I smile and move into a downward dog.
The instructor takes us through a sequence, bodies rising and lowering in unison. Heat builds slowly, spreading through my limbs, and sweat beads at my temples. My thoughts should be quiet, but they won't shut up. They drift back to Red instead, uninvited and insistent until I feel his hand on my back, his thumb brushing my neck, and his lips and tongue teasing the mark he left on my neck while he claimed ownership over me.
"Lean into the stretch," the instructor orders.
I shift into a lunge, studying my reflection, and Red's tongue and lips pop into my mind. New tingles rush to my core.
He took another piece of my virginity last night!
My pulse jumps higher, sharp and traitorous. I focus on balance, on breath, on keeping my expression neutral. No one here knowsme. No one here knows what I did last night, or what I walked away from ten minutes ago.
It should make me relax. Instead, it makes everything sharper. By the time class ends, my muscles hum, and my head feels clear in the way that comes after exertion. Cloud flops dramatically onto her mat, staring at the ceiling. "God, I needed that. Are you coming tomorrow?"
"Maybe," I say.
She grins. "That's a yes."
I toss her a coy expression. "I might need to take care of Red before his long day at work tomorrow. Best if you text and I'll either meet you here or take a rain check."
She laughs. "Noted."
We clean, then roll up our mats, grab our stuff out of the cubbyholes, and get on the elevator.
My phone vibrates when the doors open at the stop before Red's floor. His name lights up the screen.
Adrenaline sparks back to life.
Cloud watches me with open curiosity. "So what's the story? Hot boss?"
A redhead glances at us.
I shake my head. "I'll tell you another time."
"Okay, but I want all the details," Cloud states.
"Of course," I offer, and the doors open. I step out. "Bye!"
She waves. "Later."
I glance at the message.
Red: We need to talk about boundaries.
I roll my eyes, open his front door, and step inside. I gather my clothes and shoes and go into his bedroom.
The shower's running. I peek past the doorway, staring at his naked body through the glass, then take my clothes into his closet. I drop my dress into his hamper, and put my stilettos onto a shelf, lining them up neatly beside his.
I flick through his clothes, pull out a red dress shirt, a black blazer, and a pair of pants. Then I crumple my ripped red panties and stick them in his inner jacket pocket.
Red steps into the closet. "I didn't know you were back."
"Here. Wear this today," I reply, holding the clothes in front of him, and add, "Super authoritative."
He leans against the doorways, arms crossed, jaw twitching, towel tight around his dewy waist.
I hang the clothes on the rod, kiss him on the lips, then brush past him. "I'm heading out."
"No," he replies immediately.
