[Note to readers: Hi! I hope you enjoy my first story here. Might as well get the hardcore stuff out first, right? Please check the tags before you read. Comments and feedback welcome!]
Kate stared at the clock. This had been a monumentally bad idea. Watching as the hand crept closer and closer, her dread grew with ever minute strike.
That's why she should never, ever decide things while in the shower, she concluded. All manner of unreasonable ideas seem possible to her in there. When else would she have thought inviting her psychotic ex to her home would be a good decision? She shook her head.
The doorbell rang just as the clock struck seven. Always on time. Just as well. Steeling herself, she went to the door and opened it, pasting a polite smile on her face.
And there was Jaden, lounging against her door frame, looking as sexy as all sin.
"Morning, Kitten" he drawled, a sly tilt to his lips. "Missed me, did you?"
Kate's fake smile vanished and she turned away, rolling her eyes. Never mind the gracious act then.
His own smile widened to a grin in response.
Jaden was one of those men who were aware of their own appeal and had learned to use it to their advantage. People looked at Jaden, and saw the pretty face first. It took them a while to pick up on the cold intelligence underneath.
"Not likely." She stepped aside to let him in.
"You will, and one day I might not be willing to take you back."
"Oh sure. Call me when you get that personality transplant." Obnoxious ass.
But she couldn't resist stealing a look as he passed her to head toward her kitchen, striding before her like he owned the place. He was graced with a sculpted, tall frame and the face of an angel, albeit the fallen kind; a wide, full mouth and a head of thick bronze-colored hair that often fell in short waves over his forehead, tempering his masculinity with a hint of boyishness.
He was also a manipulative, emotionally sadistic jerk, she reminded herself. He loved to play mind games and had the sickest imagination Kate had ever come across. It was the reason she ultimately decided to break things off with him. Granted, they'd only been together for a year, but it was enough to see just how twisted his mind was. Kate shook her head as she followed him into the kitchen. She seemed to be doing that a lot around Jaden.
"Care for a cup of coffee?" she asked.
"You mean that foul brown sludge you drink? No thanks, I'd much rather get an adrenaline shot straight to my stomach."
She made a face. "Hey, just because I like some actual caffeine in-"
She stopped herself; he was obviously baiting her. Good to know he hadn't changed his slimy ways. Not that she was tempted to take him back, she amended, but damn, looking at him now, she realized she'd missed the arrogant bastard, just a tiny bit.
"I asked you here because I found some records of yours the other day. They're vinyl? Pretty rare."
"Oh, yeah." Unconcerned, he stretched out on the chair like a lazy cat. "Yeah, they're actually my father's, not mine. I suppose I-" cue air quotes "-inherited them."
"Oh." Kate bit her lip. She'd have to play this out cool.
"Is that why you called me?" Jaden asked with a mock pout, but his eyes were sharp, belying his casual tone. He knew she wanted something. "And here I was hoping for some begging."
"Begging."
He grinned. "Begging for me to take you back of course."
Of course. Kate rolled her eyes. "Tell me, is there, like, a soundtrack playing in your head?"
"A soundtrack?" he frowned.
"Yeah, like some cheesy music playing in the background of your mind every time you deliver those lines." She raised her brows at him and cocked her hip. " Because there's no other explanation for the shit you come up with."
Jaden threw back his head and roared with laughter. Her lips twitched in response.
"I missed you too, Kitten," he chuckled.
"Stop it with the pet names already. I'm not yours anymore," she snapped, her amusement vanishing. If she wasn't careful...
"Listen. About those records- since you're not invested in them, I'd like to buy them, if you agree. You have no use for them after all. What do you think?"
"I think not," he quipped.
Kate bit the inside of her cheek. "Don't you want to hear my offer first?" she grated.
"Not unless it involves your luscious body under my command, no."
"Dream on, you perverted freak."
"Oh I do, Kitten. Frequently." His brows lifted suggestively, leaving no doubt as to what he dreamed about.
Kate felt her cheeks burning and cursed herself. It was absurd how easily this man could get to her. This whole conversation could not have gone down any less smoother. As if in answer, her tummy chose that moment to make a dying-whale sound.
"What was that?" asked Jaden, amusement clear in his tone. "Was that your stomach?"
"Shut up."
"Katie, are you having digestion issues again?" She looked up; he'd switched to doctor mode.
"No, just a little constipated. No big deal."
"It is a big deal. How many days?" Jaden persisted, his face set.
"Ugh, that is none of your business."
"Katie, please. I may be your ex, but I still care about your well-being, and I'm still a physician."
She mulled it over. It was obvious he wasn't letting this go; also, it couldn't hurt asking for an opinion. She'd been wretched for days now.
"Six."
"Six days, I- !" Jaden looked heavenward, as if asking for patience. She narrowed her eyes; he was the exasperating one here.
"Alright, bathroom."
"What, like right now?"
"How am I supposed to help you if I can't take a look first?" Annoyance had replaced the concern in his voice. "Don't be a child, Kitten."
"Don't call me 'Kitten'!" She turned and stomped to the bathroom. Kate realized she was being difficult; truth was, she was also anxious to find out what was wrong with her, but she wasn't going to make this easy for him either.
