My third date with Alessandro arrived and my stomach bubbled with nervous excitement. Now fully detached from Danny, I was free to pursue this new thing and the third date seemed like the ideal time to take things to the next level.

The perfect gentleman as ever - he'd organised our date down to the finest detail, picked me up, paid me compliments, opened doors - and I was finally free to make the most of his charms. I wore a more modest dress this time with only a hint of cleavage, carefully accessorised with chunky bracelets and a necklace. A grown-up outfit for a grown-up date. My date, meanwhile, outshone me in a head-to-toe designer outfit consisting of a tight-fitting shirt, tie, even a waistcoat - he was half Italian after all. With the extra effort we'd both put in, clearly tonight was the night.

Alex had picked a new Italian restaurant in the city centre called Mangia E Zitto! but we defied the name and talked throughout. My face hurt from smiling by the time it was over.

After dinner, we headed across town to the cocktail bar where we had met on my birthday. He held my hand in his sending electric pulses up my arm. Nothing beat the excitement of dating someone new. That's why I did it so often and my adult life was littered with dates. I was excited for this new adventure with Alex however brief it might end up being.

But as I found us a table my phone buzzed.

Having fun on your date?

Danny. Had he spotted me? A quick scan of the room - mostly full of couples - told me he wasn't in the cocktail bar. He must have seen us walking through town; no doubt prowling the streets and lurking in shadows again. I cringed as I reread his short message. Alex was still at the bar, so I typed out a response, changed my mind and deleted it. He was just trying to get into my head.

But it had worked. Alex and I discussed and tasted each other's cocktails, me trying to guess the ingredients of his, but all I thought about was Danny's message. Was he jealous? Was he just being a dick? Was he annoyed?

My phone buzzed again but I decided not to look at it. However, as soon as Alex excused himself to use the bathroom, I opened it up.

Need rescuing from him again?

So, he'd recognised who I was with, too, and he was fishing for a response. I wouldn't give it to him. Instead, while I waited for my date to return, I watched the skilled barman tossing cocktail shakers in the air, pouring spirits from great heights into tiny glasses and arranging fruit with precision. Tom Cruise in Cocktail vibes oozed out of him.

Alex and I left the bar around midnight. The street outside was deserted apart from one lone figure smoking a cigarette across the street. Great. What a creep! Why was he always out and about alone?

He walked towards us and my stomach knotted. "You coming back to mine tonight?" Danny asked, ignoring Alex who had his arm around my shoulder.

Alex tightened his grip possessively. I didn't like it.

"I'm on a date," I said, my eyes shooting daggers at him.

"I can see," he retorted, his own eyes sparkling as he gave Alex a once over.

"So, can you leave us to it then?"

Alex went to say something too, but I cut him off.

"I've got this."

Danny seemed to catch himself. "I'm sorry. You're right. Enjoy your night." He turned and walked away.

"What the hell was that all about?" Alex asked once the blond man was out of sight.

"I really don't know. I'm sorry."

And I didn't know. I wished I did. But the spark that had been there earlier in the evening had gone. I no longer wanted to go home with Alex. I wanted to go home alone.

Alessandro was disappointed by my obvious U turn, but I wouldn't be convinced. I pretended it was nothing to do with Danny; just that I wasn't in the mood. He ultimately had to acquiesce. No more dates for us, I assumed as I watched his tight butt walk away. Dammit.

I couldn't help but send Danny an angry text once Alex and I had parted ways. What was your problem tonight?!

Did I ruin things? came his quick response.

Yes. I'll be lucky if I get another date

You don't like him anyway

Don't I? I wished I'd stop responding.

No

How would you know?

Because you like me. Danny's responses were almost instantaneous.

No, I don't. We had a deal, remember?

I remember. I've been sticking to my side. You haven't.

I sighed in frustration. If you believe that, why not leave me alone? Let me move on?

Is that what you want? Me to leave you alone?

