Valentin Cassadine was late.
He hated being late.
But living in the chaotic swirl of the Quartermaine mansion meant punctuality was beyond his control, especially on their golden child's third birthday.
That didn't mean he had to like it.
He glanced at his watch. Twenty minutes. There was no way he was getting there on time. Not that it mattered. There were no punishments or demerits, but the thought of disappointing her still managed to sting. Anna Devane was not a woman you kept waiting.
Traffic did him no favors in his quest for punctuality, giving him time to think about Anna and the realization that Finn was the mystery man on the hospital roof. He saw her pain and denial, unable to even say his name. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and kiss her gently, absorbing all the guilt and heartache she felt, guilt and heartache he caused decades ago when he brought Peter to Faison.
But this was a professional meeting.
Everything had been professional lately, as if what happened in July was just a dream.
Did she even think of him?
Maybe it was like she said in New York… just a kiss.
He pulled into Anna's driveway alongside an unfamiliar car and rushed to the door wondering who was there. Surely she would have told him she was bringing someone else into the investigation. His heart pounded as he composed himself, nonchalantly leaning against the wall, every nerve vibrating with curiosity and adrenaline. He raised his hand, but before he could knock, Dante Falconeri opened the door.
"Hello Dante, Have you found Peter?"
"Not yet, have you?"
"No. Not yet." Valentin said with a sigh, unable to conceal his disappointment.
Anna said goodbye to the detective as Dante passed Valentin, the two men eyeing each other like rivals.
"Are we exchanging information?"
"Not all of it," Anna said quietly as she watched Dante drive away before closing the door and turning her full attention to Valentin, ""You look nice," she said with a smile.
Valentin raised an eyebrow before furrowing his brow in mock confusion, "Was that… a complement!?"
"Yes," she sighed with an amused eyeroll, "it was. Nice suit."
Anna reached out, running her hand down his arm, sending an electric shock to his core.
"Thanks," he said, a blush rising to his cheeks, "I didn't know we were going casual today."
"I'm trying something new."
"It's working."
She looked so different from her usual sleek self in a breezy striped caftan, the light filtering through thin cotton, easy and cool, a calm center in the chaos that swirled around them.
He was mesmerized.
"Tea?" she asked, breaking the silence of his reverie.
"Yes, please."
Valentin followed her to the living room, watching the dress dance around her legs. They made small talk about the weather, the baby, Wiley's over the top birthday party, all the while she smiled as she poured tea and milk, but Valentin could sense her worry. They'd spent so much time together, all of their free time, really, and he could see the investigation weighing on her. The small talk stopped, replaced by the soft clinking of spoons and tea cups, Anna unable to say what needed to be said.
Valentin broke the silence.
"Anna? Did you see Finn?"
"I did."
"And…"
"It was him. He was on the roof with Peter."
Anna handed Valentin his cup and told him all she knew about what happened on the hospital roof. Peter and Finn fought over the antidote, it moved to the stairwell, Finn pushed Peter and then, as far as he could tell, Peter was dead. That was that. Finn remembered Helena's secret lab and hid Peter in its freezer but when he took her down there, the body was gone.
"We've got to find Peter before the PCPD does, before he can hurt anybody else."
"But we don't know if he's alive or dead. Finn's convinced that he's dead."
"Anna, I say this as delicately as I can, I am not emotionally attached to Finn like you are. I don't have to give him the benefit of the doubt."
Anna sighed, "Where do we go from here?"
"There are two possible scenarios. Peter is dead and somebody's moved his body or he's alive and he's in hiding, and we've got problems… and I think it's much more likely that he's alive."
Anna knew he was right. She was scared for Finn. Scared for herself and Valentin. Peter alive and vengeful was a terrifying idea.
"I can't help hoping he's dead."
"I know… I know…"
"It would just be a relief to know I wasn't the one who had to kill him."
"See, this is where you and I are different." he said, stepping towards her but unable to touch her, "I'm ready to kill Peter myself. I want him dead and buried. Where he's no longer a threat to anyone I love."
"I assure you Charlotte and Bailey are safe," she said, taking his hand, squeezing it.
"I'm not just thinking of Charlotte and Bailey."
