Mason acknowledges him with a quick, apologetic nod, then our eyes meet. The air leaves my lungs. He looks like he wants to say something, possibly walk over to me, please, God, walk over to me, but he shows restrain and instead, levels me a stare that has me contemplating public sex.
I gather a shaky breath. Joey chuckles next to me.
“Shut up,” I whisper.
Mason turns back to the crowd. “Right. Unfortunately, due to building capacity, I won’t be able to squeeze all of you in tonight. But, I’m a man of my word. You will all get your free lesson. Check out the class times on the door, yeah? First twenty-five in line get to attend tonight. I hope to see the rest of you at another class.” He motions for me and Joey to come forward.
“Hey, they aren’t even in line,” someone calls out from the crowd.
“They signed up yesterday,” Mason explains, keeping his eyes on me as I move closer. He holds his hand out to Joey. “Sorry, mate. Didn’t see ya standing over there. Good on you for coming.”
Joey shakes his hand. “I usually don’t go unnoticed. You’re clearly straight.”
Mason smiles, shifting his eyes to mine as he drops his hand. “Hello, gorgeous. How are you?”
“Ready to collect.” I grab Joey’s arm and lead him inside, looking back at Mason over my shoulder.
He pulls his gaze off my ass when two women walk over to him.
I claim a mat in the center of the room and toe off my shoes and socks.
Joey does the same next to me. “Christ, it’s hot in here. I’m about to take off my shirt.”
Mason steps into the room, closing the door behind him.
“Me too,” I murmur.
That should help get things moving in the right direction.
After adjusting the thermostat on the wall, Mason moves to the front of the class. The room goes silent.
“Right. Everyone ready to get started?” he pauses, smiling at everyone’s enthusiasm. “The most important thing to remember in my class is I want you to take your time. Understand that you have the rest of your life to make this perfect, yeah? Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and strength, but also, it benefits the mind and the spirit. I want you to concentrate on your breathing. Breathe through every pose. You might not get everything today, and that’s all right. I’m here to help you. If you need to step away and get a quick drink, or if you’re feeling like you need a break, take it. It’s going to get very warm in here . . .”
“It already is,” Joey announces, fanning his face. “Any objections if I start stripping?”
A few women giggle. Others make similar comments about the temperature in the room.
“By all means.” Mason reaches behind him, grabs his shirt, and pulls it off with one hand. He tosses it aside. “I hope nobody minds. I normally don’t wear a lot of clothes when I do this.”
“Oh, dear God,” someone behind me murmurs.
I stare at the hard lines of Mason’s body. The thick cuts of muscle in his arms. His broad, lightly-tanned chest.
He wants me to concentrate on breathing while he looks like this? What is he fucking crazy?
The man has an eight pack. Eight. Pack.
He looks directly at me. “Ready?” he asks, tilting his head with a coy grin.
I nod, a lot. Joey elbows me and I finally get myself under control.
Mason leads the class through a few basic breathing exercises. Thank God. I can’t seem to remember how to properly work my lungs anymore. With the slowly rising temperature in the room, Mason’s glorious body, and the knowledge of my impending orgasm minutes away, it’s a wonder I’m not getting rushed to the hospital by ambulance for lack of oxygen to the brain.
“Now, release the hands and come out onto all fours,” Mason instructs.
“Hello,” Joey whispers. “All fours, yes please. I should’ve dragged Billy to this.”
I lift my head and watch Mason.
“Hands underneath the shoulders. Knees underneath the hips. Inhale, drop the belly, and look upwards.”
Our eyes lock.
“Exhale, push the floor away, and look down at your navel.”
My spine arches. I close my eyes and hold the position.
Mm. This actually feels really good.
“Inhale, look up.”
He smiles. My hand nearly slips out from under me.
“Shit.” I wipe my hand on my pants leg, removing the sweat that’s built up on my palm.
“Stop distracting him. I’m really into this.”
I narrow my eyes at Joey.
“Last time. Exhale, press away.”
I drop my head and slowly breathe out.
The next series of poses doesn’t allow for eye contact, so I’m able to get through those without any difficulty. Sweat beads up on the base on my neck and down my spine. My muscles are loose and warm.
I feel amazing. I’m actually really enjoying this.
Several women have to step outside to get some air while others gulp water from the cooler in the corner. I don’t need a break. I don’t want one either.
Mason instructs everyone to lie on their backs. He moves between the mats, his voice growing closer.
“From here, bend the knees, place the feet on the floor. I want you to lift your hips off the mat. Try and reach for your heels with your fingers.”
He looks down at me as I struggle to grab my heels. With a huff, my back hits the mat.