dropped in a naughty wink. “Yes, but I draw the line at being called old and evil.” He reached out and brushed at a stray tendril of her golden brown hair. “How do I know you didn’t strike this pose to drive me insane?”
She fought a smile. “Mr. Grant, I would never deliberately provoke you.”
She knew by the look on his face he remembered that night. His voice dropped. “You’re doing it right now.”
“Doing what?”
“Provoking me.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Each time you call me Mr. Grant in such a proper tone, you challenge me to make you say my first name. I have many pleasurable ideas in mind. Want to hear them?”
“No.”
He smiled and tossed his jacket on the coat rack. “Too bad. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll be happy to know I’ve come on business.”
Chandler blinked and grabbed for composure. Too many delicious ideas lingered in her mind. “What kind of business?”
“I’m having dinner with an important client tonight. I gave him some information about your seminar, and he seems interested. I’d like you to come with me.”
She hesitated. Having dinner with him could be dangerous on her part. But if she declined she’d miss an important opportunity. After a few moments, she nodded. “Okay. Thank you for speaking with him about the program.”
“You’re welcome.” He glanced around with interest. “This is a beautiful studio.” He walked toward the oversized bay windows which overlooked the Hudson River and mountains in the distance. “Very peaceful. You have to actually strain to hear the sounds of the taxis and factories.”
She laughed. “I fell in love with this location the moment I saw it. A fire gutted the building years ago, and it remained vacant. I think the structure was too far off the beaten path for investors to make a profit.” A gleam of pride shone in her eyes as she spoke. “I renovated the place and bought it outright.”
“You did a wonderful job.” His gaze encompassed the bare wood floors and large, airy space. One wall was covered with mirrors, and at the far end the windows were flung open, allowing the late summer breeze to whisper in. Black and white photographs displayed a figure posed in a series of different postures called Sun Salutation. Near the front of the room, small vases filled with fresh daisies and wild flowers graced an elaborate rock garden. Toward the back sat a pottery bowl filled with softly bubbling water. A small Buddha statue sat in the center. The plump, smiling figure radiated peace.
He motioned toward the display. “What’s that for?”
“When students first come into the studio they take off their shoes and bow before starting their practice. It’s a way of leaving your ego at the door. There’s no competition in a yoga class, so we try to come to the practice with humility. Buddha represents enlightenment. Flowers and water represent new life. Rocks represent the earth. We pay our respect to all of these elements.”
The beauty of her words struck him full force. He pondered them as he strolled through the room. Logan caught a glimpse of her office in the corner and peeked through the open door. The room held a worn pink sofa, one battered desk, and a variety of papers scattered across the floor. Purple mats and meditation cushions were stacked neatly in the corners. He smiled and breathed in the faint scent of incense. “Did you have a difficult time finding students? Your location is away from the mainstream where business thrives.”
“The first year was a struggle,” she said. “I invested in some advertising and sponsored workshops for the community, so it helped with new clients and referrals.” She shook her head, remembering those
She fought a smile. “Mr. Grant, I would never deliberately provoke you.”
She knew by the look on his face he remembered that night. His voice dropped. “You’re doing it right now.”
“Doing what?”
“Provoking me.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Each time you call me Mr. Grant in such a proper tone, you challenge me to make you say my first name. I have many pleasurable ideas in mind. Want to hear them?”
“No.”
He smiled and tossed his jacket on the coat rack. “Too bad. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll be happy to know I’ve come on business.”
Chandler blinked and grabbed for composure. Too many delicious ideas lingered in her mind. “What kind of business?”
“I’m having dinner with an important client tonight. I gave him some information about your seminar, and he seems interested. I’d like you to come with me.”
She hesitated. Having dinner with him could be dangerous on her part. But if she declined she’d miss an important opportunity. After a few moments, she nodded. “Okay. Thank you for speaking with him about the program.”
“You’re welcome.” He glanced around with interest. “This is a beautiful studio.” He walked toward the oversized bay windows which overlooked the Hudson River and mountains in the distance. “Very peaceful. You have to actually strain to hear the sounds of the taxis and factories.”
She laughed. “I fell in love with this location the moment I saw it. A fire gutted the building years ago, and it remained vacant. I think the structure was too far off the beaten path for investors to make a profit.” A gleam of pride shone in her eyes as she spoke. “I renovated the place and bought it outright.”
“You did a wonderful job.” His gaze encompassed the bare wood floors and large, airy space. One wall was covered with mirrors, and at the far end the windows were flung open, allowing the late summer breeze to whisper in. Black and white photographs displayed a figure posed in a series of different postures called Sun Salutation. Near the front of the room, small vases filled with fresh daisies and wild flowers graced an elaborate rock garden. Toward the back sat a pottery bowl filled with softly bubbling water. A small Buddha statue sat in the center. The plump, smiling figure radiated peace.
He motioned toward the display. “What’s that for?”
“When students first come into the studio they take off their shoes and bow before starting their practice. It’s a way of leaving your ego at the door. There’s no competition in a yoga class, so we try to come to the practice with humility. Buddha represents enlightenment. Flowers and water represent new life. Rocks represent the earth. We pay our respect to all of these elements.”
The beauty of her words struck him full force. He pondered them as he strolled through the room. Logan caught a glimpse of her office in the corner and peeked through the open door. The room held a worn pink sofa, one battered desk, and a variety of papers scattered across the floor. Purple mats and meditation cushions were stacked neatly in the corners. He smiled and breathed in the faint scent of incense. “Did you have a difficult time finding students? Your location is away from the mainstream where business thrives.”
“The first year was a struggle,” she said. “I invested in some advertising and sponsored workshops for the community, so it helped with new clients and referrals.” She shook her head, remembering those
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