"Nina and Brook Lynn, too…"
"I'm not thinking about Nina or Brook Lynn, I don't want anything to happen to them, but I'm not thinking about them."
"Who...?"
"You know who I'm thinking about Anna, I've been thinking about her for years," he said, weaving his fingers with hers.
"Valentin…"
"Anna," he said, touching her face, "You've woven yourself into my life. First as a friend, then nemesis, then partner and friend again… and now, I can't imagine life without you. I'd die before I'd let Peter do anything to hurt you."
"I wouldn't want that…"
"Good. I'd hate to die before kissing you again."
Anna smiled with a blush, "Valentin."
"Tell me you haven't been thinking about it."
"I can't."
"So it wasn't just a kiss?"
"No," she said, shaking her head, "Not just a kiss," she repeated, biting her bottom lip.
"I can't stop thinking about it… I tried in New York, did my best to focus on why we were there, but I won't lie… it's been hard. I've wanted to take you in my arms so many times."
"The timing's so wrong," she said, with a sigh, "But I wouldn't fight you… too hard," she said, a blush sweeping her cheeks.
"Oh?" he asked, surprised.
"Oh," she shrugged with a grin.
Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed her hips and pulled her to him, his hands low on her back. Anna pushed away in mock resistance, before falling into his embrace, her arms under his jacket, head on his chest. He took in her scent, florals and spice. Letting out a long breath, sinking deeper into him, arms tightening around him. Their world slowed, eyes closed, breath syncing, scents mingling; musk and sandalwood, violet and cardamom, bergamot and tea.
Anna was first to move, running her hands up his back. He shivered as her fingers traced his spine, deftly moving to his waist. Pulling back she gazed into eyes dark with want, her hands moving to his chest, then his face, fingers lingering on his lips. Valentin sighed at the intimacy, her fingers dipping into his mouth, his first taste since their kiss.
"Anna," he breathed, his hand moving up her back, drawn to her hair, gliding through fragrant softness before resting on her neck. Her head fell back, eyes closed, heart pounding as his fingers caressed her skin. Sighing, she leaned into him, her lips brushing against his as she wrapped her arms around him, her mouth opening, tasting him.
Anna pushed the jacket off his shoulders, throwing it on the chair, the kiss hungry, months of repressed longing over as they tumbled to the couch, hands and mouths exploring each other.
She straddled him. Her dress shifting, legs bare. A longing sigh escaped his lips. Anna's breath caught as he stroked her thighs, her body moving against him as his hands explored, fingers brushing between her legs. She moaned his name as she removed her belt and then his tie, letting them fall, tangled, to the floor. Her fingers undoing buttons as she kissed him, memorizing his face with her lips.
*BUZZ BUZZ* His jacket began to erratically chime and vibrate on the chair. Anna pulled away, distracted by the interruption.
"Ignore it!" he demanded, pulling her back, his mouth on her chest, but the jacket continued to bing and buzz.
Anna began to laugh, "I can't!" She gasped, climbing off his lap to retrieve the still buzzing phone, "It must be important."
Valentin growled in frustration as he took the phone from Anna and was greeted by a screen full of texts from Olivia Quartermaine.
"What the?! I swear I must have wronged the Falconari family at some point and now karma's out to get me!" Valentin said with a dramatic sigh.
"Worse than taking Dante and Lulu hostage or Charlotte's custody battle?" Anna asked, sitting down beside him.
"Touché," he said with a smirk.
"And other than karmically interrupting you, what does Olivia want?"
"Ice cream."
"Pardon?"
"Apparently Cook got the wrong ice cream for the party, Wiley only likes vanilla, and this is something that requires," Valentin paused to count, "fifteen text messages."
Anna laughed as his phone buzzed again.
"SERIOUSLY!?" he exclaimed so loud it echoed through the room, "Now it's Brook Lynn. Olivia asked her to ask me about the ice cream!" he said, grabbing his hair in frustration, "At least she sent a cute picture of Bailey," he said, showing Anna a picture of his adorable baby in an orange and blue party hat two sizes too big for her tiny head.
"Aw..." Anna cooed at the baby's picture, "So I guess you've got to go?"
