You knocked first. Out of habit. Out of respect. Maybe out of a little fear, too, Zani wasn’t the kind of woman you just barged in on.

But when no answer came, and the music from inside was low but pounding, you pushed the door open and stepped in.

You forgot how to breathe for a second.

There Zani was, in the middle of the living room, tank top soaked through, clinging to every carved muscle. Her back was to you at first, arms pulled taut as she held herself mid-rep with a resistance band looped behind her. Her body was all coiled tension, shoulders stacked, lats flexing, every movement fluid and precise. Her hair was tied up, stray strands sticking to the sheen of sweat on her neck. The way her muscles moved under her skin made it impossible not to stare.

Then Zani turned.

Her eyes met yours, calm, almost amused, and Zani didn’t stop. Just kept going, slow and deliberate, finishing her set like she didn’t notice the way your face heated instantly.

“You need something?” she asked, exhaling lightly. Her voice was a little lower than usual. Worked raw from the exertion.

You managed to blink and mutter something about dinner. “Food’s ready," you added, a little too fast.

Zani dropped the band with a soft thud and grabbed a towel, dragging it across her face and down the column of her neck. “Is it?” she said, walking toward you without breaking eye contact. “And here I thought I’d have to go hungry.”

There was a flicker of something in her gaze, playful, maybe. Testing. Her steps were heavy with post-workout warmth, and she didn’t seem to mind your stare one bit. If anything, she encouraged it.

“Caught you looking,” she said, voice smooth. “Don’t worry. I don’t bite…”

Zani leaned in slightly, close enough for you to catch the clean, sweat-laced scent of her skin. Her breath ghosted your ear.

“…unless you ask nicely.”

Zani left the room first, towel slung over her shoulder, every inch of her still humming with heat. She also pulled off the hair tie, letting the silver hair fall down her shoulders. You stood there, stunned, heart hammering, dinner completely forgotten.

And Zani? She didn’t look back. But you were sure she was smiling.