He winked. "I'm only a tyrant with my favorite patients."
Did he mean Gladys was one of his favorite patients? Surely, he didn't mean her. This was only their second session together. So why did he wink?
A brief grimace crossed Gabe's face before he cleared his throat. "Shall we get back to work? Put both hands on the edge of the pool a little more than shoulder width apart. Like this." She followed his instructions, and he continued. "Let your body float out behind you like you're Superman."
She let her legs rise to the surface.
"How does your right shoulder feel?"
"It's okay as long as I don’t have to push or pull with my arms."
"Nope, just hold on. If at any time this hurts your shoulder, tell me and we'll stop." He waited for her to nod before demonstrating the exercise. "Now, engage your core and pull your knees into your chest."
After only a handful of repetitions, Paige's stomach muscles protested. "I see what you mean about burning abs. I'll definitely feel this tomorrow."
"Four more of these then we'll shift to a harder variation." He grinned at her over his muscular shoulder.
"Harder?" Paige huffed, exaggerating her breaths.
"Yes, harder." Gabe's grin turned devilish, making her heart skip a beat. "Doesn't itfeel so good to move?"
Paige couldn't resist any longer; she splashed water in his face.
"Hey!" He splashed her back, but she'd anticipated retaliation and turned her back to him.
She made her way to the shallow end of the pool.
"Where are you going, Miss Young? We're not done."
"The water is too active, I don't feel very stable."
In more ways than one.
His long lashes and charming smile were disarming. Not only was he built like a Greek god, but he was also empathetic and easy to talk to. A deadly combination that made her want to rethink her resolve to stay single.
"Besides, it's time for lap swim." She pointed at the clock as two women walked out of the dressing room.
Gabe walked up beside her. "Time sure flies when you're having fun."
Paige scowled. "You have a twisted view of fun." She resisted the urge to splash him again. He was too close to avoid retaliation.
"My mom would agree with you."
"That means you either lead a very boring life, or you’re demented."
He grinned again. "Probably a little of both." He handed her the crutches.
"Thank you." She made her way out of the pool with him hoveringclose by. The higher she climbed, the heavier she felt. No wonder she liked aqua therapy so much.
Gabe swiped his hands over his chest then down his muscular arms, wiping off the water. "Change your clothes and meet me in the first aid room. The manager said I could use the table in there to help you stretch and roll you out."
Paige froze in the process of squeezing the water from her hair. "Um…I didn't bring a change of clothes. Only a cover-up."
Now Gabe froze too. His gaze raked over her wet body, and she was all too aware of the amount of skin her swimsuit left exposed. "Okay…well…we'll make do the best we can." His voice lacked its usual conviction as he scratched his neck.
She recalled how he worked her low back, buttocks, and IT band the other day. Having him touch her like that while she wore only a swimsuit would be a whole new level of awkward.
He's a doctor. Doctors do things like this all the time.It's not a big deal.
