Hello dear readers. After writing about 14K of the Epilogue, I realized it would have to be split in 2. There was still much to write and I didn't want to publish a 20K chapter, thus, there is still another chapter to go. The way I wrote it, we would see events at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, one year and maybe more after the incident. In this installment, you are getting the 3 and 6 month installments.
There is M!
Words – 11.2K
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THREE MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT:
"Are you certain that you're comfortable, love?" John looked at her with adoration as he knelt by the chimney of the cottage they were occupying for the weekend. It was snowing in the Windermere region of the Lake District and a fire would be necessary if they weren't to catch a cold in the drafty cottage. He stopped what he was doing as he waited for her answer.
She was accustomed to his expressions of concern since her hospitalization, but she still was not used to being fussed over. Pops and Elsie did it too and she often felt like a burden to those around her. Thankfully, three months had passed and her stamina had returned, and every day she was allowed to do a little more than the day before. This trip, in itself, was a milestone. It was the first time Elsie and Pops had let her leave the city and it was the first time that she and John acknowledged publicly that they were going on a trip together. Times had changed and it was all for the good.
"I am, thank you," she answered gratefully from the sofa. He'd put all the pillows he could find around her and had brought a blanket to put on her legs that were resting on the ottoman. He was taking good care of her, but she felt like an invalid, as bundled up as he had her. His care was exaggerated. She was delicate, but time had healed her wounds and it had healed her emotionally as well. She had no hesitation, no fears, and no worries. She just wanted to get her life back to normal.
Normal for her included the physical aspect of their relationship. Right now, all she could focus on was his backside and how his muscles rippled and flexed as he worked to start the fire. His muscular form was very enticing. Ever so often, he would raise his rear and her breath would hitch. He was unaware of this effect he was having on her and was certainly not doing anything specific to provoke it. They hadn't made love since before what happened and she was more convinced than ever that she ought to make the first move herself, if not, she'd burst from want of him. He'd been nothing but chivalrous and dedicated, but the abstinence was making her anxious. She wanted him, and she wanted him badly. She knew he did too; his kisses were as passionate as ever. He still desired her, even with such a noticeable scar on her body. She had been worried, in the beginning, that he would not want her now that she was different. He had seen it several times, in the immediate aftermath, and had helped the Carsons take care of her when she had been released from the hospital. The scar was still red, very large, and very thick. He ought to be repelled, but his kisses spoke the truth. She could feel his love and desire, and she could also feel the bulge in his pants when her hands explored during the times that they were alone.
Being together had been a challenging idea. Her recuperation was of the utmost priority and it was unthinkable that she could have enough energy for any such activity. It never crossed their minds, but if it had, it would have been a problem. They didn't have much time alone since her hospital release. She'd been living with the Carson's and only in the last month, when she started going back to the office, did they start rebuilding on their intimacy. After leaving work, he would whisk her away to his flat so that they could spend some time alone. Those occasions had been wonderful and they had snogged for the better part of their time together, but he always stopped. They discussed it the first time they were alone, and he said he was being careful not to push her. Her injury was too recent and they shouldn't rush. He was right, but she was also now desperate. She was thankful for the opportunity when he suggested this weekend. It would be the perfect way to initiate more romantic proceedings.
Now finished lighting the fire, John hobbled back to the sofa. His injury had improved greatly, but he still felt pain when he walked. He needed a cane to get around, but never used it when he was indoors. He took a seat next to her and sighed.
"There we go… a fire for my lady. That should keep you warm." He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers, bringing her hand to his lips. He pecked at her knuckles reverently. He turned to look at her and she appeared different to him. She had a seductive look about her. She was beautiful, and his heart skipped a beat.
"I'm warm alright, but it has nothing to do with the fire." She leaned towards him and brought her face as near to his lips as possible. He was not close enough that she could kiss him. He would have to close the gap, and judging by the look of his surprised face, he would need additional encouragement. "John, it's time for you to kiss me."
Caught slightly off guard, the look on her face and the way her lips were parted and beckoning to him, he could do nothing else but oblige. His happiness was apparent as he smiled when he put his lips to hers. It was a slow, careful kiss, but full of love. His one hand was still entwined with hers, but his other had crept up to cradle her head.
Anna wanted more and she was making that known to him. She had reached underneath his shirt to massage his chest. She heard him suck in an additional breath the moment that she touched him. She hadn't been this bold in a long time and this wasn't even a scandalous caress. She wondered how he would react if she went further south. He pulled apart from her, but before he could say anything else, she landed her lips on his to continue kissing him. Her insistence was paying off. He had dropped her hand and had both of his on her head, massaging her scalp and kneading through the silken strands of her hair. His light touches and masterful mouth, coupled with the way her hands felt as they conquered his broad chest, generated several minutes of uninterrupted bliss, just like she liked it. She could continue forever, if not for her need of air, and she pulled away reluctantly.
His eyes indicated that his body was ready, but he still hesitated.
"Anna, what do you want? He asked shyly. The truth was that he would wait as long as she needed. Her body had been through a severe trauma and she had only just recently regained enough strength to be out and about. He didn't want to push her, but he couldn't deny that it was getting harder to restrain himself. Ever since he started bringing her to his new temporary flat, their time together was increasingly passionate. She was making it very hard for him. Sessions like these implied to him that she wanted more than what they had, but they needed to be prudent.
"I want you, silly," she answered in a hoarse voice. She hadn't moved from the awkward position she was in.
"Darling, we must be practical. You are still in a delicate state. Perhaps we should wait a little longer." He was sure that the words coming out of his mouth were incongruent with the whole of his body language. He was breathing strongly and his eyes were sure to give him away.
Anna couldn't wait any longer. They didn't have to do anything excessively physical, but they needed to regain their lost time. The mood was perfect, they were far away from everybody, and she felt more than fine. She felt great. To prove her point, she wordlessly sat up and pulled her jumper over her head. She was in a camisole, but it was sheer enough that he could make out the silhouette of her breasts in a lacy bra.
