I kiss her hard, and she bites my lip. For half a second I think she’s going to fight me, but instead she melts just like she did before. I could let this keep going, and we could end up just how we were a moment ago. But she needs to get her head together first.

I break our kiss and let her go, taking a step back from her. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I can’t stand her pushing me away again.

“I want you, plain and simple. And not just for a fast fuck in the ring. You feel this.” I point between the two of us. “When you finally decide to take a chance, I’ll be waiting.”

Turning, I spot Donovan nearby, and he tosses me my shirt. I pull it on and give Pandora one last glance before I grab my bag from Ezra and make my way up the stairs.

I’m pissed off and could use another fight to take the edge off. I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to walk away from her. But chasing her isn’t the way to win her heart. She’s hardheaded, and if that’s the way it has to be, that’s fine, I’ll wait. She’s worth anything I’d have to do to get her.

I can only hope that she picks up the gauntlet I just laid down.

CHAPTER 7

Pandora

I lie with Penelope in our childhood bed at our parents’ house. Well, in Penny’s childhood bed. It might as well have been mine, too. We shared rooms when we were little, but when we hit our teens, Mom and Dad gave us each our own room. But every night I would still find myself slipping into her room and into her bed.

I rest my hand on her belly. She was up here taking a nap with Ivan, but when I slipped in he smiled at me and left us alone. It was like any other Sunday with the family. Lots of laughter, lying by the pool, and more food than anyone could eat. But I didn’t even feel like I was here for most of it. My head was far from here. I’ve been in another place, and it’s filled with Royce.

“Hey,” Penny says, her eyes fluttering open.

“Hey.” Her hand comes to rest over mine on her belly, our fingers locking.

“You ready to talk about it?” she asks.

“There’s this guy.” That’s all I get out before she has a giant smile on her face. “He’s driving me crazy.” She raises her eyebrows at me, and I let out a sigh. “Okay, maybe I’m driving him crazy, too.”

“He must be something if he’s got you all twisted. I’ve never seen you worked up over a man.” She smiles. “Unless he was hitting on me.”

I can’t help but laugh. Penny and I used to give the boys hell in high school. They all followed her around like lost puppies.