"It is past one a.m. already," he said.

THE irritation on her face was evident.

"Yes, and so?" Vivian asked, her voice edged with irritation, her face still heavy with makeup from the night before.

"I have to go," Adrian muttered, sliding out of bed. He bent to pick up his clothes from the floor, scattered in careless heaps from their sweet, reckless sex.

She watched him, her large lips parting in disbelief.

"You are being serious right now?"

"Yes, I have to go." He pulled his shirt over his body and began buttoning it up with frantic hands.

Vivian clutched the duvet tighter against her chest, her eyes narrowing....