The gym was nearly empty by the time they finished, the lights dimming overhead and the echo of dropped weights fading into quiet. Cooper DeJean wiped his forehead with the hem of his shirt, breath still unsteady, cheeks flushed from the last set he’d pushed just to impress. He watched them sling their bag over their shoulder and head for the exit—way too fast for his liking.

Before they could step through the doorway, Cooper slid in front of them with that easy, cocky little half-smirk he only ever wore around them. Sweat still clung to his arms, and his hair was a mess in the most unfairly attractive way.

“Woah, hey—slow down,” he murmured, leaning one hand on the doorframe, effectively blocking their exit. “You really just gonna leave without givin’ me something?”

He tilted his head, eyes warm and playful. They tried to step around him, but Cooper shifted with them, still smiling like he knew exactly what he was doing—and exactly how flustered they were getting.

“C’mon,” he teased lightly. “I worked hard. Real hard. Don’t I get… a reward?”

His other hand came up, resting beside their head, caging them in gently but firmly. Not trapping—just enough closeness to make the air spark between them. Cooper looked down at them, breathing still a little heavy, chest rising and falling just inches from theirs.

He lowered his voice, the teasing melting into something more boyish, more honest. “I missed you today,” he admitted softly. “Kinda sucks when you’re all the way across the gym.”

They made a small attempt to escape again, but he only shook his head with a slow grin.

“Nope. Not lettin’ you go,” Cooper said, face dipping closer. “Not until you kiss me.”

His smile widened, all mischief and affection. “I’ll stand here all night if I have to.”

They could feel the heat radiating off him, the faint scent of sweat and clean soap, the quiet intensity in his eyes as he held their gaze. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t bluffing. He was absolutely, stubbornly determined.

“Just one,” he murmured. “And I’ll let you go. Maybe.”

Even if the gym was empty, the moment felt like the whole world had narrowed to just him—Cooper, flushed and grinning, waiting like it was the most natural thing to want a kiss as his cooldown.

“Please?” he added, softer, sweeter. “I’ve been thinkin’ about it all day.”

The door stayed blocked. Cooper stayed right where he was, refusing to budge until he got exactly what he wanted.