Wise Moves (9 page)

“There’s got to be something else.”

She sighed. “There are a few stretches she showed me.”

He winked at her. “I guess you could show ’em to me, but then you’ve only been at this yoga thing a couple of weeks.”

Challenge flashed in her eyes. “I’ve learned a few things. Come into the studio and I will show you a couple of stretches.”

He could just picture himself now trying to twist into a yoga pose. “You’re the boss.”

She moved into the studio and, avoiding the large florescent overhead lights, turned on the soft wall sconces. Kristen stopped him before he could enter the room. “Take your shoes off.”

“Why?”

“No shoes in the studio.”

He glanced down at his scuffed work boots. “Right.” Bending down, he undid the double knots in his laces and slipped off his boots. He set them outside the studio door and followed her inside.

Kristen went to the corner to the stack of unrolled mats and chose two along with a couple of blankets. She unrolled the mats and positioned them side by side.

“Come on over here and have a seat on the mat.” To demonstrate she sat down with her feet sticking straight out. Her straight spine and legs made a perfect L. “This is called the staff pose.”

Cambia felt like a fool but now was not the time to argue with her. So, he sat beside her and positioned himself like her.

To his surprise, the muscles in the backs of his legs and lower back were very tight. Stress was no doubt the culprit.

Kristen rose and came up behind him. She put her hand on the small of his back and with gentle pressure drew her hand up his spine, which forced him to sit an inch or two higher. “There you go.”

Her soothing and calm voice coupled with her touch would have had him hardening if not for the discomfort in his back.

“Your shoulder blades are very stiff,” she said.

He shoved out a breath. “Yep.”

She chuckled. “That will ease when I show you how to stretch.”

“You mean I’m not stretching yet?” Pride had him holding the position as she knelt behind him. He could run ten miles with a twenty-pound pack on his back, so he could damn well handle a few yoga poses.

As she adjusted his shoulders back, her breasts brushed against him. Why the hell had he agreed to this?

“This is a hard position to hold, especially if you have tight hamstrings. How far do you run?” she said.

“Five to ten miles a day when I can.”

“Hopefully not on pavement.” She took hold of his head and pulled up.

“Most of the time.”

“The concrete will tear up your back. Stay to the dirt paths—as close to the earth as you can manage.”

Her knowledge of physiology surprised him. “So when did you learn all this?”

“Sheridan. She’s been teaching me a lot.”

“You like it here, then?”

“Yes.”

He might not have found her so quickly if she hadn’t stayed here so long.

“Now, lean forward and touch your hands toward your knees,” she said.

He did as she asked, swallowing a groan as his hamstrings pulled. “Damn.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Yep.”

“Then back off. It should never hurt.”

Despite his discomfort, he held his position. “I’m not good at backing off.”

She placed her callused hands over his as she tried to pull them back several inches. He tensed, not ready to let go. Her feminine scent wafted around him, making him almost forget he was hurting. Almost.

“You can’t muscle into a stretch. Your body will only resist and make the work all the harder.”

“Muscling is my specialty.”

“Let go,” she coaxed.

With an effort he did.

“Now try the stretch again,” she said.

This time when he did, he found he could go deeper.

“See?” Kristen said.

He always gave credit where credit was due. “Okay, got it.”

“There are hundreds of other stretches I could show you but I suspect you won’t sit still for them.”

He liked hearing her soft voice and having her close. He was half tempted to let her show him those hundreds of poses. But there was work to be done. “I can sit still for a couple more.”

Surprised, she nodded. Sitting beside him, she demonstrated a pose she called the Pigeon pose. He felt goofy as hell, but to his amazement when he moved into the position the pounding in the back of his leg eased immediately. “You are a miracle worker. You must have been a healer in another life.”

“The body doesn’t need much if you are willing to listen. Or so Sheridan says.”

Light came in through the window at the back of the room, casting a warm glow on her pale skin. He tried to remember how soft her skin felt when he’d touched her yesterday. She was only inches from him and he could easily reach over and touch her. He wondered if she’d kiss him again if he did.

Last night, he’d dreamed of her. Of taking her on this very floor, peeling off her gray pants and kissing her soft skin. She’d been willing and wanted, and had accepted, all of him as he’d pushed into her. She’d called out his name and dug her fingers into his back.

