A/N Thank you for the response to the last chapter. The reviews you left were really fun. Hope you enjoy this chapter just as much.
I don't own...
Anna got to work the next day she made her way straight to the lounge to see John. She wasn't surprised at all to find him already there fixing her a cup of tea and plating up their pieces of his mother's tart. What did surprise her however, was when he pulled her into the corner of the kitchen, out of sight of the door, and placed a quick but tender kiss to her lips.
"That's a nice surprise," she smiled, her hand still resting on his chest, "but a bit risky at work, don't you think?"
John leaned down to speak with her softly, "I won't make a habit of it," he admitted, "but you can't blame me. I haven't seen you in a whole day."
He handed her the mugs of tea and took the plates to the table himself.
They were still alone so Anna started their conversation by repeating, "I wish you weren't going to Scotland tomorrow."
"Don't kid yourself that I'll be any happier," John commiserated. He took her hand and ran his thumb over her fingers in the way she was beginning to realize she could no longer live without.
Just then, Thomas and O'Brien burst into the room and John quickly pulled their hands under the table. Anna gave his hand a little squeeze before resuming her makeshift breakfast.
"Surprised to see you here this time of day, Anna. You've never been a morning person," O'Brien mentioned, looking at Anna and John suspiciously.
"I had the promise of an apple tart to pull me from my bed," Anna answered cheerfully. She hardly ever rose to the other pair's snide comments. It was one of the characteristics John really envied in her.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude not to bring enough for everyone Bates?" Thomas commented.
"It was my mother who sent them, Thomas. Are you insinuating that she's rude?" the threat was implicit in his tone.
Thomas stared at the older man for a few seconds and then changed his tack, "Have you packed your long johns, Bates. I hear the temperatures in Glasgow this week are supposed to be brutal."
"My, my Thomas. I didn't know you cared. Thanks for looking out for me," John replied.
"Better you than me, that's all I can say," the younger man sneered.
"Better for you and our clients, I'd say."
Anna stifled her giggle and rose from the table, taking her's and John's plates, "As lovely as this little chat has been, I've actually got work to do. Are you coming, John?"
He joined her but in the hallway he took her by the arm, "You go on ahead. I have a meeting with Matthew this morning. I'll see you at lunch."
"Ok," she readily agreed, "have a wonderful day, Mr. Bates."
"You too, Miss Smith."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So what can I do for you this morning, Bates?" Matthew Crawley motioned John to a chair, "Can I get you a tea or coffee?"
"No, thank you. I've just finished a tea." John sat somewhat awkwardly, a little nervous about asking for Matthew's help. "I need to be upfront with you, I'm not here on company business."
"No?"
"No. I'm sure you know that I'm in the middle of a contentious divorce?" John ran his hand through his hair and looked around the younger man's office.
"Yes…"
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me finalize a deal with my ex-wife. Wife," he added quickly.
"Divorce isn't my specialty," Matthew cautioned, "I thought Murray was representing you in the divorce," he leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head.
"He was...is. But I feel his strategy isn't really working for me anymore."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"He likes to play hardball you see. He doesn't want to give Vera anything. Which was fine with me up until now."
John looked at the younger man, trying to discern whether or not Mary had told her husband about he and Anna, but in true lawyer fashion, Matthew was giving nothing away. "You see, my circumstances have recently changed. I want to move on with my life."
"Murray works for you. If you tell him to stop taking a hard line he has to do it."
"Yes, but he sets Vera's teeth on edge. Mine too if I'm honest. I don't think she'll go for the change in tune if he suddenly brings it up. She'll find it suspicious."
"And she won't with me?"
"We can make up some story about Murray being too busy or something. As an excuse. Then you can swoop in and be charming, and handsome, and sweet. Please Matthew," John almost begged, "I need this."
"Alright Bates, I'll do it. I'll talk to Murray today and smooth it all over then we can get back together and you can tell me the terms you want."
"I'll be in Scotland pretty much the rest of this week," John reminded him.
"I'll see if I can get in to see Murray this morning and maybe we can meet up again this afternoon."
"Thank you Matthew, I know I'm making you move your schedule around."
Matthew smiled, "Anything for you, Bates. Mary would have my hide if I didn't do everything in my power to help Anna out."
John let the comment slide, not knowing whether or not Matthew really knew something or just assumed Anna would be pleased for him.
"Besides," Matthew went on, "as I said. It never hurts me to stay on Robert's good side."
John waved the comment off, "Nonsense, Robert sees you as the son he never had."
