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.