She could see him swallow hard. God bless him for being so patient, but they were done with that. She shifted and he kept his eyes on her as she made her move and stood in front of him. Slowly, she straddled him, her knees digging into the sofa's cushions. She couldn't tell if he was breathing, as still and shocked as he was.
Smoothly, she cupped his chin with both hands, forcing him to focus on her. It wasn't really necessary, since he couldn't take his eyes off of her, but her touch would help convince him.
"Love," she addressed him in a sexy way that would get her point across. "I don't want to wait another minute to be with you. It will be fine if you are gentle. I'll tell you if I am in any pain." To get him back in the mood, she dipped her head until she could kiss his neck. She pecked a few times, and then faced him again. "Unless you don't want to," she added cynically and smirked. With that challenge, she knew her battle was won.
There, that was it. Of course he wanted to. She had set the path for him and he couldn't resist her any longer. He answered wordlessly by bringing his mouth to hers. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth to him and they explored each other. He wanted more of that, but she pulled away, eager to start undressing him. With her injury and his, their bodies were not as flexible, and they had to be extra careful. A brisk and unplanned movement from a heated clinch could cut their session short. Instead, Anna stood up and took a step back.
She made sure she had his attention as she unzipped her jeans. Her moves were sensual and planned. She didn't want to be quick about it, even when she was already dying to feel him inside her. She wanted to undress slowly and deliberately and she wanted to test him. She was confident that her wound wouldn't put him off, but she had never disrobed in front of him in such a calculated fashion and she had to do this and gauge his sentiment.
She pulled them down slowly and with the weight of the fabric, her pants slid down easily. She stepped out of them and with her foot, pushed them away.
He breathed in loudly as the creamy skin of her legs was revealed to him. Her camisole, while sheer, still covered most of her body down to her thighs. She removed it swiftly, leaving her now in her bra and knickers. Her scar was revealed, save for the end of it that disappeared below the elastic.
"Oh God, Anna. You look marvelous." John's jaw dropped. It was an honest reaction and there was no trace of deception in his words. His entire body language reflected love and devotion. Not an ounce of tension or hesitation was palpable.
Progress was stunted as the emotion hit her briefly. She expected him to be chivalrous, but his honest reaction was better than expected. He seemed to not notice it at all. He wasn't even focusing in that area as she noticed his eyes go up and down her body. He was undressing her, the fiend, and his next words proved it.
"You'd look better without all those clothes, though." He smiled and his eyes glinted. Whether he knew or not that he was being tested, he was saying all the right things. Cheeky. That's what he was, and she was loving it and loving him more than ever.
The emotionality of the moment left her, and she was ready to continue. She seductively passed her hands up her thighs, slowly across her abdomen until they were at her breasts. She cupped herself and massaged herself.
"You want these off?"
She had worn the red lace ensemble on purpose. He always reacted positively when he saw it. She had not worn it before when they'd had sex, as it was newer in her collection, but she started wearing it to his flat in the last weeks. Besides being beautiful, it made her feel good.
He nodded, already affected by the way she was moving her hands over her breasts. Anna reached back and undid the clasp. She then removed the offending item, swinging it at him. It caught him in the shoulder before falling behind the sofa. He chuckled before he saw her beautiful breasts exposed to him and then he was silent. How he loved them. They were not too big, and not too small – just perfect for him. They held him captive.
Anna hooked her fingers on the elastic of the knicker, but poised her hands on her hips. She jutted one of her hips out in another sultry pose "How about these, John, should I keep them on?
"No, no…off," he answered.
Anna's devilish smile indicated that she would concede to his desires and she danced them down her legs. When they were almost down, she stepped out of one side. Caught in the ankle of the remaining leg, Anna balanced her body on the opposing leg, and swung them roundly, flirtatiously, finally kicking them off. This time, she hit John squarely on the face.
He couldn't imagine what he was seeing before him, a perfect and carefree Venus de Milo. Their previous encounters had been so different, weighed down by their guilt, or by the myriad of problems surrounding them. There was an emotional intensity always present, the threat of being pulled apart making their reunions passionate. Seeing her now, though, even after all they had been through was such a joy. There was laughter and elation in her spirit. He loved seeing her this way, a combination of angelic and playful.
"Are you going to contemplate life all day, Mr. Bates?" she teased him. "You are a little overdressed, and I am waiting for you." She blew him a kiss and sat on the plush carpet that was only a few feet away from them, and closer to the fire.
John was up on his feet immediately, shedding his polo shirt quicker than he ever did before. He unbuckled his belt just as swiftly, and then undid the button of his pants. Soon enough, they were off, and he was left in his boxer shorts and socks. His removal of clothing was a stark contrast to Anna's seductive moves. He was awkward and clunky, almost falling over as he tried to get his legs out of the pants. There was no grace, no finesse.
Anna whistled, grinning at how cute he looked as he tried to disrobe himself. Anna called to him with her index finger. "Come here, Mr. Bates. I can help with the rest."
John was eager for her help, and took the few steps needed to reach her. Anna sat on her haunches, and reached for his penis, cupping him. "Are you already hard for me, love?" She massaged him gently to answer her own question. "..Because I am not sure how much longer I can be kept waiting. I've already been made to wait for three months," she added with cheek.
John pulled down his shorts, and Anna's hand was pushed away. His manhood sprung forth, and her question was answered. "I have been made to wait just as long, and I can't wait any longer either," he responded as he kneeled down in front of her and took possession of her lips once more. Their kisses were frenetic this time, and he guided them down until they were lying on the floor, side by side. Both knew that him on top of her would never be ideal, and her current horizontal position, with her right side to the floor was perfect.
"Let's try like this," he whispered as he pulled her leg over his hip. The pace of their exploratory kisses had not stopped; they were even wilder, if that were possible.
"I'm ready John, take me now," she gasped between breaths.
He entered her, and it felt like coming home. She was warm, and welcoming, and tight. Just what he needed. How he had missed her. When he felt that she had adjusted to having him inside her once more, he thrust forward, gently, not wanting to hurt her.
"Oh, God, John…that feels so good," she whispered in his ear as he kept moving inside her. "I missed you," she added breathlessly a moment later.
