“You can refuse,” Chance whispered to her. “Or I can tell her no.”
He didn’t put his hand on the small of her back, too aware of Jaycee staring at them.
Cordy gave a quick nod. “Of course, we’d be happy to.”
Chance gave her a hand up, telling himself he’d help any pregnant lady. Except he wouldn’t get turned on by anyone but Cordy in this situation. She unfolded from the chair in a quick, graceful move that made him imagine her pressed against him.
Chance took a deep breath and prayed for strength.
“All right.” Ms. Reston dropped like a football player, her butt almost touching the floor. “Let’s get as deep as we can.”
Oh boy. If Cordy did that, Chance wouldn’t be able to help himself. A woman as hot as Cordy couldn’t stick her ass out like that and not expect a man to want to take hold and squeeze.
Sweat broke out on his skin. He wasn’t a man who resisted his urges. In fact, he was famous for diving into them and swimming around like Scrooge McDuck.
Be good,he warned himself.This is important to Cordy.
“Here.” Chance put a hand at her waist and the small of her back. Maybe it was too intimate, those two spots, but he also had to make sure she’d be safe. He had to catch her if she wobbled. “I’ve got you. Go slow.”
Cordy looked over her shoulder at him. Her expression was a touch raw, like she wasn’t sure what would happen.
But then she let herself go down. He went with her.
Slow, like he’d asked, so slow it tortured him. He was mindful of the pressure of his hands, letting her know he was with her, but also letting her set the pace.
When things got wobbly about halfway down, Cordy leaned into his hold. Chance tightened his grip, helping her through, supporting her the whole way. His hand burned where it touched her.
All the while, their gazes held. Cordy’s expression shifted from wary to open and wondering. She did it gradually, like the sun rising over the mountains, and the effect was just as beautiful.
Chance’s chest was tight. His entire body was tight, waiting, held by those wintergreen eyes.
“Very nice.”
Ms. Reston’s voice cut through the moment. Cordy sucked in a breath, and Chance made himself look at the floor. The safe, non-sexy floor.
“But you’ll need to hold this position,” Ms. Reston said. “This is the best way to open your pelvis, especially during contractions. So how long can you stay like this?”
Cordy gave him a worried look. Chance flexed his hands, reminding her he was right there.
“I won’t let you fall,” he said to her. “I’d never do that.”
“I think I can do it for a while,” Cordy told Ms. Reston, sounding confident. “Start timing me.”
“All right.” Ms. Reston looked at the clock.
Chance kept his focus on Cordy, willing her to be strong. To show everyone she could do anything she put her mind to.
After the first minute, the others started urging her on. After the second minute, people started whistling and clapping.
Cordy’s breathing had quickened, her pulse fluttering at the base of her throat, but she was smiling at Chance.
He did his fair share of squatting day in and day out, but even his legs were tingling by that point. But he wouldn’t tap out before she did, and Cordy looked like she could go all night.
“Three minutes,” Ms. Reston said with a fair amount of disbelief.
“You doing okay?” Chance asked Cordy.
She gave a quick laugh. “Nope. My thighs are burning. I’m going to be sore tomorrow. But I’m not ready to give up.”
