Page 9 of Serenity & the Hermit
"Good girl," he says, giving me shivers all over at the soft rumble in his voice and the warmth in his green eyes as he waits for me to finish my water. "Dinner won't be long." He takes the empty glass and heads back into the kitchen. "Why don't you relax a bit?"
Watching his massive frame moving around in my house makes me feel far more comfortable than I ever would have imagined. Sure, it could be due to the fact he very clearly showed his appreciation for my rotund form in the car a little earlier, but it could also just be because he's him. And despite our growly, gun-toting beginning, I kind of really like the guy. It feelsgoodbeing around him.
“I will. And I understand you're just looking out for me by suggesting I rest, but I really can’t put this off. If I don’t open the studio tomorrow, I won’t make any money. And if I don’t make any money, I won’t be able to make rent on both this placeandthe studio next month.”
“That bad, huh?”
I nod. “I took a huge risk coming to Whisper Valley and opening up here. I bet everything I have on making this studio a success, and if I mess it up…well, I guess I’ll prove everyone who told me I couldn’t do this right.”
“I get it. Really I do. It’s just that you could do more harm than good if you use that shoulder too soon. Is there any way you can ask someone to cover for you? A friend? Even an old colleague or mentor?”
Slowly, I shake my head, meeting his kind green eyes. “I would if I could, but there’s just me. And I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be OK. I can look after myself. I always have.”
He studies me for a long moment, his jaw clenched as he seems to come to a decision. Finally, he nods and turns away. “Fine. But I’m not leaving you alone tonight. If you need to do this, I'll be right here making sure you do itsafely.”
"You don't have to, Nelson. I—"
"I want to," he says, giving me a pointed look as he takes the pasta off the stove and drains it over the basin. "I'm the reason you're in this mess, and I'm going to make sure I'm the one who helps you out of it. OK?"
I smile as I watch him divide the divine smelling pasta between two dishes. "If only you knew how to teach yoga," I muse, pushing my laptop to the side when he grates a little parmesan over them then carries both dishes to the table. My stomach growls. It looks as good as it smells.
"I'm no teacher," he says, settling into the seat across from me. "But I do know enough yoga that if you can tell me what to do, I can demonstrate."
I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. "Are you serious?"
He nods, twirling the spaghetti around his fork as he does. "I know I'm not much of a people person, and half the people in town are scared as heck of me. But yeah, I can do yoga. And yes, I want to help you, Serenity." Lifting his eyes to mine, he offers me a half smile. "In any way I can."
Warmth balloons in the pit of my stomach as I just stare at Nelson agape as he slides his fork into his mouth and chews quietly. I can't believe he's actually offering to teach my yoga class for me. I mean, I already know he's not much of a people person, but he seems genuinely concerned about me and wants to help in any way possible. It's really touching, and I think I might have a tiny--no, agiant--crush on this man.
"Eat up," he says, noticing that I still haven't moved. "It'll get cold, and you shouldn't take those meds without eating."
"Oh." I pop the pasta into my mouth and chew, moaning slightly as the rich flavor coats my tongue. "This is really good."
"I'm glad you like it. I'm not the best cook in the world, but I do OK."
"Better than OK." We meet eyes across the table and I smile at him, that warmth in my belly traveling through my body and telling me a whole manner of things that I don't think it's appropriate to say out loud. But I do know one thing I can say that'll be welcome... "And if you're serious about demonstrating while I teach tomorrow, then I really will be so grateful. It'll mean a lot to me."
He nods, his eyes meeting mine as we eat in silence for a few moments. Then, clearing his throat, he says gruffly, "I guess we've got a long night ahead of us."
"Think you've got the stamina?" I say, part joking, wholly flirting.
Nelson grins. "Oh, Serenity. You have no idea..."
NELSON
“Then we just want to transition into savasana to find a really deep state of relaxation before we finish,” Serenity says as she plonks her weight down on the couch and stifles a yawn. “But I can talk everyone through that part.”
“Seems like you could do with finding a deep state of relaxation yourself,” I say, getting up from the yoga mat I was lying on and sitting cross legged in front of her. “Maybe we should call it a night. It’s getting late.”
“It’s not even eleven yet,” she points out, her eyes reading from the illuminated clock on her microwave. “I’m just a little drowsy after the pain killers, but I’ll be OK. I’ll put a pot of coffee on so we can run through this once more.” She moves to get up but I’m quick to reach out and place a hand on her knee to halt her.
“And then you’ll rest?”
She smiles. “I promise.”
“OK.I’llmake the coffee, though. You sit.”
She yawns again as she nods. “You’re so much nicer than you make people think, Nelson. Why is that?”
