The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) by Alexandra North Page A

going to be brutal but it had to be done.  
    A quick change and I head straight for the treadmill, music on, and with Redlight’s ‘Lost in your Love’, blasting in my ears, I’m off and within ten minutes I feel better and have moved from a steady pace to a fast walk. I’m mindful that I need to take it steady and not push my body too fast - I’ve had the all clear but I can’t go all out… yet. I’ll have to build my fitness levels over the next month, or so but the adrenaline rushing through my veins is exhilarating and despite the odd tug in my abdomen and stiffness in my joints and muscles I feel empowered.
    I watch the TV screen in front of me, focusing on the news as my body aches in all the right places and I smile inwardly, pleased that it’s reacting to the work-out - that my body and not just my mind, is beginning to feel again. In a few days I’d be with Sebastian, as a couple, away from the stress and worries of home-life and enjoying a spur of the moment long dirty-weekend for two, where my body will be feeling things I hadn’t felt for weeks; I couldn’t wait. It was good to be sensing those tell-tale curls of sexual flutterings again and not just reviewing sex as a reminder of a pregnancy that was no more. I needed to do this for us but more importantly for me and the longer I left it, the harder it would be, pardon the pun.  
    Sweat trickles over my body as I blast the stress away, sipping regularly from my water bottle and resisting the urge to overdue it now that I’m buzzing with energy - I know tomorrow I’ll feel the burn. I’m about to think about heading off for a shower when I notice someone waving in my peripheral vision and slipping out an earphone I turn and try not to show my disappointment at the figure standing casually to the right of my treadmill.  
    “You were miles away… how’s things, Lucia?”
    “Not bad thanks, Leo. First time back at the gym in a while so I’m having to concentrate a little more than the norm.”  
    “Cool! Good for you. You, fully recovered then? I have tried to come round but Sebastian is a force to be reckoned with.” He laughs nervously, his blue eyes flickering over my body.
    He is that and thank heavens. “I’m getting there, thanks. I’ve seen Meg a few times and I received your flowers, they were lovely.”
    “Oh, they were nothing. You’ve had an awful time, Lucia. I honestly felt so bad for you.”
    I flick the button that stops the treadmill and allow my body a moment to maintain equilibrium. It’s times like these that I berate myself for being so hard on Leo in the past, he meant well. Stepping off the machine I wobble slightly and immediately Leo’s arms fly out to balance me, enveloping me and crushing me to his side.  
    “Whoa, steady there.” His laugh is contagious and I smile, feeling slightly more comfortable in his company.
    “I never judge the dismount, cheers. Right, well, I better be off, got to shower and get ready for work.” I grab my hand towel and pat at my face gently. “You just starting?”
    “No. I’m done. I’m on my way to the showers now.”
    I frown, taking in his immaculate appearance, not a hair out of place. Maybe he’d not given it his all today? “Well, I’ll catch up with you later, then.”
    “Of course. I may see you later, I have some paperwork for you to sign for Elysium but I don’t want to pressure you and it can wait. I can be as much help as you need, Lu, seriously - whatever you require.” I feel his friendly shoulder rub and again castigate myself for my continued negative thoughts towards this gentle, if occasionally intense man. He meant well and seemed really happy with my neighbour Meg.
    “Thanks, Leo, I really appreciate it.”
    “I’ll get Meg to cook one night this week and you and Finn must come round.”
    “That would be lovely, thanks.
    “Would be our pleasure. Meg does a mean Lasagne.”
    I smile openly and turn to head in the direction of the changing