I've decided that Gene and Alex need a bit of a break from the current angst at Fenchurch East and this chapter is just that – a reasonably plot free bit of fluff and smut as Gene and Alex get to know each other even better!

The Pleasure Principle

"I've been thinking."

"Oh?" It was Alex's turn to look amused as she resisted voicing the inevitable mocking comment.

"Yeah," Gene continued. They were sat together in Luigi's and he leaned in closer – and not only because he didn't want anyone else to hear. "Fancy a weekend away somewhere?"

Her eyebrows shot up with surprise. "Away? Where?"

He shrugged his shoulders with apparent indifference. "Dunno. Brighton's do-able in a weekend."

"Why Brighton?"

"Why not Brighton?"

"Good point." Alex sipped on glass of wine as she pondered Gene's suggestion. She'd never really thought about leaving London before. In the past – when she'd still considered this world to be a fantasy – she'd just presumed that anywhere outside the immediate locale didn't exist. But now she was slowly beginning to realise that wherever 'here' was - it was real…along with the people in it.

"So?" Gene prompted.

"I'd love to."

"Good. That's settled then."

She rested her hand discreetly on Gene's leg, hidden underneath the table. His face was still a picture of composure as she began to lightly run her fingers up and down his thigh.

"Why now?" she enquired.

"Look, if you'd rather not…."

"I'm not saying that. I'm just curious."

He stubbed out the cigarillo he had been smoking and turned to face her. "I just fancy getting away from this shit-hole for a bit…and you could do with it an' all."

"True," she said, nodding in agreement. They had both been through the wringer in the past few months one way or another. Maybe it would do them both good and with a bit of luck it would help to cement their ever-deepening relationship. "When were you thinking?"

"This weekend? We can drive down on Friday night if you like."

The more Alex thought about it, the more the idea appealed. "I do like," she said, squeezing Gene's thigh approvingly, "I like very much indeed."

"I thought you might." He glanced around the restaurant but the rest of CID were going about their own business and in various stages of intoxication. He lowered his voice anyway. "And in the meantime, shall we retire to your boudoir and discuss how you might show your appreciation?"

Her lips twitched with amusement. "I thought you'd never ask." She stood and wiggled her way around the table, looking back at him for a moment with a sultry come-hither look. "Coming?

"I'll get me coat!"
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A few days later found Gene stretched out on a small but comfortable four-poster bed, surveying his surroundings. The bed-and-breakfast establishment he had chosen was small but perfectly placed just off Brighton's sea front and had come highly recommended by Viv – who Gene trusted enough to know about these things and more importantly, trusted not to blab about it. It cost an arm and a leg – but it had been worth it just for the look on Alex's face when she entered the room. A huge smile had slowly spread over her face and she had kissed him enthusiastically and then thrown herself onto the bed, practically jumping up and down on the mattress with excitement.

Gene smiled at the memory. God knows she deserved a break from the hassle at the station. The Maclean case may have been solved but there was still plenty to worry about as far as Gene was concerned. Keats for a starter and he still hadn't forgot that some bastard had tried to kill Alex – or at the very least frighten the living daylights out of her. At least here in Brighton they could both forget about it for a couple of days.

Gene closed his eyes and settled back against the comfortable pillows. It had been a long day – first a full day at work, catching up on the paperwork generated by the Maclean case. And then the tedious drive down from London. Actually he hadn't minded the drive so much – apart from the bastard Friday evening commuters taking up valuable road space. Still, by the time they had reached Brighton he had already found himself beginning to relax. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh sea-air coming in through the large open window. He could hear the sounds of sea from where he lay and he knew that if he could have been bothered to get up, you could also catch a glimpse of the shore and the large sandy beach. It was still a bit early in the year for real warmth, but at least the forecast promised clear skies and no rain – anything else was a bonus.

