A/N: I've decided to go ahead and write this story until the end of their one and a half day cottage honeymoon. Here is the first part of the second day. Hope you enjoy. The reviews are so encouraging and motivating. Thank you so much! Oh, and I realize I'm giving Bates almost Superman like recovery abilities, but the man's been locked up for too long and had to spend weeks after he got out living in his old bedroom while his wife was down the hall so I think he's got some testosterone built up and can perform multiple times in a day! haha

Anna slowly came awake, squinting her eyes to take in the morning sun coming in through the curtains. She briefly wondered if she should have made heavy dark curtains for the bedroom, but then thought better of it. On a morning like this, when she didn't mind waking early, the sunlight and sound of birds chirping could be quite pleasant.

She rolled on her side to look at John, who was on his back, still sleeping. She smiled, glad that he was asleep and she had the chance to study him. He was so often self-conscious under her gaze, believing himself nothing to look at, but Anna strongly disagreed. He was beautiful. His hair was mussed from sleep and Anna could see the shadow of his beard. She had a sudden flash of those scratchy cheeks tickling her thighs. She blushed and squeezed her legs together as a rush of excitement went through her. She could hardly believe this. Would she always feel this way? Would she always want to make love with her husband rather than sleep or eat?

Anna thought back to when she first learned of the nature of relations between men and women. Her mother had given her just a brief talk when Anna had gone through her first menstruation, telling her that she was a woman now capable of having a baby and outlining how that worked in the most scientific way possible. Anna remembered being deeply uncomfortable. A year or so later, Anna was much more curious, but was hesitant to speak to her mother. Then an aunt had come to stay. Beth was the youngest of her mother's siblings and just ten years older than Anna. Beth brought along her new husband, Ralph, a charming handsome man who Anna quickly developed a crush on. Anna's mother loved her sister and was glad to have her there for the visit, but was quick to scold Beth when she and Ralph would giggle and hug, Ralph playfully kissing Beth's face and once patting her bottom. "Not in front of the children!" her mother would say. One afternoon, Beth took Anna for a walk. Anna worked up the courage to ask her aunt about being married, what it was like to kiss a man or even maybe do the things her mother had so clinically explained. To her credit, Beth hadn't dismissed Anna's question and told her it was improper to speak of such things. Instead, she had explained how the physical act worked in more easily understood terms and that it was meant to bring pleasure and reaffirm the couple's love and that it could be satisfying to both parties. "Anna, when you meet and marry the man you love, your physical relationship can be wonderful if you trust each other and express your wishes. Don't think that you have to lie back and let him do as he will. Tell him what you want and desire. If he's a good man, he'll listen," she'd said.

You were right, Beth, Anna thought now. During their extended courtship, Anna would think of kissing Mr. Bates and having him take her to bed. Their first night together was all she had hoped for. He had been so wonderful, whispering his words of love and uniting their bodies with the utmost gentleness. Seeing the pleasure on his face and knowing she brought that to him had been extremely gratifying. That first time they had both been somewhat nervous and hesitant, wanting things to be just so. Anna had experienced some pain as she had expected, but nothing she couldn't handle. But when he reached for her a second time, the pressure each had imposed on themselves was over and they were much more relaxed, free to giggle and tease each other and Anna, more relaxed physically now, had reached the pinnacle of pleasure, falling apart in John's strong arms. It had been divine. But then the next morning...

No, I won't think of that now. Not here, Anna told herself. She would not let herself go back to that darkness. Especially not when she could be studying her husband's sleeping form. Her attention refocused now, she studied John's lips, his shoulders, his chest (just barely resisting the urge to rub her nose in the fur there), and arms. Her eyes drifted down to where the covers began around his waist and her eyes widened. She fought back a giggle and looked to make sure John hadn't woken. She wondered if he was having a particularly pleasant dream, about her she hoped. The tent in the covers was irresistible and Anna snuck her hand beneath, trying not to touch his hip and inadvertently let him in on her intentions. She wiggled herself a bit closer and kept her eyes on his face as her fingers lightly wrapped around his manhood. She couldn't help grinning and thought she must look a fool, but she didn't care.

She moved her hand up, looking for a reaction, and then back down. Nothing. She tightened her grip slightly, he felt so hard in her hand but she worried she would grip him too tight and hurt him. She stroked him again. This time he made a small grunt and moved his head. Anna paused. He didn't wake up. She waited to make sure he was settled, then did it again, not stopping this time, her grip firm and sure.

John grunted again, then attempted to move his hips. Anna laughed. "Wake up," she whispered lightly, her hand continuing to move. John made a pitiful whimpering sound and again tried to move his hips. His head turned to the side, towards Anna and then suddenly his eyes opened. He blinked, his brain trying to connect everything that was happening. He whimpered again, then "Anna? What are...ohh god."

