Chapter 22

_______________________

I huffed out a breath, sweat dripping down my forehead as I heaved the dumbbells up for another set. Pyro, big as a damn tank, was beside me, grunting with each rep, and tossing around dumbbells like they were marshmallows. His arms were like cannons, veins popping out like he was about to explode.

I hated this place. All concrete walls and low-hanging lights flickering like they were about to give up the ghost any minute now. The military gym, they called it. More like a underground bunker that reeked of sweat, stale piss and too much testosterone.

But orders were orders.

We were here to ‘train’ the medical staff, getting them ready for some future mission that was classified to hell and back. Like any of those nerds knew jack shit about what it was really like out there.

But right now, all I could focus on was the burn in my muscles and the pounding of my heart.

And then I saw her.

Sweet Jesus.

Red walked in, all fiery red hair and curves that could make a priest question his vows. She looked tired, though. Worn out. I could see it in her eyes, even from across the room. But then she spotted me, and there was a flicker of something there. Recognition, maybe.

I nodded, trying to play it cool, like I didn’t give a shit that she was here.

Actually, I gave. Many.

Fuck, she was a sight for sore eyes, even with that dickhead of an ex trailing behind her like a sad, whipped dog.

“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” I muttered to Pyro, nodding in Red’s direction.

Pyro snorted, his eyes flickering with amusement. “Looks like trouble,” he replied, his voice low and gravelly.

“Always is,” I agreed, unable to tear my eyes away from her.

I should’ve expected the whole circus, but seeing Red’s sorry excuse for a man stroll into the gym still caught me off guard.

He had one hell of a shiner blossoming on his left eye, the skin around it a nasty shade of purple. I couldn’t help but smirk as I remembered landing that punch. The bastard had it coming.

I thought for sure Red would scream, run to get help, report my ass to the captain. I mean, I went to town on that motherfucker, giving him what he deserved and then some. I expected Red to be the first one to rat me out to my captain, but there she was, helping him up like he was some saint.

What the hell was she playing at? Was she planning to shank me in the back when I least expected it? The question buzzed in my head like a swarm of angry wasps.

Whatever.

I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I was trying to protect her, trying to make sure that scumbag never laid a finger on her again, and she was just standing there, looking at me with those big, doe eyes, like I was the bad guy. Like I was the fucking monster here.

Maybe I was.

I mean, it made sense, right? She had every reason to turn me in. I had just beat the living shit out of her ex, and now here she was, acting like it was just another fucking Tuesday.

Pyro spat on the ground, the phlegm hitting the floor with a wet splat.

“Ready to show these noobs how it’s done?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

I grunted, setting down the dumbbells with a clatter. My fists itched with the memory of pounding that cunt into the ground. But what surprised me the most was the fact that he was still standing here, looking like he just crawled out of a sewer.

Lovely. His face was like a smashed pumpkin.

His gaze dropped to the ground like the coward he was, probably hoping I wouldn’t notice him.

Oh, but I fucking did.

Pyro noticed my gaze and followed it, his eyes narrowing when he saw who it was. “Easy there, Rogue,” he warned, voice low. “We got a job to do, remember?”

“Yeah,” I barked back, cracking my knuckles.

We made our way over to the group of medics, who looked like they’d never held anything heavier than a scalpel.

And Red—fuck me—Red was driving me insane without even trying. She kept touching her neck, right where her necklace used to be before those Tali assholes snatched it. Every time her fingers brushed against her skin, my mind went straight into the gutter.

Focus, Rogue.

But all I could think about was Red’s neck, her delicate fingers trailing along the smooth skin. God, I wanted to be the one touching her there, tracing every inch of where that damn necklace used to hang.

Get your shit together, you idiot.

“Alright, you bunch of sorry asses,” Pyro bellowed, stepping up in front of the group of medics like they owed him money. “Me and Rogue here,” he jerked a thumb in my direction, “we’re gonna whip your sorry asses into shape. So line the fuck up.”

I shot him a look, but he just winked back at me before dividing the group into two.

“I’ll take the prick,” he muttered under his breath. “Don’t want you accidentally snapping his neck, Rogue.”

Rolling my eyes, I took my group off to the side while Pyro started barking orders at his.

“Alright, you limp dicks, first things first. Warm up those sorry excuses you call muscles! Jumping jacks, push-ups, and if I see anyone half-assing it, you’ll regret the day you crawled outta your mama.”

They stumbled through the warm-up routine like a bunch of drunken toddlers, limbs flailing and sweat flying. I barked orders like a drill sergeant on crack, pushing them harder, faster, until they looked like they were about to puke.

“Okay, enough of that shit,” I snarled, wiping the sweat from my brow. “Now, grab a partner! Time for some real practice.”

