Page 43 of Vicious Temptation

I’m already laughing by the time he starts the walk of shame back to me.

“If you say I told you so, or even think about saying it, I swear to God, Braga.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I grab my water bottle, failing miserably at hiding my grin. “Well? What did she say?”

“You mean other than asking what the fuck would possess me to think I could talk to her? There were some other choice words in there, too.”

More laughter spills out of me.

“She’s mean, Braga. Stuck-up bitch.”

My laughter dies. “She’s a bitch because she’s working out and not interested?”

He shrugs and takes another drink of water. “Come on. She knows what she’s doing, showing up looking like that, dressed like that, then acts offended when a guy tries to talk to her.”

I stare at him, waiting for some indication that he’s joking.

There isn’t one.

“Or maybe she came here to work out.”

Grey scoffs. “Whatever. Women like that think they’re too good for everyone. Sometimes they need someone to knock them down a few pegs.”

I didn’t know this side of him existed.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice flat. “That’s not how that works.”

“Jesus, relax.” He tosses up a hand. “She’s all yours.”

“She’s not⁠—”

I glance across the gym and find Remi staring straight at us.

Fuck.

From the look on her face, I have no idea how much she heard or saw, but whatever conclusion she came to isn’t good. She snatches up her bag and water bottle and heads for the exit without looking back.

I leave Grey standing there and take off after her. “Remi, wait.”

Of course, she ignores me and keeps walking through the parking lot.

“Fuck off, Braga.”

“Can we at least talk?”

“Why don’t you send your little friend? He seems to be really good with words.”

“Grey isn’t my friend. We work together, and for the record, I warned him not to bother you.”

She scoffs. “Ah, another pig. Why am I not surprised?”

“Come on, Remi. That’s not fair. I’m nothing like him.”

She stops so suddenly I nearly run into her. When she turns, the anger on her face tells me I’ve somehow managed to make this worse.

“Yeah, you’re right,” she says. “At least he’s straight up about what a fuck-ass scumbag he is. Unlike you, liar.”

She turns away again.