Her Jealous Ex-FWB (Toxic Tryst #1)

Chapter One

Have you ever made a mistake that haunts you?

Everyone thinks I’m a good girl. I graduated from college with top grades, just started an excellent corporate job, and remember to call my parents three times a week.

I’m a good girl. I don’t spread my legs for just anyone.

That’s what people think.

What’s my mistake, you ask?

Becoming friends with benefits with Jordan Blackwood.

My phone chimed with a message while I was doing my makeup.

JB: wyd tonight?

I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t seen Jordan since I graduated college a month ago, and I thought he’d would have got the hint by now.

Yes, he had been fun to mess around with in college, but things were different now. I recently turned twenty-two and had started a job at a good company. It was time for me to grow up. I’d no longer hook-up with a walking red flag. No, it was time for me to get into a real relationship.

Which was why I was putting makeup on. Tonight, I had a date with a real man, not some stupid college boy.

I’d met Alec on a dating app, and tonight was our first date. He was a twenty-five year old engineer, and he seemed kind and respectable, the kind of guy I could introduce to my parents.

My mom and dad had been asking about my love life, and I couldn’t exactly explain to them that I’d spent the past few months being friends with benefits with my college’s resident fuckboy.

I never intended to get involved with Jordan. We ran in roughly the same circles, and I’d seen him at parties since freshman year. Everyone told me to stay away. He broke girls’ hearts. He’d use you like a sex toy, then discard you like a dirty tissue.

A few months ago, I ran into him at a house party. My friends had dragged me out, because I’d been stressed about finishing my degree and finding a job. I’d tried to relieve my stress with sex, but every guy I’d hooked up with had been awful in bed.

It was so bad, to the point that I’d gone temporarily celibate, because I didn’t want to deal with another two-pump chump.

So I was at a party I didn’t want to be at, simultaneously stressed and sexually frustrated. I was drinking beer that tasted awful and leaning against a wall, bored out of my mind, while my friends made out with random guys on the couch.

That’s when Jordan had appeared next to me. Now, the unfortunate thing about Jordan is that he’s devastatingly handsome. Six foot four, lean muscles, dark brown hair and stormy blue eyes. Even though every girl knows he’s a red flag, he’ll never run out of side pieces. He’s just that gorgeous.

He made small talk — was I enjoying the party, what was I drinking, etc. I answered him, but maintained a suspicious tone, because I knew about his reputation.

“You got a boyfriend, Ella?” he asked eventually.

“No. I’m swearing off men.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Because they’re all shit in bed. I’m sick of it being over in thirty seconds.”

His laugh was low and smooth. “We’re not all like that,” he said.

“Yeah, sure.”

“I’m serious.” He stepped closer and I could smell the crisp musk of his deodorant. “Come with me, and I’ll prove it to you.”

I gave him a flat look. Was that his line? Did that really work?

“What do you want with me?” I asked. I was just an average girl. I hadn’t dressed up particularly nice that night, and there were way prettier women dancing in the living room. Besides, those women looked like a fun time. I was standing in the corner, looking bitter.

“It’s because you’re so prim and proper,” he said, leaning in closer so his breath tickled my ear. “You know what I think, Ella?”

“What?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant despite the way my stomach flipped.

“I think you want someone to throw you around,” he said.

Later, I would blame it on the alcohol. I’d tell myself I hadn’t been thinking clearly, and that’s why I left with him. It wasn’t because the idea of him tossing me around his bed and fucking me real hard hadn’t instantly made me wet.

My date with Alec was going…fine. He was five foot nine, so a few inches taller than me, and cute in a nerdy sort of way, with light brown hair he’d styled with gel. The restaurant he took me to was nice, with tables covered in thick white cloths and flickering candles.

As he was explaining the importance of his job, my phone buzzed. I glanced at it, just in case it was something urgent.

JB: answer me.

A second later.

JB: I need to fuck you tonight.

“Is everything okay?” Alec asked. I glanced up to see he was looking at me, his face concerned.

“Yep, sorry.” I turned my phone over, then smiled at him, hinting that he could continue talking about his work. He started explaining how he was aiming for a promotion, and my mind wandered.

Should I block Jordan? I didn’t want to be rude, but how hadn’t he got the hint yet? I knew I wasn’t the only one on his roster. He messaged me every now and then, but probably only because no one else was available.

Well, I wasn’t available either.

