Reader POV

At that exact moment, the laundry timer goes off, signaling that the dry cleaning was done. Of course this also meant that Loki had no more reason to be here, although his original reason wasn't extremely compelling to begin with.

He looks a bit alarmed at the offensive noise and crinkles his nose a little bit. It was kind of adorable.

Wait. Adorable? You couldn't afford to get too attached to someone that you probably would never see again after today.

Life has taught me many things about the cruelty and carelessness of human males. I had almost forgotten. This smooth, clever S.O.B. probably has pulled this with countless women, leaving them sobbing messes, but it probably didn't matter because there would always be others. Besides, why would he choose someone like me? I am nobody, really. I do not endow my man with bragging rights.

It would be foolish to think Loki to want different things from a girl than most of the guys his age she ever met just because he was a

unusual at times. Perhaps it was all a surface persona to hide what was underneath, or maybe he was just eccentric.

I went to fetch his clothing and motioned for him to use my room for changing.

Loki's POV

I look to (name) when I hear her coming back into the room. I was in the middle of trying to coerce her female companion and living mate out of her stupidity. How this silly girl saw things her way was beyond me!

(Name) gave me a thoughtful look and I returned it. Although, right afterwards, her expression suddenly looked a little sad, then changed to conflicted, and then went blank as she went to get my clothes from that noisy machine.

Had I done something wrong? Midgardian women were so complicated!

I now stand here, changing out of these offensive rags that her companion has lent me. It reaks of athlete sweat and cheap fragrance despite being laundered. I really need to bathe myself.

"(name)! I wish to bathe," I declare.

"Oh sure, go right ahead," reply two voices from the other side of the door.

I waited.

No one came, so I called out again.

(name) comes stumbling into the room with her brown hair falling slightly out of place, wearing an unamused expression. "Is there something you need? Wine? A rubber ducky? A massage while I feed you some grapes and cheese?" she says in a flat voice.

What had her so upset? Her moods change too quickly, this crazy girl.

"You may prepare my bath now, and yes, bring the wine, grapes and give me a massage. I don't know what you mean by rubber ducky, but bring that as well," I reply.

She only responds with the most incredulous gawk before dismissing her thoughts and starting the bath and tossing a variety of liquids and salts into the tub. The expression she wore was so unattractive on her pretty face. I wish she would serve me more pleasantly, looking at me honestly and innocently with those eyes, and tempting me with those lovely lips.

She did have nice lips...

When my bath is ready, I look at her expectantly as she starts to leave the room. "Where are you going? I need to be disrobed and bathed properly," I state.

Reader POV

I must have heard him wrong, but the guy just asked me to take his clothes off after having just met me. He certainly behaves like he thinks he's the queen of everything. Either that or has a strange kink for ordering people around.

Unfortunately, I heard him correctly because I was soon delicately peeling off the tshirt and freeing him of the sweat pants that my roommate lent him. I tried not to look at his very, VERY nice ass, or what was on the other side. And with that, I allowed him to slip into the frothy water until it reached his mid chest, thankful that he at least did that on his own.

Just who was this guy, and why did he act like this?

Once more, I turn to leave, denying him the opportunity to beckon me back.

My roomie unabashedly opens the door at this precise moment, wearing a goofy crooked smile on her face, to bring in a tray with two glasses of pinot noir, a plate of grapes and a small plate of cheese. To my chagrin, she also brings a small army of rubber ducks in a terry cloth bag, which she empties into the bubbly confection that I made for my "guest."

"I am terribly sorry to interrupt this loving moment, but I overheard my friend here offer to drink with you and feed you as you enjoy yourself here. I thought it would be rude of her not to follow through," she beams at Loki enthusiastically.

Damn her to all nine Hells.

A/N: The title of this chapter refers to how the OC must feel about Justine right about now. Clever, huh? ^_~