Page 32 of Molly

“Yeah, okay, Ryan,” I huff.

He rubs the back of his neck and shakes his head. “I told her you were staying the night tonight. I promise you, I didn’t mean to fuck this up, Mol. I just didn’t want her stranded somewhere, or hurt, not knowing anyone else that could help…”

Oh, you stupid, stupid man.

“You told her I was staying here tonight, and she called you this late to… chat? Are you fucking joking?”

“She forgot, Mol. She had a bad day at work... I should have ignored it. It’s my fault, not hers.”

I roll my eyes and get up, walking past him to the bedroom. He’s not wrong, but he obviously thinks I don’t see him replying to her messages every time we’re together. I know she comes by Inked on Agnes for lunch all the time too; Beckett told me that one. He’s either an asshole, or he’s actually stupid enough to believe she only wants to be his friend. I guess time will tell.

As I breach the doorway, I feel him at my back. His arm comes around and rests on my stomach, holding me against him.

“Don’t you dare leave right now. We’re not doing this anymore, no more running. It won’t happen again, I promise,” he says, resting his forehead against the back of my head. “I’m here with you. I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry I hurt you, that I upset you tonight.”

I nod slightly, and he removes his hand. “Let’s just go to bed. I’m tired,” I say, my tone flat and defeated.

“We should talk…”

“Enough for tonight, I’m either sleeping here or going home, your choice,” I snap, turning my head towards him.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

I scoff, walk into his ensuite, close the door, and lock it, much to his displeasure. I turn on the shower and let the hot water wash away my anger. What’s the point? He doesn’t listen, doesn’t understand. Jess is on some form of golden pedestal and he’s oblivious.

Fucking. Men.

Once I’m clean, I wrap myself in a ridiculously fluffy white towel, open up my overnight bag and do my night-time skin care routine. I’m pleasantly surprised that the peace lily I gave him is alive and well. He’s actually taking care of it...Still an asshole.

After I’ve moisturised, brushed my teeth, and braided my hair, I slip on a pair of fresh underwear and a black t-shirt. When I walk back into the bedroom, he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, hunched over, typing on his phone. Is he fucking for real? I throw my bag onto the grey armchair in the corner of the room, and it bounces off, hitting the floor with a thud. His head jerks up, and he immediately puts his phone down on the bedside table. When he goes to speak, I raise my hand, silencing him. I may not be going home, but I’ve got nothing else to say to him right now.

“Molly…” he pleads.

I shake my head, feeling my eyes start to burn. Today has been so fucking overwhelming, and I’m just done. I need to sleep.

“I’m embarrassed and exhausted. I don’t want to talk. I want to go to fucking sleep.”

I move towards the opposite side of the bed and pull the covers back. With a sigh, he stands, walks across the room, and turns the light off. I lay down as the room goes dark and make sure I’m as close to the edge as possible. I feel the bed dip beside me as he gets under the blankets, and then the heat of his chest warms my back. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me tighter against him. I try to wiggle out of his hold, but as I push my ass back, I feel his dick twitch.

In your fucking dreams, Ryan.

I huff and try to peel his arm off me, feeling the muscles in his forearm tense. He isn’t budging.

He buries his head in my neck, rubbing his nose against my jaw. “I know you’re mad. I messed up tonight, but I’ll be damned if the first time you sleep in my bed, I don’t hold you.”

I feel my throat tighten and swallow to get rid of the lump. I bury my face into the pillow and relax into his hold, realising there’s no point in fighting it.

He sighs when my body goes limp and places a soft kiss just under my ear. “Good girl.”

Soon enough, his breathing evens out and he falls asleep. I lay awake, wondering how long I’m going to be able to keep him before he realises she wants him too.

15

MOLLY

I wake up, wrapped in a cocoon of heat. I can feel Ryan pressed against my back, his arms and legs entangled with mine. I've got the blanket tucked up under my chin. I sigh and nuzzle into the insanely soft pillow my head is buried in.

His arm tightens and then releases. His hand strokes down my side, moving to my hip and squeezing. “Morning, baby,” he whispers into my ear. A shiver runs through me.God, his morning voice is so damn sexy.

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