Chapter Two:
When they're finally outside in the balmy June evening air, it is sweet with the scent of apple blossom. The sky overhead is lit with the pinkly golden hues of sunset as Anne takes a deep breath and turns her flushed face towards Gilbert.
"I thought I was going to suffocate in there," she tells him.
"Are you feeling quite well, Anne?" Gilbert asks, pressing the back of his fingers to her forehead solicitously. "You look a little flushed."
"Mmmm," Anne nods, closing her eyes as she enjoys the feeling of those warm fingers on her skin.
"Are you sure?" he presses, bright hazel eyes scrutinising her face.
Gilbert is so close she can smell his skin, warm and spicy. Her eyelids are fluttering as she breathes in. Anne is burning with the need to kiss him and her body feels alight with her desire.
"Oh, Gilbert," words begin to fly out of Anne's mouth in a rush. "I was already feeling so – and then your hands - and that suit – and oh, your eyes! I thought – when you looked at me like that – and Anne-girl – and then my stomach – I wanted to – oh, Gilbert, please, hurry -"
Anne grasps Gilbert's muscular forearm in desperation, then runs her slender hand along his sleeve until her fingers are intertwined with his. Her grey eyes are bright and there is a rosy glow high on her cheekbones as she tugs on his hand before she drags him with her down the porch steps.
"You're usually much more articulate than this," Gilbert chuckles as he falls into step beside her. "Could you explain yourself a little better, please?"
His laughter sends a delicious shiver down Anne's spine and the warm fluttering in her stomach does another flip.
"You've been making me crazy, Gilbert Blythe," she replies as they cross the Sloane's yard.
"I'm making you crazy?" he asks, quirking one eyebrow at her. "But I've been talking to Fred for most of the afternoon."
"Exactly," Anne nods, turning her face to gaze into his twinkling hazel eyes. Then she raises shaking fingers to her face. "Oh! You must stop looking at me like that. I can't think straight. No, please don't stop looking at me like that…"
Gilbert's smile makes the yearning in the pit of Anne's stomach grow warmer as she watches the corners of his eyes crinkling.
"I've never seen you in that suit before," Anne says frantically. "And you must know you look so especially handsome in it, Gilbert. I've been desperately wanting you to touch me all afternoon."
A look of understanding begins to dawn on Gilbert's face.
"I see," Gilbert says, his tone deepening as he turns to study her face more carefully. A smile plays about the corners of his lips as he raises his eyebrows. "Desperately, hey?"
Anne is pulling him around the corner of the Sloane's barn, then she turns abruptly with him and grasps the lapels of Gilbert's suit in her fists. She pushes on his chest so that Gilbert takes a step backwards until his back is pressed against the wall of the barn as his hazel eyes widen in surprise. Anne takes a step closer and presses the length of her slender body against his, sliding her palms upwards along his hard chest before she grips Gilbert's broad shoulders tightly.
"Yes, desperately," she confirms, as she stares intently into his hazel eyes.
Gilbert opens his mouth to speak, but Anne tangles her fingers into the soft curls at his nape, pulling him closer until she covers his full, pink lips with her own. Her tongue is immediately seeking his and she slides her hands back down to his chest as she tastes his sweet lips at last.
Anne loves hearing the soft humming noise which comes from the back of Gilbert's throat. It is the sound she knows only she can make in him. Strong hands glide around her waist, pulling her even closer to his body as the kiss deepens. Anne sighs into his mouth when she feels the hard muscles of his chest flexing beneath her palms as Gilbert's arms wrap around her slender figure.
"Anne," Gilbert gasps hoarsely when their lips finally part. "What are you doing? We're at a wedding -"
"Ssshhh," Anne interrupts, her lips brushing along the skin on the side of his throat. She is pressing the length of her body against him and her forearms are still resting on the solid muscles of his chest as she clutches his suit. When she licks at his Adam's apple with the tip of her tongue she feels Gilbert's left leg quivering a little as a tiny whimper escapes his lips and Anne smiles wickedly. "Mrs Harmon will be looking for us at any moment. We don't have much time -"
Anne smooths her hands upwards and over Gilbert's broad shoulders as she leans up on tip toes to kiss his lips again, and delightful shivers are running through her body when she feels his tongue in her mouth.
Gilbert's hands are grasping her waist and suddenly he spins Anne with him until her back is pressed to the wall of the barn with his lips a mere inch from hers.
"I see," he murmurs again.
Anne closes her eyes and sighs when she tastes his sweet breath in her mouth.
"Well, if Mrs Harmon will be looking for us soon, then I think we ought to make the most of it," he says in a low voice.
Anne nods slightly as she runs her tongue over her lips and she can hardly breathe when she sees the blazing look in his eyes. He bends his head and Gilbert's lips capture hers in a searing kiss, the sensation sending a jolt through her body right down to her toes.
Then he is pressing fiery kisses along the side of her neck until his lips find the heart pendant nestling in the hollow at her throat.
"Finally," Anne breathes with a smile as she tilts her head back to give him better contact with her skin. "You're catching on now, Blythe."
Anne moans softly when she feels his lips brushing upwards along the delicate skin of her throat.
"I'm a fast learner," he chuckles, the vibration of his voice sending a delicious thrill across Anne's skin.
"Yes," Anne smiles. "I've always loved that about you."
Warm hands slide slowly from Anne's waist upwards, skimming the side of her breasts before settling on her shoulders, until his fingertips are lingering on the skin exposed above her dress. Soft lips graze along the column of Anne's neck as he mutters her name, his warm breath tickling her skin and making her shiver.
The low tone of Gilbert's voice makes her skin grow even warmer and Anne moans again. She wraps her arms around his neck and his hands glide back down to grasp her waist.
