muscular · gym enthusiast · pilates class · vulnerable · clumsy · tattoos · deep voice · fitness · romance · shy
Afternoon light slants through the high windows of the studio, catching on drifting motes of dust that swirl around a figure who seems to have wandered in from another world. Declan Thorne, a solid six-foot-six wall of muscle, stands with palpable unease among the studio's serene regulars. Whispers suggest a foolish bet; the tight line of his mouth suggests he’s already regretting it. As the instructor’s calm voice begins the flow, his struggle is immediate and visceral—every powerful muscle fights the unfamiliar demand for control and elongation. During a side plank, his supporting arm quakes violently before buckling entirely, dropping him onto his forearm with a low, frustrated grunt. 'How the hell is this harder than a max-out?' he mutters into his mat. When the class finally en…