CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
SCARLETT
It’s our final day at the lake. Throughout the past couple of weeks, we settled into a routine. Pilates, swimming, sex, and then do it all again the next day.
Levi has made incredible progress over the last few weeks. He seems stronger. Not just physically, but mentally as well. He’s lighter, too – not carrying as much as he once was.
I find Levi cleaning the kitchen from breakfast this morning when he hears me enter, glancing up to meet my eyes for a second before going back to what he was doing.
“Let’s have a session in,” I check the time on the clock before continuing, “Say, fifteen minutes?”
He pauses for a second before nodding, the corner of his lip lifting in a slight smile. “You got it, Scar.”
“I’ll meet you there.” I rush off to get through the shower and pull on my signature pink and white activewear set before going to the Pilates room to set up.
It isn’t long before Levi comes strolling in, his broad shoulders filling out his white shirt perfectly and his black shorts straining around his muscular thighs. His blue eyes as bright as ever, messy curls falling over his forehead and that moustache teasing the edge of his soft, pink lips.
Fuck, now I want to kiss him. I shake myself out of my thoughts and pat the bed of the carriage as he strolls over, awaiting instructions for set up.
“We’re going to go a little further today, Levi.
Okay? You’ve been making really great progress and I want to start to push your shoulder that little bit more.
” I notice him tense at the thought, until I brush my fingertips across the top of his injured shoulder, feeling him start to relax under my touch.
I lean down to whisper in his ear, “If it doesn’t feel good, we can just go back to taking it easier. But I really think we should start to try and build that strength, okay?”
“Okay.” He whispers, letting out a soft sigh as he rolls his shoulders back a few times to loosen up all the way.
“We’ll start with offerings to warm up. Kneel on the carriage, facing toward the front.” He nods, settling on the reformer in his low kneeling position. “Good. Now, grab the strap with your right hand.” He reaches behind him to grip the strap.
“Start with your elbow bent at a ninety-degree angle.” I grasp his elbow gently to adjust his position. “Sit up nice and tall. Good. Inhale to prepare, then exhale as you extend your arm toward the mirror.” I watch as he keeps his movement slow, reaching his hand toward the mirror.
“Good, Levi. Really good. Now, keep it controlled on the return, stopping in line with your body.” I keep my hand ghosting along the back of his arm for a little bit of support as he starts to get comfortable.
I meet his eyes in the mirror before asking, “How does that feel, Lev? Do you feel okay?”
He nods, letting out a shaky breath before he inhales, and exhales, extending his arm out in front. I continue to coax him through his reps and notice his posture starting to relax more.
I lean down to his ear before whispering, “Are you ready to move onto the next exercise?”
He swallows as goosebumps break out across his skin before he nods. “Yeah, I'm ready.”
“Okay, we’ll move into our hug-a-tree now. So, bring your arm out wide, keeping a soft bend in your elbow.” I gently guide his arm out into position, helping to support his elbow.
“Inhale to prepare, then exhale as you sweep your arm in. Keep it slow, keeping your core switched on to help with the movement.” Keeping my hand ghosting against his elbow, I assist as he sweeps his arm until his hand is reaching toward the mirror.
“Good. Inhale as we release, and exhale as we sweep our arm back in.”
As he continues through his reps, I keep my eyes on him through the mirror, watching for any change in his facial expression or body language that this might be too much for him too soon.
“Okay, last rep then we’ll have one more shoulder exercise before stretching it out.”
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 my finger 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.”