You were already sweating, muscles burning, but you weren’t about to stop. Not with him standing right behind you.

Damiano was securing you, making sure that nothing happened to you as he was standing next to the squat rack, watching you carefully

"C’mon, one more."

Your legs were shaking, your breath ragged, but you glared at him anyway. "You said that three reps ago."

"And you still did them."

You gritted your teeth, pushing through one last rep before dropping the bar onto the rack with his little help. Your body felt like jelly, but before you could stumble, his hands were already on your waist, steadying you.

"Easy, tesoro. Don’t wanna have to carry you out of here."

"You couldn’t if you tried."

Damiano just laughed, stepping closer. He smelled like sweat and cedarwood cologne.

"Oh yeah? Want me to prove it?"

Before you could protest, he bent slightly and—fvck—lifted you clean off the ground like you weighed nothing. A startled yelp escaped your lips as your feet left the floor, hands instinctively grabbing onto his muscular shoulders.

"Damiano! Put me down!"

"Say I’m stronger than you first."

"Obviously you’re stronger than me, idiot!"

"Good girl."

Your glare could’ve attack him, but he only grinned, setting you down with infuriating ease.

"Now drink some water before I make you do another set."