Chapter ten
Laiken
I’m not a violent woman, but I’d like to sucker punch that smirk right off his ruggedly handsome face.
Despite the fact he’s dropped to his knees, this spot also holds memories.
Too many and I should have insisted we do this somewhere else.
But I’m professional. A woman who is proud of what I’ve accomplished and I will not let his mere presence dilute that.
I got here without him, and I’m sure as heck going to keep on surviving without him.
“Let’s start by doing some simple stretches. It will help me gauge your range of motion.” I reach for his arm, bracing myself for the touch.
Like always, the contact sends a flame up my spine, but I steel my expression at his intake of breath.
“I’m going to extend up.” I gently tug his forearm. “Let me know when we’re as far as you can go without pain.”
He nods, his eyes on me as I slowly lift his arm. When his bicep breaches chin level, he winces.
“Pain?” I ask.
He blinks.
“Parker. You have to be honest with me.” I almost roll my eyes. “I realize that isn’t exactly your strong suit, but if we are going to get you back to riding, I need you to be forthcoming.”
Way to keep it professional, Laiken.
He doesn’t react to my dig. He sighs. “There’s pain. Maybe a five.”
“Okay. Good.” I shift his arm back down to his side. “Let’s try lateral. Same thing. Let me know when there’s pain.”
He dips his chin, his curious gaze still on me. It’s unnerving, really.
“There.” His gruff voice startles my train of thought.
“Okay. Same level?” I ask.
“Not as bad. Maybe a three.”
“Good.” I step away, needing a moment where I’m not touching him.
Picking up my notepad, I jot down his pain levels along with any other notes that I find informative.
I hear a snicker.
I glance up to see him sitting on the floor with a knee bent, his tattooed forearm casually draped across it.
“What?” I narrow my eyes.
“You still poke your tongue out of your mouth when you write.”
“Do you want a gold star for being observant?” I deadpan.
What the heck is wrong with me? I’m not this person. I’m not snappy. I’m nice. I’m the passive one. I’m the one who never gets angry.
One look at him makes me want to strangle him. I should probably go to yoga tomorrow morning before coming here. Help me get centered. Calm.
“I’m not opposed to a reward,” he quips.
“I’m fresh out of rewards.” I place my notebook on the chair, ignoring his remark. “We have a few more stretches to go through today. Let’s see where you are so we can make sure we are hitting the key spots. If one area needs more attention, I want to make sure we are giving those our focus.”
He cocks his head to the side, that same look he always gave that made my knees go weak.
“I’m proud of you, Laiken.”
A lump forms in my throat at the simple phrase. I successfully push it down before I croak out a weak, “Thanks.”
Moving behind him, I clear my throat. “Dr. Whitaker wants two-hour sessions. Morning is best for me, then I can get back to the clinic in the afternoons to help Matthew.”He easily rises from the floor.
“Whatever you need. I’m flexible. When we aren’t doing this, I’ll be helping Coop.
The branding event is next weekend, and we got a lot of shit to sort. ”
I lift a brow. “You aren’t supposed to be riding.”
“I’m riding the gator, not bulls.” He chuckles. “You worried about my safety, Firefly?”
I cross my arms with a smirk. “Keep dreaming, cowboy.”
He nearly knocks the breath out of me when he responds with, “Been dreaming for years.” Then he seals the deal with a wink. “And they’re always about you.”