Page 137 of Shattered By the Currents

Raven bit back a chuckle as she watched the five men attempt to do yoga. There were other people in the class, of course. Maggie and Polly. Maureen and Anika. And a handful of locals. But there was something about watching former SEALs, men who were some of the fittest in the world, try to do a downward dog—and struggle—that just made her want to laugh.

Some of the guys were flexible. Joel was strangely good at it. Zac wasn’t bad either. Connor, on the other hand, could barely touch his heels to the floor.

Her smile widened, but when Connor’s eyes narrowed on her, she flinched.

Crap. He saw the grin.

She spun and quietly stepped into her office as her phone rang, her parents’ names on the screen. “Hi.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” Her father’s familiar voice sounded over the line. “How’s your day been?”

“So far so good. Just watching Sunday morning yoga at the community center. Remember, you and Mom are welcome to join anytime.”

He chuckled. “Yoga is not for me. Your mother, on the other hand, could probably be convinced.”

“How’s she doing?”

“She’s having a good morning. She’s actually just storming toward me and looks like she’s going to?—”

“Craig, it’s my turn.” Her mother’s voice sounded from somewhere in the background, making Raven laugh.

“I just got on, Gene.”

There was a scuffling sound, then her mother spoke. “Raven, darling, how are you today?”

Her parents had been calling every day since the incident with Herbert and Briar two weeks ago. Raven had also been visiting them as much as she could. “I’m good, Mom.”

“Are you coming over today?”

“I’ll be there around three.”

The office door opened and she turned to see Connor step in.

Uh-oh. Why did he have that look on his face? Like he was about to do…something? Surely he wasn’t actually mad about her laughing over his attempt at downward dog.

“Could you bring me some of those tulips from Bloom?” her mother asked.

Connor slipped his arms around her and nibbled on a spot behind her ear.

She gasped.

“Raven?”

“Sorry, Mom, yes. Tulips. I can do that.” She shoved at Connor’s chest, but he didn’t budge. Not a damn inch.

“And maybe a croissant for your father,” her mother added.

Connor continued down her neck.

She bit back a groan. “Tulips and a croissant. Got it.”

“Are you okay? You sound breathless.”

“Actually, someone just broke a chair. I need to help them. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

She hung up and slapped Connor’s chest. “You made me lie to my mother.”