The Heart Heist by Elle Keaton

Author:Elle Keaton [Keaton, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dirty Dog Press LLC

Chapter 13

Jacob — December

* * *

My stupid heart skips a beat when Duff walks into the studio. This is the last class of the evening, and glancing at his handsome face, I know we’ll be heading to my place.

His expression is both hesitant and apologetic, and all I want to do is take him in my arms. He looks skinny. Does no one feed models on their shoots? Does he have an eating disorder? Maybe he doesn’t know how to cook? The Italian in me cannot stand that he might be underfed.

Duff greets me warily, as if he knows I’ve been thinking about cutting him loose. I don’t know who I think I’m kidding, though; I’m not cutting him loose. I’m going to go down with my ship, and it will be this captain’s fault.

“Hey,” I say back. “There’s a place at the back for you.” As usual, he is the last student to arrive in the studio.

With the meditative music playing in the background, I begin to lead my students through warmups: child position, downward dog, upward dog, et cetera. You’d think as long as I’ve been doing this that I’d be tired of it, but I’m not. I love bringing yoga into other people’s lives. Most don’t stick around for long, but at least I get to share my love with them for a little while.

Duff is still a beginner, he hasn’t come regularly enough to have all the moves memorized, but he does a good job. He has a natural grace to him. I’m sure it’s what makes photographers want to hire him, aside from his natural beauty.

After everyone shuffles out, saying their goodbyes and that they’ll see me next time, I wait for Duff. Sure enough, he doesn’t follow the last person through the door. I know I’m staring, drinking in the sight of him. I don’t know what he sees in me compared to the models he works with. I’m a bulky guy; I inherited my looks from my mom and my grandparents. I’m hairy all over—I suppose *they* call that a bear—but mostly I hate it. I tried shaving my body hair once, and it itches like crap when it grows back. I guess that means whoever I end up with is just going to have to deal with it.

“Sorry I haven’t been around. I was out of town again. And other stuff.” He waves a hand to encompass it all.

“No biggie. Yoga’s not something you’re supposed to stress about.”

“I suppose not.” Duff releases a soft chuckle, then smiles. My body lights up just from those damn curved lips.

“I should lock up.”

“Oh, right, of course. Let me help.”

We stare at each other for a heartbeat before I move to grab my bag and keys. I want to take him home and to my bed, but he has that haggard look he often does after being out of town, or wherever he goes, so I’m feeding him first. I’m starting to suspect there’s something else, something he hasn’t told me about but I’m not going to push; he’ll tell me when he is ready.

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