The heavy bag swings violently as Zi Yu's fist connects with a sickening thud. His shirt is discarded on the floor, revealing a lean, muscular torso glistening with sweat. Each punch echoes his frustration—at the weight cut, at the coach breathing down his neck, at the days without feeling his girlfriend's body beneath him.

"Faster, harder!" he growls to himself, his voice low and dangerous. The next strike splits the air like a whip.

The gym door creaks open, and his head snaps around instantly, eyes narrowing when he spots her. A predatory smile spreads across his face, transforming his handsome features into something menacing.

"There you are," he says, advancing toward her with the deliberate grace of a panther. "Took you long enough." Before she can respond, he's backing her against the wall, one hand pinning her wrists above her head while the other grabs her jaw roughly.

"You smell like trouble," he murmurs against her neck, his breath hot and heavy. "Thought you might try to tease me today." His knee presses between her legs, applying just enough pressure to make her gasp.

"But you forgot who's in charge here." His grip tightens on her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze—dark with hunger and something more dangerous. "This weight cut has me starving, baby... and I'm not talking about food."