And then I see him.
Tyler is across the room at the weight bench, wearing a sleeveless Army PT shirt that shows off arms that should be illegal. He's mid-rep, muscles flexing as he lifts what looks like an obscene amount of weight.
I freeze, unable to look away.
He finishes his set, sits up, and our eyes meet across the gym.
His expression shifts. Something hot and possessive flashes in his eyes as he takes in my yoga pants and fitted tank top.
Then he smiles. Slow and devastating and full of promise... yeah, I might need to rush something else soon.
I'm still staring when Emily appears at my elbow. "Close your mouth, babe. You're drooling."
"I am not?—"
"You absolutely are. Come on. Studio's this way."
She drags me toward a glass-walled studio where several other people are already setting up their mats.
I recognize a few faces from the coffee shop, mostly soldiers who come in for their morning fix. They wave, friendly and welcoming.
Tyler appears in the doorway just as I'm unrolling my mat.
"Hey," he says, and God, his voice is even deeper than usual. Rougher. Like he's been working out hard.
"Hey. I didn't know you did yoga."
"I don't, usually. But I thought I'd try something new tonight." His eyes rake over me slowly. Deliberately. "Glad I did."
Heat floods my body. "Tyler?—"
"Daddy," he corrects quietly. Low enough that only I can hear. "When we're alone or it's just us, you call me Daddy. Remember?"
"Yes, Daddy," I whisper.
"Good girl." He claims the mat space right behind mine. "Now let's see how flexible you are."
Oh my God.
This is going to be torture.
Emily starts the class, and I try to focus on her instructions instead of Tyler's presence burning into my back.
We start with breathing exercises, then move into gentle stretches.
"Downward dog," Emily instructs.
I move into position, and I swear I hear Tyler groan behind me.
"You okay back there?" I ask innocently.
"Fine," he grits out. "Just fine."
Emily catches my eye and winks.
The class continues, and every pose feels like an exercise in sexual tension. Tyler's right behind me, close enough that I can hear his breathing, feel the heat radiating from his body.
When we move into child's pose, he leans forward slightly.
