Sacred Serenity (Lotus House Book 2) Read Free Page A

you’re committing to.”
    That’s when my gaze shot to my friend. “Are you suggesting that I’d do something inappropriate?”
    She groaned and put her hands on her hips. “No, I’m not. But Amber is…” Her dark eyes locked onto what was fast becoming my current obsession. “Amber’s sweet.”
    Now that we both could agree on. So sweet I positively wanted to lick every morsel of her skin and find all the sugary goodness hidden beneath her clothing.
    Amber sighed. “Jeez, thanks, Mom. You want to send me to my room for being out of line?” she scoffed.
    “Amber, you know I’m just trying to protect you.” Genevieve did sound like a mother hen, but what she said rankled.
    “From who?” I chimed in. “Me?” Shock tinged with frustration swirled in the air around our threesome.
    “No. It’s just… Ugh. I’m pregnant. I don’t know what I’m saying. You two can deal with it. Amber, I warned you. Dash, I warned you. Now, can the two of you take the rest of your conversation to the break room? You’re messing up my juju.” The skin around Genevieve’s eyes and cheeks tightened as she pursed and looked away. The natural pearl color of her skin made her bright red lipstick pop even more while she rubbed her belly in large circles.
    “Come on, Amber. How about I buy you a cup of coffee?”
    Amber tilted her head down and nodded, her shoulders curving inward again. “Sure. Thanks.”
    I stopped in front of her and tapped at her chin with a single finger until she lifted her gaze. “Don’t walk with your head down. The world should bask in your beauty. They can’t do that if you’re staring at your feet.”

Chapter Two
    Bound Angle Pose (Sanskrit: Baddha Konasana)
    Sit comfortably with the seat bones touching the mat. Bend the knees and bring the feet toward the pelvis so that the soles of both feet are touching, creating an energy network. You can clasp the feet and then, on an exhale, slowly bend forward, leading with the chest. This classic pose will open the hips and release tension in the lower back.
    AMBER
    H and-in-hand , Dash led me through Lotus House and out to the street. He turned to the left and ushered me through the doors of Sunflower Bakery. There was a line of seven people. With Sunflower though, people got used to it. I’ve never walked into this establishment and not had to wait at least fifteen minutes to order. The place was always packed. I appreciated the cheery glow, sunflower motif, and jaw-dropping smells that dazzled the senses to the point I didn’t mind waiting. Standing next to Dash Alexander while waiting was not a hardship, either.
    My stomach growled as I glanced at the daily spread. It changed each morning. The Jackson clan who ran the bakery tended to make pastries and baked goods based on their moods. Today, it seemed they were influenced by the Danes. I leaned forward and rested one hand on the glass while I read the little cards next to each pastry: blueberry, peach, strawberry, apple, cinnamon, vanilla cream, chocolate cream, hazelnut cream-filled and more—a veritable cornucopia. I chuckled and decided I’d go with the cinnamon and apple. They’d go amazingly well with a vanilla latte.
    I licked my lips and then heard a soft groan as a warm hand settled at the small of my back. “Do you always look at food as though you’re going to devour it in one go?”
    I looked up and our gazes locked. “I’m sorry?” My belly growled again.
    Dash crowded against my side and close to my ear. “Don’t be. I love a woman who can appreciate carnal pleasures in such a way. Gives me hope.”
    I shifted my head to the side and assessed his overconfidence. “Hope? Hope for what?”
    He smirked, and the sexiest dimple appeared on the right side of his jaw. I refrained from licking my lips, warring with the desire to kiss that dimple.
    “Hope for our future.” His eyes positively danced while his strong jaw, messy hair, and the simmering way he looked at me all added