John was so concentrated on his movements; on making them precise as possible, that he couldn't answer back. He had to be gentle enough to avoid hurting her, but masterful enough to produce the desired sensations. And it was not easy. Her body was his refuge, and he felt lost within her. Prevented from this touch for so long, he now relished every feeling, every touch.
"Faster, John. I can handle it. I won't break." Anna squeaked her commands, as she arched back. In this position, his mouth had found her neck and the slope of her breast. As he continued his movements, he licked and sucked on her nipple and Anna arched back, responding to this stimulation.
He increased his pace, and the feelings within Anna intensified. She was holding on to him, and her response was to rake her nails along his back and shoulder. They had never tried this position, and her previous experience was that it never produced the same sensations as if she were atop, but he was well enough endowed to be hitting all the right spots. She could barely manage his stimulation. Her end was coming soon, she could feel it.
"I'm going to come, John, faster." He increased his pace, and two thrusts was all it took for her to be taken away. John sensed that her end had come, and thrust once more before finding his own end. He spilled himself inside her, as he'd done before, and Anna held on to his behind, loving the warm and fluid feeling that his end brought.
"Let's not ever wait that long to be together again," John whispered back, finally able to compose a thought. They were still joined, and very close to each other. "How are you feeling?" he added in a ragged voice when he remembered that she was still convalescent.
She didn't want to move and was pleased that John had made no effort to disconnect them. Feeling this close to him after making love was heavenly. "This is the medicine I needed. With you by my side, I will always be fine."
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"Is it blasphemous to say that I thought she would never leave?" Charles whispered to Elsie as they tumbled into bed. Elsie understood his sentiment completely. They loved their dear girl, and had been bereft at the thought of losing her. She had come close to succumbing to her wounds, and once she had awoken, they had become completely dedicated to her recuperation. They hadn't taken on any new cases and had moved her into their house so that they could provide the full time care she needed. Neither of them felt it a chore, nor a duty. It was all borne of love and they would do it all again if they had to.
This anxiety and devoted care of the last three months, though, had taken a toll on their intimacy. They were often too tired, or worried that Anna could hear them next door. The bedrooms shared a wall, which was not very thick, and Anna had particularly good hearing. The one time they weren't too tired was interrupted by Anna's knocking on said wall. "What are you two up to in there?" she had hollered, and it had soured the mood. From then on, they prayed that her recuperation would continue and that she would be strong enough to leave them one day. Anna had started going to work, but it didn't feel right to wait for her to leave to be able to be together. They'd done it a couple of times haphazardly, but they still felt on edge and unsatisfied. They needed their liberty.
John Bates, their soon to be son-in-law, had become their unwitting savior by whisking her away to a romantic weekend. Of course Elsie would worry that Anna would be out of her sight and out of her care, but there was no reason to hold her from going. She needed to regain her independence and John was really careful with her. He'd been a surprise to both her and Charles with the way he had managed to bring her out of her coma and the subsequent care he provided. He was at their home nearly every day, and he didn't shy away from any task that was needed. He'd won them over wholeheartedly, and even Charles had nothing to say about him anymore. On top of all of this, he'd gone and gifted here with Bates Airlift. When Anna explained what he had done, Charles felt ashamed at how he had treated him. Elsie could see how much they loved each other, and taking her away for a few days would be good for both of them.
And now, it would be good for her and Charles too. They had their house to themselves all over again and she was feeling very naughty. Three months of sexual repression had her thinking of all sorts of fun things to do.
"Not blasphemous," was all she could reply as she assaulted his mouth, while reaching down his pants to cup him. Her tongue had found his, and skillfully, she'd tasted every last crevice in his mouth. She was usually patient, but now she found that patience was overrated.
He breathed in when she found what she was looking for. Normally, he would be the one to start a tryst, but his wife's enthusiasm was very welcome. He was already hard for her and she was being very eager. She was already bringing down his paints. In no time, she had disrobed him.
'It's time Charles to see what we've been missing," she responded frenetically. That evening was pure bliss, and for several hours, nothing else in the world mattered.
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"You are sleeping with him again?" Mary asked as Anna situated her things back in her flat. Although they were engaged, they agreed that it didn't make sense for her to move in with him while his flat was temporary. He thought it best, when he moved into that place. It was let unit in a posh street in York, but it was not a place where he wanted to live permanently. He hardly had any furniture or decorations to make it cozy. He had chosen the place because it was convenient and an easy distance from the compound. He didn't want to live with Robert anymore and he was not going to move back to the house he shared with Vera. He wanted to sell that house first, and then find another property that he and Anna could enjoy together. They spoke about him moving to her flat, but neither felt comfortable uprooting Mary, when Anna's flat was not where they would live together permanently.
Anna looked upon her friend and instead of answering straight away; she smiled facetiously, affirming her friend's question.
"Well, good for you," Mary responded. The longing puppy dog stares that both of you were emitting were putting us all on edge. Even Matthew commented on it, and you know he doesn't like to talk about other people."
Anna laughed. "You exaggerate, Mary. We are not like that."
"Uh, no I don't, and yes you are," the brunette responded with a hand on her hip. "The way he looks at you is amazing. He appears to be undressing you every minute, but it's not lewd. There is an equal amount of devotion mixed in there, so you get a passionate longing face. I've never caught Matthew doing that for me, and let me tell you….. I was never keen on the idea of you and him until I saw that. I can tell he loves you."
Anna's heart clenched at her friend's admission. After the initial secrecy surrounding their relationship, it was wonderful to have support and to hear wonderful things about him.
"And you, well…. You are no different." Helping Anna move her things into the room, she set a box on the bed.
Anna's curiosity was peaked. After hiding her attraction and love for John Bates for so many months, hearing that her expressions exposed their attachment was interesting.
"…. You stop breathing when he enters the room and you hold your breath, turning pink in the process. Your lips curl into a wistful smile and you are not settled until he is at your side. You never stop staring at him." For emphasis, Mary added, " …..as I said… puppy dog eyes."
"I'm so happy, Mary. Even with everything that's happened, we couldn't be better."
