Words – 13.6K and at least 5K of that is M rated. Enjoy…
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Anna looked at herself through the small mirror of her compact for what had been the tenth time in less than an hour. Fidgety and unable to remain calm, she had to find something to do as she waited outside of Whetherby prison for Mr. Bates release. She'd already looked at her messages several times, had walked around her car twice, inspecting for wear and GPS trackers, and had paced the many steps between her car and the entrance. Matthew had confirmed that prisoners who had earned their right to depart were let out in the morning and it was already a quarter past nine. What could be taking so long? Leaning against the passenger door, she patted her skin with powder, attempting to cover up her bruises one last time. Half-way through the process, a ray of sunshine deflected its light differently into the mirror and Anna could tell she had more powder than needed. With a sigh of resignation, she realized it didn't matter how much make-up she wore, the remnants of her attack could not be covered up and she'd end up looking ghostly white if she wasn't careful. Just as she had brushed it on, with the opposite end of the sponge, she dusted it back off. She fastidiously put her compact away.
Finally, a screeching door in desperate need of a good oiling, alerted her that something was happening. Alone in this section of the parking lot, Anna swerved to witness the door being pushed wide open by a guard. Her heart began to beat wildly inside her. She could not see him yet, but her excitement could not be contained. She had to put her hand to her stomach to steady herself. Please let it be him, she chanted into the wind.
The guard finally stepped aside and out came the man she had been waiting for. He was wearing the same suit as the day he was arrested, except he had thinned some since the last time he wore it. If not for the belt, the pants would have sagged. He had a bit of stubble, but he was still her handsome Mr. Bates. Worry lines were etched upon his forehead, but they quickly subsided when he saw her. A huge smile erupted on his face.
She was there, his lovely Anna. He felt like he was in a trance, staring at an ethereal being. His feet were firmly planted on the ground, for no reason, almost like lead. He wanted to go to her, but he couldn't move. Her incandescent light required distance for appropriate appreciation. With a resounding thud, the door was closed behind him and the noise was enough to wake him from his dreamlike catatonic state. They were all alone with a vast swath of space between them. Desperate to touch her, he stepped forward and as he did, she did too. Anna broke into a jog, trotting straight for him. He opened his arms, and within seconds, the reunion he had so longed for had taken place.
She was cocooned within his arms and he couldn't have planned it better. He was under the impression that Robert would fetch him, but this was a dream, to have her here instead. Anna clung to him, and he to her. He was bent over, holding her, almost as an act of contrition. He owed so much to her.
She pulled apart momentarily to look at his face. "Thank God," she pronounced feebly, overcome with the emotion of the moment.
"Yes, Thank God," he answered, but rightfully added, "….and you." She'd done everything. If it wasn't for her, he'd still be in there.
Unable to contain himself any longer, he kissed her. At first, it was sweet, their lips locked as a natural demonstration of their love for each other. Then, it turned frantic. It wasn't desperation to consume their relationship; not this time. After a long absence from each other, this was impatience to feel each other close and ascertain that the other was really there. In a frenzy, he kissed her cheeks, eyes, mouth, chin… anywhere he could reach. His arms caressed her arms, down her sides, up her back, without a real rhythm. Anna reacted the same way, with added tears in her eyes. She also peppered his face with her kisses, and held his head close to hers.
"You're here," she added as she molded herself against him.
"I am," he barely responded, largely out of breath for feeling her so close to her. He couldn't have anticipated experiencing such intense feelings at this moment, but he was. After being helpless for weeks, he felt like this was the start of something great. "…..and I don't want to ever leave you."
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Tearing apart from one another had been a challenge. They walked to the car, still clasped together, and then, lingered against the car for another few minutes. They simply couldn't get enough of each other and only when it became necessary to leave this horrid place, did they finally separate. He looked horribly cramped in his seat, as this was a small car, but they still held hands. It was there that Anna put him up to speed with what he could expect. Since he was still not divorced, it was not prudent for John to go anywhere else but Robert's house, and Cora had graciously set up the guest bedroom in their home for him. There was never any doubt in the Crawley family's minds that he belonged with them. It was comforting to know that he had somewhere to go, and was wanted, as he was not sure yet what would happen with his frozen assets. He was still penniless, and the only things he owned were those that he had taken with him the day he left Vera. All of those meager belongings had been collected from his hotel room, months ago, by Robert, and were waiting for him at the Crawley home too. Robert had wanted to pick him up, but knowing that John would be staying with him, he preferred the lovebirds to have a few moments together until reality separated them. Picking him up was deferred to an overjoyed Anna.
She was supposed to bring him straight to Robert's house, and then head back to Bates Airlift. She was even dressed for work, sporting a long sleeve shirt, a smart skirt and her signature high heels. It was a Wednesday; John's actual release having been delayed from the week before, by beaurocracy, and it wouldn't be until the weekend that there would be any celebrations. Robert was planning a welcome back get-together at his pub, for anybody at the office that wanted to come greet their former boss. The invitation would only go out once John was actually released. Even though Matthew was certain it would happen, both Robert and Anna were doubtful, and John brooded in his cell, until they were all told Tuesday night that it was actually happening.
Anna would have wanted, more than anything, to have the day off and spend it with him, but, the staff was none the wiser about their relationship. Anna still had to be careful and go back to the office to attend to her duties. The team was not aware, as it was, that Anna's time off this morning had been to run this joyful errand. She informed Ethel that she was meeting with Robert to provide him an operational update, at his other office, and that she would be back by lunch. She'd feign getting notification of his release later on in the afternoon.
As they made their way into the city, John couldn't help but gaze at Anna. What he wanted most was to spend some time with her. "Are we really not able to see each other for a while?" John asked forlornly after Anna explained the plan. It was unfair that after so much time kept apart, they still could spend their time together freely. It also seemed such a contradiction that only a few months ago, he was the one explaining to Anna that it was not prudent for them to be seen together. He was keener than ever before. Even now he wanted to be with her.
Anna could sense the longing in his voice, but they must be patient just a little while longer. "We can talk on the phone, but John….. you're not divorced yet, and with Vera on the run from police, it is still not prudent for us to be seen together." Now that he wasn't in jail, it was harder for them to justify seeing each other publicly and socially. Although he was still their "consultant", and Robert and Anna had agreed that it would not be a problem for John to go to the office, it was still too soon after his release to manage it. They wanted to wait a few days before they did that. They still had to continue with the ruse that John no longer owned the company, which technically he didn't, and if he came to the office too soon, it would send conflicting messages to the staff about who the real boss was. Until his divorce came through, then Crawley Partners could sell John back his shares.
"Have they really not found her?" John enquired. When Matthew explained that Vera had disappeared, at about the same time that the trial had started, John couldn't believe it. Anthony's recording of Edna's declaration that Vera had orchestrated the fraud and framed her husband, coupled with the cyber stunt, had proven to be enough evidence for the judge presiding over the case to call the proceedings to a halt. Edna's later written affidavit, and the York police department cyber team's investigation and confirmation into the evidence provided during the cyber onslaught, was compelling enough for the charges against John to be dismissed. He was a free man, even though Vera was on the run. Everybody speculated that perhaps Edna, even when betraying the woman, had alerted her to what was coming. It was too convenient to believe that Vera had planned all along to disappear once the trial started, or as a result of Thomas' arrest. Until then, there had been no evidence against her. She had to have been tipped off.
"No, they haven't. We tracked her car north, until she reached Glasgow, then the signal went dead."
