Thank you all for the lovely reviews! My writing fairies are still AWOL but your comments inspired me to keep sailing. I hope you enjoy the results. Oh, I suppose I should warn you that we're venturing a bit into "M" territory here.


Edith was surprised by Anthony's flat. She wasn't certain what she'd expected but the simplicity of his quarters was not it. Once they were past a small entry they stood in a sparsely furnished sitting room. A sofa, a chair and a couple of tables occupied the room. The upholstery was in all in neutral tones and the wood was rather worn looking.

Anthony shrugged as he stood next to her, looking and really seeing the room for the first time in years. "I'm afraid it is all rather dull," he murmured.

"But not without possibilities." Edith replied. She moved through the room into a small dining area. The table could accommodate four comfortably but more than that might be a problem. The kitchen looked largely unused except for an espresso machine on the counter and a sink with several mugs waiting for attention. "I generally eat elsewhere," he explained. "Or sometimes take away here."

"We'll dine at home more often than not," Edith said softly. "That much take away isn't healthy and I intend to have you with me for a very long time."

Anthony smiled at her, his eyes sparkling. "I won't argue that," he quipped.

Two rooms were just off the main room. One was obviously Anthony's bedroom and he attempted to block her at the door, but ducking under his arm, Edith pushed through. And then she began to laugh. "Anthony Strallan, you are a slob," she said as she took in the clothes strewn over every surface in the room, a chair, his chest, the bedside table. The door to the cupboard was open slightly, the telltale sign of the lack of organization there being the sweater sleeve hanging haphazardly from it. The bed was rumpled, the covers pushed to one side and the pillows scattered. A chuckle rose in Edith's throat as she turned to see a very embarrassed Anthony watching her. Seeing her expression seemed to release some of his tension and he grinned. " There are no clothes on the floor," he pointed out. "Besides, It was not my intention to bring you here or I might have tidied up a bit."

"I'll grant that there are no clothes on the floor but for all your fastidiousness about so many other things, you truly are not very neat around the house, are you?"

Again he shrugged. "I'm afraid things just seem to land where I drop them and remain there until Mrs. Bates comes in to clean."

"Mrs. Bates? Another of your conquests?"

"Heavens no! She's a lovely woman but I'd be afraid to upset Mr. Bates. He looks as if he could be quite dangerous. And he's thoroughly smitten by his wife. They own a pub down the block and she does a bit of cleaning on the side. Good people really."

"I look forward to meeting them. Perhaps that's where we should eat later?"

"Yes, good idea," he answered as he gazed at her. "There's just one room left."

"Oh, yes…" Edith walked across to the last room and opened the door. "Oh Anthony," she exclaimed. The room was bright. One wall was completely filled with bookshelves, floor to ceiling. The adjoining wall was all windows. The next wall had cabinets half way up the wall and bookshelves above that. The wall with the door had a small table and a chair next to it. Pictures adorned the wall. A desk sat at an angle near the windows so one might take advantage of the light coming through them. About three feet in front of the bookshelves was a sofa, an occasional table next to it and a chair with its back to the door next to the table. It made for a rather cozy room. But what amused Edith about it were all the books… everywhere. The shelves were full until they looked as if they might burst. There were books stacked on the tables and in one of the chairs. There was a tall stack near the corner. And stacks rested on top of the cabinets, hiding the volumes on the lower shelves above the cabinet. "How many books do you own?" Edith asked as she took in the room.

"Erm… I'm not certain. At one time I believe we counted just under a thousand but I sold a few and bought a few more. And there are the books at Locksley, of course. I lost count of that collection years ago."

Edith turned and smiled up at him. Tilting his head slightly, he grinned back at her. "I like to read."

"Yes, I can see. How very convenient, as I enjoy reading as well. It will give us something to do between our… other activities." Edith was rewarded with a happily surprised expression from Anthony.

She felt his eyes on her as she walked the perimeter of the room scanning the books. Then she sat on the sofa. "Oh, this is very cozy," she remarked as she settled into it. Hesitantly, Anthony sat beside her, although she noticed he was careful not to sit too close. Pushing her shoes off her feet, she curled her legs under her as she got more comfortable. Her action had the added benefit of making her lean closer to Anthony. Then smiling up at him, she teased. "I think I might like to lose my virginity on the couch," she said softly.

"Edith, you promised," he barked as he leapt from his spot on the sofa, as if the cushion was on fire.

Chuckling, Edith replied. "I didn't mean at this moment." Trying to look contemplative, she added, "But I do like that notion."

Anthony's gulp did not go unnoticed. "We should go… leave… right now," he said hurriedly. Another chuckle from Edith caused him to stare at her like a frightened rabbit. "What?"

"I think we should probably give it a moment," she answered.

"Give what a moment?" he asked in confusion.

"You're …. Um….. Your trousers need… an adjustment," she giggled.

His face flushing red, Anthony glanced down to see that indeed, he was not ready for public viewing. "Oh god…." He stood by the door, obviously befuddled. "I can't go out like this but if I stay here with you being so…. , I'll never be presentable."

"I have a solution," she said coyly.

"Yes, and I know what that solution is and…. God, I can't believe I'm saying this…. No."

"You are being very dull, Anthony Strallan."

"I…." another gulp, "I'm pleased that you see things that way, for now."

"Oh no, what I am seeing is…. Very interesting," she replied as she stared pointedly at his problem.

"Edith!"

She shrugged. Can't blame a girl for admiring your…. Um… attributes.

"God…." His anguish amused her even more, much to his chagrin. "Will you stop this…. This…."

"What?" She asked, turning her amused eyes to his.

"Teasing."

"I think it is only fair. After all, you tease me constantly with your instance that nothing will happen before the wedding."

"But I explained…"

Her eyes travelled southward again. "Yes, you did. But perhaps we could compromise?"

