The early morning sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of Mycroft's country house, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. The air was still and tranquil, with the only sound being the gentle rustling of the sheets as Kate and Mycroft lay entwined under the covers. They had spent the night together, and the peacefulness of the morning added an air of intimacy to the moment.
As Kate gradually stirred awake, she felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open, and that's when she noticed Mycroft sitting beside her, holding a vintage film camera in his hands. The camera looked exquisite against the backdrop of the elegant bedroom, and Mycroft looked surprisingly playful as he aimed the lens at her.
"What are you doing?" Kate's voice was soft and tinged with sleepiness as she watched him curiously.
Mycroft's lips curved into a mischievous smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm an old man, remember?" he teased lightheartedly. "My memory is fading, I need this."
Kate couldn't help but chuckle at his response, feeling a mixture of amusement and delight. She pulled the sheets up slightly, feeling a bit self-conscious under his watchful gaze. However, she trusted him completely and knew he wouldn't do anything to make her uncomfortable. She was also mindful of the situation and the nature of their relationship.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she replied hinting at the fact that their relationship- an extramarital affair- is not ideal for a photoshoot, it could risk indiscretion
Mycroft put the camera down, respecting her boundaries. "Apologies, my dear. I shouldn't have done that " he said with a warm smile.
"It's alright," Kate replied with a grin, "But I'm going to go take a shower now. Wish to join me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Mycroft's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and desire, but he quickly composed himself, "As much as I would love to, I have some work to attend to. Maybe another time," he said, the hint of regret in his voice.
"Alright then," Kate said with a playful pout, "But don't think you're off the hook that easily."
Mycroft chuckled, "I wouldn't dream of it."
As Kate got up and donned her robe, heading towards the bathroom, Mycroft couldn't help but watch her with a mix of admiration and longing. Kate walked to the bathroom and started to undress, putting up a show for Mycroft. A striptease. Mycroft sat back on the armchair in the bedroom and watched her through the transparent glass partition between the bathroom and the bedroom. Kate pressed a button, making the horizontal blinds of the partition fall just before she was completely naked. Mycroft sighed and busied himself with work.
Kate switched on the lights in the bathroom. Mycroft noticed the shadow of her naked body on the blinds. The lights go out again. Mycroft rolled his eyes at all her teasing techniques and tried to focus on his laptop.
He was easily distracted by the horizontal blinds going up again and the shower lights being switched on. Mycroft smirked and watched the shower being turned on and the shadow of Kate's naked body appeared through the translucent shower partition. He chuckled when a few seconds later the lights went out again. Before she could switch it on again and distract him, Mycroft picked up his laptop and left the room.
...
The bathroom is dimly lit, with a soft glow emanating from a scented candle on the edge of the bathtub. The walls are adorned with elegant paintings, giving the room an air of sophistication. A faint aroma of lavender fills the air, creating a relaxing ambience. The bathtub is large and luxurious, nestled in a spacious bathroom adorned with elegant fixtures and plush towels. Kate and Mycroft sit at opposite ends of the bathtub, their legs stretched out, and the warm water enveloping them in comfort.
Mycroft leans forward, reaching out to gently grasp Kate's feet in his hands. His touch is tender and caring, and she sighs with contentment as his skilled fingers start to work their magic. The warm water seems to enhance the sensation, adding to the overall feeling of relaxation.
He begins by kneading the arches of her feet, his fingers tracing soothing patterns along the curves and contours. Kate's eyes close as she allows herself to fully surrender to the sensation, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Hmmm... feels so good. Better than sex," Kate said, her eyes closed, enjoying the massage.
"Better than sex?" Mycroft asked, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Kate hummed in response, "Yes, much better," she said with a contented sigh.
"I can fix that," Mycroft replied, leaning closer to Kate and kissing her gently. Their kisses deepened, becoming more urgent and hungry as they both surrendered to the intensity of their emotions. Mycroft's arms wrapped around Kate's waist, pulling her closer as her fingers tangled in his hair, deepening the connection between them.
Their bodies pressed together, igniting a fiery dance of desire and longing. Their lips moulded against each other's with a fervent need, each kiss sending shivers down their spines. The world around them faded into the background as they lost themselves in the moment.
Time seemed to stand still as they explored each other, their tongues dancing in a sensual tango, expressing emotions that words couldn't capture. Every touch, every caress, ignited a symphony of sensations, leaving them both breathless and wanting more.
