Nigel.

He kissed her neck again, and then pulled away, just a little bit. “They seem like good men,” he noted, his mind drifting back to Dragos and Pete. Good, weathered hands: they knew hard work. “Pete especially. He knows the lay of the land, knows the ins and outs.”

Nigel had trafficked drugs in Bucharest, never people. He didn’t know how ethical the trade was - were the girls kept well? Were they stolen from their homes in the dead of night, forced to fuck old, rich men? He held Gabi tighter. 

She was disappointed when Nigel pulled back a little, but really it was for the best. They couldn’t be humping like horny teenagers against the bar. Despite how much Gabi rather wanted to.

"Pete seems to have been in the business for a while. Dragos isn’t as green as he seems. I think the big innocent eyes is an act. He’d be a loyal one, but one to keep an eye on. That boy wants a throne."

Her hands moved back to slide down Nigel’s thighs, gripping his jeans and tugging him closer as he held her tighter.

He gave her rump a slap and then began wiping down the bar again. After a while he went down into the basement, only to find Bambi had escaped through the trap door; he decided to let her go, seeing as Gabi was more help behind the bar anyway. Besides, the fawn needed to lick her wounds. 

His shift passed quickly in Gabi's company. The clients seemed friendlier, the tips more generous, but maybe that was just his own good mood passing judgement. Either way, seven o'clock came around sooner than he'd expected.

He pressed his mouth to the crook of her neck, kissing the warm skin there slowly. A couple of people looked, met Nigel’s challenging gaze, and looked away again. Maybe he just felt a little antsy after seeing the way Dragos had looked at her. No threat there, but he just needed to decompress.

"If you’re going to do this, I’m going to make sure you’re doing it properly. If we’re going to be together, then we do this together."

She silently told herself that she wasn’t happy with the situation, but if she could keep him safe, then she would. If she could make everything look legal and above board, then  she would.

"If you are very lucky, I shall cook for you."

Her head turned so that she could press little kisses along his jawline, but stopped before going too far. The last thing this bar needed was a live sex show. Gabi paused and glanced around the room with a little smirk.

He kissed her neck again, and then pulled away, just a little bit. "They seem like good men," he noted, his mind drifting back to Dragos and Pete. Good, weathered hands: they knew hard work. "Pete especially. He knows the lay of the land, knows the ins and outs."

Nigel had trafficked drugs in Bucharest, never people. He didn't know how ethical the trade was - were the girls kept well? Were they stolen from their homes in the dead of night, forced to fuck old, rich men? He held Gabi tighter. 

"Perhaps we should go somewhere a little quieter," he suggested to them all, "to discuss possible future business ventures." 

He wrapped his knuckles on the counter. This could be his beginning, his way back into power. Pete was a native, he knew the people, knew how things worked around here, and Dragos - well, he’d just be handy muscle to have around. Looked like he had a head on his shoulders too.

Dragos had only eyes for Gabi at first, but knew when he was beaten. He’d never seen a woman look at someone quite like that before. He’d lost before he’d even begun. Nigel seemed the good sort though, and Pete seemed to like him. Plus, money was money and a boss was a boss. If they were lucky then Nigel would be a decent one.

"We’ll be back at seven then.

Pete tapped once on the bar with the knuckle of his forefinger and finished his drink. Dragos nodded in agreement and shrugged his coat on. A cheeky little grin playing on his lips as he looked over to Gabi.

"Will the lady be cooking for us?"

"The lady will be cooking you if you don’t watch yourself…"

He pressed his mouth to the crook of her neck, kissing the warm skin there slowly. A couple of people looked, met Nigel's challenging gaze, and looked away again. Maybe he just felt a little antsy after seeing the way Dragos had looked at her. No threat there, but he just needed to decompress.

Lightweight.' He was smiling, though his gut tensed with the knowledge that these men weren't all they appeared to be.

He side-eyed Gabi, trying to gauge her reaction. Usually if she had a bad feeling about someone, Nigel would steer clear of them. Her intuition was rarely misguided. But she seemed to warm to both men, putting him at ease.

"I’m looking for work." 

"MmHmmm, lookin’ for work myself. Done a lot of independent… Dentistry in my time. Got a good little business behind me. But, I ain’t so good at the organisation part. Looking to expand the business."

Gabi looked between the three men and felt a little sick. Here it goes again. But something hardened in her and her brow furrowed slightly. If this was what her life was going to be, then she would take control as much as she could. She would direct her own life and take her share of whatever would come of this motley little crew.