"And he sees you as the brother he never had. So there you have it."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
That night, John found himself daydreaming when he should have been packing. His mind kept drifting to the two times he had seen Anna earlier in the day. The first was in the lunchroom sharing their meal together. As they were chatting amicably with the rest of their colleagues, Anna had placed her hand on John's thigh and used her finger to draw what he could only assume were little hearts. The effect on him had been immediate and he had practically choked on his chicken. He'd had to take several gulps of water to calm himself down.
The second incident happened on the way out of the building. He and Anna were in the lift together with the doors about to close. John had already formed a plan in his mind that he would use their time alone wisely by kissing her senseless until they reached the first floor. He had never been so happy to work on the 27th in all his years with Grantham Industries. His plans were foiled however, when at the very last moment, Joseph Molesley slipped in muttering how lucky he was that the doors had not fully closed. John didn't give up hope immediately. He thought perhaps he could sneak a quick kiss once they had left Joseph on the sidewalk, but it was raining and Joseph had insisted on walking Anna to her bus stop so she could share his umbrella. John suspected the financial analyst fancied Anna and the episode made him decidedly cranky. He was only partially mollified by the longing look Anna gave him as she walked away.
A brooder at the best of times, John was now practically throwing things into his well worn valise. When his stomach growled, he stomped to the kitchen to look for something to eat. He was woefully disappointed when he opened the fridge to find nothing but orange juice, a carrot or two, and some leftover pizza which had definitely seen better days.
He was just looking up the number of the Indian carry away when he heard a knock on the door. At first, his heart took a little leap, thinking maybe it was Anna. Then he reminded himself not to get his hopes up. It could just as easily be Mrs. Jenkins across the hall, needing him to come and fix her table leg again. The crinkles at the corners of his eyes leapt into life when he opened the door and saw that it was indeed Anna on the other side.
With a sheepish smile on her face, she raised a bag of Chinese food saying, "Do you mind?"
"Mind? No bloke in his right mind would be put out to find you on the other side of his door."
He stepped aside so that Anna could enter. Turning to him she said, "I don't have to stay if you're too busy. I can just drop the food and go. It's just… I barely got to see you all day and I won't see you for the next three days and I didn't even get a kiss goodbye…" she trailed off.
"Don't blame me for that. Blame Molesley," John shot back, "you have no idea the plans I had for you in that lift."
Anna giggled, "Poor Joseph. He doesn't have very good timing, does he?"
"Poor Joseph my eye. I'm the one who missed out. Here, give me those," John reached for the food and placed it on the hallway table, "Now come here you. I want my kiss."
He pulled her into his embrace and they shared one, sweet kiss. Still in his arms, she looked up and asked again, "You really don't mind?"
"Are you kidding?" John smiled, "You and food are my two favorite things. I was just looking up the number of the Indian place when you knocked. How did you know?"
"Haven't you learned by now, Mr. Bates? You and I are on the same wavelength," Anna teased.
"Oh, I've known that for a long time, Miss Smith," he replied seriously, "No one has ever understood me the way you do."
They ate their meal, sharing light banter and conversation as they did so. Anna asked John about his trip and he had her catch him up on what she would be doing while he was gone. When he mentioned that she was starting a project with Moseley, John gritted his teeth and quickly changed the subject. He mentioned again that he had no idea what to get Mr. Carson for the Secret Santa exchange. Anna suggested that perhaps he could pick out a nice bottle of Scotch while he was on his business trip, but John nixed the idea by reminding her that last year's sherry was still almost completely untouched.
After they had cleaned away the mess from supper, Anna followed John to his room to spend a bit more time with him while he packed. At first, John was pleased. He wasn't ready for Anna to go home just yet and thought they could have a bit of a cuddle on his couch once his packing was done. But once Anna was actually in his bedroom, John wondered if it had been such a great idea. It seemed to him that his bed had expanded to fill up almost all of the available space. He quickly spread his clothes, valise, and garment bag all across its surface, forcing Anna to sit in the easy chair in the corner while she continued to chat away.
She didn't seem phased at all by their surroundings, but John could hardly breathe. Everytime he got out another piece of clothing and placed it on the bed, he could imagine doing the same to Anna. He longed to take her by the hand, lay her down and make love to her until it was time for him to leave in the morning. He was so distracted by her presence, that he didn't even think when he went to his top drawer and pulled out several pairs of pants for the trip.
Anna laughed heartily.
"Black boxer briefs?" she teased, "Who's the racy one now, Mr. Bates?"
"Oh god," John groaned, turning completely scarlett. He quickly shoved the pants into his valise and returned to his closet, bringing out two suits.
