Chapter 2- The First Session

I checked my phone for the tenth time that morning, heart beating a little too fast. Marcus was supposed to arrive at ten. Ryan had taken the morning off work just to be here for the start. He kept saying it was to make sure I didn’t slack off, but I knew he wanted to see if this trainer was any good.

“You better not waste my time with this,” Ryan said from the couch, flipping through his emails on his laptop. “I told you, results or I’m cutting it off after a month.”

“I know,” I replied, adjusting my new workout leggings. They hugged my thighs and belly, black with a high waist that tried its best to smooth things out. I felt exposed even though I was fully covered. “He’s supposed to be professional.”

The doorbell rang right on time. I wiped my palms on my shirt and opened the door.

Marcus Kane stood there, taller than I expected. Broad shoulders, dark hair cut short, arms that filled out his simple black t-shirt. He looked strong but not showy about it. A wedding ring caught the light on his left hand.

“ Isabella Torres?” he asked, voice deep and steady. He held a small duffel bag and a water bottle.

“Yes that's me but you can call me Bella,” I said quickly. “Come in.”

Ryan got up right away, shaking Marcus’s hand a bit too firmly. “Ryan. Her husband. Glad you’re here. She needs this badly.”

Marcus nodded, polite but not overly friendly. “Nice to meet you both. Bella, why don’t we start in the living room area? Clear some space if we can.”

We pushed the coffee table aside. Ryan sat back down on the couch, arms crossed, watching like a coach. I felt my face heat up already.

Marcus laid out a yoga mat he brought and went over basics. “First sessions are about learning where your body is at. No pressure. We’ll focus on form, build from there. Are you ready?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah.”

We started simple. Arm circles, then marching in place to warm up. His voice guided me calmly. “Good. Keep your shoulders back. Chin up. You’re doing fine.”

Ryan snorted from the couch. “She needs more than marching if she’s gonna drop the weight.”

Marcus didn’t react much. He just corrected my stance with a light touch on my upper back. “Here. Engage your core like this.” His hand was firm, warm through my shirt. I felt a weird shiver run down my spine. It wasn’t rough. Just… sure. Like he knew what he was doing.

Next came bodyweight squats. “Feet shoulder width,” Marcus said. He demonstrated once, smooth and controlled. “Now you. Go down like you’re sitting in a chair.”

I tried. My thighs burned almost right away, and I wobbled on the way up.

“Easy,” he said, stepping closer. One hand went to my hip, the other lightly on my lower back. “Push through your heels. Chest up. There. Better.”

His fingers pressed just enough to guide me. Sweat already dotted my forehead. Every time he touched me to fix my knees or straighten my posture, my skin tingled. It had been so long since anyone touched me like this. Not grabbing or pushing away. Just helping. His deep voice kept coming, low and encouraging. “You’re stronger than you think, Bella. Keep breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth.”

Ryan watched the whole thing, nodding sometimes. “See? Push her harder. She can take it.”

Marcus stayed professional. “We’ll build up. No need to rush and get hurt.” He had me do some glute bridges next, lying on the mat. “Lift your hips. Squeeze at the top.”

I followed, feeling every muscle complain. When I struggled, he knelt beside me and placed a hand just above my knee. “Drive through your heels. Good girl, good effort.”

The words hit different. Good effort. Not disgusting. Not lazy. I pushed harder, face flushed, chest rising fast. Sweat trickled down my back, making my shirt stick. His hand stayed steady, correcting without lingering too long. But each contact sent a strange warmth through me. Sensitive. Like my body was waking up after sleeping for too long.

We moved to wall pushes for the upper body. I planted my hands on the living room wall, stepping back. Marcus stood beside me. “Lower your chest toward the wall. Elbows at forty-five degrees.”

He adjusted my elbows with both hands, firm but polite. “Like this. Control it on the way back.”

Ryan stood up at one point, checking his watch. “Looks solid. I've got a call in twenty minutes. Keep going. Make her sweat, man.”

Marcus gave a short nod. “We’ll finish the circuit.”

Alone with him for the last part felt heavier. He had me do seated marches on the floor, then some gentle planks on my knees. “Hold for ten seconds. You got this.”

My arms shook. Sweat ran into my eyes. But his voice stayed right there. “Breathe. You’re doing great. Most people quit on the first round. You’re still here.”

For the first time in years, someone wasn’t tearing me down. No fat jokes. No disgusted looks. Just steady praise mixed with those guiding touches. My heart raced from more than the workout. When his palm pressed lightly between my shoulder blades to keep my back flat, I felt it low in my stomach. A flutter I hadn’t felt in forever.

“Last one,” he said. “Stand up slowly.”

I pushed to my feet, legs wobbly, face hot and red. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. Sweat soaked the front of my shirt. I could feel my thighs trembling.

Marcus handed me my water bottle. “Solid first session, Bella. You pushed through. We’ll build on this. Same time next week?”

“Yeah,” I managed, still breathing hard. “Thanks.”

Ryan came back in as Marcus packed up. “How’d she do?”

“She showed up and worked,” Marcus said simply. “That’s what matters.”

Ryan clapped my shoulder once. “Hear that? Keep it up and maybe I’ll notice the difference.”

Marcus left with a quick goodbye. I stood there in the middle of the room, flushed, sweaty, heart still pounding. My body felt alive in a way it hadn’t in months. Those little touches lingered in my mind. His deep voice echoed. Encouraging. Commanding.

I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face. Looking in the mirror, I saw the redness in my cheeks, the damp hair sticking to my neck. For a second, I didn’t hate what I saw. Not completely.

Ryan called from downstairs. “Order lunch. Something light for you.”

I closed my eyes. The session was done, but something had started. I wasn’t sure what yet. But I knew I’d be counting the days until the next one.