"I am a good accountant if your little business is in need of one. I am very good at keeping the books."

"Perhaps we should go somewhere a little quieter," he suggested to them all, "to discuss possible future business ventures." 

He wrapped his knuckles on the counter. This could be his beginning, his way back into power. Pete was a native, he knew the people, knew how things worked around here, and Dragos - well, he'd just be handy muscle to have around. Looked like he had a head on his shoulders too.

He measured both men for some time before his hand slowly unfurled around the gun. “Well,” Nigel said, tone still cautious, “I’m glad you’re drinking at mine now.” Nigel pushed two more shot glasses towards them, feeling the old twinge of work satisfaction, and it had nothing to do with pouring drinks.

You had to wonder. Opportunity was a strange mistress - by nature she could walk through your dusty bar door at any moment. And when she did, you better be fucking ready for her. Nigel thought he was.

But he was in this city too, good to know. Handy piece of information to have. At least it wouldn’t be sprung on them at a later date. Drinks were had and silence fell for a few moments as everyone digested that they were all dealing with something that they hadn’t expected, but were nevertheless curious about.

Dragos raised his eyebrows and shrugged slightly. He was like a panther unfurling from a nap. No longer hunched over and trying to look small and harmless. No point in trying to bullshit a bullshitter.

He side-eyed Gabi, trying to gauge her reaction. Usually if she had a bad feeling about someone, Nigel would steer clear of them. Her intuition was rarely misguided. But she seemed to warm to both men, putting him at ease.

The door opened noisily and Nigel started. But it was just a drunk customer stumbling outside. He exhaled through his nostrils and turned back to his company. “Lot of dirty bars out east,” Nigel remarked, sizing up the two men. Was it a coincidence new faces had shown up the day after his encounter with the East Chicago mafia? His eyes were sharp on Peter. “Wouldn’t you say?”

Gabi raised an eyebrow at Dragos and smirked. He didn’t look like any dentist she had ever seen. No dentist she knew watched people so intently And he had the exact same reaction as Nigel when the door suddenly burst open. A man more used to dodging bullets than working nine till five. If it wasn’t for the pub they had just happened to find themselves in, she would have said soldier. But he didn’t carry himself like one of those either.

"Dentist." 

His tone was firm and the look he gave her told Gabi to drop it and not ask anymore questions. Her lip quirked a little in amusement, but didn’t say anything else on the matter.

"Dirty bars run by young, stupid men. Wake up one morning and think anyone can do it. More to running a bar than youth and a can do attitude. I’m looking for something with a little more… Class.”

Pete turned to his younger companion and nudged him in the ribs.

"Who was that slimeball with the stupid name who wanted us to drink at his bar?"

"Darko."

He measured both men for some time before his hand slowly unfurled around the gun. "Well," Nigel said, tone still cautious, "I'm glad you're drinking at mine now." Nigel pushed two more shot glasses towards them, feeling the old twinge of work satisfaction, and it had nothing to do with pouring drinks.

You had to wonder. Opportunity was a strange mistress - by nature she could walk through your dusty bar door at any moment. And when she did, you better be fucking ready for her. Nigel thought he was.

The clock teased midday. Fuck it, Nigel thought as he pulled down a bottle of top-shelf vodka and four shot glasses. He poured for Pete and Dragos and then himself and Gabi. One hand held the shot glass, the other rubbed at the small of her back. He could feel the gun, and knew it was the one he’d bought her. He pulled her a little closer against him.

Raising his shot glass, he proposed a short toast. “To love. Noroc.”

It seemed that Nigel was in a good mood at least, the drinks were poured and she gave a happy little sigh as she was pulled against him. The raised their glasses and even Pete parroted a cheery Noroc! She found herself wondering how much of her language he knew. He must know enough to be able to interact with Dragos. But then again… She didn’t believe one bit that the younger man didn’t speak any English.

"Well, someone has to. And I can’t see you doing that on your own. Your face will scare away all the customers."

There was good natured laughter from both the men which secured Gabi’s suspicion that Dragos understood English perfectly fine. She gave him a look and his eyes darkened in understanding before looking away.

"Cause we’ve never been in your bar before, kid. The ah… Bar scene is getting mighty dirty, been looking for somewhere clean to drink. Not many classy establishments round here these days. Too many goons with itchy trigger fingers, you get me?”