"Well, I am happy for you. Are you changing the plans for the wedding?"
"No changes. We still want to wait until a year is up, in about nine months. We don't have a date, as we need everything around us to settle down. The trial against Richard is coming up soon and I don't want that hanging over our heads. I want a clean bill of health and to be able to run, swim and jump if I want to. The matter of Vera's inheritance and his stake in Bates Airlift has to be resolved. There is just so much going on and frankly, it would be nice to spend a year courting properly."
"And what are you doing now, about protection?" Mary sheepishly asked. She was well aware that Anna didn't like talking about such things. Yet, her interest was genuine. How could it not be after the nearly losing her friend, and after all of the medical issues she was to continue having?
"Nothing, right now." When Mary's eyes widened in horror, she quickly added. "There's no need, at least not in the next couple of weeks. I've been told that because of the shock in my body, it is unlikely that I'll be ovulating, and I haven't had my cycle . Now that I'm missing an ovary, I won't ever be regular again. We'll start using condoms soon because it will be a while before I can take any other sort of oral variation."
Anna appeared so certain in her response, that Mary changed the subject. "And how are you doing in the office?"
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Anna only understood the depth of what John had done for her when she went back to work at the compound. He had been running the operation in her absence, but until Vera's inheritance issues were resolved, he had no vote and no firm relationship with the company. He wasn't even being paid, since he wasn't even a salaried employee. For issues that required a manager, in Anna's absence, Robert was needed, since he was listed as co-owner. None of the employees asked them about this, so they kept on. If any of this affected John, he never said it and he never complained. He was more adamant than ever that he had sold his portion and that he was not entitled to anything. When Anna was ready to return, he also stepped aside to let her lead the office as she had been doing.
It was surreal, the first day on the job. She was nervous, aware that their relationship had been made public and that she would be working with him under the scrutiny of others. It was also the place where she had been almost violated by Richard and almost killed by Vera. If it were not for the fact that it was also the place that she fell in love, she might not have the strength to return.
The first order of the day had been a team meeting. She missed all of the employees and when she arrived into the room, she was met with thunderous applause. To her surprise, even Sarah clapped with joy. Kind words were exchanged and the heartfelt testimonials from the team brought her to tears. If anybody still had any doubts about the nature of her relationship with John, they were erased when he reached for her hand to provide emotional support and she eagerly clasped it. It was very apparent that a relationship existed between them.
She was also introduced to her newest employees. The company couldn't continue to operate on such a skeleton staff and they had hired up. They had a new Bryant Landing girl, Jane Moorsum, who had replaced Thomas. As a certified accountant, she was perfect for the position. In preparation for the launch of their contract with CONOCO EXPLORATIONS in January, three new pilots had been hired. Andrew Parker, Bertie Pelham and another woman to keep Daisy company, Lavinia Swire, joined the team. They were all nice people, and as far as she had been told, very qualified.
There were still some decisions to be made and assets to be acquired. They had to make a determination on whether to hire an external Sales Manager, or reposition Gwen, but they didn't want to make any big changes yet. She was doing an amazing job, though. She had signed up two new corporate clients, even when their overall demand for services had decreased. The negative publicity surrounding the shooting was the culprit, and they all knew they had to weather that storm.
John had also been busy working on the lease of the two new helicopters they would need for their CONOCO EXPLORATIONS startup and those were about to be delivered. They had a short list of names for the new machines that included Esther, Ginger, Katharine, Lauren and Doris. Gwen had suggested that they allow customers to name one of the choppers, from among the preselected pool of names. She created a promotion around it, providing a 10% discount on a future trip. Gwen rationalized that if customers saw that they were expanding and had new assets, it might generate positive sentiment. They had emailed their customer base and provided leaflets to those passengers on their current runs They had 300 votes thus far, and the outlook for the next two months had improved by a modest 5%. It seemed to be working, and "Ginger" was in the lead.
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"Will the Defendant please rise?" There was a shuffle in the court room as the audience waited for the final verdict to be read.
Richard sat morosely, but stood when the judge prompted him too. He turned to face the crowd and his eyes met John's, then settled on Anna. His features shifted to something akin a scowl. He was inevitably trying to frighten her, in a last effort to exert some mental power.
It was hard for John to imagine that he had once trusted and respected this man. When he remembered how Anna had suffered at his hands, and how he could have protected her had he not been in jail, his blood started boiling. Richard was lucky that John had been released when he was, if not, John wouldn't have been able to contain himself having the man so close to him. The only reason he was containing himself now was because of the woman beside him. Their hands had been entwined since the hearing started, and she grounded him, keeping him calm.
Anna would not allow herself to be frightened by this man. She didn't turn her gaze when his eyes met hers. She stood her ground, and it was him who ended up looking elsewhere. John had accompanied her throughout the entire few days that the hearing had lasted. She felt his unconditional support and that allowed her to weather the worst of it. His lawyer's accusations that she had flirted with him and that she had wanted the attention were ridiculous. They had even said that Richard acted in self-defense when Anna had attacked him viciously. She had been warned by Matthew and the lawyer presenting the case on behalf of the Crowne Prosecution Service that they would try to make Richard appear innocent. It was incredible that even with all of the evidence presented, and all the transcripts of her recordings, his defense team would still attempt to villainize her.
Now, as they were about to read the verdict, her heart rate speed up. She was nervous, thinking that there could be a possibility that somebody wouldn't believe all the proof of his guilt presented and that he would walk free. She didn't know what she would do if that were the case.
Next to them sat Mary and Matthew. Matthew didn't have to be there, since Richard was being accused by the local Crowne Prosecutor, but he was present as a friend, providing assistance and explanations that entire time. Her Godparents attended too and Elsie's calm and practical demeanor always helped keep Anna sane.
Tom Branson was there with Sybil Crawley. Phyllis Baxter was there with Joe Molesley. As witnesses and Anna's saviors on that fateful day, they had been summoned to appear in court to provide key testimonials. Both had been steadfast in their interviews.
