Page 21 of Scarred

“Well, I’m glad you decided to give us a try,” she laughs. “I’m Sage, by the way, the owner here.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sage.”

“Likewise,” she smiles. “So, Brady already took care of the paperwork, so you are all ready to go. My daughter will be doing your session today. She is preparing the room now and is waiting for you. Follow me,” she beckons, stepping out from behind the counter, “and I’ll show you where to go.”

“Thanks.” I follow her down a short hallway, passing what I’m assuming are the main yoga rooms, each with wooden floors and mirrors lining the walls, before stopping at the last door on the right.

“She’s right in there. I have a feeling this will be good for you.” She pats my arm and smiles warmly. “My daughter has a way of making people feel better.”

“So, I’ve been told,” I murmur.

Sage just smiles, and I get the feeling she’s hiding something, but I don’t have time to ponder it as I turn the knob and step inside, shutting the door behind me.

The room is dimly lit and on the warm side as soft music plays in the background. Two yoga mats are laid out on the floor along with various straps and what looks to be pillows of some kind. The smell of lavender hits my senses again, and I breathe deep, enjoying the light floral smell.

Her daughter must have stepped out because the room is empty as I take in the area. It’s on the smaller side compared to the rest of the studios, but the wooden floors and mirrors are replicated in here, matching the other yoga rooms.

I turn when the door opens and shuts behind me. My heart starts to thud so hard, I wouldn’t be surprised if it could be heard in the next room.

Green eyes widen in surprise when she sees me, and lips so pink and lush that it takes everything in me not to wonder what they taste like as they part in a gasp.

I see the resemblance now, clear as day, as I start to put the pieces together. She’s the spitting image of her mom.

“You’re Sage’s daughter,” I say quietly, feeling the tension in my body double when I realize I’ll be with Luna for the next hour.

Alone.

Doing God knows what on that mat together.

My pulse picks up faster as heat crawls up the back of my neck. My instincts react before my brain can even catch up with what is happening.

“You’re my new private client?” she asked, shocked, her hand going to her chest in disbelief.

“It appears that way,” I mutter under my breath. “You didn’t know?”

“No. My mom sets up my yoga schedule. I don’t like to know too much about the client before I meet them,” she explains, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear that has fallen out of her ponytail. “It gives me a blank slate to work with, and I get a better sense of what the person needs. All I knew was that I was seeing an athlete who kept having recurring pain in their hip area.”

I study her nervous body language and realize I’m not the only one who thinks this is a bad idea. “That about sums it up.”

“So, I guess we should get started then,” she says quickly, walking past me and keeping a good distance between us. She goes to the mini-fridge against the wall, pulling out two bottles of water. “You can set your personal belongings on the table there, and I’ll need you barefoot.”

“How does this work exactly?” I set my phone and keys on the table and begin to remove my socks and gym shoes. I can already feel the room getting warmer from the panels as I throw my hat down as well and run a hand through my hair that’s still slightly damp from the shower.

“We’ll start with some breathwork to get you in a relaxed state, and from there, I’ll get you in some poses to release some of the tension that is rolling off of you.” She hides a smile, and I notice a cute dimple appear on her cheek.

Focus Blade.

I just have to keep it together for one hour. I remind myself.

Just sixty fucking minutes.

“And if I do my job right, then you’ll lose what you are trying so hard to keep.” She eyes me from across the room, and I’ve never felt so wide open as I do right now. It’s like she sees right through everything I try so hard to hide.

“And what is it that I’m trying so hard to keep?” I ask quietly, staring fate right in the eyes.

“Control,” she says, tilting her head slightly, keeping her gaze trained on me. “You don’t let go of it even when your body screams at you to do so.”

It’s then that I realize I’m totally fucked.