Jill was woken up by a light raking down her back, she shouted out and jerked awake to the sound of a gentle laugh.

'Ticklish, are you?'

Jill buried her head and growled in annoyance.

'So am I. I give you permission to tickle me next time.'

Jill made a mental note because she was determined there be a next time. She had only just started with this woman.

'We'll oversleep' Jennifer chided.

Jill groaned and stretched; she hadn't realised she had fallen asleep face down among the pillows, leaving her bare backside prey to a cheeky slap. As much as she was enjoying it, she dragged herself up and lunged at her tormenter, only to topple them over onto the floor. They stayed there for a few minutes, Jill's hands already roving through the soft dark hair. D.I. Rhodes wore it pulled half up, secured with clips, something Jill hadn't done since she was a student but on the other woman, it was pretty.

'I hadn't planned on starting the day on the floor but I can make it work. Just hand me some pillows' Jennifer teased.

Jill swatted at her hostess gracelessly.

'I'm going to be late because of you' she grumbled.

'Nonsense. There's always time for coffee.'

Jennifer made a good cup of coffee, Jill conceded. She would have preferred to stay in bed with both of them but she needed to get back home and prepare for the day ahead. She popped open a tab and chewed aggressively.

'Ex-smoker?'

'Trying to be.'

'I preferred the nicotine patch.'

'Tried it. The patch and I just couldn't get on.'

She washed up the mug in the sink, prepared to leave.

'Next time coffee in bed.'

Jill swivelled round suspiciously. It was as if she had read her mind. Jennifer smiled mischievously.

'Is that a promise?'

'Of course.'

'Are you trying to entice me back to your lair of lust?'

'Of course.'

Jill's smile made her hostess's heart thump. She was looking forward to having that fine form back in her bed.

Jill folded her waistcoat into her bag. She was going to run home for a refresh. She looked around for something she'd missed. Jennifer was holding up the dangling cufflinks, silver strands that caught the light.

'I could keep them to make sure you'd come back for them but I'm confident that you will anyway so I'm very generously giving them back to you.'

Now Jill couldn't stop smiling. Here was a woman who valued cufflinks. A rare find indeed. Their fingers touched and that bolt of electricity they loved was back, flashing through their veins.

D.I. Raymond left with a spring in her step.