Page 49 of Better When Shared
We reversed positions, Julian's hands strong and confident on my back. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered, “I’ve been wanting to touch you all day."
My cock twitched, hardening against the mat. "Julian," I warned, "we're in public."
His chuckle was warm against my skin. "That's half the fun."
As we moved through the poses, each one seemed designed to torture us. In warrior three, Julian stood behind me, one hand on my extended leg, the other on my hip, steadying me as I balanced. His fingers dug into my thigh, just a fraction too intimate for a public class, and I bit back a groan.
"Having trouble balancing?" he teased, his hand sliding higher on my inner thigh than strictly necessary.
"Bloody menace," I muttered, causing him to snicker behind me.
For a partner twist, we sat back-to-back, the full length of our spines pressed together. As we rotated in opposite directions, I could feel every shift of his muscles, every breath he took. Mymind flashed to how those muscles had looked above me last night, tensed and glistening with sweat as he'd rocked into Nisha while I'd watched, stroking myself and waiting for my turn.
"Jesus, Caleb," Julian whispered as we twisted, his voice strained. "Your heart is pounding so hard I can only imagine what you're thinking."
"You started it," I shot back, grateful for the banter that kept me from sinking too deep into the memories—and the feelings I'd spent seven years running from.
The final pose was the most challenging—a partner boat pose, sitting face to face with our legs extended, feet pressed against each other's, hands clasped. The position forced us to look directly at each other while our bodies strained to maintain balance.
"Feel the connection," Carly encouraged, walking between the couples. "This pose is all about mutual support, giving and receiving."
Julian's eyes locked with mine, dark with intent. "Nisha said we have permission," he said so softly I almost missed it, "to do anything we want today."
My breath caught. "Anything?"
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Anything. Her exact words were 'blow his mind before he leaves us.' She wanted to be sure you’re motivated to come back."
The other couples around us faded into the background. There was only Julian, his hands gripping mine, his feet pressedagainst mine, his eyes promising things that made my heart race and my cock throb.
“And do you want me to come back?”
"Hell yes. This week has been incredible. And Nisha agrees.”
My cheeks flushed as I realized how much I’d needed to hear those words. “It has.”
“So, what kind of motivation do you need, Caleb?" he asked, that familiar challenge in his voice that had always pushed me to the edge. "Class is almost over."
"If you’re going to motivate me, I need to get you somewhere private. Right fucking now."
Carly's voice broke through our bubble. "And release. Beautiful work, everyone. Let's move into our final relaxation."
Julian and I lowered our legs, but neither of us closed our eyes for the meditation. Instead, we watched each other, the air between us charged with everything we weren't saying—everything I'd never said.
Seven years ago, I'd fled from these feelings, convinced they would destroy our friendship, destroy me. Now, with my flight looming tomorrow, I found myself desperate to stay, to speak the truth I'd buried deep inside me.
But not yet. Not when I still had a few precious hours to memorize the way Julian moved, the way he tasted, the way he said my name when he came apart in my hands.
The moment class ended, Julian grabbed my hand, tugging me past the main changing area toward one of the private unisex dressing rooms tucked into a corner down the hall. My heart hammered against my ribs, cock already painfully hard beneath my yoga pants.
Seven years of repressed desire had culminated in one week of exploration, but we still hadn't crossed this particular line—touching each other without Nisha as our buffer, our excuse, our permission slip to want each other. And fuck, I wanted him. Had always wanted him, even when I told myself I didn't.
Julian fumbled with the door handle, cursing under his breath until it finally swung open. We tumbled inside, and I kicked it shut behind us, making sure the lock was secure before turning back to him.
"Finally," Julian growled, pushing me against the door with surprising force.
His mouth crashed against mine, hungry and demanding, nothing like the tentative kiss we'd shared that first night with Nisha. This was raw need, seven years of missed opportunities compressed into desperate pressure. I met him with equal force, my hands finding his hair, tugging just enough to make him gasp.
"Wanted this," he muttered against my lips. "Fuck, I’ve wanted this since Nisha gave us permission."
