Windows are thrown wide, desperate to catch a breeze. I'm bathed in moonlight and sultry humidity. Overheated, I lie naked craving cool comfort and... something else. Sleep is elusive - and unwanted. He's here. Deep in the shadows. Out of reach. A calm, controlled sigh rising over the zip and rustle of unnecessary clothes. Eyes closed. The mattress beneath sways gently. I hear skin slide softly over the crisp, cotton shee...

Eyes closed. A staccato drumbeat of heavy rain over the taut fabric of a sheltering umbrella. Waves of white noise, tyres on wet tarmac, sweep left and right. A dull, musty yet sharp-edged smell of wet city. Chill raindrops sprinkle over skin exposed below the knee. The sore ache of feet and toes bound tightly in leather, lifted on unfamiliar heels. Cool, silky smoothness of my long coat's lining wrapping my bare skin ben...