It was expected that she was in Switzerland by now. Joe had not found an account for her yet, but she spoke so brazenly with Thomas in those conversations that Anna had recorded, about this destination, that none of them had any reason to doubt that she'd already absconded. They didn't care that she was brought to justice, as long as the authorities knew that she was the culprit and John was innocent.
His wife's disappearance worried him, but not enough to distract him. He had other thoughts on his mind. Still in the vicinity of Whetherby, they were at a red light, and John leaned forward, taking advantage of the car's stop, to place a kiss on Anna's neck. He lingered there, his lips ghosting her ear and jaw. He was being selfish and at risk that Anna could condemn his friskiness and find his behavior, so soon after leaving jail, too wanton. He supposed he should be a gentleman, spend more quality time with her before attempting to know her physically again, but the magnetism between them was too much. Every flash of her eyes, even the most innocent glance, was generating friction within him.
Anna responded the way he wanted, by tilting her head towards him. She nuzzled her head against his cheek, and welcomed his touch. She breathed in. This is what she secretly wanted, to have John close to her. She wasn't brave enough to suggest it, since she didn't want him to think she couldn't be patient. A car behind them politely honked its horn. The light was green, but Anna was not focused at all on the road. Surprised, she shifted the gears, and put the car in motion.
They merged onto the A1, the road that would take them almost straight to Ripon and to the awaiting Crawleys.
Having Anna respond to him, excited John. God, he wanted her so much. They'd waited long enough. Perhaps she wouldn't be offended if he demonstrated just how much he wanted her.
Anna desired John and was pleased that he had sought her. When she pulled away, coldness, even when they were at the end of summer, invaded her. She wanted to feel his warmth again. Once they arrived at the Crawley's she might not get a chance in a long time. Boldness was the only way.
"Anna," John remarked, and at the same time, she spoke to him, "Mr. Bates." Both were trying to call the other and they did it in unison.
Both grinned at their perfect timing. Anna felt bashful and one look at him made her realize that he was feeling the same way.
Anna found the nerve to speak again. "You don't suppose," she started, at the same time that John offered, "Perhaps we should…"
They chuckled at having spoken one over the other, again.
"Ladies first," added John quickly before they did it a third time.
She felt herself flush, now that she had his full attention. She was brave a moment ago, but the words escaped her. How could she word this without sounding too eager? "Robert doesn't know when to expect us …" She struggled to get her point across and sighed. She had to keep her eyes on the road and that made it much harder. She was sure that words would not be necessary if she could just look at him. "It will be a while," she started again "before we can be together, alone."
He understood perfectly what she was trying to say. She had the same thoughts he had. They both wanted each other, and to take advantage of their precious little time.
"Darling… every minute of time I spend with you is a gift, and there is nothing I want more right now, than to be with you."
She turned quickly to glance at him and to gauge his intention. His sweet statement could mean many things, but when she gazed upon his face, his lips were open and his eyes craving her. A pang of desire went through her body.
She would get off this road and find them a place, any place, where they could be alone. A hotel wouldn't be convenient right now. They didn't have time for that. She needed to find a secluded area, some bushy field where they could be hidden by trees. Eager, she pressed the accelerator harder and swerved towards the next exit.
They made it to the outskirts of the Allerton quarry, where there were many trees right off of the main road. The place looked appealing, and John suggested, "Turn here." There were many leafy birches, all around them, and the place was deserted. Anna brought the car to a screeching halt behind a specimen with low hanging branches. They would be protected from view.
"Now what?" Anna asked as she scoped the area. She was bold, but not reckless. She couldn't mess up her work clothes by lying on the ground, and she did not have a blanket. John didn't respond with words, rather, his hand came across to her side, gently turning her head. When she was in the right angle, he brought the same hand behind her head and brought her face towards his.
His lips were on hers immediately, and an electric rush traversed through all of her nerve endings. It was so easy to succumb to her feelings for him and she wanted more, much more. With the blasted gear box between them, this would not work. The backseat would have to do. He was such a large man; the front just wouldn't have enough space for what they wanted to do.
As they continued to kiss, his hands came up to cup her face, and hers thread around his neck. She was in heaven. He groaned, and she knew it was time to move this where they might be more comfortable. It was just too cramped for her to straddle him up front.
"The back," she managed to utter when they broke for air, and he understood her intention.
He let go of her and looked into her eyes. He could see the bruise and he was brought back to reality. What was he doing? Anna had just been through a trauma, less than a month ago, and here he was, eager to be intimate with her again. Even though he had encountered no resistance, and she had suggested this, he was a brute for not even acknowledging the situation or asking if there was anything he ought to do differently.
"Are you sure?" he managed to say, still close to her. His hand caressed her cheek and lightly traced the vestiges of the bruise. "I don't want to do something you're not comfortable with. Maybe it is too soon."
Her heart warmed at his comment and her skin tingled at his contact. Every day since her attack had been busy. Come to think of it, she hadn't really sat down to internalize what had happened. In between the job and the investigation, there was no time to even breathe, much less dwell on her feelings. Maybe that was a good thing. She felt fine now, and she felt amazing when she was with him. She wanted this and she had no intention of stopping. Being with him was all she had dreamed of for weeks and the unconventional nature of this tryst was of no importance. Of course she was sure.
To demonstrate just how ready for him she was, she pulled her shirt out of her skirt and started working on the buttons. "Does this answer your question?" In no time, her bra was visible.
His reaction was immediate. Her assurances gave him the confidence to touch her again. The half-moon of her breasts peaked out from above their laced constraints and he lunged toward her. Even with the gear box between them, his arm wrapped around her, bringing her closer to him, and his spare hand pushed her bra up, revealing her breasts to him. She arched in response, and he was on them immediately, sucking at them without stopping. It felt so, so, good.
In such a restricted space, and with the way they were positioned, she couldn't even help with the removal of his clothing. She could only avail herself of his head, and she wove her hands through his hair, pulling at it whenever his deft tongue tantalized her nipples. She wanted more than his hair - she wanted to touch him and her frustration was building.
"The back, Mr. Bates, the back," she urged, and he finally responded by stopping. She was tempted to get to the back by contorting her body and throwing herself over the driver seat, as eager as she was, but, her better sense prevailed. There would be no time to mend or fix her clothing should they tear or crease. She opened the door, and saucily announced, "Meet me in the back." Looking around to make sure that they were still truly alone, she removed the shirt and hung it as best as she could on the driver side. As she maneuvered to take off her skirt, she saw him fiddling with his clothing. He took off his jacket and hung it from the passenger seat, and opened the buttons of his shirt. Her skirt came off carefully, and in no time, it was laid out safely. She opened the back door, and as she did, a shirtless Mr. Bates did too.
They both leaned in, supporting their bodies by both arms on the cushions, and met in the middle, another searing kiss bringing them closer to where they wanted to be. Anna scooted inside, without ever leaving his mouth alone, and positioned herself to where she was half-sitting, half lying against the door. Somehow, she managed to close it, and the door paneling provided support for her head. There was no way to stop and determine what would be the best way. Their mindless thinking and impromptu actions would result in whatever would be. While she had maneuvered into this position, Mr. Bates had kept peppering her lips with kisses, each one hotter and deeper than before. His body was almost fully inside, on top of her, and while he needed his arms to support his body in this odd position to not smother her, his mouth had not stopped its mission to excite her and ready her. He had started alternating between kissing her jaw, and under her neck, in the little spot he discovered drove her wild the last time they were together. Anna's hands were put to good use, and she managed to unbuckle his belt, bring down the zipper. His tented shorts were on display, and her hand reached in, taking him by surprise. His brow furrowed and he stopped his ministrations as he felt her hands caressing him. He appeared to be in divine ecstasy. He moaned, gutturally, as further proof of his approval.
