I growled and pushed harder, fighting through the intense burn as my legs went round and round. “You’re an evil jerk, and I hate you,” I screamed through gritted teeth. “I take back every nice thing I ever said. You’re ugly and mean and stupid and”—I dashed a quick look around and lowered my voice—“you’re a terrible lay.”

Asher eyed the display screen on the stationary bike and hit a button three times. The resistance increased more and more and more, and I wailed. “No! Oh God. Dear Diary, Asher is an asshole with a stupid face, and I hate him. Why? Why? Why?”

The machine beeped again. The resistance got worse. My foot slipped off the pedal and it came around, hitting my calf before I caught it again.

I dropped my head between my arms and fake-sobbed. “I thought you loved me.”

“Take it back.”

“No. You’re a freak. You think this shit is funny. It’s not. I hurt. You’re a sadist. My pain amuses you. Even my ass hurts sitting on this stupid thing.”

“Take. It. Back.”

“Fine!” I spat, glaring up at him and his stupid grinning face. “You’re dashing and beautiful, and your stupid muscles are”—I scanned the room again—“so fucking hot it makes me want to jump you every time you take your shirt off. Better?”

“And?”

I pinched my lips, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes, sweat dripping down my spine and temples. I whined.

“Say it.”

“And you’re the king of sucking cock, and I love it when you fuck my ass,” I hissed. “You’re the best lay I’ve ever had.”

Asher’s gaze flashed around as he grinned, his dimples all cute and carved into his cheeks. “Thank you. Now, are you going to keep calling me baby every time we fuck?”

“No. Never again.”

“What happens if you do?”

“You’ll put me on this torture device and try to exercise the twink out of me.”

Asher snorted. “Cute.”

“It was a clever moment. My brain is starved for oxygen. It probably means I’m ten seconds from dying. Can I get off now?”

“No.”

I wept, drawing unwanted attention.

Asher chuckled and tapped a button on the machine. “But you can have your easy mode back.”

The resistance faded, and my legs sighed with relief. “Oh, that’s better. Shit. I’m gonna be crawling to class tomorrow.”

Asher handed me a towel and leaned by my ear. “And not because your legs are sore. Punishment part two starts when we get home. You think your ass hurts from sitting on a bike? Just you wait. You’re not sleeping tonight either.”

I shot him a facetious grin. “Bring it. Punishment part two is right up my alley.”