"No. I'm not letting a tyrant toddler steal this from me. Not now." Valentin began texting furiously, "I'm telling them to send Yuri, I won't be there, something came up with the investigation. I'm unreachable."
Anna watched with a smile as he continued to press buttons on his phone.
"What are you doing now?" Anna asked, equal parts amused and frustrated.
"Bring me your phone," he demanded before actually answering her question.
"What? Why? I'm not the only person in Port Charles able to procure the right ice cream!" she teased.
"I refused to be interrupted again, Anna, bring me your phone," he said, finishing with a flourish before putting his phone face down on the table.
She laughed as she got up and grabbed her phone from the desk, "Here, NOW will you tell me what you're up to?"
"I put my phone on 'do not disturb.' Only emergency calls will make it through, not ice cream calls." he said as she handed her phone to him, "Unlock, please," he said with a smile before looking down at her wallpaper picture, "Oh…"
Anna sighed, she'd forgotten about the picture of her and Finn, even though she looked at it only a few hours before.
"You look nice," Valentin said, looking at the picture, then into her deep brown eyes, "beautiful… happy… If this is too much, too soon, I understand."
Anna took the phone from him, pressed the necessary buttons and set it next to his. Looking into his eyes she moved over him, placing his hands back on her thighs, under her dress.
"Where were we?" she asked, taking his head in her hands, plundering his mouth with her tongue.
Valentin's lips trailed down her neck and chest as she unbuttoned her dress, kissing each inch of exposed skin. His hands moved from her legs to her skirt, gathering fabric, Anna wiggling the dress over her head and off her body, the caftan falling to the floor.
"Oh Anna…" he said in wonder at the sight of her.
She smiled, kissing him tenderly. His lips moved down over her chest, teeth teasing through fine mesh. Flesh responding, breath catching at his attention.
"More," she sighed.
He took her deep in his mouth, his hands moving down, shifting thin fabric, gliding between yearning lips, one, two fingers moving inside, his thumb teasing her. She rocked against him, her sighs filling the room.
"I need you," he growled, rough and wanting.
She stood on shaky legs, his hands keeping her steady as she removed her bra, then let sheer mesh fall to the floor.
She climbed onto him, his strong hands seizing her hips, lips skimming her neck, trailing over her breasts and stomach as he slid down between her thighs until his mouth was on her, hungry, her hips rocking against his eager tongue. Soft moans filled the room. Her back arched in ecstasy, legs shaking, grasping the couch back to steady herself, voice rough as she cried out. His hands slipped between her legs, fingers sliding in as she pushed into his mouth, hips thrusting as she quaked, squeezing hard against his tongue and fingers. Her body pressing against him, his wanting mouth coaxing waves of passion from her body as her muscles turned to jelly, legs collapsing beneath her.
"Valentin…" she said, breathless, kissing him deeply, "Why are you still dressed?"
He looked up at her, her face glowing, "I couldn't wait."
Anna laughed, "Let's fix this," she smiled, fingers dancing over buttons, "Have I ever told you I was a sword swallower?"
"Excuse me?" he gulped.
"I was a sword swallower," she said, deftly unbuttoning, "and belly dancer. It was a mission," removing his shirt, "with a Romani circus that was actually a WSB opp…" slinking down his body, taking off his shoes and socks, "we were the decoy while they expatriated an important diplomat," running her hands and mouth over him before unbuttoning his pants, "I was the diversion…" she smiled, pulling off his pants and briefs.
"Mmmm… Much better," she said, looking up at him, her breath hitched as she licked her lips, "Where was I?"
"Sword swallowing…" he said roughly as he watched her slink up his legs, her hands running over his thighs, "Anna…" he stammered.
"Oh, yeah," she said, staring into his eyes, "sword swallowing," she moved closer, lips opening to take him in, tongue dancing at his tip before flattening, her mouth sliding over him, wet and warm.
Valentin sighed as she set her rhythm, taking in more of him with each stroke, her eyes locked with his. Her mouth and hands playing, licking, squeezing, taking him deeper still, her tongue and soft palate pressing against him.
"Oh, God," he gasped, hands tangled in her hair.
Anna's lips slid off of him smiling, her hand stroking as she rose to his lap, guiding him into her, a pained groan escaping her beautiful throat.
