Ember closed her eyes, silently meditating, asking for the courage to let go of her fears and the strength to keep an open heart.
Chapter 15
Nash
Rays of sunlight peaked between the city’s tall structures, streaming through the windows, illuminating the dips and curves of her tight, fit body.
Nash remained silent, shoulder propped against the hall wall, watching in awe as Ember worked through a routine of stretches and poses. A few disobedient locks of her chestnut hair strayed from the mass tied in a knot atop her head when she hinged at the waist and lowered onto the palms of her hands. Kicking her feet into the air with ease, she pointed her toes toward the ceiling and moved into a full handstand.
A sense of yearning sucker punched him in the gut so fiercely, it nearly dropped him to his knees. The free-flowing movement of her body, working in unison with her brain, turned him on far more than he’d ever care to admit.
The fluidity of her breath, controlled and full of intension, drew him in. Nash wanted to go to her, to pull her into his arms, but there was no way he was going to disturb the living art in motion before him.
Relaxed concentration swamped her profile. Chin jutting outward, she arched her back slowly lowering her legs behind her, briefly allowing her toes to dangle in midair before coming to rest atop of her head. The curvature of her limber body mimicked a scorpion ready to sting its prey.
Nash tilted his head, taking in every sculpted elongated muscle. Thoughts of admiration slowly spun to filth noting her panties slipping between the taut curve of her cheeks.
“Morning looks good on you,” he murmured, the compliment saturated in his ragged, lusty tone.
The edge of her lip lifted into a sweet smile exposing both dimples bracketing her gorgeous mouth. A soft snicker filled the quiet room. “You think so, huh?”
“Most definitely.” He sauntered into the living room and stood in front of her, naked. “How long can you hold that pose?”
“For a few minutes. Why?”
“Because I’m making a mental list of all the ways I could fuck you senseless.”
Shaky laughter broke her concentration. Rearranging her position, she came out of the pose, letting her legs fall wide into the splits, pausing briefly before returning her feet to the floor and back to standing position.
The revealing pose made his heart thunder and his dick harden to steel.
A bodily function she didn’t miss.
Reaching out, he coasted a hand over her inked arm. “Very impressive,” he simmered, giving a little squeeze to her bicep. The tips of his fingers trailed over the intricate markings of a hand resting in a flower. “Your tattoo is beautiful. Is there a meaning behind it?”
The tenderness in his caress seized her attention. Her gaze feathered downward watching his sensual touch in fascination.
“Like most tattoos the meanings differ to each individual. For me, the Hamsa symbolizes feminine strength, protects me from harm, and brings good fortune. The lotus bloom represents the expansion of the soul. A spiritual awaking of sorts.”
The sweetness in her tone rolled over him like a warm summer’s breeze, filling him with an awkward sense of calmness.
“It’s beautiful and unique.” He added, “Just like you.”
“Thank you.”
Ember cast a sideways glance to the handprints and smudges on the window. A crimson hue dusted the bridge of her petite nose and playfulness danced in her honey-colored eyes.
Dropping her gaze below his waist, she purred, “I think I’m making my own list.”
Nash laughed out loud, hauling her into his arms. The scent of her hair, sweet and intoxicating, inundated his senses. He was absurdly aware of his pulse rocketing through his veins when she slipped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his chest.
Ember jutted her face upward, chin resting on his torso right below the hollow of his throat. The tips of her fingers keyed up the muscles flanking his spine. She smiled up at him, doe eyes filled with happiness, contentment, and trust.
The bucket of unbridled optimism brewing behind her dark irises triggered a rush of guilt that moved through him like a stray bullet heading straight for his heart.
Though the urgency he felt a few weeks prior had paled, owning Walker Ranch was still priority. The woman may have had him wrapped around her waist, but not around her little finger. Yet, the trusting look in her eyes and contrition taking up residence in his head twisted his conscience into a knot.
She rose to her toes and nipped at his chin. Staring down into her beautiful eyes, he did the only thing he could do. He buried the guilt.
He buried it so deep she’d never be able to find it.
And neither would he.
A breathy sigh hummed in her throat. Amusement danced at the edges of her full lips. “You look…exhausted. I think you need to go back to bed.”
Clamping his fingers around her hips, he hoisted her with ease, caressing a hand down the length of her leg as he tucked it around his waistline. Nash started for the bedroom. “You know what I think, Miss Thompson? I think you’re far too logical.”
She looked up at him, blushing fiercely, releasing the sexiest snicker he’d ever heard in his life. “I’m pretty sure that needs to be fucked out of me.”
This woman. This gorgeous, playful, strong, tenacious woman was getting to him.
And he liked it.
He liked it way too much.
Chapter 16
Ember
Nothing worth having comes easy.
Ember lay flat on her back beneath a tree in Savasana Pose. Above her head, leaves rustled in the cool breeze and birds sang to the early morning sunrise. Cooler temperatures prevailed, but the humidity still saturated the air as she drew a deep breath through her nose, inhaling the earthy elements surrounding her.
Arms resting at her side, she slowly opened her eyes, bringing herself out of meditation and back to awareness. Her chest expanded fully on a second breath, filling her lungs with the sticky air, allowing herself to be cognitive of the full view of reality laid out before her.
Weeks had slipped by in the blink of an eye. At times, she experienced the powerful rush of triumph, but more often than not she endured the sting of feeling overwhelmed by facts and data she knew nothing about. Sentiments of insecurities and anxiety, which had previously been somewhat foreign to Ember, left her feeling unsettled. Yet she found the challenge exhilarating, discovering harmony and strength between the chaotic moments.
The four corners of her mat had always been her center of gravity, granting her the knowledge and skills needed in the grace of everyday life. It was a safe place of complete solitude to detox the troubles of the world, leaving everything behind. However, now she desperately searched her mind for clarity.
For the past fifteen years, the script of her potential, though entirely undecided, was certain to be rich with possibilities of everything and anything involving the practice of yoga. Aspirations of traveling to teach or opening her own studio, were all players in the brightness of her future. The intention was there, yet they’d never come to fruition, never seeming to manifest into reality.
Gazing out over the vast open landscape toward the glorious, golden sunrise brought an unfamiliar heaviness to her chest.