"Wait, Anna," he pulled back away from her and moved back, sitting at the very edge of the opposite end the back seat. He intended for her to help him remove his clothes. The back seat was not very long at all, since Anna's car was small, thus, his long legs awkwardly dangled in front of her as he attempted to remove his pants. The door on his end remained open, and as precariously as he was perched, it was imperative to hold on or risk falling out in an embarrassing way. He grasped the rim of the car, and with the other hand, pushed the pants and shorts down over his hips. Anna pulled from her end, and she grasped as much of the fabric as she could, eager to have them off him. Soon enough, she had them in her possession and they were tossed unceremoniously into the front of the car. She then clutched at his shorts, and Anna took greater enjoyment in seeing them removed. He was lovely to look at, and Anna unabashedly took pleasure in what she saw. Her hand instinctively reached for her knickers and she rubbed herself lightly in front of him. She was wet and ready. His eyes followed her actions, and he stilled her hand, taking hold of the elastic edge of the knickers at the same time. Anna reached forward at that moment, intent on kissing him, and he leaned forward as well. It was more cumbersome this way, trying to remove them, but they had already been separated a few seconds and it wouldn't do to be apart any longer. With desperation setting in, John eased them down over her knees, but Anna was ready for him and spreading herself, making it harder to remove them the last bit. He wasn't even looking at what he was doing, as concentrated on her mouth as he was. His other arm was positioned on the floor of the car, holding him up. The fabric stretched and pulled, thankfully did not tear, and by some miracle, he managed to get one leg out, and that was enough.
He was inside of her immediately after that and their lips separated. Anna moaned at the feeling of it all, and John was just as awe-struck at the sensation her tightness produced. It was marvelous and new, although he'd already had her, but being released from prison was a rebirth of sorts, and he was living everything again as if it were the first time. He wasted no time in beginning to thrust, setting up a rhythm that didn't relent. For someone who'd been locked up without much exercise, he was masterful, showing no signs of slowing down. He came at her time and time again, hard and fast, then slow and deep. Anna's cries were loud, and the most perfect noise he'd ever heard. He dreamed of this, on those lonely nights alone, and planned this, taking her by storm, elevating her to the highest realm of pleasure. She clung to him as best as she could, one arm wrapped around his shoulders and her other arm, stretched back and against the window. The palm of her hand was splayed on the glass, and was necessary to prevent her body from being banged against it. They were producing much heat, and the moisture of their encounter was accumulating on the glass.
"I love you," she breathlessly whispered into his ear. She meant it. She couldn't imagine doing this with anybody else, ever again. She was his forever.
The next roll of his hips became a catalyst in a most earth-shattering feeling. She managed to emit a weak, "John," and her orgasm took her in a way she'd never experienced. Burning heat that started at her core was dispersed along her entire body, and a she felt intense tingling across every extremity. She must have blacked out, if only for a minute, because as the energy within her continued to swirl and she felt like she'd been transported somewhere. When she came to her senses, he was still there and they were still joined together, his heat still consuming her body.
"That was lovely, seeing you just now…," he praised her, and when she reached out to kiss him, he knew to start again.
Anna was more composed this time, having already reached her peak. She sought to increase his pleasure, and tightened the muscles of her vagina with every internal caress. The effect was as intended. In the next thrust, he arched his back, stretching his muscles as he poured into her. He moaned again loudly, as his warmth filled her completely.
She loved this feeling and loved sharing it with him. There was nothing more precious than the sensation of complete and divine union with another human being. He rested his body on top of her, even in their awkward positioning, and she wished him not to move. He was still inside her. No longer needing to support her body against the glass, she brought her arm around to hold him tighter as he recuperated. She was dwarfed by him, his head in a higher position, and his feet reached outside the car, but she still had enough space to kiss his neck and jaw, the skin closest to her. She momentarily released her grip on him to ruffle her hands through his hair, and straighten it down. It looked wild, and an errant lock of hair had fallen over his left eye. She arranged it back, thanks to the sticky moisture accumulated over his brow.
"Do you know how much I love you, Anna?" he managed to say, even when he hadn't moved an inch. He opened his eyes, and shifted his face to where he was looking at her. "More, than you'll ever know," he added as he gave her a peck on the lips. "And, I will make it up to you, in every way I can, everything that you've done for me until now."
"You silly beggar."
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She was sure people could tell what she had been up to. Her neck was pink from her beloved's whiskers rubbing against her. She couldn't hide it, but she upturned the collar on her shirt, and decided to wear her hair down from her signature bun. Try as she did, the shirt was quite creased, and had become so when Mr. Bates' pants had been thrown over. Then, there was the smile plastered on her face. It was the smile of irrational happiness and physical satiation. She was glad Mary wasn't around to confront her as she had done in the past. If the others couldn't figure it out, her friend could.
"Your messages, Anna," Ethel exclaimed as she handed over a small stack of notes. Anna had to admit that Ethel was working marvelously, and was efficient. She had her doubts when Daphne explained what qualifications they had trained her with, but after almost a week and a half in the office, she was showing much promise. Anna took the notes and proceeded to her office. After reviewing there was nothing urgent, she set about to look through the notes on Vera's investments one more time. Not that it mattered anymore, really. Vera was on the run, and they had proven successfully that she was the mastermind behind Mr. Bates' alleged fraud. She had a lot of work to do in the office, but, as work for the investigation wound down, she did not have to work as many late nights as she used too. She reviewed certain investigation files at work now, and when she was finished for the day, that was it and she was free to rest at home. She had so much time now, she didn't know what to do with it.
For days, she had reviewed the files that outlined Vera's holdings and she could not make much sense of it. Anna did not have a stock portfolio, or any bonds, or any investments in mutual funds. Her wealth consisted in that beautiful land her father had left her, and the cash that she had already spent, including her investment in Bates Airlift. She didn't have any experience and for all of his intelligence, neither did Joe. For the last two days, she had taken an online course and seen countless YouTube tutorials that explained how to understand investment portfolios. It was exactly what she needed as she held the prospectus that belonged to Vera's secret holdings. She could finally decipher all of the little acronyms and codes that represented the companies.
"Mmm," she murmured to herself when she realized that the wealth was divided into four sectors. She had holdings in companies that dealt with information technology such as TYCO and CISCO, but the investment was 5%. Her net worth for those stocks was currently half a million Pounds. That was not shabby at all, even when it seemed to be the smallest portion.
Her second sector was commercial mortgage securities with HSBC, CREDITSUISSE, LLOYDS and The ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. That was about 10%, and equaled slightly over one million pounds.
The third sector was mining, with stock in NUCOR, and BHP Billiton for another 5% and half a million pounds.
Anna wondered if Vera was smart enough to systematically invest all her Bates Airlift earnings and the advisors at Eagle Investments had helped it grow, or if she'd invested part of Callum's death compensation early enough to watch it grow. Whatever it was, Anna was impressed.
The last sector was Transportation, and by far, 80% of her wealth was dedicated to this area. She had almost 8 million pounds worth of wealth in only one company. As Anna deciphered the code listed, her heart began to palpitate. It wasn't possible to be this shallow. How could she be this treacherous? HELICOPTERS UK was her main holding. Anna did not know what that company was worth, certainly a bit more than Bates Airlift, with its larger fleet and London base, but compared to the valuation that Matthew had made of their little company, it was most possible that Vera was the largest shareholder for their biggest competitor.
