"Keep your core engaged," I tell Angela, watching her struggle through her deadlifts. She exhales sharply, nodding.
I move through the gym, correcting forms, offering encouragement. Normal Routine. Until I feel it.
A stare.
Not the casual glance of a client or admirer. This one is sharp. Unrelenting and unnervingly calculated.
I try to ignore it. But the weight of it lingers.
When I finally glance up, I spot him.
Tall. Dressed in sleek athletic wear that probably costs more than my rent. And watching me like I'm the only thing in this damn gym.
I look away. Keep working. I've dealt with guys staring before. Occupational hazard.
But he doesn't stop.
By the time the session ends, I step outside for a quick break, phone pressed to my ear. Sarah, my best friend, wants to know if I'm coming home for lunch. I assure her I wouldn't miss it. She makes the best corned beef sandwich.
Then—
"Hi."
The deep voice cuts through the hallway.
I glance up. And there he is. Closer. More striking. More dangerously attractive.
"I love what you do," he says smoothly. "You have a great body."
I roll my eyes. "Thanks."
He doesn't take the hint. "I'd like to—"
"I'm not interested." I cut him off, turning to leave.
But apparently, he's not the type to be ignored.
Halfway through setting up my next session, I hear his voice again. Much more louder than before.
"I told you, I want to talk to you."
I stiffen. Clients pause, glancing between us. This is not the kind of attention I need.
I inhale sharply, forcing a smile. "Fine. One minute."
His lips twitch, like he's won something.
Then someone gasps.
"Oh my God… is that Adrian Cole?"
And suddenly, the entire gym shifts.
Murmurs spread like wildfire. Clients rush forward. Some scramble for photos.
My boss appears all of a sudden, practically beaming.
"Mr. Cole! Wow, what an honor! I had no idea you were one of our clients."
I blink. What?
Adrian smirks. "I know, right? Mara convinced me to come here."
I whirl around. "What?!"
My boss claps me on the back. "Mara, this is incredible! Bringing in a high-profile client like Adrian Cole? Amazing work. I knew I made the right choice making you head coach."
My jaw nearly drops.
I didn't bring him here. I don't even know him.
But Adrian just stands there, smug as hell, letting the misunderstanding unfold.
"Mr Cole, if you don't mind, I'd love to see you after the session, for a brief chat."
Adrian nods at my boss, smiling in the most humble way possible.
Who the hell is this man?
—
After the last session, I storm outside, ready to demand answers. But Adrian is already waiting, leaning casually against the wall like he owns the damn place.
"Now that you're free," he says, "can we actually talk?"
I cross my arms. "Who are you, and what was that stunt back there?"
He shrugs. "I want to take you to dinner."
I laugh. Hard. "Absolutely not."
His gaze doesn't waver. "I know you just got out of a relationship."
I freeze. Fucking weirdo! "How do you—"
"I did my research."
I stare at him. What kind of psychopath researches a random gym trainer?
"I don't care about your breakup," he continues. "I just want to talk."
My head spins. "You don't take 'no' very well, do you?"
"I'm a Cole. I get what I want."
I exhale, shaking my head. This man is insufferable.
"The only reason I'm considering this," I say after a brief pause, "is because you're a valuable client, and I don't need you running to my boss, saying I was rude."
That's a lie. I don't really care what he tells my boss. I just want to know what game he's playing.
A slow smile spreads across his face.
"But I'm not going to dinner with you," I continue. "If you really want to talk, there's a café near my apartment. I'm heading home before my next shift. We can talk there. Over coffee."
He tilts his head. "Coffee?"
"Take it or leave it."
His gray eyes study me for a long moment. Then he nods. "Fine."
I expect him to leave. Instead, he gestures toward the parking lot.
"I'll drive."
I hesitate.
Do I really want to get in a car with him?
He notices and raises an eyebrow. "You're making me settle for coffee. The least you can do is let me drive you there."
I sigh. "Fine."
And just like that, I find myself in Adrian Cole's car, wondering what the hell I've just gotten myself into.
Inside, I cross my arms. "By the way, my boss wanted a word with you, remember?"
He scoffs, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. "Not interested."
I roll my eyes again. Of course he isn't.
The drive to my neighborhood café is short, and as soon as we arrive, I step out, eager to regain control of this situation.
Inside, the air smells of roasted coffee and warm bread—a welcome contrast to the whirlwind of my morning.
I choose a quiet corner booth. Adrian slides into the seat across from me, completely at ease.
"Okay," I say, placing my palms on the table. "We're here. You wanted to talk. So, talk."
He doesn't answer immediately.
Instead, he leans back, studying me with those piercing gray eyes.
Ugh! This dude is pretty hot. The authority in his attitude is messing with my mind.
I exhale sharply and try to keep a straight face. "Seriously? You drag me here, disrupt my morning, cause a scene at my job, and now you're just sitting there like some brooding billionaire stereotype?"
A ghost of a smirk plays on his lips.
"You're feisty."
"And you're annoying."
He laughs. Loud. Rich. Like I just told the funniest joke in the world.
The barista arrives with our coffee. I take a sip, trying to ignore the insufferable sexy man in front of me.
Then—
He leans forward, gaze locked onto mine.
And, with the confidence of a man who's never been told no, he says—
"Marry me."
I choke on my coffee. What. The. Hell?