The waitress arrived with two large plates with fancy seafood, and as I dug into the food (with Alec still talking about how complicated his job was) I thought about how impressed my parents would be if Alec became my boyfriend.

I needed to date someone responsible, with a good job, who’d take me out and treat me right.

I wasn’t even sure if Jordan had graduated. Maybe he’d failed all his classes. Did he even have a job? I didn’t know anything about him, except for the fact he liked to have sex.

Alec had switched topics, now describing his upcoming travel plans. I tried my best to listen, and as I was nodding along, my phone buzzed several times.

“Do you need to get that?” Alec asked, glancing at my phone with an irritated look.

“Sorry,” I said, picking up my phone. “I’ll put it on silent.”

That’s when I saw the messages.

JB: baby.

JB: you know you want it.

JB: it’s throbbing for you.

Attached to the last message was a photo. He had a hand around his erection, which was thick and long and…

To be honest, it’d been so long since I’d seen it that my pussy twitched at the sight. That’s when the anger came.

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” I said to Alec, forcing my best smile, then stood up and swept towards the ladies’.

Inside, the bathroom was as fancy as the rest of the restaurant, with marble counters and gold framed mirrors.

Thankfully, no one else was using it, so I’d have privacy for my phone call.

I hit Jordan’s number, and paced around the room while my phone rang and rang.

“Baby,” Jordan began, his voice a low purr.

“Don’t ‘baby’ me,” I snapped. “What the fuck were you thinking, sending me that photo?”

“Reminding you of what you were missing out on,” he replied, a smile in his voice. “You wanna come over? Don’t wear any underwear. I’ll fuck you against the front door, the way you like it.”

My cheeks flamed. “I am not coming over. I thought you’d have got the hint by now.”

“Huh?” Jordan sounded genuinely confused.

“I’m not messing around with you anymore, Jordan,” I said. “And especially not tonight. I’m on a date.”

He was silent for a long moment. “What?” he said eventually.

“I’m on a date,” I repeated, enunciating each word.

“With who? You have a boyfriend?”

“Not yet,” I said.

“Leave now.”

My mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?” I said, voice incredulous. “You don’t own me,” I said.

“The fuck I don’t. Your pussy’s mine. You better not put out —”

I hung up. As I stared at the ‘call ended’ screen, my hands started to shake. What the hell was his problem? Was he so desperate to get laid that his mind had scrambled, and that’s why he was talking absolute nonsense?

There were so many women he could have. Why did he care if I was on a date?

My phone started vibrating in my hand. He was calling me back. I rejected the call. Barely seconds later, I got a text.

JB: Ella I swear to god

JB: If you let him touch you

Before he could write anymore, I blocked him.

Jesus Christ. What an asshole.

After dinner, Alec drove me to my apartment complex, and parked outside.

“I had a really great time tonight,” he said.

“Me too,” I replied, and it was the truth.

Mostly.

I mean, he hadn’t really ask me any questions about myself, but the dinner was nice.

“Can I take you out again?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’d like that.”

He looked at me, and even in the dim light, I could see what he wanted a second before it happened. He leaned forward, eyelids falling shut, and we kissed.

And it was…good.

Good enough.

That was what mattered. Attraction built up slowly. It didn’t happen instantly like it had with Jo—

I shoved that thought away.

Alec pulled away, and his breathing was a bit heavier. He kissed me again, his hand resting on my thigh. I knew he wanted me to invite him upstairs, but I was going to hold out. I wasn’t looking for a one night stand. I wanted a boyfriend.

“I should go,” I murmured against Alec’s lips. “I’ve got an early morning.”

He pulled away, nodding. “Good night, Ella.”

“Good night,” I said with a smile, and left his car.

I was in a good mood as I walked into the apartment complex. At least, I was, until I bumped into someone standing by the elevator.

“Sorry —” I began as I looked up at the stranger, and stopped short at the sight of blue eyes.

He was frowning, his arms crossed, showing off the bulge of his biceps. He wore a black t-short and navy sweatpants with sneakers.

“Jordan,” I said. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“You blocked me,” he said.

“Yeah, for a reason. How the fuck do you know where I live?” In college, I lived on campus, but after graduating, I moved to this apartment. Jordan had never come here. In fact, I’d purposely never told him my address.

“I asked Jules,” he said, mentioning my younger sister. She was living with my family for the summer, but would start her junior year this September. “I said it was an emergency,” Jordan finished.

