*Trigger warning: This chapter is the beginning of Anna an Mathias getting naughty. As I'm sure you can tell from his dalliances with Myra, the sex scenes in this book are wholly different to the original series. Mainly because they are very serious, hard hitting historical fiction books, and this is just an excuse to let my inner wild woman out. I've decided to have fun with them, and really let myself go. Between you and I my lovely readers, this is a test to see if I could have a side business as a smut writer.
Although I will build them up piece by piece, Anna and Mathias are not for those wanting a cute fluffy romance (which I'll be honest, I'm not sure many of you are, given that you liked the original series, ha!) There will be a lot of dark romance moments in this book, so I will ensure trigger warnings in case you want to skip. I promise that whenever one appears, the chapter can be skipped without the story being ruined.Happy reading dear ones! And get ready for a new side to Queen Anna.*

It didn't surprise Anna that she'd left the gala earlier than planned. An evening of buttering people up had worn so thin so quickly. Especially as Mathias had not left her side once.

He'd been surprisingly patient. It seemed as long as he was touching her in some way, he was content. It had been strangely comforting having him beside her all night. It might all be circumstantial, but she hadn't had to fight for authority of any conversation all night. For the first time, she had only been shown the utmost respect. No one had spoken down to her or dismissed her clear extensive knowledge. She felt wholly empowered.

And perhaps that was what had made Mathias even more enticing as they had shared their first dance together. Really, for the two of them, the interaction had been seemingly innocent. It was just a dance. But being pressed so close to him, the rub of his body against hers and the feel of him beneath her palms had been too much to handle. It had been her that had suggested leaving, something that Mathias was all too happy to indulge.

They were in his car within moments of stepping outside. Mathias hadn't even tried kissing her. He seemed far too eager to get her truly secluded than to waste even a moment in a distraction, however delicious.

'Tonight went well,' he said as they sped through the near empty streets of Berlin, his hand sliding onto her thigh.

'Surprisingly so, given your earlier indiscretion,' she teased.

Smiling at her, Mathias bit his lip and squeezed her flesh with his fingers and thumb. 'I thought I was the one punishing you, not the other way around.'

'That was hardly a punishment. More of a small telling off.'

'I'd be interested in how you would punish me though, my little cuckoo bird.' His gaze caught hers for a brief moment before it refocused on the road. His chuckle hinted that he knew how nervous that made her. 'All in good time, I suppose.'

It seemed like no time at all before the car pulled to a stop outside her house and the engine immediately cut. Anna peeked at Mathias.

Of course, he was already looking at her. 'Here we are again.'

'Here we are again,' she repeated, her gaze going to her front door. Would any one still be up? If they were, they had to know she was outside. Perhaps they were watching for her...

'Are you considering inviting me in?' he asked, his voice hushed and closer than expected.

Anna spun to find him right beside her, his nose nearly brushing hers. Was she considering it? 'I was wondering if anyone was still up.'

Slowly, he reached forward and planted an incredibly gentle, teasing kiss on her lips. 'Shall we put that to the test?'

Anna had never been so tempted by anything before. All evening she'd had him wrapped around her and it still didn't feel like enough. Her tongue wet the seam of her mouth as she imagined what it would be like to have him in her bed.

'Or I could take you to mine?' he offered, his hand sliding into her hair as he kissed her again.

That would certainly lower the chances of them being caught.

Though, at his place, he would be in full control of the situation. And there would be no limits as to what might happen. Perhaps here, it would slow him down. And her, for that matter.

'If I were to invite you in,' Anna mumbled against his lips. 'It wouldn't be a promise of anything.'

Mathias' eyes caught hers, bearing straight into her inner most thoughts. 'Sex truly unnerves you, doesn't it?'

Sighing, Anna tried to look away but he held her face in place. 'All intimacy of this kind does.' She breathed out, her eyes closing briefly in small moment of courage. 'But you make me want to push the boundary.'

She'd never seen such overt glee in his gaze before. His jaw tightened, his body shifting a little as something took him over. Was he holding himself back? 'Then let's go inside. And we can explore it together.'

