It was just shy of two hours later when Kate returned. Jack had been brewing in jealousy for two hours, imagining Kate in someone else's arms, imagining someone else's tongue brushing against her own. The thought drove him insane in a primal way that he had never felt before. She was his.

"Back so soon?" He tried to play it cool as he came to greet her.

"How long was I supposed to be gone?" She smiled nervously. Jack helped her take her coat off in an attempt to catch a whiff of cologne to confirm his deepest fears.

"You smell like popcorn." Jack leaned closer and wrapped his arm around her as he took a deliberate whiff.

"It must be from the bar. They served popcorn." She shrugged, wiping her blouse, suddenly self conscious of any crumbs.

"I've only ever seen you eat popcorn at the movies," he observed.

"I've only ever seen you perform surgery on an island but I believe you still do it here," she rolled her eyes.

"Your hair and makeup seem to be in place," he noted.

She turned so she was so close that their noses would have touched had she not been so short next to him. "I didn't fuck him," she purred. "That's what you really want to know."

"Why?" He didn't even bother pretending she was wrong. They both knew where all the cat and mouse banter was heading. They both knew what he wanted to know.

"Is that what you think of me? I just sleep with a man on the first date?" She raised an eyebrow playfully.

"I don't know... You definitely didn't sleep with me right away," he chuckled, making her smile softly. "But I know you were already worked up when you left," he wagged his eyebrows at how close they'd gotten before she left.

"You have no effect on me." Her words were more of a dare than a promise. Just as she knew would happen, Jack's lips connected with her neck, knowing that she'd crane her neck to give him access while clutching his hair desperately as her breathing heavier. Sure enough, she fell into the same routine, weakening in his arms.

"How was tonight?" He asked between kisses. Between the alcohol and his lips on her neck, Kate's defenses were down, just the way he planned.

"It was fine," she panted. "He was fine."

"Will you see him again?" Jack bit on her earlobe as he whispered his words into her ear.

"I'm sure," she lied. Although the date hadn't been bad, it also hadn't been good. Harris was a wealthy investment banker who had made the same list of eligible bachelors that Jack had. It was clear that Harris hadn't taken the article as humbly as Jack; the night had been full of him talking about himself. So much so that after three drinks, she'd politely left, promising to call for another date. It had been early enough that she'd stopped to catch a movie simply to waste time.

"Perfect!" Jack stopped suddenly, his eyes wide. Kate's eyes darted back and forth, trying to make sense of what was happening. "I talked to Jade tonight. We should all double date."

"Double date?"

"Yeah. I mean, Aaron will always tie us together. Shouldn't anyone we date have to know about us?"

"Jack," she breathed. She almost felt dizzy from the contrast of them kissing to a double date with other people. And she didn't appreciate the idea of him talking to Jade in her house. Still, he had been right about her being worked up before she left but at the bar all she could think about was Jack. Even if Harris had been the most interesting person, she couldn't go a minute without thinking of Jack, or more specifically, Jack's body. "Jack, please," she begged.

"Please what?"

"Jack, tell me what you want me to do." Her breath was hot against his lips, desperate for him.

"Call Harris," he kissed her forehead.

"What?" She couldn't believe what was happening. She stepped back, trying to understand. She was throwing herself at him; she'd finally given in and was ready to let him have her. And now, he was bringing up another man.

"This weekend, we'll go for a double date. That's what I want you to do." He squeezed her hand to add insult to injury. "I've got to go," he called as he scurried out.

She leaned against the wall when he left, struggling to catch her breath. Having Jack reject her had left her even more aroused; she knew he felt the same. He was toying with her just as she had with him. She tried to remind herself that it was just a game. He was playing with her and it was just a game. Still, she hoped Jack felt the same where she normally knew he felt the same way. She wanted Jack but more importantly, she wanted him to give in first. She wanted to win. If that meant a double date, so be it.