It must be far past midnight when John stirs and slowly awakes. Though he is not used to have Anna in his bed, he somehow recognized her absence. He slowly raises, his leg itching as usual, and looks around. Just a little light falls through the tiny window above the bed and it takes a second to spot her in the chairs. John smiles as he sees how she's curled up in the chair, her jacket used as her blanket. It looks really uncomfortable and he wonders why she decided to sleep in the chair. So he slowly rises and limbs over to her.

"Anna", he whispers and gently rubs her shoulder. Anna awakes instantly and looks up to him.

"Yes?"

Her voices doesn't sound sleepy at all. If you work as a housemaid you learn how to wake up and get a clear head quickly.

"Why are you sleeping here? Come back to bed."

Anna sits up and puts her feet on the floor. John is supporting himself on the rest of the chair.

"Well, you were stirring and moaning in sleep, so I figured that your leg hurts due to the little space you had. It's all right for me to sleep here, John. Just go back to bed and sleep."

"My leg doesn't feel worse than it normally does. I guess I just had a bad dream or something."

He takes her hand and pulls her to her feet, gently taking her in his arms. She feels cold. Anna sighs as the warmth of her man slowly wraps around her.

"Come to bed", John whispers in her hair, gently rubbing her sides.

"I really don't mind" Anna protests.

"But I do. If we're breaking the rules, we might as well enjoy it to the fullest" he jokes.

Anna chuckles.

"And you're sure your leg is all right?"

"Absolutely. With you pressed against it, how could it be miserable?"

Anna chuckles again and climbs into bed after John. As soon as she covers herself with the warm blanket, John puts an arm under her shoulders and presses her body against his. His lips find hers and he gives her a kiss that takes Anna's breath away.

"John…that is not sleeping" she whispers, smiling, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I've slept enough. How about you? Are you tired, my dear?" he asks while his hand slides over the small of her back, down to her cheek. Anna holds her breath. His voice is suddenly husky, his body so hot and his grip so demanding. She really likes it.

"Have you decided to take a mistress, after all?" she asks hopefully. John chuckles as he starts kissing her neck, teasing her jaw with the tip of his tongue.

"No, I would never dishonor you like this. But I decided that, as your future husband, I have the right, no, the obligation to give you a little preview on matrimony."

His hand starts to massage her butt cheek while he kisses her again. Anna's heart is bursting with joy and desire. She gives in without hesitance, lets her hands slide to his front, over his big chest down to his belly where she lets her fingers slide under his white shirt. His skin is hot and so soft under her fingers, she enjoys the tickling feeling of his chest hair against her palms. He feels so wonderfully strong, loves that there is so much of him to caress. She makes a mental note to herself to bite his chest once their married. Just to drive him mad, she chuckles inwardly.

Her hands explore his back before lowering to his butt, shyly caressing it with one hand before laying it on his hip. Her heart is beating faster. Does she dare to go further? She'd really like to touch it, feel it, even look at it. If John would approve?

Well, his hand is under her undergarment, covering her breast again. His thumb is playing with her hard nipple while he tortures her neck with his wonderful tongue and lips. She didn't really give him permission to do this, strictly speaking. Of course she enjoys it – Lord help her does she enjoy it – but he didn't ask her permission to touch her there. So why should she?

Biting her lower lip in excitement, her hand wanders to his front until her fingers feel his hard manhood.

John moans hoarsely and looks up.

"Anna!"

She has to suppress a laughter.

"What? You are touching my behind and my bare breast but I am not even allowed to touch you through your pants? That's pretty unfair, I think."

To make her point, she carefully starts to rub up and down his length. John's grip around her breast tightens and he closes his eyes for a moment. God, it's been so long since anyone had touched him there. And that Anna's doing it makes it even more arousing. Her slender fingers are shy but curious…

Before he can speak, he has to clear his throat.

"Didn't you mother warn you that it is dangerous for a young, innocent woman to touch a man's root?" he whispers hoarsely, can't help feeling even more aroused by his own words.

"Hmm…I don't recall anything like that…" she grins impishly, continuing her exploration.

"Do you want me to stop?" she whispers, her lips brushing against his.

"God, please don't" he moans before he claims her mouth passionately.

Anna grips him harder, what makes John moan again. Taking this as a good sign, Anna starts experimenting, rubbing him hard, soft, fast and slow. Soon, John presses her roughly against his ribs, moaning loudly in her hair. Anna can hardly breathe. But still she is fascinated by the thing in her hand. It's twitching, pulsating, and suddenly she feels a wet warmth through the clothing. She knows what that means and can't help but feel proud. She made him come!

She feels his fast beating heart, hears his accelerated breath and can't help but smile. She starts moving her hand again, what makes John wince. He takes her hand and pulls it away from him.

"Did I hurt you?" she worries.

"No, no…" he instantly calms her, kissing her hair and the hand that did this wonderful thing to him.

"I am just very sensitive down there right after an orgasm."

"Just you or every man?" Anna asks out of curiosity, but John looks at her, one eyebrow raised questioningly.

"Are you planning to do this to other men, too?"

Anna chuckles and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Absolutely not, Mr. Bates. Yours is the only thing I desire to touch."

"Good girl", he jokes and gently kisses her.

"Now…I think someone still needs to find relief…" he smiles that crooked smile that makes her heart flutter as he pushes her down onto the bed again, his hand roaming over her body before gently slipping under her skirt again. Just with his fingertips he caresses her thighs, moving upwards. He looks down on her, while he gently spreads her legs a little. Anna's hands rest against his chest, gripping his shirt in anticipation. Her lips are slightly parted, her cheeks are red…an adorable thing to look at. Not looking away, John lets his fingers run over her most secret place, softly as air at first. He hears how she is holding her breath as he parts her gently with his fingers. She lies completely still until John touches her hot, wet flesh. They both moan at the same time. Anna fights to keep her eyes open, to stay in control. But his fingers make her feel the most wonderful things. She can't believe that this is actually happening, that John Bates, the love of her life, lies in bed with her, caressing her and looking at her so intense, his soft brown eyes shining with love and adoration. God, how she loves this man, she thinks and wraps her arms around his neck to pull him close. His lips are soft, his tongue is moving playfully in her mouth. And his fingers! Anna moans into his mouth. His fingers rub her most sensitive spot now and her legs start to tremble. Waves of lust rush through her body and she loses control. John holds her tight while pleasing her, kissing her again and again, until she rears up and lets out a little scream. He continues to rub her gently while she calms down, lying still at last. Reluctantly, John pulls his hand away. He could have continued this forever.

"Oh my…that was…amazing" she says, breathing heavily. She pulls him down for another kiss.

"It's just the beginning, Love" he whispers while nibbling on her lower lip.

"As soon as we're on our honeymoon, I'll please you in every way I know."

Anna shivers at that thought.

"That sounds good. But it makes it even harder to wait."

He smiles and takes her in his arms, covering both of them with the blanket.

"Believe me, it's worth waiting."

"I have no doubt."

Anna snuggles against him, wrapping an arm around his chest.

"Promise me you stay in bed this time", John whispers as her pulls her even closer, his cheek leaning against her head. He closes his eyes and enjoys holding her in this intimate way.

"I will, John. This night is ours and I want to feel you as long as possible."

"So do I, my sweet Anna. So do I…"