Alex took the moment he pulled away to catch her breath - she needed to, because she had a feeling if she kissed him too long she might pass out.

This was different, so different from anything before. Nothing with Gene had ever gone this far, and even the Thatcherite wanker in '81 had been more of a drunken joke, just a typical night of self-indulgence.

But it wasn't about that for Alex this time. She watched the curve of Jack's lips, running her eyes over the defined lines of his chin and neck, tickling her fingers playfully around his ear. Leaning in, she placed a gentle kiss on his neck.