I take a deep breath and flip over. My arms burn as I throw my legs into the air. I sway slightly, but Lara grabs my legs and starts to move with me around to Ryan. My hands walk like feet along the floorboards to Ryan, and my face comes in line with his. Every inch of my body aligns with his, and I feel his every muscle. My body shakes not only from the pressure of being upside down but from the closeness of being near him. Our faces are so close his rapid breathing hits my skin like a warm breeze, and I know he’s as nervous as I am. My head is arched back,holding my lips away from his as I look anywhere but directly at him.
There’s a buzz filtering between us, both breathing so fast from the adrenaline and the effort this takes.
“Good, guys… keep going,” Lara calls out.
My neck aches from pulling away, and so I inch a little closer to him. His breath becomes hotter, and I chance a look. My eyes meet his, my breath catches, and I can’t help it as his gaze pulls me closer. My face inches forward, magnetized to him, his breath now hot on my lips.
With my chest rising and falling so fast, I feel dizzy. Ryan’s intense green eyes bore into mine, searching like he’s seeing me for the first time, and it has me questioning whether it’s my rapid breath or his stare that’s leaving me faint.
All my senses are on overload.
My body trembles and shakes.
The blood courses through every vein, through every inch of me. Electricity crackles all around us, sparking off in every direction, heating my skin to the temperature of a blazing inferno.
Our lips inch closer…
… closer until we’re barely touching.
The heat of his lips contacts mine, and the silkiness of his skin hits the edge of my lips.
I can taste him.
I can feel him.
Just a millimeter closer, and we’ll be kissing.
The energy surrounding us circles in waves as my arms tremble so much they threaten to give way. He exhales heavily, puckering his lips slightly. Combined with his touch, it ignites a fire inside me.
Is he going to kiss me?
On my next exhale, our lips touch ever so slightly, and fireworks erupt inside my belly, sending me into meltdown. My arms quiver as I close my eyes.
But then suddenly, his arms give way.
Our heads collide with a jarring thud as he tumbles forward, and I brace for impact. He makes a last-minute effort to roll away, but his weight still lands partly on me and partly on the hardwood floor. We both let out a loud “oomph” as his hand slips beneath my head—just like last time—keeping it from hitting the floor. But he isn’t so lucky. We lie there, dazed and groaning, as Lara rushes over to us, eyes wide with concern.
“Oh shit! I should’ve seen you were going to fall. I’m so sorry I wasn’t quick enough. Are either of you hurt?” she quickly flicks out a question.
Ryan rolls off me onto his back while breathing harshly like he’s winded, as I squeeze my eyes tight, trying to calm myself from the fall and the fact that my right side is painful.
“I’m okay, probably just a bruise. Ryan, are you okay?” I ask, and he lets out a long, drawn-out breath.
“I’m fine. Did I hurt you?” he questions, still lying flat on the floor.
I shake my head in a lie. His heavy frame when he landed on me hurt my side, but I’m not going to make him feel bad. Not when we just shared a moment like that.
“You stopped my head from hitting the floor. Thank you,” I say instead of mentioning my injury.
He sighs. “All good. But maybe we should lay off the couples yoga for a while?”
I turn to face him.
His face is stern.
Cold even.
Unreadable.
