I focused on my breaths as the sound of a mat unrolling right in front of me drifted through the peace. Then, there was a rustling like someone was taking off their shoes, and the warm presence of a body no more than a few feet from mine.
I resisted letting out an annoyed huff, but did creak my eyes open, ready to ask whoever it was to give me a little space.
Any and all words died in my throat at the sight of Emily staring back at me.
God, being there with her in that dark, intimate space cracked something open in me. She was dressed down in a way I’d never seen before, an oversized sweatshirt swallowing her frame, the sleeves pushed up just enough to reveal her wrists and the ink there, matching sweats slung low on her hips like she hadn’t thought twice about what she put on this morning. Her hair was pulled back, her curls piled into a loose puff like she’d done it in thirty seconds and didn’t care who saw — except she’d taken the time to lay her edges, those soft swoops framing her face.
It was like even on her most casual day she couldn’t help but be art.
She looked cozy and warm. Soft, yet dangerous.
Because it was a different kind of beautiful than I was used to from her — not the glittering, high-impact version under stadium lights, not the sharp, untouchable kind she wore like armor. This was stripped down. Real. The kind of look that made a man forget himself.
The kind that made me want to reach for her.
My spine straightened without permission, every ounce of calm I’d fought for slipping through my fingers like sand.
Yeah.
I was fucked.
“Hey, Boss.”
I shook my head, fighting the smile threatening to break on my lips. “Hey, Trouble.”
She waved her hand over my mat. “Please tell me there’s more to what’s happening here than you just sitting in a dark room all alone, which is pretty bleak.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Coming to save you from your sulk, obviously.”
I frowned. “I’m not sulking.”
“So you’re just hanging out in a dark room by yourself because you’re full of joy?”
“I’m meditating.”
“Wow. This is bleaker than I thought.”
I barked out an unbidden laugh. “Damn it, woman, I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Oh, so I’mwomannow?” She tongued her cheek and curled a finger over her ear like she was brushing hair back. “Kind of hot, actually. Say it again. More growl this time.”
“This is serious.”
She huffed. “Fine, Mr. Serious. Have it your way.” She folded her legs to mirror mine, hands delicately draping over her knees as she straightened her spine. “Teach me.”
“Teach you what?”
“How to sulk — er, I mean,meditate.”
“It’s kind of a solo thing.”
“Oh, stop trying so damn hard to get rid of me for once. It’s quiet. We’re practically alone and no one cares if we’re in here meditating, so shut up and tell me what to do.”
I opened my mouth to point out how that statement contradicted itself, but when she lifted a brow in warning, I found myself laughing instead.
Damn her for being so beautiful, so persistent, so fuckingcute.
