All Chapters of Secret Infatuation : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The rhythmic clang of weights and the faint scent of rubber mats mingled with the steady thrum of music. It was just another day at Iron Haven Gym—except for me. It never was. Not when he was here. I adjusted the barbell on my shoulders, my body moving automatically through squats when my focus flickered across the room to where Alex was correcting someone’s form. His voice, calm but firm, carried over the low buzz of conversation. That damn voice—it could command a room without raising an octave. He smiled then, a flash of white teeth, and I felt my knees weaken. Fortunately, I was mid-squat, so it just looked like part of the exercise. Alex had no idea what he did to me. How could he? He saw me as another client. A quiet, dependable one and maybe a little too intense with my workouts. He didn’t know I showed up for every early morning session and stayed late most evenings just to be near him. He didn’t know I caught my breath every time his hand accidentally brushed my arm

The evening shift had started quietly, the usual mix of gym-goers trickling in—some after work, some trying to squeeze in a late workout. I was checking someone’s form on the bench press when the door swung open, and like clockwork, Liam walked in.But tonight, something was different.He wasn’t his usual composed self. His broad shoulders were tense, his jaw set in a hard line. The golden fire in his eyes burned hotter tonight, an intensity that seemed to darken his whole demeanor. Whatever it was, he was radiating frustration, and it hit me the moment he stepped into the room.Liam didn’t waste time. He walked straight to the corner where the boxing bag hung, barely acknowledging anyone when he slipped his hands into the gloves he’d brought with him. His movements were sharp, almost aggressive, and when his fists started hammering the bag, the raw power in each strike was enough to make my chest tighten.The chain holding the bag groaned under the force of his punches, and the bag s

The second I walked into the dining area and saw Liam sitting at a table with a woman, I felt something twist in my chest. Jealousy, maybe? No, that couldn’t be it. I barely knew him. He was just a guy from the gym, someone I had a good rapport with. Someone who’d looked like he needed a friend a few times, and I’d stepped up. That was it. But still, seeing him with her. The way she leaned in close and her perfect smile directed at him; hit me harder than I expected. My stomach churned when I approached their table, and I hated myself for feeling this way. I didn’t even have a right to be jealous. When I got closer, I forced my face into a neutral expression. This was my job, after all. I was here to work, not to overthink what was going on between Liam and his date. But when I stepped up to their table, my heart skipped a beat when Liam’s eyes met mine. “Good evening,” I said, keeping my tone professional, even while I felt the weight of his gaze. “Hey, Alex,” he said, his vo

What the hell was that about? I stood frozen, my heart pounding against my ribs and I stared at the dimly lit corner where Liam had kissed me and then bolted like a man possessed. My mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened, but I couldn’t. I raised my fingers to my lips, half-expecting to find some kind of evidence to prove it had actually happened. The warmth of his mouth was still there, lingering like a brand, and my stomach twisted at the memory. Did he really just kiss me and then run away like a goddamn coward? The faint thrum of the gym’s speakers and the clinking of weights seemed distant now, muted compared to the chaos in my head. I replayed the moment over and over, trying to decipher the look in his eyes before he ran in desperation, maybe? Fear? I wasn’t sure. What I was sure of was that it was al

I stormed back into the club, my mind clouded with rage and jealousy. The lights and music blurred around me while I searched for Alex. I found him in the corner, draped over another man, his laugh soft but visible even from where I stood. My blood boiled. My wolf growled within me, clawing at the surface, begging for control. I couldn’t stop myself, and I pushed through the crowd, my focus locked solely on Alex and the man he was with. Without thinking, I ripped Alex away from the guy’s grip, pulling him behind me protectively. My body tensed when I came face-to-face with the man. A familiar figure from my business world. Of course, it had to be him. Nathan Cross. A rival CEO whose shady tactics had always been at odds with mine. His smug expression only fueled the fire raging inside me. Tonight wasn't my night at all. Nathan’s dark chuckle broke the tense silence between us