"Are you okay?" he asked, tenderly, his hands stroking her face.
"Yes," she growled with a smile, "Oh yes," her hips rolling over him, taking his mouth once more.
He laid her down, her body rocking against him, grinding hard, sweat covering both their bodies. Her arms and legs wrapped around him, pulling him deeper, her body pulsing around him, guiding his release. If he died right here, there'd be no need for heaven, he'd found nirvana, her lithe body bending and shaping to him as she filled the room with ecstatic cries.
Anna looked up at him, eyes full of affection, limbs wrapped tight around him, "Thank you."
"Thank you?" he asked with a chuckle, brushing the hair from her face before grabbing the cashmere throw from the couch covering them both in its soft warmth.
"Mmmm…" she smiled with a sigh, stretching out beside him, head on his chest.
"Guess the timing wasn't so bad after all," he said, wrapping his arms around her.
Anna laughed, "No… not bad at all," she said with a smile, nestling deeper into his embrace.
"So," he asked, playing with her hair, "that sword swallowing story…"
"Is true!" Anna said incredulously, eyes narrowing, a smile growing on her lovely face, "Are you calling me a liar?"
Valentin smiled, shaking his head, "You've been trained in martial arts and the art of deception… but I don't remember circus arts being part of the Academy curriculum," he teased, a finger running down her arm.
"It happened," she said looking up at him, her hands moving to his chest, "We even had a man on the flying trapeze, Marcel Canet, remember him?" Valentin nodded, tracing small circles along her back, ready for a story.
Anna sighed at his touch, before continuing, "His people were circus people… He handpicked the team, we trained for a month, then toured for another, finally ending in Zagreb. We performed for a week before the opp. I was very popular…"
"I'm sure you were," he smirked, running his hand along her jaw, kissing her deeply.
"I'm trying to tell a story," she said out of breath.
"Oh yes, of course, continue… no, wait..." he said, kissing her again, "Okay. Now, please go on…" he smiled, his fingers still lingering on her lips.
Anna smiled with a raised eyebrow, kissing his thumb before continuing "I wasn't just there to perform and distract. The night before the expatriation I was tasked to set up a series of explosives at a nearby army base. At H-hour I set them off with this lovely little button sewn into the silks of my skirt. I was dancing when I detonated them, the sound was exquisite. Security ran to the explosion leaving the Banski Dvori unmanned. Our man got out and for our finale there was one more clown in the car. We were gone before they even knew we were there… Opa!" she said with a flourish and a snap and that dazzling Devane smile.
Valentin couldn't contain his laughter and pride, "You're amazing, darling!" he said, kissing her beautiful lips, "Maybe you should recreate your act for the Nurses' Ball?"
Anna gasped, "Oh… no..." she said with a concerned look, "I don't think they're ready for anything like that at the Nurses' Ball!"
"I can assure you they're not," he said with a wink.
Anna laughed loud and free, her whole body relaxing into his as he ran his fingers along her spine.
"How are you?" he asked, checking in.
"Thirsty," Anna said into his chest.
"Water?" he asked, ready to bring her whatever she wanted.
"That's a start…" she said with a smile.
She watched as Valentin walked to the bar cart, rolling herself in the cashmere throw, marveling at his body, the angles and curves defined and refined in the midday glow. She sighed at the beauty of him.
"Huh?" he asked, breaking her reverie with a glass of water.
"Oh… nothing," she said, taking the water and drinking deeply, watching as he juggled bottles and glasses.
"What are you pouring?"
"Bourbon," he replied, pouring amber liquid into cut crystal.
"Have I ever told you I love your mind?"
"It's been a few decades," he said, filling a second glass and handing it to her.
She sipped as she watched him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips before finishing her drink with a shiver.
"It's more comfortable upstairs," she said, her glass clinking against the tabletop.
"What about all this?" he asked, motioning to the chaos of clothes and pillows cluttering the room.
Anna shrugged, letting the throw fall as she danced into the foyer.
Valentin sighed, finishing his drink with a shake of his head. He was astonished. How did he get to be this lucky? Anna Devane wanted him. She wanted him as much as he wanted her and he wanted her more than life itself.
