Rivals of the heart

20.Morning Workouts and Midnight Challenges

William's POV:

I can finally breathe again. It was Tessa, not some guy. God, I feel like such an idiot. All this time, I was overthinking, spiraling into my own delusions. The way she talks to her family, full of affection—that's all it was. And here I was, losing sleep, thinking I was losing her.

I've never felt like this before. I can't function without her, it's insane. Every time she's near, my heart races like a damn teenager. Today, when we were close, it took everything in me not to lose control. I could feel her warmth, smell her perfume—it drove me crazy. But I pulled away. I want it to be perfect when it happens, not in a moment of weakness.

But God, I need her. All the time. It's like my body doesn't work properly unless she's around. Knowing she was with Tessa... it's like this weight's been lifted off my chest. I can finally sleep in peace.

I just... I can't imagine life without her.

Bella's POV:

The next morning, I was on autopilot, heading to the gym, earbuds in and ready to sweat out the confusion from last night. I was about to walk through the doors when I noticed a figure standing just outside, arms crossed casually, looking far too relaxed for this time of day. William.

"Morning," he said, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

I paused, yanking out one earbud. "What are you doing here?"

"I was thinking," he started, and I already knew it was going to be something ridiculous. "Maybe I could join the gym with you."

My brain short-circuited for a second. "What? Why?"

He shrugged, as if it were the most casual thing in the world. "Why not? It's not your private gym, right? Thought we could... work out together." There was a glint in his eyes, and I could feel my heart race, but I didn't have the energy to argue so early in the morning.

"Fine, it's not like I can stop you anyway," I muttered, stepping inside, trying to act indifferent. I still didn't understand why he wanted to join me, but I wasn't about to dwell on it.

We started the session, and almost immediately, he was on me—teasing, throwing sarcastic comments about my form, poking fun whenever I struggled to finish a set.

"You call that lifting, Bella? My grandmother could do better," he chuckled, but there was a playful undertone that made it hard to stay annoyed.

"Shut up" I shot back, trying to hide my smile. But he wasn't done.

He leaned in close as I moved to the weights, his breath warm against my ear. "You know, if you keep working out like this, you might even impress me one day."

I rolled my eyes, but my body betrayed me, my pulse quickening at his nearness. "I'm not trying to impress you."

He smirked. "Sure you're not."

But somewhere in between his taunting and flirting, I noticed his demeanor shift. His playful teasing stopped, and I caught him glaring off into the distance. I followed his gaze to a group of men on the other side of the gym, their eyes lingering on me far too long for comfort. I didn't pay them any mind, focusing back on my workout, but William? His entire posture tensed, his jaw clenched.

Suddenly, he was at my side, closer than before. His hand grazed my waist ever so slightly, and the heat of his presence sent a wave of awareness through me. He didn't say anything, but his silent message was clear—she's taken.

I was too busy working out to notice the way he stared down anyone who even glanced in my direction. The men who had been ogling me before? They backed off immediately, clearly intimidated by the billionaire CEO who now stood protectively close to me.