A/N: As you can see from the rating being bumped up, there is smut in this chapter. It doesn't really get too much until towards the end, but if you're not into it, then don't worry - you can skip this chapter completely and not miss any big plot points.

For those of you who are sticking about: enjoy!

The cab journey was absolute, sweet torture. From the moment they had climbed into the back, Anna had been itching to lean herself over the leather that was pressing warm through the layers of her coat and dress, take his face in her hands and kiss him senseless. The urge had been so keen building in her that she could actually feel it sparking and prickling over her skin. She supposed she could have been able to kiss him, the compartment being dark and relatively sheltered with the driver not seeming to notice anything but the road ahead, but a large part of her knew that if she did so much as brush against his lips she wouldn't have been able to keep control. She didn't trust herself not to ravish him right there on the seat, and she was a little shocked at her wild imaginings. She had certainly not felt this level of desire in her whole life. Her nails dug into the edge of the seat as the cab turned another corner and she swallowed the air, her breath nearly hitching in her throat. Her heart was pounding in her chest, getting increasingly impatient and slightly irrational. She had to calm herself down.

Aware of her restlessness, Anna felt the pad of John's thumb sweep slowly, gently, over her hand, massaging her knuckles one by one. Her eyes fluttered shut and her mouth hung open just a little. Oh god, this was only making it worse. But in the best way possible. She took in a silent breath as her eyes opened again, her head instinctively craning round. Immediately she was met with his gaze fixed upon her, his soft and sweet smile. A rush of emotion overwhelmed her.

She looked down for a moment at the span of his hand, protective over hers. She marvelled at it, so large, enveloping hers totally. It looked as if it was built to work, to craft, to do so many utterly masculine things. And yet, he always held her own hand so very delicately. She was concentrating so hard on the motion of his fingers that she started just a little when he laced them in the spaces between hers and lifted their hands from the seat, turning them so her palm faced upwards. Time seemed to stand still as he guided her hand across to him and, so soft she was barely able to register it, placed his lips in the centre of her palm. Electricity rifled through her. He lifted his eyes to look at her from underneath his brows and her heart skipped several beats when she saw what was held there. It was subtle, still mixed with his achingly sweet look of adoration, but it was unmistakable. The darkening of his irises that told her that his desire was deepening, was matching her own. The look that told her that he wanted her, so very much.

She wasn't really sure how her feet carried her, everything seeming a daze to her at this moment in time, but they had, and now they were both standing on the pavement just outside his house.

Anna stared at him, a dreamlike haze fallen over her face. Inside her head, she willed for the ticking engine of the cab to swiftly drive away. She couldn't imagine what was taking the driver so long. John's eyes glinted at her in the moonlight and on the very second that she heard wheels tread the road, she threw her body forward, pouncing on him.

Her lips were hungry on his, her tongue plundering his mouth as her hands scrambled across the expanse of his back. She ached for more contact, even as she continued to kiss him, the initial frenzy easing into deeply passionate ardour. She had imagined that once their lips had met that it would be enough to quell her need, for the very moment at least, but if anything it only intensified. As her mouth kept working against his, Anna felt John's strong hands trail down her sides, coming to grasp her waist and steady her, bringing her closer into his embrace. The heat of his body, apparent to her even through all of his clothes, sent her falling further.

He ran his fingers smoothly across one side of her waist as the torrent of kisses came to a conclusion, his eyes heavy and a little dazed.

"I think it's probably best if we go inside," he whispered against his cheek, his breath ragged. "Mrs Berry next door might keel over if she happens to peek out of her curtains."

Even in the pitch dark, Anna's face reddened. Keeping her hold on him, she stole a glance over the fence towards the next house, though she couldn't make anything out. Turning back to see his roguish grin pointed at her, she broke into hushed giggles which were punctuated with soft sighs as his hand moved gently up and down her spine.

She clasped his hand, walking close behind him as he prised the gate open quietly. He had to let go of her when he delved into his pocket to find the key, but no sooner had he located it were his fingers back twined with hers again, staying there as he pushed open the door.

