Thanks for the kind reviews, as ever. It appears smut bunny has made an unexpected return this chapter, but it seems only fair to let 'em have some fun before the angst returns …

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 3

She was sitting on the bonnet of the Quattro, hugging herself against the cold, as he crossed the street and stood awkwardly on the pavement in front of her. Any other time he'd have barked at her to get her bony arse off his car, but not now. He stuck his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet.

"Alex, I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted ter do was upset yer, specially tonight."

She bit her lip and then closed the gap between them, resting her head on his shoulder as his arms went round her and he nuzzled into her hair. She sighed. How could she possibly begin to explain?

"I'm sorry too, I over-reacted. It's just … complicated …"

He tilted her chin up and gazed into her eyes. The ghost of a smile played around his lips.

"Am I still on a promise, then?"

She chuckled, pressing a kiss to his mouth.

"I do love you, Mr Hunt. And I can't wait to see that suit on my bedroom floor. Does that answer your question?"

He pouted, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away.

"I'll 'ave yer know that suit cost me a fortune, it's goin' ter be hung up properly. Might let yer rip me shirt 'n tie off though, if yer ask nicely."

"Deal. Now, shall we go home before I freeze to death?"

"Best idea yer've had all night, Bols."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later, when he was buried deep inside her listening to her little mews and gasps of pleasure and looking down into her face, now contorted with bliss, a fierce joy swelled in his heart. She was here with him now. She'd told him she loved him. The rest could wait.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gene was in a quandary, which was pretty much uncharted territory for him. Where and when should he propose now? He couldn't very well do the posh restaurant thing again, it would look too obvious. And CID and Luigi's were way too public. What if she said she had to think about it, or worse, turned him down?

As the days went on, the doubts started to creep in. She'd said she loved him, but they hadn't really been together that long. And what kind of a catch was he, after all? Posh birds like her ended up with men like Evan White, not an ageing Northern flatfoot with a drink problem and commitment issues.

But she wasn't with White, was she? She could've been, there was no doubt in Gene's mind that Evan fancied her, but she'd chosen to be with him. Maybe he was just a bit of rough, though, someone to have fun in the sack with until the real thing appeared.

And why on earth was he proposing anyway? They fine as they were, so why did he need to rock the boat?
Round and round it all went in his head, driving him slowly mad and making him irritable and snappy with everyone he came into contact with.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alex had no idea what was eating him recently. Three weeks had gone by since their evening at 'Chez Marcel', and several people had approached her individually in CID to ask what was bothering the Guv, and could she do anything about it? He was like a bear with a sore head and everybody was treading on eggshells, frightened of getting on the wrong side of him.

She racked her brains. They were getting on great outside work, in truth things couldn't be much better. Not only was she having the best sex of her life, they genuinely enjoyed one another's company, spending very little time apart nowadays. He took his turn at cooking and washing up afterwards, and she'd even caught him vacuuming the flat one day. In fact, Gene Hunt was becoming quite the new man. Suddenly, everything fell into place. Call yourself a psychologist, Alex, she thought?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later that day, after everyone else had left for Luigi's, she wandered into his office and leant against a filing cabinet, arms crossed.

"So. What's this all about, then?"

He pouted up at her, brows furrowed.

"Wot?"

"The irritability, the snappiness. Nobody can do a thing right at the moment."

He looked away, unwilling to meet her eyes.

"They're a load of slackers, need a bomb under 'em to get 'em movin' most of the time. An I've been … distracted …"

She raised an eyebrow.

"By me, you mean? Come on, Guv, let's get this out in the open, shall we? You mean you feel you've taken your eye off the ball since we got together."

He looked up at her, his face unreadable.

"I'm in danger of turnin' soft, Bols. Can't let that 'appen."

She deliberately allowed her gaze to drop to his crotch and linger there.

"Believe me, Gene, there's nothing soft about you."

He didn't reply, but there was a definite twitch of the lips and she knew just how to play this now. Not only that, she was going to enjoy it.

