?Work? had been fun. They?d been at an all night poker game ? Skyler, Tommy and Gasher. While the later two had stayed, Skyler had grown too tired and drunk to continue. Looking a big-breasted naked women on playing cards and getting slammed and exchanging raunchy sex stories had been nice, but he was ready for bed. He said goodnight and stumbled out of the bar, got onto his motorcycle and swerved home.

Hanging out with the guys was nice, but he was only truly content when he was Jewell. He?d gotten so inebriated because he figured she?d be out patrolling the west end again, and he wouldn?t have a chance to see her. That was why, when he wearily climbed the staircase to his bedroom, he didn?t even notice his beautiful sleeping lover on the bed.

As soon as he was through the door he was peeling off his clothes, leaving them behind on the floor of his bedroom like snake skins on his way to the shower. He showered for about ten minutes, standing under the water with is face turned up into the nozzle. The water had a refreshing, sobering effect. He opened his mouth and let the water flood it, then spit it back out, trying to wash away the remnants of liquor. He also thoroughly shampooed his hair, washing away the clinging aroma of cigar smoke.

Stepping out of the shower, he went to the sink and brushed his teeth. After that was done, the only thing about him that still gave testament to his night of partying was a slight swimmy-headedness from the considerable quantity of alcohol he had consumed. He stood there in front of the sink and brushed his long pretty shiny black hair, smiling lazily at himself in the mirror. When his bedtime ritual was complete, he left the bathroom, butt naked.

He was almost right next to his bed when he realized it wasn?t empty. He froze in his tracks and almost let out a shout of dismay when he saw there was someone in his bed. An instant later he recognized that that someone was Jewell. Happiness filled him all at once. He smiled down at her peacefully sleeping form, like a little kid looking at his Christmas presents under the tree. Skyler gave a triumphant little fist pump and whispered, ?Yesss!?

Jewell had fallen asleep with her clothes on. That simply wouldn?t do. One couldn?t sleep properly fully clothed. He slipped onto the mattress, crawling softly so as not to wake her. Slender hands that knew her body so well glided up her thighs and unfastened the button of her black pants, slowly drawing them down her legs with a series of gentle tugs. Then he slid his hands under her blue sweater and gingerly worked the garment over her head, handling her as gently as a newborn baby.

Cradling the back of her head with his hand, he tenderly lowered her head back down to the pillow, whispering soothing words when she roused a little. Skyler descended onto the mattress beside her, his slender body enveloping hers. Underneath the blankets, he held Jewell close in the dark warmth, their chests pressing together, limbs entwined.

Skyler uttered a soft whisper before following her into the dream world. ?I love you.?