Sweet Revenge by Cate Masters

 
     
     

Chapter One
     
     
    The warm breeze flowed through the open studio and washed over Zoe Golden like a kiss. The soft breaths of her students mingled with the swishing of the lush palm fronds outside the studio where she taught advanced yoga. The high ceilings and open design—sheer genius with its rollup sides to give the illusion of outdoors—normally eased her and helped her flow through the poses.
    Not today. What awaited her tonight weighed heavy on her mind, and body, too. Holding the basic plank position posed a challenge. Her muscles trembled.
    A date . Not a big deal for most people. But how long had it been since she’d gone on an actual date?
    She steadied her voice before speaking to the twenty-five women following her instructions. “Transition to Downward Dog.”
    A movement at the screen door caught her attention. Ty Hardin . Observing her class. Again.
    “Hold for five more beats.” Did he deliberately try to throw off her concentration? He might as well be standing beside her. She could feel him watching. Could almost feel his hands guiding her into position, gliding along her skin.
    A shuddered moan, and she caught herself. “Lower yourself to the floor, then lift into Cobra.”
    She deliberately chose moves for this class to loosen her up for tonight. To mentally relax her, but also physically. These positions would help prime her body for sex. Something she hadn’t experienced in more than a year after her break-up. Most likely she wouldn’t sleep with her date, but who knew—maybe he’d be someone amazing. Possibly even as amazing as Ty Hardin.
    Another glance. He’s still there . Not exactly looking pleased, but hard to tell with that poker face.
    Shaken, she made it through the stretch. “On all fours now for Cat and Cow. As the name suggests, round your back up.” She again imagined him behind her. Kneeling. Hands anchoring her hips.
    To the end of class, when she practiced the Supine Butterfly Hip Stretch, she couldn’t shake the very vivid vision of him. She closed her eyes against the power of it and then rose.
    Ending the class with the traditional namaste, she bowed—to him. Surprise blossomed into spreading warmth when he pressed his hands together and bowed in return. Actually acknowledging her? Normally a sign of respect between teacher and student, the gesture signified something else when he did it. A spark of life shone in his eyes, all right, but it held no warmth. Rather than a surrender of spirit, it seemed to throw down a challenge.
    Uh, no thanks. I don’t have a death wish . He could outdo her in anything she could think of.
    The students gathered their things, and Zoe reached for her hand towel and pressed it to her neck.
    Caroline, a friend and one of her regular students, approached. “Hey, everything all right?”
    Uh oh, was it that obvious? “Fine, Caroline. How are you?”
    Caroline pursed her lips and scrutinized her. “You seem off today. I’ve probably taken every class you’ve taught here, and you’ve always been a thousand percent. Don’t get me wrong, even off your game, you’re better than any other instructor. But I’m concerned.”
    “You’re sweet, but there’s no need. I’m a little distracted, sorry. Nervous about tonight—my big date.” Probably shouldn’t have mentioned it, but Caroline was the one who’d introduced Zoe to the 1Night Stand service. Madame Eve, she’d promised, would find her the perfect match.
    Caroline muffled a delighted squee. “1Night Stand? Good for you.”
    Her friend’s enthusiasm only made Zoe more nervous. “Maybe. We’ll see how it goes.” Her gaze automatically went to the door. No Ty.
    Caroline hitched the strap of her gym bag. “Next week, I want to hear all about it. Maybe we can get together for a smoothie?”
    “Sounds good.” The smoothie part. The friendship thing. Not the detail sharing. She’d learned the hard way to keep her private life private. And whether this guy turned