Chapter Eight
Flighty.Contrary.Immature.Misty had been called any number of things in her life, but sexually naïve was not one of them.
She’d followed Spencer’s advice and held off on the hot shower, but the chill of the ice bath had lingered under her skin after she’d gotten her clothes back on and sensation back into her extremities.As she changed into her warmest sweats and put an extra blanket on her bed, she wondered who Spencer thought he was fooling with that chicken vindaloo alibi.She’d seen that tent in his shorts before he’d thrown the tablet over it.He probably thought he was beingsoclever, but all he’d done was announce that he’d had something to hide.
That being said, there was quite a bit to hide.She smiled to herself at the memory of what had proven quite a distraction from the ice bath.For one glorious moment, she’d forgotten all about the temperature of the water and her numb legs and toes.If anything, the outline of his erection had sent an extra surge of blood throughout her body and inspired a few thoughts besidesFuck, this is freezing!
As thrilling as the thoughts were, they were also a little unnerving.She didn’t think of Spencer like that!Except for the time he’d demonstrated a move in a way that showed off his ass.And then there was the session where he’d put a rough, yet strong and sure hand on her back to correct her form, and stood close enough for her to pick up a fresh herbal scent.And the day at the pool when he’d worn that shirt that showed everything.
Okay, so maybe she had noticed, but it wasn’t like she could act on it.This felt like having a crush on a teacher or a coach, an authority figure for whom being with would cross all kinds of lines.Some traitorous part of her brain pointed out that none of her instructors had looked like that, been so close to her age, or come with an end date in sight...meaning that maybe she couldn’t act on itnow, but that didn’t mean not ever.
Misty sighed as she turned from one side to another.She was never going to get any sleep if she kept going down this path, and there was only one remedy.Just this once, and then she’d be able to put this behind her and buckle down on her training.
She turned over on her back, the better to lightly trace her fingers over her chest and nipples.Her inner thighs were next, and every stroke went straight to her center.As her hand reached higher and into her sweats, she indulged every thought of Spencer and teased herself over her underwear.
As nice as this was, it wasn’t enough.She turned over, slipped both hands under her clothes, and gave in to the memory of the outline of Spencer’s erection.It was all too easy to imagine it sliding inside her—heaven knew she was wet enough for it.Her hands worked more furiously, and a small whimper escaped as she came.
As her head cleared, she realized she was sweating.She shed her clothes and climbed back under the extra covers in just her underwear.Well, that was one way to warm upwas her last thought before she passed out in a dreamless sleep.
Despite the echoes of roommates packing and leaving for their next flights, Misty didn’t stir for a solid nine hours.When she did, she woke up clearheaded instead of her usual groggy start to the day.Nevertheless, she was glad it was a rest day.She spent the time working on projects, following up with clients, grazing on healthy snacks, watching a few TV episodes to get ideas for a commission related to the show, keeping Tish entertained via text during a faculty meeting, and checking her email for the last letter of recommendation.Steve had promised her one, but hadn’t sent it yet, and the end of kickball season meant she wouldn’t see him in person to remind him.
Spencer didn’t cross her mind much, and she felt confident that their next session wouldn’t be weird.He didn’t need to know what she’d been doing after she got home; he’d also been the one to tell her it was okay while training, and she was more than willing to pretend she hadn’t noticed what he’d done such a piss-poor job hiding.
But when she got to the gym, all cool confidence went out the window.Spencer wasn’t waiting for her at the front desk as usual.She pulled out her phone to see if he’d cancelled while she was on the way, but no texts or emails.“Is Spencer in today?”she asked the receptionist, who was now starting to look familiar.
“He’s around but might be finishing up with someone else.I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Misty thanked him and tried to ignore the jealous flare that had sprung up in her chest.Of course Spencer had other clients.And of course she didn’t have a monopoly on his time, so why did she feel so weirdly possessive?
Spencer emerged from the back office in track pants and a t-shirt.A far cry from what he’d been wearing to the last few sessions, but she didn’t comment.Her mouth had gone dry at the sight of him and the memory of what was under those gym clothes.
“Hello, Misty,” he said formally.
Instead of answering, she nodded and followed him to the machines.As she went through her usual stretches to warm up, she noticed him looking at what appeared to be a spot on the wall above her rather than right at her.
“Ready,” she announced when he didn’t seem to notice.“Should I start with the usual, or...”
“Oh!Yes, of course.”He programmed the time and intensity on her machine, and she got to her set.He looked less than encouraging of conversation than ever, which killed any jokes or sing-alongs before they arrived on her lips.As a result, the session felt like the biggest slog since she’d first started.She tried to occupy herself with the TVs on the walls, but the various news channels and ESPNs weren’t enough to distract her.
Her mind wandered to the schedule that had been enclosed with the list of exercises.She had a few more weeks to submit her video, which meant not much time left with Spencer.She was oddly disappointed, and yet it was a relief if he was going to act like this.
****
This was excruciating.Spencer had hoped the rest day would give him time to get his head together, but that had been wishful thinking.It was like that day had seared every impression of Misty into his head, and it was all he could do to keep himself under control during today’s session.That seemed to mean ignoring her.But between her bright workout gear and towering height, she was impossible to keep his eyes off of.
“Cooldown’s done,” she said, stepping off the machine.“Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait.”Spencer forced himself to meet her eyes.“I need to get this off my chest.I behaved extremely unprofessionally the last time I saw you, and I’m sorry.”
She cocked an eyebrow.“And I was the picture of decorum, swearing at the top of my lungs in the ice water?”
If that’s what she thought he was apologizing for, he could more than work with that.“That was pretty much my reaction the first time my trainer had me take an ice bath for recovery, and don’t get me started on when I tried cryotherapy.”
Her eyes widened.“You’re not gonna make me do that, are you?”
“Since we don’t have the means here, that’s for you to seek out if you want to.But once I felt the benefits of ice baths, they got easier, and I even found myself wanting to get in after a while.”
“I doubt that’ll be the case for me.”She shivered as if still haunted by the memory.
