As John exited the lift he noted a gray-haired man anxiously pacing the corridor outside a large ballroom. When the other man saw him there was a notable sigh of relief. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Practicing my speech." John patted his breast pocket. "Wanted to make it top notch for you. It's thirty years worth of stories, anecdotes-"

"Just," The other man help up a hand to stop John speaking, "Tell me it's good."

"It'll be fine." John grabbed his arm, "You worry far too much Robert. The fact that Cora hasn't left you yet is a sure sign you're doing the right things. I'd call that encouraging."

"And I'd say I spent a small fortune on this part and I expect to be well rewarded for it later but that means she can't be thinking over parts of the party she regrets."

"Don't try and pin it on me if she doesn't let you get your leg over later. My speech'll be just fine." John gestured toward the dimly lit rooms, "Shall we?"

They entered the room and John quickly left Robert to the guests trying to get his attention. The congratulations and small talk wafted over John as he weaved between tables toward the microphone. A tall woman with severe cheekbones and a permanent raise to her eyebrow, that made her appear both haughty and judgmental, turned to him. "Took your time getting here."

"You can't rush art, Mary." John pointed to the microphone. "Am I on?"

"We ran systems check but don't hold it too close to your mouth or you'll get feedback and once my father extricates himself from those bankers then the DJ'll stop playing his music."

John almost pivoted a full circle, "There's a DJ here?"

"Of course there is."

"Then why's he only playing elevator music?"

"Papa didn't want anything distracting before he can give my mother her gift." Mary shrugged, "It's a night in this hotel, which I'm sure she already figured out since she caught me sneaking through her underwear drawer."

"Did you tell her you were hoping to find presents in there?"

"I told her I needed to find mine because they got confused in the laundry again." Mary shrugged, "There are benefits to moving back in with your parents."

"I'm sure making sure this night was arranged so you could have a night of fun of your own was one of them."

Mary scowled, "I do hope we're not about to discuss our sex lives, Mr. Bates, because-"

"Ladies and gentleman," They both stopped as the DJ mumbled into the microphone. "We'd like to bring this party to its official start and welcome Robert and Cora Crawley to the floor."

Respect clapping and a few wolf whistles filled the air as Mary sank into the background. John stepped toward the microphone as Robert led his wife to the center of the floor. They waved at some of the people and then Robert nodded at John.

With a flourish, John pulled his speech form his pocket and cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen it's our pleasure to congratulate Robert and Cora on the renewal of their vows."

He paused for more clapping, "It's an amazing sight to see two people still so in love after this long. We've all got so much to learn from their flawless examples of love, devotion, and trust. Even more to learn from how they lean on one another."

John's statements were interrupted with coos and ahhhs from the crowd that had Robert and Cora exchanging a quick peck to sate the audience. Looking down at his speech, John's eyes swam at the sight and then he crumpled it in his hand, holding the microphone steady with the other. He looked out over the crowd, dark in the shadows with the light on him, and spoke.

"But that's not what they are." Mutters from the crowd and the widening of Robert's eyes signaled John's hurried continuation of his speech. "Because we're not in a romantic comedy where all of our problems are solved simply in two hours. We're not even in a miniseries that has love reached at the end by simplistic and rather questionable means. We're in real life and that's dark shit sometimes.

"I remember," John removed the microphone, tossing out the cord so he could walk a bit, "When Robert and Cora first met. They were sick of one another after being lab partners in a chemistry classroom and I thought nothing of Cora. But slowly, Robert matured and he saw the person she was. Not an angel, not perfect, and certainly not without her flaws but someone he wanted to get to know better. As someone once said in a rom-com, 'you like because and you love despite' and Cora was the first person Robert wanted to love despite."

John focused on the floor, rubbing a line there with the toe of his shoe. "I wasn't any good at that in my marriage and so there's a degree of fairness in asking what leg I have to stand on in terms of love and, the truth is, I've not got one. I'm pretty much a flightless penguin in this zoo but I know Robert and I know the way he loves Cora. It's the way a human being loves another. Not perfectly, not entirely, but with all the effort they can muster."

Grabbing a glass from a table, John held it up, "To thirty more years of imperfect but earnest love between the two people who find it in themselves to forgive and try again every day: Robert and Cora."

The room joined in the toast and John set the glass back down, leaving the microphone in its holder. As he brushed his hands against his jacket he found Mary right there, her eyebrow raised higher than normal. "I hope you're not round one of the telling-off because I don't know if I should start with your disapproval."

