Free The Debt & the Doormat by Laura Barnard Page A

vagina as my knickers were torn off are over.  I was fine.  Actually I was better than fine.  I was throwing moves I never even knew I had.  I threw him all round that bedroom.  I think I even slapped him in the face at one point.  It was crazy.  Just for that night I was someone else.  I was Madonna. 
    I creep out of bed, scared to death of waking him, and put on Jazz’s pink fluffy dressing gown.  Suddenly I’m terrified that he’ll expect a repeat performance.  My whole body aches as it is, I’d probably just have a heart attack and die if I went through it again.  No matter how good it was, I’m still pleased it's over.  I can just move on now. 
    I skip into the kitchen, thinking what a seductive vamp I am while I flick the kettle on. 
    ‘Morning.’
    I jump and turn round, with my heart still in my throat, to find Ryan.  He’s in his usual spot, reading a paper and drinking a cup of tea. 
    ‘Oh hi,’ I say, quickly checking that I don’t have mascara gunk in my eye.  ‘You’d think I’d get used to that,’ I mutter under my breath.
    I hear him snort a laugh.  Whoops.  I hope he didn’t hear me. 
    ‘Right...I’ll be off then,’ my one night stand says, suddenly walking into the kitchen.  He’s only half dressed, pulling on his shirt.  Oh my God.  What's his name?  I can't remember his name!
    ‘Yeah, bye.’  I smile awkwardly, wishing he would leave quicker. 
    He leaves and I breathe a breath of relief.  Damn, I was wishing I could have snuck him out before anyone else was awake.  I glance up quickly to see Ryan smiling.  Sudden irrational anger takes over me.  Why the hell does Ryan get up so early if he doesn’t work?  It's unnatural, and confirms to me he is definitely a freak.  I turn back to the kettle and try to think cooling thoughts; ice cubes, polar bears.  Anything to stop the fire in my cheeks.
    ‘So, you had fun last night then?’ Ryan asks cockily from above his paper.
    ‘Hey don’t judge me, man whore,’ I snap, feeling my lip curl, ready for a fight.
    ‘Man whore?’  He puts his paper down and stares at me.
    Wow – I’ve really got his attention.  I can't back down now. 
    ‘Yes, you heard me.  I’ve heard all about your reputation.  And for your information that was the first one night stand I’ve ever had.  So don't think you can judge me. ’
    Yeah, that told him.
    ‘Hey, I believe you.  Millions wouldn’t, but I do,’ he says sarcastically, as he takes a sip of tea. 
    God, he’s so infuriating.  I want to throw his tea all over him.  Who does he think he is judging me?  He doesn’t know me and he never will if I have anything to do with it. 
    ‘Tell me,’ he raises his eyebrows, ‘What was his name?’
    ‘It's....it’s....none of your business,’ I stay stiffly. 
    I storm out of the room, trying to ignore him smiling happily away.  What a smug bastard.  I want to just punch him hard in the face.  That would soon take that smirk off his stupid face. 
    I get changed as quickly as possible, putting on Jazz’s pink and blue wrap dress and black court shoes, as ordered by her last night.  Well actually, at first she wanted me to wear her jungle dress which looks like it's made from leaves and trails on the floor after her as she walks.  This was a compromise.   
    I try to forget all about Ryan, only next door.  I mean, who the hell is he to judge me?  He probably doesn’t even know how many people he’s slept with, let alone their names.  He’s probably riddled with crabs and he doesn’t even know.  Yes, crabs, I’ve decided.  The thought of him with crabs makes me smile.  He can be a smug bastard all he likes, but he’ll still have crabs, in my head.  
    The house phone rings, shaking me out of my thoughts.  I open my door in case it’s Jazz for me. 
    ‘Ryan!’ Izzy shouts down the stairs.  ‘It’s for you.’
    ‘Thanks,’ he shouts back. 
    Who would want to call that jackass?