“I don’t know if I have any. I think I’m fine as I am.”
I think she’s fucking gorgeous, but this isn’t about me. “People go to gyms for all sorts of reasons. Some want to bulk up. Some people want an exercise high or more energy. Some just like the atmosphere and the chance to get out of their head and do something physical.”
Livia looks around at reception and the juice bar. “It is kind of cool in here. I think I’d like to get out of my head for a while and do something physical. I haven’t felt confident enough to put on yoga pants since P—since about a year ago.”
P? Who’s P? Who the fuck is P and what has he been saying to Livia?
“Trey, are you all right? Your eyes have gone all funny.”
I realize I’m glowering, and make myself relax. “Sure, we can do that for you. Is there anything else you’re looking for?”
Livia thinks for a moment. “I’m interested in nutrition, and I’ve been curious about going vegan. Is that something you can…?” She trails off, seeming to lose hope the further she gets into the sentence.
I smile at her. “Me? Help you go vegan? I can probably do that. I’m vegan.”
Her eyebrows shoot up and she runs her eyes over me. “But you’re so muscly.”
I try to keep a professional mindset but it’s difficult when Livia is looking at me. I want to take her hands and press them against my chest. You can touch me. I want you to touch me. “You can build muscle with plant protein.”
She still looks skeptical. “It’s so weird hearing you say that. I thought vegan was a dirty word these days.”
“It kind of is, which is why it’s been rebranded as a plant-based diet, but whatever you call it, it’s good for your mind and body and I’m thrilled you want to try it.”
It also gives me lots to work on with Livia. “Why don’t you go home and grab something you’re comfortable working out in, and let’s have our first session. I’ll talk you through some exercise and meal plans as we go.”
“Are you sure you have time right now? I showed up out of the blue.”
Sweetheart, I’ll clear my entire schedule for you. “I can squeeze you in, but don’t be too long.”
She gets to her feet with a smile. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Ten minutes later, Livia returns in loose joggers, runners and a T-shirt, and with her hair in a ponytail. I’ve got to stop staring at her speechlessly every time she appears in front of me. It’s so unprofessional.
I swipe us both through into the gym and set her up on an exercise bike. She sits on it confidently and starts peddling. It seems like she’s used a gym before so that makes my job a bit easier. I plan her workout with her as she warms up, telling her how we’ll divide it up into warm-up, weights, cardio and cool down, and she takes it all in her stride.
As we’re heading to the free weights area, we pass Dom and Amelia, who are in the middle of Amelia’s workout. From Amelia’s flushed and pouting face, she’s this close to a full-on brat melt down.
I show Livia how I want her to do her squats and give her some weights, but her attention keeps drifting to the couple.
Dom raises his voice. “Peaches, if you roll your eyes at me again, you’re getting a ten-minute cold shower.”
Amelia is flat on her back with her arms spread, moaning like she’s on the brink of death. “But I’m tired, daddy.”
“Three,” Dom says, folding his arms and staring straight ahead.
I correct Livia’s movements, trying to get her to focus on her own workout.
“Two.” Dom’s voice is as hard as granite.
“Fine, if you want me to die,” Amelia announces dramatically, springs to her feet and pushes her dom out of her way.
Oh, lord. It was nice knowing you, Amelia. Dom clamps his hand to his sub’s shoulder and steers her toward the cold shower room.
Livia has stopped working out altogether and is staring at them. I lean down and murmur in her ear, “It’s not polite to stare at another trainee’s workout unless their trainer asks for everyone’s attention.”
“Oh, crap! Sorry.” Livia takes a better grip on her weights and stares at the floor, as if suddenly too afraid to look at anyone else.
“It’s all right. This place takes some getting used to. Sometimes we want you to stare, but we’ll tell you when.”
Livia does a squat, down-up, and asks, “Do you ever tell your trainees off in front of everyone?”
I hesitate, wanting to say no but knowing it’s better not to lie about these things. “I do, actually.”
Livia’s eyes spark with curiosity. “What sort of things do you say?”