"Who said anything about disapproval? That was the most honest speech I've ever heard at one of these." Mary cast a glance toward her parents greeting another round of well-wishers. "Personally I think you could've been more honest."

"We're in public." John sighed, "And it's bad form to bring my work into my personal life."

"I thought that's what killed your marriage?"

"What killed my marriage was an inability to understand that your hormones shouldn't control major life decisions." John jumped slightly as an eighties song came over the speakers and the lights lowered for Robert and Cora to take the floor. "I don't suppose you'll take pity on me and dance before your mother and father determine my being single is a let down to the tenor of their party and foist someone on me."

"Unfortunately I've got to run and make sure the dessert round is coming on time. However," Mary raised her hand and waved across the room, "I've got a friend I'd like you to keep company for me until I get back."

"Any particular reason?"

"An acquaintance of a friend someone got himself invited to this with a bad gift and has been making himself a nuisance at the bar with his level of intoxication."

"Sounds like a bitter note."

"It's worse when he keeps accosting my friend." Mary stepped away to take someone's hand and draw them closer. "As such, John, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Anna Smith. Anna, this is my father's oldest friend and my godfather, John Bates."

They just stared at one another a moment before John thrust his hand forward so awkwardly he was in danger of appearing like he wanted to cop a feel. Anna adjusted to take his hand, shaking it somewhere near her shoulder, and smiled. "Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Bates. Mary talks about you on occasion and it's been an experience."

"Knowing Mary it wasn't all good things." John took his hand back, "But I trust it was fair."

"I believe her assessment was that." Anna swallowed, "Would it be too much to ask if you'll take a turn around the dance floor with me? I don't feel comfortable standing in the spotlight."

"Of course." John offered her his hand and they joined the other swaying couples on the floor.

Holding her hands carefully, John directed them to a slightly more spacious section of the floor. In a moment he kept them to the tempo of the song, occasionally guiding Anna in a twirl that sent her carefully styled hair flying out. He smiled to himself as she returned to his hold and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I do hope you're not laughing at my dancing, Mr. Bates."

"No," He shook his head in a hurry, "I was just wondering where I know you from."

"Oh," Anna nodded, pursing her lips as if in deep, concentrated thought. "University maybe?"

"Only if you took a psychology course and attended a guest lecture."

"Sorry, I was a dance major." Anna shrugged, "The market? Or the shop?"

"I live in London."

"Everyone lives in London."

"Alright," John laughed a bit, "I live in Knightsbridge."

Anna cringed, "You're right, I wouldn't admit to that in public either."

"And why's that?"

"No one wants to sound that pretentious right off the bat."

"I'm sure you live in an equally glamorous location."

"Not sure you count the Canary Wharf as glamorous but we did feature in an episode of Doctor Whoand that's something."

"Are we not going to talk about how they filmed that in Cardiff?"

"No, we're not." Anna followed his direction for another spin. "We're off subject."

"Are we?" John shrugged, trying to tamp down on his smile. "I forgot what we were talking about."

"We were working out how we might know one another."

"Ah, right." John sucked the inside of his cheek, "I don't know. I do feel like I know you or that we've met before."

"I've had deep conversations with people on the Tube before and then never asked their name." Anna sighed, "Maybe you're one of those. You do look vaguely familiar, like we meet on public transport."

"I don't think it was that." John swayed them from foot-to-foot another moment before risking a release on one of her hands to snap his fingers. He used his pointer finger to tap his temple, "I've got it. The Grantham man's room a few floors down."

"Right," Anna slapped her free palm against her forehead, "I go there all the time. How could I forget?"

"Not many people remember the toilet."

"But you do."

"I met a beautiful woman there so it's difficult to forget." John nodded over at the DJ, "Do you think she's got anything decent?"

"No." Anna sighed, "Once people bought into Pandora Premium they all think they've got the bomb playlist."

"Did you just use the word 'bomb'?"

"It was hugely popular when I was in primary school."

"And how long ago was that, exactly?"

Anna swatted at his arm as the song ended, "I'll have you know I'm younger than you so for al the age jokes you want to make you've already got your foot in the grave."

"Tell me about it." John eyed the dance floor as another slow song started and the swaying couples continued. "Would I be too improper to invite you to leave with me?"

Anna put a hand to her chest, "What a scandalous suggestion."

"It would be if I had intentions beyond dinner with you." John waved a hand at the tables, "I don't go for catered food, especially since I know Robert skimped on it so he could book a room in this hotel for their anniversary."

