Page 8 of Impossible Bachelor (Bachelor Tower 2)
“My mother always said the joy of the ride is over as soon as you hand over the keys to a man.” I hear the bitterness in my own voice, and it’s ugly. This is a side of me I don’t like, but it’s a part of me. I stand and smooth my skirt.
Tabby’s expression softens at my tone. “See, and I would say that’s when it starts to get interesting. I wouldn’t want to be with a man who controlled me, but I don’t want one I can push around, either.” She winks. “Unless he was into that.”
I laugh and wave for Tabby to go. I’m already distracted enough without letting my mind wander to what kinky things Ben might be into.
With a final smile, Tabby ducks out and closes the door behind her.
My phone beeps with a text.
Ben: I’ve booked us a lunch date.
I fiddle with my phone and type about three refusals and delete them all. I don’t have time for a lunch, but I also don’t seem to be able to get past the first line on this document. I can sit here and be unproductive or I can face Ben and tell him this has to stop. Seeing him again will help me remember how ludicrous it is to waste time wondering how we’d be together.
I know how it would be: Good, then very, very bad.
Me: Where?
Ben: Some place perfect for a midday break. Bring your gym bag.
Me: Where are we going?
Ben: It’s a surprise.
My heart is beating wildly in my chest. I want to tell him I’m not interested in another surprise. As a rule, I don’t like them. Another unknown. I should say no. Meeting him like this gives him the upper hand.
I’ll tell him today that we can’t do this anymore.
One last time and that’s it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ben
I can’t decide if this choice is perfectly crafted or destined to implode, but it’s too late now. Kylie has been on my mind all day and I can’t shake the feeling that Dalton’s request for me to spend time with her runs deeper than creating a distraction. He saw something serious, important enough to put up with my shit.
Of all the casual interactions I’ve had with Kylie, last night was the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her. And it felt good to be a part of it. She deserves some calm even if it’s just momentary.
So I’m doubling down on the relaxation prescription. My sisters rave about this place, and I’m certain it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
“Yoga?” Kylie stares up at the sign as though I’ve taken her to a brothel or small pox quarantine facility. “I don’t do yoga.”
The strength of her refusal tells me all I need to know. She’s never done it before. “Yoga is awesome. I’ve done it a few times. This place is supposed to be great.” I open the door but she doesn’t make a move to step in.
“You have me confused with Penny. I don’t do Zen.” She spins her bracelet on her wrist in a nervous sort of way and it reminds me just how much she could benefit from a break.
“I wouldn’t confuse you and Penny. I wouldn’t confuse you with anyone. You’re like a torch in a room full of tiny birthday candles—” I stop because I don’t know if that represents how I feel about her. She blazes hot and vivid in my fantasies even when we’re apart. No. No. I probably shouldn’t say that either. I decide to focus on the issue at hand—I want her to try something new with me. “I thought you might like it. But if you’re out of your depth—”
“Lying on a mat in a silly pose and breathing is not out of my depth.” She looks perfectly insulted. Mission accomplished.
“It’s all right.” I let the door close with us on the outside. “I mean, sure I took to boxing like I’d been born for the ring, but not everyone enjoys a challenge. This isn’t a competition.” If there were actual buttons on Kylie I’d be pressing them all right now. She looks incredible when her eyes flash and her cheeks flush with anger, but I’m wisely keeping that thought to myself.
“You think you’re so smart, don’t you?” She puts a hand on her hip. Oh, shit, she’s wise to my ways. “You’ve got me all figured out?”
“I’m working on it.” My mouth goes dry. Holy fuck I wish we were alone. I try to look cool, but I’m sporting a throbbing boner.
“I’ll do this, but not because you want me to. And not because you made it into a dare.” Her chin rises and she walks past me with the poise of a woman who can do whatever the hell she wants—and do it well. “But I won’t enjoy it.”
“You might.” I wave to Opal, the instructor who’s standing behind the front desk. We have a little history but nothing serious. Two of my sisters have set me up with her on different occasions. They didn’t realize they’d both picked Opal. We didn’t connect during either date, but at least on the second one we had something to laugh about. After that my sister Bridgette came up with a spreadsheet so these kinds of mistakes wouldn’t happen again. It’s an organized approach to torturing me. I give them credit for the effort.