"So, apparently I'm at fault for distracting my DCI from his vital police duties. If that's the case, I deserve to be severely reprimanded …"

She held his gaze challengingly, and he noticed the slight flush on her cheeks and the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She was already getting off on this scenario, the dirty mare. He ignored the tightening of his trousers for a couple of seconds while he considered what to do next, and then he stifled a wicked grin, getting to his feet and closing the gap until they were inches apart. Silver blue eyes locked onto hazel green, and his voice was a low growl.

"So, DI Drake, it appears you have flouted my authority yet again and I need to discipline you. As your superior officer, I expect you to follow my orders without question from now on. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

Her voice was breathy with desire, and he could feel the heat radiating off her. He was looking forwards to this.

"Close all the blinds and lock the door, and then stand by the desk where I can see you."

"Yes, Sir."

He shrugged off his jacket and sat back in the chair with his arms crossed, and she moved to stand nearby, her eyes demurely on the floor.

"Right, Drake. You are goin' ter strip for me, and then you are goin' to bend over this desk and accept yer punishment. Any questions?"

Her head flew up, and her eyes widened, but she didn't falter.

"No, Sir."

"When yer ready …"

Slowly she began to unbutton her blouse, sliding it from her shoulders and dropping it to the floor. His eyes lingered over her impressive cleavage while she unzipped her skirt and slid it elegantly over her hips before stepping out of it. Sweet Jesus, those endless legs in stockings and stilettos were almost enough to give him a heart attack already. Keep a grip, Genie boy.

She reached round to undo her bra, and his eyes devoured her perfect breasts while she made as if to unclip her suspenders.

"Leave the stockings, Drake. And the shoes."

The ghost of a smile played around her lips, and then she slipped her thong down over her thighs and stepped out of it before kicking it away and standing unashamed in front of him. Christ, she was beautiful. He wondered if his legs would support him now that most of the blood seemed to have rushed to his groin.

He stood, with rather more confidence than he felt, and she moved past him, deliberately brushing her breasts against his chest before turning to bend forwards over the desk, legs spread provocatively. He looked down at her peachy backside, framed prettily by her remaining underwear, and thanked whichever deity had delivered Alex Drake to him.

Freeing himself from his trousers with some relief, he kicked her legs further apart and leaned over her so she could feel his erection pressing into her back, and was rewarded with a wriggle and a groan. He whispered close to her ear.

"Are you wet for me, DI Drake?"

"Oh God, yes …"

"Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

"Yes … Sir."

He moved away and slipped two questing fingers inside her, pumping them in and out, and she writhed against his hand with a gasp.

"Ohhh … Please, Gene … Guv …"

He chuckled.

"You are such a naughty girl, DI Drake. And naughty girls get punished …"

He took her hard and fast while the desk creaked in protest, loving the little cries and whimpers she was making and gritting his teeth, hoping he could hold on. His powerful thrusts drove her relentlessly towards climax until she came apart under him with a guttural moan of pleasure, shuddering and clenching round him. Finally, he allowed himself to fall into the sweet oblivion of release with a groan of triumph, feeling like a God.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Blood Hell, Alex."

"I know …"

He felt her smile against his neck. She was sat in his lap, snuggled against his chest while their heart rates returned to something approaching normal. His long fingers toyed with her suspender belt while his chin rested on the top of her head.

"Definitely need to discipline yer more often, if that's the result."

"Mmmm. Yes please …"

She nibbled on his earlobe and he groaned.

"Christ, woman, what are yer doin' ter me? Sergeant Rock's already twitchin' again."

"Home for round two, then?"

She moved out of his lap and began to get dressed while he watched, transfixed, and suddenly everything was very clear in his mind. He wanted to marry her because he couldn't imagine living without her, so why wait any longer? He'd ask her that night.

"Ready?"

She raised an eyebrow questioningly, and he reached down to the floor.

"Aren't yer forgettin' somethin'?"

He held her black lacy thong out to her but she shook her head, smiling seductively.

"What's the point? If I know you, it'll be off again in twenty minutes."

He smirked, tucking her knickers into his top pocket before following her out of CID.

.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hope you enjoyed. Off for a cold shower now, but I suspect there will be more.
All reviews gratefully received, as ever.