Anna felt positively wicked. She was very aroused and the thoughts of last night, when she had been above John filled her mind. She wanted to feel that way again. "Is this all right?" she asked John.

"Yes...yes," he said as Anna increased her pace. His eyes closed and he tilted his head back.

"Then just allow me, my darling," Anna said. Then suddenly her hand was gone. John's eyes opened to protest and he saw she had moved above him. Before he could utter a word, he felt her warmth enveloping him, the divine sensation of their bodies uniting rendering him speechless. He could only meet Anna's eyes. They were piercing his own, he felt he was being devoured by her eyes alone. She began to move her hips then, quiet moans of pleasure escaping her lips.

John was entranced. This nymph he had married was allowing herself to take her pleasure and it thrilled him. She rocked against him, her hands braced on his chest. He watched her movements, his hands going to her hips, his eyes glued to her face. He watched as her face reddened and she bit her bottom lip, the closed her eyes, trying desperately to reach that peak. She was growing frustrated. He could tell by the furrow of her brow.

"John, please..." she panted. He grinned. She was already greedy, wanting him to make her feel that pleasure immediately. Oh, he could have a time teasing her, refusing to allow her that climax until she begged for release. The thought of that, having Anna at his mercy caused him to throb. He would give in now, give her what she wants, but later he would have his way.

His right hand went from her hip to her center. His thumb finding the hard tissue that begged for his touch. As soon as his thumb started to make circles there, Anna cried out. She was so close, her movements increasing as she ground herself against him. He took pity on her and with his left hand, lightly pinched the nipple of her right breast. He'd learned already that her breasts were quite sensitive and she enjoyed his touch there. She cried out, the sensation building and then she felt as if she was coming apart. She slumped against him, still moving her hips as best she could, the tremors of her pleasure overtaking her body. His right hand was now trapped between them and she used the opportunity to shamelessly rub herself against his still questing fingers. She was vaguely aware that she was howling, her voice sounding hoarse to her ears.

John's free hand grasped her bottom, holding her tightly to him so he could thrust his own hips. John was vulnerable to Anna's voice. Hearing her groans of pleasure hastened his own. He thrust into her as best he could. She was trembling, unaware of the sounds she made, which only excited John more. Anna was only dimly aware that John was close to his own climax until she heard his choked voice saying her name and then a low growl. He was deep inside when he came and his hand tightened almost painfully against her skin but it only made Anna smile.

"Oh god!" John said as he relaxed against the bed, his breathing rapid. His orgasm had been amazing, making his entire body tingle and he started to laugh from the sheer release of the physical tension. Anna managed to raise her head, joining in his laughter and then finding his mouth and kissing him deeply, their tongues mingling. She broke away and her head returned to his chest once more. She listened to the thumping of his heart and caught her own breath.

"My god Anna, will it always be like this?" John panted.

"I sure hope so."

They were silent for a moment, each recovering. Finally, Anna propped her chin against John's chest. "So, did you like being woken in that manner?"

"Naughty girl," John said, laughing. Anna laughed too and kissed his chest.

"I can't help it. You drive me wild, husband!" Anna teased and then tickled his sides. "Besides, you were ready. Were you having a dream?"

John looked at her quizzically and then realized what she meant. "Oh, no, not that I can remember. That just happens to men naturally."

"Oh? Mind of its own you mean? Doesn't even need your brain?"

John laughed. "No, I guess it doesn't. But it is so much nicer when my brain is involved and is responding to the...stimulation offered by my beautiful wife. Though I must say you do need to control yourself when we go back to work tomorrow. I'm worried you'll rip my clothes off and have your way with me while we're all eating lunch."

"And you wouldn't be a willing partner?"

"Willing partner, but not the instigator," he said primly.

"Well, don't worry. I won't actually do it, but I will be thinking about it. I find whenever I'm not sleeping, I'm thinking of being here with you like this."

"That's what I mean. Will it always be like this?" He began to stroke her hair.

"Hmm...I know I'll always desire you, always think you're the most handsome man in the world, always love the way you make me feel. But when we have babies to look after, we'll likely be too busy to run off upstairs together. But I think that while we have the time we should make the most of it. Seize every opportunity. Don't you agree, husband?"

"Quite. As usual you speak wise words."

They smiled at each other, thinking of the time in the future when they would have a family to look after. But that was in the future and both of them were enjoying the now. They cuddled together a while longer, whispering soft words of love and laughing with each other. They both burst into laughter when Anna's stomach let out a definite growl.

Anna blushed through her laughter. "Don't laugh at me. It's your fault. You've left me famished."

"Well we can't have that. Let's go have our first breakfast in our new home."

Anna grinned widely. "Yes, let's..."

tbc