Chapter 2

Ryan glanced down. "You don't have enough strength, and your hips are your body's support point. If I don’t hold you, what if you get hurt? Lift your toes a little higher."

His stern expression left me no choice. I gritted my teeth and rose onto my toes again.

But this made our bodies brush against each other unavoidably. With my right leg suspended midair, all my weight pressed onto the tip of my left foot.

Soon, I was panting, my body trembling, desperate for the session to end.

Then, out of nowhere, Ryan blew a warm breath against my stomach.

That spot was already sensitive, and I was exhausted. The heat seemed to seep into my very soul, melting my strength. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.

Too weak to even cover my chest, I lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for air. I waved a hand at him. "Teacher... I can’t go on. Let’s stop for today."

Ryan crouched beside me, his gaze unwavering. "Fine. You’ve trained hard today. While your body’s warmed up, let’s work on your hip flexor stretch. It’ll be more effective now."

I knew he was right. Struggling, I tried to do it myself.

But Ryan stopped me. "You’re too weak to stretch properly. Let me help."

I obeyed, my cheeks burning.

Too weak? The phrasing felt odd.

Still, I lay back on the yoga mat as instructed.

Ryan pressed my knees down slowly, his face inching closer to mine.

The position was humiliating, but as my legs spread wider, the escalating pain from the stretch left me powerless to resist.

When my legs finally touched the floor, Ryan’s face was nearly pressed against my stomach.

I glanced down. The thin fabric of my leotard had stretched dangerously thin during training, leaving little to the imagination.

Flustered, I instinctively covered myself.

"Lie still. Arms out. What are you hiding? Your dancing is mediocre, but your fidgeting is top-notch."

Scolded, I bit my lip and reluctantly spread my arms.

My mind raced. Why isn’t my instructor a woman?

Even if Ryan was professional, shouldn’t there be boundaries? Especially in such an embarrassing position!

Then he shifted again. His knees pinned my legs, his arms trapped mine, his body pressing down as he moved rhythmically. "Arch your back. Deep breaths. Follow my count—1, 2, 3, 4..."

I was done. This position was practically...

And with my leotard so tight, every deep breath pressed me even closer against him...