"Put your money where it counts." Anna nodded solemnly and then pointed toward Mary. "I'll just tell her I'm leaving so she's not scouring all the restrooms in this building to find me later."

"Spend significant time in restrooms do you?"

"I do since I happened to meet a rather attractive man in one just this evening." Anna winked at him, "Don't go anywhere. I've got great interest in the idea of a milkshake."

John watched her vanish into the crowd and only turned when Robert put a hand on her shoulder. He turned, taking a stable stance when Robert wrapped him in a full hug. Robert's sniffles had John patting his back, trying to gauge where Cora was… or anyone to take his emotional friend.

"How much did you drink?" John asked him, extricating himself from Robert's grip. "You've not been this weepy since you finished two bottles on your own and then passed out on my sofa."

"I'm sorry," Robert wiped at his eyes, "I don't mean to embarrass you."

"it's not that." John assured him, "It's that you've not been like this in awhile and I got a tad unnerved."

"It was your speech," Robert sniffed, trying to compose himself. "You had me going there, for a moment, but your honesty just… it touched me. And Cora, of course, but it was just… it was beautiful."

"Thank you." John patted his shoulder and then turned him toward Cora, "Now, I think you need to go back to your wife."

"You're right." Robert wiped over his face again with his hand but this time it was to make sure he got off all the tears. "How do I look?"

"Like someone who got appropriately emotional at his anniversary party." John steered him around and added a push, "Go on. The dance floor's calling."

Watching Robert find his way back to his wife put a smile on John's face. A hand patted his arm and he shifted to see Anna. She nodded toward Robert and Cora. "Happy you chose to stay and enjoy the celebration?"

"It's much better than I expected, yes."

"I hope so." Anna turned on her heel and they matched pace toward the doors of the ballroom. "And your speech was beautiful. I guess the ending was about what I expected, if not better."

"It was all from the heart, hand to the heavens."

"Even if it was a lie it was a good one." Anna pushed the button for the lift. "Are you a public speaker or something? Give motivational speeches often?"

"Depends on if you consider giving psychiatric advice public speaking." John waited for Anna to enter before following her. "Personally I'm just trying to match medications so people aren't wandering into roadways because they believe they're Moses parting the Red Sea."

"Maybe you're demotivating then." Anna shrugged, leaning back against the wall of the lift. "Helping people come back to reality."

"That's only if you consider this life to be a reality and not a shared delusion we all agree is real."

"Ah," Anna wagged her finger at him, "You're one of those."

"One of what?"

"Cynics." Anna rested her head back against the wall, craning her head back so she had to look over her cheeks at him. "Those who believe they're the only ones not buying into the song and dance."

"I don't really dance."

"I'll admit, it was a sort of awkward shuffle."

At her grin John laughed. "It was the best I could do."

"I disagree." Anna shook her head, "I think everyone has a dance inside them. The dance that expresses their true self."

"I don't think you'd like the true self my dancing might show you." The lift stopped and John held the doors back for Anna to exit. "Interesting that you'd say 'dance' though."

"Why?"

"Most people think it's a song or a novel." John snorted, "Though I don't think people would want to hear me sing either."

"What if it's not any of them and we all express our deepest selves in different ways?" Anna flung out her hand for a passing cab. "But I believe it's dance. The most basic of functions that gives words to the inexpressible."

"I thought the point of 'inexpressible' was that you couldn't express it."

"Okay, pendant." Anna went to open the door for her. "Point is, we'd all choose the thing that means most to us."

"And what means most to you, Ms. Smith?" John leaned on the door before climbing into the cab after her.

"Dance."

"Dance?" John closed the door and leaned forward long enough to pass the address to the driver. "Like… a specific kind of dance?"

"It's not exotic dancing or pole dancing if that's what you're afraid of." Anna shook her head as John hurried to cover.

"I wasn't-"

"No, I think that's exactly where your mind went." She shrugged, "I'm not one for pole dancing. I did it for awhile but I couldn't manage the high heels for landings and almost twisted my ankle once. Plus, it gave me this horrible burn on my arm."

"So you've tried it then?"

Anna half-turned in her seat to stare at him, "If you're about to request a special number then I'm going to flat-out refuse you."

"I wouldn't dream of it." John leaned back, putting a finger to his lips, "If you wanted to offer though…"

She went to elbow him in the ribs but he dodged her. "No fair."