“Ben, you finally took your sisters’ advice and came in to join us?” Opal’s hand casually lands on my bicep, and I can see Kylie’s back stiffen. I’d like to claim I’m above using the old “look, another woman finds me attractive” ploy, but it is effective. “Good to see you again.”
“Thanks.” Have I misread Opal? If she likes me then this is a class A douche move.
Kylie looks away and Opal points from me to her in question.
I nod and let out a breath of relieve when Opal winks.
“So, does this count as our third date?” she asks so coyly I know it’s for Kylie’s benefit rather than mine.
“No.” I chuckle. “Though I do have two more sisters. So we may see each other again.”
Kylie spins back then. She whips her gym bag off her shoulder. “Where can I change?” The glare she shoots both of us is designed to cut us down, but I’m holding back a smile and can tell Opal is doing the same.
As sweet as pie, Opal says, “Our changing rooms are in the back and you can help yourself to the cucumber water. You’ll want to hydrate.”
“Because stretching is a strenuous workout?” Kylie smirks at me, and I think about her dancing around in the boxing ring. She’s on the defensive, and it’s interesting to watch. Everything I learn about her is another step toward understanding how she and her sister became polar opposites.
“This is hot yoga. The room is set to one hundred five degrees, and it’s very intense. I would never suggest it for a beginner. Don’t feel bad if you decide it’s too much.” Opal is having too much fun with this. I wish I could pull her aside and warn her.
“Unless you love it.” I can’t help but laugh as Kylie heads off quickly toward the changing room.
I would normally choose a spot, but I’ll let Kylie choose where she’ll be most comfortable. Opal walks away to greet someone else then returns.
“Seriously Ben, it’s not usually for beginners. It’s a purifying session. It’s meant to cleanse and quiet the body and the mind. And I’ll be honest with you, it’s hot as hell in there.”
Okay, now I feel like a real dickhead. I should have looked more closely into the description of the class. I did see HOT YOGA, but my imagination took it in an entirely different direction. I grimace. “I don’t think I could haul her out of here now if I tried.”
“Finally something I agree with.” Kylie changed lightning fast and sneaks up on us.
Opal lingers. I try to signal with my eyes that she can stop helping now. She doesn’t get the hint. “You two look good together. Ben and I didn’t click, but I’d set him up with any of my friends.”
“Nice to know he has options,” Kylie cuts in quickly then looks from Opal to me. “I didn’t mean to sound like I don’t respect what you do here. It’s just not my thing.”
“Take it slowly and don’t measure yourself against anyone else. Yoga is a personal journey.” Opal shoots me a look of approval. I wonder if she sees Kylie’s tough exterior the same way I do—as a protective covering and not necessarily reflective of her soul. “Why don’
t you two go into the room now so your bodies can begin to adjust to the temperature? The class will start in ten minutes. Just lie quietly and allow your mind to fall quiet and calm.”
Opal walks away. I clear my throat. “Kylie, I chose this class without reading the description carefully. We don’t have to stay.”
“We’re doing this,” she says firmly.
I turn her to face me. “We don’t have to. Seriously, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
Her chin rises again and her eyes flash. “Who says this is about you?”
If we were anywhere else I’d kiss her and show her just how transparent her act is, but I want her to succeed here. For me this isn’t about winning or changing her; it’s about getting her to open up and let me in. We’ll get there. I’m confident of that. She’s here with me, isn’t she? I give her my most charming smile, the one that has melted hearts since middle school, and I lean down so I can whisper in her ear. “I do.”
Her cheeks flush, and I choose this moment as my favorite since we met. She was hot in the boxing ring. She’s fun to spar with verbally, but this hint of a softer side has me salivating. I don’t want to change her. She’s remarkable just the way she is. But if there’s also a secret side of her—one that only I can bring out—hell, I’m all in.
We enter a wood paneled room with high vaulted ceilings. There are no windows, the only light coming from candles and lanterns scattered around. We grab two mats and unroll them. The wall of heat that hits me is oppressive. I never thought heat could be as much of a boner killer as cold, but it’s doing pretty well.
“Shit, it’s worse than a sauna in here,” Kylie groans as she braids her hair.
I’ve never been the kind of man who leers at women. The endless females my sisters parade through my life have trained me well. Eyes on mine, buddy. I know better, but Kylie has the most beautiful tits. Smaller and they wouldn’t fill my hands as perfectly as I imagine hers will. Larger and—well, larger is never bad, but hers are great just the way they are.