He raced after her, following up the stairs, pressing her against the wall. Her arms fast around his neck, lips on his as her bourbon soaked tongue dipped deep into his mouth. He moved down her neck, tasting her collarbone, before falling to his knees, taking her in once more. She sighed, her head falling back against the wall, legs weak, barely able to hold her. Valentin lifted one leg to his shoulder, gripping her, opening her to his reverie as Anna grabbed his ears, holding him against her, rocking into his mouth as he prayed at the altar of her release.
"Val, oh, Valentin," she whimpered as her body seized, her voice filling the hall.
He looked up as she lost her famous composure, drunk on his attention, a sly smile played on his lips as he leaned back, holding onto her thighs, marveling at the wonder of this moment with her.
She stroked his hair, her face glowing, "Wow… You're really good at that," she said with a wide smile.
Valentin's eyes shifted, blushing as he shrugged slightly, bringing himself to full height. He looked down on her, letting his hand trail along her jaw, down her body before lifting her up. Anna gasped, then laughed, the unexpected nature of the day hitting her, never realizing when she woke that this was what she wanted, what she needed. She kissed his forehead, her arms and legs wrapped around him as he carried her to her room.
He set her down, still in awe, hands running over her body, through her hair. She took his hand, moving to her bed, welcoming him in.
Valentin followed, mesmerized.
Anna moved over him, hair falling across his face, a mahogany curtain, soft and gentle. She lowered her lips, teasing as her hands followed the lines of his body, her fingers brushing wanting flesh. Her lips so close, her kiss so near.
Then the deep chimes of the doorbell filled the house.
Valentin let out a frustrated groan, "We should have put the door on 'do not disturb' too," he said with a sigh as she rolled off him, his hands instinctively reaching to stop her.
"It might be important," she said with a smile, breaking free, effortlessly sliding on a slip and robe, "Don't go anywhere," she said, kissing him before a quick mirror check, smoothing down her hair then turning back with a wink, running downstairs.
A sudden wave of concern washed over Valentin. It could be Peter. She might need backup. He rose with a start retrieving Anna's Walther PPK from her nightstand, realizing his clothes were all over the living room. He looked around the room, finding a green floral kimono, throwing it on as he rushed after her, stopping just before the stairs as Anna opened the door to Hamilton Finn.
"Finn," she said in shock before instinct and training kicked in and a smile crossed her face, "What are you doing here?"
"Sorry to just show up. I tried calling and texting but you weren't answering," he said, looking down, his hands deep in his pockets.
"Oh. Sorry. Phone problems," she said quickly as he walked in without invitation.
"I needed to know, have you heard anything from Jordan or Dante? Have they figured out it was me on the roof? Am I in the clear?"
"No. You're good. I talked with Dante earlier, they have nothing. And, frankly, if Peter did show up, he's unreliable at best. I wouldn't worry. You're clear," she said, with a smile, shifting so his back was to the mess in the living room.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"What?" she asked, flustered, "Of course."
"You're flushed," he said, reaching out, his hand on her cheek then moving to her neck, "You're heart's racing. Are you sick? Is it your PV?" he asked quickly, running his hand down to hers, squeezing it tightly, his eyes full of care.
Anna let out a sigh, "It's nothing, Finn, I'm fine," she said with a soft smile, her thumb gently rubbing his.
"It's midday and you're in a robe. I worry about you, Anna," he said, looking deep in her eyes.
"You do?" she asked with genuine curiosity.
"Of course I do. I care about you. I'll always care," he said, pulling her near, reaching for her face, his hand stroking her hair, their lips so close.
Anna swallowed hard, her hand pressed to his chest, pushing him back, "Finn, no…"
He pulled back, looking into her eyes, realizing she hadn't welcomed him in, hadn't offered him tea or asked after Violet. His eyes narrowed, turning to the room he wasn't supposed to notice. His mouth turned up in a rueful smile "Oh..." he said, shaking his head, taking in the mess of clothes and pillows, two phones resting side-by-side on the coffee table.
"Finn…"
"What?" he asked, his voice echoing through the foyer up to Valentin, "You answered my question, you're clearly busy."
"Please," Anna whispered, "don't be like this."
