Author's Note: The final few chapters of book two are upon us! Enjoy the ride -- there is going to be some really dirty stuff, in keeping with the spirit of Jess.
***
"James," Kat said stiffly. She did a shuffle-step, as if she didn't know whether to stop or keep going.
"Katherine," he said with an awkward formality that was disquieting.
"James," I said.
"John," he said. His eyes were hard. He knew. I smiled at him. The smile of the winner. To the victor goes the spoils, I thought to myself arrogantly.
"Well, that wasn't awkward," I said when we got back in the car.
"I don't care if I ever see him again," she said through clenched teeth.
"It makes me really glad to know that, this time, after cumming up your ass in a public restroom, you won't be going home with him," I said playfully. It broke the tension.
Kat laughed. "He probably thinks we were just making out or something," she said. "If he only knew." She turned and looked at me. "You make me an animal. Fucking me in the ass like that. Your ownership of me is complete and total. There is nothing I won't do for you."
"I love you, Kitty Kat," I said. "All I really want is for you to do what makes you happy."
She took my hand. "I love you, too," she said. "It will make me really happy to be done with this shit."
"It's been taking a toll on you," I said. "It's understandable. And it's okay -- I know part of you really loved him."
"Until I didn't," she said. The tone of her voice could have curdled milk.
"I've been thinking about this a lot," I said. "And I know you had these kind of parallel lives, and that was very exciting. But you know what? Did you ever believe you could have one life, with one person who satisfies all the complex sides and depths of you?"
Kat smiled at me. "Based on what I just felt leak into my panties, the depths are very deep indeed," she said with a laugh. "But, seriously, no. I didn't believe that was possible. I never dreamed a chewy short rib could lead me to prince charming."
"Maybe prince of darkness," I said, "but I'll take the compliment." I was feeling extremely at peace, and I brushed away the accompanying unease that usually came with that.
"I was always so conservative," Kat said. "My choices were always the safe ones. Then my wild side opened up this whole compartment, and I started putting things in it. And, gradually, that compartment grew. I never knew the two sides could co-exist."
"It's less stressful, isn't it?" I said.
"Yes!" she agreed. "I don't have to hide anything. It's such a liberating feeling! You're devoted to me, and I can just be me. There's no Good Kat-Kitty Kat divide."
"It's funny you say that," I said. "Jess uses the same word -- devoted -- in talking about you and me."
"Just so you know," she said, "I feel that devotion. I feel it every day. And I've really felt it about this party you and Jess have planned for me."
"The party is going to be ridiculous," I said.
"My favorite food, my favorite people, my favorite drinks, my favorite drugs," Kat said and laughed.
"And your favorite surprises," I said.
"I knew it!" Kat exclaimed. "You always have to have surprises!"
"You know me," I said, grinning.
"I don't even want to know!" she said. "But speaking of surprises ... there's a surprise waiting for you at home."
"Should I even ask?" I said.
"It's related to today's card," Kat said, referring to our Thirty Nights of Naughtiness game. The day's card read, "Are you really not jealous, or do you just say you're not jealous?"
"That opens myriad possibilities," I said. My stomach kicked out a few butterflies.
"This could be the toughest card in the whole deck," Kat said.
"I know it's going to be," I said. I pulled the car into home and noticed two unfamiliar cars parked in the circular driveway.
"If you're a good boy," Kat said, "your reward is going to be something you'll really, really enjoy."