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.
‘No, you don’t.’ he says quietly.