Back to before I crossed a line. Before I had a glimpse of what she feels and tastes like beneath me.
“You should use a step to get up,” I say, walking over to her.
“How about you lie down, and I’ll use your face as one?”
I cross my arms, watching her struggle.
She rolls her eyes. “Go on then. Give me a leg up.”
“A leg up?”
She gestures to my hands, then the bar, so I slide both hands around her waist, lifting her easily so she can reach it.
“Thanks,” she says, managing to pull herself up halfway before she hangs like a rag doll.
“You need some more help?”
“No,” she puffs.
I reach up and grab the bar next to her, pulling myself up with one arm.
“Oh god, you’re a showoff.” She scoffs, looking at my bicep.
“I’ve just done this lots of times. Pull your core in.”
“What?”
I maneuver closer to her so I can wrap my free hand around her from behind.
“Here.” I tap her abs with my fingers. “Pull it in.”
She does as I say, her stomach drawing in toward her spine.
“Good. Now keep it tight as you pull up. I’ll help you.”
She hisses as she pulls on the bar. I flatten my hand over her stomach and use my thighs beneath her ass to help push her up as I pull myself up on one arm.
“Don’t tell me you think this is fun,” she pants as we do it three more times.
“I don’t mind pull-ups,” I say.
I let go, landing on the floor, then hold her around the waist again, setting her back on her feet.
“I prefer fighting as a workout,” she says, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.
She looks at me when I don’t respond.
“I want to train again like we were.”
“No.” I grab her towel from the bench, passing it to her.
“Yes.” She snatches it from me and wipes herself. “What are you worried about? I told you to get grabby. I have a safe word to use. It’s fine. It doesn’t need to be a big deal. You’re making it a thing when we’re not… whenit’snot a thing.”
She’s staring at me with so much fire in her eyes, but I still shake my head. “No.”
“Denver,” she moans.
“Itisa big deal, Sinclair. I don’t train like that with anyone. I’ve never done that type of thing with?—”
