Chapter 3: The Fitness Club

Words : 1394 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

"Chest up! Tighten your core!" "Again, chest up! Pull your belly in…" On the eighteenth floor of Shanton Plaza, in the spacious gym at the Shanton Fitness Club, a line of trainees had one leg propped on the barre, folding forward and pressing into deep stretches under Rodrigo Shirvinton's instruction. He barked out the count as he demonstrated, his form crisp and his voice carrying. Creak! The door eased open. A long, toned leg in black performance tights slipped through, then its twin. A young, radiant woman stepped into the doorway. She had an oval face and delicate, arched eyebrows. Her eyes were clear and bright, lively. Her glossy black hair slid down her neck and fell loosely across her chest. A fitted black outfit showed off every curve of her sculpted figure. One look at her took his breath away. Rodrigo's eyes lit up. A rush of heat hit him, dizzying. "Stop!" He clapped his hands. Clap, clap. The trainees broke off and stepped aside, toweling sweat from their faces. Rodrigo strode over, all warmth. "What… what brings you here?" "Ah-why him?" The sight of Rodrigo startled Brooke Casson. Last night's scene at her place flashed back. Panic fluttered in her chest. "You… you're a coach here?" "Do I not look like one?" Rodrigo smiled. "You do… of course you do." Brooke had wanted to back out of the room and avoid him altogether. Then she remembered the membership card already activated and the fee paid for a year. She hesitated. He carried on as if nothing had ever happened. "You here to work out too?" "Yes… yeah." She steadied herself and asked, "Is that a problem?" "Of course not." He chuckled. "Having a trainee as beautiful as you is a coach's dream. Except…" "Except what?" Brooke lifted her chin. "You came in late-you probably won't be able to keep up with the class." "Why?" "You've already missed a lot of sessions." "What should I do then?" "How about this?" He met those bright eyes, blinked, and said, "Stay after class-I'll run you through what you missed. How does that sound?" "This… that might not be appropriate." The memory of last night made her stomach knot. "Relax." He lowered his voice. "I promised you last night. I won't take advantage of you." "…All right." Brooke nodded, wavering. "Don't mention it. Happy to help." He probed, "Does your husband know you're working out here?" "He doesn't." She blushed and shook her head. "Even better." A faint, sly smile flickered across Rodrigo's face. After class, Brooke placed one leg on the barre and began a one-on-one session under Rodrigo's guidance. A few trainees watched for a moment, then left in small groups. "One, two, three…" He stood behind her, counting softly as his hands settled on her slender waist. Brooke was tall and long-limbed, her legs particularly striking. Her thighs were smooth and even, the lines clean and uninterrupted, the curve flowing from a narrow waist down over the fullness of her hips, along the thigh and calf to the delicate ankles. Every line was clean and defined, each movement precise and alluring. Her back, damp with sweat, traced a graceful arc. Her raised hips were full and rounded, the outline vivid through the tight fabric. Between those curves, the faint imprint of underwear showed beneath her leggings, a small, accidental revelation that carried a charge. The sight hit Rodrigo like a shock. His nerves sang. Blood pounded. His breath quickened. His hands slid, almost of their own accord, from her waist to the soft curve of her bottom. As he counted, his breath warmed the skin just behind her ear. A shiver ran through Brooke; the spot under his hand tingled. She lowered her leg from the barre and turned. Her brows arched, her eyes startled on him. She lifted a hand and lightly scratched her hip. Rodrigo let out a sheepish chuckle, then piled on the flattery. "Brooke, you're stunning. Since middle school, you've only gotten more beautiful, more… irresistible." Brooke stayed quiet. He pressed on. "I've always liked you. I liked you back in school." "Ah?" Brooke let out a small gasp. As a married woman, it was something she had never expected, never dared to imagine. Heat rushed up her neck. Her ears went crimson. "I've never been able to forget you," Rodrigo said. "I've never liked anyone this much." "Don't… don't say that." He had her completely flustered. "I'm not making it up. I even dream about you." As he spoke, he reached and caught her hand. Brooke's heart skipped a beat. She shook him off at once. "You… you're out of line. I… I'm leaving." She turned and hurried away. Watching her walk away, Rodrigo felt the surge again. He lunged, grabbed her hand, yanked, and pulled her off balance, bringing her down. He fell over her and pinned her beneath him. "What are you doing?"

Chapter 3: The Fitness Club

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