"I'm not going to put up with physical abuse." John held up a hand, "Especially since I'm taking you for a milkshake."

"So it's a date?"

"I'd rather hoped."

"Then you're right on the mark."

They found the little restaurant and John led Anna inside. The slightly frazzled-looking hostess helped them to a table but John politely refused the menus and asked to see the dessert card. Anna tried to argue but John overruled her.

She huffed at him, "I only wanted a milkshake."

"And I think I want dessert."

Her eyes narrowed, "If this is a ploy to have me split something that uses the words 'chocolate', 'fudge', or 'sundae' then you're on the right track."

"Good." John nodded at her, "You said dance means the most to you but you never said what kind of dance you do."

"Performance art, exhibitions, and instruction." Anna pulled at the strap to her dress. "I teach dance classes in the afternoons and evenings four days a week to students from age six to sixty."

"I imagine the range of flexibility there is something."

"It's interesting to watch, that's for sure." Anna giggled, "But I love the seniors group. There's this couple addicted to jive and the Charleston. They're good too."

"You should invite me to a show sometime."

"Perhaps I will." Anna took a breath, "But I do it as part of my obligations to the company I'm in. It's what makes life interesting."

"Performance art?"

"Dancing." Anna smiled, "I was a ballerina until I learned I wasn't getting any taller and then I sort of flitted around. Studied ballroom at University and did a bit of contemporary there but I didn't really find my groove until I took a break from the ballroom circuit."

"Didn't like all the flashy costumes?"

"I didn't like feeling that my head was constantly shellacked in hairspray and grease so it was a helmet." Anna shrugged, "Then I found this company and realized I could do it all."

"I imagine that was freeing."

"Very."

John whistled, "I wish I could find that."

"Why? What do you do?"

"I told you, psychiatric medicine."

"That's not what I meant."

John frowned, "What else could you have meant?"

"There's a difference between doing a job and doing something. If your job is psychiatric medicine then what do you do in it? What's it to you?"

"It was a pretty lucrative practice that I was very good at." John let out a breath, "It's what bought that flat in Knightsbridge."

"But it doesn't bring you joy anymore?"

"How could you tell?"

"All your past-tense verbs." Anna tilted her head to the side and raised her shoulder. "There's bit of rationality that says what we should do is make money and have a big house and do it all so we can one day live our dreams. But then that day comes and we grow to realize we missed the chance to have our dreams along the way."

"Dead at twenty-five, died at seventy?"

"Exactly." Anna tapped her fingers on the table, "What brings you satisfaction?"

"Not my work." John sucked the inside of his cheek, "I wanted it to. I wanted to help people. And in a way I do because these people can now operate in society safely, have relationships with their families, and live more ordinary lives but…"

"But it's not enough."

"No, it's not."

They did not speak, the waitress bringing the menus and John ordering his quickly. Anna scanned it over and over before finally closing her eyes and pointing blindly to one. The waitress wrote it down in a hurry and took the menus back. John's laugh brought Anna to stare at him and she pursed her lips.

"Something funny?"

"I guess you've got a bit of a sweet tooth?"

"Don't we all?"

"Not me… much." John pointed toward the bar. "That was always my vice."

"I like the past-tense in there." Anna sighed, "It does mean I can't seduce you while your inebriated though, and that's a bit of a let down."

"Fancy your chances under that situation?"

"I rather did. When you might make a poor decision about a girl you met in a public toilet."

"Then let me put our fears to rest and promise that you don't need alcohol to have me seduced." Anna's pupils dilated slightly and John swallowed, "If you wanted to… seduce me, of course."

"I can promise that I want to seduce you very much, Mr. Bates." Anna smiled at the waitress as she placed the dessert in front of Anna and then John. "But I think I want this first."

"Delayed gratification?"

"Of a sort." Anna dipped her spoon through the fudge, swirling it before licking over the spoon. "I believe in having my cake and eating it too."

"And torturing me?"

"I haven't known you long enough for that." Anna took another bite, pulling at the spoon exaggeratedly. "But if you think so then sure."

"I've never been one for torture."

"Really?" Anna raised an eyebrow, taking a long suck on her spoon that had John shifting in his seat. "Because I could see you tied to a bed frame with me in some obnoxiously high heels."

John turned to the waitress, "Could I have the bill please?"

Anna stopped, watching the waitress leave before turning to John, "I don't have those heels with me, you know."

"Don't need them." John swallowed, "But only if you want to."

