I adjust my grip on the pole and push up with my right foot, transitioning to inverted D before splitting and lowering my legs. I hold the position for a count of three and finish with a handspring.
“Damn!” Jenna pulls a face. “How the hell do you make that look so easy?”
“Practice.”
She sighs. “I could practice until I’m covered in pole kisses and I still wouldn’t look that good.”
“Bullshit.” Jenna’s a talented dancer. There isn’t a single move she can’t master.
“What’s a pole kiss?” Brady asks, wiping his hands on his gym shorts.
Jenna and I exchange a knowing look. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
The unsightly bruises are a rite of passage when you start poling.
“Well, doesn’t that sound ominous.”
“You could always quit while you still have your dignity,” I suggest, only half kidding.
Pole requires focus and Brady’s presence in this studio is a temptation I don’t need.
“I don’t have it in me to quit.” My stomach flips at the intensity of his words, and when his gaze locks on mine, I know he means them. “When I set my mind to something, I always see it through.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re just sampling the class.”
“Who says I was talking about the class?”
My mouth goes dry and I silently curse my past self. How did I mistake this man for a teddy bear when he’s so clearly a grizzly?
“Okay.” Jenna nods, grinning like a hyena. “I see what’s happening here.”
How is that possible when I don’t have a freaking clue what’s going on right now?
“I like him,” she says, nudging me. “I’m Jenna, by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jenna.” Brady extends a hand and she shakes it, her tiny fingers disappearing in his meaty grip.
“Ditto.” She turns that sly grin my way and then gestures to her pole. “I’d better get back to it if I’m ever going to be as good as Piper.”
He chuckles. “That makes two of us.”
Hallelujah.
If he keeps looking at me like that, my panties are going to go up in flames.
We practice for another forty minutes and Mai makes the rounds, offering feedback on technique and position. When she gets to Brady, she insists he stretch up on his toes like he’s wearing high heels.
“You must learn to display your muscles to your best advantage.”
To his credit, he does it without complaint and it’s all I can do not to laugh as the gentle giant tiptoes around the pole, the insane muscles in his calves rippling with each step.
“That’s a good start.” Mai gestures to me. “Look at Piper. Her toes are always pointed and she has beautiful lines.”
The last thing I want is Brady studying my lines.
Just ignore him. Pretend you’re alone in your room. Just you and the camera.
If only it were that easy…
