“Good morning, ladies!” A deep voice with a heavy Spanish accent carried across the room. I looked away from the mirror toward the doorway as a man entered.
No, man wasn’t a good enough word. God was more like it. He was dressed in sweatpants and a tight T-shirt, the outline of his abs perfectly visible through the cotton. His complexion was enchantingly warm, as though he’d just come from a sunny vacation, and his dark, curly, and what looked to be chin-length hair was pulled back in a bun. I sat up straighter as he walked to the front of the class.
“I’m Luis. I will be your trainer for this morning.” He pointed around the room with a twinkle in his eye. “I see a few familiar faces. I’m glad to see I haven’t run you off yet, no?” He laughed and his laugh sparked a few other laughs throughout the room, all too cheery for my taste. It didn’t take long for me to notice the effect Luis had on the women in my class. They hung on his every word, giggling senselessly at his jokes, and poking their butts out a bit more when he came behind them. It was infuriating how difficult it was for me to focus on the class with Luis there. He drifted past me a few times, his rich, woodsy-yet-floral scent surrounding me and making my brain foggy.
At the end of the class, my body burned with a familiarity that I’d missed. As everyone rolled up their mats, chugging water and heading from the room, I stayed behind, not yet ready to let the feeling go. My hair stuck to my forehead, slick with sweat, and I brushed it away, pulling out the messy ponytail and attempting to redo it.
“Your first class?” Luis asked from behind me. I jumped, spinning around to face him. I’d thought I was alone in the room.
“I, um,” I was incredibly aware of the giant armpit stains I must be wielding, but I couldn’t lower my arms as I wrapped the hair tie around my hair one last time, “sorry. No, not my first class. My first class here, though.” I felt more heat rush to my cheeks, but I didn’t see how that was possible. “Have I lost my touch?”
He smirked. “Not at all, señorita. In fact, I was shocked to learn that you were a new student. You don’t need to be in a beginner class. You could’ve been up there with me teaching.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” I said, though in truth, I had taught a few classes in college to pick up extra money. That seemed like a lifetime ago. I was nowhere near what I used to be.
“Will we see you again?”
“I think so,” I told him. “I signed up for the full month. I’ll probably switch to a more advanced class after that, once I get back in the swing of things.”
“I’ll be sorry to see you go,” he said, his voice lower than before. “I have a hot yoga class in the afternoons, if you’re looking for something a bit more advanced…eventually.”
I nodded. “Thanks…I may check it out.”
He winked, his lips parting for just a moment as he appeared to think. “I’d like that a lot.” With that, he took a drink of water from the bottle in his hand and turned around. “Can I walk you out?”
I should’ve said no. I should’ve never gone back to that studio, to that class. I should’ve walked away, but I didn’t. Instead, I heard myself saying, “Yes.”
Chapter Fifteen
Her
It wasn’t planned. I never went back to Luis’ class with the intention of starting an affair.
At least, that’s what I tell myself. I don’t think it was a conscious plan. But I was so lonely, I guess the thought must’ve been there.
Either way, when the class was over the next day, he approached me again. This time, I’d purposefully waited around to be the last one to leave, in hopes that he would. Would he notice the fact that I’d gotten my hair done the day before? Mark hadn’t. Or at least hadn’t mentioned it. Would he notice the waterproof mascara I’d carefully applied? It was just enough so you couldn’t tell whether I was wearing any or I just had really great lashes. I’d purchased new clothes that fit tighter on the thin hips my marriage had given me. When I’d done it, none of it was to impress Luis. I just wanted to feel better, prettier. I just wanted to feel something.
“I’m glad to see you back,” he said, running a quick hand over my shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re glad.”
He smiled. “What’d you think of the class? Think you’re ready to try something a little more advanced?”
“I think I like this one, for now,” I said with a small smile. “But thanks.”
“My pleasure.” Something about the way the words rolled off his tongue had my stomach fluttering. “Hey, do you want to grab a coffee or something? I know a great little place across the street.”
“Oh, um,” I paused, probably for too long, and placed a hand on my stomach. His eyes followed them, looking for a ring I presumed. I hadn’t worn one, of course. It was my chance to correct him, to set the record straight. I should’ve said, “Sorry, I’m married.” I should’ve said no. Instead, I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. “Okay.” His smile warmed me in places Mark had left cold for too long. “I’d like that.” It was just coffee. I tried to reason with myself from the beginning that I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I was allowed to have coffee.
But, try as I might to deny it, I knew what was going to happen. I knew based on the look in his eyes and the way his hand fell to my lower back as he ushered me out of the room.
I should’ve stopped it.
I should’ve said no.
I should’ve run away.
I didn’t.
Chapter Sixteen
Her
“Mi tesoro,” he whispered in my ear, his hand cupping the back of my head as our bodies collided together. His breath was hot on my neck, our skin slick with sweat under his covers. He pulsed inside me once, twice, then exploded with a heavy groan, his body going rigid with release.
I was exhausted from our lovemaking, and yes, as pretentious as the word sounds, it was the best word to describe it. Luis was a patient lover, a man who made sure I finished first always, but he never seemed to tire of the process. He often told me he could’ve spent all day and night in bed with me, and believe me, there were days I wanted to do just that. But I couldn’t, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell him why.
He kissed my nose, sliding off of me and flopping onto the pillow beside my head.
“What does that mean?” I asked. I was learning so many new phrases from Luis. My knowledge of the Spanish language was limited to two courses in college, and except for ‘door’ and ‘cat,’ I was basically useless.
He rested his arms under his head, smiling up at the ceiling confidently. “Mi tesoro,” he repeated, drawing out the words on his lips. “My treasure.”
My hands went to my lips instinctively, but he stopped them. He was learning my tells. “Don’t do that. You are a treasure, Hannah. Don’t doubt your worth.”
I moved my hand to his chest instead, smiling in spite of myself. “You’re incredible, you know that?”