The medical staff looked around, eyes darting like scared little rats, until everyone was paired up except for Red. She stood there, a bit uncertain, looking around like she didn’t belong until her eyes met mine.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, striding over to her. “Well, looks like you got stuck with me, princess.”

“Lucky me,” she replied, squaring her shoulders like she was actually ready for this.

I gestured for her to throw a punch, and with a scowl, she obliged. She swung at me, but it was a joke—sloppy, weak, no power behind it. I dodged it with ease, smirking.

“You call that a punch?” I laughed, stepping aside as her fist flew past me.

She growled in frustration, spinning around to try again, this time with a half-assed kick.

I blocked it effortlessly, grabbing her leg and tossing her off balance. She stumbled, cursing under her breath.

“Is that the best you got?”

Red’s jaw clenched, her eyes blazing with fury as she launched herself at me, a whirlwind of punches and kicks.

She swung, I ducked. She kicked, I sidestepped.

Sure, she wasn’t exactly a combat goddess. Hell, she couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if her life depended on it. But holy shit, every time she swung at me, her fists barely grazing my chest, I could feel myself getting harder than a titanium rod.

“Come on, hit me,” I commanded.

And oh boy, she came at me like a goddamn hurricane. She didn’t hold back, her attacks becoming more frenzied as she tried to land a hit on me. I could see the fire burning in her eyes, the need to prove herself, and fuck if it didn’t turn me on.

“You’re gonna have to do better than that,” I chuckled, almost enjoying this game of cat and mouse.

She kept coming, each punch fueled by enough rage to light up a small city. This time, I caught her wrist mid-air, twisting it behind her back in a move that would have had her on her knees if we were in a different situation.

“Easy there, tiger,” I goaded, sidestepping another blow. “Don’t want to hurt yourself.”

But Red wasn’t having it. She twisted and writhed in my grasp, trying to break free. “Go to Hell!” she spat, trying to land a kick at my shin.

I laughed, easily sidestepping her clumsy attempt. “Feisty, aren’t we?”

I tightened my grip on her wrist, enjoying the way she squirmed. In that moment, I realized just how much I liked this side of her. The fire, the passion—it was intoxicating.

I released her wrist, stepping back to give her a moment. Not that I wanted to. Fuck, every inch of me wanted to pin her down and keep her there.

Fuck, she was so fucking tempting.

Irresistible. In every way.

Red lunged again and I deflected her blow, spinning her around and pinning her onto one of the mats with my weight before she even knew what hit her. She grunted as the air was knocked out of her, and I smirked down at her.

“If we were out there with the enemy,” I breathed, my lips hovering just inches from hers. “You’d be dead by now. You need to control that temper of yours, or it’ll get you killed.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, but there was something else there—something raw, wild, and just as fucked up as the shit running through my head.

God, I was so damn turned on.

“And what about you?” she huffed in frustration, trying to wriggle out from under me.

But I held her firmly in place, enjoying the way her body squirmed beneath mine. “Oh, I’d be just fine.”

Red glared up at me, her chest heaving with exertion. “Let me go, you bastard,” she spat, trying to buck me off.

“The more you fight, the brighter your eyes shine in the darkness,” I laughed, leaning in closer until our faces were mere inches apart. “It’s quite alluring.”

She struggled beneath me, all sharp elbows and knees, trying to break free. But every movement made her rub against me, and fuck if that didn’t make me harder than steel.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she panted, sweat glistening on her brow.

My cock twitched at her words, betraying me like it had a mind of its own. “You bet your ass I am,” I shot back, grinning like a maniac. “But you know what? So are you.”

Her movements faltered for just a second, her fiery eyes flickering with surprise before she pulled herself together. “You think this is funny?” she demanded, pushing against my chest like she actually thought I’d back off.

I should’ve kept my distance. Should’ve held myself back. But I didn’t.

My cock was harder than a goddamn diamond, throbbing like it was gonna tear through my pants any second.

As I pressed my aching length against her, I heard her soft gasp—sweet as hell. That sound was like pouring gasoline on a fire.

My body was burning up, every inch of me ready to lose it. I moaned low in my throat, my need for her practically driving me mad.

“No, Red,” I murmured, my lips brushing against hers. “I think it’s fucking hot.”

She didn’t resist. Not a word. Just looked at me with those eyes that promised everything and nothing all at once.

And for a moment, just a brief fucking moment, I swore I could feel her smile against my skin.

Fuck, I had to keep my head straight. Every inch of me was on fire, craving her touch like a junkie craves their next hit. But my mind knew better.

Nope, not going there.

