“What do you make of that precept?”
Jolted out of her sensual daze, she stammered, “Um, I…I beg your pardon?”
“Am I interrupting your daydreaming?”
Mr. Chen’s sternness did something funny to her insides. Between her legs, she grew even wetter.
“No. Um, not really.”
“Not really?” He leveled a look at her. “Your attention is required during lessons, Glory.”
Hearing him address her informally, even if it was a reprimand, sent a pleasant quiver through her.
“Yes, Shifu,” she said contritely. “I’ll do better.”
“See that you do.” His expression softening a fraction, he said, “You have had enough for today. We will resume the lesson at another—”
“Oh no, please. I would love to spend more…to learn more,” she said quickly. “Perhaps you could show me something different. Something other than the precepts?”
After a moment, he relented. “I suppose an application of the concepts is in order. Why don’t we go over to the sitting area?”
“That sounds capital!” Glory exclaimed.
Before Wei could assist her, she bounded from her chair. He smothered a smile as she made a beeline for the sitting area. Some men might find her feminine energy wearying, but Wei was captivated by her vitality. If she moved that way in bed…
Do not go there. You are her shifu now. She is your student…which means she is forbidden.
The fact that he’d had good reason to establish these new boundaries did nothing to change his visceral reaction to her. Always a pretty minx, she was especially toothsome today. He blamed the dress she was wearing. As he followed her to the seating area, he noted how the color brought out the rich fire of her hair. Her curls swayed like a sensual curtain against her back, and his fingers itched to touch those shiny tresses. To tangle themselves in that silk, tug her head back, and—
“Will we be standing or sitting for this exercise?”
Glory stood at the edge of the Aubusson, peering at him. It required all his willpower to keep his gaze from dipping to her breasts. The dress was cut too damned low, and the rose pinned to her bodice didn’t help matters, luring his attention to her dainty tits. Earlier, as he’d lectured on the virtue of abstemiousness, an image had floated into his head: of plucking that flower from its place and burying his nose against her orchid-scented skin.
“Shifu?”
“Sitting,” he said hastily. “We will be practicing breathing.”
“Breathing?” Her brow pleating, she plopped onto a settee. “I know how to do that.”
“The lesson is not just about how to breathe—although I think you will learn something about that as well. Mainly, the lesson is about paying attention to your breath.” He gave her a pointed look. “And paying attention in general.”
“I do pay attention.”
When he lifted his brows, she amended, “Most of the time.”
“Then you will have no trouble with this lesson. To begin, keep your posture upright and place your hands palms up in your lap. Feel the ground beneath your feet.” He paused, giving her time to follow his directions. “Once you are comfortable, you may close your eyes.”
It took her a few moments to get settled, her long lashes brushing her cheek.
“I want you to start by paying attention to the sensation of breathing,” he said. “The feeling of the air as it enters your nose and leaves your lips.”
Glory obeyed, albeit in her own adorable way. She wrinkled her nose, her golden freckles dancing as she inhaled. When she parted her lips and blew out an exaggerated breath, he had to fight a smile.
“Just breathe naturally,” he advised. “You don’t have to try; your body knows what to do. As my shifu would say, Do not do.”
Even with her eyes closed, she managed to look exasperated. And cute…much too cute.
“What in heavens does that mean?” she grumbled.
