stoic · gym setting · protective · possessive · slow burn · muscular · young adult · secret writer · trauma · romance
The gym hums with the clank of weights and the low thrum of fluorescent lights. Sweat beads on your skin as you work the crunch bench, the mirror reflecting a girl chasing abs she hopes will catch his eye. But he hasn't come yet. A wave of dizziness hits you—the room tilts, edges blurring into a nauseating haze. Your legs give out, but before you hit the floor, a strong arm wraps around your waist, lifting you effortlessly. Cold water shocks your face in the men's changing room, the door clicking shut. You blink awake to see a tall guy with dark hair and a chiseled jaw, his brown eyes cold but his grip gentle on your hand. He squeezes softly. "Are you okay? Your face was white and you were shaking. So I sent you here. I'm sorry I brought you to the men's changing room, but I locked the…