Page 86 of One Bad Idea

"What?"

His mouth twitched. "Am I supposed to answer?"

I froze.Oh, right.I'd asked if he'd ever seen anyone wet before. But I didn'twantan answer, mostly because I was afraid of what it might be.

"No," I said. "I'm just wondering why you're here." My gaze narrowed. "Andwhy you didn't think to call first."

"Was I supposed to?"

What kind of question was that?"Well, it would be polite."

He gave a tight shrug. "Alright." He reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out his cell phone.

I made a sound of annoyance. "It doesn't count if you call when you're already here."

He held up a finger. "Hang on. I'm making a call."

I rolled my eyes. "Very funny."

True to his word, he scrolled through his contacts and then tapped at the screen, presumably at my name. I crossed my arms and gave him the snottiest look I could muster.

That look faded when I heard the telltale sound of ringing. I almost groaned out loud.Oh, crap.The ringing was coming fromhim.

I tried not to cringe.He had my phone? But how?Suddenly, I recalled my hasty departure from the office. I'd grabbed my purse, which contained my keys. But looking back, I couldn’t recall grabbing my phone.

And now, it was still ringing from somewhere in pants.Was it in his pocket?I sure hoped so.

He smiled. "So….you wantmeto get that?"

I looked toward his pelvis. "Well,I'mnot going to."

With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out my cell phone. He answered with a bored, "Allie's phone, how may I help you?"

With a sound of frustration, I lunged forward and yanked the phone out of his hand. Like a slippery fish, it slid out of my grasp and surely would've tumbled to the floor if only Jaden hadn't reached out and caught it in mid-air.

What was he? A secret ninja or something?

He held out the phone in my direction, obviously waiting for me to take it.

I snatched it away, more carefully this time, and then watched in silent annoyance as he tucked his own phone back into his pocket while eyeing me with clear amusement.

Now, I didn't know what to do.

Ihadto thank him, but I hated the thought. Plus, I'd just made a fool of myself, yet again. I mumbled, "I guess I should thank you, huh?"

"Nah." He grinned. "Your warm welcome is thanks enough."

My so-called welcome had been anything but warm, as both of us knew. I glanced down at my phone, still in my hand. "Where was it? On my desk?"

If so, I knew exactly where. At work, I kept my cell phone to the left of my computer screen, close enough to grab if anyone called, but mostly hidden from prying eyes.

Jaden replied, "Good guess."

It wasn'tthatgood, but I didn't bother correcting him. Instead, I frowned as I realized something. "Wait a minute. You were in my office?"

"Is that a problem?"

Was it?Technically, some might say that it washisoffice because the whole building belonged to him and his brother. Still, something about this was distinctly unsettling.