I take the class through a series of floor routines to loosen up their spines and joints before having them stand and bring the largest silk loop behind them.
“Now, once you’ve got the silk settled along your back comfortably, I want you to bring your feet out in front of you and ease back against the silks. When you find your sweet spot, bring your feet out another foot forward and point the toes. Arch back and lift your arms over your head, allowing the silk to help you go farther into your stretch. Breathe in and exhale.”
Once the class is in position, I pop out of my hammock and go straight to Honor. She’s finally removed her oversized hoodie and is situating the silk along her lower spine. The pale-pink, ribbed tank she’s wearing stretches across her breasts enticingly. Being a tried and true boob man, I am pleasantly surprised to see she’s got a hefty rack, much larger than I expected on her slight frame. My hands are large, and her breasts will spill over them quite nicely. I groan, reminding myself to tamp down the images of squeezing her tits before my dick catches up with my brain and gives the class a show they won’t soon forget. As it is, I’ve had to readjust my semi several times in reaction to her beauty.
“Here, let me help you.” I wrap one hand around the silk above her body and grind my teeth as her fresh flowers scent reaches my nose. I bite down, unable to curb the urge to suck in one more long breath. The smell of wildflowers and tall grass surrounds me, taking me to a place of calm and peace unlike any other. Being near her soothes the chaos within my being. Every woman I’ve met before her does the opposite. Strokes the discord, when that’s the last thing I need. As an Aries alpha male, my element being fire, I don’t need a woman to goad me. Quite the opposite.
Honor’s fingers turn white as they tighten around the silks above her. I grab the smooth, stretchy fabric behind her and expand it so it covers half of her lower back and a bit of her fine, heart-shaped ass. Once she’s situated more securely, I place my hands on her shoulders and help her ease back until her body is diagonal to the floor.
“Now, point your toes and lean into it.”
“But I’m scared.” Her voice is but a whisper, and it moves me into action.
Protect.
Care.
Shelter.
These are the urges that slam over me. I can tell in the tremble of her fingertips, the firmness of her jaw, and the determination in her eyes, she hasn’t had a man be those things for her in a long time. That’s about to change.
“I’ve got you. Trust me.”
She nods, firms her jaw, and lifts her arms up over her head. I steady my hands at her elbows and help her move back into the position. My eye catches the swirls running down her inner arms. As she stretches, I focus on the skin. After a couple seconds of inspection, I realize it’s henna weaving in intricate swirls, petals, and dots up both of her arms. The designs are beautiful and seem to start at the crease of her elbow and feather out in both directions. Definitely not what I’d expect to see on the timid woman, but seeing them makes me eager to unfold the layers beneath her shy veneer and find out more.
I shift toward her ear. “Really good, Honor. You’re doing perfectly. Hold the position for about thirty seconds. I’m going to move the rest of the class into the next position. You can catch up easy enough. Okay?”
“’K,” she says but focuses on the ceiling. Her body laid out and stretched has me envisioning her form splayed out across my king-size bed. Once more, I clench my teeth and block out the stunning beauty.
Clearing my throat, I step toward my silks and get settled against them. “Now class, grip the silks above your head and sway from side to side. Let them slide under your arms and reposition yourself into a wide-legged squat, otherwise known as Goddess pose, or Utkata Konasana in Sanskrit.”
Bad idea. Such a bad idea.
Directly in front of me, my frightened, wide-eyed dove spreads her long, lean legs out. She maneuvers the silks perfectly under her arms, keeping a hold above her head before she squats down, leveling her pelvis with her thighs. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I clench my jaw so hard I could break glass with my teeth. I can feel my nostrils flare at the magnificence in front of me. I have never, in all my years teaching yoga or otherwise, seen a woman so beautiful. The track lighting above shines down over her white hair, creating a halo. She’s a true angel among us, and right then and there, I mentally promise myself and the universe that this woman will know her beauty, and in the end…it will be mine. All mine for the taking.
My voice is thick and raw when I address the class. “Now stretch out the left leg and lunge until you feel that sweet pull at the hamstring and groin, but don’t go to the point where it hurts. It should hurt good, not be painful. We do not want anyone injuring themselves. I want you all to come back. Help me pay my bills.” I crack the joke, and several of the students laugh.
Not my dove, though. She’s focused a hundred percent on her position. Absolutely stunning. I could take a picture of her right now, and it could easily appear in a yoga journal with a caption highlighting aerial yoga. Men and women alike would flock to my class if they saw her light as I see it now.
Honor opens her eyes, and her lips puff open. What I wouldn’t give to be standing directly in front of her. She’d be