Tears streamed down her eyes as she realized the depth of Vera's loathing for the man she loved. Vera's plan to orchestrate Mr. Bates' downfall had almost succeeded, and she could finally understand why the woman cared not for their little company. She would never fight for it, and in her mind, the assets would be worth more when they were sold. Had she fed them Bates Airlift secrets? Channeled customers their way? What a mystery, and the whole while, Mr. Bates had been innocent and ignorant. Vera had wanted the company to fail and it almost had.
She began to ponder how Richard might have been involved in all of this, and whether he was aware of Vera's deceit, because, why would he fight for a partnership percentage if the company was doomed? And yet, Helicopters UK gave him employment after he stormed out when she and Robert became the owners. They might never know the answer to that.
She was interrupted in her thoughts by excited screeching at the door.
"Anna, we just heard, Mr. Bates has been freed this morning!" Gwen was jumping for joy and she had dragged a reluctant Phyllis to Anna's office. Phyllis was happy, but it seemed she wasn't enjoying Gwen's loud announcements.
"Has he?" asked Anna innocently, showing as much happiness at the news that she could. She clasped her hands together, and then subconsciously ran the fingers of one of her hands across her neck. Remembering how it got so pink filled her with much joy. Feigning no knowledge whatsoever, she added, "Oh, that is the most remarkable news. Robert Crawley will be so pleased."
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"Oh my, I can't wait until next time," Elsie offered as another episode of Coronation Street was over. She was feeling restless and would rather be out on the street. She turned the TV off with the remote and she shifted to look at her husband, when he didn't respond. He was sitting in his recliner, completely extended back, and he was fast asleep with his mouth quite open. She sighed. This always happened when they had a quiet evening of watching the telly. She was aware that he didn't like Corrie, but he knew it was her favorite and he stayed put while she watched. He rarely kept awake, unless it was "The Only Way is Essex." Elsie didn't understand what he saw in that program, but it was his guilty pleasure and she sat through it in the same solidarity he had with her love of Corrie.
It was late in the evening, yet it was too early to be asleep. If he slept now, he would be wide awake at night and be overly frisky when she would want to sleep. She wasn't in the mood today, as much as she loved him. "Charles," she mentioned softly, and received no response. "Charles," she bellowed loudly, and it was enough to wake him up with a start.
"Wha…" he muttered incoherently, taking in his bearings and sitting up in the process.
"Corrie is finished, love."
He yawned loudly. "Is the whole Andrea, Neil and Lloyd thing still going on?"
Elsie chuckled. "That was last year. You've not really been paying attention, have you?"
He rubbed his eyes. "Thank you for waking me. I was in the middle of a nightmare."
"That deep of a sleep you were in?" she tilted her head to question such a thought. He'd been asleep for less than half an hour.
"John Bates was in it. They were getting married, and we were holding their baby in a church." He frowned and flailed his hands nervously. "A baby?... As if that wasn't enough…he took her away in one of his infernal machines to a honeymoon God knows where."
Elsie rolled her eyes. "Are you still harping on your displeasure over him? What happened to everything you said to Anna?...and by the way, that sounds quite lovely." Elsie furrowed her brow in disbelief. "If that is what is in store for her future, that would be nice."
Fully woken now, and in a defensive tone, Charles added, "I stand by what I said to her. I will accept him into the family when he can hold her in his arm, proudly. Until that happens, I don't have to like him or the situation."
"Well, he's been set free already, so you better get used to the idea of their togetherness. They have his party tonight and his divorce should be resolved in the coming weeks."
That comment struck a nerve. "Why weren't we invited to that party?" he asked in a miffed voice. "If he loves Anna so much, we ought to have been there."
Ah... he was feeling jilted. Now she understood. "…..Because darling, this is not a party she is organizing. The office is throwing the party and there is no room for us, when nobody knows about them. On top of the fact that we are private investigators and we have no supposed connection to him, yet."
His lips were locked in a pout. He harrumphed something unintelligible, which lead Elsie to believe he was more disappointed than he ought to be. She wasn't in the mood, not really, but he needed a pick me up or a distraction. She pondered her options. Maybe she could pleasure him? Seeing as there was nothing good on the telly and there was nowhere else they needed to be, she would do something about it. She could make him forget and not get overly tired herself.
"I couldn't imagine that Anna, or he, would exclude us when all is out in the open." She stood up slowly and his eyes were on her. "She loves us and he would want to keep us on his side."
He rolled his eyes as if he were processing the information and agreeing, then settled his sights on her again as she came to kneel in front of him.
"Elsie?" he asked when she reached out to touch his pants, massaging his front gently. His eyes were now wide open as he realized what might be happening.
Zipping down the obstructions, Elsie added, "Let's forget about the party."
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Joe was snorting as he traced his pencil across the sheet of paper. He was brilliant, having broken the code one more time. The person didn't want to be found, and created all sorts of diversions and challenges on their server, but, he was just as good as he or she was, and now would be the moment of truth.
"Is everything all right, son?" bellowed a voice from the stairwell.
His father must have heard him whoop and holler when he'd accomplished bypassing the last hurdle.
"All is well, Dad, Thank you. Just a little excited….," he yelled from his position as he typed a message on his screen.
"As long as you're alright," stated the older gentleman. He could hear footsteps walk away.
What could he write to be surprising? Both of them had already utilized the roses are red poem a couple of times. He had to do something different. When in Rome, do as the Romans? Well, not really. Or maybe so - If he'd been hacked, it would proper for him to hack too. It could work, but it didn't have the exact pizazz he was looking for. He thought a few seconds and came up with a more fitting idiom.
If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain.
Yes, he liked that. He typed it in; just the same way this foreign entity had done to him a week or so ago. Surely, they would understand the meaning. He'd not heard from them in a while, so, he'd reach out. He wondered if they would be around. It was in the evening, at a time that they had chatted before. But, maybe they weren't. Since their police station prank, both had steered clear from utilizing their servers and were lying low. They had been extra careful with their plans, hiding their paths even for the most mundane of tasks.
Reminiscing about last week, he remembered fondly that they had met again, online, once more, before they put it into practice their prank and Joe found himself oddly feeling attracted. It must have been the intelligence and challenge of his opponent. He rarely encountered that sensation, if he had ever encountered a real opponent before, at all. For once in his life, Joe hoped that the mysterious person was a woman. He felt aroused, spiritually and physically, which was a rare phenomenon for him. He never dealt with real people beyond the few phone conversations with his associates and the few companies he did ad hoc work for. As much as he loved Anna, he didn't think he'd been that aroused before either.
Are you there? He typed when he didn't get a response within a few minutes.
There was no answer, and he felt morose. He had been looking forward to interaction. He pondered for a moment. If they had gone through his things to discover his "Anna" folder, he could look through their things too. Tit for tat, right?
Mmmm. He thought to himself as he went into the directory. There weren't too many files and everything was very orderly. He opened one titled Daphne's Girls. Within it, there were more files, each with a woman's name. He didn't recognize any of them, except the last one sounded familiar. Ethel Parks. Wasn't that Anna's newest employee? He opened up to find several documents. There was nothing he could understand. Something about a child looked after by Manchester Social Services. There was an arrest record for drug use. There were also images of a redhead with a black eye. He opened another file randomly, one for a Jane Moorsum. She was an accountant and widow, and by the look of certain pictures, just like Ethel Parks, a battered woman. There were bruises all over her arms and torso. It was maddening to see the images.