It would have been easy to drift off into a deep and dreamless slumber – the comfortable bed and the sound of the ocean could quite easily have lulled his senses into oblivion. However another noise teetered on the periphery of his consciousness – the sound of a shower running. More importantly the sound of a shower running with a naked Alex underneath it. His mind drifted once more in hazy contemplation of Alex's body, slick with water and scented foam from her favourite shower gel, her hands running over her bare skin as she washed away the evidence of work and travel. Imagining Alex in the shower had always been of one of Gene's favourite fantasies – and it still was, even though he now had access to the reality.

He was just getting to his favourite bit – the bit where Alex bent over to pick up the soap, when he suddenly realised that the shower had stopped. He listened intently but there was only silence. And then the door handle turned and she walked into the room, wearing a huge fluffy white bath robe and towling her damp hair. He felt his stomach flip over as she smiled and walked past the end of the bed, making her way over to the open window.

"It's beautiful," she said, gazing into the evening sky outside.

Gene's eyes narrowed as he watched her. "Hmmm...beautiful," he agreed.

Alex turned to face him. There was something in his voice that compelled her attention and turned her stomach to mush. His eyes raked over her, even though there was nothing much that wasn't covered in bath robe, but finally they settled on her face, a smouldering possibly even dangerous look in his eyes.

She licked her lips nervously. "What are you thinking about?"

"Come over 'ere and I'll show you."

She smiled as she contemplated Gene lying quite comfortably on the bed – and given that he was only wearing an open shirt and a pair of boxer shorts she could already tell what Gene had in mind. A warm glow of anticipation gathered in the pit of her stomach as she slowly walked over to the bed and sat down next to him.

"You're not wearing your fluffy bath robe?"

"I don't do fluffy," he responded, fingering the sleeve of Alex's robe. "Looks good on you though." His fingers moved from the robe to Alex's arm, skimming the skin of her wrist and tracing patterns on her inner arm. He smiled briefly as she shivered under his touch. "I'll tell you what else would look good on you."

"What?"

"Me." He quickly pulled her down until she was lying on top of him.

Alex giggled. "Very good. Except that I seem to be on top of you."

"You complaining?"

"Not really."

"That's what I thought."

She settled herself more comfortably on top of Gene, lying full length as she started to dot kisses over his chest and neck. "I thought we were going out for a drink?"

"Don't 'ave to go out – look in the cupboard."

Alex leaned precariously over the side of the bed and opened the small bedside cabinet. Sure enough there was a full bottle of whisky and two glasses.

"I see you packed all the necessities then?" she said, resuming her position on top of Gene.

"Course Bols. Wouldn't want to see you going without."

She grinned wickedly. "Not much chance of that – I hope." She moved position until she was sat astride Gene's hips, wiggling until she was comfortably seated.

"Steady on love, you keep wiggling like that and the party'll be over before it gets started."

She leaned forward to kiss him, placing soft warm kisses around his jaw line until she reached his ear. "I have every faith in your….prowess, my love."

Gene suddenly found it difficult to breath. Did she just call him…? Before he could dwell on Alex's unexpected endearment, he found himself riveted by the sight of Alex sitting upright above him and slowly and seductively beginning to loosen the belt on her bathrobe. Very, very slowly the belt fell away allowing the bathrobe to fall open slightly. The air stilled around them, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air. Their eyes met and Alex gave her silent assent, knowing that for Gene this was the best bit, the moment when he unwrapped her like a particularly longed for birthday present.

He sat up a little more and then slowly began to part her bathrobe, his fingers not even touching her skin to begin with, but simply pushing the material away from her body, then rolling it away from her shoulders until she was completely naked and the bathrobe pooled around them. It was only then that he touched her. As always his eyes were inevitably drawn to the now small white scar on her stomach – the only evidence of his utter stupidity that remained. He touched it gently with his fingers, ever present guilt and regret churning in his stomach.

"Don't," she whispered softly. "That doesn't matter any more." She gently took his fingers and brought them to her lips, kissing them as if bestowing a pardon.