"Where's the navy blue one with the faint pinstripe?" Anna asked, "You should definitely take that one. I can barely keep my hands off you whenever you wear it."
John swallowed hard at Anna's praise, "I tell you what," he mentioned with desperation, "I'm almost done here, I just need my shaving kit now. Why don't you go in the other room and pick a movie for us to watch. I'll be out before you know it."
"That sounds great," Anna beamed, jumping up out of the chair, "Are you sure you don't mind? I don't want to keep you up if you have to leave really early in the morning."
John retreated from the bedroom and into his en suite as quickly as possible, "No, I want you to stay for awhile. I'll be there in a minute, I promise. Why don't you make us some tea too."
As Anna left, John gave his shaving supplies a quick once over. Assured everything was there, he took a moment to run cold water into the sink and splash it over his face and neck before feeling settled enough to face Anna again. Maybe it was a good thing he was forced to spend a few days away from her, he thought. Maintaining his self control was getting more and more difficult.
He made his way into the other room and was charmed to see Anna wrapped in the hoodie that he had left draped on the back of the sofa. It was several sizes too big and engulfed her completely and yet she still managed to look gorgeous. In a way, he was relieved that she was now wearing something bulky over the form fitting jumper she had on in the bedroom.
"You don't mind do you?" she asked sweetly from the couch, "I was cold and I wasn't sure how long it would take you to get out here and help me stay warm."
"Not in the least," John reassured her, although what he wanted to say was that she would be the death of him if she kept being so utterly perfect.
Just then, the kettle whistled and John went to the kitchen to fetch the tea things. He returned in a moment with both tea and biscuits on a tray.
Anna's eyes sparkled when she saw what John had brought, "Mmmm,dark chocolate Digestives, my favorite."
"I know, that's why I've decided to keep them in supply," he replied, nestling down next to her on the sofa.
He was mesmerized as he watched her pull down the sleeves of his hoodie until they covered her hands so that she could cradle her mug of tea between them. She blew on the surface of the still too hot to drink brew and the way she pursed her lips had John's thoughts straying once again in decidedly ungentlemanly directions. The fact that "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison was playing on the stereo didn't help.
"I thought we were going to watch a movie?" he asked, sipping his own tea.
"I decided music was better. We probably wouldn't end up watching it anyway," she smirked, "At least not if I have my way."
She leaned back against the far arm of the couch and slid her bare feet under John's thigh.
"Jesus, Anna, you're feet are like ice," he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry," she tried to pull them away but John quickly set down his tea the grabbed them.
"I didn't mean you had to move them, I just… you poor thing, why didn't you wear boots or something?" He began to rub her feet, trying to warm them.
"I probably should have, but the shoes I wore over here were by the door and I didn't want to waste time. I wanted to be here with you. I must say," she purred, looking down at his hands on her feet, "I'm not really feeling like I made the wrong choice."
John chuckled once and unleashed one of the sexiest smiles Anna had ever seen. She couldn't resist the hum that escaped her lips as his hands drifted further up her calves.
"Jesus, you're beautiful," he growled.
"Even in this?" she asked, motioning to his hoodie.
"Especially in that. You wearing my clothes? Like this sweatshirt, or when you had my suit coat around your shoulders the other night…"
"Yes?"
"It does things to me, Anna. It makes me feel like you're really mine." His hands had moved up to her hips now and he was leaning further over to her side of the couch.
"I am yours, John," she sighed.
He had never heard her say his name in quite that way before and he could resist no longer. Her took her mug from her hands and placed it back on the table, "Not yet, but soon, I promise."
He shifted over a cushion to be closer to her and pulled her into an embrace, giving her a slow, sensual kiss.
"Funny, how we seem to keep ending up in this position, isn't it?" Anna teased.
"Are you complaining?" he asked, nibbling on her neck.
"Not at all," she answered playfully, "I'm just pointing out that I was right. We never would have watched a movie."
Hours later, when they were waiting for Anna's cab at the curb, she laughed, "Oh, I almost forgot to give you back your sweatshirt."
"Wear it on the way home. I can't do anything about your poor feet, but at least I can do that."
"I was hoping you'd say that," she admitted, "now I'll have a little piece of you with me while you're away."
"You have far more than that, Anna. Wherever I am."
He was about to say more. He was about to tell her he loved her, but the cab pulled up and the driver barked her name. For the second time that evening, he felt relief. He had almost slipped up and admitted the depths of his feelings for her. He needed Matthew to procure that divorce as soon as possible, otherwise, he was in big, big trouble.