With Tom, they tried to trick him into thinking that what he saw was not what it looked like. Richard's defender made a series of theories that he posed at Tom, expecting Tom to accept that Anna and Richard were playing rough when he walked in on them, but that Anna had consensually allowed Richard to start undressing her. Time and time again, Tom refuted those versions, claiming that Anna was already unconscious when he came upon the scene and that he wouldn't have been there in the first place if Anna hadn't yelled for him to help her. All the while he was on the stand, Sybil couldn't keep her eyes off him. Anna was pleased for them, since they seemed to be getting on great with each other.
Phyllis had been surprisingly strong, and they were all astonished at her change in character. Always presenting herself meekly in the office, there was no trace of fear or submission now. Anna understood Phyllis' motivations and backstory, having chatted privately with her during her recuperation. When Phyllis accepted that she was incongnitohelper, she thought that it might be the end of her career at Bates Airlift, and that Mr. Bates would find out that she knew all along what was going on and hadn't put a stop to it sooner. Phyllis had been frank with Anna, going as far as telling her about the torture she suffered at the hands of her boyfriend, and the resulting blackmail from Thomas. Anna was further incensed at Thomas' actions and understood why Phyllis had kept quiet. She promised never to tell Mr. Bates. More confident than ever, Phyllis refuted every false claim that disputed her eyewitness account to the attack and Anna loved her for it. She hoped that her pledge of support had caused that confidence, but Anna wouldn't take credit for it the moment she saw Joe Molesley escorting Phyllis into the courtroom. That friendship was an oddity, and she could only imagine how it came about, but they worked.
"The court finds the defendant guilty of aggravated assault with the intent of sexual battery."
Somebody whelped in the courtroom, and Anna could imagine that the only person who would react that way would be his mother. John turned to her and they hugged while the whole world watched. A feeling of calm came over her. This nightmare was over.
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SIX MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT
"Matthew, it's here," John exclaimed through his telephone as he examined the external markings of the thick envelope. Delivered by courier, John ought to open the robust envelope immediately, but he took his time. The contents would seal his fate. He would either own Vera's half of Bates Airlift or embark on the pursuit of ownership with whomever Vera's legitimate inheritor turned out to be.
"I'm about to enter a hearing. I have about five minutes. Do you want to open it now, or would you rather I come over when this is finished? It should only be a couple of hours." This was one of the last pending items from the incident that happened already six months ago. Matthew had already chatted with the magistrate in charge of supervising the legal process and was almost sure what those documents would say. They were only a formality.
"Come by later. I can wait." After some additional pleasantries, he hung up the phone.
He was so absorbed in studying the envelope, that he didn't hear the muffled steps upon the carpet. The first indication that he wasn't alone came with the loving arms that encircled him from his backside and her petite body that snuggled up against him. He wouldn't ever tire of having her in his life. He felt so content with her so close to him, and neither of them fretted that the door to his office was wide open.
"Why so pensive?" She couldn't help but hug him when she walked into the room. He was staring out the window, focused and intent, when the view from this office only led to a chain link fence and some stark concrete. She knew it wasn't anything on the outside that could be holding his interest.
"It's here." He lifted the envelope at an angle where she could see it.
She let go of his middle, curious to see the mysterious object closer. She came around until she was at his front. When she saw it, she knew exactly what it was. It was six months and a week to the day that Vera had died and if she didn't already have a clue, the very obvious seal from her majesty's court would have given the envelope away.
"You've not opened it." She didn't want to push him, but if it were her, she'd have already ripped it apart.
"I was about to." He turned towards his desk to find the letter opener in his drawer. "It's time to find out the truth."
"Perhaps, you'd like to be alone for this?" Anna took two steps back, intent on turning back to give him his privacy, but he dropped the sharp letter opener on his desk and reached out to her. His hand captured her wrist.
"No, darling, you don't have to leave. Please..." He reached down to give her a peck on the cheek. "…Stay here."
She wordlessly agreed and sat against the rim of his desk as the sharp tool glid across the top of the envelope. There would be several pages to read and he took a seat in his empty chair. He extracted the sheets while Anna patiently waited.
"It seems like a lot of pages," she offered curiously as she saw him ruffle through the pile. He offered a sheepish grin as he extended the top page out.
"Citizen John Bates," he read out loud. "Pursuant to inheritance laws of the United Kingdom, it has been determined by the magistrate of the council of York, that the intestate citizen Vera Bates' estate will be transferred to her legal spouse at the time of her death."
There was more, but he had enough insight to stop and smile. His eyes sparkled from the obvious happiness that this news produced in him.
"Welcome back as the majority owner, Mr. Bates," Anna offered coquettishly from her perch.
In a very obvious good mood, he reached out to capture her wrist again and as delicately as he could, he pulled her away from the desk and towards him, bringing her onto his lap. She squealed, loudly, at his move, but enjoyed herself immensely. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist.
"We are partners at last, Ms. Smith." He raised his eyebrows, flirting with her.
"We've been partners since that one fantastic evening we shared up against the helicopter, Mr. Bates," she whispered into his ears.
His breath hitched. That had been a magic evening, indeed, and that memory, plus Anna's warm breath on his ears, generated a pleasant sensation. Too bad they were in the office, he thought. But, that wasn't what he meant by his comment. "You know what I mean, silly." He kissed underneath her jaw, acknowledging her comment with physicality, while trying to bring attention to his. "With me back at Bates Airlift officially, we can finally be stable and grow this company as it deserves. You, Robert and I will make it better than it was."
Anna was pleased to see him so happy. She didn't think she deserved to own as much as she did, but John wouldn't hear of it when she brought the topic up. He was determined that she was due after sacrificing so much of herself and her money to see him and the company through their worst times.
"I love you, you know," she added as she ruffled his hair.
"…and I love you, future Mrs. Bates."
He kissed her then. They forgot where they were, as they indulged in each other. They had spoken, once their relationship had become known, that they would be careful while they were in the office. They wouldn't refrain from loving touches, but they would avoid the more obvious signs of their personal affection for one another. Sitting on his lap and kissing him deeply were those things they agreed to not do.