The cold reality hit me like a bucket of ice water. She hated me. All this time, I’d been chasing after her, trying to be the guy she wanted me to be, and for what? So she could use me and toss me aside like yesterday’s trash?

No fucking way.

I pushed myself off her, standing and offering her a hand up. She took it, glaring daggers at me as she dusted herself off.

As she straightened up, her gaze flickered down to my crotch, where my bulge was clearly visible against the fabric of my pants. I saw the way her eyes widened for just a fraction of a second before she quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t seen anything.

Bullshit.

I saw the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, her tongue darting out to wet her lips and the slight flush creeping up her neck.

And the way her pupils blew wide? Yeah, she was feeling it too.

I smirked. Couldn’t resist poking at her. ?Enjoying the view?”

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she shot me another glare, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment or anger—I couldn’t quite tell which.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she snapped, but her eyes betrayed her.

Oh, she hated me, alright. But she wanted me just as bad.

And I was going to enjoy every second of it.

“Oh, I think I do flatter myself,” I murmured, my breath ghosting over her skin.

I needed a drink. Maybe several to drown out this bullshit swirling around in my head.

She swallowed hard, her eyes darting away from mine. “Fuck you, Rogue,” she hissed, but there was no conviction in her words.

I moved closer, closing the gap until her body was pressed against mine. Reaching out, I traced a finger along her jaw, feeling her skin heat up under my touch.

“Maybe later,” I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear.

She shivered, her body responding to my touch despite her best efforts. But instead of giving in, she shoved me away, her eyes burning with anger.

“You wish,” she shot back, but it was weak—she didn’t even believe herself.

I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. “Oh, I know you do,” I murmured, loving the way her breath caught.

She might pretend she didn’t want me, but her body told a different story. She was fighting it, sure, but she wanted me just as much. And I was going to make her suffer, make her ache for it like I was.

“Alright, you horny bastards, that’s enough for today,” Pyro’s voice boomed through the gym, interrupting us at the worst possible moment. “Time to pack it in and go jerk off somewhere else.”

Red let out a breath like she’d just been saved, her shoulders sagging in relief.

I glanced over at Dr. Scumbag, half-expecting him to be laid out cold. But no, the little shit was still standing. Maybe he wasn’t as much of a pussy as I thought.

“Come on, hotshot, time to call it a day,” Pyro said, clapping me on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

Like I needed his permission. But I swallowed my pride and blinked, tearing my gaze away.

“Yeah, heard you the first time,” I nodded, still distracted by Red’s my-ass-is-on-fire exit.

I watched as everyone started to pack up and shuffle out, but my eyes were glued to her. She was avoiding my gaze, hurrying towards the exit like she couldn’t get the fuck away from me fast enough.

Well, fuck her too.

I didn’t need her bullshit drama dragging me down any longer.

Pyro’s gaze bore into mine, intense and probing. “Listen, man,” he started, his voice surprisingly gentle for the hard-ass he usually was. “I don’t fully understand what’s going on between you and that doctor, but I can smell trouble from a fucking mile away.”

The last thing I needed was to spill my fucked-up feelings like some lovesick idiot.

“Yeah, no shit,” I replied, maybe a little too sharply.

The big bastard just shook his head, a look of concern clouding his features. “I don’t like that prick,” he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Well, ain’t that a fucking revelation,” I grumbled, running a hand through my sweat-soaked hair.

Pyro gave me a long look, those damn beady eyes narrowing like he was trying to figure me out. “Just watch yourself, man.”

“I can take care of myself,” I insisted, the stubbornness clear in my statement.

Even as the words came out, I couldn’t shake the nagging doubt creeping up in the back of my mind. Could I really?

Pyro held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I know you can,” he replied, staying calm while I was clearly on edge. “But sometimes it’s smarter to avoid the fight than to win it.”

I shot him a look, not liking where this was heading. “I don’t back down from a fight.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Yeah, I get it. You care about her, that’s clear as day. But don’t let your pride and anger fuck up your judgment.”

I scoffed, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Fucking Red. Couldn’t get that woman out of my head if I tried. The way she strutted around, all heroic, trying to save the world like some martyr. Except she couldn’t save her own goddamn ass, could she?

But I wanted her. God help me, I wanted her.

Yeah, I hated that I had this thing for her, this sick attraction that refused to die. Hated that she was the one person who could make me feel like a useless piece of shit, unable to do a thing to help her.

Pissed off and done with this shit, I pushed past Pyro, heading for the exit with his heavy footsteps trailing behind me.

Maybe it was time to stop being a dumbass and figure this shit out with Red. Or maybe it was time to tell her to go fuck herself.

Or maybe I was doomed to crash and burn like I always fucking do.