Page 88 of The CEO Alpha’s Substitute Mate

“I hope so.” She gives me a wary look before getting to her feet. “Okay, now give me ten bridges. But slowly. Pace them with your breathing.”

“I can do eleven—”

“Do what Nadia says, Ariela. Don’t make me come over there.”

Callum is in the chair by the window with his phone in one hand, his ankle across his knee. When he said he’d make sure I didn’t miss a session, I didn’t realize he intended to drive me back and forth. He sits through each session, for the full hour, not a word of complaint from him.

“You know,” I grunt, “one week was cute. Now you’re hovering.”

Callum looks up from his phone. “I’ve noticed physical rehabilitation brings out your rude side. It’s interesting.”

I gnash my teeth at him as my hips burn at the fourth bridge. “Me suffering is interesting to you?”

He looks down at his phone. “You would suffer less if you just listened to her.”

“You own a company.” I push my hips up again. “You employ millions of people. There is something more useful you could be doing with an hour than watching me lift my own pelvis off a table and then lecturing me about it.”

“Millions is such an exaggeration,” Callum remarks mildly.

I glare at him. The more time I spend with this man, the more I’m learning that while he may be composed and calm on the outside, he’s got a dry sense of biting humor. I hate how attractive I find it as well, even when he’s being annoying.

As the session progresses, Callum’s eyes keep finding mine. He had initially tried to find someone who would come to the estate, but Nadia Gomez is one of the best physical therapists out there, and she doesn’t do home visits. I kind of admire her for how she refused to be swayed by any amount of money.

By the time the hour is drawing to a close, I’m shaking, sweat dripping off me. My voice is raspy. “Are we done? It really hurts today.”

Callum, who had been on the phone, is instantly by my side, phone tucked in his pocket. “She’s done for the day.”

Nadia looks at him, and I can see that she wants to say something. Before she can, I mutter, “One more and then I’m done. I can do it.”

I see the flicker in his eyes, and I tighten my grip on his hand. “I can. Just one more.”

Reluctantly, Callum releases me, and Nadia steps back in. I let her guide me through the next set, and by the end of it, my legs are shaking so much that Callum is holding me upright.

“Let her walk to the car. She needs to use her muscles.” Nadia strips the tape off my thigh and squeezes my knee lightly as if testing. “You’re progressing well,” she says. “Better than I expected, to be honest. Keep at this steady pace, and in six months you might be able to get back in the studio. But till then, nothing. Don’t overexert your leg. Let the muscle heal.”

It’s not like I can’t walk. But running and dancing are temporarily banned. I walk outside with Callum, breathing a sigh of relief once the door closes behind me. “This is never going to end, is it?” I ask ruefully, glancing at him.

He opens the car door for me. “It depends on how badly you want it.”

I meet his gaze and bite my lower lip. “Pretty badly.”

“Then we’re going to keep doing this.” His fingers run along my cheekbone, and my heart skips a beat. There’s an intensity to this man that I don’t think I will ever be able to match. Each touch, each word is measured and yet so devastating in its delivery.

When he closes the door, I feel my heart flutter. I don’t understand why Callum wants me, what I can offer him, but I know I’ve never had anyone care for me the way he does. He’s right. Big romantic gestures aren’t his thing. But I’m starting to realize these small gestures, the quiet thoughtfulness is more dangerous to my heart.

My heartbeat is unsteady as he starts the car.

We’re well out of the clinic’s neighborhood before I look at the road. My brows instantly furrow. The bridge should have been behind us by now. We’re on the wrong side of the river entirely, heading away from the estate.

“Where are we going?”

“Dinner.”

I blink, sure that I’ve heard wrong. “Dinner? With whom?”

Callum turns down a street. “You and me.”

“But Luca’s not here.” I look in the backseat, bewildered.