Anna's feet were rooted to a small spot as he secured the door shut behind them and then flicked on the switch to fill the hallway with a soft, gradual light. Hearing him shuffle around at her back, relieving himself of his coat, she couldn't stop her eyes from wandering about the place in fascination, trying to take everything in at once. Why she should be quite so enthralled, it wasn't clear. It was just a regular house, in a suburb of the city, like so many she had found herself in before. But it was his house, his home. As that simple fact occurred to her once more, a thousand tingles swirled inside of her, making her feel as if she were treading on air even as her feet were planted firmly to the floor, not having moved an inch.

She felt his breath tickle lightly against the hair that covered her neck and shivered to sense him so close to her again. She twisted a little at the hips to be able to see his face. Her knees were at risk of buckling when she found him looking at her, so earnestly. His arms were held out either side of her, hands hovering in the air beside her. It was utterly tantalising; if she angled herself just a little, she would be able to melt into his touch.

"May I…?" he uttered softly, his fingers barely bracing the velvet sleeves of her coat.

She smiled and nodded, letting him slip the garment from her shoulders. As she felt the warm air of the house hit her skin, she curled herself slightly, scrunching a hand in the curls at the tips of her hair as they were shaken free. All of a sudden and for some unknown reason, she was struck with shyness. Her cheeks were simmering with heat.

Rubbing the tips of her fingers against her now bare arm, she gazed up at the staircase a little to the left of her. Closing her eyes for a moment, she attuned herself to the surroundings. She inhaled then exhaled slowly, and felt instantly soothed. There were several different scents hanging in the air, but all of them in their combination were completely and reliably John. A light smile spread across her lips upon the sudden invasion of her senses. He was all around her, wrapping her up, as he had done for so long. But then, it had all existed most vividly in her mind. It was only now that she was truly on the verge of letting herself be consumed by him.

Her eyes flew open with the delightful shock of her realisation, and the first thing she saw was his face in front of hers. She filled up with emotion as she noticed his look of utter concern.

"Is everything okay? Are you okay?" he said, his voice calm and measured even though his eyes were roaming her features restlessly. He must have taken the sudden flutter of her eyelids, the flash in her irises, for trepidation, fear, cold feet about everything.

Anna smiled, the words rolling from her tongue lazily.

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine." She inched herself closer to him, taking a sure step forward. "I'm quite sure I couldn't be better."

He glanced down at the floor for a second, Anna still able to see that his eyes were relieved and smiling. Letting out a little breath, he moved closer to meet her, the tips of their shoes almost touching. That gentle touch was there again, and Anna held her breath as he delicately wrapped his fingers around her hand.

"You know, I won't mind if you say you'd rather go home. I'll see you back there if that's what you want."

The tips of his fingers were dancing over her skin, and Anna shook her head gently, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"And if you do want to stay, you should know that we don't have to."

He sighed, looking down at his thumb tracing over the circle of her curled hand and then gazed up at her, deep into her eyes.

"I don't expect anything from you, Anna. You need to know that."

She flexed her hand against his, dragging her nails softly over his palm. The action made him shudder and he let out a tiny groan as their eyes remained locked, searching each other. She shuffled herself, drawing even closer until there was only the faintest breath between them.

"I know you don't, but I've told you," she breathed huskily, arching herself just a little on her tiptoes. "There's nothing I want more. There's nothing that feels more right to me than this."

Her eyes fluttered, the passion within them so clear. She squeezed her fingers against his softly, her lips smiling before they parted lusciously. Her other hand brushed against the base of his spine, inching dangerously close to his rear.

"I don't want to go," she whispered, her breath hot against his cheek as she leaned further. "I want to stay right here with you. All night." She barely breathed her last two words, and lengthened them deliciously in her mouth.

It seemed to release something in him, as his hands braced the flare of her hips, fingers stretching around to her back. Before there was any time for second thoughts, his mouth had crashed upon hers, capturing her in a dizzying, mind-blowing kiss. He pulled her flush to him and she could already feel each synapse and nerve react to the caresses of his lips, her mouth opening to let his tongue ease in, meeting hers in slow strokes that made every bit of her quiver.

