Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
I look like a man who has a reason to be excited about the future. And I do. I moved all my coaching sessions to early this morning and have the rest of the weekend off.
With a little luck, I’ll get to spend at least half of it with Steph.
I hope the break-dancing festival is still as cool as I remember. I haven’t been since I was fourteen, back before hockey ate up so much of my time, there wasn’t any leftover for hanging out under the overpass, working on my tricks with Yoda and our crew. But in junior high, the Rose City Rejects had been my family, a source of connection and support when my real family was spiraling down the drain.
My dad hated it, of course. Called it a waste of time, said I was an idiot for risking an injury that could take me off the ice. But as a kid too young to drive and too old to ignore the shouting coming from my parents’ room, that sweat-stained carboard gave me a desperately needed escape.
Since then, a part of me has associated dancing with dark times. With sneaking into the house late at night, creeping past my father’s passed out form on the couch, hoping he wouldn’t wake up and decide to slap me around for violating the curfew he only enforced when he wanted an excuse to beat the shit out of me.
I let him taint the memories of dancing with my friends the way he tainted so many things about my childhood.
But maybe it’s time to take back that part of myself with someone who loves dancing almost as much as she loves yoga and her snuffly pup.
At my apartment door, I grab my leather jacket and the extra helmet I bought for Stephanie—I swung by the bike shop and grabbed one designed to make room for her ponytail and a satin liner cap to protect her hair—and head down to my bike.
It’s the perfect day for a long ride, warm but not too hot, with just enough breeze to keep things comfortable.
My phone buzzes as I’m strapping my helmet on, the sight of Stephanie’s contact flashing on my screen enough to make me smile—Just finished class and grabbed a quick shower in the back room. My sub is here, Mr. Sniffles went home with my friend, Zelda, for a playdate with her cat, and I’m ready whenever you are. I’m still DYING to know where we’re going by the way…
My smile widens as I type back—Nope. No hints. I’m headed out now. Be there in ten. Meet you out front?
Her response is immediate—YES! Hurry. I’m excited for our adventure!
Me, too, I reply. See you soon, Teach.
Three little dots appear, then—See you, Sexy.
Sexy…
I would be lying if I said I didn’t like that nickname.
I like it way too much, a fact I prove by replaying every second of the way Stephanie came for me on that yoga mat over and over again in my head as I guide my bike through the light midday traffic.
By the time I near the studio, I’m sporting a semi that’s also ridiculous.
This woman does things to me…things I couldn’t be happier about. Just the sight of her standing on the curb outside the studio, her pretty face lighting up when she spots me, is enough to make me feel like the luckiest bastard on the west coast. In a cropped purple tank top that shows off her toned arms and fitted black pants that pay proper tribute to her fine ass, she’s even more stunning than usual. And—score one for me—her braids are already pulled back in a low ponytail that should tuck into her new helmet just right.
“Hey, you,” she says, bouncing over as I kill the engine in a loading zone about a dozen feet from the studio entrance. I extend an arm and she slides up against me, her petite form tucking against me just right as I pull her close. “I missed you since class last night.”
I kiss her cheek, inhaling the addictive scent of her skin—vanilla and clove and something citrusy that’s new. “Me, too,” I murmur near her ear before kissing her neck. “Damn, Teach, you smell even better than usual.”
She shivers, her voice taking on a husky edge that goes straight to my dick as she murmurs, “Well, thank you. I put on my good sunscreen since we’re going to be outside all day.”
I hum beneath my breath. “Are we? You think so?”
She pulls back, shooting a mock glare my way. “Oh, come on! A hint. All I’m asking for is a hint. Inside or outside? You can give me that much.”
Lips curving, I concede, “Outside. Mostly. But there will be indoor options available.”
She nibbles her bottom lip. “Okay, that’s a good hint. That should keep me from going crazy while we drive.”