Page 55 of The Fighter
“Fine. But we’ll talk out here. I’m not letting you into my room.”
The hallway was empty, so I agreed, “Have it your way. You know why I’m here.”
When she didn’t answer, I continued, “You ran out without giving me a chance to understand what I did wrong.”
Planting a hand on her hip, Raven gave me a pointed look. “You’re a misogynist; I told you.”
I held up both hands. “I’m sorry if you were offended by my sexual fantasies about you. You know that I don’t have much experience with women and maybe I fucked up, but your reaction wasn’t helpful. If you had stayed, we could have…”
Raven narrowed her eyes and cut me off. “Helpful? Oh, you mean I should have stayed and stuck out my tongue for you to cum on like a good girl.”
Damn, it was hot in this hallway. I pulled at the neckline of my sweater. “Raven, that’s not what I meant.” My voice lowered and became more intense. “I’ve hardly slept or eaten these past days. Have you told anyone?”
“Not yet.”
I had been a runner my whole life, but never had my heart beat faster. “Are you planning to tell anyone?”
Raven raised her chin. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On how well you apologize.”
“I already said that I’m sorry.”
“Yes, but we both know that the only thing you’re sorry about is getting yourself trapped in this situation. Your biggest regret is that I now hold the power.” Like a goddamn standoff between two alpha wolves, Raven raised her chin and gave me a challenging stare. “The question is, what will you do to make me forgive you?”
I lowered my head, keeping my temper in check. “What do you want?”
Raven looked thoughtful as she began circling me. I turned with her, never allowing her to get behind me. Facing my shoulder, she rose up on her toes and throwing off confidence she whispered in my ear. “Action. I want to see action. No more hiding me away in the basement.”
I closed my eyes, knowing that I would be doomed if she told on me and doomed if something happened to her. There was no way I could win this one. “Maybe we can find some assignments for you other than filing. I could have you look into minor violations.”
“Now you’re onto something.”
My voice was low and annoyed. “And in return you promise that you won’t tell what happened?”
Her finger trailed down my shoulder. “How about weekly sparring, just you and me. You’re the best fighter at the station and I want you to teach me.”
My answer came without hesitation. “Not if you do that porn shit again.”
Raven pulled back and crossed her arms. “Says the man who wanted to shut my mouth with his penis.”
“That was different. We were…” I trailed off, not sure how to categorize what we had been doing.
“From now on, all I want from you is better police assignments and fight training.”
I crossed my arms as well. “And what about the things that happened between us?”
Raven tilted her head and lowered her brow. “What things? As long as you honor your part, I have no clue what you’re referring to.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then my memory might come back.”
“That’s blackmail.”
“Is it?” She leaned her head back and let her hands run through her hair, forming it into a ponytail. “Or is it just my way of taking what none of you men want to give me voluntarily? I can see how your life would be so much easier if I just bowed down to your superiority. Wouldn’t it, Leo?”