She loved the look in his eyes, the embers fading and then reigniting, as he gazed her at longingly. During it all, their palms had become pressed together again. A sigh escaped Anna as she opened her mouth again to speak, if she were able to find the words.

"Take me upstairs, John."

He smiled, curling his fingers around hers, lifting their hands to leave the imprint of a kiss upon her skin before he led the way, with careful steps, up the staircase. Anna took in a deep breath to ward off the fuzziness that was threatening to shut her mind and body down. There was no going back now. They were on the verge, indeed.

John closed the door with a quiet click, the very faint beams spilling under the curtains the only light in the room. Anna turned her gaze into the room, her toes wiggling against the rug, soft beneath her bare feet. She let out a breath, unable to keep her eyes from him for much longer. Hesitating for just a second, she glimpsed over her shoulder and bit the curl of her lips when she saw John leaning against the door, his gaze appreciatively running the length of her. She smiled as she turned fully, her legs crossing at the ankle underneath her dress, her toes swirling patterns across the rug. She couldn't resist her own eyes from searching along his body, his broad torso, his endless legs. Just looking at him made her stomach tighten and a burning start up a touch lower. She was desperate to run her hands all over him, slowly, teasingly, leaving no place untouched.

Her fantasies were already beginning to run away with her as she followed his movements into the room, his legs striding towards her, his eyes smouldering darkly as they remained set on her, going straight to her very soul. She could feel the heat coming from him, flames licking at her edges, and with each step he took closer, she surrendered to him a little more. He held out his hand into the space between their bodies which was rapidly lessening, and she clasped it without thinking.

"Come here," John uttered in a low growl, and a smirk rose on her face as he tugged on her hand that was held in his, pulling her to him. She sighed upon the renewed contact, his other arm draping tenderly across her back and guiding her ever closer.

He turned them around in the room so that she was the one being bathed in the soft moonlight that was straining against the curtains, the silver light framing her face. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before he let it fall. She glanced up at him, as he brought the hand he had released up to trail the curve of her cheek softly. Anna purred a little, nuzzling her face into his palm as his fingers kept caressing her, the lightness of his strokes upon her skin becoming more intent as his eyes guided over her features. His touch was utterly wondrous. When she found the space in her head to grasp at thought, she reasoned that she would be quite content to spend the rest of her life beneath his fingertips, letting him revive and enliven her.

As his fingers danced over her skin, he sighed.

"Anna." Her name left his lips like a hymn as his gaze roamed her. "You are gorgeous. All of you."

His other hand travelled up the curve of her back, swept around to caress her jaw on the other side of her face. He cupped her other cheek with as much tenderness, his touch so delicate as if he believed she were some precious jewel at risk of shattering with a grasp too strong. She inhaled as his thumb drew little circles on the skin there.

Still caressing her all the while, he lifted his head, his breath fluttering on the crown of hers. She thought she heard him whisper something very faintly, something that sounded like 'I don't deserve…' until it drifted away and he pressed a kiss on the top of her hair. She almost didn't feel it, it was so light, and she made to crane herself upwards but then his lips trailed lower, kissing her forehead. He dotted butterfly kisses there, bending to place one gentle kiss at the bridge of her nose which made her tingle from head to toe. He guided his lips back up again, parting them to leave a warm, slightly open-mouthed kiss in the centre of her forehead, and Anna juddered lightly against him.

She looked up at him, sucking in a breath as he pulled back again. Her arms rested firm against his chest which was rising and falling steadily. She felt the rhythm of his heartbeat thundering beneath her fingertips and she pressed her hand a little more firmly there, keen to absorb the beats so that they could become embedded in her fingerprints. The smile grew on her lips as he raked a hand gently through her scalp, pushing the hair off her face. Her eyes were looking into his, so deep and dark and entrancing. The pull of attraction led her gaze lower to trace the curve of his lips, which were just as captivating. She flickered hazily between his eyes and lips until he read her need unmistakeably.