Anna realized they ought to stop, but his lips were seducing her and she didn't have the willpower to pull herself apart. His happiness was fueling his desire and she was only too happy to share in the moment with him.
A loud cough followed by an "I'm so sorry to interrupt," heralded the arrival of Anthony Strallan.
Anna pulled away and stood up immediately. The embarrassment of having been caught made her pink all over and she couldn't look Anthony in the eye. "I'll leave you gentlemen alone…."
0-0-0-0-0-0
"John, how high up are we?" Anna asked as she gazed below. They were headed towards Galloway again, and they were now crossing into the part of their journey that was over water. It was perfect for what she was thinking. An area that was free of buildings and towers was desirable for the plan, and the ocean was perfect.
"About two thousand meters, love. We are about half an hour away from our destination."
Anna pulled out her smart phone and hoped that her metric conversion app worked at this height. She needed to know if that was enough meters for a mile, and not knowing how much a mile was, in relation to a kilometer, a little bit of help would be necessary. Not that it would have mattered if the 2000 meters were less than a mile. She was sure that this stunt would still qualify her and John to become members of the mile high club.
It was an exclusive club only for the very bold. She didn't know anything about it until she overheard Tony Gillingham talking about it in the locker room. They hadn't noticing she was in the shower stall, refreshing herself after a difficult day. He was proud, he said, that he was a member and he was ribbing Alfred for apparently not being one himself. Alfred said he would never attempt it in a helicopter, but that he would be more daring on an airplane. Tony boasted that he had been lucky in both. Not fully understanding what this was all about, but suspecting it was not an adequate conversation to be involved in with members of her team, she waited until they had left the area before taking her leave. Twenty minutes later, google had clued her in to what this was, and she very much wanted her and John to join.
"Yes!" she pumped her fist when the conversion app reflected that it was 1.24 miles. John hadn't noticed her enthusiasm, and if he did, he wasn't letting on. All she had to do now was seduce him.
She wouldn't even be attempting this if she hadn't read up on the characteristics of the aircraft and if she hadn't enquired with Daisy about how the helicopter's autopilot functionality worked. She must be sure it was even possible to attempt it in Maggie before embarking on such a quest. She didn't explain why she was asking, as that would have been too embarrassing. Daisy was the right person for the explanation. She knew the technology of the helicopters, but was not too smart to pick up on Anna's ulterior motives. She hadn't caught on, and Anna was pleased that it was possible.
Was she ready? Was she that bold? Her head shifted and she took a good look at him. He was so handsome in his brown leather bomber jacket. She couldn't remember making love to him while he was wearing it and just that thought caused a frisson, deep within her. She closed her eyes, anticipating the sensation of feeling him deep within her. She shuddered. Yes, she was bold enough, and it was time to act.
She pulled on the clasp of the seat belt and it came undone. The suddenness of the movement caused John to notice. Safety always at the forefront of his mind, her break in protocol had him questioning her with his eyes, but he didn't say anything. This was perfect. He looked like an innocent lamb ready for slaughter.
She had prepared for this journey, anticipating what could be the most convenient outfit under this premise. A skirt that could be pulled up and button down shirt that could be opened from the front was what she chose. It proved to be the correct choice as she strummed her fingers down the front of the shirt. Slowly, she let her fingers trail over the row of buttons. He smiled, but didn't understand what she was trying to do, so, she raised her fingers to the top button and unfastened it. The cloth spread, revealing a few inches of her chest. John still didn't understand. Without breaking their visual connection, she undid the next one. There was enough gap that she could slide her palm underneath her shirt easily now. His eyes followed the movement as her hand disappeared underneath the fabric. She cupped herself, closing her eyes and moaning in the process.
What in God's name was his naughty girl up to? John's eyes bulged as he saw her eyelids flutter shut. Her fingers were massaging her breast, and her moan set him on edge. They were in the middle of the air. What did she think she could gain from putting him in such a state?
Without opening her eyes, Anna continued her onslaught. Keeping her hand on her breast, she inched the other one down her body, bringing it down past her belly, until she reached her skirt. Gingerly, she pushed up the fabric until her knickers were visible. She proceeded to rub herself. Knowing exactly what spot would have the most impact, she massaged it gently. Anna moaned again, feeling keenly what she was doing to herself. She kept doing it, for another minute, managing to undo another button from her brisk movements.
"Anna," he called out with difficulty and she finally opened her eyes. She had him exactly how she wanted him. His mouth was hanging open; she could see that his breath was shallow. His pants also gave his state of arousal away.
"Are you trying to get us killed?" he asked, barely above a whisper. If they weren't wearing headsets, she wouldn't have ever heard him over the noise of the rotors.
This might be the most erotic experience if his life. Even with his long career in aviation, he had never brought a woman into his helicopter for sex - not that he didn't have opportunities as a young hotshot pilot. He slept with a number of women in those days, but he impressed them just by showing up in uniform. He hadn't needed the extra help the helicopter could have brought. And Vera… well, she never like flying with him. The opportunity would have never presented itself. But, glorious God - here was his incredibly sexy fiancé, orchestrating his very demise by carnal lust. He was bound to crash this machine if she kept it up.
"On the contrary." With firmness in her voice she added, 'I've heard you're the best pilot around and I know this bird has auto pilot."
Her hand reached across the expanse between them, and she landed her hand close to his thighs. Without preamble, she ghosted her fingers over his bulging crotch.
He sucked in a breath. God, she knew exactly how to get to him. He already felt the sweat trickling down his sides, and that was before she'd touched him. Autopilot? Why yes, this helicopter came equipped with that feature. The button to activate it was just a few inches away on the control panel, and they were over the ocean. No cell towers or tall buildings to contend with. She must have planned this, the minx.
In no time, she found the zipper pull and inched it down. He hadn't tried to stop her, an indication that he was warming up to the idea. He closed his eyes, as she expected, and she could see him exert an immense amount of self-control. His fists were clenched around the throttle of the controls, and his knuckles, white boned, indicated how much pressure he was in. Intent on winning this game, she fumbled through the opening of his boxers until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out his hot, throbbing member. He sucked in his breath again as she ran her fingers across his length. She was ready for the kill.
