I woke up, freezing on the cold wood floor. Alone.

I had fallen asleep not long after I heard her name.

Susie.

It rolled off my tongue in my mind, my thoughts still lingering on the taste of her skin, the smell of her surrounding me.

I shook my euphoric thoughts aside, Damn I need a cold shower, I thought.

I listened for any sign of life as I looked around the pokey apartment, still sat butt naked on the floor. Not the best state I had woken up in, that was for sure.

*

There wasn't much to take in other than a chair and small table by the murky window, a mirror and low cupboard covered in cosmetic products with clothes hanging out of the half open drawers.

There was also a record player, with huge piles of records surrounding it. She obviously loved music, for some odd reason, I found that rather a comforting quality.

To my left there was a pitiful excuse of a kitchen, a tiny worktop (stacked with, to my surprise, clean plates and dishes) a microwave oven, fridge and sink.

Behind me was a faded blue door, closed. I assumed that was her bedroom, leading to an en suite of some kind.

The whole place seemed very drab and depressing, I couldn't get my head around the fact that any person actually lived here, if living was the right word, it seemed more like squatting to me.

I rubbed my face and spied a heap of my clothes kicked against the chair on the other side of the room.

I decided that to head to the bathroom would be much more decent than walking in front of the window with everything on show. I suddenly felt very embarrassed by my situation.

Well, sitting here ain't gonna solve nothing, and with renewed confidence, I got up and turned towards the closed door.

*

I knocked hard on it, but there was no answer. I held my breath and opened the door painfully slow, peeking inside.

The room was dark, but I spied the outline of a figure in the sheets of the bed.

She had got up and gone to bed and left my ass on her floor.

I seethed in irritation and crept to the far side of the room, where there was indeed an en suite. Just as well or I would've been completely screwed. I went inside and shut the door quietly and bolted it shut, cussing under my breath.

I stepped into her shower and yanked the curtain before turning on the faucets. The water shot out, freezing cold and I couldn't help but yelp as it battered my skin.

Soon enough, I managed to have a half decent shower and got out, grabbing the nearest towel and wrapping it securely around my waist.

I opened the door into the bedroom again and jumped as I saw her sprawled out on the bed, propped up on one elbow, twirling her crossed legs slowly to and fro while smiling coyly up at me.

It was the first time I saw her in a good light. She was radiantly beautiful, and no doubt she knew it by the way she was dangling herself in front of me.

She was wearing nothing other than lingerie and the bedsheet covered only a fraction of her lower body.

"Did you enjoy using my facilities, Jackson?"

I gave her a look, but said nothing.

"You probably found out that the hot water is also not working."

*

I shook my head and walked past her out of the door, heading for my clothes. I scooped them up off the floor and frowned at the missing item.

"Would you happen to know where my underwear is?"

I heard a muffled giggle from the next room.

"Try the trash"

"And why exactly are my underpants in the trash?" I was skimming the room, but saw no garbage can anywhere.

"Because they're unwearable now, they got burnt"

I swivelled my head in the direction of her bedroom door, and she was leaning up against the frame, still in her skimpy black lingerie, flicking a lighter. I felt my muscles tense in both frustration and arousal. She better be joking.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU BURN MY DAMN UNDERWEAR WOMAN?!"

She just shrugged in response. "I don't know, I just felt like it. I like fire. I like watching things burn. You know, I'm surprised you didn't wake up to the smell of burning clothes, it's kinda worrying that you just slept right through it."

Was she insane?!

"What the hell is wrong with you?! You set my clothes on fire and I'm supposed to be concerned about the fact that I didn't get up?"

"I didn't set it all on fire, stop being a drama mama. Though, it did cross my mind, your clothes are ridiculous, you're wearing silk shirts? You are just asking to get set alight, I'm suprised you haven't already... Oh wait..."

My heart raced as memories flooded back to the Pepsi commercial accident. The pain was excruciating, people were smothering me, crowding me, I felt claustrophobic and trapped, I still had to pose with fans and wave to the cameras even though I felt like I was having the top of my head ripped off.

*

My palms started to sweat and I flashed my eyes at her.

"Don't you dare. You have no idea what I went through back then. I have just managed to get on top of thi-this thing okay? So I don't appreciate you dragging it up again, ever. I don't want to think about it, I don't want to be reminded of it."

Susie cocked her head at me. "Aw, was I being insensitive? I'm sorry. But I didn't know... I don't usually keep up on celebrity gossip, I have better things to do with my life"

The sarcasm was dripping from her tone and I scowled at her.