In the next second, they were wrapped in a kiss, their arms wrapping around each other urgently. While their hands were frantic, grasping fistfuls of clothing in their desire, their lips worked at a completely different pace, going slowly, savouring the kiss as it grew deeper and more languid, making them lose themselves in one another. Anna's nimble fingers had managed to shrug off John's jacket and were working skilfully at the knot of his tie while they continued to kiss each other deeply. John's hands had glided down the curve of her spine and grabbed at her bottom, cupping it firmly. Anna's shoulders jumped a little as she went closer to him, and she couldn't stop herself from letting out a little muffled laugh.

His lips reluctantly left hers, and a half-puzzled, half-amused expression snuck up onto his face.

"What is it?"

Anna shifted her feet lightly, her hands still grasping onto his shirt, which had been pulled from his trousers. "Nothing," she smirked. "I just realised that I'm in your bedroom."

"You've only just noticed?" He said, chuckling breathily, his chest vibrating against her fingers. They stood for a minute or so, laughing like teenagers who were embarking on a secret encounter. He stroked a hand at the small of her back. "It's been a good while since I've had anyone in this room, I can tell you."

Anna pulled a little face, finally releasing the tie's knot and draping it from his neck.

"Now, John Bates, I don't know if I quite believe that."

"Well, it's the truth," he asserted, dipping his head for a moment to kiss and nibble at her earlobe, wresting a delighted little whine from her. He lifted to look back into her eyes. "But good things come to those who wait. I wouldn't want any other woman in the world to be here. As far as I'm concerned, there are none. They could never compare."

She giggled bashfully, as he took one of her hands to his mouth, guiding his lips over her knuckles.

"You're so adorable when you do that, you know," he whispered against her skin, his tongue lightly flicking out. "Everything about you is adorable." His other hand glided up her side, pressing gently against the skin that was bare high on her back, before his fingers curled at her jaw. His voice lowered to a growl again. "Not to mention, incredibly sexy."

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as his hand sunk into her hair, tangling the tresses delicately. He seemed to be fascinated with it, his fingers curling and a couple stroking at her hairline. He swept them there in just the right way that made her want to beg for mercy. The thumb on his other hand swept across her cheek tenderly as his lips met hers again, picking up where they had left off for another bout of feverish kissing. She parted her lips to let his tongue play across them, the waves of pleasure bubbling within her as his fingers continued to rake through her hair, tugging just lightly on the strands in a way that made her shiver. They had waited so patiently all night to share kisses, and now they had started it seemed they couldn't stop for very long.

Her hands were roaming again, resuming their assault on the buttons of his shirt with relish. Without interrupting the movements of their mouths upon one another, she managed to pop them all free and then delved lower, working on his belt buckle. Once she had it open, her fingers fixed themselves onto the button of his trousers. She could feel searing heat emanating from the front and she moaned into their kiss on encountering it. As his trousers fell to his ankles, his hands were rippling up and down her body effortlessly, his fingers coming to trace the curve of one of her breasts through her dress. She let out another muffled gasp. She couldn't wait to be free of it.

Reading her mind, he gripped the zip at the back and glided it down. The dress slipped down her limbs like water, pooling in a golden pond on the floor. Her heart stuttered when he finally laid his hands on the plains of her bare skin, at once cool and sizzling under his touch. The silk lining of the dress was nothing against the sweep of his fingers upon her, so soft and sensuous. She really did want to feel his hands on her forever.

He had explored her body masterfully with his hands before he actually saw her, so he finally broke their unending kiss to pull back and take view of her. Anna couldn't complain too much, for as much as she longed for his lips to return to hers, she wanted desperately to see him before her too. They were almost completely revealed to one another, standing in just their underwear. Both took in audible breaths as they simply gazed at each other's forms for a few quiet moments.