He shook his head. "You're too good for me."

"Bollocks!"

The unexpected oath brought a smile to Gene's face, dispelling lingering doubts and any remaining guilt. "Careful love, you're beginning to sound like me."

"Well it is bollocks. We are who we are Gene. I'm no angel – and I know for a fact that you're no saint."

"Quite possibly a randy devil though," he said with a wink.

"That would make two of us."

"Oh goody."

Gene put up a token resistance but he was lost from the moment Alex's cool fingertips wandered idly over his body, tracing patterns on his skin and sending his already overwrought body into sensory overload. With a hint of a wicked smile she took her time, his body now becoming familiar but never predictable. Even as her hands were pushing the shirt away from his shoulders, her lips bestowed kisses everywhere she could reach – and a few places she couldn't! Gene lay back and surrendered to the inevitable – if Alex wanted to her have her wicked way with him, who was he to argue?

She whispered lewd but never crude suggestions in his ear as she eased his boxer shorts down over his hips, a squeak of delight escaping her lips as his erection sprang free.

"Yum!"

He was tempted to laugh at look of sheer delight on her face but he knew what was coming next. Mind you, if he wasn't careful it would be him. But Alex knew what she was doing, and caressed him gently, teasingly, kissing his stomach, and her tongue teasing his belly-button to Gene's shock and amusement.

"You're a wicked woman Bols – I've always liked that about you."

She looked up to him with sultry eyes. "I haven't even started yet."

Before Gene had time to register that comment, her warm mouth enclosed him and a groan of pure pleasure filled the room. He looked down but the sight of her between his legs, licking and stroking and touching. It was almost too much to bear and he closed his eyes for a second, content to let the pleasure build until she brought him to the brink.

"Careful love…you're gonna miss out on all the fun if you carry on like that." He reached for her, catching her by the waist and rolling her over quite easily, until he assumed the dominant position.

"Spoilsport," Alex said with a pout.

Gene simply responded by kissing her within an inch of her life, his hands firmly outlining the contours of her body, revelling in her womanly curves and lingering on her full breasts.

"Did I ever tell you you've got great tits?" he said, kissing each nipple for emphasis.

"You may have mentioned it once…or possibly twice." Alex didn't care any more – she was rapidly losing herself in an erotic haze, where the only thing she could see, feel or taste was Gene. It was quite literally intoxicating. She squirmed as he kissed his way down her body. Her breath was already coming in short gasps as he nudged apart her thighs and she knew that she wouldn't last long if past experiences were anything to go by.

"Now…want you…please…oh god."

Gene looked up from his endeavours, his eyes dark with passion. "Sure? I don't mind…"

"Yes, I rather gathered that…but I can't wait."

He crept upwards over her body until he loomed over her, gazing intently into her eyes. "You want me?"

"Yes. God help me I want you."

"Good. Me too."

Alex wrapped her legs around him, drawing him closer as they slowly joined, a shiver of pleasure shaking her body as he pressed deeper and deeper inside her. He started to move and for a moment Alex thought she'd climax immediately – the pleasure was so intense and so overwhelming. But with a few deep breaths (and thoughts of Paul Daniels) she staved off the almost inevitable. She wanted to wait…she wanted it to be special. Instead she concentrated on Gene, running her hands over his body, clutching him closer and watching his face as the pleasure he experienced reflected clearly with each move and thrust.

Gene seemed to realise that he was under scrutiny and his blue eyes scorched into hers. He adjusted position, grinning mischievously as Alex gasped at the deeper penetration. She groaned again.

"Alex?"

"Oh god…don't stop…whatever you do…don't stop...doing…that."

"Doing me best," he managed to gasp, his hips grinding against hers, keeping the rhythm he had found to please her. He shifted position again and a guttural cry of pleasure was torn from her lips.

"Yes…yes…oh fuck…please!"