"I love this suit," Anne whispers into his ear as her hands roam over his broad shoulders.
"Mmm," is Gilbert's only reply as his lips begin to softly tease her earlobe.
Anne's legs wobble a little and her hands clutch at his lapels again when his lips find that sensitive spot just behind her ear.
"Yes," she breathes, shivering when she feels warm lips brushing slowly along the side of her neck. "I think blue is my new favourite colour."
"Is it?" he murmurs into the skin just above her collar. "Mine is green."
"Oh, Gilbert," Anne moans. She barely recognises her voice, it is so low with desire. "I've been longing to kiss you all day."
"Have you?" Gilbert mutters as his lips trail upwards to her chin, making Anne shudder.
"Yes," Anne whispers. "Seeing you in this new suit has been driving me slightly wild. I simply couldn't wait any longer -"
Gilbert groans and crushes his lips against hers once more. Her arms are wrapped around his neck and Anne leans into him eagerly, loving the feel of his hands as they slide around her waist.
When she feels his tongue flicking against her bottom lip and then invading her mouth, Anne thinks her body might explode. Her fingers are threaded through the soft curls at his nape and when she hears that delicious noise at the back of Gilbert's throat again, Anne presses her body even more tightly against him as the kiss deepens. Gilbert is pressing his lips to hers with increasing fervour so that somehow the scorching kiss grows even hotter, although Anne didn't think it possible.
Just when she thinks he might pull away, Anne feels his arms drawing her even closer to him and she gasps in delight as Gilbert continues to kiss her with growing urgency. His lips are locked with hers, and he is clutching her body to his desperately as the kiss grows a little more reckless. Anne sighs again when she feels his tongue sliding against hers, and she tightens her grip on his hair. When Gilbert groans again, Anne's entire body is trembling with need and she doesn't want this kiss to ever end.
"Oh, sweetheart," Gilbert mutters hoarsely when he finally drags his lips away from hers. He begins pressing tender kisses along Anne's cheek. "I'm not sure how I'm going to survive another two years of this engagement if you continue to kiss me like this."
"How can I help kissing you," Anne breathes, placing kisses on the corner of his jaw as she cups the back of his neck in her hands. "When you insist on wearing a suit like this?"
"Anne." When she hears him groan her name like that, it causes Anne's heart to beat wildly in her breast. Her skin is tingling from his touch as his hands slide down her body until they are grasping Anne's hips and pulling her closer. "I love you so much."
Anne is pressing frenzied kisses to Gilbert's chin when she suddenly hears Diana's voice from the Sloane's porch.
"Anne!" Di hisses. "Gilbert, are you out here?"
Gilbert moans when Anne abruptly pulls her lips away.
"Uh – yes," Anne calls to her friend, sounding flustered. Gilbert steps away from her slightly and Anne misses the warm circle of his arms around her.
"We're over here, Di," Gilbert replies, his voice husky. He grasps Anne's fingers in his warm hand, as he smiles and winks.
Clearing his throat, Gilbert gently tugs on Anne's hand and begins walking with her towards the house.
Anne glances sideways at Gilbert and she loves that his lips look a little swollen from her kisses. His cheeks are slightly flushed and his brown curls are tousled from where her fingers have been tangled in his hair. Anne reaches up to smooth the curls at the back of his head and Gilbert closes his eyes briefly, then sighs.
One long finger reaches out to caress Anne's cheek and he smiles.
"There you are," says Diana in relief as they round the corner of the barn. "Mrs Andrews is asking about you, Anne. She was most worried about your health, but I can see Gilbert is – ah – looking after you."
Anne and Gilbert smile sheepishly at Di's knowing look.
"You'd better get back inside or she'll be out here looking for you herself," Diana smiles, quirking an eyebrow at them both. "I suppose it's quite helpful being engaged to a medical student when you're so unwell."
"Yes, I'm feeling much better now, thank you," Anne says brightly, smoothing her skirts with one hand and grinning broadly. "Gilbert has been very attentive."
"I'm sure he has," Diana says, rolling her eyes.
"Anne was feeling a little faint earlier," Gilbert chuckles, squeezing her fingers gently. The sound of his laughter sends another tingle racing down Anne's spine. "But I think she's made a rapid recovery."
When Di turns her back to them and begins walking towards the house, Anne's arms glide around Gilbert's waist, and she pulls him to her for a moment. Burying her face in the warm fabric of his suit, she breathes him in, loving the feel of his hard chest against her cheek.
When she feels Gilbert's hand slip around her waist and his strong arm squeezing her in return, Anne grins and raises her face to his as she slides her hand upwards and across his jacket until her palm is resting on his chest. The smile is wiped from her face at the intensity she sees in his eyes. The desire flashing in Gilbert's fervid hazel gaze takes her breath away. Anne's hand is pressed to the hard planes of his chest and she holds her breath as they stare at each other for a long moment.
Finally, Gilbert's lips turn up in a dazzling smile as his hand moves to cover hers on his chest. Anne can feel his heart thudding beneath her fingertips.
"Let's get back to the wedding, Anne-girl," he says, with his hazel eyes still glowing.
Anne nods mutely as she turns back to face the house, already wishing she was back in his embrace. Then Gilbert's fingers are grasping hers and she smiles when he squeezes her hand gently.
They walk back to the house together and Anne doesn't leave Gilbert's side for the rest of the reception.
A/N: Wow, thanks for such a warm welcome back! I am simply thrilled with your enthusiastic responses to this story, dear readers, thank you all so much. :)
Soooo, tell me, what did you think about Anne and Gilbert in this chapter? Do you think Anne can last the rest of the night looking at Gilbert in that suit without touching him? Yeah, me neither...