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“By you? Always,” I say, winking up at him.

The scent of eucalyptus and lavender fills the air as soft music filters in from a speaker overhead. The instrumental notes hold a seductive edge, sending my nerve endings to a place meant for the bedroom, not a yoga class. I glance up at Callum, noting the way his jaw flexes. His hand moves down to the waistband of his sweats, adjusting it slightly. And although he tries to hide his erection, I get an eyeful the second my gaze drops a little lower. I swallow, averting my attention as Emery strolls into the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Thorne,” she says, addressing us.

“Oh, no—” I say at the same time as Callum’s, “We’re not—”

“My apologies,” Emery interrupts, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks. “I just thought … well, never mind. Let’s get started, shall we?”

She turns, walking over to her own mat at the front of the room. Callum chooses the moment her back is turned to mouth “Emery?” with giant question marks in his eyes. I mouth back, “I don’t know?” throwing my hands up with equal question in my own.

I wasn’t aware Emery taught yoga, either. It seems that Kai’s therapist is full of surprises. Emery walks over to the back wall, presses a button, and then returns to her mat. She sinks to the floor, cross-legged, staring up at us as we stare down at her. I’m not one who usually succumbs to social awkwardness, but this entire situation might make the list. Callum fidgets with unease as I stand frozen beside him.

“Is something wrong?” Emery asks as steam rolls in from overhead vents. The air begins to grow thicker as Callum and I hesitantly take a seat, mimicking Emery’s posture.

“I didn’t know you taught yoga, Emery,” I say, clearing my throat. I need to break the tension in the air. The energy in the room is filled with an unspoken edge, and it’s putting a downer on the zen that’s trying to break through.

“I volunteer on my days off,” she answers, her voice calm and steady now. “I’m certified, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to insult you. I—”

“I know, Lydia.” She laughs softly. My head snaps up, my eyes locking with hers before we both burst into a fit of laughter. Maybe Emery knows how to let go, after all.

“Okay, now let’s begin. Have either of you done a hot yoga session before?” she asks.

“I have,” I answer. Followed by Callum’s resounding, “Nope.”

“Have you done this with a partner before now, Lydia?” Emery asks.

Though her question is innocent, you wouldn’t know it by the way Callum stiffens beside me, or by the way his throat releases a low growl. The way it sounds shouldn’t turn me on as much as it does, but there is something so sexy about a possessive man.

“No,” I say, glaring at Callum. He relaxes, as much as a man like Callum Thorne can.

“Alright, then. What we’ll do first is simple. I want you to turn toward one another and join hands.”

Callum rolls his eyes, earning a glare from Emery. He narrows his eyes at her before we both turn toward one another. He attempts to pull his large frame into a pretzel pose as we scoot our mats closer and join hands. Our knees touch as we shuffle around to find a comfortable position. He pretends to hate every second of it, but the way his thumb grazes over mine, and the way his eyes watch me with such intensity, tells me otherwise.

“Now, close your eyes,” Emery calls out, her voice soft and silky, like butter. She was made for this. “I like to blend hot yoga with a bit of tantric yoga, so I’ll walk you through each step.”

Tantric yoga? My eyes pop open, landing on Callum’s closed ones. Damnit. I can’t get his attention without attracting Emery’s. Welp, this is definitely going straight to the top of the awkward moments list now. I close my eyes, steadying my breathing as I decide to submit to the experience.

“Tantra is about presence and awareness. It’s about allowing that full, deep connection between body, mind, breath, and energy. We want to move that energy through your body and awaken it. We want to use breath work to create a deeper connection and understanding to not only yourselves, but to your partner,” Emery says.

Callum huffs out a laugh, soft enough for only me to hear. I dig my nails into his hand, opening one eye to glare at him. When I catch him with his eyes open, he quickly shuts them. I giggle softly. If Emery notices, she doesn’t let on.

“This is about vulnerability. It’s about being comfortable with your own intimacy and sensuality,” Emery says, continuing. “Now open your eyes and place your right hand over your partner’s heart.”

I open my eyes, finding Callum already watching me. His gaze is steady, solid, like stone warmed by the sun above it.

“I don’t think we need a lesson on intimacy, love,” Callum whispers, his right hand reaching forward as he lays it softly against my chest. His ring finger fans out to brush over the scar from where the bullet hit me.

“Shh,” I say, quietly laughing as I place my hand over his chest. I feel the rhythm of his heart beneath my skin, the steady beat of it easing my own.

“Good,” Emery praises. “Now, feel your chakra opening for one another. Allow physical touch to open that pathway.”

Callum bites the inside of his cheek, no doubt one breath away from a sarcastic comment about how absurd this entire experience is. I narrow my eyes and scowl at him, stopping when Emery clears her throat.

“Callum, I can sense your hesitance and your constant need to be in control,” Emery says, my eyes widening at her nerve to call him out. Good for her. “I need you to release it. Allow yourself to be in this moment with Lydia.”