Now that I’m nearly back to normal, I’m starting to be conscious of him spooned behind me in an entirely different way. His arm is wrapped around me and his hand is resting lightly on my stomach. I’m wearing a vest, but I’m still very aware of it, and my insides are starting to fizz at the sensation of it. My imagination is starting to conjure up scenarios where he either moves it up to my chest, or down to my knickers; frankly, I’m not sure I care particularly which way it goes, as long as it goes one way or the other. His question has at least interrupted my reverie before it gets out of control.

‘What does that mean? Is that a good “Mmm” or a still frozen “Mmm”?’

‘It’s an “I’m very happy where I am right now” sort of “Mmm”,’ I tell him.

‘OK.’ He splays his fingers and closes them again. I’m sure he’s just getting comfortable, but the movement sends sparks through me. I can’t remember the last time I felt this turned on. I wonder if he’d notice me subtly lifting my vest so his hand was against my skin rather than the fabric. Dear God, the thought of it does things to me that something so simple shouldn’t be remotely capable of achieving. My heart is thudding so hard that I’m surprised he can’t feel it or hear it. Maybe he can, and he thinks it’s just part of the warming-up process. I wonder what he’d do if I gently placed my hand on top of his and encouraged him to move it…

‘Will?’ I ask, rolling over to face him so he has to take his hand away and I can hopefully break out of this rapidly escalating state of arousal.

‘Yes?’ His eyes are half closed, giving him a languid air which is only making things worse, as is the sight of his head on my pillow. It’s no good. As if drawn by an invisible magnet, I lean forward and bring my lips to rest gently on his. My relief that he doesn’t pull away is swiftly replaced by something much stronger, and my hand comes up to the side of his face. I so want to deepen the kiss, but he’s not giving anything away and I’m suddenly seized with doubt and pull away.

‘What was that for?’ he asks, sounding genuinely confused.

‘I don’t know. I just wanted to,’ I say, trying to sound like it’s completely normal. ‘I hope you didn’t mind.’

‘Mind?’ He smiles. ‘No. I didn’t mind. I just didn’t know if it was a thank-you kiss or…’ He tails off.

‘Or?’

‘Or something else.’