‘No, it doesn’t make me feel better.’ She paused. ‘What a bitch!’

He couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing.

‘What?’

‘I think that is the harshest thing I’ve ever heard you say.’ He ran his hand up her back and she arched against him reflexively, sliding her leg up his and hooking it in between his.

‘You’re right. I’m sorry. I guess I’m still working through a bit of jealousy.’ She chewed on her bottom lip.

‘You don’t have to be sorry.’ He ran his thumb along her lip, easing it gently away from her teeth. She grazed them against the pad of his finger and his voice turned gravelly when he spoke again. ‘And feel free to do whatever you need to work through the jealousy.’

‘Have you got any suggestions?’ She raised an eyebrow at him, and he cupped her face and pulled her down towards him so he could kiss her.

It turned out she had some ideas of her own already and that sometimes it was no great hardship to stay awake through the night.