Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(20)

“Good old Tripod. He always did have a soft spot for strays.” Carter grinned.

The sound of his mother’s laugh was balm to Beckett’s heart.





9





Gia was feeling decidedly un-yoga-like. She’d considered pawning off her Pierce brother yoga competition judging to Destiny. But that was too cowardly.

Beckett’s blow-up at the gym the previous morning had taken her by surprise. And, if she was being honest with herself, hurt. The last time they’d seen each other, he’d almost kissed her.

But it was a completely different Beckett Pierce that had coldly accused her — and her father — of essentially trespassing in his home, his town, his family. The volatility had seemed wildly out of character. Granted, she didn’t know him very well and he could very well be a closet temper-tantrum-thrower, but somehow she didn’t think so.

Beckett was beloved in this town and one didn’t earn that esteem by lashing out and throwing hissy fits. She sighed. She didn’t have time to crack the enigma that was Beckett Pierce.

It was just the universe’s way of reminding her to stay focused on her kids and her new business, Gia decided.

She padded across the studio to roll out three mats for the Pierces. She’d put them in the middle row so they could follow what the front row was doing without hiding in the back.

She placed yoga blocks next to each mat and then inventoried the water in the little cooler against the wall. If Beckett’s reaction to his first class was any indication, his brothers would need some serious rehydration, too.

She felt a wicked little smile play on her lips. It might be a little fun to torture the Pierces.

Gia checked that the heaters were cranked and the temperature in the studio was steadily rising. A glance at the clock told her she still had a few minutes before her early birds would show up, which meant Beckett wouldn’t be far behind.

The nerves in her belly fluttered to life.

She, Gianna Rose Decker, was nervous about seeing a man. And not a sexy, intimidating Hollywood star-type man. Just a regular ol’ normal hot guy next-door type. A regular ol’ unpredictable hot guy next-door type.

Ugh.

A nice headstand sequence would calm her she decided, bringing her hand to her unsettled stomach. She returned to her mat at the front of the room. Distributing her weight between her forearms and the top of her head, Gia let her legs slowly float up one at a time stretching toward the ceiling.

It was a graceful move that gave no hint at the core strength it took to achieve.

It had taken her a full year of relentless practice to nail this level of headstand. It was a solid reminder of what hard work and focus could bring to life. And that’s exactly what she would do here in Blue Moon. Work hard and focus.

She let her body and breath lead her brain to quiet.

She could do this. She would do this.

The studio door opened and Gia’s eyes fluttered open. Even upside down Beckett was a heartbreaker. She took her time lowering her toes to the floor and coming out of the pose, hoping the longer she stalled, the less time they’d be alone.

She came to her feet. Even though their height difference was comical, she didn’t want to face him sitting down.

“I hope you don’t mind that I came a little early,” Beckett said, his hands shoved in the pocket of his hoodie. His dark hair was perfectly tousled; black gym shorts accented his long, muscular legs. Energy-wise, he was the opposite of the angry man in the gym yesterday. Calm and a little cautious today. He let his gym bag slide to the floor, nudged it with his foot.

Gia turned away from him and busied herself with rearranging the foam blocks on the shelving unit. “It’s no problem. You can start warming up,” she told him, pointing toward the empty mats.

“Actually, I was hoping I could talk to you for a —”

The studio door opened again and Jax and Carter entered.

“I told you he’d weasel in here early and try to earn brownie points,” Jax said to Carter.

“No one is weaseling anything,” Beckett growled.

“Are you sure you want to put yourself in the middle of this mess, Gia?” Carter asked with a grin.

“Oh, I’m looking forward to this,” she said with an easy smile. She felt Beckett’s gaze on her and continued to ignore him. “I set you three up here next to each other. But if you can’t behave, I’ll separate you,” she warned them.

“Why’s it hot in here?” Jax asked.

“This is a hot yoga class,” Gia said innocently. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Piece of cake,” Jax said, with a wave of his hand. His gaze darted to Beckett. “Exactly how hot does it get in here?” he whispered to his brother.

Carter stripped off his sweatshirt and smiled at her. “I thought I’d ask you if you wanted to bring the kids by again soon to ride the horses. Franklin said they were pretty excited about seeing them this weekend.”

“That’s a very sweet offer,” Gia said. “Is it bribery?”

“Yes, but you can still bring them over if I don’t win.” His drop dead gorgeous grin told Gia that Carter was used to getting his way.

“Here,” Jax said, grasping her hand. “I brought you this.” He dropped a shiny red apple into her palm.