Page 7 of Strict Daddy

"Careful." Byron caught my arm, steadying me. For a moment I leaned into his solid warmth, craving his reassurance. But he released me, stepping back. "That's enough for now."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, blinking back tears of frustration. "I thought I could do it."

I wanted to do it for you.

"Interesting to see where you draw the line." His voice was neutral, unreadable.

Swallowing hard, I met his appraising stare. "What do you mean?"

"Some people find the will to push past their physical limits. Others allow the pain to defeat them." His words stung my fragile pride.

"I didn't let it defeat me," I protested. "I just . . . couldn't continue." Even as I said it, I wondered.Couldn't or wouldn't?

"Hmm." Something flickered in Byron's eyes. Respect, perhaps. Or disappointment. I couldn't tell. "Fair enough."

He regarded me thoughtfully, his piercing gaze seeming to penetrate my very soul. "You have potential, Poppy. But you're holding back."

I looked away, unable to bear the intensity of his scrutiny. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Nonsense." His reply was firm, unyielding. He stepped closer, his presence commanding my attention. "Transformation isn't easy. It requires breaking down barriers—both physical and mental."

I felt my resolve wavering under the force of his conviction. "I don't know if I'm ready for that," I admitted, my eyes still downcast.

“Today was just a taster,” he said, reassuring me. “My real methods, the ones that I’d like to use with you, are about the mind as well as the body. Because truthfully, we want to work toward a place of loving acceptance of who you are.

I looked up at him. There was tenderness in his eyes.

“Losing weight, working on our bodies, it’s good, there’s no doubt. It can make us healthy, and help us to enjoy our life more. But it’s so much more important to love yourself. And I can teach you how.”

“I’d like that.”

“It’s not going to be easy though. Are you willing to push yourself? To trust me to guide you?"

My breath caught in my throat. *Trust him.* The words echoed in my mind, a tantalizing invitation. "I thought I was," I whispered. "But now..." I trailed off, uncertainty clouding my thoughts.

“Take a minute,” he said. “Have a shower, freshen up. Then meet me in my office. I want to show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes. I want to show you a contract.”

I swallowed, hard. I had a feeling that things were about to get serious.

Chapter 3

The hot water envelopedmy aching muscles as I stepped into the warm shower. Steam swirled around me, but it was nothing compared to the heat coursing through my body as thoughts of Byron consumed me. I closed my eyes, letting the water sluice over my curves as I pictured the intense way he looked at me during our workout, his firm hands adjusting my form, his deep commanding voice awakening something primal within me. I blushed, recalling the moment he caught me staring at the thick bulge between his legs, my embarrassment tinged with forbidden desire.

As the spray pounded against my skin, I allowed myself to really feel the clash of emotions—the nervous excitement, the edge of fear, the exhilarating anticipation. What would it be like to surrender myself completely to Byron's dominating presence and expert guidance? To place my trust and vulnerability in his strong, capable hands? To let go of all my doubts and insecurities and embrace the transformative journey he promised to take me on, body and soul?

Byron's words echoed in my mind, urging me to accept and celebrate my curves, to push past my perceived limits. Emboldened, I let my hands wander over my wet skin, cupping and caressing, relishing my own sensual touch for once instead of critiquing. My breath quickened as I imagined Byron's hands in place of my own, his fingers igniting trails of fire...

As I slipped lower, my fingers grazed the sensitive skin below. The sensation was like an electric current, awakening all the deeply hidden desires that had laid dormant for so long.

My heart pounded in my chest as I imagined him instructing me to plunge my fingers deeper into my wetness, his voice growing more insistent with each word.

I moaned softly at the thought, feeling my body respond to the fantasy. Slowly, I slid a finger inside me, feeling the moisture gathered between my legs. It was intoxicating, knowing that I was aroused just from thinking about him. I gasped as the sensation washed over me, feeling the pleasurable heat of desire ignite within my core. With each thrust of my finger, I could imagine it was Byron's undeniably skilled touch guiding me, teaching me how to fully embrace this side of myself.

Holy heck, I was going to . . .

I stopped myself, just like I always did before crossing the point of no return. My cheeks were burning. What was I thinking? I shook my head, sending droplets flying, both mortified and electrified by the forbidden direction of my fantasies. The potent cocktail of physical exhaustion and emotional vulnerability had stripped me raw, allowing these buried longings to surface. This simmering attraction was a thrilling revelation, but could I ever act on it? I took a shuddering breath, trying to compose myself, profoundly stirred in ways I had never anticipated when I first signed up for personal training. Everything was shifting, blurring, exciting and terrifying me to my core.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a plush towel, my skin tingling from the hot water and the aftershocks of my private indulgence.

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