I also liked the view from the window seat. “It’s pretty here.” As views went, there were probably more spectacular ones in the world, but the houses across the way were as opulent as James’s and the lights from the homes gave off a warm glow.

“You asked me earlier why you.” I stopped looking out the window and met his eyes. “One of the reasons is that you notice things, you appreciate the little things.” I smiled.

“Last year, I briefly dated a woman”—Whoa! Do I want to hear this? My smile vanished—“and one night in particular, there was a clear sky and a full moon, and I suggested we go for a late-night walk.” I thought about how magical that would have been. “There I was, thinking it was romantic, something enjoyable to do together, and she just looked at me as though I had lost my mind and said, ‘Why?’”

“I wouldn’t have said that.”

He shook his head gently. “No, you would have put your shoes on, and we’d have gone for the walk.” I nodded. He leant in and kissed me. “And that’s why you, Sarah.” He kissed me more deeply, and we put out our cigars and went back to bed.

It wasn’t much of a sleepover, but I did get a few hours of shut eye.

Chapter 6

I woke up in a dreamy state of satiation, with just a hint of self-satisfaction. Yes, I’d just complicated my love life further, but I could take a moment to bask in the afterglow of the night before. James was a spectacular lover. Well done me.

It wasn’t quite daylight outside, but there was a promise of morning in the thin light seeping into the room either side of the curtains. James was still soundly asleep next to me, his back a wall of lithe muscle. I looked around the bedroom, keeping still so I didn’t wake him.

It was as tastefully and expensively decorated as his living room. There were hints of him—the man, the person—in the tight cluster of small paintings on the wall opposite the bed, all different styles, but all featuring the same hue of blue—“robin’s egg”, I think it’s called.

On his dresser, minimally designed and in dark wood, was a framed black and white photo of a couple on their wedding day—his parents, I assumed—and another framed photo of two men throwing their heads back, laughing. I couldn’t make out their faces well enough to see if one of them was James. I’d sneak a peek later.

I gently propped myself up on my elbows so I could see the clock on James’s side of the bed. It was 6:17am. I didn’t know if he had to be somewhere that morning, or what time he usually woke up on a weekday, but I wasn’t keen to just lie there, waiting. I also desperately needed a shower—all that ravishing, you know.

I pushed back the covers, climbed out of bed naked, and quietly made my way into the bathroom. I’d left Cat’s evening bag in there the night before after I’d brushed my teeth and used my moisturiser to take my makeup off. This gal can be innovative when it comes to skincare. I’d also unpinned my hair from its fancy up-do before I went to sleep, and I saw in the mirror that it was taking advantage of its freedom. I looked like Merida from that film Brave—only a brunette.