God damn.

Switching up your schedule and coming to the Ninja obstacle gym on a different day was shaping up to be the best decision you’d made all week. Your gaze fixated on the shirtless man dominating the obstacle course like he was born to it. He moved effortlessly, his massive frame navigating each swing, leap, and climb with precision.

The way his muscles flexed as he gripped the bars, the glisten of sweat tracing down his sculpted chest, the sheer size of his hands as they closed around the obstacles—

You snapped out of your awe-struck daze, mentally chiding yourself. You weren’t here to gawk at impossibly attractive strangers. You were here to work out, keep fit, and maybe have a little fun. But damn, he wasn’t making it easy.

Determined to focus, you dusted your hands with chalk, made your way to a different starting point, and hoisted yourself up. The familiar rhythm of the course brought back your confidence, and you moved faster, smoother than ever before.

But confidence had a funny way of turning into recklessness. Over-eager, you reached for the next ring, pushing yourself beyond your limit. Your fingers brushed the edge but couldn’t hold on. Gravity took over, and you swung off the course.

The fall wasn’t graceful. You hit the mat with a soft thud—and took someone down with you.

Panting, you pushed yourself up to apologize, your words catching in your throat as you looked down.

It was him.

His sharp, dark eyes locked onto yours, one brow lifting as a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Well," he drawled, voice low and teasing, "I didn’t realize falling for me would be this literal."