The first thing Gene felt were her nails piercing his skin as she gripped him for dear life, quickly followed by body contracting and throbbing, drawing him deeper and urging his own body to follow. His hips shuddered erratically and then he surrendered to the white hot lightening flash of orgasm as it thundered through his body, leaving him spent and helpless as he collapsed into her arms.

The only sound in the room was one of them both gasping for air which gradually resolved into deep, contented breathing. Gene slowly rolled away, until Alex protested and he gathered her back into his arms.

"Wasn't going anywhere – just didn't want to squash yer."

"I know – but I quite like being squashed. By you at least."

"Daft tart."

They shuffled together to find a comfortable sleeping position, Alex teasing and Gene having a good-natured moan, but eventually they were comfortable, with Alex tucked under his chin and wrapped in his arms. They lay together in the darkness, comfortable in the deep silence of the night.

"I'm glad I came here," Alex whispered sleepily.

Gene's stared unseeing into the soft darkness of the room. He waited until her breathing was shallow and indicated sleep before kissing the top of her head. "Yeah, me too love, me too."

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Although Alex woke with the larks the next morning, she was reluctant to even contemplate leaving the warm and comfortable bed she was sharing with Gene – and that despite the fact that she was teetering on the edge of the mattress. She wriggled around to face her still-sleeping partner and created a little more breathing space. She held her breath as Gene groaned, murmured something unintelligible but then fell back to sleep.

There was a chink of light breaking through the curtains which enabled her to see Gene quite clearly. If the early morning sunshine was anything to go by, it promised to be a glorious day – but at the moment she was quite happy to spend it contemplating Gene. After all, it wasn't very often she had the opportunity to study him in repose. She examined his face with all the intensity of a lover, noting each line and blemish, every contour and curve that made up his unique expression. It wasn't a classically handsome face, she decided, but there was an underlying strength there that she liked. She delicately traced the outline of his nose – slightly wonky she decided but even that added character. Her fingers rasped along his stubbled chin – set stubbornly even in sleep. No, he wasn't a conventionally handsome man but what really made him come alive were his intense eyes and his gloriously animated features, and for that he had to be awake.

Quite suddenly his eyes shot open and he half-sat up. "NO!"

"Gene? Sweetheart?" She touched his arm gently, careful not to startle him too much when had obviously been dreaming.

"Bolly?" He blinked his eyes and stared wild-eyed for a moment, before finally recognising her and collapsing back down onto the bed.

"You okay?"

Gene felt his heart racing although he could hardly remember why. "Yeah. Just a dream. Is it time to get up?"

"Not yet." She snuggled closer, encouraged as he opened his arms and pulled her closer.

"Good."

He closed his eyes again, sleep still tempting him away from consciousness. But even as he drifted half-awake/half-asleep he could feel his body responding to Alex's closeness, the way her fingers drifted gently across his skin and the way the scent of her hair tickled at his nostrils . Peach, he wondered idly, or lemon? – something like that anyway. He could feel the slight breeze from the open window waft over his skin, giving him goosebumps. And then there was another sound. His eyes shot open again as this sound took him back to his dream.

"What's that noise?"

"What noise?" Alex listened intently and then smiled. "Seagulls. We're in Brighton remember?"

"Oh yeah." He relaxed into Alex's soothing embrace. Seagulls. Funny, for some reason he thought they were crows.

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After a hearty traditional breakfast they left the B&B to explore their surroundings. For some reason it was a place that Alex had never visited before – not even when she was a child. The omission was shocking in her books and she was glad to have an opportunity to be somewhere that she and Gene could explore as a couple. A couple. She rolled the phrase around in her head but pushed it away reluctantly. She hesitated to put a label on whatever it was that she and Gene had – even one as nebulous as coupledom.