Sensing his thoughts, her gaze shifted, color rose in her cheeks. She rose and straightened. “We’ve got a full day’s work ahead of us.”

He cleared his throat. “Right.”

Yesterday, she’d been ready to bed him; today the reserve was fully in place like a shield.

It was better that way.

Kristen had every right not to trust him.

Saturday, May 19, 8:02 a.m.

K
risten stood in front of the entryway mirror and glanced at her reflection, especially her dark roots. She shoved a shaky hand through her hair.

It was growing.

The emerging black strands were becoming more evident and hinted at a past she couldn’t escape. In this moment, she looked so much like Elena.

Elena.

The hair would have to be cut soon and the roots dyed. No traces of Elena could emerge. Elena had to stay buried in the past. However, with her money gone, she’d have to wait until Dane paid her tonight. Then she could slip off to the drugstore and buy the products she needed.

There was still no sign of Crystal. She’d searched again last night for the girl after the work-day ended, but nothing.

Kristen heard Dane’s truck pull up. She moved to the front door and peeked through the blinds. Dane slid out of the driver’s side seat and walked around to the back. He pulled out long planks of wood. The muscles in his arms bunched under his T-shirt. She touched her lips, remembering their kiss in the kitchen.

Lord help her, but she still wanted to touch him.

Shaking off the thought she unlatched the locks on the front door and opened it. “Good morning,” she said.

He flashed a quick grin that made her a little giddy. “Good morning.”

“Let me help you with that.”

“I’ve got this one but there are others in the truck. How are your ribs?”

“Only a little sore today.” She hurried down the stairs, pulled a board from the truck and headed back. She met him halfway on the sidewalk. “This wood is lovely. What is it for?”

“Benches. Sheridan called me last night. She wants benches and shelves built into the wall. I’ll install them before I paint.”

Kristen hesitated. “You talked to Sheridan?”

“She said to let you know she’ll be back in two days. She’s also sorry she hasn’t called you. Apparently, things have been a little crazy around her sister’s house. The baby came late yesterday. I heard a toddler crying in the background. I think things are a little out of control.”

It bothered Kristen that Sheridan hadn’t called her. She thought of the woman as a friend. Silly, she thought. She’d known the woman two weeks. And like Dane said, she’d been busy.

Kristen got another board and started up the stairs. “I can imagine.”

He grabbed two more pieces of lumber and caught up to her in the studio lobby. “So any more visits by Tony or Crystal?”

“No signs of Tony or Crystal.” Just saying the girl’s name reminded her of her own stupidity and soured her mood.

His gaze settled on her. “What’s wrong?”

The comment surprised her. “What makes you think anything is wrong?”

“You get a distinct wrinkle right in the middle of your forehead when you are worried.”

She raised her fingertips to her forehead and felt the twin creases. She wanted to confide in him about Crystal and what had happened. She hadn’t said anything yesterday but now she couldn’t contain her thoughts. She needed a friend. “I lied to you yesterday.”

“About what?”

She sighed. “Crystal. I let Crystal in the other night.”

“Why?” His tone was neutral and not admonishing as she’d expected.

“I was dumping trash. She was in the alley. It was cold and raining, and she was huddled in a doorway. Anyway, I invited her in for the night.”

“And?” His voice deepened with concern.

“She ate my food and she seemed to relax. The next day I woke up and she’d stolen by money.” Frustration tightened her throat.

He frowned.

Sensing admonishment in his eyes, she rushed to say, “I shouldn’t have fallen for her wounded-dove routine.”

His dark gaze bore into her. “You were being kind.”

“My brother always said I was a soft-hearted fool.”

The mention of her brother seemed to catch him off guard. “It doesn’t sound like your brother is such a nice guy.”

“He’s not.”

“Do you want to tell me about him?”

She paused. She hadn’t uttered anything about Antonio since she’d fled Florida. But now the urge to talk was strong. So many pent-up emotions begged to be spoken. “The less you know about my brother the better. He is a very dangerous man.”

“I’m a big boy, Kristen. And I can take care of myself.”

“Not where my brother is concerned. He is a very powerful, cruel man and I pray I never see him again.”

“Is he the reason you’re working for cash and living on the run?”

His dead-on insight startled her. “I’m not living on the run.”