The door opened noisily and Nigel started. But it was just a drunk customer stumbling outside. He exhaled through his nostrils and turned back to his company. "Lot of dirty bars out east," Nigel remarked, sizing up the two men. Was it a coincidence new faces had shown up the day after his encounter with the East Chicago mafia? His eyes were sharp on Peter. "Wouldn't you say?"

"Hey!" Nigel snarled, putting a hand between them. "Watch your mouth. Gabi’s here because I asked her to be." 

"But Nigel,” Bambi simpered, turning to him, her index finger reaching out to play with a button on his shirt, “she shouldn’t be here. It’s like…illegal or something. And I’m not sharing my tips with her.”

“When people start tipping you, you can keep them,” Nigel said, removing Bambi’s hand, his gaze slipping past to Gabi. “But she stays.”

Between Bambi and the Romanian man still gawping at Gabi, Nigel began to feel as if his feet weren’t on the ground any more. Gabi had always been his constant, his point to focus on, but right now he didn’t know what they had, what they were to each other. All he knew is that his heart didn’t beat for anyone or anything else. 

He slung the dishcloth over his shoulder, curved one hand around Gabi’s waist, and pressed a firm kiss to her mouth, his lips parting slightly. His eyes were on Drago’s, and then they closed.

The need to tear the woman’s hand away from Nigel’s chest mounted within her, but she stayed focussed. Stayed put. Allowed only her eyes to show the venom she felt. But when Nigel removed Bambi’s hand and stood up for her once again, Gabi felt warm.

The kiss was unexpected, but entirely welcome. She flinched a little as his fingers brushed over the gun, but knew he wouldn’t make a scene. Gabi wondered if he’d thought she’d gotten rid of it. The beautiful engraved gun that he’d bought for her engagement gift. Charlie had begged her to get rid of it, but she simply couldn’t.

Her kiss was a touch on the possessive side, her hands pressed against his hips as she sighed softly against his mouth. Dragos raised his eyebrows, but nodded in submission to Nigel and went back to his drink.

When Gabi went back over to the bar, Pete was grinning wide and Dragos was looking sheepishly into his drink.

"You broke his heart! You broke both our hearts! I think that deserves another drink, don’t you? Come on, sweet Gabriella! Take pity on the men you slay!

She laughed and poured their drinks but before she could move away, Dragos put his hand on her wrist.

"You and him, you serious?" 

"My one and only love."

"Looks like I’m shit out of luck then."

The clock teased midday. Fuck it, Nigel thought as he pulled down a bottle of top-shelf vodka and four shot glasses. He poured for Pete and Dragos and then himself and Gabi. One hand held the shot glass, the other rubbed at the small of her back. He could feel the gun, and knew it was the one he'd bought her. He pulled her a little closer against him.

Raising his shot glass, he proposed a short toast. "To love. Noroc."

Nigel knew better than to ask what the men did for a living. People in this bar didn’t carry solid jobs: they were crooks, every single one of them. Even Bambi sold counterfeit designer clothes on the sly - Nigel had even introduced her to cheap seamstresses and taken a cut of the profits. 

"Take it easy, gentlemen," Nigel said in farewell, tapping the counter, "enjoy the drinks."

He started collecting the first round of empty glasses, casting glances over at Gabi when he could. Mostly he was worried Moltasanti or one of his goons would walk in and shoot her in the face. It wasn’t a far-fetched concern. 

Bambi came up out of the cellar carrying a drum of salted peanuts. She slammed it on the floor next to him. “That’s one heavy motherfucker. Hey, who the fuck is that?” Bambi nodded at the bar, where Gabi was serving drinks. “Excuse me?” she called loudly to Gabi, “what the fuck are you doing behind the bar? You can’t be there.”

"I can look after myself, friend. Have no worry about that." 

Gabi was back in her element, laughing and chatting with the customers and serving drinks like she’d never left Darko’s. Of course, even Darko’s place was a little classier than this. There was a sway to her hips as she remembered the thud and rush of the music that had played there. She missed it. Gabi wondered if perhaps one day she could get a club of her own. Perhaps she and Nigel could run it together.

A girl could dream 

It was Bambi’s annoyed, shrill little voice that pulled her from her thoughts. She gave the gentleman she’d been serving a sweet smile and a wink before she turned to the young woman. Gabi stalked towards her, a dangerous glint in her eye and her accent thickened to a seductive yet frightening purr.