“And she believed you?” I asked incredulously. As far as Jules knew, Jordan and I were nothing but acquaintances. I had been very careful not to let anyone know I was involved with him.

Jordan’s lips curled. “I’m very convincing.”

I stifled a sigh. “What do you want?”

He took a step forward, crowding into my space and forcing me to crane my neck back to meet his eyes. He was so tall. “You know what I want,” he said in a low voice.

At that moment, the elevator opened and an elderly couple walked out. They eyed us, and I realized this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have in public, where anyone could overhear. Especially because Jordan never hesitated to say the obscenest things.

“Let’s talk in my apartment,” I said, leading him into the elevator and pressing the button that led to my floor. Jordan smirked at me as the doors closed behind us. “ Not to have sex,” I clarified. “I just want to talk in private.”

The elevator arrived on my floor with a ding, and I led Jordan down the hallway to my apartment. I unlocked the door and slid my heels off, sighing with relief.

Jordan watched me put the heels away. “You really got dolled up for him, huh.”

I ignored that. “Do you want a drink? Anything to eat?” I could barely stand Jordan, but my parents had raised me to be a polite host.

“There’s only one thing I want to eat.”

I glared at him. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?” I walked into the living room, and pointed at the couch. “Sit.”

He chuckled, but obeyed.

“What’s so amusing?” I demanded.

“The way you boss me around. Especially when in bed, you’re my slave —”

“Listen, Jordan,” I said over him, hoping my cheeks weren’t turning pink. “I’m not going to have sex with you ever again. I thought you’d have got the hint when I stopped responding to you, but…” I shrugged.

The amusement left his eyes. “You should have told me in person, instead of ghosting me.”

“Fine, I’m sorry. But don’t pretend you would have shown me the same courtesy.” I knew from the beginning that if Jordan got sick of me, he’d just disappear.

“I would’ve,” he replied, his voice cold and even. “Not that I’d ever willingly put an end to our arrangement.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re the best piece of ass I’ve ever had.”

I rolled my eyes. “Flattery isn’t going to make me change my mind,” I said. “Now, I’ve said my piece, so you can leave.”

He didn’t get up from the couch. “How was the date? It can’t have been that good.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, you didn’t invite him up.” Before I could reply, his eyes glinted. “Oh, wait, I see. You’re holding out. Pretending to be wifey material.”

“I’m not pretending ,” I hissed.

“Come on, we both know you’re a slut.”

“Shut up,” I said. “Otherwise, I’ll slap you.”

“You’re the one who likes to be slapped,” he countered. “You’re the one who used to beg me to spank you —”

“Shut up,” I interrupted loudly. I wanted to murder him. Why had I ever got involved with him in the first place? Why had I ever let him see all my secret desires?

“Hey,” he said, his expression softening.

“I’m not laughing at you. I loved it doing that stuff to you.

Like I said, it was the best sex I’ve ever had.

” He leaned back against the couch, looking nonchalant, but there was a glint in his eyes.

“You really think he can fuck you like I can?” he asked softly.

“He’s a gentleman,” I snapped. “Unlike you.”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “A gentleman? You mean he’ll take you out to dinner, and then you’ll go back to his to have boring, missionary sex.”

“I like missionary,” I replied.

“I know you do. With me .” His lips curled. “You like looking into my eyes. You like it when I spit in your mouth.”

I scowled. “I hate that.”

“No you don’t,” Jordan replied, voice taunting.

“You can’t lie to me, baby. I feel the way your pussy clenches around me when I spit in your mouth.

When I call you degrading names.” He took a step closer.

“That ‘gentleman’ won’t treat you right.

You need someone like me to throw you around and call you a slut. ”

“Get out,” I said.

“You know it’s true.” His voice was infuriatingly playful.

I couldn’t look at him. I felt too embarrassed. My gaze fell to the floor. “I have to work early tomorrow,” I said, voice defeated. “Can you please go?”

We looked at each other for a long time, and for a second, I genuinely worried he’d refuse. But then he stood up. “Fine. But do me one favour, baby.”

“I’m not your baby,” I said, then crossed my arms. “What is it?”

“Unblock my number. I promise I won’t send you a dick pick again.”

I met his eyes, and he looked like he meant it.

I hesitated. “Fine,” I said, taking out my phone and unblocking his number. “Happy now?”

He nodded. “Good night, Ella.”

Then he left.