Page 33 of Live, Ranch, Love

A muscle in Wyatt’s jaw ticks as Flynn talks, but he’s still looking at me. Flynn’s groan cuts his attention away quickly though, and we all gape as the nineteen year old pushes himself impressively into a crab pose, which I definitely did not show him how to do.

“See, imagine all the things you could do in this position. Bet you can’t do it.” Flynn’s voice is strangled as he shows off, before he makes a pained noise and falls back to the ground. I have to bite my lip to keep in my chuckle at Wyatt’s twisted features.

“I don’t want to do that,” he grunts, angling his jaw.

Colt moves himself back into downward dog and looks at Wyatt. “Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it, Hensley.”

When both Josh and Flynn share a grin and also return to their downward dogs, Wyatt scowls at me, eyes constricting. It’s quite a sight, three muscly cowboys with their asses in the air on a Friday morning.

“See it as a test run for the yoga sessions I’ll do at the retreat.” I shrug at him and get on my knees, then nod to the space next to Josh. Wyatt’s eyes rocket heavenward before he sighs and shocks me by getting down on his knees too. His scowl never leaves his face, though. I wink at him, wetting my lips. “I’ll go easy on you, don’t worry.”

“That’s it, boss,” Josh snorts, and Wyatt whacks him on his rib, almost knocking him over.

He widens his eyes at me impatiently. “Let’s get this over and done with then.”

“Right, get into tabletop.” I move onto all fours and wait until Wyatt does the same. I show him how to push up and back into downward dog, which he can’t do without grunting. I’m so pissed off that I don’t have my phone nearby to get a picture of this right now.

All four of them watch as I show them how to bring their foot forward and lift up, then stretch their arms out into a warrior two pose. Their attempts are plagued with wobbles and a lack of balance, yet they all manage it eventually in one smooth sweep, and now they try it with their left leg. Flynn’s astounded at himself for how easily he does it this time, beaming.

“Excellent boys.” I jump to a stand as I walk around, inspecting their warrior poses and adjusting their posture slightly.

When I reach Wyatt, I hesitate until his eyes catch mine, a flicker of dark wildness still behind them. I don’t know why but my breath catches, fluttering picking up in my stomach.

He perks a brow at me, no smile. “If this is what you’re spending your days doing while I’m busting my ass off working on the ranch, we need to rethink our business plan.”

“Arms up a little higher,” I say, gently setting my fingers against his arms, lifting them. Wyatt flinches faintly as gooseflesh covers his skin but tries to keep his composure, following my directions. “Actually, whilst you’ve been supposedly busting your ass off, I’ve already got four of my influencer friends on board for the trial run.”

Even my ex’s friend, Rowan, reached out asking to come, saying he condemned Jake’s behaviour, and offered to help with anything if I needed it. People are lapping up all the posts I’ve been sharing about the retreat and my excitement is buzzing.

Wyatt’s face lights up, whatever disdain he had for me this morning wiped away. He eases into his position more, shoulders dropping. “Seriously?”

I flick my hair behind my shoulders. “What can I say? I’m amazing.”

“Yeah…” Wyatt angles his head. “Something like that.”

A softness fills his eyes now as he regards me, gaze flicking about my face. He doesn’t counter me, insult me, or whatever he would usually do—instead, it feels like he’s actually looking at me properly, for the first time. Like he’s finally noticed the real me… and it feels far too vulnerable.

Snapping myself out of it, I pull myself away, raising my voice to speak to the whole group again. “Right, um, shift your weight forward a little for a good stretch, and hold it there for a few seconds. Remember to breathe through it.”

Whilst they’re all facing away from me, I use it as a chance to go grab my phone from the deck and take a few photos of them all. Wyatt’s huffing and tries to check his watch from where his arm is stretched out ahead of him.

“Is there a prize for the best warrior pose?” Flynn questions, mischief lacing every word. “Maybe a date with the yoga teacher?”

“How about an extra day shovelling horse shit for asking stupid questions?” Wyatt retorts, all sour-faced as he glares at the back of Josh’s head. It’s the perfect distraction for me to creep around him.

“Smile!” I shout, jumping in front of Wyatt and snapping a selfie of me with him doing his warrior pose behind.

“You little—” He lunges for me and the phone.

Squealing, I manage to duck away and run, but my legs are no match for his, and in a few seconds one big arm hooks around me.

My back is suddenly crushed against his chest, feeling the outline of his muscles again, like when we were riding together. Heat and rapid breaths encompass us as I try my best to lean forward, holding the phone out of his reach.

“Give it to me, you menace,” Wyatt demands.

“But… it will be… such a good… promo for the retreat,” I wheeze out, scrambling and laughing in Wyatt’s grip, fighting so hard to get away, whilst also secretly revelling in the way he grips me, a hand splayed across my waist. Even a few laughs rumble from his chest as he struggles to get the phone.

“Rory, over here!” Josh calls out, just in time for me to lob the phone through the air to him before Wyatt spins me around and pins me against the deck.

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