Anna felt her cheeks and entire body grow hot as her eyes travelled the length of him. She found herself fixated to his upper body, her mouth hanging open a little as she gazed at him lustfully. His shoulders seemed so much broader now that they were bare, and so too did his chest, drizzled generously with dark hair. He looked like a real man, and the sight of him only turned Anna on further. She reached out to tangle her fingers in the hair upon his chest, expecting it to be coarse but finding that it was much softer, and saw the muscles flex in his arms as he brought them round to circle her. As she stroked at him, his hands splayed out upon her, caressing her skin in slow strokes. She sank against his touches, sighing as his fingers reached up to play at the sheer fabric of her bra, stretching across her back.

As they both teased at one another, roving, caressing, finding out exactly how the other liked to be touched, they sunk into a deep, blistering kiss. Anna's whole body sang; she couldn't recall when she had ever felt this good. She already felt as if she were flying. She simply could not get enough of him, and she was hungry for more. He rested his forehead against hers as they gave each other a couple of small kisses, and he sighed deeply as her hands stroked over his stomach. A fire rose up in his eyes, and he clamped his hands upon her hips as he shuffled his feet, backing them up to fall on the bed.

John shifted himself so that he was sitting up, his back resting against the headboard of the bed. Anna came forward, lured by the look in his eyes, and knelt, pinning herself and him in place, her legs either side of him. All the while, his gaze had not left her and he was staring up at her desirously, craving her every second. Delicately, he brushed his fingers against her cheek and Anna lowered herself to his touch. Their lips crushed, soft and slow upon each other, as their bodies remained tantalisingly apart save for his hand upon her face and their thighs pressed lightly together. It was astounding; every single kiss they shared sent a completely new sensation rushing through her.

As she pressed her lips more intently to his, his hands began to cover her. One found its way to her shoulder blades, swiping back and forth with light and lingering touches. That alone would have been enough to send her soaring, but the other was now inching ever so slowly up one of her thighs, the tips of his fingers tracing patterns upon the sensitive skin there. Sparks were coursing over her in different directions, colliding in electrifying shocks at her core. Her mouth faltered, her hand grasping in his hair and then trailing down the side of his face.

He was looking at her more intensely than he had done all night in the lessening light, his fingertips playing at the curve of her shoulder rhythmically.

"You're so beautiful, Anna. My god, I've never seen someone so beautiful…"

She smiled, arching her back and sighing as he continued to stroke across the blades of her shoulders. His hand began to slide ever so slightly lower, tentative. Anna grazed her own fingers across his for a moment as she reached around to unclasp her bra. The straps fell loose from her shoulders and she twisted slightly at the waist while she tossed it to the floor.

John took his hand from where it rested upon her back and reclined just slightly, marvelling at the sight of her before him; serene, shoulders thrown back, resembling a goddess, seeming so much more perfect than that. It was his adoring gaze that had given her such confidence in herself. Soon after he was leaning forward again, closer this time so that she could perceive the gentle rush of his breath settling in the hollow of her breasts. The very sensation made her dizzy.

So lightly, he swept a finger under the curve of her left breast, and Anna started. God, he had barely touched her and she already felt sheer bliss. His fingers curled softly in the ends of her hair before he lifted it, placing it over her shoulder. She glanced down, watching the careful movements of his hand as it came back around and she was sure she had let out a moan in anticipation even before he fit his palm to her breast. He let the weight rest perfectly in his hand for a few seconds, inhaling a breath himself, and then began to massage, very gently squeezing with his adept fingers. Anna hummed, thoroughly enjoying the prolonged touches, it all being thrillingly new and somehow still so very familiar.

He was still caressing with his fingers when his lips fell upon the swell too, peppering kisses there. His tongue flicked out, trailing upwards, and she gasped loudly when his mouth closed around the bud of her nipple, circling slowly and lightly sucking before he laved it completely. Anna arched, her head lolling back as he repeated his attentive actions on her right breast, having to lean her hands against the wall when he alternated between kissing and licking her hardened nipple. She couldn't prevent the slow roll of her hips against him and she managed to prise her eyes open, glancing down to his waist that was partly covered by her. She could see the line of hair sprouted upon his stomach, disappearing beneath the band of his black boxer shorts and she felt herself spiralling out of control, scuttling to eagerly nip and kiss at the corners of his mouth.

