Chapter 14

The travel picked up after Victor. Vegas first—some hedge-fund guy who wanted me on my knees under the poker table while he played. Then New York—twin brothers (both CEOs) who took turns spit-roasting me on their penthouse balcony while the city glittered below. London was the wildest: a tech billionaire who flew me business class just to edge me for three hours straight before finally letting me come on his face. I flew home with a Rolex I didn’t ask for and a very sore ass.

Back in Chicago, Molly was waiting in my apartment when I landed at 2 a.m. She’d used the spare key I’d given her “for emergencies.”

“Jet-lagged?” she asked from the couch, wearing one of my T-shirts and nothing else.

“Exhausted. And sticky. Airport showers are a myth.”

She stood, walked over, and kissed me slow. “Shower. Then bed. I’m not here to fuck you tonight. I just… wanted to see you.”

That stopped me cold. “You okay?”

She shrugged, looking suddenly younger. “You’ve been gone a lot. I got used to having you around. It’s weird when you’re not.”

I pulled her into my arms. “Missed you too.”

We showered together—no sex, just soap and quiet. Afterward we climbed into bed, her head on my chest, my fingers tracing lazy circles on her back.

“Tell me about London,” she murmured.

I did. The edging, the Rolex, the way the guy cried when he finally came. She listened without judgment, without snark. When I finished she was quiet for a long time.

“You like this life?” she finally asked.

“I like the money. I like the sex. I like… feeling wanted.” I paused. “I like coming home to you.”

She lifted her head. “Careful. That almost sounded romantic.”

“Perish the thought.”

She kissed me anyway—soft, lingering. “Stay mine a little longer, okay? Even when you’re out there being everyone else’s.”

I tightened my arms around her. “Deal.”

The next morning the boss texted: Lunch. My place. Bring Molly.

I showed her the message. She raised an eyebrow.

“Think he knows?”

I snorted. “He knows everything.”

She grinned. “Good. Let’s go make him jealous.”

And just like that, the weekend got interesting.