So, without any real concrete plans they set out, happy just to wander along the seafront before disappearing onto the town centre area. Gene was just as happy to indulge Alex as she darted into little boutiques and gift shops, admired the local architecture and listened to various buskers dotted around The Lanes. They stopped to admire the work of a tiny silversmith's shop, the window full of jewellery and trinkets. To Alex's surprise it was Gene who wanted to explore further.

"Come on. Let's see what they've got."

The shop was small but packed with exquisite items, from large-scale picture frames right down to tiny silver thimbles – and everything in between. They split up and browsed independently – Gene disappearing into a section at the rear of the shop, while Alex peered into a glass display cabinet at the front. She wanted to buy something for Gene and she glanced nervously around, wondering if she'd have time to accomplish her purchase before he returned. The understanding shop assistant quickly pointed her in the right direction and advised on her purchase, wrapping it carefully and placing it into a discreet gift bag.

"You spending again Bolly?" Gene's voice tickled her ear as he crept up behind her.

"Well you can't take it with you."

"True."

She spied a gift bag in Gene's hand. "I see you've been splashing out too?"

"I needed a new flask."

"Ah."

By the time they stopped for lunch, they were both laden down with bags – although it had to be admitted that most of them belonged to Alex. She collapsed with relief into the corner of a local pub while Gene went to the bar to order food and drink. Gene returned bearing a pint for himself and a half for Alex. He sat down next to her in the corner they had commandeered. He seated himself, apparently casually, but Alex couldn't help noticing that when their shoulders brushed or their legs accidently touched, he didn't move away.

"Food's coming," he said, taking a sip from his pint.

"Lovely. Thank you." She took a huge reviving slurp from the cold glass of lager.

"I should have got you a pint an' all."

"This will do nicely." She took the opportunity to stretch out her legs and get comfortable while watching the other punters in the pub. It was busy but not overly so – the summer season had yet to start but the pleasant spring sunshine had brought out the locals and those tourists willing to take a risk on the late spring weather. It was a million miles away from Fenchurch East – and all the better for it.

Gene nudged her shoulder. "Penny for 'em."

"Not even worth that."

He considered this for a moment, taking a slow drink from his pint of bitter before replying. "You don't talk about yourself much do yer?"

"Neither do you," she replied defensively.

"Not much worth talking about. Anyway, I've told you about my misspent youth and National Service."

She nodded slowly. It was true that he had started to open up lately, given her a treasured glimpse into his past. She made herself comfortable on the banquette seat they shared, curling her legs underneath her and turning to face him with head resting on hand. "You can ask me anything you want – I just don't promise that the answer will be very exciting."

Before Gene could frame a question the barman arrived with their food, two plates of piping hot steak and kidney pie, mashed potato and lashings of gravy. Alex uncurled herself and sniffed appreciatively at the enticing aromas and then grinned at Gene.

"Smells wonderful."

"Tuck in then – need to get some meat on the skinny arse of yours."

"You weren't complaining about my arse last night."

"You've got a lovely arse Bols – there just needs to be more of it."

Silence reigned as they both descended hungrily on the food – a combination of sex, sea air and shopping had certainly piqued their appetites and the tasty food was wolfed down with enthusiasm.

"You were married?" Gene queried in between mouthfuls.

"Not very successfully," she said, glancing across at Gene to see his reaction. "We were far too young and we got married for all the wrong reasons. A disaster waiting to happen."

"Why did you marry him? Did you love him?"

"I thought I did. It felt like love should be – at least at first. But looking back…." She paused and then took another mouthful of food.

"Go on," he prodded gently.

"Well I thought I was in love of course. But later, when it was all over, I knew that it hadn't really been love. Obsession perhaps or just sheer bloody-mindedness. I don't know. Maybe I was sticking my fingers up at my elders who thought they knew better. I was just so tired of being little Miss Goody Two-Shoes…Princess Alex the straight-A student who was going to grow up and go to University and be a lawyer."

"A lawyer!" Gene almost choked on his steak and kidney pie.

