He finishes off the movement before I start to cue him into the final movement. “Let’s go into salute now. Bring your hand up to your temple, starting with your elbow bent. Inhale to prepare, and exhale as you press your hand forward toward the mirror.”
My hand gently supports his tricep, being careful to make sure he doesn’t jar his shoulder too much throughout the movement. “And inhale, controlling as we return.”
I continue to support him through his reps, until his chest is heaving, and he starts to shake from the exertion. I stroke myfinger across his skin softly, “Good, Levi. You’re doing so well. Give me two more and then you can cool down.”
He finishes his reps before collapsing. I take the strap from him, placing it back on its post before gently squeezing his shoulder.
“Finishing with our down stretch now. So come up into high kneeling, hands on the footbar and feet resting against the shoulder blocks.”
Moving around to his side, I crouch before placing one hand on his chest, and my other on his back. “Keep your arms long, and your hips in line. Then inhale to prepare, and exhale pressing the carriage away through your palms. Use your core again here to support you.”
I keep my hands light against him as he breathes out, pressing away from the footbar, coming down into his stretch.
“Good, Levi,” I whisper softly, “Stay relaxed through your neck and your shoulders.”
His posture loosens slightly before he inhales to draw that carriage back in. He continues, going through about ten reps before coming in and releasing to rest.
“How do you feel?”
He looks at me over his shoulder. His cheeks are flushed red, sweat glistening on his golden skin. There’s also a light smile on his face which is a vast difference from the Levi that I met mere weeks ago. “I feel good, Scar.”
Silence encases us, the air in the room growing tense, making his smile falter slightly. His irises darken as his gaze flicks to my lips.
Leaning in, I place a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away. Turning, I walk toward the door. Glancing back at him, I let my lips pull up into a smile. “I’m really proud of you Levi.”
CHAPTER FORTY
SCARLETT
We finished up our session about half an hour ago, and it’s time to go for a swim to finish off our last day before going back to reality. Before we have to stop whatever, this is. And I also don’t quite know what that means for Levi. I can only hope that he stays on this incline all the way into the next season.
I make my way from the house down to the pier to find Levi already there, making me stop in my tracks. He’s at the water’s edge, looking completely relaxed and confident. His shirt is off, olive skin glistening in the sun. And no matter how many times I’ve seen him shirtless now, he still takes my breath away. Broad shoulders that are defined from years of being an athlete, biceps that I want to bite, and abs that are most definitely there from the hours of Pilates I’ve put him through.
Levi’s face brightens as he spots me, waving me down to him so I continue my path. By the time I reach him, I’m already unbuttoning my denim shorts before I slide them down my legs and step out. He watches me as I pull off my pink tank top leaving me standing in my white bikini.
I walk by him toward the water, brushing my hand along his torso as I do so. Slipping down into the water, I gasp at the cold before growing comfortable. And when I turn to Levi, I find him still watching me, his blue eyes a few shades darker than usual.
“Are you going to join me or what, Carter?” I call out, flicking some water up to where he’s still standing on the pier.
The corner of his lip pulls up into a barely there grin as he lowers himself down into the water, paddling over to me.
I feel the heat of him through the cool lake. We float for a moment, just enjoying the quiet before Levi grasps my hips, and pulls me into his hard chest. I immediately melt into his embrace, sighing softly.
One of Levi’s hands leaves my waist, fingers coming under my chin to tilt my head back until my gaze meets his. Blue eyes sparkling underneath the sun. He is so beautiful.
He lowers his head to mine, his lips brushing mine softly. Tentatively. Almost like he’s testing the waters.
I bring my hand to the nape of his neck, pulling him gently, being careful with his shoulder.
I press my lips firmer against his, our kiss unhurried and searching. My hands find his shoulders, and my legs wrap around his waist, pressing us together.
Levi’s hands move to my ass, fingertips digging into the soft flesh holding me to him as though I might disappear.
I feel him growing hard against me, so I jerk my hips, grinding myself into him, a groan rumbling in his chest.
Reaching between us, I slide my hand into his shorts, wrapping my hands around his already stiff cock, his hips jerking involuntarily at the contact.
He pulls away from the kiss, chest heaving as his darkened gaze meets mine.