Her attentions didn't last for long until he bobbed his head away from her lips.

"Do you mind if I move…?" he whispered against her ear, giving a slight nod of his head. She gazed down at his shorts, and realised what the matter was.

Anna lowered to her side on the sheets as John adjusted his position, for a few brief seconds feeling his desire brush against her, thrilling on the contact. She did feel so beautiful, more than she had done clothed in that dress, lying here with him. She couldn't fail to feel beautiful with his eyes upon her so reverent, full of passion but tenderness too. She wondered how she could possibly feel more beautiful with the attention he was lavishing on her body, the way he was worshipping her with his hands, his mouth, his tongue.

She looked up lazily under half-lidded eyes to find that he was over her now, trailing his fingers and then his lips over the hollow of her throat and her collarbone. Her breasts heaved as she breathed in, and he grazed light kisses over them, moving down towards her stomach, teething the skin gently. She heard herself groaning and felt herself set ablaze.

He swept a hand all the way down her side and back again as he settled on the bed next to her, dipping his head to place kisses upon her neck and shoulder. His fingers hovered over her stomach, then her thighs, and Anna was crying out inside her mind. They curved inwardly, ghosting over the goosepimpled skin, until they travelled further away. She rasped a little in disappointment, but he softly hushed her, fingertips dancing the length of her leg. He lifted it by the knee in his hand, stroking it, his eyes riveted.

"I love your legs," he uttered, and any remaining insecurities she held about herself faded to nothing. "They're gorgeous, absolutely perfect."

His hand drifted back and forth across her calf, his touch divine. Delicately, as though he knew her inside out, the pads of his fingers sought the little creases at the back of her knee, and Anna shivered, her whole body contracting, as one tickled across them delightfully. Already he knew exactly what made her wild, what she wanted, what she desired with every fibre of her being.

He brought her leg back down, sensing that he had done enough. Anna almost jumped off the bed in anticipation of what was surely to follow next. Sure enough, his fingers began to wander up again, brushing her stomach once more lightly before seeking out the heat of her thighs. They danced there awhile, snaking over her, and then his hand splayed flat, covering the lace of her knickers. He pressed it lightly over the front, and Anna had to bite down on her lip. She was already so aroused, moisture gathering and increasing between her legs by the second, and he must have been able to feel it too. She shifted a little on the covers, the sensation almost unbearable but in no way unpleasant.

He leaned in, leaving a little kiss on the curve of her jaw before looking at her, questioning silently with his eyes. She gave a tiny bob of her head, lifting her hips off the bed to give him the answer. He smiled softly at her, hooking his fingers underneath the lace at either side and guided them gently down her legs. Anna took a shaky breath; she was completely bare before him now, but she wasn't embarrassed in the slightest. She only felt overwhelming desire and everything being so natural. Her thighs parted instinctively, and she let out a whimper when his fingers swept over her soft curls.

His voice was low around her. "Just tell me what you want, what feels good. I'll do whatever you want."

She nodded, her hands curling in the sheets as he traced over the mound softly, only just starting to explore, and she was already on the edge. His touches were searching but sure, the pressure ever so light. They were almost teasing. He took his time, and Anna was about to grab his hand and guide it where she needed it desperately to be when the very tips of his fingers finally drifted lower and she gasped out. He retreated slightly when he heard her, but it only took a glimpse of her features scrunched up for him to be reassured.

His index finger and thumb began to caress in gradual strokes, slow one way and back even slower in the opposite direction, gliding over her folds delicately. There was a definite teasing in his motions, painfully sweet to Anna as hot pleasure welled inside her with each stroke. She let out a chorus of soft moans as he went on. There was no need for him to ask, her constant whimpers urging him on, but he did so anyway.

"Does that feel good, Anna?"

The sound of him saying her name while he touched her so intimately made her react even more enthusiastically. She managed to bob her head, which bounced up from the pillow, her hips arching to meet his hand, wanting to encourage him, show him exactly how good it felt.