"John, let's join the mile high club, together." She continued providing ghost touches. "Tell me what to do, tell me how it's safe." She bent across the space and took him in her mouth. He wouldn't be able to refuse after that.
Blimey! She was giving him a blow job. There was no way back. He wanted her. Before he lost his bearings, he turned the autopilot switch on. He would have sighed with relief, but his breathing was hampered by the flash flood of sensations. Her lips were caressing him, and her tongue was teasing his tip. In the most normal of times, her mouth on him proved to be quite the experience. Currently, those sensations were intensified tenfold. Perhaps the thought that they were doing something forbidden, so high into the air, was heightening all the sensations. He felt like he would explode, and she'd been at it less than a minute.
"Darling," he managed to say. She disengaged and looked up. He pulled the lever that controlled his seat's positioning and moved it back a few inches. "Autopilot is on, but we still need to be careful." If they were going to do this, he needed to be the one in control. "Come and sit on top of me, facing the control panel, and be absolutely careful when moving. You do not want to touch the foot pedals."
Anna felt a mixture of excitement and terror as she maneuvered in the tight space. John didn't want to take his hands off of the throttles, so she dove underneath his elbow, and came up between both his arms. Putting a hand on the dashboard and another on John's shoulder, she steadied herself as she tried moving her legs. The easiest was to sit on John, and swivel around. As she put her weight on him, she gauged whether she was causing him any harm. She couldn't distribute her weight evenly, with her legs still resting on the cushions of her seat, and she was placing too much pressure on his right leg. He had more than one wound that could produce pain, but if anything hurt, his face did not give way and soon enough, she negotiated the territory.
She was against his chest, and she could feel his breath on her neck. A chill ran down her body. Oh my, this would be quite the encounter.
His hard penis was trapped between them. She reached into the pocket of her shirt where she had stored a condom. As much as she desired this experience, it wasn't right to do anything careless. She ripped the package open with her mouth, and took the specimen carefully from its wrapping. In hindsight, she should have done this first, before coming over to sit on him. The only way to put it on him would be to raise herself up and crouch, since there wasn't any standing room in helicopter. Her hands trembled, but she couldn't avoid chuckling as her head and back reached the vinyl top paneling. In this position, with her upper half horizontal to the ceiling, she was throwing her bum into his face, and blocking all visibility with her dangling hair above the control panels. She had to sheath him at an awkward angle too, in between her legs and reaching backwards. John hadn't been idle while she was doing this and wasn't being very helpful to achieve her purpose. Or he was, depending on the point of view. His tongue and teeth were unavoidably occupied with her bottom. He bit into one of her butt cheeks, then sucked and licked the skin that was visible to him. It was harder for her to maintain a steady movement to get the condom on, but the flood of feelings was accumulating moisture. When his tongue reached far enough to lick the soaked fabric of her knickers, she let go of the condom, already halfway down. It was Anna's turn to gasp and her hands were necessary to steady her; her legs trembling from the feelings. She held on the glass panels of the front and side. One of his hands came off of the throttle temporarily and he pushed up her bra, revealing her breasts. He couldn't see them, but he enjoyed running his hand on her hardened nipples all the same. This was better than she had expected and she could confirm that he was a damn good pilot. He was also a phenomenal lover. The helicopter hadn't shifted at all and she was already hot and wet and ready for him. When his tongue let up for a moment, she reached back again and finished what she was doing. Now sheathed, she was ready to take him in.
Sex with John was always enjoyable, but now that he was in control and had accepted her challenge, he seemed intent on prolonging her agony. His hand pushed her forward, avoiding their final joining. It was sheer torture having him so close.
His labored voice could barely get out the instructions, but it did. "The autopilot is almost like the cruise control in your car. We can't let go of all the controls for too long. You'll have to take the throttles, and I must keep my feet on the pedals at all times." She had to gasp in the process. His hand was doing wonders on her, still massaging her breasts. "We'll move together, but you will have to exert the greater movement. Just keep the throttle as stable as possible and we should be fine." Towards the end, he was raspy, but he got his point across.
He was talking technical, but the rasp in his voice, and sultry delivery of the lines had her fit to burst. How he could be so patient, she wouldn't understand. She guessed it had to be his training as a pilot, keeping calm in all situations.
Per his indications, she took the controls from John. He in turn, held on to handle that was positioned above his door, and then wrapped his arm around her. Whether that meant he was ready or not, she was, and she eased herself downward the few inches that was necessary for them to be joined. In her zeal to move over and join John, she hadn't remembered to take off her knickers. That little problem would not stop them, and he moved the restriction to the side, sinking into him. The collective moan from both of them could be heard above all of the noise.
This was beyond her expectations. The rhythmic drumming of the rotors produced vibrations that were being felt keenly. Each undulation was hitting every one of her nerve points. It was indescribable. She was so close to release already and they hadn't even moved. She imagined it would be even better if she did, and using her feet and her hold on the throttle for leverage, she did. She was slow at first, allowing the vibrations to produce their own pleasurable after-effects every time she sank down on him, but as she started moving quicker, she realized that the vibrations aided in those movements too. Waves of heat spread through her body, relentlessly. It was intense, the best sensual response she had ever experienced.
John was glad that he'd never shared this type of encounter with another woman before. This was something he would never forget, and it was best to have lived it with the woman he loved. Every one of her movements left him unable to process. Every time she took him deep within her, the blood in his body threatened to burst in flames. Massive pleasure was assaulting his body, and he never felt anything like it. He needed to come now, as he could hardly continue. As if reading his mind, Anna ceased her movements and tensed before him. Even with the relentless noise, he thought he heard her screech. Convinced that he could, his release came.
She rested against him, trying to catch her breath. She could hear him also struggling with his breathing. She was in awe of him and of what they had done. It was probably the most momentous and satisfying sexual encounter in her life.
"I love you," she offered now, not having the capacity to say it moments before.
"And I love you," he answered back.