Their bodies moved as one, their passion intensifying with every second that passed. The room filled with the sound of their soft moans and the rhythmic beat of their hearts. It was a moment of complete surrender, an escape from reality, where only they existed in each other's embrace.
As the night grew darker, Mycroft and Kate found themselves sitting together under a canopy of stars in the quiet woods. The air was filled with a mix of emotions, and the atmosphere felt heavy with the weight of their shared past.
"Can I ask you something?" Mycroft spoke softly, breaking the silence that enveloped them.
Kate looked at him and nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"How come you and Richard never had any children?" Mycroft inquired, sensing the sensitivity of the topic. "Sorry, that was too intrusive."
Kate took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "No, it's fine. I can talk about it," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "We almost did, a few years ago. But..." Her words trailed off, and Mycroft understood the pain hidden behind her hesitation.
"I'm so sorry, Kate," Mycroft offered sincerely, knowing that mere words could not heal the wounds she carried.
"We knew that with my history of anorexia, it would be hard and might never happen for us," Kate explained, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "So we tried not to actively try. But when it happened... we had never been happier. Richard was so thrilled... he was picking names, planning the nursery, planning a babymoon. And, I was scared."
Mycroft listened attentively, giving her the space to express her emotions. "Scared of what?" he gently inquired.
"I was terrified of failing him, failing our baby," Kate confessed. "I just wanted to make him happy, but I couldn't handle the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. The responsibility on my body to support our child, to provide for our child. As the days went by, Richard got more and more attached to the baby, and I was paralyzed by the fear of letting him down." Kate's voice trembled with emotion. "Richard never said anything, but I know he blamed me for what happened... I killed our baby."
Tears welled up in her eyes, and Mycroft's heart ached for her. "Kate, you didn't. You can't blame yourself for what happened," he insisted, his tone gentle but firm.
"I tried to bring it up again, but Richard always said we couldn't because of my history," Kate continued, her voice becoming more fragile. "The last time I brought it up was the day I met you."
The weight of her confession hung in the air, and Mycroft struggled to find the right words to console her. Kate looked into Mycroft's eyes, feeling a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude. At that moment, she found solace in the understanding gaze of the man sitting beside her. She knew she wasn't alone anymore, and that realization gave her a glimmer of hope in the darkness of her past.
...
Later that night after dinner, Mycroft was in the living room of the house reading a file with his glasses on. Kate came down the staircase wearing a black silk robe over a floral scarlet red lingerie complete with a garter, stockings, and stilettos, 'So, Mr. Holmes, what do you think of your present?' she asked as she descended.
Mycroft looked up from his file and pulled off his glass, taking a good look at the seductress in front of him, 'I think I'd like it better without all that wrapping' he said and set his glasses and file aside.
Kate cocked her head and nodded thoughtfully, 'Well, then you should unwrap it' she said and walked up to him.
Mycroft smirked and raised an eyebrow, 'Gladly' he said and stood up, taking her in his arms.
Kate smiled slightly and slipped a hand into his pants, 'Maybe we should skip the foreplay' she said and leaned forward, kissing him. She stroked his hair, gripped his head and pulled him on top of her as she fell on the couch. She wrapped her leg around his torso and kissed passionately, 'You make me so fucking hot' she whispered and rolled him onto his back. She straddled him, ripped open his shirt and kissed his chest, sucking and biting softly on his skin.
Mycroft looked at her in surprise, 'You really are embracing your wild side this weekend, aren't you?' he asked in rhetoric.
Kate straightened up and smiled at him breathlessly, 'You like it?' she asked.
Mycroft looked at her with an animal-like hunger in his eyes and sat, 'I love it' he grabbed her neck and crashed his lips on her. He slipped off her robe and flipped her over, pinning her down on the couch. He pinned her hand above her head. Kate arched her back as Mycroft moved his down her chest. She tried to wrap her hands around him but he roughly shoved her hands back onto the couch, moving down her body, 'Stay still' he whispered against her abdomen, making a shiver run down her spine.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Siger and Violet Holmes, Mycroft's parents, entered with excitement written all over their faces.
"Surprise, Mycroft! Happy birthday!" Violet exclaimed, her cheerful greeting turning into shocked disbelief as she took in the scene before her. Mycroft, startled, stands up to greet his unexpected guests.