Dane stacked three boards on top of each other. “I know fear when I see it, Kristen, and you are loaded with it. You jump when a car door slams and you look as if you’d bolt at the first sign of trouble.”

“I didn’t realize I was so transparent,” she muttered more to herself.

“You are to me and probably to Sheridan. Likely that’s why she trusted you with so much.”

She stared at the twisting grain of the wood. “This is not good.”

“Hey, don’t look so glum.” He grinned. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

“Are they?”

He cupped her face. “Yes.”

When he touched her, her heart stopped for a moment. She couldn’t breathe and every nerve in her body danced with excitement as it had the first time he’d touched her. Worries and doubts that should have surfaced and warned her away from this man stayed silent. All she felt was a bone-searing desire.

She reached up and laid her hands over his. The rough edge of his beard teased the smooth skin on the back of her hand. She traced a small scar that ran along his chin.

Dane captured her hand and drew it to his lips. He kissed her palm. She hissed in a breath.

Slowly, he lowered her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers. He leaned forward and kissed her on the mouth. Gently he teased her lips open with his tongue. Willingly she accepted him, leaning into the kiss and releasing into it all the passion that had welled inside her these long lonely months.

“This isn’t a good idea,” he said. His breath was hot against her cheek.

She felt so alive.

“It’s the best idea I’ve had in months.” She rose up on tiptoes and wrapped her arm around his neck, surrendering fully to the kiss. A moan rumbled in his chest as he banded his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. His erection pressed against her, sending an erotic thrill through her body.

He dropped his hand to her waist, slid it up her blouse. She drew in a quick breath as his knuckles brushed the underside of her sheer bra. He pinched her nipples, coaxing them into hard peaks. Warmth spread through her body.

She reached for his belt buckle and with trembling fingers fumbled with the worn metal until it came loose. She unsnapped the top of his jeans and slid her hand inside.

He growled with pleasure and pulled her hand free as if he could barely hold on to his composure. “So help me, I do want you.”

“Good.”

He closed and locked the front door and then in one easy move, he scooped her up and carried her to the tiny bed in her room.

Dane laid her in the center. The mattress sagged under his weight as he straddled her. He kissed her on the mouth before he pushed up her blouse and pressed his lips to her flat belly. He tugged at the drawstring of her yoga pants and then slid them off her narrow hips and past her knees. Without regard to where they landed, he tossed them on the floor.

Cool air brushed her naked skin and for a moment she felt exposed and self-conscious. But Dane gave her no time to dwell on her modesty. He kissed her belly again and then moved to her moist center. She arched her back, digging her fingers into his hair.

His bearded chin rubbed her naked flesh, sending bolts of desire through her body.

Dane lifted his head and she moaned her displeasure as he slid off the side of the bed and took off his pants. He produced a condom from his wallet. With quick, sure hands, he tore the package open and slid it on.

Kristen rolled on her side and savored the sight of him. Staring so boldly at him, she felt wanton.

When their gazes locked, his eyes darkened with so much desire, she could feel a blush warming her skin. In the next instant, he was on top of her, his heat pressing against her. She opened her legs, and needing no other invitation, he pressed inside her. She tensed.

It had been a very long time since she’d been with a man and her body was tight. A part of her felt disloyal to Carlos but a larger part was so hungry to experience life.

Sensing her reservation, Dane kissed her on the lips, giving her body time to grow accustomed to him before he started to move slowly inside of her, as if savoring every inch of her.

Quickly, her body became accustomed to him. Desire banished all worries and doubts and swept her toward something great she’d never experienced but knew she wanted.

She lifted her hips, so that he entered her to the hilt. He kissed her on her mouth. The tension in his body told her how much he wanted her. She reveled in the powers of her femininity.

Kissing him back, she arched her breasts into his chest. He began to move faster. Within minutes, both were covered in sweat and hungry with passion.

She wanted to take this coupling slowly and savor each moment, but the need was too great. Unable to hold back, she held on to the desire until she thought she could take no more.

And then in one swift stroke the passion exploded in them. She arched her back, digging her fingers into his back and whispering his name as if it were a pledge.

Dane groaned his pleasure as she climaxed and gave in to his own needs. He collapsed against her. His heart hammered against her chest as he breathed against her ear.

She’d never felt more at peace. Never more whole. Kristen fell asleep in his arms, certain that her life was finally on track.

It felt good to trust again.