If they were in their bed at home, they might go to sleep, the exertion of such an encounter rendering them useless, but they couldn't. Not now. John was usually more spent than her, even during a normal encounter, and she couldn't imagine how he would feel now, after what they'd just shared. She would have to keep her wits about her to make sure they didn't plunge into the ocean below, or the ground for that matter, since she saw, on the horizon, that they were nearing land. They'd arrive soon enough at their destination.
There was no hurry to move and they stayed in the same position for a few minutes. "How are you, love?" she asked when he'd not said anything for a while.
"You, Anna Smith, will be the death of me."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"What are you thinking?" Her sweet voice broke the silence. It was very quiet outside, but Anna could tell that her man was busy brooding. Ever since he received the full report from the court, detailing all of Vera's holdings, he would get pensive. That's what she imagined he was thinking about now.
They were stargazing again, as they had almost nine months ago when he brought her here the first time. It seemed almost yesterday that they were getting to know each other. They still were, but they were now settled together and comfortable, as old lovers should be. The weather was phenomenal and the stars as beautiful as ever. She loved being like this, with him; laying out on a blanket, their eyes fixed on the heavens. If only his thoughts wouldn't cloud the evening.
He sighed, knowing he had been caught. Again. But this time, he finally had an idea of what he wanted to do with the money. He felt the compound was rightfully his and had no qualms "inheriting" it. It was the same for the funds that she and Thomas had embezzled from the company. He had rightfully deposited it back, and the company's coffers were full once again. What was troubling him, though, was the remaining money from her personal accounts, and the surprising sum she had at Eagle Investments. More than a sum, it was a large stake in the Helicopters UK; a company in direct competition with his. Besides being a conflict of interests, he didn't want her money and didn't want to profit from it. Never had he been more conflicted in his life about what to do.
"Still thinking about what to do with the money." He wouldn't lie to her. As little as they had known each other, she could already read him like a book, and nothing he could have invented would have been believed.
She shifted from lying on her back and curled up against him. "It is rather a conundrum. I don't envy you."
He placed a kiss on her temple. "This place has helped me clear my thoughts." That had been the intention of this trip. Since his release from prison and their subsequent injuries, he'd only come here once, when Daphne had needed he transport a girl in need of help, but at the time, Anna was still in a delicate condition. No sooner had he arrived, he left. He'd not had an opportunity to chat with Daphne at all. He'd been meaning to come again, just him and Anna, and they had finally managed it.
"Oh? ….. and…. Are you any nearer to reaching a decision?" Anna was intrigued, and lifted her head to face him. Maybe he would be ready to tell her.
"You know I don't want her money, and I think Vera's money could be put to good use. The only conceivable way to spend her money is by donating it to a good cause." As he spoke, his hand came up to Anna's head to run his fingers through her hair. He spent a lot of time doing that, and he could never resist when he was so close. He continued. "I'd like to set up some endowments to some worthy causes. Maybe those that I think represent what Vera would have supported, or the type of charity that might have helped her heal her mental wounds, but I need to do more research."
"That sounds lovely, darling." She reached out to stroke his cheek tenderly. "I think that is a wise choice."
"Maybe you can help me narrow it down."
His eyes questioned her, and her heart overflowed with joy. He wasn't shutting her out, and was involving her, asking for opinions. "Absolutely," she answered.
He was pleased at her response, but he wasn't finished with his thoughts.
"That's not all. I still have Helicopters UK to contend with. I don't want to get involved or to feel like I'm competing with myself at every turn. It would drive me mad."
"It's a huge stake in the company, though. Would you consider merging with them? You could rule over a larger helicopter empire."
"We," he corrected. Anna's contributions to the company in such a short time had been formidable. She had invested money into automation and digital storage, and everybody in their small company was pleased with the results. Errors had decreased, their risks had diminished, and overall, the operation was running more efficiently. He wasn't sure he ever wanted to work anywhere she wasn't around, and he wasn't even thinking in romantic terms. She was an asset to their organization.
She shifted her eyes away from him, but smiled gently. She was confident in her work, but John's insistence that she participate in every meeting and every business scenario always made her feel bashful. He included her in everything.
"And no," he added with zeal. "I don't really want to merge with them and run an empire. Bates Airlift is a company I started. We give personalized service. We know our customers." As was customary to John Bates, to emphasize his points, his hands were employed. Even with his arms holding her close to him, his flailing was charming, and Anna loved watching him.
"We can continue to grow, but I don't want it to get to a size where it loses it small company appeal and charm. I don't care that we aren't a country-wide operation. I just want us to be the best at what we do, with the best employees and the best services. I don't need us to have the largest fleet, or the largest employee count."
Anna was relieved. In her heart, she didn't want to have to deal with the massiveness of it all either. Merging might have meant moving to London too. She loved the city and was quite happy when she visited, but living there, permanently, was another matter. She felt closer to her parents in Yorkshire and wouldn't ever want to move away.
"Will you sell, then?" Anna asked. "It would be a substantial amount of money."
"I believe I will. I think I'm almost decided, and I know exactly what I want to do with it."
Before Anna could react and ask questions, John offered up the information himself. "Daphne mentioned that the land adjoining the Bryant Landing compound is currently for sale." He pointed across the brook that ran close to them. There was nothing but trees and green fields. "It is currently undeveloped. She is worried about what type of neighbors she could inherit. This is the Galloway Forest National Park area, and it is prime land for tourism development. If a hotel was built here, their presence could be counterproductive for her women. I agree with her."
Anna started to get a feeling that she knew where he was going with his thinking. She felt goosebumps on her skin and a warm sensation throughout her body. John was such a good man and he was hers. She sighed with emotion as her heart swelled.
"The only thing Vera and I ever agreed on was our love for Callum. The only fitting use of her money would be in tribute to him. I think the Callum Kelly annex to Bryant Landing with several more cottages and facilities sounds quite nice, don't you think?"
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A/N: Thank you everybody for your continued interest in the story. I appreciate all the enthusiasm. I'll try not to take too much time to deliver on the last chapter.
Somebody asked me for helicopter sex, so there you have it! I hoped it wasn't too terrible.