Who were these women and who had done this to them? And why did his mysterious hacker have them? He couldn't figure out the connection. He shuddered to think that this person had caused all of the physical damage to these women. He refused to believe they could. Shook by what he saw, he closed those files.
He was about to leave when he saw another interesting file. It was titled, "JB." Might that be John Bates? He ventured inside. Just as expected, it was a file regarding Anna's paramour. There were files on many things he already knew – the sexual harassment lawsuit, his company's financials, the files on the proxy tunnels that had already been shared with him, and others he didn't know. There were files of certain flights to Scotland he'd made on his personal helicopter, and another embedded file titled VB.
That could only be the one and only, Vera Bates. Apparently, this person had been tracking Vera for a long time. If he didn't already know this person was a friend, he would be worried. There were images of Vera with several men, including Richard Carlisle. Hmmm. If they had all of this information before, why had she kept it to herself? They could have finished the case a lot sooner. A flash of anger swept through him. Why share only certain things to help, when they could have helped a lot more? He closed the files, wondering what this person's true motivation might be.
Finally, there was another embedded file with the initials AS. Anna Smith, of course. There was a whole dossier with her background, the files regarding her parent's death, and information regarding Carson's Private Investigators. There were images too, ones he wished he hadn't seen – a very cozy Anna with John Bates, hugging and kissing, passionately, amid trees and mountainous terrain. They were dressed for the elements and in clothing that one not often got to use in York, so… he could only assume that they'd gone away somewhere together. He was aware that she liked him, but had not realized they were that entwined. With a sigh, he closed the files. Should he be worried for Anna?
What should he do now?
0-0-0-0-0-0
John was uncomfortable. He didn't like being the center of attraction, and while this get-together was planned in good faith, and sure to be attended by the very people he missed the most, he felt that celebrating his good fortune and release couldn't be separated from the fact that he had made many mistakes in his life and those mistakes were what had caused all of this mayhem to begin with. All his life errors were on display. Vera would be on everyone's mind and it was a constant reminder of his failures.
Still, he allowed himself to be brought to the pub. With everything Robert had done for him, he wasn't in a position to deny him anything. He'd saved his company. If Robert wanted a party, he'd be there. Cora had escorted him from the house, since Robert and the girls had left earlier to get everything ready. He already knew it was not prudent for Anna to accompany him, and Cora was being so lovely, that he didn't mind. He didn't know what to expect, really. All his prior employees were invited, and John couldn't fathom why they would bother. He knew Michael, Anthony and Gwen, his most loyal contributors were likeliest to show up; certainly Anna, and maybe Phyllis, but the others probably had something better to do. It was a bit of a surprise, then, when they entered the establishment to a thunderous applause.
There were so many faces and people there, that he was genuinely surprised. Not only had the Bates Airlift team been invited, but many of their closest business associates were there. John recognized faces from the York Economic Council, the local Aviation authorities, Patmore's Catering, his CRAWLEY and BLAKE solicitors, and the folks from the Make a Wish Foundation. Somebody - most likely Gwen- had taken all of the company's contacts and invited them. It was astonishing that this many people had come to greet him.
Amid all the chaos of the room, though, there was only one face he was interested in seeing. His beautiful angel eluded him, and as he made his way through the room and the onslaught of well-wishers, he tried his hardest to find her. Her size was working against her, as there were so many people, and it was standing room only. She was not discernible from the crowd. He was slightly agitated, until he finally laid his eyes on her. She arrived late, and he wondered if she had done it on purpose, throwing off any suspicion of their involvement. Their eyes met across the congested space, if only for an instant, but it was enough to warm his heart. She was immediately whisked away towards the bar, and since he was at the farthest end of the room, it was not possible to make his way to her without being rude to those around him, and without arousing suspicion. He was patient, and so was she.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Anna was pleased with the turnout. She arrived later than she hoped, but she was lost trying to find parking around the pub. The area was inundated with the cars belonging to all the participants. She ended up blocks away, but content that she was finally there and would finally get to see him. Much like a homing pigeon finds its target, their eyes met briefly, but it was enough to assuage her lonely heart. She was thrilled at the turnout. Gwen, with Ethel's help, had really put effort into making this welcome home soiree as attended as possible. Throughout Mr. Bates' incarceration, she had noted every well-wisher that she had come in contact with, and had made sure to reach out to them.
"Can you imagine, Anna, that we would get such great turnout?" Gwen's eager face popped up at the entrance and with one swift motion, Anna was pulled into the sea of people and towards the bar where their little group had congregated. She didn't even get to answer that she agreed. Mr. Bates was well appreciated in the area, and the news of his liberation had been well received among their business partners.
At the bar, Phyllis was smiling effusively. Anna didn't recall ever seeing her so perky and jovial before. She was freely engaging in conversation with everybody, and was now accompanying Ethel, who still came; even though it was supposed by all that she didn't know Mr. Bates. Anna had already alerted him that she had been hired, so, at some point that evening, they would feign ignorance when somebody introduced them. Anna sensed that there was camaraderie between both women, convincing her that they knew each other from before and it was all tied to Bryant's Landing. Phyllis' file indicated she'd been hired at Bates Airlift for over two years, and she couldn't imagine Ethel being at Daphne's compound that long, but somehow, the women knew each other. Phyllis seemed protective of Ethel, at all times, and Ethel, in her short time at the compound, already treated Phyllis with great respect and loyalty. There was an undeniable connection between the two.
Daisy was none too pleased, huffing discontentedly because Alfred had apparently gotten back together with his ex-girlfriend Ivy and he had brought her along. Daisy kept with Phyllis and Ethel, instead. William was in another corner of the room, chatting with Tom, James and Evelyn, although he occasionally turned to look towards Daisy. She was none the wiser, and he tried to be discreet, but Anna, trained to look for small clues was aware instantly. He still harbored feelings for the girl, even when she'd snubbed him for a date with Alfred.
"Oh my God. I invited him and he is here," exclaimed a surprised Gwen. She headed towards the door, in an effort to intercept her target. When Anna looked, she realized that she meant Vinoth Patel, from CONOCO EXPLORATIONS. Gwen invited him? Anna wondered how that might have come about. As far as Anna knew, he hadn't even known about Mr. Bates' incarceration. Unless… Gwen disclosed that when they were close to losing the account. Somehow, though… this didn't look like a business meeting. Gwen had stars in her eyes and Anna had to wonder if that crush that Gwen experienced when they met Vinoth at the Oil and Gas convention was full on. Judging by the look in his eyes, it was more than possible. He looked absolutely smitten with her too. No wonder she was dressed to the nines. She was stunning, and he appeared attracted by her appeal. Realizing that she'd lost her chat buddy for the evening, Anna turned away, intent on finding somebody else to talk to and was surprised to see that Tom had joined her. He'd been quick about it and she hadn't noticed when that had happened.
"Anna, that's the nurse that bandaged me up at the hospital." Tom's announcement was meant for Anna to turn towards where he was pointing. She did, and realized that he was talking about Sybil. "She seems very familiar with your friend Mary." Although Robert had hired help for the evening so that his entire family could participate in the private event, Mary and Sybil were still helping organize the steady stream of drinks and were occasionally going behind the bar to supervise. At this moment, both the Crawley sisters were in conversation with Matthew, and all three were behind the bar, doing something Anna couldn't figure out. Tom's comments, Anna understood, were subtle questions. If Anna were to guess, he was keen on the girl.