"I think I'll rather enjoy the experience." Anna polished off the last of her dessert on her spoon, "Lead the way Mr. Bates."

The drive to his flat had John's foot tapping nervously on the floor of the cab. He could not stop his blood boiling through his skin or the vibrating sensation taking over his whole body. All he could do was flex his fingers on his knee until her fingers slipped between them. John willed himself not to turn and look at her because he knew, if he did, they would make the driver of their car very uncomfortable.

Soon they were outside his building and John fumbled a moment with his keys in his haste before letting her inside. They took the lift to his flat and when John opened the door again he held his breath. Anna breezed past him, leaving her purse on the island he never used, and walked to the large windows.

"Bit of an exhibitionist are we?"

"They came with the place." John shut the doors, dropping his keys in their little bowl, and then stuffing his hands in his pockets to find something to do with them that was not flexing. "I was going to get some blinds or something but I was at the hospital so much…"

"I like them." Anna pointed behind her, "Gives you a lovely view of the city."

"Came at a good price too." John jerked a thumb back to the door. "They said the whole place was almost destroyed two years ago when some armed gunmen broke into the place. Story goes an assassin or a hitwoman or something lived here."

"You ever meet her?"

"No," John shook his head, "I bought it through a service and never met the owner. Couldn't even tell you if it was a woman."

"But what a story that would've been." Anna walked back to him, leaving the windows. "But I've a feeling you didn't bring me here to show me your impressive view."

"No."

"Well then," Anna waved a hand to the rest of the flat, "Care to show me the rest of it?"

"Do you want a coffee or something first?"

Anna put a hand on his, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "I don't need a coffee but if you need something-"

"I'm fine." John hurried to say and then closed his eyes, forcing his thoughts to organize. "I… I haven't done this in a long time."

"Neither have I." Anna pulled his hand to her lips, kissing over his knuckles. "We'll go slow then."

John fell entirely under her spell. The soft clack of Anna's heels over the wood floors set a steady beat for his heart and soon they were in his spacious bedroom. His jacket and tie flew to the chair, rumpling without a care as Anna slid her hands over his chest. And soon the buttons on his shirt pulled open with a trail of her kisses leading to his navel.

The groan that escaped him gave Anna time to purr against his skin and push his shirt off his shoulder. John hurried to work his cuffs loose but Anna occupied herself with his belt and the fastenings on his trousers. They gaped open and John almost tripped in his rush to get them down his legs.

For all his effort, Anna's smooth motions kept John at ease. With each rise in his blood pressure she calmed him, whispering against his skin or soothing with a kiss. It was almost like hypnotherapy in the way John stood slack in her grasp as her hands removed the rest of his clothing to leave him naked before her.

The glint in her eyes gave John a twitch and he went to hide it but Anna caught his wrist, shaking her head. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, John. This is the purpose of it all."

With a tug and a push, John sat on the edge of his bed, staring at her. Anna's fingers and hands moved swiftly, but with the same smooth grace, to remove her dress. The straps caressed her arms when she pushed them aside, her heels simply vanished, and with a clasp and a snap her underthings joined the pile on the floor.

John could not look away, his jaw falling open as Anna stalked toward him. Her slight hand on his shoulder shoved with the force of a butterfly but John fell back all the same. And when she straddled his legs to put her hands on either side of his head John was sure he died and went to heaven.

Her lips on his, as passionate as their little adventure in the restroom, moved to excite and ignite. The hands holding him moved to caress and then to entice. John's own hands fluttered a bit as they touched her, afraid of marring the beauty before him, but Anna returned each of his attempts with fervor and interest.

But as John began to engage, Anna pulled back. Her lips moved to his skin, kissing over his whole body and shifting down to the edge of the bed. John sat up and then had to hold fast to the sheets on the bed when she went to her knees between his legs. Their eyes met for a moment and Anna bent her body to kiss his tip.

He quivered and shook, fingers loosing blood in their agonizing clutch of the bedclothes, while Anna kissed, licked, and then sucked at him. It was all John could do not to drive into her mouth, to take advantage of the sweet heat, and allow her to do as she would. But he could not stop the buck of his hips or the grunts mingling with his groans at the sound of her appreciative moans.

With a final scrape of her teeth, Anna broke from him and stood. John reached but she shook her head, pushing him back onto the bed again. He slid over the sheets, accidently taking some with him before he could pry his fingers free, and Anna waited until he settled in the middle of the bed before she climbed forward.

