Page 44 of Cheap Shot

Sebastian’s gaze drifted to Crawford. He looked far less comfortable than the other guys.

There was a range of flexibility on display. No surprise that the goalie looked at least as flexible as Dakota and that a big man like Crawford struggled the most. Connor, Graham, and Tom were all somewhere in the middle.

Sebastian sighed quietly. He didn’t want to watch Crawford as they moved from pose to pose, but it was impossible not to.

Sebastian’s gaze was drawn to the thick slabs of Crawford’s muscles trying to bend into position. He could hear the quiet grunts or stuttered exhales when he struggled. And although the light in the room wasn’t overly bright or hot, he could see a sheen of sweat beginning to coat Crawford’s forehead and arms.

The only disappointment about any of the hookups they’d had so far was that their bodies had remained mostly covered. They hadn’t really taken their clothes off, which was kind of a shame. Because Sebastian liked tattoos on a man and he wouldn’t mind exploring every inch of the ink that covered Crawford’s arms and torso.

With his tongue.

Nope, bad idea. Sebastian shifted, drawing his knees up. This was not the time and place for fantasizing.

“Now,” Dakota said softly, once the yoga session was over and everyone lay on their backs. “Anyone who would like to take a nap, can. If you’d prefer to leave, feel free.”

A couple of the guys got up, slipping quietly from the room, though Connor and Jesse stayed. Crawford was busy mopping at his sweaty face with a towel.

Harper rolled onto her stomach. “Are you gonna take a nap with me, Mr. Luke?”

“Uhh.” Luke’s glance slid sideways to Brie like he wasn’t quite sure how to handle that one.

Which … fair.

Brie spoke up. “Uncle Sebastian and I will hang out in the room with you while you nap, Harper. It’s up to Mr. Luke if he wants to stay too.”

“I could probably get a few zzz’s,” he said. “But I snore.”

“Like a bear?” Harper’s eyes lit up.

“Just. Like. A. Bear,” he said solemnly. And then proceeded to growl, sending Harper into peals of laughter.

Oh God.

Sebastian resisted the urge to cover his face with his hands. Maybe Brie had a point. This was just … way too much.

Crawford lay down on his back and pretended to sleep, letting out these fake-sounding, “Honk-sheww,” noises that made Harper roll on her mat with laughter.

“You’re so funny, Mr. Luke.”

Dakota seemed amused too although he steered them back to the task at hand. “Okay, we’re going to need to get on our backs now and take some deep breaths. I’m going to dim the lights a little more …”

Harper wiggled a bit before settling in but once she did, she quickly drifted off.

Sebastian didn’t really think anyone else actuallyslept, but the whole thing had been designed as a chance to give Harper a break without her feeling like she was being singled out.

Although overall she was an easygoing kid, she struggled when she felt like her condition held her back from doing things other people did, and she could get very stubborn about it.

As frustrating as Crawford could be, Sebastian had to admit, he’d gone above and beyond to give Harper the time of her life.

And the day wasn’t even over yet.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

After the yoga and nap were over, Sebastian stood and held out a hand to Brie to help her to her feet.

“Ugh, I think I should have taken them up on the nap,” she said with a yawn. “I could use one.”

“I bet.” Sebastian made a mental note to watch Harper for an afternoon or maybe even an overnight sometime in the near future so Brie could have a little bit of a break.