Page 55 of XOXO, Valentina

I tried watching my own hand like Mallary advised, but my eyes drifted to the eye candy next to me. His upper back rippled and bunched as he reached his arms in opposite directions. His damp hair clung to his neck.

It was time for another haircut. I might have to give him another reprimand. Dirty thoughts invaded my mind, and I imagined the ways I might punish him. The supply closet popped into my mind. A tingle of excitement rushed through me.

Then I remembered my son was in the room, and my worlds collided with a crash that sent me reeling.

Suddenly the heat, humidity, and Joey were too much to handle. I needed to escape. Tears clogged my throat. Breathing felt like trying to suck through a straw. Everything was crashing down on me, and I had to get out. Now.

24

Chapter 21

Joey

It was impossible not to feel every move Gabriella made. In the tight space, I felt her as if she were under my skin.

When she left abruptly, I watched her pick her way toward the door in the mirror. She seemed upset, but maybe she just needed air. It was hot as hell in the studio. I tried to listen to the instructor and focus on the poses. I stared at my hand and watched it reach for the ceiling. Up and back. Up and back.

Fuck it.

I broke my pose and hurried out of the room, threading through a dozen yogis to get to the door. In the hall, I found Gabriella sitting on a long wooden bench with her head in her hands. Her back heaved as she sucked in air.

I slid onto the bench beside her. “You okay?”

She didn’t lift her head, but her shoulders shook. I realized she was holding back tears. I moved quickly, wrapping my arms around her. I knew she was really far gone when she didn’t resist, but sank into me instead.

After a week of not touching her, I thought I would explode at the feel of her silky skin against mine.

The door to the locker room opened, and two women walked out. They hardly noticed us, but I knew I had to get Gabriella out of there, away from prying eyes.

I hustled her up from the bench and led her down the hall. There was a door I’d never noticed before. I grabbed the handle, and when it opened, I tugged her in with me.

The room was dimly lit by the faint blue light of a computer screen. It was someone’s office—empty, thank God.

I locked the door just in case and pulled her into my arms. Her body shook as she sobbed silently. I held her and brushed her hair away from her face.

“What’s the matter, baby?” I brushed away the tears on her cheeks.

“It’s too much. I can’t do it.”

“It’s just breathing.”

She choked on a sob. “I can’t. I’m falling apart.”

I pulled her against my chest and rested my chin on top of her head. Her arms laced around my waist, and she leaned into me. Eventually, her breathing slowed, and her body relaxed. I stroked my hands along her back, fitting my palms against her slender waist.

She lifted her head, and our mouths met as if they had their own agenda. We kissed softly.

“Better?” I asked, rubbing my cheek against hers.

She melted into me a little more. Our lips found each other’s again, and our tongues touched tentatively. Her hands laced around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair.

I’d missed this more than I thought possible. I pulled back, breaking the kiss that threatened to put a hole in my heart.

“It’s okay,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s hot in there.”

She shook her head. “I feel crazy.”

“I know. Me too.” I’d done nothing but obsess over her for a week. She hadn’t been at recess. She never came to the break room anymore. I had been dying to see her, but our paths had stopped crossing. “I’m leaving tomorrow,” I said. “I won’t see you for ten days.”

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