Harper hasn’t said a word to me in a week. Not. One. Single. Fucking. Word. I’ve been glued to her side but the silence is grating on my damn nerves. I know she’s battling with something and I’ve tried to give her space. She’s the person that needs to work things out before approaching you with a fight. I’m here, though. And I’m ready for a fight. We need to fight. After we fight, I can strip her bare and sink into her, making up for all the lost time.

Not one word for a fucking week, though, is driving me up the fucking wall. Harper is jogging on a treadmill next to Savannah while they chat. I’m beating the shit out of a bag, sick of the silence she’s given me. Not only is she silent, but she will barely fucking look at me. And she’s taunting me with sexy-as-sin dresses. Every meal we’ve had together, she stares at the table, she won’t acknowledge when I speak, and she rips her elbow away when I tried to guide her as we’re walking. Completely ignoring me except for those dresses. And they’re all in red.

Red is my fucking weakness against her skin and blonde hair. I have to stop myself from sinking to my knees when she comes out of her room every morning wearing these dresses. They’re classy enough for work, just teasing me with pieces of skin. Every morning I groan in pleasure and displeasure while watching her sway her ass to the kitchen. And each morning a tiny smirk will play on her lips. I never see it full on, though, because she won’t show me her face, just her profile.

I know the game she’s playing. She wants me to break, leave, and never come back. Not fucking happening, Sugar. I’m here to stay. I’ll live the rest of my life on that damn couch and follow her around, working on nothing but a laptop. I’ll give up field work, I’ll ride a fucking desk and follow her around. I’m not leaving. I’ll stay after the danger is gone. I’ll stay when I handle Rafael and make sure he never comes near her again. She can wear a red fucking dress every day for the rest of her life and I’ll be here. I’m not leaving. I pound the bag, jabbing each of my thoughts. My knuckles are stinging and cracking, getting blood on the bag. I don’t care about James’ rules for pounding on the bag with bare knuckles. I need the pain, need the release.

My eyes flick up to Harper every few seconds. She hasn’t looked my way once. Savannah keeps looking toward me and talking to Harper. I’m done with this. You want to play, Sugar? Let’s fucking play. I rip off my shirt and make sure my shorts are riding low on my hips. Harper used to worship my chest and shoulders. I was a scrawny kid compared to what I am now. I pound the bag harder. My eyes find Harper and Savannah on the treadmills again and I can’t help but smile when Savannah’s eyes widen. She leans over, never losing her pace as she whispers something to Harper. Her hands come down the bars of the treadmill, squeezing them so tightly, I see her knuckles turning white. Her head slowly starts to swing my way.

Finally. When her amber eyes meet mine, I stop the swinging bag with my fist and just stare at her. Our eyes are locked. I can see her pain all the way from across the gym. Let me erase it, Sugar. Ever so slowly, her eyes start to slide down my face, lingering on my lips before they slip to my chest. She stumbles for a split second, gripping the handles even tighter. Her pace slows as she stares at my naked chest and I watch hers rise and fall faster. I grin when her skin breaks into a deep red flush. Her chest is heaving, snagging my full attention. Flicking my eyes up to hers, I find her staring at mine. Sweeping my tongue over my lips, wishing they were caressing her skin, I refuse to look away from her or break this connection. Pure lust replaces the pain in her eyes.

Lust. I can work with that.

Harper breaks our connection, looking back to Savannah and whispering furiously. Savannah is giggling and keeps flashing her eyes over to me. After quickly wiping down the bag, I march over to Harper, intent on getting her to speak to me. Even if it is only one word. I am dying to hear her sweet voice. The glimpses I’ve been getting over the week—as she talks to anyone who is not me—have been tearing me apart.

I slam my hand down on the stop button, jerking her to a halt. Her eyes find mine. And, they’re on fire. Lust and rage are creating havoc and making them burn for me. I release a breath, satisfied she’s looking at me and I’m right in front of her.

“Sugar,” I drawl her name slowly, reverently, just like I would say it if I were coming inside of her. I flick my eyes to Savannah, quickly nodding a greeting. “Savannah.”

Savannah grins, flipping her eyes back and forth between us like she’s at a tennis match.

My entire chest fills with warmth only Harper can provide when she says one word. “Roman.” Her word may have been growled and feral, but it was directed at me. And it was my name on her lips. I’ll take my name coming out of her mouth any way I can get it.

“It’s time.”

She grits her teeth in frustration as her hands ball into fists at her side. “I’m not done. I’m still working out.”

“We can do another type of workout at home,” I say, shooting her a grin.

Savannah starts laughing, drawing attention to us. Her laugh is so loud and distinctive, it surprises me that something like that can come out of her.

“I’m not sleeping with you, Roman.”

My eyes slide back to Harper as I lean toward her. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Sugar. I meant we can work out at home.”

“Sure, you did.” Harper looks away from me, causing Savannah to laugh even louder. Liam comes up to her treadmill, taking a page from my book and pressing the stop button on her treadmill. He leans over, skimming his nose along her neck and muttering into her skin. “I live for that sound, gorgeous.”

When I look back at Harper, I’m surprised to find longing on her face as she stares at her best friend and Liam. That longing better not be for Liam. I didn’t pick anything up when I met them. I smirk, remembering how cute Harper was as she ignored me while I sat next to her, chatting away with her friends.

“It’s time, Sugar,” I repeat, making sure my tone conveys no arguments. It’s happening and it’s happening now.

Harper turns toward me, and the longing in her eyes has only intensified as she stares at me. She doesn’t want Liam. She wants what Savannah and Liam have. Sugar, I’m going to do everything in my power to make you mine again.

“Time for us to have that fight.” I clarify, adding to myself silently, after we fight, we’re definitely going to make up. Naked.