"Hey!" Nigel snarled, putting a hand between them. "Watch your mouth. Gabi's here because I asked her to be." 

"But Nigel," Bambi simpered, turning to him, her index finger reaching out to play with a button on his shirt, "she shouldn't be here. It's like...illegal or something. And I'm not sharing my tips with her."

"When people start tipping you, you can keep them," Nigel said, removing Bambi's hand, his gaze slipping past to Gabi. "But she stays."

Between Bambi and the Romanian man still gawping at Gabi, Nigel began to feel as if his feet weren't on the ground any more. Gabi had always been his constant, his point to focus on, but right now he didn't know what they had, what they were to each other. All he knew is that his heart didn't beat for anyone or anything else. 

He slung the dishcloth over his shoulder, curved one hand around Gabi's waist, and pressed a firm kiss to her mouth, his lips parting slightly. His eyes were on Drago's, and then they closed.

"Fiiiine." Bambi huffed and heaved herself from the bar, slinking her way downstairs. Nigel looked up at the men again. He strained his ears long enough to hear them speaking Romanian. Immediately his gut tensed. The Romanian community in Chicago was growing, but memories of Darko still made him uneasy.

"Ah, born and bred in Chicago, me. But I’ll take a free drink where I can get it. Thanks, buddy."

Nigel knew better than to ask what the men did for a living. People in this bar didn't carry solid jobs: they were crooks, every single one of them. Even Bambi sold counterfeit designer clothes on the sly - Nigel had even introduced her to cheap seamstresses and taken a cut of the profits. 

"Take it easy, gentlemen," Nigel said in farewell, tapping the counter, "enjoy the drinks."

He started collecting the first round of empty glasses, casting glances over at Gabi when he could. Mostly he was worried Moltasanti or one of his goons would walk in and shoot her in the face. It wasn't a far-fetched concern. 

Bambi came up out of the cellar carrying a drum of salted peanuts. She slammed it on the floor next to him. "That's one heavy motherfucker. Hey, who the fuck is that?" Bambi nodded at the bar, where Gabi was serving drinks. "Excuse me?" she called loudly to Gabi, "what the fuck are you doing behind the bar? You can't be there."

With the regulars came Bambi, who’d forgotten her work keys again. She headed straight for the bar and crept up behind Nigel, placing her hands over his eyes. “Guess who?” she asked.

"Is it someone who forgot her keys again?" Nigel asked, taking Bambi’s hands off of him.

"Don’t be mad, I’m only thirty minutes late."

Nigel glanced over at Gabi, still cleaning the floor, making up for Bambi’s lost time. Something told him sparks were about to fly. He didn’t want to clean up the bar twice over. “Start pouring drinks,” he told the girl.

"You’re mad at me," Bambi pouted, tugging playfully at his belt buckle. 

Her smile faltered, however, when she saw the perky blond enter the bar. Gabi did not like the familiarity with which Bambi touched Nigel. Wanted to slap her hands away from him and drag her out of the bar by her hair. But she didn’t. The heavy pull of the gun hidden at her back was a temptation, but she ignored it. Of course she wouldn’t shoot the girl, but a gun was a pretty good scare tactic.

Gabi took a deep breath and turned away as Bambi came behind the bar. She would simply remove herself and go sit at the back or something. Ignore the blond little fluff and just try to forget about the way she looked at Nigel. He was in her bed last night. And would be there again tonight. She had no reason to feel threatened.

"Hey, sweetheart!"

She paused and just as she was leaving the bar area and looked towards the direction of the voice. An older man was waving her over, all wide smile and glittering eyes. His companion a younger man, could be no older than thirty with a shock of black hair and dark eyes. He reminded Gabi of home.

"C’mon, now! We been waiting ages, don’t just walk off like that!"

"So sorry, Sir. What can I get you both?"

Her smile was polite, but there was a tightness around her eyes that betrayed her worry. If she started doing Bambi’s job for her, there might be more trouble coming her way. But the blond seemed more interested in watching Nigel than pouring drinks. So Gabi leaned on the bar, eyes lowered in the slight flirtatious fashion she’d picked up in Darko’s club in Bucharest. The dark haired man perked up instantly. The older man grinned appreciatively. He knew a barmaid work when he saw one.

