Lola takes my hand, tugging me toward one end of the class. “I’ll take this one, and you can stay behind me or beside me,” she says.
I smirk, nodding my agreement as I stand by the pole directly behind her. There’s not a chance I’m giving up an opportunity to watch my girl dance, and definitely not likethis.
Several people pile into the room, each of them dressed similarly to Lola, except that most of them end up changing into extremely high heels.
The other people in the class smile enthusiastically at us, introducing themselves, and by the time we get started, the tightness in my chest has loosened, and the nausea rolling around in my stomach is mostly gone.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
MAGIC…RYDER?
FRIDAY, MAY 30
I’m absolutelygiddy as we get started.
No one has ever done something that made them so visibly uncomfortable with no other intention than to make me happy and feel cared for. And,of course, Ryder would be the first.
“Alright, class, we’re gonna get started with a simple warm-up routine. For those of you who are newer to pole fitness, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and have tons of fun!”
Everyone claps, ready to begin, even Ryder, who looks slightly less green than he had moments ago.
“Start with your right hand at the top of the pole. Now, you’re going to walk around it, and when you get to the two o’clock position, you’re going to use momentum to swing your legs up and around. Use your tummies to grip the pole and follow through with the movement.” She performs the movement faster this time to show us how it’ll look when it’s all put together.
“Give it a try!”
I do as she says, nearly landing on my ass the first time, but by my second try, I get it! My whole body fills with the hum ofsatisfaction that comes with succeeding at something new, one of my favorite parts of teaching.
“Hell yes, Lola! Just like that!” Sarah shouts encouragingly, and her praise and the thrill of trying something new and getting it right seeps warmly into my bones.
I beam over my shoulder at Ryder, who’s staring very frustratedly at the pole in front of him.
He tries,and fails, to perform the movement a handful of times before he takes a step away from the pole. His dark brows are pinched together, and he worries his bottom lip in the cutest scowl as he observes the women. Many who clearly know their way around a pole have taken to much more advanced movements. He faces the shiny silver pole, peering over at me, and that annoyed expression of his morphs into a smirk. Ryder grips the collar of his shirt, yanking it over his head and tossing it to the ground beside him.
His tanned, rippling abdominal muscles are smooth all over, aside from a fine trail of hair from his navel that disappears under the waistband of his shorts. He tries the movement again, this time performing it perfectly.
He grins at me, clearly enjoying the way his half-naked body distracts me. “Much better, isn’t it, darlin’?” He winks at me, and Sarah’s voice, announcing it’s time to try something new, saves me from my wandering eyes.
We work our way through several movements, each one increasingly more difficult, and the entire time, I can feel Ryder’s gaze searing my skin.
Each time I allow my eyes to wander over to him, he’s already staring at me, and it makes my heart beat that much faster.
The movements are difficult, and my joints are really starting to ache. I can tell the knuckle in my right index finger, the one that’s thicker than the rest, is going to be screaming in the morning, but I couldn’t care less.
This is already such an improvement from last week, andthe fact that I’m able to dance in any capacity, especially with others, is nothing short of incredible.
I think I’m ready to get started on those renovations and work toward building the life I always wanted.
We continue through the class, Ryder’s confidence growing each passing minute, and my hope for the future renewing.
“As promised, today includes a little chair work. Not to put you on the spot, but are there any volunteers to help me demonstrate to the class?” Sarah asks.
“We’ll do it!” Ryder says, his voice booming in the small studio space.
“Well, alrighty then,” Sarah says, smirking at us.
My eyes swing to Ryder’s, and he picks up his cowboy hat, placing it on his head, and grabs my hand, bringing me to the front of the class.Is he being for real right now?I’m not giving him a lap dance.Le falta un tornillo!
Sarah slides a chair out, placing it in front of us, and my stomach drops. The thought of saying no, with everyone watching, makes my skin tighten, like the room’s shrinking around me. My pulse quickens, and I can’t shake the weight of all those eyes on me.