"Mum, Dad, what the hell are you doing here?" Mycroft manages to say, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"We couldn't miss our son's 40th birthday, could we? Who the hell are you doing here?" Siger smiles warmly, but his eyes quickly settle on the woman sitting next to Mycroft.
On the sofa, Kate looks mortified. She tries to cover herself with a nearby throw pillow, her face turning crimson with embarrassment.
"Oh... I, uh, didn't realize you were going to have visitors," Kate stammers, her voice quivering.
Violet's eyes narrow as she recognizes Kate from various newspaper articles. "And who might you be?" she asks, her tone sharp.
Kate swallows hard, feeling trapped in an awkward situation. "I-I'm Kate. I work with Mycroft," she answers, avoiding eye contact.
Siger glances between Mycroft and Kate, at their half-naked state his expression turning serious. "I see. Well, it seems we came at an inconvenient time."
Mycroft's cheeks flush with embarrassment, but he tries to regain his composure. "Yes, you did. I apologize for the situation." he said to Kate.
"I should get going," Kate interjects, feeling the weight of the awkward situation. She quickly gathers her belongings, her face flushed with embarrassment, and rushes towards the door.
"Wait, Kate," Mycroft calls out, but it's too late. She's already out the door.
Violet looks at Mycroft with concern. "What's going on, Mycroft? Who is she?"
Mycroft's cheeks flush with embarrassment, but he feels a sense of protectiveness towards Kate. He can't bear the thought of his parents judging her. "Kate is a colleague and a friend," he says firmly, not wanting to divulge too much.
Violet looks at Mycroft with concern. "A friend? Mycroft, you must be careful with your associations, especially with someone who is married."
Mycroft's patience wears thin, and he retorts, "I don't need you to tell me how to live my life, Mum. Kate and I are adults, and we can handle our affairs."
Siger steps in, trying to diffuse the tension, "Mycroft, we only want what's best for you. Your career and reputation are important."
"Well, I don't need your constant scrutiny and disapproval," Mycroft snaps, feeling defensive.
Violet's disappointment is palpable, and she tries to reason with him, "Mycroft, we love you, and we care about your future. You must think about the consequences of your actions."
"I don't want to hear it right now," Mycroft says tersely, unwilling to engage in further discussion. Feeling overwhelmed by the confrontation with his parents, Mycroft storms out of the house, desperate to find Kate and make sure she's okay. He searches the grounds, his heart pounding with worry. Finally, he spots her standing alone in the woods, a silhouette against the moonlit night.
"Kate!" Mycroft calls out, his voice filled with concern. He rushes over to her side, taking in her trembling form. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"What do you think? I am leaving," Kate replied, her voice laced with frustration and sadness.
"You can't just leave, it's the middle of the night. Where would you even go?" Mycroft tried to reason with her.
"I am a grown woman, I can figure it out," Kate retorted, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Katherine, wait. What is going on with you?" Mycroft pleaded, reaching out to touch her.
"It's like I was dreaming, and I just woke up. What... What is this thing between us, Mycroft?" Kate's voice quivered with emotion.
"Katherine, don't..." Mycroft started, but she interrupted him.
"No, no, I need to know. Because I am a married woman, and you are a 40-year-old man who has never had a serious relationship, and you have no interest in one either. So, what exactly is it that we have been doing together for the past two years?"
Mycroft's heart sank as he struggled to find the right words. "Oh, God! This was supposed to be just work and sex. How did this get so complicated?"
"I can't seem to stop making bad choices whenever I am around you. I can't believe how delusional I have been—to think we could be an actual couple. This weekend was a mistake; I should have never come down here. This... this thing between us needs to be over," Kate admitted, her voice breaking.
"Katherine, now why would you want to do that?" Mycroft asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Because I am in love with you," Kate confessed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't say it... Oh, God! Why would you say that?" Mycroft's eyes widened with surprise and pain.
"Because this needs to be over. Mycroft, I am in love with you. And... you're not. And, I figured I could be okay just seeing you once or twice a week and going back to Richard, but... I can't. Because whenever I am with you, I have to live with the fact that you will never love me the way I love you, and it kills me."
Mycroft was at a loss for words, his heart torn between his feelings for Kate and his fear of fully opening up. He stepped closer, reaching for her, but she took a step back.
"I don't want to say goodbye," he finally managed to say, his voice filled with raw emotion.
"Happy Birthday, Mycroft," Kate said softly before turning away and walking into the night, leaving Mycroft standing alone in the woods, grappling with his own feelings and the consequences of his actions.
...