I feel the bed dip a little beside me. “Hey, baby girl.” I hear Mark say, placing a little kiss on my head.

“Mmm,” I grumble, slowly opening my eyes and seeing the blinding sunlight peeking through the red curtains.  Mark is sitting on the side of the bed.

“Oh, you’re so cute when you’re sleepy,” he adds, laying his hand on the arch of my back.

“Mmm.” I reach for the thick winter duvet, pulling it over my head.

“Oh, baby. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to get up,” he states, gently pulling on the duvet.

“But why?” I ask.

“It’s ten.”

“It’s what?” I pull back the cover, rolling onto my back and sitting up. Oh, that was a bad idea. Moving too quickly makes my head start to spin. I think just having those few hours of sleep have affected me in a bad way. I need a good amount of sleep.

“It’s ten,” he repeats, rubbing his hand across my cheek.  I kiss the palm of his hand as it slides down.

“It can’t be,” I say, looking down the bed towards the clock. “How did I sleep that late?”

“You were shattered,” he replies, smiling at me.

“Lucy?” I ask with a hint of panic in my voice. She best be okay. I haven’t checked on her in a few hours, and I need to see her for myself.

“She is asleep in her car seat, all dressed and ready to go. She’s had her morning milk. Don’t worry, Megan.  I have looked after her,” he says, leaning over the bed and placing a soft kiss on my head.

“Thank you. You’re amazing,” I tell him. “I don’t know what I would do without you sometimes.”

"Baby, we need to get up. I promised Annabella we would come around for dinner today," he replies.

"All right, I'm getting up," I say, moving a little bit.

"Come on, or I’ll place you over my shoulder and sort you out." He winks.

"Oh, will you?" I tease, remaining motionless.

"You’re going to test it out, I see," he utters.

"Maybe." I bite my lower lip.

Mark bends down, grabs hold of me and pulls me out of the bed and over his shoulder. "Argh! Seriously, let go. I was joking!" I protest. Mark taps my bum suggestively. "Hey, don't you start being Mr. Kinky on me."

"I'll let you go once you’re in the shower," he adds, walking out of the room and into the bathroom. He lowers me onto the side of the bath.  "And, baby? I'll be Mr. Whoever You Want. Anything to make you happy," he says, winking at me. 

"Piss off. I'm going to take a shower," I add, pushing him away with my feet and holding onto the side of the bath. 

"Oh, baby. You’re such a tease. You look very sexy in your outfit." He rubs his hand slowly up my leg.  I’m only wearing a black silk nightie. So, of course, I look sexy. I need to look my best around Mark, even though he always says how cute and sexy I look in my pyjamas.

"You said we needed to get on. If you start this, then you know we will be late,” I say, standing still because I want him. 

"I know. Now, get that fine arse of yours in the shower, and I'll make you a brew." I love the fact he is picking up my northern words. He leans forward, giving me a deep, passionate-filled kiss before reaching behind me and turning on the faucet. 

"Hey!" I shout as the water starts to hit me, running down my covered back.

“Now, get on," he says, pulling me up to my feet. He places his hands at the bottom of my top, pulling it over my head. 

"Are you going to wash my back?" I ask.

"I would love to." 

My eyes lock with his, and he pulls me tighter. His lips hit my neck, trailing little kisses down the nape. “Mmm.” His hand slowly rubs down the side of my face as the steam from the hot water fills the room around us.

“Baby, I want every time with you to be special,” he states.

“Isn’t that meant to be the girl’s line?”

“Yes, it is. But, Megan, I have never felt like this before.” He places a slight kiss on my lips.

“Go get the kettle on. I’ll be down soon,” I declare.

I want him to join me now and take me in every way he can imagine.  

I quickly shower and brush my teeth before grabbing a pair of black leggings and a grey jumper and throwing them on. I add some little black fluffy boots. Perfect. I turn to get my hairband from the side table, but notice that it’s not there.

“Mark!” I yell down the stairs.

“Yes?” he answers in a questioning tone.

“Do you know where my hairband is?”

“No, it was on the side table next to your brush the last time I saw it.”

“Thank you.”

I check the floor around it. No, it’s not there either. Oh, crap.

“Hurry up, Megan!” Mark bellows.

“Okay, okay,” I reply. I can tell how impatient he is today. He doesn’t like to be late for family. Well, he doesn’t like to be late at all, but never for family. He would be there hours early if he had his way.

I need to tie my hair up. I can’t have it down while it’s wet. I’m sure there is a hairband in the car. I reach over and grab a clean, black lace thong and throw it in my hair, tying it up out of the way. A simple bun will do. It will give it a small wave once it has dried or until I find a hairband in the car.