She smiled. "I know. Can you imagine it? My godfather was a lawyer….so were my parents. Everyone else just presumed that I'd follow suit."

"But you didn't."

"Another one of my little rebellions – but at least that one was slightly more successful than my marriage. We split up not long after my daughter was born. Well….I say split up. I got home after picking Molly up from the in-laws and he was gone. Just left a note to say that he couldn't handle it any more and that he had to "find himself"."

"Wish I could have found him. Wanker. "

"Yes. He was."

"Sorry Bols," he patted her leg, "must have been a bugger – what with the kiddie an' all."

"It was hard. I was fresh out of University, barely out of basic training with the Met before I was sent to Bramshill…."

"Bramshill?"

"I was on a Graduate Entry Scheme to the Met…on the fast track you might say."

"I always knew you were fast Bolly – I just didn't know how fast. So what happened when the ungrateful bastard left you?"

"Luckily the Met were very understanding. I took a few months off, sorted myself out…his parents were very supportive…couldn't do enough for Molly and me. So I just picked myself up and got on with it."

The food had been either finished, or in Alex's case, ignored by the time her story came to an end and she simply drank the last dregs of her drink. "So that's it. That's me. Not very exciting really."

"Don't put yourself down Alex. Takes courage to do what you did. Most people would have just given up – you could have. But you didn't."

"I wanted…I wanted to make Molly proud of me." She bit her lip to try and stem the tears that were threatening to burst through.

"She is proud of you Alex." He squeezed her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. "You've got more balls than most blokes I know." He laughed. "Christ, you even scare me sometimes. What daughter wouldn't be proud of that eh?"

"I just wish…sometimes I wish…." A solitary tear slowly rolled down one cheek.

"Hey now….come 'ere." He gathered her against his chest. She wasn't exactly crying…but then she wasn't exactly laughing either. "You'll get her back one day…I'm sure of it. And in the meantime you just have to fight the good fight – like we all do."

Alex didn't correct his assumptions about Molly. She guessed that he'd assumed they were simply separated by her work or that her ex-husband had custody. It was simpler if he believed that.

"Sorry." She sat up straight and brushed the tear away from her cheek. "Sometimes it just catches me like that."

"My fault – I shouldn't have asked."

"No. I'm glad you did. I'm glad we talked about it."

"Me too. So, what next? More shopping?"

"I think we've had enough retail therapy for one day. You choose."

"Sure? You might live to regret saying that."

"I doubt it. What's the worst that could happen?"

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It turned out that the worst that could happen was an afternoon at the races! While putting up a token protest, the reality was that Alex didn't really mind. After Gene's forbearance in visiting trinket shops and boutiques it was only fair that he indulge one of his own hobbies in return. And in the end she had enjoyed herself immensely – far more than she would have thought possible.

The atmosphere had been informal, the racecourse mainly full of locals simply enjoying a Saturday afternoon pursuing their favourite pastime in the pleasant spring sunshine. Gene was patient in explaining some of the betting intricacies and soon Alex was caught up in following her chosen horses – or 'nags' as Gene insisted on calling them. For his part, Gene was enjoying seeing a different side to the woman he thought he knew. He smiled indulgently as she clutched his arm and began to jump up and down at the prospect of her horse crossing the finishing post first – only for another rider to sprint past at the last possible moment.

"That's racing for you Bolly," he said in consolation. But he loved seeing her like this, her eyes alight with enthusiasm and passion, throwing dignity to the winds as she cheered her chosen horses home.

Gene had a couple of minor wins which went down very nicely thank you – but in the final race of the day, it was Alex who was the big winner of the day, screaming blue murder as 'Lucky Lass' romped home in triumph.

"Oh my God! I've won, I've won…I've won!" She leapt into the air and then flung her arms around Gene's neck, kissing him soundly to the enthusiastic cheers of onlookers.

