Just a Number (Downtown #1) by Fifi Flowers

with an ocean view, filled with several large padded mats. Dropping our bags, we kicked off our flip flops. Then, I pulled off my shirt and so did Willow, revealing a small bra tank. For the love of God, why was I losing all control when I was near her? She was turning me into a teenage boy every time.
    Starting our session in a back to back meditation pose was helpful. Even though we were touching, at least, I wasn’t looking directly at her. Of course, that wouldn’t last long as we moved on to more positions.
    Moving on, we stretched together, always touching while holding eye contact. I was so focused on her, I barely heard anything the instructors said. The only thing I was certain they said was, “feel free to communicate verbally, if you need to, especially if you are feeling too much pressure, too much pulling. Let your partner know.” We seemed to work perfectly together as we moved through ground positions and then standing connected poses before attempting a few simple acro-yoga lifts.
    Hearing her words, I nearly dropped her. “I need to find a partner back home.”
    “No.” An abrupt statement, I couldn’t stop myself.
    “Excuse me?” I felt her stiffen, her whole body became ridged. She was instantly heavier in my arms. She lost focus on our flowing breaths. For the first time ever, we weren’t in sync. “Am I doing something wrong?”
    “No. You’re fine. More than fine; you’re great. Relax.” Breathless answers, I guided her through each move. Thoughts of her in positions under my command excited me. Thoughts of her held by another man had me seeing red.
    Ending as we began, in a back to back meditation position, I was able to calm my breathing. Clear my negative thoughts. But, the continued touch of her up against me electrified my body. Willing positive thoughts to invade my brain was virtually impossible. Emptying my mind was even harder. I was not going to win. With Willow, all of my years of training flew right out the window. She was bad for my profession. She challenged me without even knowing it.
    Admitting defeat, I allowed myself to focus on what I wanted to do next, away from the masses. Aware of a loss, I snapped out of a lust-filled fog as she moved away from me and stood. Standing, I joined her and went to get our things. As soon as we had lifted our light bags from the floor, I scooped Willow up and tossed her over my shoulder. I couldn’t wait another minute—straining to stop an erection that was about to break free, no matter how much I tried to will it away—I had to have her. I had reached the point of no return, I didn’t care who saw me carry her away.
    Closer to my accommodations, I made a mad dash in that direction. Opening the door to my bungalow, I lowered her to her feet. She immediately strolled to a set of large, sliding, glass doors that allowed a view of a white sandy beach and the sea beyond. “Nice accommodations!”
    I shrugged as I removed my clothes. “Perks.”
    “I’ll say. Big ones. VIP status for the rockstar-yoga-guru,” she announced, still gazing out to the ocean. I chuckled. That was the third time that she had labeled me with that grand title.
    Walking up behind her, naked, I stripped her bare of the flimsy garments that were slowly killing me through each pose. Nibbling the side of her neck, she turned in my arms to face me then she started to move away. “Shower?”
    I shook my head, holding her in place. “No.”
    “No. But I’m sweaty. Sticky.”
    I licked her shoulder. “Mmmm. Ripe. Fragrant.” Another taste along her neck. “Your bouquet has been overwhelming me for the last hour.”
    “Bouquet?” Her eyes questioned me. “You think I smell like flowers?” She lifted her arm slightly, taking a whiff.
    I laughed, spilling out words which seemed to confuse her more. “Zesty. Full body. I could practically taste you on my tongue.”
    “Sounds like you’re describing a nice bottle of wine. You know your way around wines? A