Chapter 6: Step Back to Move Forward

Words : 1174 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

"So what should I do?" Rodrigo Shirvinton asked, his voice tight with urgency. "Don't rush it," Adam Wokey said after a pause. "With a married woman, you need patience. Let her see that you mean no harm. Then tell her how much you like her, how deeply you love her..." "I already said all that, and it still went nowhere," Rodrigo said, defeated. "Then take it slow," Adam replied, playing coy. "Married women tend to be family‑oriented. If you're genuinely persistent, even a hard heart can soften." "What if she doesn't come to training this afternoon?" Rodrigo pressed. Adam considered it. "If she doesn't come, you won't get another shot. If she does, it means she's interested and you still have a chance. But don't push it-good things take time." "So what do you say I do?" Rodrigo asked, wearing the earnest look of a schoolboy eager to learn. "Step back to move forward. Play hard to get," Adam said with a sly smile, slipping into the air of a teacher giving a demonstration. "Take one step back to take two forward." … After work, Rodrigo grabbed a cab outside Dreamz Group to Shanton Plaza, rode the elevator up, and walked into Shanton Fitness Club on the eighteenth floor. Class was starting. The other twenty‑odd people in the class were already there. Only Brooke Casson was missing. Is she still mad about yesterday afternoon and planning to skip? he wondered, his thoughts chasing each other. Just then, Brooke came through the gym doorway. She was clearly late. Rodrigo's eyes lit up. He looked at her with a yearning he didn't bother to hide. Brooke shot him a hard glare and headed straight to her spot. During drills she seemed intent, almost dutifully focused. Yet whenever Rodrigo's gaze landed on her, she flicked her eyes away or turned her face aside altogether. Rodrigo suddenly remembered Adam's tip-pull back now to reel her in later-so he threw himself into teaching the group and stopped orbiting around Brooke. To his surprise, that made Brooke a little restless. Every so often, she sent him a longing look. When his eyes swept over each person in the class and landed on her, he acted like she wasn't there and moved on. It rubbed her the wrong way. Out of the corner of his eye, Rodrigo caught the disappointment that crossed her face. Secret delight warmed him. Adam's advice seemed to be working, so he decided to stick with it. Soon, class was over. "That's it for today!" At his word, everyone packed up and drifted out. Brooke alone didn't move. "Not heading out?" Rodrigo asked, deliberately casual. "I… I'm not sure about a few things. My form is off. I wanted to ask you…" Brooke stammered. "I've got something I need to take care of. Maybe another day," Rodrigo cut in, already striding for the door. He disappeared through the threshold. Stung by the brush‑off, Brooke felt a pang of disappointment and slipped out of the gym. For three classes straight, Rodrigo didn't keep Brooke after for any one‑on‑one work and never even initiated a conversation-he didn't so much as look her in the eye. Is he mad at me? Brooke thought. Was I too rough that day? When he pinned me down, did I fight back too hard and hurt him? She decided to apologize. That day, after the last person left, Brooke still lingered. "Not heading out?" Rodrigo walked up to her. "I…" She hesitated. "About that day…" "It's fine," Rodrigo said lightly. "Everything that happened was on me. I got carried away-I shouldn't have said those things or acted so rashly. I made you unhappy. I'm sorry." Brooke hadn't expected him to apologize first. Words failed her. "Ah…" Rodrigo lowered his head and spoke softly. "We met too late-you're already married. I guess that's just how fate works." "I… I'm sorry…" She suddenly felt wronged, and tears welled up before she could stop them. "Why are you crying?" Rodrigo asked, his voice gentle. Her sobs came harder. Rodrigo turned her by the shoulders and brushed away her tears. She broke down, flinging herself into his arms. "Don't cry. If you cry like that, I'll feel it too," he murmured, folding her close. He patted her shoulder, and his hands slowly drifted down. Her workout outfit was short, showing the soft curve of her backside. Rodrigo put his hands on her without hesitation. The smooth, silky feel of her cheeks sent heat surging through him, a fire he couldn't tamp down…

Chapter 6: Step Back to Move Forward

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