Yes. No

OK, well I'm guessing your date is over. How about a goodbye shag?

A smile forced its way across my lips. I had him. Ha! I don't think so!

Is that a yes?

No!

I was going to run a bath ... the one with the jets. There's room for you in there. I might even put some prosecco on ice ...

I had run out of responses. He had me. Shit.

One final message from him came through. I guess the silence means you're booking an Uber. See you in a bit. The door is unlocked so come straight up.

I growled angrily at my phone as I tapped on the Uber app.

Less than ten minutes later, I arrived at Danny's house that no longer intimidated me, but the guy inside still did. The front door was indeed unlocked so I let myself in, slipped out of my shoes and padded down the hall before ascending the stairs. I ran my fingers along the bannister as I did so. Soft music was coming from the bathroom, which was growing louder as I got closer. I reached the door and stood outside, wondering what I was doing. I'd had such a great date with Alex, yet here I was, at another man's house. I could still turn and leave if I wanted to.

"I know you're out there," came Danny's gruff voice from inside.

I sighed and opened the door.

I was greeted by Danny, already in the bath full of bubbles. A bottle of prosecco encased in an ice bucket on the floor, an empty glass by the side. It was almost a funny sight; except I wasn't laughing.

"Help yourself," Danny said, his glass already resting precariously on the side of the bath.

His face was shining with the steam and his bare shoulders just visible above the bubbles. I approached the bath and knelt to pour myself a drink.

"Are you getting in?"

I nodded. No point pretending I wasn't there for a reason. I put my glass down and started to remove my dress under Danny's gaze, revealing my new black underwear.

"You're looking hot," he said. "Now get it off and get in."

"It wasn't for you.".

"I know. I don't care."

I stripped and sank down into the bubbles opposite him in the enormous bathtub, my legs sliding against his. I tied my hair up loosely and reached over the side to retrieve my drink.

Danny gave me a questioning look. "You're mad at me."

I nodded.

"So why come here?"

"Since when has being mad and having sex been mutually exclusive?"

"True," he said. "I reckon you'll be extra feisty in bed when you're angry." He squeezed my toe and I jerked my foot away.

"You're always just out on your own skulking around. That's why I'm mad - because you're a creep."  I took a sip of my drink. I always made an effort to frame things as statements with Danny. What I really wanted to say was: what the hell are you doing out on your own at night all the time?

"I was out walking, getting some fresh air. You're the one who went to a bar near my house," he pointed out, sinking a little deeper into the water. "Anyone would think you wanted me to see you."

"That's bollocks. You've probably put a tracker on my phone."

Danny laughed, flicking water at me. "Get over yourself, Ariel."

I rolled my eyes. "Just to be clear, this is goodbye sex tonight. After this, we leave each other alone."

"Correct. If that's what you want."

"It is," I assured him.

"Good."

We drank our sparkling wine and I let my foot slide up and down his inner thigh, occasionally grazing his cock. He lay back and closed his eyes as I massaged him with my foot.

When our drinks were gone, he grabbed my ankle and yanked me towards him. I slid through the water and he pulled me into his lap. I put my empty glass down and placed my hands on his shoulders.

"Ask me something," Danny said, looking up at me.

Bubbles were slipping down my body, slowly revealing my breasts. "No."

"Just one question."

I was thrown. There were so many things I wanted to know but, now I was being given permission to ask, I couldn't think of one. This was my chance to find something out. I didn't want to waste it.

"Anything?" I slipped my hands around the back of his neck.

"Anything."

"Can I bank it and ask you later?" I asked, stalling for time. I needed to think this through.

Danny shrugged. "You can try. I might have changed my mind by then."

"I'll risk it," I said. "Why don't you ask me a question first? Just one."

He opened his mouth to say something before promptly closing it again.

"See, harder than you think." I wiped a handful of bubbles across his face.

He blew them off, sending white clouds into the air. "When you've only got one shot to find out everything you want to know ..." but he trailed off.