He was brushing against her with a little more pressure and a slight change in pace, and it felt absolutely heavenly. God, he knew what he was doing; knew what he was doing to her, her arousal teeming. Anna felt static the entire length of her and saw bursts of stars exploding before her eyes. When, after long seconds, his fingers dipped, sliding easily into her slickness, she was lost. The whole universe imploded in her head and there was nothing, only his touch. His mouth brushed warm against her cheek, her neck, her shoulder while he drew his fingers in and out slowly, and in combination it was almost too much. The next time he breached her folds he went just a little further, curling and massaging carefully, and in the heat of the moment Anna's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a loud cry.

John's eyes flashed, a little concerned until he saw the ecstasy in her own. He brought a gentle hand to her forehead, the backs of his fingers soothing there.

"You don't need to do that, not with me."

His hand drifted to lay upon hers, lifting it from her mouth while his other remained lower. He placed his lips on the soft skin, kissing each of her fingers in turn, and she sighed when he left a sweet kiss on her lips, sighing louder when his fingers resumed their movements.

As he caressed her, he whispered sweet words in her ear; about how gorgeous she looked right then, how wonderful she felt, how amazing her pleasure was making him feel. She tried to cling onto the words as she sunk her head back on the pillow and fluttered her eyes shut, but they were whirling away from her, becoming a blur. There was simply no sense in her trying to cling on any longer.

Then, his thumb stroked upwards, locating the swollen bud of nerves easily, and she really was done for. She couldn't stop the high-pitched moans from escaping her unbidden as he pressed, rubbing in slow circles. Her hips bucked against him and his movements, her thighs clenched. She could feel herself tense and contract and the tell-tale tingles rush through her, more powerful than they'd ever been. In a second, she was undone.

Her limbs shuddered on the sheets, her breathing regulating as he tangled a hand in her hair, fanned out upon the pillow. He was right by her side, his body almost moulded against her and she opened her eyes slowly to see him watching her and every tiny movement she made, so considerate. The palm of his other hand rested on the flat of her stomach, rising and falling softly. As she turned to face him, blinking, he nuzzled a kiss into her neck. A whole mixture of feelings swirled up around and then settled deep within her. He felt so warm next to her.

Still bathed in the haze of her rapture, Anna was struck by an urgent desire to reciprocate as well as a yearning need to feel his skin against hers. Scuttling upon the sheets, she swiftly launched forward, pressing a hand firm to his side and captured his lips with hers, kissing him ardently and hungrily. As she pulled her body up to kneel on the mattress, John was forced to hop onto his feet, standing at the edge of the bed.

She released his mouth after swiping her tongue over his lips, snaking her arms around his neck, a wicked glint deep in her eyes. Unhurriedly, she ran her hands the span of his shoulders, over his chest, teasing and tickling the hair upon it. She delighted in hearing him hiss when she trailed her lips down and then back up his torso, feeling him tense wonderfully when her mouth lingered at his stomach, just above the waistband of his shorts. Somehow, he was still wearing them and Anna hadn't failed to notice that they had tented more following his pursuits upon her.

She moistened her lips and smiled, her fingers drifting up and down his sides before she grasped the shorts down over his thighs. He sighed with relief when he was set free and Anna had to stop and take a breath for a moment. Casting her gaze over him, her eyes flashed dark. She resolved silently that she would make him feel as good as he had made her feel just moments ago. She watched him glancing down at her, holding his breath and exhaling with a heavy groan as her fingers curled around his length.

Anna inhaled as she took him more fully in her palm, relishing the weight of him before she began to move her hand, her movements unsteady at first but soon becoming confident. He fit perfectly there and she was eager in her strokes, working his shaft, cupping him. His groans came steadier and she could feel them rifling through his body as her fingers remained on his hardness, a deep one escaping from his throat when her thumb traced over the tip. She could only manage a couple more languid strokes before she felt shaking fingers upon her wrist, stopping her movements. She glanced up at him, slightly concerned until she saw the dark look in his eyes.

"I need you, Anna," he managed to breath.