"Compromise?"

"Well, there are ways to entertain one another without actually … doing IT. Or at least, that's what I've been told."

His eyes widened. "You want to… but no…"

"That's right. Kissing, petting, fondling… in all the right places, of course. But no intercourse."

"Er… I hadn't… thought…" It was easy to see that Anthony was considering her suggestion.

Patting the cushion next to her, Edith smiled. She knew she had won. "Why don't you come sit back down, next to me."

Like a hopeful puppy, Anthony did just that. "It really has been difficult, you know," he confessed. "I'm used to … well, that is to say, I'm not used to …. Abstaining."

Edith chuckled. "Yes, poor Anthony. Why don't we put you out of your misery?"

For one who had been so reluctant, Anthony wasted no time. They began kissing. And now that Anthony wasn't trying to keep such a tight lid on his feelings, the kisses were much more heated than any they'd shared before. Edith's head was spinning and she felt a tightening in her core that she was becoming quite familiar with in this man's company. Her heart was racing, beating at such a pace she thought it might explode. And finally, she gasped for air.

Pulling back only slightly, Anthony's concern was evident. "I… I'm sorry. I've overwhelmed you."

Reaching for him, Edith moaned. "Yes… you have and I want more. It's delicious." Then pulling him back to her, she began kissing him again.

Only a moment later, his lips were trailing down her throat as she leaned back toward the arm of the sofa, giving him full access. Somewhere in the swirling fog of bliss that he created, her mind wondered just how long she could survive this. No wonder sex is considered good exercise, she thought just as his lips reached the top button of her blouse and he paused to open it.

Edith knew she should do something, anything really, to answer his ministrations. But she was honestly too far gone to imagine what she might do. All she could do was hold his head to her, and offer an occasional wriggle underneath him. Somewhere in all the heat, he'd managed to undo her blouse completely and she was grateful for the brief moment of cool air on her skin before he was warming her again with his lips.

Her fingers were in his hair, his glorious wavy locks, frantically rubbing and wiggling and pushing him closer to her still. He was at her bra now, placing small pecks on the lacy fabric and then tucking his tongue under to tease her there. And to her surprise, she wanted him there. She tried to reach behind to unclasp the offending garment but could get there in the position she was in. As if reading her mind, Anthony's hand found its way and she was freed of it. Then pulling her slightly forward, he had both her bra and blouse off her in an instant. Any shyness she might have felt was quickly wiped away by the look of desirous appreciation that sparkled in his blue eyes as he took in the sight of her topless.

Noticing that she was gazing at the buttons of his shirt, he smiled mischievously. "Go ahead," he said softly. And she did, her fingers shaking with want as she unfastened each button. Pushing his shirt off his shoulders, she then tugged at his vest until he relented and pulled it over his head.

Edith knew her eyes must look huge. But the sight of him without a shirt…. She had simply not been prepared. Anthony wasn't the bodybuilder sort of masculine. Instead, he had long, lean lines. She'd expected some bit of hair on his chest but there was very little. Despite the flat planes of his torso though, there was obvious evidence of muscle. And she wanted next to him, his chest on hers.

But Anthony had other ideas. Her access to his chest was denied by his ministrations to hers. He began with warm kisses to her breasts, a hand fondling each one. And then…. Oh how Edith squirmed when he first began to tease one nipple with his fingers and traced circles around the other with his tongue. Warmth spread throughout her body with an intense flush of heat to her nether region. And we he took her nipple between his lips and then began to suckle, she gasped. Her hands were at his head,, pulling and kneading in his hair as her breath quickened. And just when she thought she could stand no more, he lifted his head and smiled at her wickedly.

"Are you enjoying this?" he asked, his expression showing that he knew she was.

"Oh please, Anthony…" she managed to breathe out.

"More?"

"You know I do."

He toyed with her breasts a while longer until Edith knew she needed something more. Snaking her hand down, she rubbed against the fly of his trousers. "Sweet Jesus!" Anthony exclaimed as he lifted his head. "Any more of that and the party will be finished," he told her in a breathless scolding.

"But I… "

Shifting his weight, Anthony sat up. Eyeing her dubiously, he shook his head. "You are determined to break my will in this, aren't you?"

"I just want you, Anthony. Especially when you … well, do what you were doing."

"As I want you, love. But even if I didn't want you to still be chaste on our wedding night, for your sake, I still couldn't... not right now."

"You seemed ready to me," she pouted.

"Er… it's not that. I haven't any condoms."

"I'm on the pill."

He shook his head. "Edith, please understand. I…. well, while I haven't been reckless I haven't been overly careful either….with women. I have an appointment next week, with the doctor, to be sure I am…. Clean."

Edith's eyes grew wide. "Oh. I hadn't thought… I mean, I guess I assumed you always used a condom… or something."

Anthony grimaced. "Yes, but not all the time. And while I don't believe there is a problem, I would like to be certain before I, before we consummate our relationship. Can you understand?"

With a sigh, Edith nodded. "Yes, I do understand. And… and thank you, for protecting me."

She looked to see his blue eyes sparkling at her and smiled. "I do love you so much. I can't wait until we can be completely one. But I know we must until you are satisfied that everything is alright. That doesn't take anything away from this… activity today though. If this is a prelude, them I am sincerely looking forward to the full performance."

"As am I, my sweet. But perhaps we should find another activity for now? Anymore prelude and I'm bound to forget my resolve."

"Alright. I believe you promised me dinner at the pub?"

"Yes, yes… erm, the bathroom is…"

"I saw the door. I'll just be a moment."

Within a few minutes both Edith and Anthony were fully clothed and presentable. Anthony paused at the door as they prepared to leave and looked down at Edith. "Perhaps one more kiss before we face the world?" Edith complied happily.