“Forrest, what are you doing here?” She tilts her head slightly to the right, her light brown wavy hair sitting on her bare shoulders. Seeing her in a sports bra and tights is never a good thing for me. All it does is make my body react to her when my mind is telling me to ignore those thoughts. It’s just my sex drive talking, and I’ve made so many mistakes listening to that over the years.

“We need to talk.” I push past her before she has a chance to close the door in my face.

Judging by the creases on her forehead and her lips that are in a straight line, she’s not exactly pleased to see me. “Sure, come on in, asshole, because I don’t value my privacy at all.” Yep, she is definitely pissed I’m here.

“You can’t do it.” Unbuttoning my jacket, I turn to look at her. My fists are clenched, and I can feel my shoulders tensing as the thought of her in danger has me getting worked up.

I run my hand through my slightly graying dark hair in frustration as she bursts out laughing at me. “Forrest, you need to let this go. I’ve told you before. Felisha needs help, and I’m in a position to help her. End of story. Now go home,” she says, turning and putting her hand on the door handle, but I’m not done with her yet.

“No. I forbid you to get involved in this poker game.” Infuriated with her dismissing me so easily, I storm back across the room toward her. “You will call it off now. Do you hear me!”

But instead of her backing up against the wall with me starting to crowd her space, she stands her ground, and the look on her face is one of pure hate.

“No man will ever tell me what to do.” Placing her finger on the middle of my chest, the venom in her eyes is enough to know I have overstepped with her. “Now get the fuck out!” She isn’t yelling at me, but the deep growl is enough for me to understand that I need to leave.

“Sorry for fucking caring.” I look her straight in the eyes, place my hand around her wrist, and push it down to take her finger from my chest. “Don’t call me when it turns to shit. Oh, that’s right, you are tough enough you don’t need a man to help you. You fight your own battles with your own hands.”

Putting my hands on her waist, I gently pull her out of the way and open the door, and as I start to step through it, she yells at me, loud enough I’m sure the whole building can hear it.