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broad-shouldered, or because of the black-hair-blue-eyes colouring, or the quiet, understated commitment to doing the right thing that had landed him in harm’s way once or twice. It was because when he listened to people he seemed to hear more than what they actually said. It gave him an unnerving ability to read minds, which I found inconvenient at times. Like now. He reached out and touched my cheek. ‘Don’t worry. I only had eyes for you.’
    ‘Who said anything about being worried? I think she fancies Derwent too, so it’s not all that flattering.’
    ‘What gives you that idea?’
    ‘She was speculating about what it would be like to sleep with him.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘We speculated.’ I blinked up at him. ‘Don’t make me think about it again. I’ve been trying to forget.’
    ‘I’ve heard you talking about him in your sleep.’ He imitated me. ‘“Ooh, Josh, again. Like that. Harder. Don’t stop.” I think that was it.’
    ‘Yuck. That’s a horrible suggestion.’
    His eyes were wide with innocence. ‘Imagine how I felt having to listen to it.’
    ‘I’ve never had a dream about Derwent. My subconscious mind is above that sort of thing.’
    ‘I know what I heard.’
    ‘You’re making it up.’ I looked at him doubtfully. ‘Aren’t you?’
    He laughed at me. ‘How is Derwent, anyway?’
    ‘Rude. Horrible. Oh, and weird.’ I hadn’t noticed him come out of Godley’s office; the next time I’d seen the super-intendent he’d been alone. Derwent, for once, had gone home early. I told Rob about it and he listened, frowning.
    ‘You know and I know he doesn’t give two shits about my career progression. He was using me to get at Godley for leaving him out of the task force he’s setting up and I don’t know why he would be left out. Or why he’d care, particularly.’
    ‘Maybe because DCI Burt is involved?’ Rob suggested.
    ‘Maybe. She does make him crazy.’ I sighed. ‘He was so angry with Godley, though.’
    ‘He’s an angry man.’ Rob stretched and yawned. ‘I can’t believe I’m talking about him rather than sleeping. I’m shattered.’
    ‘Are you going to bed? What time is it?’
    ‘Late. I’ve got to be up in six hours.’
    ‘I missed your last night.’ I rubbed my eyes. ‘I am such a crap girlfriend.’
    ‘You have your good points.’ Rob looked thoughtful. ‘I may need a reminder of what they are.’
    I slid my jacket off and leaned back against the wall. ‘Where would you like to start?’
    ‘With you taking your make-up off. If you go to bed like that, you’ll wake up looking like the saddest clown in the world.’ He was standing very close to me, and he started unbuttoning my shirt.
    ‘That is not motivating me to get out the cleanser.’
    ‘What? I’m just helping.’ He leaned in for a kiss and I let him do what he wanted with me as his hands roved. The effect he had on me was not wearing off – quite the opposite. He only had to look at me a certain way to make me catch my breath, and when he touched me, I was lost.
    ‘I have been thinking about this all night,’ I whispered, the plaster cold against my back as Rob slid the last of my clothes to the floor. His hand slipped between my thighs and I clung to him and shivered, wanting him to keep doing what he was doing. Wanting more.
    ‘It was on my mind too.’
    ‘Oh really?’ I pressed against him. ‘What were you thinking?’
    ‘I would really rather show you than tell you.’ He stepped back, moving towards the bedroom. ‘Hurry up, though.’
    I came down to earth with a bump as soon as I saw myself in the bathroom mirror. The gin-euphoria had worn off. I was blotchy, with mascara streaked under each eye and my hair was tragic. Sobering up, I scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth until I could no longer taste alcohol. All of the things I was worried about came and stood around me as I wearily, savagely rubbed moisturiser into my face. Why was I so crap? I only had to manage two things: