Page 106 of Big Bad Wolfe

The understatement of the millennium. He’d been trapped on a rollercoaster of emotional hell since he’d seen his son for the first time.

She grabbed his hand. “C’mon. I’ve got just the cure.”

Wearily, he followed her downstairs. “Where are we going?”

“My exercise/dance studio.”

“Oh no. No way are you gonna talk me into doing the hustle.”

She laughed. “You’ll love this, trust me.”

He let her lead him into the cozy darkness of the mirrored room. She instructed him to take off his sneakers and socks and sit cross-legged on the padded mat while she opened the windows. The full moon glowed through the sheer curtains as they billowed hypnotically in the salty summer breeze.

“This is how I unwind.” She lit the row of candles on the console table, then crossed to the opposite wall and lit more candles on a shelf. Dozens of shimmering pinpoints of light reflected in the mirrored walls. She flipped a switch and slow, sensual flutes and drums thrummed in the background.

“Take a nice deep breath, Zane.”

He frowned. “You’re not gonna make me shave my head, sip herbal tea and chant, are you?”

She laughed again, the husky contralto weaving around his heart. “I’m going to teach you how to relax.” She kicked off her sandals and knelt behind him. “Close your eyes and rest your hands on your knees, palms up.”

Well, hell, why not? He could use relaxation lessons. He did as instructed.

“Good. Now, like I said, take a deep, cleansing breath.”

He inhaled and exhaled.

“No, breathe from your diaphragm, not your chest. Take in air so deeply it makes your stomach rise.” She moved closer and reached around him to place her hands on his abdomen. First her pearls, then her breasts pressed against his back, and heat shot straight to his dick.

His eyes popped open. Dammit, if she wanted him to relax, she was going about it all wrong.

“You’re so tense. Your muscles are like steel bands.”

Yeah, and if she moved her hand a few inches lower, she’d discover something even harder.

“Imitate me. Breathe in the white light of tranquility, let it cleanse you, then exhale gray anxiety.” Warm, moist breath feathered across his nape, raising goose bumps all over.

“Uh, I don’t—” His voice emerged low and strangled.

“You are one uptight man. Be quiet and breathe.”

“This isn’t working.”

“Well of course not.” She sounded exasperated. “You’re breathing much too fast and shallow.” Determined hands settled on his shoulders and kneaded his neck. Though her hands were small, they were warm and strong. And very agile. Under her ministrations, his taut muscles began to loosen.

“That’s better. Close your eyes and imagine yourself somewhere peaceful, somewhere perfect.”

Her fingers kneaded his muscles in a sensuous, soothing rhythm. Her breasts rubbed against his shoulder blades, the pearls teased his lower back, and her heady scent filled his nostrils. Behind his closed lids, an enticing vision floated into focus. Jillian, naked beneath him, violet irises flaring with passion as he thrust himself into her again and again. He groaned.

“Good,” she murmured. “Go with it.” Her palms skated down his chest and she began to unbutton his shirt.

His eyelids again shot open, and he grabbed her wrists. “What are you doing?”

“Taking off your shirt so I can massage your back.”

“No.”

“But I can’t do a decent job with—” Her glance snagged on his in the mirror. Hot, erotic current pulsed between them. Her glance dropped to his lap, and she blinked. “Oh!Hello.I didn’t mean to— I honestly wasn’t trying to turn you on, Zane. My attempt to relax you obviously had the opposite effect.” Grimacing, she eased away. “Sorry.”

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