The Morning After

Abbie was startled out of the most delicious reverie by an insistent, shrill ringing sound. It shattered the quiet of the early afternoon and broke through the delightful cocoon that had been established inside the bedroom of the cabin. Though sorely tempted to ignore it, she patted the bed, eventually locating the errant phone discarded beneath the pillows.

She swore to herself as she read the name on the screen.

Damn.

It was Irving. She had left a message with his secretary making excuses for not coming into the station this morning. After Henry's death and her abduction by Andy Brooks, she needed to spend some time recovering, she had said.

Recovering.

Abbie smiled to herself. That was what she and Crane had spent much of yesterday afternoon and last night doing.

At that moment, Crane was slowly kissing his way from her ankle to her toes, and she was extremely ticklish. She nudged the side of his head with her other foot as she answered the call.

'Mills.'

'I've heard you're taking some unauthorised leave today.' The tone of Irving's voice suggested that he was not in a mood to be trifled with.

Abbie gasped as Crane licked the base of her foot.

'Yes, sir,' she replied, struggling to regain composure while at the same time trying to regain possession of her leg. 'I needed to… uh… rest up after everything that's happened…'

'Well, good. You're no good to me if you're running on empty.'

Abbie was nonplussed by her employer's reaction, but her mind was distracted by the realisation that Crane was sucking each of her toes in turn.

'In fact, I don't want to see your face until next week. That's an order.'

'Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.'

'Say hi to Crane for me.'

Abbie barely had time to register her surprise before Irving finished the call.

She turned her attention to the man between her legs, trying to assume a stern expression. 'You're going to get me fired, you know.'

Crane looked mischievously up at her. 'Forgive me, my lady,' he said, slowly moving up her body, planting kisses here and there. 'How can I atone for my grievous error?'

Abbie ran her fingers over his cheeks, through his hair and down over his shoulders. He was so beautiful; she thought she would never grow tired of exploring the contours of his body. She dragged her nails down his back, varying the pressure to wring a tantalising mixture of pleasure and pain from him.

'My love,' he murmured, shivering agreeably. 'You will be the end of me.'

'Hmm,' Abbie replied. 'I'm looking forward to seeing that.'

Crane grabbed the back of her knee and pulled her tight against him. His intention made plain, he kissed her slowly and thoroughly.

As much as she was enjoying it, Abbie would not lose herself completely in his embrace. She loved to tease him by ceding control before shocking him with her lips, nails or tongue. She bit his lower lip, sucking gently and enjoying the muffled growl that came from her lover's mouth.

He pulled away, breathing heavily.

'Abbie?' There was supplication in his voice.

'Please,' she whispered desperately. 'Take me. I need you now.'

Crane kissed her softly, sending a shudder of delicious sensuous pleasure through her as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. Her eyes opened wide with surprise as he positioned himself behind her, pressing his body against hers.

The prospect of making love without being able to see his face was strangely thrilling. It was all about trust, all about sensation.

Her pulse quickened as his fingers moved over her skin, barely touching, tickling. His hand brushed against her breast, making her jump slightly as it trailed softly over her stomach. He reached his fingers between her legs, stroking the tender flesh with loving care.

Abbie hooked her foot behind Crane's ankle and held on for dear life.

She let out a shaky breath as they came together. The feeling was almost overwhelming, a sudden burst of light and heat like the completion of an electric circuit. She reached behind her, seeking him, anxious to bring him ever closer. She had never felt so whole, so connected to another person as she did in that moment.

'Oh, Ichabod,' she moaned. 'I love you… I love you.'

Crane gently kissed her shoulder, moving slowly, letting the sound of her breaths be his guide. He increased his pace, feeling the familiar tension growing between them. He held back, resisting the temptation to take his pleasure, waiting for the intensity of Abbie's cries to reach a crescendo.

He felt her body tense and tighten like the string of a bow before releasing, plummeting downwards like a bird through the clear air. He soon followed, waves of ecstasy crashing over him as words of love spilled from is lips.

They both quieted, slowly pulling themselves and each other back from the brink of some other mysterious plane, where life and death, pain and pleasure, love and loss were one and the same.

Abbie turned to face him, her eyes lit up with wonder. 'Well, Mr. Crane.' She paused and kissed him deeply. 'I think you've redeemed yourself.'

'Glad to hear it.' He leaned towards her and kissed her ever so gently, savouring the sweetness of her lips.

As they pulled apart, Abbie grinned with sheer contentment. 'Is there anything I can do in return?'

Crane considered her thoughtfully for a moment. 'Well, if I might suggest…'

'Yes?'

'…some breakfast?'