Finn started to leave, running his hand through his hair to the back of his neck before turning quickly to her, "I just find it interesting…"
"What?"
"Cassadine. It is Cassadine, isn't it?" Anna didn't answer, she just held his gaze, "Yeah, I thought so," he said with a laugh, "He's been glued to your side for months, just waiting… Was breaking up the wedding his idea? It was, wasn't it?" She tried to answer but he didn't stop, "I just can't believe you fell for it." he said, shaking his head, "I always thought you were too smart for his smarmy charms. But what do I know? Maybe you like that. You're both cut from the same cloth, after all, trained in lies and secrets…" Finn paused, an ache rising in his voice, "I just wonder… how long?"
Anna sighed, "Don't be ugly," her voice barely audible, tears welling up, "You know how I felt, how I feel. I thought you were my last love, but you decided I was too dangerous and you gave up on us. I was willing to make sacrifices but it wasn't enough. You gave up."
Finn turned away, rubbing his neck, looking down at the floor, "How was the trip to New York?"
Anna sighed, "We found the pilot who IDed you so not so great," she said, her voice dry.
"Sorry fighting for Chase's life was such a buzzkill. I'm sure Cassadine had plans," he snarked.
"What if he did? Why do you care?"
Finn stood there, hands deep in his pockets, shaking his head, "Who knew you'd be so easy to fool?"
"I'm not being fooled."
"He's dangerous and deadly, you've known that for years. Why you don't see that now I truly don't understand," Finn said in exasperation.
"People change, Finn, Valentin's changed."
"I'm sure… Just like Peter."
Anna sighed, shaking her head, "You never trusted me," she said, her voice flat, "Never appreciated my expertise, not really. Never accepted that sometimes I know more than you," she said with resolve, "You got the answers you came for. You're safe. Violet won't be without both of her parents. You can relax."
Finn bristled, "Good. You're right, that is all I came for. Thank you Agent Devane. I'll let you get back to your love in the afternoon," he smirked, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Finn."
"I just hope this makes you happy," he said looking at her, then at the living room once more before turning away, not looking back, closing the door behind him.
Anna stared at the door, its click reverberating through the foyer. Her eyes glued to where he once stood, heart pounding, eyes welling up. She took a few steps before her legs wobbled beneath her, collapsing at the bottom of the stairs as she broke down, tears streaming down her face.
Valentin rushed down the stairs to her side, wrapping himself around her.
Anna leaned into him, "What are you wearing?" she said, looking down at the soft floral print, a small laugh breaking through her tears, "You look ridiculous."
"I thought you might need backup, and figured this was better than nothing," he said with a shrug.
"Is that a gun in your pocket?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Yes… and I'm happy to see you," he said, kissing her forehead.
Anna rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a giggle, "You're supposed to be in bed," she sniffled.
"I was never good at following directions," he said gently, holding her close.
"I shouldn't be crying. He ended things. We're over, we've been over. I don't even think about him anymore… really…"
"Sure you don't, you just had that picture on your phone because you forgot to change it," he said, squeezing her shoulder, "Just because a relationship ends, doesn't mean you stop loving them. You know that. It takes months, years, to get over love," he said, holding her close.
"Like you and Nina?" she asked.
"Yeah… but what we had was built on lies, benevolent lies, but still, I never trusted her with the truth."
"You're a good man," Anna said into his chest.
"Now who's lying?" he asked, lifting her face, looking into her eyes.
"I'm not lying, just getting to know you again. You've done shady things but you're a good man."
"I've done more than 'shady things'… Anna."
"Haven't we all?" she said with a kiss, "I'm sorry about all that."
"What? What he said?" Valentin rolled his eyes, "He's a fool. Why should I care?"
"He's not a fool."
"I don't care how many diseases he cures, any man who'd give up on you is a fool. A damn fool. You're worth fighting for, Anna Devane. Worth dying for. I'll never understand how he could just walk away."
Anna shrugged against him, sniffling.
Valentin stood and reached out a hand, gazing deep into her eyes, "Worth dying for."
Anna took his hand and was swiftly swept into his arms. She gasped, nesting her head into the crook of his neck as he carried her to the bedroom. He set her down, feet touching the ground with a dancer's grace. Her arms wrapped around him, body pressed against him. He stroked her hair and turned her face to his, kissing her tear stained cheeks.
