wasn’t going to make this easy for him, not that he expected her to, but if he was going to make it through this next hour, he’d have to bring his A game.
“We have a few new people today,” Jade went on as she walked to the front of the class to stand in front of the wall of mirrors. “Which is perfect because I have a few new moves I’m implementing, and everyone will be on the same level.”
Same level? Not likely. New moves or old moves didn’t much matter to him because he wasn’t sure he could do any of them. Still, he wasn’t going to admit defeat, no matter what she threw at him.
The slow music started and Jade stood before them with her hands at her sides.
“Palms forward, toes touching, and heels slightly apart,” she said in a calming voice. “Let’s start breathing in and out of our nose to get our body warm.”
Body warm? Check.
“Close your throats,” she went on in that tone that made him think of a smooth bourbon. “Rid your mind of everything that doesn’t serve you. We want to focus on our health, both mind and body.”
The song playing was a familiar ’90s rock tune, but it had been slowed down to a relaxing tempo, and Cash was surprised he rather enjoyed this version. Maybe she’d give him her playlist when they were alone.
“Mountain pose. Turn your pinkies in toward each other.”
Cash followed as everyone lifted their hands overhead.
“Baby backbend. Make your arms into goal posts,” Jade stated as she went back to the front of the class and joined in the poses. “Really arch that back and push your hips forward. Gaze up to the ceiling.”
Okay, this was a good stretch. Jade led them through several more movements to stretch, and he had a sense of relief that he’d been able to do everything so far. Five minutes down, only fifty-five to go.
“We’re going to be moving into our flow segment.”
Jade’s eyes darted to his and she smiled. That smile sent a punch to his gut. She was in her element and absolutely thriving. He wondered if her mother ever saw her like this. If her mother ever cared to see how amazing Jade truly was when she was doing something she loved.
The next movement Jade called out seemed easy enough . . . until he tried it. Cash attempted to balance on one foot, lean one arm out parallel with the floor, reach behind him to grab the inside of his foot, and then lean farther. What the hell?
“Standing bow pose should be giving you a nice stretch throughout your body,” Jade said. “This will keep your legs strong.”
Not if he fell over and broke one.
Cash stepped out of the pose and took a deep breath before trying once more. As he stared at his extended hand, he spotted Jade’s eyes in the mirror. She didn’t smile but merely quirked a brow. Like hell he’d show weakness. He would get through this class or die trying.
Had someone turned the heat up even more?
Sweat rolled down his forehead and his shirt clung to his back. Jade issued another set of poses and said something about “flow,” and if he’d had the energy, he would’ve laughed. There was no flowing. At best, Cash stumbled and jerked through each movement.
Something, something eagle pose didn’t seem too difficult. He certainly felt the stretch and his concentration grew deeper as the class went on.
Then they moved to the floor, and the next thing Cash knew, everyone was on their head and their knees rested on their elbows in what Jade called “crow pose.”
He thought for sure he’d make a fool of himself, but Cash used every bit of his upper body and core strength and slowly got into position. As he tightened every muscle, he closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing.
“If anyone wants to try moving on to extending your legs straight up, let me know,” Jade said. “I can talk you through it or help you get into position.”
He heard her soft footsteps swipe across the floor as she moved around. Cash’s ego wouldn’t let him remain still. He gritted his teeth and started to move his legs, but his balance wobbled a second before familiar hands gripped his ankles.
“You’ve got it,” Jade told him as she assisted him into position. “Tighten your glutes.”