Simon was working out as usual. His broad shoulders and chiseled muscles, a testament to years of rigorous military training, made it impossible not to notice him. Even now, stripped down to nothing but a pair of workout shorts, his presence was commanding. You pretended to read, holding your book as a shield, but your eyes kept drifting toward him. Every flex of his muscles and every precise movement captivated you.

Simon, ever the ex-lieutenant with his stoic demeanor, seemed oblivious—focused, disciplined, and entirely unbothered. Yet, every time his cold blue eyes darted your way, you quickly looked back at your book, hoping to avoid his sharp gaze. You couldn’t help but wonder if he noticed your stolen glances.

Suddenly, a sound you rarely heard broke the silence—a low chuckle, deep and rich.

“What?” you asked, startled and confused, your heart racing as you looked up at him.

Simon was leaning slightly against the bench press, his lips twitching into what could barely be called a smirk. His cold, steely eyes softened with a flicker of amusement.

“Your book,” he said, his voice low and gravelly, “it’s upside down, princess.”

Heat flooded your face as you glanced at the book in your hands, realizing he was right. Embarrassed, you fumbled to flip it, only to hear him let out another faint chuckle before returning to his workout, his expression already back to its usual unreadable mask.