"What do you need?" he asked, holding her close.
Anna shrugged, "I don't know," she said, sighing softly, resting her head on his chest, "A bath? That'd be nice, something warm and soothing," she said with soft eyes.
"Okay. One bath, warm and soothing."
Valentin kissed her gently and disappeared into the bathroom.
Anna's eyes followed him as he moved with purpose, the busy sound of water, towels, and bottles filling the air. She shivered, feeling his absence as she walked to her vanity. Opening a small box, she grabbed a towelette, cleaning the smeared makeup from her face before running a brush through her hair, watching him in the mirror, the swirl of his robe as his shadow danced over the tile floor. Anna smiled, applying a touch of perfume and lip gloss, piling her hair atop her head and fixing it with two gold pins. Pleased with the results, she stood, letting her robe and chemise fall to the ground.
"Ready for me?" Anna asked, leaning on the doorframe.
Valentin turned, nearly dropping the bottle in his hand, "Oh… yes," he gulped.
"Careful there," she said, biting her lower lip as she tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.
He let out a breath, a grateful smile sweeping his face, "God you're beautiful."
Anna blushed.
Valentin took her hand, helping her settle into the warm, fragrant water, "I'll get out of your hair," he said with a small smile, "I should be going anyway, I'm sure the Quartermaine's have a lot to say about my absence."
Anna reached out, a wet hand grasping his thigh, "I like you in my hair," she said, the belt of his robe wrapped around her hand, a tug and the knot was undone, the thin fabric falling to the floor, "Surely they can spare you."
Valentin laughed as the robe joined its belt, "And you thought I'd be the bad influence," he said, sinking into the water, his arms and legs wrapping around her, "It doesn't matter. If you want me here, I'm here. To the ends of the earth, Anna Devane."
She leaned back, letting out a deep breath, "Comfortable?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I'm in heaven," he said, with a kiss, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close.
"Valentin," she whispered, breathless, melting into him.
"How did I get to be this lucky?" he asked, his lips tickling her ear.
"I really don't know, must have caught me on an off day," she teased before taking his lips once more, wrapping her arm around his neck, deepening their kiss, her tongue commanding his mouth.
"Darling," he sighed, still marveling in his fortune, his hands running over her body, fingers lingering on a long dark scar along her ribs, "What happened here?"
Anna shifted, "It's classified," she said with a sly grin.
Valentin smiled, humming into her neck, "We have ways of making you talk," he growled, lips and teeth making their way from her ear to her shoulder as she purred at the sensation.
"Alright," she moaned, "I'll tell you everything."
"Right here," he asked, his fingers running along her ribs, "what happened?"
Anna sighed at his touch, "Firefight in Cartagena. You should see the other guy."
His hands moved across her back, her body bending at his touch, "And here," he asked, fingering a crescent shape at her waist.
"Interrogation is Belgrade… or was that Kiev? No…. yes… that was Belgrade, this one is Kiev," she said, raising her hip out of the water.
"Oh Anna," he said, wanting to comfort a lifetime of pain even though he knew that's what she signed up for when she joined the WSB so many years ago.
"It's okay," she said, a damp soothing hand running along his jaw, "I got away and they didn't learn a thing. I'm very good at my job," she said, leaning back into him.
"I know you are," he said, kissing her palm. "Last one, what happened here?" he asked, his hand covering a deep scar on the island of her knee.
"Legos," she said matter-of-factly.
"What happened in Lagos?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Anna laughed, "Not Lagos, LEGOS, Emma's Legos to be exact. Those things are the worst! 15 stitches 8 years ago and it still itches!
They filled the room with laughter.
Valentin held her tight, "I want to kiss everywhere you've ever hurt."
"Oh?" she asked, reaching back, her hands on his neck, "That's a lot of kissing."
"I'm up to the challenge."
She moved her hand to her cheek, turning it to him, remembering an explosion and its life changing consequences. His lips brushed her skin before making contact, the kiss soft and intense.
"One down," she smiled.
