Retirement had always seemed like something that wouldn't happen to him anytime soon.

The idea of not cleaning his weapons with Johnny's chatter in the background, not going on routine early morning jog with Kyle, or dealing with paperwork with Price seemed like a distant dream. However, a single misstep on the roof of a building marked the end of his active duty.

And he didn't take it well. Lying around in bed or on the couch was literally physically pressing on his sides, and his house never had many books or scrapbooking sets. And when the doctor gave him the green light to resume training again (without relying on his injured left leg), Simon signed up for the gym closest to his house.

And that's when he met you. A former colonel, retired from the service after years of honed training of new recruits. And it was you who was assigned to Simon, as a personal trainer for beginners who were resuming physical exercise after an injury. You studied his injury history, set up a training program, and explained everything to him in simple terms. This was the first thing that attracted him to you against his will. But it was far from the last.

"Three more sets. Control your shaking hand, Riley, three more sets."

Simon mentally cursed as he strained his biceps. The first impression was slightly deceptive, because within three weeks, you began to show your military side, which had not faded into oblivion.

As Simon lifted the barbell, he felt sweat forming on his forehead, with some droplets dripping down his temples and neck. The damn barbell.

You shifted to the side, observing his movements, and it was then that Simon allowed himself to be distracted for just a moment. The way your athletic leggings under those shorts hugged your muscular calves. Calves. He was never the one who...

"Shit." He whispered, realizing belatedly that his palm had started to slip, which had caused the bar to wobble back, resting against the iron support just above his head.

But you were there, standing behind his head and grabbing the bar, slotting it back into place, into a safe position.

Simon immediately let go of his hands, allowing them to hang down as he breathed heavily. What the hell was happening to him? He got distracted because he couldn't keep his horny thoughts in check.