Fletch woke up first, conscious of something different. He opened his eyes and looked at the woman sleeping peacefully, spooned against him. She was so different from his wife, in almost every way. He wondered if that was the attraction. As he watched her and gently stroked his fingertip along her arm, she stirred and pressed more firmly against him causing parts of him to stir too. He snuggled closer and nuzzled in to her neck and she responded by slowly moving her hips so that she was brushing against his already throbbing cock. Without much more ado, he slid inside her, moving his hand round to rub her with his fingertips. She moaned as she woke up properly and found herself halfway to orgasm already.

A few minutes later, slightly breathless, Tess turned to face him. "Well, that was a nice way to wake up."

"I thought so" Fletch smiled like that cat that got the cream, and then looked at the clock which read seven am. "Hey, Tess, Why don't we pull a sickie? We could stay here and continue where we left off" He suggested as he idly stroked her breast.

"Fletch, you know we can't do that, not with Charlie away as well." Tess started to move away from him to the edge of the bed.

"No I suppose not. Nice thought though." He sat up too and caught her shoulder, turning her round to kiss her properly.

"Very." She smiled at him, "now come on, we'd better get a wriggle on."

By The time they made it to work, there was so much going on that they barely had time to speak to each other, despite Fletch's best efforts and promises of a magic carpet. By the time they left to go to Lloyds leaving do, they could barely keep their hands off each other, but at least at a party they were able to keep it light and just enjoy dancing together with no one thinking anything of it. At about half past ten, Tess wandered back over to the table and announced that she was heading home, casting meaningful glances in Fletch's direction.

"I'll walk you home" he offered, catching on quickly.

"Oh thanks, Fletch, that's be great."

He grabbed his jacket and they headed for the exit. As they left, he put his arm around her shoulders and she flinched slightly.

"What?" he asked her.

"Someone might see!"

"Tess, we always walk like this, it's completely normal for us!" Tess thought about it. How had that become normal? But he was right, over the previous months they had grown close physically as well as emotionally and thought nothing of hugging or touching each other, and hopefully, neither did anyone else in the department.

They walked on until they were out of sight of the hospital and the pub and Fletch slid his hand down from Tess' shoulders to take her hand instead. She smiled at him and stopped abruptly, pulling him in to a corner so they could finally kiss each other.

"I've been wanting to do that all day." Fletch breathed.

"Me too" They kissed again and Fletch slid his hands round her waist and underneath her blouse. Their kisses were becoming more passionate and urgent until with an effort Tess broke away.
"Lets get home. Quickly!" she laughed as she said it, and took his hand again and they continued to walk, fairly speedily in the direction of Tess' house.

By the time they got there, their easy conversation had almost stopped and as Tess unlocked the door, Fletch was close behind her and grabbed her as soon as they were inside. He kissed her hard and she wrapped her arms round him and gasped slightly as he lifted her up and encouraged her to wrap her legs around his waist. Still kissing her mouth and neck he carried her to the kitchen and lowered her on to the kitchen table. Place mats went flying as they continued to make the most of the space and enjoy their newly found passion.

By the time they were both sated, Tess was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the table pressed against her. She was also feeling slightly strange about the fact that she had just made love on a kitchen table. It seemed so unlike her! She nudged Fletch and he shifted allowing her to get unsteadily to her feet.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yes. Maybe just a bit surprised to find myself on a kitchen table...not that I didn't enjoy it" She added hastily."But shall we head for bed now?"

"Um" Began Fletch awkwardly. "Tess...I can't stay. I have to get ho...back."

"Oh. Of course. Of course you do" She turned away from him and grabbed her blouse and pulled it on and busied herself with the kettle.

"Tess, I'm sorry, it's just, I have to be there in the morning...for the kids, you know"

"Yes of course. I do know, i just forgot for a minute that's all" but she still wouldn't look at him. He felt terrible but could see he wasn't getting anywhere. He started to put his trousers on as Tess made herself a cup of tea. He finished getting dressed and picked his jacket up from the hall.

"I'll um, be off then" he said as he stood in the kitchen doorway.

"Ok. See you tomorrow" she replied. He headed for the door and she sipped her tea, feeling desolate. Suddenly she put down her mug and ran for the door. He was only just out of the gate as she called out to him; "Fletch!" He turned back and walked hesitantly back to her.

"Whats up?"

"I'm sorry. I just. I've been so lonely for so long, Fletch, and you make me feel so special, and wanted, and I was letting myself forget that you're not really mine..."

"Tess, I wish I was" He replied and pulled her close. They stood like that, locked together on her doorstep 'til eventually, she let him go and kissed him briefly on the mouth.

"Go on, you'd better go" she said.

"Are we ok?" He asked.

"Yes, we're fine, I just need to learn the rules"

"Oh Tess, that makes it sound so sordid. I don't think of us like that, do you?"

No, of course not. Oh Fletch, let's just talk another time. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ok" he kissed her again with slightly more heat than before and she could feel her legs going weak again. She broke away, laughing slightly

"Go HOME, Fletch" she said firmly. He laughed too.

"Ok, I'm going, I'm going." He walked backwards away from her, blowing her kisses until he was out of sight. She closed the door and went back inside, where she sat down heavily at the table and picked up her cooling tea. She ran her hand over the smooth wood and allowed herself a slight smile.