Her fingers flittered at her core, sliding over the wetness there and John reached forward to try and help. Anna moved toward his motions, showing him how to do it, and then started her own series of moans. Before she could cry out, Anna grabbed his wrist to lift his hand away. At John's confused look she positioned herself and sunk down.

For a moment they stayed still, neither daring to breathe until forced. Anna rocked against him, her fingers finding purchase on his chest, and John used his hands to grip at her thigh and then her ass. The hold firmed so he could drive into her but only as a way to meet her bobbing gyrations.

In the fog of John's mind a thought flared and he stalled. Anna turned to him, her breath coming in frustrated gasps as John's inability to form word. When he could find enough spit to give words to his dry mouth, John coughed to speak.

"Protection?"

"Pill." Anna hurried to say, risking another move but John stopped her.

"Enough?"

"For me." She paused and John swallowed, nodding.

It took a second or two to find their rhythm again but soon John rutted into her, exulting in the tight, wet cling of her vaginal walls around him. The strike of skin against skin as wet slaps punctuated the air, drove John faster. Anna's own gasps and hisses of pleasure had John fumbling to move his fingers where her nerves bundled.

As he drew his feet up, using them to leverage his hips, Anna leaned back to manipulate where he struck inside her. John grunted and moved faster to take them both to the edge. But it was Anna, her hand meeting his while the other reached behind her to fondle his sack, that took them there.

John finished with a gasp, his whole body evacuating air in a rush as Anna slumped against his knees. His fingers interlaced with hers and pulled her toward his chest so his legs could relax. She came, slipping off him to lay by his side.

With great effort, John turned to face her, "That was incredible."

"Just what the doctor ordered I'd say." Anna smiled at him, putting a hand to her forehead. "I've never had someone respond like you."

"I can't say I remember anyone else enough to do anything but agree with that statement." John shook his head, "It's been so long they're all a blur."

"Mine aren't that far back so I'm very sure."

"Then all I can say is thank you."

"The feelings are more than mutual." Anna closed her eyes, "I hope you don't mind if I just… pass out for a bit."

"I don't know if I could even manage a round two."

"I hope you can." Anna pouted, "I couldn't manage just doing that once."

John grinned and lay back, matching his breathing to Anna's until they both fell asleep.

It was still late, or early according to the digital clock on his bedside as John turned over his shoulder to check it, when John opened his eyes. There was a moment his position confused him but at the shift of Anna's ass against him it all came rushing back. So quickly and clearly, in fact, that he almost bucked backward when he rose to the occasion.

But Anna's whimper stopped him. She side rose and fell like someone still sleeping and she did not move so John carefully tried to look at her. Her eyes were closed and her mouth slightly open to breathe out with a small whisper.

The shift, however, moved John's erection against the skin of her ass and the whimper turned to a keen. John eased a hand around her stomach, feeling for whatever might tell him she was awake. Her leg shifted and latched backward over his, dragging him with the muscles she strengthened in her day-job, to place him between her legs. Anna's body glided over him, spreading her folds over his erection to tease him harder and harder.

John bit into the pillow, his fingers sneaking to the nerves he teased with his tip, and played there. Anna's gasp and immediate moan had him working her faster, shunting against her with a smack of his hips against her ass. It did not take long, wet as she still was from earlier, to bring her over the edge. She came with a cry into the pillow under her head and John slowed his motions.

When her leg tightened and her fingers gripped his wrist, John maneuvered to thrust into her. Anna stiffened and then relaxed, driving herself back onto him hungrily to chase the rise in her body and ease the hum in her blood. John's ears were deaf to anything but her sounds and the rush of his adrenaline as he chased the high. The high he never thought he could find again.

Soon his fingers played between her nerves and her breasts, enjoying the weight of them in his hands, but wanting her to come again. He needed to hear her sounds again. And, under the steady beat of his thrusts and the work of his dedicated hands, she cried out again. The cling of her vaginal walls strangled him to release and John stuttered his final drives to leave his forehead resting on her shoulder.

They did not speak this time, simply falling back into sleep. When John woke it was to the blinding light coming through his windows and an empty bed. He turned, trying to find evidence of her, but when he heard nothing and found no one in his flat, he deflated.

His eyes caught sight of something on his island and he walked to where a pile of his business cards scattered on the surface there. One of them separated from the rest bore a fine script on the blank back. John read it carefully.

I have your number and I'll call soon. Thank you for a lovely night.

It was the only evidence it was not all a dream.