"Everything you want to know?" I probed, raising my eyebrows. "I didn't realise there was anything you wanted to know about me."

He shrugged, then grabbed my arse and pulled me even closer. "I was quoting someone, it's not my fault you're not educated. Anyway, I figured as this is the last time ..."

"Do you know what I want?" I said, ignoring his insult, my face close to his now. "Given this is the last time?"

"No, what?"

My request caught in my throat. I changed my mind.

"Go on," he said. "Whatever it is, you can have it."

"I think you already know what I'm going to ask," I said, dropping my eyes. I ran my fingers over his chest.

"I really don't. What?"

He did. He wanted me to ask. It was a game; like everything else with him. A game I obviously loved playing too but didn't seem to be as good at.

"I want you to kiss me," I said, my heart racing as I said it. "Once. Properly."

He looked up into my face and I held my breath as his eyes darted between mine. He reached up and brushed my damp hair from my face. Was he going to do it? I found my body tensing in anticipation as he ran his fingers down my face. His thumb brushed over my lips.

"You're going to be disappointed," he warned as I closed my eyes.

I smiled. I didn't care. I could feel his breath on me before he placed his wet hands on either side of my face and brought me closer to him. My eyes still closed I felt his lips on my eyelids. My left first, then my right. He kissed my forehead, the bridge of my nose, the tip of my nose. He turned my head slightly and kissed each cheek. His mouth was wet and warm against my hot skin. At last, his lips rested on mine. He kissed my top lip first, then my bottom lip, his hands still on my face. He covered my mouth with his and his tongue forced mine open. I moaned into his mouth as I finally got to share this intimate moment with him. My face tilted to one side as my nose pressed into his cheek. His hands had moved from my face and were running down my collarbone to my chest. Our kiss became more urgent as our tongues danced and explored each other's mouths. He tasted divine; traces of prosecco mixed with his own unique taste. I didn't want it to end. I ran my hands up his neck, then into his hair, holding his face against mine. The kiss was flooding all my senses. My heart did a happy dance in my chest.

I knew if I pulled away that it would be over, but I needed to take a breath. I broke away just a few millimetres, so my nose still touched his. I rested my forehead against his and inhaled deeply.

"Good?" Danny asked.

"Good," I agreed. "But why—"

"Now let's get you out of here so I can fuck you."

He pushed me off his lap and stood up, water sloshing over the side and bubbles running down his naked body. I looked up at him and watched as he climbed out and wrapped a fluffy white towel around himself before holding one out for me. I stood too, taking the towel from him.

He took my hand as I stepped out and didn't let go as he led me down the hallway to his bedroom. The large, imposing bed that had seen all sorts of elaborate sex acts sat waiting for us, but I suddenly wasn't in the mood. I felt sad.

"Are you ready for your question?" I asked as we lay back against the dense, white pillows.

"I'm ready." He flicked my towel open so that I lay naked next to him. My skin was flushed from the heat of the bath water.

"You promise you'll answer?"

"I promise. Hit me with it."

"OK," I began as I rolled onto my side to look at him. "When you asked me to ask you a question, what did you hope I'd ask?"

"What kind of question is that?" he said with a laugh.

"The one I want to know the answer to. You must have had something in your head when you suggested it. Tell me." I fiddled with the fold in his towel that held it securely around his waist and freed him too. I ran my hand down his thigh and then up his inner leg while I waited for him to answer.

"I thought you would ask me how I feel about you," he said.

I was surprised by that. I assumed it would be something to do with his family or his life. This was more intriguing though.

"OK," I muttered. "So, how do you feel about me?"

"You've used up your one question."

"What?" My eyes widened and I sat up on the bed so I could scowl down at him.

"Those were the rules," he said, half smiling. "Anyway, I'm ready to ask your question now."

I sighed loudly and flopped back down onto my back. "Fine." Whatever game we were playing that night, I'd lost again.

"How do you feel about me?"