I lift again. ‘Now!’ I cry, smashing back down. My body explodes, sending me soaring right into orbit. I’m vaguely aware of Jesse’s strangled moans as I feel hot moisture invade me, warming my entire being. I collapse onto his chest in an exhausted heap – job done.

I lay sprawled across him, melting into the rhythm of his fingers circling my back, his semi-erection drumming steadily inside me. Our heartbeats are clashing together between our chests as we try to regulate our breathing. We’re both totally replete.

‘I love sleepy sex with you.’ I murmur.

He kisses the top of my head. ‘Except for your filthy mouth.’ His voice is full of scorn.

I laugh and look up at him, reaching to run my fingers down his stubbly cheek. I love his stubble. He turns his face into my touch, kissing my fingers and returning my smile.

‘I don’t think we can call that sleepy sex, baby.’

‘No?’

‘No. We’ll think of a new name for that one.’

‘Okay.’ I agree, completely contented. I rest my cheek back onto his chest and trace small circles around his golden nipple. ‘How old are you, Jesse?’

‘Twenty nine,’

I scoff, but it occurs to me, very suddenly, that I won’t have a clue when we finally reach his real age. I’m plumping for thirty four. That’s eight years past me – I can live with that.

I sigh. ‘What’s the time?’ I could do with another hour.

He shifts me from his chest. ‘I left my watch downstairs. I’ll go take a look.’

‘You need a clock in here.’ I grumble as he gets out of bed, leaving me cold and bare without him.

‘I’ll put in a complaint to the designer.’ he replies dryly.

I ignore him, turning over to snuggle down, making do with the pillow. This bed is the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. I did well here.

‘Seven thirty.’ I hear him shout from downstairs.

I bolt upright in bed. ‘Shit!’ I jump out and race downstairs to the kitchen. ‘You’ll have to drop me at home.’

He sits, dead cool and casual on the bar stool, completely bare arsed naked, scooping peanut butter from a jar with his finger. ‘I’m a bit busy this morning.’ he says without looking at me.

Oh, the irritating pig! This is, without a doubt, a ploy to keep me here. After all, he did say I wouldn’t be walking, and I am. I’ll get the tube, it’s no bother. I scan the floor where I dropped my clothes – no clothes.

‘Where are my clothes, Jesse?’

He sticks his peanut butter covered finger into his mouth, sucking it off and pulling it slowly from his mouth on a little pop. ‘I’ve no idea.’ he says, completely straight faced and unaffected.

Where has he hid them, the little shit? They can’t be far. I stalk around his apartment, huffing and puffing, pulling open cupboard doors and looking behind furniture. I march back into the kitchen, finding him still sitting there, looking infuriatingly naked and handsome, and completely unaffected by my frenzy.

Oh, I’ve not got time for this. I can’t be late for work. ‘Where are my fucking clothes?’ I shout.

‘Watch your fucking mouth!’

I shake my head at him. He’ll have a bar of soap in my mouth next. ‘Jesse, I never swore out loud before I met you…funny, huh? I need to get home so I can get ready for work.’

‘I know you do.’ And in goes another peanut butter covered finger.

‘So, where are my clothes?’ I try calm, but if he doesn’t give me my clothes now, I’ll soon revert back to mad woman. I can’t be late.

‘They are…somewhere.’ He grins around his finger.

‘Where is somewhere?’ I ask, while thinking about how much I dislike roguish Jesse today.

‘If I tell you, you have to give me something in return.’

I feel mad woman coming on! ‘What?’ I yell.

‘Don’t drink tomorrow night.’ His face is deadpan.

I scowl at him as I watch him fighting to control a smirk from breaking out. The conniving pig! He’s got me cornered, naked, late for work and in need of a lift.

I stand, pondering his trade. If I’m honest, I wasn’t planning on getting particularly drunk, especially after my performance on Saturday. I’ve not even asked Kate if she’s free yet, but I don’t want Mr Control Freak thinking he can dictate my every move. Give him an inch and all that.

‘Fine!’ How will he know if I have a drink, anyway?

He looks shocked. ‘That was easier than I thought. What about lunch later?’

‘Okay, get my clothes!’

‘Who holds the power, Ava?’ he asks.

I don’t have time to challenge him on that. ‘You do, get my clothes!’

‘Correct.’ He struts over to the fridge – with a little extra swagger for my benefit – and opens the door. ‘Here you are, lady.’

They were in the fridge? Well, I would never have looked in there. I snatch them from his hand, and he raises a warning brow at me. I don’t care. I’m going to be so late. He watches me frantically yank my capri pants on and laughs as I hop around gasping when the freezing cold material rests on my skin.

‘Have I got time for a shower?’ he asks seriously.

‘NO!’

He laughs, slaps my bum and saunters out of the kitchen.

Jesse drives me home in his usual driving style – frighteningly fast and ever impatient, but today I’m grateful.

He waits for me in the car, making a few calls, while I shower and get ready in record time. I shove on some black, fitted ankle grazers, a white shirt and my red Dune ballet pumps. I’m dressed for speed today. My hair is having a strop for not being blow dried last night, so I pin it into a messy up do. I’ll put my make-up on in the car.

As I rush across the landing, I collide with a half-naked Sam. Has he moved in? Put some clothes on!

‘You’re always in a rush, chick.’ He laughs. I side step him, darting into the kitchen to get a glass of water and swallow my pill. ‘Good night?’

I nod over my glass as he stands, bold as brass in the kitchen doorway, looking all roughed up. I won’t ask if he’s had a good night. That much is obvious.

‘Where’s Kate?’ I ask.

He grins. ‘I’ve tied her to the bed.’

My eyes widen. I have no idea if he’s serious or not. He’s such a joker. ‘Tell her I’ll call her later.’ I wait for Sam to budge and let me out. ‘See ya.’ I call, running down the stairs.

‘Hey, tell Jesse I’m not running today.’ he shouts after me.

I run down the path and onto the street, where Jesse is illegally parked and flipping off a traffic warden from his driver’s seat. I wait for the warden to finish lecturing Jesse, but he seems to be on a roll.

‘Move so the lady can get in the car.’ Jesse growls. The warden ignores him, launching into a speech on verbal abuse and lack of consideration for other road users.

‘Excuse me.’ I prompt, trying for polite as appose to Jesse’s aggressiveness. I get ignored. Damn, I’m going to be super late.

‘For fucks sake!’ Jesse swings his door open and strides around the car to meet the warden on the pavement. The poor man visibly shrinks at Jesse’s presence, moving away hastily. He opens the door, deposits me in the car before slamming it, cussing some more and sliding back behind the wheel. We roar off down my street, way too fast.

‘They’re just doing a job, you know.’ I flip the mirror down to sort my make-up out.

‘Power hungry failures that didn’t make cops,’ he grumbles. He looks at me and smiles. ‘You look lovely.’

I snort. ‘Watch the road. Oh, Sam said he can’t make your run.’

‘Lazy bastard. He’s still there then?’ he asks, overtaking a taxi. I grab the side of my seat. My make-up is going to be everywhere.

‘He’s got Kate tied to the bed.’ I mumble, flicking my lashes with my mascara wand.

‘Probably,’

I swing my head around with my wand half way to my eyes. ‘You don’t sound shocked.’

‘That’s because I’m not.’ He looks at me out the corner of his eye.

He’s not? So, Sam’s into kinky shit? ‘I don’t want to know.’ I mutter, returning to the mirror.