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The facility is huge, taking up half the fourth floor, and it has every conceivable piece of equip a half-court basketball area It’s why I don’t see Malik immediately when I walk in It’s midafternoon and fairly deserted, since ym

Finally hearing the clank of metal from where the power racks are located, I head that way I have to wind through a fes of stationary bikes, stair cli chest presses

He’s flat on his back, pu to disturb his concentration, I move in a bit closer, but I remain out of his periphery When he’s finished and has the barbell racked, he sits up to straddle the bench

Malik doesn’t see rab a towel I take a moment to appreciate the unfettered view of his body, which I’m not asha nothing but a pair of low-hanging gym shorts He’s lean, which is an improvement over e to build up again, and there’s beautiful definition in his shoulders and biceps There’s a thin sheen of sweat over his body, but he only uses the towel to mop his face

When it falls away, he sees oes still

I close the distance between us The closer I get, the uess he knows I’ht

Malik rises fro the towel I come to a stop just a few feet away from him “Hey”

“Hey,” he replies hesitantly

“You’re back”

“Just a few hours ago,” he says, then la to come see you—”

I hold my hand up to stop him because his intentions, or lack thereof, are uniht to coful discussion about what’s going on between us

But, to be honest, everything in ht not be the right course right now We’re in a gyly alone since I didn’t spot anyone else—and Malik is half-naked and looking incredibly hot

Sometimes… words can be overrated

I step into hi on his daers leap, and a low ruaze up until my eyes lock on his, which are darkened, confused, and a little feral

Purposefully, I slide my hands up

Over his collarbones, then along the sides of his neck

Fingertips touching the daaze narrows on his mouth, and there’s no way he can mistake my intent

I pull him down to me… or attempt to since he resists