She’d also been mulling over what to tell Flynn. Or more to the point, when to tell him. Finally, she decided she wasn’t going to say anything until the morning. She was going to have a good evening, she was going to sleep with her gorgeous boyfriend for the first time and nothing was going to interfere with that.

With that thought firmly set in her head, she had a long shower and spent more time than usual choosing what to wear. She pulled out a dress she’d bought a few months before, slipped it on and smoothed the fabric over her hips. It felt good and the colour suited her.

She left her hair loose, applied a lick of mascara and a pale-pink lipstick and she was ready. Too early, of course, and for the next twenty minutes she sat staring at the TV. For the first time since that Monday night phone call, she wasn’t thinking about the horrendous situation she’d been thrown into. Instead, she fizzed with anticipation.

When her doorbell rang at six on the button, despite expecting it, she jumped. She giggled nervously then, reminded herself that she wasn’t sixteen and answered the door with a relaxed smile pinned in place. ‘Hello,’ she said, standing back and waving him inside, quivering with surprise when instead of passing, his hand snaked around her waist and pulled her close to him. She could feel the heat of his hand through the fine material of her dress, the heat spreading as his lips came down on hers.

An hour later, Jodie sat up in bed and looked down on the sleeping man beside her, a smile playing on her lips. Wow! She liked sex, had few if any inhibitions and had had numerous lovers over the years, but without a doubt Flynn was the best, most giving lover she’d ever had.

His eyes opened and he turned to look at her. His expression was serious, intent. ‘You are something else,’ he said softly.

‘I was thinking much the same about you.’ She pushed her tangled hair back from her face. ‘Luckily, the restaurant I’ve booked is very easy about reservations, they’ll have kept our table.’ She grinned down at him. ‘Suddenly, I’m ravenous.’ Leaning forward, she kissed him lightly on the mouth, then swung her legs from the bed. ‘Give me ten minutes and the bathroom is all yours.’

‘We could shower together, save time and water.’

Her laugh was deep and earthy. ‘I somehow doubt it would save time. No, I’ll be out in five and you can have it.’ Euphoria sent her floating across the landing, happiness kept her smiling as she hopped under the jet of hot water. No sooner in, she was out and wrapping a towel around herself.