Once I got home, I started sobbing. Why did I feel so dumb for pushing Wilder off me? Was I overreacting? Should I have loosened up and trusted him? How could I? I barely knew him, and red flag number seventeen was one of the toxic traits that terrified me. It brought so many conflicting feelings every time I looked at the red roses in the vase.

Cammie was at Roy's, so I did not want to call her crying about his brother. I did not want anyone to know what happened, but I made an exception for my best friend. We shared every bit of our lives.

I had my couch pillow clutched to my chest as my two cats lounged on the cushions beside me. My throat was dry from sobs, and I am sure I looked like a mess. Showering when I got home allowed me to scrub the feeling of Wilder off my skin. My wet hair was tied on top of my head, and I had changed into pajamas.

My phone vibrated, and I looked at the screen to see Cammie's name flash across it. I grabbed my cell and put it on speakerphone.

"What's up, girl?" she asked.

I cleared my throat because I did not want my voice to crack. Part of me was embarrassed to be so upset about what had happened.

"I think things are over between Wilder and me," I said.

"What happened?" she asked.

I let out a shaky breath.

Do not cry, I told myself. Keep it together.

"I may or may not have kneed him in the dick," I said.

Cammie laughed. "Why would you do that?"

I explained what happened once I got to Wilder's apartment in detail. Cammie clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, and I imagined her shaking her head.

"Oh, Harley," she said. "That is terrible."

"I wanted it to go so well," I said. "I feel like an idiot."

"I told you I wasn't Team Wilder," she said. "After that forced blowjob, I don't think he is good news. You need a guy that is a walking green flag."

"Green flags are so boring. Toxic men are always spicy."

"And then you get into situations like this."

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. Pushing away the tears, I focused on my breathing. My chest ached when I recalled Wilder's words.

I thought you were cool.

Maybe I was acting like a stuck-up prude?

"I should have just relaxed and gone with it," I said.

"No," Cammie said. "You are not going to start victim blaming. You did nothing wrong."

"You sure?"

"One hundred percent positive."

I smiled and leaned back on the couch. We transitioned the topic to the lighter conversation of our upcoming week. The thought of Wilder almost disappeared from my mind.

–

My eyes were heavy as I flopped onto the bed. I plugged my phone into the charger when it began to ring. Furrowing my brows, I looked at the screen to see Wilder's name. It was just past midnight. Why was he calling me?

I predicted he would complain about tonight's events, so I declined the call. Flicking off the lights, I curled on my side in bed. The screen flashed, lighting up the room.

Did he leave me a voicemail?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I looked at the screen to see that it was a text instead.

Wilder: Come downstairs.

I furrowed my brows. Why was he here? Did he come to get the final word on what had happened? Would he yell at me in front of my building?

While my mind was racing, I received another message.

Wilder: Please.

Please? That was not something I expected to hear from Wilder. Maybe he was not here to argue with me.

Harley: Give me a minute.

I threw the blankets off my body and dragged myself out of bed. Looking down at my unicorn pajama pants and sports bra, I knew I had to change. I grabbed a pair of shorts and threw on a T-shirt before slipping my feet into my sandals.

My heart fluttered as I waited for the elevator. When I got in, I saw my hair was still a knotted mess. I cringed as I tried to comb it with my fingers.

There was a ding as the doors opened. I let out a shaky breath before heading through the lobby. Wilder was not in sight until I stepped outside. My breath caught in my throat when I saw him standing off to the side.

A bouquet of red roses was in his hands. They were twice the size of the bouquet he bought me last time. Wilder was dressed in a dark pair of jeans and a white shirt. The dark tattoos on his chest were shadowing through the thin material. He smiled when he saw my frozen, shocked expression.

"Hey, Harley," he said.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I wanted to say sorry for tonight."

"Sorry?"

I raised a brow. Wilder chuckled as he shook his head. He held the flowers toward me.

"I got a little carried away," he said. "I couldn't help myself. You're so fucking sexy."

I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. He gave the bouquet a small shake, signaling for me to take the roses. My hands shook as I reached forward and grabbed them. I looked down at the flowers and then back at Wilder.

What did these mean? Why was heat rushing to my cheeks? Why was this making my heart pound so hard and a goofy smile cross my face?

"Do you like them?" he asked.

"Wilder-" I started.

"Do you like them?" he asked again.

I looked back down at the roses. The wonderful scent that I loved filled my nose.

"I do," I said.

"Do you forgive me?" he asked.

These were his apology? If I could have thought clearly, I would have shoved the bouquet back into his hands. Maybe I would have thrown them to the ground and stomped on them. I should have potentially ripped the petals off the stems and thrown them at him. These would have all been smarter options than what I did. Looking back, nice gestures like flowers were not an acceptable apology for red flag number seventeen. Instead, I did the stupidest thing possible.

"I forgive you," I said.

A wide smile grew across Wilder's lips. He stepped closer to me, and I held onto my breath. Putting his hand on my waist, he pulled me into his chest. The paper surrounding the bouquet crinkled between us. He cupped the side of my face with his other hand.

"Thank you," he said. "I promise it won't happen again."

Wilder pulled my face forward and lightly pressed his lips against mine. It was so sweet and tender. It was the opposite of the Wilder I experienced in his apartment. I managed to convince myself that he was not toxic.

When our lips parted, Wilder pressed his forehead against mine. His warm breath fanned across my face. Fingers curled into my waist and pulled me even closer. I was entranced by his crystal blue eyes and could not look away.

"You will see me again?" he asked. I nodded, and his smile grew. "I promise next time we don't have to have sex."

"Okay," I said.

Wilder kissed me again. His lips were soft, but the kiss grew more dominant as he bit down on my bottom lip. I moaned, and his tongue slipped into my mouth. My thighs clenched. His scent mixed with the smell of the roses, and I was in heaven.

"I would love to hold you all night," he said softly.

"Tonight?" I asked.

Wilder chuckled. "I'd stay tonight if you'd let me."

I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. Looking over my shoulder, I viewed the empty lobby. It was late, and I should have sent him home. The weight of the flowers made me think that Wilder could have some good.

God, this man was manipulating me so easily. That should have been another red flag. How many did he have so far? Eighteen?

"Yes," I said. "Come inside."