Damen only huffed a breath of laugh at that, the sound turning roughly into a grunt with the tension of Laurent's sudden added weight.

Determined not to be bested, Damen grit his teeth and engaged his abdomen as he pulled harder, muscles bulging now from the strain. The difference was significant and Damen's muscles were not yet warmed up so he did not push himself as hard as he might have otherwise, releasing after only a few moments with another laugh.

'There are far more entertaining ways for me to lift you if that is what you're after,' he stated, glancing back over his shoulder to meet Laurent's eyes.