Anna ran her hands along his arms, lingering over his tattoo, "I never thought I'd end up in the arms of a Cassadine," she said, tracing the edges of the dark black crest.
"Don't worry, you didn't."
"Did you ever think of having it removed?" she asked, fingers dancing over the lions and shield.
"I did," he said, pulling her close, "After the wedding fiasco and the DNA test... I just wanted it gone, all I saw were Helena's machinations and lies. But, when I sobered up, I realized it would be like removing a part of me," he said, looking at the Cassadine tattoo for the first time in a long time, "I've had it for so long… I still remember the day it happened, being brought up to the main house, held by a man who seemed impossibly big as the needles pierced my skin. Mikkos watching everything. He told me it was a test to earn the Cassadine name. The pain, a rite of passage, if I made it through this, maybe I'd be worthy. I remember tears and flinching, yet it was still only a fraction of the pain I'd grown used to as my body grew and twisted. When they finished, Mikkos was so proud. His boy. His strong, stoic boy. He carried me in his arms to the main house, his first born. But Helena protested, I can still hear the shouting, the cursing… antiquities were thrown. It was messy and I was quickly sent away."
"But why?" Anna asked, looking up at him with soft brown eyes, "How could she do that to her own son?"
"Who knows why Helena did anything," he said, softly stroking her hair, "Maybe she thought Mikkos would find out the truth? Maybe my growing deformity disgusted her? I'll never know for sure. Whatever it was, she made sure I was gone. Just me and the Cassadine crest and a name that wasn't mine..."
"Ivan Theodore," Anna sighed, remembering the boy he once was.
"At boarding school the crest became a touchstone, the only link to my family, a legacy to be earned, a connection to something greater than my solitary existence. Maybe they'd want me back if I proved myself worthy, but as I grew older the family shunned me, even Mikkos. No one wanted a hunchback in the family tree. I was truly alone and the crest, the Cassadine mark, fueled my desire for revenge. I'd look at those lions and fantasize about how I'd make them grovel."
"And now?"
"It's a reminder I don't need the Cassadines or revenge. I have everything I need right here. I have Charlotte and Bailey… and I have you…" he said, looking down at her.
"Oh, you have me, do you?" she said, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes I do," he said, kissing her, "and I'm not letting you go."
She turned to him, her body floating momentarily before he pulled her close, her legs wrapping around his waist, anchoring her. She wrapped her wet arms around his neck, her fingers combing through his hair, her eyes on his lips.
"We should probably turn our phones back on," he said, his fingers running up and down her spine, tracing wet circles along her back, "Get back to the real world."
"Yeah…" she sighed, her hips moving against him, the water rippling around them as she felt him stir.
"We've got a bad guy to catch… " he breathed into her ear before taking her earlobe between his teeth.
"Mm hmm…" she hummed, removing the pins from her hair, letting it cascade to her shoulders, his fingers tangled in the dark waves.
"A baby to find…" he growled, pulling her hair, his mouth on her neck.
"Uh huh…" she moaned, reaching down and taking him in hand, coaxing his arousal.
"And then there's the Quartermaines…" he groaned, his eyes meeting hers, dark with desire.
"Oh yeah, them," she smiled, as she slid over him, her head falling back with a cry as she rocked against him, the water cresting and splashing over the sides of the tub.
"Anna," he exhaled her name into her mouth, his body moving with hers.
"Yes!" she cried, an exclamation more than a question as they moved together, her fingers digging into his back.
"The real world?" he asked with a grunt, though at this moment he didn't care if the real world ceased to exist.
"Yes," she purred, "Bad guy. Baby. Quartermaines," she said between thrusts.
Anna took his face in her hands, staring into his eyes as their bodies moved together, "We've got this," she whispered low as her body began to pulse against him, an ecstatic moan escaping her throat. Their movement more erratic as they came into each other, their voices bouncing off tile walls.
"We've got this," she repeated with a smile, her breath heavy.
"We do?" he panted, holding her close to him, the pounding of their hearts filling the room.
Anna took his face in her hands once more, her thumbs caressing his cheeks, "We do. Darling," she said before kissing him long and slow.
They relaxed into each other, a wave of contentment washing over them, nestled in each other's arms. A sea of troubles made far less difficult now that they had each other.