Gym Awakening; Resolution for the Reader
– Personal trainer Caleb teases and cajoles his client Marcus into correct posture and position as their exercise/weight training sessions progress. Professional in his interactions, Caleb notices each intake of breath, each flush and blush as he touches muscle, adjusts form and interacts with Marcus. As training continues, each man becomes aware of underlying attraction, each accepting it in their own way; to Caleb it is part of the job experience; to Marcus it is a conscious acknowledgement of his own repressed nature, something he has long kept from himself. Caleb tries not to cross the line between personal and professional, but he is human too, and all too aware of the overall gestalt. It is Marcus who can’t hold back, who can’t constrain his physical needs, his emotional dearth of companionship; he is in a distant and difficult marriage, his needs are not met, he is vulnerable. He kisses first, but it is not un-welcome. Both men must come to terms with fact, with desire and where it will lead. This is the crux of ‘Touch of Temptation’ by Ryan Moore, an exploration of the consequences of intimacy in a gym setting, personal and professional chances taken, the emotional build up and let down of perhaps inappropriate, but all too human, interaction.
– Hesitant after the kiss, an interruption of training for a session or two, both characters acknowledge and try to move beyond circumstance, and are a bit more relaxed in their interactions. They alternate between public gym and Marcus’ private home equipment, and then fail to halt the inevitable steam between them, giving in to what they both need. Caleb has lost his professionalism, his control of the situation, and Marcus must deal with his guilt, his fears of being discovered, and his own self-realization of his personal dilemma. Back at the gym, the dynamic has changed, Caleb realizes they haven’t been as circumspect as they thought, he is burdened by his own desires warring with his job requirements.
– Because the story centers on Caleb’s POV, we are aware of his confusion, his desires and hopes; he is stung and betrayed by Marcus’ withdrawal, and threatened by the mysterious new client at the end of this tale, an ominous character sniffing for information about Marcus, and their ‘training sessions.’ Lastly, Marcus’ text, a warning to Caleb. We are left with baited breath, trepidation. Moore’s subtle writing, his control of language ranging from light-hearted teasing and flirtation, through steam-laden desires spoken in low tones or moans, has left the hapless reader breathless with our own need to know; our hopes for sympathetic Caleb’s equilibrium restored, and Marcus’ final resolution of identity.
– ‘Marcus’s Story – Awakening’ is from Marcus’ POV, Ryan Moore’s ‘bonus’ story, a glimpse into bisexual awakening, the recognition and conscious emergence of facets of identity 41 year old Marcus was unaware of, and his work towards acceptance of himself. Marcus questions Caleb about ‘coming out’ while they are stretching, and is told it was like being able to breathe after ‘years of holding your breath’ which impacts profoundly. Caleb softly tells Marcus ‘it’s never too late to be who you are’ and gives Marcus the structure he needs, perhaps the permission to explore a new state of being. Context and contrast with the other side of the story, but still leaves more for us to ponder. Will the relationship continue, will Marcus divorce and breathe, love and laugh again? Perhaps Mr. Moore will tell us what happens next for these two, in future; as is, this character study at a singular point in time, two lonely souls who touch each other in ways they don’t foresee, gives us all something to think about, to reconcile for ourselves. Perhaps our own thoughts and explorations are better, and Moore’s point, after all.
