Pretending to be asleep.

I lie there, in our bed, eyes closed. I was actually awake hours ago, but that doesn't matter.

You lie next to me. Your hands stroke my hair, my arms, my body. You whisper softly, whether to me or yourself I can't tell.

I can sense, through the back of my head, that you are staring. I peek and look at your eyes. They show a mixture of feelings. Pride, love, joy, happiness, lust.

You move over, nearer, and put your arms round me. I try not to move but my breathing quickens and I think I might have given myself away.

But you go back to playing with my hair, unnoticing, and I smile to myself.

You're just about to kiss my cheek when I suddenly jump up and turn my favourite song up on the radio. The look of surprise on your face is priceless. I turn round and grin at you, a really wide winning smile. You roll your eyes, smile and flop back down on the pillows.

We lie there together , hand in hand, staring at the ceiling.

Pretending to be asleep.