“Yeah, it’s not pleasant.” He rested his hand on his left shoulder and winced.
“Does it hurt now?”
“A little bit, but I’m used to it.”
I moved into a kneeling position and scooted closer to him. “Can I?” I asked, reaching out to touch him.
“Um… sure.” He leaned to the side and rested his upper body weight on his right arm. “It’s no big deal. Seriously.”
Trailing my fingertips over the top of his shoulder caused him to flinch, but because I didn’t apply any pressure, I doubted I hurt him. The thought that he twitched simply from my touch both excited and confused me. I refused to dissect my thoughts and moved closer.
“You shouldn’t have been overexerting yourself while you’re in pain.”
“What does it matter if I showed you some moves or if I was in the ring?” Irritation weaved itself into his response, and I couldn’t decipher if he’d meant to direct his aggravation at me or if he was upset with himself.
Ignoring his question, I asked, “Are you taking any anti-inflammatory medication?”
“When I remember.”
“Jackson, you need to make sure to take something when this injury flares up.”
He turned to look at me, a mixture of amusement and annoyance looped into the upturn of his mouth. But he didn’t say anything, and I considered his silence a win. From the little I knew about this man, I doubted he held his tongue often.
“Are you doing the necessary stretches to ensure you reduce this injury from happening again?”
“Trevor massages me and has me do some stretching, but probably not enough.”
He looked like he wanted to add to his answer but thought better of it as he clamped his lips shut. My gaze lingered on his mouth before I veered my attention back to his shoulder. Kneeling behind him, I gently pressed my fingers into hismuscles, careful not to be too rough, as he was currently experiencing discomfort.
“Heat therapy will help relieve some of your soreness. It can also help increase muscle flexibility as well as relax and soothe muscles. This type of treatment can even help to heal damaged tissue. Then again, the regimen works best on someone who isn’t constantly overusing the affected area.”
“Are you talking specifically about me?” he asked. I parted my lips to respond but the growly vibration from his throat stopped me from speaking. Pressing deeper into the area that caused his reaction elicited another moan, the guttural sound squeezing the air from my lungs. “That feels so fucking good.” Jackson dropped his head, his breathing coming out in long exhales. Satisfied exhales. And I couldn’t help but wonder if he made similar sounds when he had sex. “Your hands are magic.”
“I’ve been told that before,” I joked, reeling back my banter when he peeked at me sideways. His glare was hard at first but quickly morphed into a softness I wasn’t used to seeing on him.
“I’m sure you have.” His muttered response teetered between an insult and a compliment.
Another grunt of satisfaction barreled out of his mouth, and I decided I couldn’t continue for much longer. I feared I’d throw myself on him and demand he make those elicit sounds for me. And since that would be the worst decision I could make, I rose to my feet.
Tapping his arm, I said, “Come on. I want to show you a few stretches you can do that’ll help. Some of them I’m sure Trevor has done with you, but just in case he hasn’t, we’ll try them.”
After retrieving a folding chair from the far corner, I placed the seat to his left.
“Sit.” He didn’t move at first. “Please.” After a moment, he finally complied. I had no idea why he hesitated, but I wasn’t going to waste my breath asking, since I doubted he’d answer.
“Do you want me to take my shirt off?” He glanced up at me when he asked the question, a gleam of something torrid dancing behind his eyes. Or perhaps I misread the look altogether.
I wanted to shout, “Fuck yes!” but settled on, “Not necessary.” Moving to stand beside him, I gently lifted his left arm. “Relax your shoulders.” Once he complied, I positioned his limb as far across his chest as possible, cognizant of the tenderness in his shoulder. “Use your other hand to hold your arm up. Don’t pull or put any pressure on your elbow.” He responded to my instruction without argument. Not that I thought he’d have much of one as I tried to help him. “Good. Now hold that stretch for thirty seconds.” As I silently counted, I couldn’t help but stare at him. He faced forward, so he didn’t notice how my gaze drifted over him, appreciating his thick, dark waves, his strong jawline, his broad shoulders.
“Should I do the other arm now?”
I hadn’t noticed he’d finished, scolding myself for becoming lost in the sight of him.
“Yes.” He crossed his other arm across his chest. “You’ll do two sets of this stretch before you work out and two after. Every day.”
“Trevor has me do this one daily, but not for as long.”
“The extra time and repetition will help.” After he finished, I asked him to stand, guiding him to the table against the nearest wall. “Put your left hand on the table. Now lean forward a bit and let your right arm dangle at your side.” I positioned myself right next to him, unable to escape the desire blooming between my legs. “Gently swing your arm back and forth.” I allowed thirty seconds to pass before giving my next directive, stepping behind him. “Now do it side to side. Slower.” Another thirty seconds passed, and the entire time, I stared at his sculpted physique, my eyes lingering on his ass as he stretched. Luckily, he didn’t catchme ogling him. “Now in a circular motion.” I retreated farther to give him more room. “Perfect.”