"Steady on Bols! You'll have us over in a minute!" But her enthusiasm was infectious and he returned the kiss, swinging her around in his arms before setting her down safely on the ground. "I reckon the celebrations are on you tonight," he said, as they made their way through the crowd to collect her winnings. "Where d'ya fancy? Somewhere posh?"

"God no. We can do posh anytime – we can do posh in London." Her eyes were sparkling with mischief as she turned to him. "Do you know what I really want?"

"I've a good idea but we'll get arrested if we do that in public."

"No," she punched his arm playfully, "I want the seaside. I want rollercoasters and dodgem cars, I want fish and chips, candyfloss and toffee apples, I want…what are you smiling at?"

"You. See that's what I love about you – you've got uncomplicated tastes."

Alex considered this for a moment. "Actually I like complicated too."

"Like what?"

"Like you."

"Me? I'm the least complicated bloke on the planet Bolly. Keep me fed, watered and err….satisfied and I'm a happy man."

They had finally made their way through the crowd, winnings collected, and they now stood near the rear of the enclosure, surrounded by people and yet somehow alone in their own little world.

Alex turned to Gene, placing her hand on his chest. "You're more complicated than you know Gene – but that's why I love you."

A look passed between them, a look that recognised that while this was a significant moment, it was also a moment that didn't call for high drama or even words. The 'L' word had been spoken, exchanged by both parties without fuss – a quiet understanding had been given and received without panic or misunderstanding. Gene especially was deeply aware that some milestone had been reached – normally this would have had him running for the hills but this was different – this was Alex. And somehow he felt safe.

He cupped her face and kissed her, the crowds passing by them ignored.

"I do know one thing" he said, as they broke for air. "You're a classy bird Alex Drake – in more ways than one. Now, lets go and spend your ill-gotten gains and you can keep me in the manner to which I'd like to become accustomed."

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It had been, Alex reflected much later, an exhausting but very satisfying day all around. She yawned expansively and tried to stretch the kinks from her body – although that was made more difficult given that she was sprawled naked on the bed with Gene's head laid on her stomach. The light in the bedroom was low and seductive, casting shadows over their bodies as they sprawled in a post-coital heap on the bed. Gene had fallen asleep but she was still wide awake, idly playing with strands of his hair, as she relived the highlights of a glorious day.

Of course the best part of the day for Alex took place after they had left the racecourse and made their way back into central Brighton, heading straight for the famous pier. This was it – the epitome of the seaside experience that Alex longed for. She was like a child in a sweet shop and her eyes lit up as she took in the garish lights, penny arcades and tat stalls while the enticing aromas of various food offerings pricked at her nostrils. It was intoxicating.

They ate greasy but very tasty chips, played the slot machines, ate candy floss and even played bingo sat alongside a couple of white-haired old biddies. Gene triumphed at bingo and had picked the biggest, fluffiest teddy bear imaginable as his prize and presented it to Alex – and so for the rest of the evening they had a chaperone in the form of 'Billy the Bear.'

Of course a visit to the pier wouldn't be complete without the funfair and Gene was game enough, allowing Alex to drag him onto the various attractions with various degrees of enthusiasm. He showed no reluctance whatsoever when he spied the dodgem cars and immediately challenged Alex to a race. Chaos ensued with Alex in one dodgem car and Gene and Billy the Bear in the other. Gene showed no mercy, bumping into other cars with some force and stalking Alex until he made direct contact with her rear bumper, shunting her into corner and then driving off triumphantly.

Alex however was made of sterner stuff, spinning the wheel to her car and then smiling winningly at the ride supervisor who helped her shove off from the side. She soon caught up with Gene and caught him a crushing blow mid-chassis which brought him to a halt and caused a five-car pile up with Alex protesting her innocence.

"You play dirty Bols!"

She fluttered her eyelashes. "All's fair in love and war. Besides, you had a co-pilot." She jerked her head indicating the silent bear, currently tucked inelegantly under Gene's arm.

"What him?" He looked at the bear askance. "As much use as a chocolate fire-guard."

