Alexis' POV
It's been a week since I started attending the yoga classes and honestly, they've done more for my mental health than my meds have done in a while. Coupled with my daily dose of medications, I've been able to sleep all week without having frequent nightmares or panic attacks. I was so happy with the improvements and my peaceful state of mind that I decided attending more of the classes and even registering for the paid classes at the end of the one-month trial period was the way to go. Also, in all of the time I'd spent at the studio, I'd made it a habit to stay out of Quinn's way. The hot instructor looked nothing more than steamy, intense trouble that I wasn't ready to get myself into_not with the long line of women pinning over him and especially not after the chaotic way my relationship with Ted had ended.
For the past week, it was pretty easy to stay out of his way as I made sure to arrive a few minutes before the class and to leave as soon as it was over, leaving no room for a physical conversation involving him. The women that constantly flocked around him at the end of each class also made it very easy for me to execute my plans. I didn't miss the way his eyes were always glued to me in class and the interest they radiated told me all I needed to know and although deep down I wanted to explore them and get to know more of the man, I was still enjoying my current drama-free life and wouldn't want to jeopardize it. Let's also not forget the unwanted feelings he arose in me. I couldn't handle such things.
Just like every other day for the past week, I woke up the moment my alarm clock rang and began my preparations for the morning class. A bright smile was etched on my face as I trudged into the kitchen to get a mug of coffee, while I sang along to one of my favorite songs, and shook my hips to the beat. These days, I've been in such a jolly mood that even my roommates complimented me on how happy I was, considering I'd been a mess just the previous week. I'd gone ahead to inform them of the miracles the yoga class had been doing for me and they'd been a huge support. After filling up the mug, I retracted it from the coffee machine and leaned against the kitchen island, taking a sip from the hot beverage, while going through the emails on my phone to see if I had any important ones to respond to.
"Hey girl," Harper greeted me, a yawn escaping her lips as she trudged into the kitchen still in her PJS, with her natural blonde hair looking like a bird's nest. "Seems like you had a wonderful night. Is yoga still working?" she grinned at me and I nodded my head in response, my smile widening. "Why do I feel it's more than that? Please tell me your instructor isn't hot…" she trailed off, narrowing her eyes at me.
I chuckled in response, shaking my head in disagreement, but my brain chose that moment to conjure up images of Quinn, flashing them before my memories and thoroughly reminding me of the little white lie I'd just given out. Harper's curious gaze searched mine for a while before she retreated, getting herself a mug from the shelf and heading towards the coffee machine.
"Anyway, whatever it is that has that smile on your face, keep up with it, honey. You know you deserve to be happy, right?"
My eyes filled up with tears from her little words of love and the care dripping from them. Without muttering any words, I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you,"
"You're welcome. Now get your ass out there for your class,"
I playfully ruffled her hair before sprinting out of the room, knowing she'd be hot on my heels for that little act. She hated when I did it because according to her, and I quote, it made her feel like a kid. Laughter spilled out of my lips, the moment I was safe in my room with the lock in place as I heard her scream profanities at me. Expelling a deep breath of satisfaction, I strode into the bathroom, ready to finally start my day.
My day was still going pretty well until I got to the gym to realize my luck of the previous week ran out quickly. To my utmost shock and disappointment, Quinn had arrived at the same time as I was about to stroll into the studio. My steps faltered, my heart racing when my eyes landed on his. For a moment, his intense blue eyes stared into mine as if telling me he knew what I'd been up to for the previous week but slowly, that intense expression swiftly changed to a predatory one as a smirk curled his lips.
"Good morning, beautiful," He greeted me, his smirk now a full-blown smile. My heart skipped from how beautiful he looked when he smiled and I was short of words that I kept on staring at him like the latest wonder of the world, rather than replying to his simple greeting and finding a means to put a quick end to the conversation. I was so lost in his looks that I didn't realize he'd moved closer until he spoke again, his words washing over me and breaking my trance. "Do I make you speechless?" he growled, leaning into me until his lips were almost grazing my right ear. A shiver racked my body from the unexpected closure and how his deep husky voice sailed into my ears.
"N-no…" somehow, I found it in me to respond to his question, while also lying through my teeth as I struggled to calm my racing heart but the butterflies that continuously erupted in my stomach were unstoppable.
On hearing my words, he straightened his stance, his eyes staring into mine, with a smirk etched on his lips.
"Come on love, let's get to class. We don't want to keep them waiting," he gently tapped my nose with his index finger before turning on his heels and heading to the studio. I quickly followed behind him, with my eyes glued to the ground to avoid the obvious glares from the rest of the occupants of the room while wishing the floor could open up and swallow me.
What a way to start the week! I mentally scolded myself as the class began, while doing all I could to avoid Quinn's gaze but it seemed the man was unfazed and wouldn't take his eyes off me even when it was obvious I was trying to divert it from me. He didn't care about how much of the spotlight he was getting me into.
For the rest of the class, it was a struggle to listen and follow up as my mind kept wandering to our earlier encounter but luckily for me, as soon as class was over, I was able to get the smooth getaway I needed and I escaped without him noticing. Stepping out of the building was a breath of fresh air after two hours of torment from the man but that didn't stop my brain from reliving my encounter with him all over again.
It was going to be an awfully long day.