"Beer for me and a whisky for my friend here. Don’t think he’s rude or nothing, He don’t speak no English. He’s from Transylvania! Like Dracula!"

"Romania!"

It seemed that the dark haired man knew enough English to know to correct the older man. Gabi grinned wide at him as she poured their drinks. Suddenly she felt a little more light-hearted. They may not be from exactly the same place, but they were kin in her eyes.

"Very small world. I’m from Bucharest."

She had missed speaking her mother-tongue, English sounded awkward and strange in her mouth. But now her words flowed freely and without hesitation. Of course she and Nigel spoke their language between them, but out in public, it was nice. It was more freeing somehow.

"Ehhh, you both speak that weird wiggly stuff. I thought you had an accent. Lookit him, look how happy he is now."

And it was true, the dark haired man perked up further, practically leaning all the way over the bar in his excitement to speak with Gabi. When she passed him his drink their fingers brushed and the man grinned wider.

"Bucharest…. Had a lover who lived there once. Pretty… Not as pretty as you, mind… My name is Dragos." 

"Gabriella." 

"Fiiiine." Bambi huffed and heaved herself from the bar, slinking her way downstairs. Nigel looked up at the men again. He strained his ears long enough to hear them speaking Romanian. Immediately his gut tensed. The Romanian community in Chicago was growing, but memories of Darko still made him uneasy.

"I have to go," he said, standing up, sliding Gabi off of him. Nigel grabbed a piece of Gabi’s toast - to even out the playing field - and shoved the entire slice into his mouth. "I’ll open up,"  he said, still chewing. "Give me a hand when you’re ready."

He slipped into the bedroom long enough to grab his shirt and then opened up the front door, tossing Gabi a final look. He didn’t say anything. He just looked at her. And then he closed the door and headed downstairs.

The bar was empty, save for one person. His boss, Alto, was sat at the bar, his pointed face turned towards Nigel. “What the fuck happened last night?” Nigel opened his mouth to speak. “Shut the fuck up. I know what happened last night. You picking fights with Moltasanti now?”

Nigel considered his options. Just tell him that Gabi opened her big mouth again, he’ll take that. 

"Moltasanti’s a cunt. He pissed me off."

Silence. And then Alto laughed. “Yeah,” he said, nodding, “Moltasanti is a cunt. But now that cunt is going to want blood. You got a good gun, Nigel?”

"Yes."

"You a good shot?"

"The best."

"Well. You better clean up. I gotta smooth things over."

A part of her thought she should have stayed with Charlie. At least with him life would be safe. Boring. Miserable. full-filling. But safe. Now what was she going to do? There was no way in hell that Moltasanti and his goons were just going to let last night pass by. There would be retribution and they both had their heads on the chopping block.

She quickly dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and brushed her hair. No point in trying to look good if they were going to be cleaning. No point in wearing the disguise anymore. She doubted that anyone who had seen Charlie’s missing posters would be coming into the bar. Different crowds.

When she stepped into the bar, it was her beloved cello that she saw first, laying on its side among broken glass. Her bow a few feet away, the horse hair soaked in blood. A small part of her felt a flush of pride upon seeing the crimsons stained hair. It was proof that she wouldn’t go quietly. And she knew that when they came back, she’d fight them. She would lose, but she’d take some of them down with her.

With the regulars came Bambi, who'd forgotten her work keys again. She headed straight for the bar and crept up behind Nigel, placing her hands over his eyes. "Guess who?" she asked.

"Is it someone who forgot her keys again?" Nigel asked, taking Bambi's hands off of him.

"Don't be mad, I'm only thirty minutes late."

Nigel glanced over at Gabi, still cleaning the floor, making up for Bambi's lost time. Something told him sparks were about to fly. He didn't want to clean up the bar twice over. "Start pouring drinks," he told the girl.

"You're mad at me," Bambi pouted, tugging playfully at his belt buckle. 

He grabbed one of the soldiers by his boots and plunged him head-first into the runny yolk, eating him whole. Nigel’s jaw worked furiously as he ate, for a moment forgetting that Gabi was next to him.

When he was halfway through, he sat back and took a moment. “I’m not going to blame you, Gabi,” he told her. He would never do that. “I’ll tell them what happened and see where the dice falls.”

He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his lap, his free hand descending on breakfast again.

"The Beatles? Really? Let me guess, awful tribute band that we’re going to have to pretend is good and so much like the original?"