"Of course she's familiar. They're sisters," responded Anna matter-of fact. She stared at Tom, to gauge his response, and she could tell he was startled.
Looking perplexed, he commented, "She's the owner's daughter, then?" Tom's mind could be easily read and he was trying to put together a mental picture of how many Crawley's there were and how they were all related.
"She is, and she's quite lovely." Sensing he liked her, but might be put off by her status as Robert's daughter, Anna acted quickly. Sybil was walking back, her intention to join Edith who was chatting with her new Bates' Airlift friends, Anthony Strallan and Michael Gregson.
"Sybil," Anna called out, even as Tom looked positively mortified as he guessed what Anna intended to do. The beautiful girl came toward Anna and Anna continued. "I believe you met my friend Tom in the hospital the other day. He was my savior."
Sybil's beautiful smile lit up the room as she remembered him. "Of course, Tom." She reached for his hand and gave him a warm smile. "I remember patching you up, and Anna told me later how brave you were."
Tom looked like he was melting. "Oh, it was nothing." He was trying to keep his cool, but her adulation was making him warm. His cheeks turned pink. He decided to change the conversation away from himself. "So…. You are a Crawley daughter too?"
Pleased with her matchmaking mischief, Anna excused herself and allowed them to continue chatting. She moved in the opposite direction, and after scanning the room, she realized that from the entire Bates Airlift team, only Sarah O'Brien was missing. How sad that Sarah still felt the way she did. She wouldn't last long if all of her cronies were gone and she wasn't trying harder to make other friends.
She saw Mr. Bates was still very much surrounded by their business associates. She let him be, and instead, sought Mary out. She found Matthew instead, sulking by himself. Instantly, she saw what the problem was. It was quite a picture to look at her friend. She was wearing one of her fashionable outfits, one that accentuated her alabaster skin and dark eyes and she was surrounded by many men. Tony Gillingham had brought a date, a Ms. Mabel Lane Fox, but left her in a corner as he swooned over Mary. Also surrounding her, were Evelyn, who had not brought his wife, and Charles Blake, Matthew's own partner. They were all being held captive by Mary's charms.
"What's the matter, Matthew?" she asked when she already knew the answer.
"Oh, nothing," he answered with a sigh.
"You, know…. You are all she ever talks about when we are together." She was guessing that he was feeling unappreciated at the onslaught of men that Mary found herself surrounded by.
He perked up immediately.
"The fact that she is surrounded by men does not mean she has any interest in them. I say you wipe the sadness off of your face, and sweetly, join them, asserting your position in her life. No scenes are needed, just, your company."
He kissed her cheek, "Thank you, Anna," and headed off to where they all stood. She observed how Mary's face lit up at his arrival, and how Mary put her arm around his waist as a natural occurrence. She leaned against him too, even when she continued to chat with the others.
Once she accomplished this, she was ready to go home. It was nice to see everybody, but it was also a turn off to observe how others had their lives in order, and could publicly chat with the people they were interested in. She desperately wanted to be with Mr. Bates, but this was not the place for it. She sighed, and turned in the opposite direction, almost colliding with Robert.
"How are you holding up?" he asked politely.
She couldn't lie to him. "There is someplace else I would rather be, and with someone else, to be honest."
Robert smirked the grin of an accomplice. He whispered, "I suspect I know exactly who you mean and what you need, so go to him. He's waiting for you."
Anna's eyes brightened upon hearing this. She canvassed the area, slowly, as not give herself away to anybody who might be watching. She couldn't see Mr. Bates anywhere.
"He's in my office and won't come down until you've been up."
Her eyes welled up with happy tears, even when the excitement abounded all over.
"Oh God, Robert. Thank you."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
She managed to make the walk slowly, so as not to arouse suspicion, but as soon as she was on the second level, she ran to the office which was open. She could see his form leaning against the desk, and as she came into sight, he stood up. He opened his arms and once again and another joyous reunion took place. Her little body was engulfed by his large strong arms and she was exactly where she wanted to be. Not letting go, he shifted them so that he could close the door behind her. When he heard the click of the lock, he couldn't wait any longer. He leaned Anna against the door. They separated only momentarily to look each other in the eye. Not a word had been spoken in all this time, and they weren't necessary to understand the love between them. They slowly brought their lips together. There was no rush, or desperation. Just two people in love, sharing a sweet moment between them. They broke for air a few minutes later, and held their foreheads against each other.
"I missed you," Mr. Bates offered.
"And I you," she answered back.
"What are you doing later?" he asked with an optimistic tone. Anna's eyes morphed from lovelorn to confused. He could see her trying to make sense of his question. It was simple enough, but maybe she thought it was a trick. "Robert has told me I can leave whenever I want." He held a strand of Anna's beautiful hair and twirled it around his finger, "I thought, maybe, I could come over to your place, if you want, and spend the night, this being Saturday and all? I can sneak back to Robert's tomorrow in the afternoon."
Anna's hands came up to cup his cheeks. "That, John Bates, is a brilliant idea."
0-0-0-0-0-0
John couldn't contain his excitement as he pressed the button to Anna's flat. Robert stayed in the car, waiting and when the buzzer chimed, indicating Anna had allowed him through, John waved his friend off. How long ago was it that he had been at this very entrance, kissing Anna? Everything seemed like ages, prison having stunted his sense of time, but it had only been months.
In no time, he found the right door and before he could even knock, Anna swung it wide open. Still wearing her get-up from the party and without words, she hugged him again, right in the middle of the hallway.
"I can't believe you are here," she mumbled against his jacket. Her head firmly tucked under his chin, he had enclosed his arms around her too. It was a rehash of what they had just experienced in Robert's Pub Office, but it didn't matter. This was no Deja-vu. It was apparent to him, that just as much as he needed to have her close, she needed him too.
He didn't want to move, as comfortable as he was with her in his embrace, but prompted "Can I come in?" a minute later, aware that they were still in the hallway.
"Yes, of course," Anna answered as she disentangled herself. "Welcome to my home." She laced her hand in his and pulled him through the threshold.
It was just what John expected. The flat was small and traditional, but it was decorated brightly and warmly – just what two women of Anna and Mary's age would have. It was all in good taste.
She led him through to the sitting area. "I've put a kettle on. Do you want some tea?"
"That would be lovely," he answered as he took a seat on the comfortable sofa. It would quell his nerves a bit. Not that he had anything to worry about. He had desperately wanted to see Anna, but without his divorce, he still felt he was tainting her by coming to her house. It was close, though, very close to when he would have his liberty, and he wanted to share that with her, just in case she was harboring any doubts. She had stood by him through the worst of it, and she deserved some good news.
She was already walking toward him with a biscuit laden tray and two tea filled cups. "I hope you like mint," she offered bashfully as she set the tray on the little table in front of him. "The office only ever has Earl Grey stocked, so I am not sure you drink anything else. This is my favorite."
She looked so lovely just then, the light of the parlor's lamp shining in the background illuminating her golden mane and making her look like an angel. "It's my favorite too," he answered as he took in the beautiful sight. Seeing her this way grounded his thoughts. He was free from jail and he still had her in his life. He shouldn't complain about anything else, really. Not even about Vera.
She sat, and thankfully, scooted close to him. She put her hand on his leg as she reached over to hand him his cup.
"I had news from Matthew today," he mentioned as he took her offering. "…about the divorce proceedings." He might have seen Anna swallow hard. She must be anxious to find out about this, he rationalized.