"You know exactly what you were saying so just shut it"

She smirked at me, walking slowly in my direction.

"I don't think I will... you don't control me, Jackson. I say what I want, do what I want, and whether you like it or not, that's never going to change."

She was right close to my face now and my chest tightened.

"So... why haven't you left yet? I thought you said you'd be gone in the morning"

"Well maybe if you hadn't burnt my clothes I would be dressed and out of that door right now" I scoffed.

"Do you not like going commando, Jackson?"

Why did she have to be so blunt with that sexyass tone, I thought.

"I prefer to keep myself covered" That was certainly an understatement, but I wasn't willing to elaborate.

"You are a bore. Besides, if that's the case, why are you still half naked in front of me if you prefer to be covered"

I just rolled my eyes and edged past her, heading for her bedroom to get changed.

"Where are you going? Did you not know that it is extremely rude to go into a woman's bedroom uninvited?"

I paused, my hand hovering on the handle.

"You could have mentioned that earlier when I came out of the bathroom"

"Well... my mind was a little busy taking in that body of yours"

My arousal grew at her comment.

"How interesting. So, you admit that you find me attractive?"

I turned to face her, waiting for her answer.

"I don't admit anything unless proven guilty"

I wasn't sure what to make of her comment, so I pressed her further.

"Well... when you look at me, do you like what you see?"

She licked her lips slowly before answering.

"Why do you need to know?"

I sighed deeply. She was manipulative as sin.

"I don't. I'm just curious to know what you think of me, considering how you were with me last night."

She laughed and turned to her kitchen. I watched as she bent over the fridge, no doubt for my benefit.

Damn, she was way too fine to be in a place like this.

"I'm like that with a lot of men, it's my job"

My heart sank a little. "Well, it obviously doesn't pay well or you'd have a nicer place to live in than here"

She suddenly straightened up. I'd obviously hit a nerve.

"What the fuck are you trying to say, Jackson? That I'm cheap?"

Oh hell.

"You know that's not what I meant."

She slammed her hands on the worktop, startling me a little.

"No, of course not. I don't know what the hell you're on about most of the damn time anyway. I just know that's exactly what every guy on this fucking planet thinks I am, so don't go thinking I'm gonna treat you any different just because of who you are. Quite frankly, I don't give a shit who you are, where you come from, how much money you got, I just want to be left alone. Get dressed in your expensive, fire hazard ass clothes and get the fuck out of my life"

I didn't answer, even as she stormed past me, knocking my shoulder as she went and slammed her bedroom door closed behind her.

Never had I known a woman as fiery as her.

*

Finally alone, I got dressed quickly, I no longer cared about the fact I wasn't wearing underwear, I was preoccupied with the thought of having to leave her like this.

I took my wallet out of my jacket and found that it was still loaded with cash. I took out the stash of notes and walked to her dresser.

I found a notepad and pen amongst the clutter and wrote simply:

Dear Susie,

I'm sorry. I'm just no good at talking to you, for whatever reason, forgive me. I know you probably don't want to see me again, I understand. But if you change your mind, here's my number to call me, anytime. And my address too. I never usually leave these details, but despite everything, I guess I trust you in some way. Thank you, although I'm not sure what I'm thanking you for yet.

In case I don't see you again, take care of yourself, baby.

Michael

I scribbled down my details and tucked the money under the note. I hoped she would take the money if nothing else.

I was about to leave and I scanned the room one last time.

I looked at her record player and my heart slammed to a stop.

There, set on the turntable ready to play, was none other than my Thriller album.

And she doesn't give a shit who I am, I thought.

I walked over to the turntable and examined the vinyl. It wasn't dusty or scratched, despite it being four years old now.

My mind reeled at the realisation that this woman listened to my music, despite the fact she seemed to hate me. It made no sense, she made no sense.

I switched on the machine and set the record to play precisely at 'The Lady In My Life' then bolted out of the front door and quickly shut it behind me as the intro rang loud through the apartment.

I smiled to myself as I headed down the corridor.

She was either going to love me or hate me for that.

I hovered by the staircase at the far end of the hall, expecting her to come raging out of the apartment, cussing me out.

Nothing.

The song would be half over by now, she obviously wasn't bothered or she knew what I was hoping her to do, and was cleverly choosing to ignore it.

I prayed that I had made the latter impossible, because I sure wasn't planning to ignore her if she decided to contact me.

And I still wasn't sure why I was so fascinated by her. She was just like a fire, beautiful and intoxicating and hot as hell, but dangerous to get too near.

I had already crossed that line, and I had already been burnt.

Well, my underwear had at the very least.