Alex snatched Billy and cuddled him close "Don't listen to him. I think you're adorable."

"Careful love," Gene growled. "I get very jealous."

And now Billy sat in pride of place in the bedroom, perched in a chair by the small dressing-table …although Gene had insisted on turning the bear's face to the wall before they started to make love. Alex smiled contentedly as Gene stirred, watching his long eyelashes fluttering as he gradually came to.

He crooked his neck and looked up, his voice husky with sleep. "Hello you."

"Hello yourself."

He shook himself awake and then very slowly began to kiss his way up her body, not stopping until he reached her lips, kissing her gently but thoroughly before flopping next to her on the bed.

Alex turned to face him, the sheet dropping to her waist, with the resulting look of admiration reflected on Gene's face. "It's been a great weekend," she said.

"Not over yet – still got tomorrow."

"I know, but just in case I forget…thank you."

"No need," his lowered his eyes, a surprising hint of shyness in his manner. "Besides, I've had a good time too you know."

"Really?"

"Course I have you daft mare. I'd have been mad not to! A dirty weekend in Brighton with the sexiest woman this side of Trafford Park? I know which side me bread's buttered love."

She sighed. "You're impossible."

"I know. Part of my natural charm. Anyway, I don't know about you but I fancy a nightcap. Get the whisky would you – it's on your side."

Alex sighed dramatically. "What did you last slave die of?" she muttered mutinously as she leaned over the bed and opened the cupboard.

"Hard to tell – not much left of them when I threw them off a building for not getting my whisky!"

"Yeah, yeah...I bet that th...Gene?" She removed the bottle from the bedside cabinet but then her eye was caught by a small package.

"What now?"

"There's something in here – a small box?"

"You'd better see what's in it then."

She rolled back towards Gene, the whisky bottle now forgotten as she examined the small and exquisitely wrapped box. She glanced at him and then slowly pulled at the ribbons, her heart thumping in her chest as she removed the gift-wrap and opened the lid. She immediate recognised the name on the box as being the silversmiths they had visited this morning.

"Hope you like it," Gene said, "we can always take it back."

"Oh Gene." Inside the box was a silver bangle, quite modern in design, with two bands of silver forming the bangle and joining them in the centre was a medallion with the head of a lion, his eyes a vibrant blue topaz. "It's just….beautiful," she glanced up at him, tears threatening to spill over.

"You like it then?"

"I love it. Thank you so much." She pushed the bracelet over her hand until it rested on her wrist and leaned over and kissed him. She glanced back to the bangle. "That was very sneaky of you Mr Hunt."

"Had to be quick while you weren't looking," he said, looking quietly pleased with himself.

Alex glanced slyly over at him. "Well, it seems like we were both up to the same trick." She shuffled over to the edge of the bed and bent over towards the floor, giving Gene quite the interesting view.

"What are you doing Bolly? Not that I don't appreciate the view I'm getting but…."

Alex emerged triumphant from her quest, bearing another exquisitely wrapped gift box – from the very same establishment. She passed it to Gene. "For you."

"You didn't have to Alex – I wasn't expecting…"

"I know. But I just saw these and thought of you."

She watched impatiently as Gene tore off the gift-wrapping and opened the box. She watched his face intently, noticing as he swallowed hard and struggled for composure.

"Gene? We can take them back if…"

"Don't you dare Bolly!" He ran his fingers over the cuff-links, detailed with a much smaller version of the same lion's head that appeared on Alex's bracelet. "No one's ever given me anything like this before."

"It's not too much? Us having matching lion's I mean?"

He shook his head. "It's perfect Alex. Thank you."

"You still want that drink?"

He laughed gruffly as he carefully put the box to one side. "No love. I want you."

"Oh! Well I think I can manage that – we are having a 'dirty weekend' after all."

"You haven't even seen 'dirty' yet!" he promised.

. . . . . . .to be continued