"Yes?" she offered shyly. "Good News?"
"Yes, very good indeed." He took a sip and swallowed before talking. "Remember how Vera had challenged the divorce proceedings I initiated and made a counter suit? We are supposed to appear before court this week to provide our positions. Failure to appear by one of the parties constitutes a forfeiture of that party's rights."
Anna understood immediately. "And since it is unlikely that she will appear, since she is on the run, the court will favor your petition over hers?" There was so much hope built up behind that question.
He set his cup down and took one of Anna's idle hands into his own. "Yes," he added as he brought the back of her hand to his lips.
A shot of adrenaline ran through Anna's body, when his lips touched her.
"By this time next week, "he gazed at her directly. "The judge will have given a decree Nisi."
She felt warm all over to hear him say this. He would be a free man, something she desperately wanted. He kissed her hand, and kept his lips there, ghosting them across her skin. The little follicles of hair on her arm were standing on their ends. He had no clue what he was doing to her with his lips. Or maybe he did, and that was why he was not stopping. His warm breath excited her as his lips continued their path across her wrist. His progress was tantalizingly slow, his seduction calculated. This was different from the times they had been together before. The desperation of their first time against the helicopter, the nervousness of the Scottish cabin, the awkwardness of inside his own helicopter and the urgency of the car were unlike this moment. She could barely resist him anymore. The feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified as his lips reached the inside of her elbow.
She attempted to continue the conversation, even when she felt short of breath. "This is good for you, Mr. Bates." She could hardly get the words out. "It will be the end of your nightmare."
This comment brought back his attention and he looked up from his position. "My nightmare ended when you came into my life. Everything else has just been complications." John was focused and he was on a mission. Over the course of his incarceration, he had time to think and to make sense of the last months since he hired Anna. It was very clear to him, and confirmed by those around him, just how much he owed to the beautiful woman sitting in front of him. Her parents, Mary, Anthony, and Robert, each in their own ways, had confirmed that Anna's contributions were tantamount to the reason he was free and that the company was still operating. He owed her everything, and he would do his very best to make sure every day was joyful. It started today, and it started with him. It could be a chore, but in this case, he was absolutely in love with her, and the thought of making her happy, fulfilled his own selfish desires.
The words had hardly left him, and Anna filled with delight. There was so much truth in his eyes. They communicated how much he loved her and in that instant, she was ready to be his, in body and soul. She hoped the light in her eyes communicated that back to him too.
His hand came up to cup her cheek. He gazed intensely into her eyes s and when he felt the slight tremble overcome her body, he brought her head forward and joined her lips to his. Anna was an experienced woman and they had enjoyed several pleasurable joinings in the past, but there was the distinct trembling that persisted throughout this long and slow kiss. He pulled back, just a few inches, and tears were revealed to him. Not many, just a couple. He wasn't shocked by it, or made nervous. More so, he wanted to take any pain and suffering away from her. He kissed her eyes, and the tears, as often as they came.
"Let me love you, Anna," he whispered into her ear, as the pads of his thumbs wiped away the last vestiges of her tears.
The intense emotion of being with him caused her to cry. She was so happy, she couldn't explain it. There was no logic to her tears, but hearing his offer of love, made it better.
She took his hands slowly away from her face and she kissed his knuckles with as much love as possible. Without saying a word, she stood up, taking those same hands and tugging at him, making him stand in the process. She walked backwards, never leaving his eye sight, and led him slowly to her room. He followed, understanding that this was her permission for him to follow through. Still holding his hand, with the other, she opened the door. They were separated by inches, and it was too much for him.
"Will we be interrupted?" he asked as he wrapped his long arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. They were still at the door frame, and he'd made no attempt to move them forward. He now had her flush against him, and he could still feel her trembling.
"Mary is spending the night at Matthew's," she whispered jubilantly. Internally, she thanked her flat mate for her wise sense in planning ahead. "We can do whatever we want," she added salaciously as she raised her eyebrow.
She didn't know why she was trembling. There was something about him, something in his eyes that looked determined. He was gazing at her profoundly.
"Good," he responded a mere inch from her lips. Without further delay, he lowered his mouth and sought out her lips. He started slowly, carefully mastering the depth. Her luscious lips were eager for him and they responded in kind, keeping his pace. He was in no hurry. He had a plan to love every inch of her and to bring her to pleasure, over and over again. After a most glorious minute, he stopped to allow them to breath. Anna was already quite flushed.
"Let me carry you," he whispered in her ear. He'd lament it later, but he wasn't thinking about himself. She said nothing against it. In a swift move, he supported her buttocks and pushed upwards gracefully as she gained her balance by holding on to him. She gripped his shoulders, and then reached for his head, weaving her hands through his hair. She was wrapped around his hips and he kept her close and supported with one of his arms. The other mirrored her action and he threaded his hand through her hair. He reached for her lips again. There was a different urgency now. Although he still wanted to take it slowly, feeling each other this close was having a positive effect. He felt tingly all over, and Anna was rubbing herself against him, almost imperceptibly. It was hot. Very hot. This feeling made him hard for her quickly. Anna's hardened peaks rubbing against his chest allowed him to believe she was feeling the same. He wanted her more than ever, but he would wait. This was about her.
If anybody ever asked her who the best kisser among her boyfriends had been, Anna would answer Mr. Bates. She was sure she was close to orgasm, just by the feel of his tongue against hers. She felt on fire, and they weren't even on the bed yet. She had dreamed of those lips over the last few days, ever since their tryst in the car. They were sensual, and hers, all hers.
As his mouth continued to work its magic on her, he took two quick steps, and moved away from the door. There was somewhere they needed to be. He kicked the door closed with his leg, and walked towards his destination. Gently, with Anna still clinging to him, he kneeled on the edge and moved forward. He laid her down gently. She was so slight; he had managed it without dropping her. She lay on the bed, and he was hovering over her, on all fours.
"Very smooth Mr. Bates," she added as she reached up to undo the buttons on his shirt. He let her, and focused on kissing her neck and jaw. He felt her shudder. His heart skipped a beat as he felt the effect he was having on her. He unzipped her pants and the skin of her belly was made available to him. He slid up the form fitting cashmere jumper until he could see her belly button and gently lowered his lips to this region. She had beautiful skin, evenly colored and so very soft. He trailed kisses upwards until he was met with the rigid form of her lace bra, under the jumper's pooled folds. Anna stilled her hands when she felt him stop too, and John took the opportunity to free her of the garment. He swept her top over her head and tossed it. Free of the obstruction, he continued the kisses over her breasts and to the hollow of her neck. He was generous, leaving no amount of skin untouched.
Mr. Bates was anything if not thorough. She didn't know if she'd ever felt this alive, or this loved before. There was an added intensity to his touch that was new. And now…. He was touching her breasts. He reached back, and unhooked her brassiere, pulling it off with one deft move. No longer able to support himself on all fours, and still thoroughly appreciating her chest, Mr. Bates settled beside her. From this vantage point, he was able to cup them gently, and start massaging them. She never considered herself a chesty girl, she was actually very small breasted, but his hands, in tandem with his mouth, worked miracles. He made her feel like a Victoria's Secret Angel model, with so much more to offer. When he wasn't licking or sucking, he was gently squeezing. This was ecstasy.
Finished with her breasts, John decided it was time to get rid of the rest of her clothing. With pants, it was just easier if they were pulled from the bottom, and he moved off the bed, to have a better vantage point. Anna hissed when he left her side and her eyes bore her disappointment at the loss.