An exhilarating wave surged throughout her body as she lay herself down, unable to ignore the pulsing that had grown between her thighs. Her eyes were pinned to him, her gaze searching and her breath hitching as he moved along the bed, his body coming to hover over hers. John tenderly swept his fingers over the side of her face, his look upon her so bright in the darkness around them. He was so close to her that her heart physically ached. A glistening of tears gathered in her eyes as he caressed her. She felt the very edge of his skin pressing to hers and couldn't stop a noise she'd never heard herself utter before leaving her.

A soft look washed upon his features. He didn't ask her with words but instead with his eyes, that were deep upon hers. Unable to say anything, she answered in kind.

There was a moment of perfect stillness, which seemed to simultaneously increase and come shattering to the ground. Both gasped when he entered her, breaths colliding and eyes locking on one another. Anna was so overwhelmed, the feeling consuming them both so intense that she should have had to look away, at least for a few seconds, yet she found it was completely impossible.

John stilled himself, panting softly while he cupped her cheek. He brought her lips to his, brushing them sweetly before deepening the kiss. Anna's heart fluttered in her chest, feeling every part of him upon her, every part now a part of her too. When his mouth left hers, she opened her own to speak, but all words and thoughts were lost to her. There was only him, all around her, within her, and she had to smile a little at the sweetness of it all. He dipped again to leave a lingering kiss upon her lips, the tip of his nose brushing against hers. She adored his tenderness but the burning below her stomach was insisting, and she started to rock her hips gently, the motion encouraging him to move too, and they both sighed as the need began to be quelled.

His thrusts were slow at first, letting her feel every stroke, and Anna closed her eyes, arching her head on the pillow, gripping the sheets to make sure she wasn't floating away. He peppered kisses on her jaw, over her throat, beginning to increase his pace in response to her body urging to meet him. She ran her hands over his back, loving the feel of the muscles there contracting with his exertion. Sinking her nails into his skin, she took the opportunity to wrap her legs around his waist and moaned out when she took him deeper. The sensations were white hot over her body, in her mind and behind her eyes with his fluid rhythm, hitting the perfect spot over and over again, quivering expectantly in the seconds before the next time.

Her lips were desperate upon his neck, her kisses interrupted by the breathless cries of his name, echoing in the room. They met in harmony with his calls of hers, their hips moving in synchronisation, becoming increasingly erratic. It had never been like this before and Anna didn't have the space to contemplate it beyond that simple fact. Her pleasure was encompassing, swarming her and becoming all she could feel and see as she approached her climax at speed. John sensed it immediately and slowed his thrusts, snaking a hand between their pressed bodies. With nimble fingers, he sought out the still-sensitive nub, rubbing rhythmically. She met her end quickly and blissfully with the combination, bolts of electricity darting all over her skin and fuzzing her head.

She smiled lazily as he kissed the corners of her mouth, stroking his hand up over her body. He stayed upon her lips for some moments, allowing her to recover, lifting his eyes when the ache became too much. She nodded to let him continue, easing her fingers over the back of his neck and feeling the aftershocks as he went on with his thrusts, riding out towards his own release. Anna felt him twitch and shudder inside her, he let out a guttural groan with the sensation and somehow held himself up when it enveloped him. Seconds later he collapsed, his warm weight upon her.

Anna keened from the loss of him but didn't have to suffer long as he shifted down into the bed, his hands strong around her, pulling her as close as she could be to him. The curve of her body fitted his, her head resting in the crook of his neck while his hand glided up and down her bare spine soothingly. He leaned forward momentarily to kiss her shoulder, his lips still so warm upon her skin, his fingertips coming to trace around the area surrounding where his mouth was covering. Anna smiled before he kissed her full on the lips softly, the smile returning as she circled her arms about him, snuggling into him against the sheets.

Even when they both drifted into a peaceful sleep, the smile remained upon her lips as the night faded away with them wrapped in each other's embrace.

A/N: *emerges from hiding in a corner*

I don't expect that there will be anything quite so detailed elsewhere in the story, but seeing as it was their first time I felt it needed a little exploring. I'm not used to writing smut to this level, so I really hope it came across okay.

Thanks so much for all your kind reviews so far.