She grinned and stole a piece of bacon from his plate. Her eyes lowered in shame as she ate, not liking that she got Nigel into all this trouble and he wouldn’t even let her take the fall.

"I have to go," he said, standing up, sliding Gabi off of him. Nigel grabbed a piece of Gabi's toast - to even out the playing field - and shoved the entire slice into his mouth. "I'll open up,"  he said, still chewing. "Give me a hand when you're ready."

He slipped into the bedroom long enough to grab his shirt and then opened up the front door, tossing Gabi a final look. He didn't say anything. He just looked at her. And then he closed the door and headed downstairs.

The bar was empty, save for one person. His boss, Alto, was sat at the bar, his pointed face turned towards Nigel. "What the fuck happened last night?" Nigel opened his mouth to speak. "Shut the fuck up. I know what happened last night. You picking fights with Moltasanti now?"

Nigel considered his options. Just tell him that Gabi opened her big mouth again, he'll take that. 

"Moltasanti's a cunt. He pissed me off."

Silence. And then Alto laughed. "Yeah," he said, nodding, "Moltasanti is a cunt. But now that cunt is going to want blood. You got a good gun, Nigel?"

"Yes."

"You a good shot?"

"The best."

"Well. You better clean up. I gotta smooth things over."

He dug around in his back pocket and inspected his mobile. Three missed calls and an angry text from his boss asking why the bar was in tatters. Nigel grimaced and slid the phone across the table. He shouldn’t be here with Gabi, wasting time on breakfast. But there was no way he was leaving right now.

But this would do. She knew that Nigel had to clean up downstairs and Gabi would help. It was her fault too and she would take responsibility for that. The toast was buttered and cut into soldiers, her head lowered so that Nigel wouldn’t see her grinning at the sentiment. Her terrifying monster of a man eating eggs with dipping soldiers.

"You will have a job. We will both clean up the bar and explain what happened. You can always blame it on me. Say I didn’t keep my mouth shut and talked back. Which… Is true."

She handed him his plate before grabbing her own coffee and toast. There was a slight moment of hesitation before she sat down next to him. Memories were rushing back and Gabi found herself wondering if they could actually work this time. Probably not.

He grabbed one of the soldiers by his boots and plunged him head-first into the runny yolk, eating him whole. Nigel's jaw worked furiously as he ate, for a moment forgetting that Gabi was next to him.

When he was halfway through, he sat back and took a moment. "I'm not going to blame you, Gabi," he told her. He would never do that. "I'll tell them what happened and see where the dice falls."

He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his lap, his free hand descending on breakfast again.

After clambering into his jeans, Nigel stomped his way into the living room and sat down at the little dining table. The chair creaked under his weight. He watched Gabi in the kitchen, and smirked. She was still stark bollock naked. 

It had been a long, long time since he’d woken up to her. There was something special about being with Gabi in the morning, knowing his belly was about to be filled with good food after a rampant workout. 

"Impatient man." 

His coffee was handed to him with another kiss before she padded back into the kitchen. The eggs were cooking (sunny-side up, just how he liked them) and the toast popped up ready to be buttered.

He dug around in his back pocket and inspected his mobile. Three missed calls and an angry text from his boss asking why the bar was in tatters. Nigel grimaced and slid the phone across the table. He shouldn't be here with Gabi, wasting time on breakfast. But there was no way he was leaving right now.

He groaned to himself.

With care, Nigel disentangled himself from Gabi, practically sleeping on top of him, and went into the adjoining bathroom to piss. Afterwards, he grabbed a cigarette from Gabi’s packet and smoked it whilst leaning out of her bedroom window.

But she wasn’t worried for long as she soon spotted him by the window. Gabi let out a soft sigh and slipped out of bed, wincing as her aching muscles complained about last night’s activities. She tried not to think too hard about what had gone on in the bar. That was something they could sort out after they’d had coffee.

She moved up behind him, slipping her arms around his waist and pressing her lips between his shoulder-blades. A sleep heavy ‘good morning’ mumbled against his skin. Fingertips trailed down his spine as she moved away, wandering into the kitchen.

After clambering into his jeans, Nigel stomped his way into the living room and sat down at the little dining table. The chair creaked under his weight. He watched Gabi in the kitchen, and smirked. She was still stark bollock naked. 

It had been a long, long time since he'd woken up to her. There was something special about being with Gabi in the morning, knowing his belly was about to be filled with good food after a rampant workout.