Anna had fallen victim to the perfect seduction. She was largely inert, having only achieved the unbuttoning of his shirt. She had barely grazed the inside of his chest with her fingers, lured by the smattering of hair that became visible to her with this action. It was a perfect chest, warm and welcoming, but now gone. Her lover had moved away and was positioned at her feet. Her shoes had been discarded, and he was now holding on to the cuff of her pants. With a gentle tug, they were pulled off and thrown back. He didn't say much, but he raised his eyebrows when his fingers gently reached for the elastic band of her knickers. His gesture was sweet and playful, and surely meant to distract her. It worked. Before she knew it, he'd brought them down all the way to her knees and was pulling them around her ankles.
He missed her. Making love to her in Scotland was what he had enjoyed the most, when they had taken their time and when he had been able to appreciate every curve of her body. While that reunion made him nervous, not having had any proper sex in ages, he felt empowered today and very sure of himself and what he was doing. He wanted to please her and bring her to new levels of enjoyment. Anna had sat up, and he took advantage of this new position to kiss her again, deeply. Anna moaned and he loved that sound. At the same time, he managed to massage her legs, and inner thighs. His fingers caressed her skin gently, barely grazing with his touch. She was panting, eager for more. Her muscles tensed the closer he came to her core and he knew where he wanted to go. When he was convinced she was aroused enough, he pushed her back down. He parted her folds with his fingers, confirming she was ready. He surprised her when after this, he brought his face down to be level with her, and his tongue started with his ministrations.
It was glorious, every minute that his tongue was upon her. He reached as deep as he could, then with small strokes, would brush against her clitoris. Anna appreciated that he used his arm to hold her down, as every stroke against her would make her arch and writhe. He couldn't begin to imagine what his touches were doing to her. She could hardly breathe; there was so much rush of emotion coursing all around her. And then, it happened. His skilled caresses sent her into the abyss and she lost all sense of time and place. She was floating, marvelously, lost to the world as she reached her peak.
John observed as Anna lost her bearing. She was expressive, highly so, and it was easy to discern whether he'd done a good enough job in making her lose herself. Her eyes were closed, but her breathing changed and she stilled. He lay beside her as she recuperated. The silky strands of her hair, spread out on the pillows above, beckoned him, and he gathered a fistful to breathe in her scent. He could perceive a coconut essence, mixed with her own sweet aroma. She was intoxicating, all of her.
Anna could feel her hair being handled and she felt the tiny electric pulses all over her scalp. She loved being coiffed and pampered at the salon, and receiving scalp massages. This, although not the same, was producing similar results. She was just going from pleasure to pleasure, greediness seeping through every pore. "You'll get me wound up if you continue to do that," she offered between breathes. She could already feel the stirring at the pit of her stirring responding to this new stimulus. Even though she'd already had her pleasure, she wanted him, all of him.
"Good," was all he answered as he leaned over her. He peered into the deep blue pools of ocean that looked at him with fierce love. Vulnerable to his touch, her eyes drew him in, and he reached over to kiss her again. Anna responded well, claiming his mouth as hers. It was not long before he was on top of her. He felt uncomfortable, the way he was, all dressed while Anna was an incarnate Venus de Milo on this bed. Now that he'd taken her to a level of ecstasy, what he most wanted was to feel her skin against his. She had the same need, as her hands reached up to massage his exposed chest.
He was overdressed, and Anna wanted his clothes off immediately. She was aching terribly, inside, and the need for him grew with every caress, every deft touch. The combination of his kisses and fondling of her hair had her crazy with want for him again, and she needed to get that shirt off so that she could have access to his broad shoulders, and strong torso. She loved that about him, his hairy chest, and she longed to feel all of it against her. She pushed off his shirt, having unbuttoned it before, and it went willingly. His weight on top of her had him positioned so close to where she needed him, and she was able to reach down and tug on his belt, unlooping one side. She maneuvered quickly, even if she wasn't looking, and it was open in record time. Much to his amusement, she managed to lower the pants, together with the shorts and move them to mid-thigh. He was exposed to her, even if the pants were still there.
Her actions caught his attention and his longer arms pushed them down further, until they were pooled at his knees. Anna was already touching him, bringing him closer to her entrance, and out of desperation, he kicked them off, hurtling them on to the floor. She was eager, and guided him to the perfect position where he could just push. He was cradled between her thighs, and her legs were resting above his hips. It was perfect how they just fit. He wanted to be inside her just as much as she did, but, before he did, he sought out her hands, and positioned them over her head, on each side. Intertwined and clasped with his own, her eyes were opened wide and focused on him. She was exactly how he wanted to have her, so open and so free, so willing to be with him. He would give her his best, and without further delay, gazing into each other's eyes, he pushed forward.
Anna couldn't remember a more thrilling feeling, that of being filled so completely by the man she loved. It had never been like this before. She'd had fun, and it felt great, but the emotional fulfillment hadn't ever accosted her the way it was taking over now. Her breath hitched multiple times as he made his way inside and she found herself trembling again. It was overwhelming, the love she had for this man, and how he was making her feel. Just looking at him also fueled her emotions. He closed his own eyes, his ecstasy taking over at the sensations her narrow passage was providing. It was a perfect fit, between them, and when he looked so fulfilled himself, Anna wanted to cry.
In all his life, John realized that he had only ever made love to Anna. All the women before her and Vera, he'd had sex with them, and enjoyed himself, but this was not the same. Even his other times with Anna were different too. Their first times together were explosive, and like magnets, they were drawn to each other. In the car the other day, he had missed her like crazy, after his long time in jail, but today felt different. Today he felt like he was giving her his life, in the very actions he would undertake, and as he looked into her eyes, he knew she felt the same way. They were ready to make magic, to come together as one in body and soul.
John rolled his thighs, as he continued to look at Anna, and both started their rhythm. For every thrust John produced, Anna's hips matched him. His lips reached down towards her, and they indulged in several kisses, while their bodies danced with each other. They took turns moaning, when the feeling became too much. They moved positions of legs and arms, at intervals, and the feelings intensified. He wanted Anna to enjoy this, to feel good again. When he saw Anna react and the feelings start to take her, John gave in to the feelings too. They both finished, almost together, and it was the best feeling ever.
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In the darkness of the Carson's home office, a wall clock read 5:00am. The sun hadn't risen yet and the house was still. It was Sunday morning and everybody was asleep. "Ping," sounded one of the GPS devices. "Ping," it repeated in a rhythmic manner. A subtle green light reflected the movement of one of their trackers. On the large map, a car was moving southward. Silent and dormant for several days, it was brought to life. Vera was on the move and still very much in the United Kingdom.
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A/N: I am very bashful anytime I write M. It does not come natural to me. (Picture me with the proverbial paper bag over my head) I owed you all for your patience while Mr. Bates was in jail. I had more than one request for reunion smut in my reviews and PM's, and I hope it met everybody's expectations. You know who you are ladies…
Bates is free! Where the hell is Vera? Who is the mystery tweeter and what is their story? Stay tuned for those answers in the next chapter.
Posting chapter 23 was an exercise in frustration as was down for so long immediately after. I felt cheated. Thank you to all the lovely reviewers who came back after that incident to leave your thoughts. I appreciate you so much!
On an unrelated note, I am on vacation and about to take my first helicopter ride ever, so I will be able to determine if like Anna, I take to them easily, or if I am like Phyllis who is panicked by them. I'll also get to see if some of my M scenes are logistically possible from how I wrote them. LOL.