My arm is asleep, but I can’t bring myself to pull Molly’s beautiful head off it.

She’s sleeping soundly and contentedly. I move ever so slightly, and she sighs.

I wait a few more seconds, before I finally can’t take it anymore; my arm is throbbing in pain. I carefully place her head down on the pillow next to me and gently roll away, as not to disturb her.

It works, and she remains peacefully asleep.

I leave the bed and walk to the living room, stretching and rubbing my sore arm. I have room service on speed dial because it’s convenient, and let’s face it―I’m not much of a cook.

I know that Molly will probably be hungry when she wakes up. This is the second night in a row she’s spending the night with me, and I can’t help but feel growing attachment for her, even though I still have the club and getting back into it in the back of my mind.

A cheery room service attendant answers the phone. It sounds like Mark, but I can’t be certain, so I don’t call him by name.

Yes, I know most of their names by heart. I’m pathetic. I know it.

“Good morning,” I yawn sleepily. “I need breakfast brought to the forty-ninth floor.”

“Yes, sir,” the man says on the other end. “What can I bring you?”

“Hmm,” I say and contemplate the choices. I pretty much have the menu memorized at this point.

I know Molly will probably want some fresh fruit and oatmeal or something. Chicks always try to eat healthy, but even I can’t resist every now and then. I just make sure I get some good iron pumping sessions in if I eat hefty portions.

I order the fruit and oatmeal for Molly, and I order bacon egg and cheese on a croissant for myself. I promise I’ll work out later, and sex with Molly is always a great way to break a sweat, too.

I hang up with room service, and literally as soon as I set my phone down on the couch, my doorbell rings.

I sit there for a second. There’s no fucking way room service is already here. I mean, sure they’re quick, but not that fucking quick.

I walk to the door and open it. Surprise hits my face when I see that it’s Victor standing on the other side.

“Hey, man,” Victor says breezily with a nod in greeting.

He walks past me, right into the kitchen where he proceeds to pop open a beer bottle, helping himself to my fridge while he takes a swig.

“Ah,” he says in a refreshing tone with a gulp. “That’s fucking amazing.”

I have somewhat of an open-door policy when it comes to Victor. He has a key, but he won’t use it unless he asks me first.

Unfortunately, that little setup can’t be reciprocated because he’s married with a bossy-ass wife and two annoying little brats.

I’m only kidding; I love his girls, but kids aren’t really my thing…or at least, not yet.

“So, how are things with you this morning? How was your night?” Victor takes another sip of the beer and sits down at a barstool at my kitchen island.

“Pretty good.” I nod and cross my arms. “Starting early, aren’t we?” I add, nodding toward the beer.

“That’s it?” Victor raises an eyebrow, ignoring my comment.

“What?” I chuckle and scratch my head.

“I don’t know, suddenly the famous Owen Wolfe becomes shy?” Victor gives me a knowing look.

“I’m not shy,” I scoff. “Just a little tired is all.”

“Why is that?” Victor smirks.

“Come on, dude, quit busting my balls already.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms again, fidgeting defensively.

“You know I like to fuck with you.” Victor chuckles before downing the rest of his beer.

“Dude, you really fucking finished that in a hurry,” I note. “It’s seven o’clock in the damn morning.”

“I was thirsty, okay?” Victor grins. “Besides, you should have one with me.”

“I might when my room service order arrives,” I say.

“I wish I arrived a few minutes earlier, and I would have ordered with you,” he says.

“Here’s the phone.” I hand him my cell.

“Nah, that’s okay. I can’t really stay too long.”

“Gotta get back to the ole ball and chain, huh?” Now it’s my turn to tease him.

“You know it.” Victor nods, too lazy and tired of me making fun of him for so long about his marriage.

“Does that mean you aren’t going to work today?” I ask.

“I have some telecommuting conferences later,” he mentions.

“Cool.” I nod.

“So back to things with you…” Victor drums his hands on the counter top. “How are things going with Molly? Do you have her wrapped around your finger yet?”

I glance down the hallway where my master bedroom is. I chuckle nervously. “What do you mean?” I ask vaguely.

“I mean how’s the plan working out so far?” Victor slaps my back.

I want Victor to stop running his fucking mouth, but I can’t exactly act suspicious either and raise his curiosity even further.

“So, are you at full seduction level with her yet? Is she just drooling over you and melting into your arms just like you want? Is she right where you want her?”

Victor’s eyes are eager and dazzling like he wants to gossip like a fucking teenage girl.

“Calm down, man,” I say, pitching my voice low.

Jesus Christ. I bet you’re really freaking out right now, aren’t you? Yeah, me too, even though I’m trying to play it cool. But I don’t want Molly to overhear him any more than you do.

“Well, have you at least brought up the membership thing to her yet?” Victor asks.

You know just a few seconds ago when I mentioned that my worst fear is Molly overhearing Victor?

You probably already know where this is heading, don’t you?

Yep, you’re right. Spot on. Of fucking course, she walks in the room at the exact moment that Victor asks about the membership.

I have the fleeting sensation that I’m floating, then my cheeks burn with humiliation, because I’m caught.

Wait a second! Maybe she didn’t overhear the entire conversation.

Fat fucking chance, and the next words out of her mouth make me cringe to my core.

She looks at me with eyes like a wounded bunny, as if I just shot her in the forest for no apparent reason while she just so happened to be hopping by.

I glance at Victor with a look that lets him know I’m going to kill him the first chance I get. I don’t want to make eye contact with Molly, but I force myself to, because it’s what a real man does when he’s cornered. I don’t fucking flee.

She asks the burning question that I already know is coming.

“Owen,” she stammers in disbelief. “Is it true?” She looks between Victor and me.

“What?” I ask. Maybe I can get away with playing dumb here?

“Have you just been trying to seduce me this whole time?” Her voice cracks, but she doesn’t cry.

“Yes.” I nod and hang my shoulders. “It’s true.” There’s no fucking point in denying any of it. She obviously heard it all.

“Why?” Her voice is hurt, broken.

I take a deep breath and look at Victor. He’s staring at the ground remorsefully. The dick.

“I’m so sorry, Molly.” I try to take her hands, but she jerks away and takes a few steps back, away from me.

“I got kicked out of one of your father’s clubs,” I admit. “I thought that if I could get you on my side, you could help me re-instate my membership.”

I omit the part about being able to uphold my date with Crystal. I know that little tidbit will be too much for Molly to bear on top of fucking everything else.

“You fucking asshole!” Molly slaps my chest.

I stand there and take her abuse because I’m fucking pond scum and I deserve it.

“How could you treat me like this? The lies?” She’s really shouting now. “I trusted you, you fucking dirt bag!”

“Molly, I—”

“Oh, save your fucking bullshit for somebody who cares.”

Molly’s tear soaked expression cripples me. She runs out of apartment, slamming the door behind her. She’s still wearing my oversized t-shirt and a pair of girly shorts.

“I’m so sorry, man,” Victor says, and I turn around, remembering that he’s still here.

“Sorry? You’re fucking sorry? What the fuck did you just do?” I shout.

“Any chance you had of reinstating your membership is now ruined, and it’s all my fault,” he says regretfully.

“Yeah, no shit!” I seethe. “Why don’t you just shut the fuck up anyway,” I add. “I don’t even fucking care about the membership anymore. I need to find a way to fix this.”

Victor lets himself out, and I pace my living room floor, wondering if I should run after Molly. I’m fucking clueless. I don’t know what to do. And the crazy thing is that what I said to Victor is totally true. I don’t fucking care about the membership now.

All I care about is Molly. And now I’ve lost her, too.