Nodding, Anna climbed out of the car, Mathias following her closely as she fumbled for her keys. He stayed close and silent as she opened the door, peering around for any lights. It was completely dark inside. Anna waited a beat to see if anyone had heard them.

Nothing.

Ushering him inside, she shut the door quietly, then looked up at him. He was just watching her as patiently as he could, his breathing so deep Anna could trace the clear rise and fall of his chest. She'd never done anything like this in her entire life. This wasn't her. She wasn't reckless. Sure she went out to clubs and bars with Karl, but it was always the two of them. She was always safe.

Something about Mathias made her want to break the norm; throw caution to the wind. Slipping her hand into his, she led him upstairs. Beneath them, one of the stairs creaked, and they both paused.

Still nothing.

Letting out a long breath, Anna guided him up the last few steps, opening her bedroom door. The adrenaline was delicious, and for the first time in her life she felt as though she were truly living. Her veins coursed with excitement, her head buzzing with the anticipation of him. She looked to him now, her breath erratic and unsteady. The way the dim light from the landing window fell on him was eery.... but enticing. His face was half cast in shadow, only his eyes bright in the moonlight. He was a phantom; an otherworldly creature here to claim her.

Mathias loomed over her, his fingers reaching out to grasp her waist. Gasping, Anna felt her nipples peak beneath the thin material of her dress as his hand trailed up her body to rest over her chest. His palm was cool against her heated skin, Anna instinctively leaning into his touch.

'Your heart is racing,' he whispered.

Already, Anna was starting to forget why she was trying to keep their pace slow.

Keeping her close, Mathias backed into her room, his focus solely on her.

Entirely entranced, Anna closed her door behind them, then gripped his arms as though to support herself. Tugging him close to her, she let her back press against the door and his body pin her in place.

'You have no idea what you do to me,' he murmured, his mouth pressed to her ear before he trailed kisses along her jaw.

Anna gasped, her hands slipping under the neck of his jacket to help him shrug it off. She wanted to feel his body, lay her hands on his bare back the way he'd done to her all evening. The notion of going slowly had ebbed away, the small touches making her entire body ache with such acute need.

Grabbing her jaw in one hand, he tipped her head back and left biting kisses on her throat. 'I could just fucking devour you.'

God how she wished he would. Did he say these things to her because he meant them, or was it just for show? Mathias didn't seem like the type to say something for effect. He had the prestige to speak exactly as he wanted to, whether people wanted to hear it or not. The way he said it, the way he touched her, craved her, seemed so truly genuine. It was terrifying and wholly wonderful.

Fumbling, her hands began to undo his shirt, her fingertips gracing his bare chest with every flick against the buttons. As his shirt lay open, she wrapped her arms around his waist, her fingers biting eagerly into his flesh.

Groaning against her mouth, he leant forward and felt for the zip on the back of her dress. Deftly, he slid the top layer from her shoulders, leaving her only in the silvery slip beneath. There was a thud as the heavy beads hit the floor, Mathias pausing his efforts.

'W-what is it?' Anna managed, suddenly aware how bare she was.

She could just make out him smiling a little in the dark, a small crack of light peeking through her curtains. 'I want to look at you but I can't stop touching you.' His thigh nestled between hers and he pushed a long breath through his nose. 'I can feel your nipples through this flimsy fucking dress.' His chest rubbed against hers, his thigh pushing higher. 'And you're so warm and inviting between your legs I can barely think.' In one swift move, he pulled her up to wrap her legs around his waist and slammed her into the door, Anna gripping onto him so she wouldn't fall.

That definitely made a loud noise.

Frozen, both of them listened to see if they'd disturbed anyone. They panted into one another, keen to every small sound they could hear.

Someone had stirred.

'Fuck,' Anna hissed, wriggling down as a door opened down the hall.

Footsteps crept along the landing and came to a stop outside Anna's door. There was a soft knock.

Wincing, Anna pushed Mathias behind the door, and opened it a crack. He didn't let go of her hand, Anna trying her best not to tug it free from his firm grasp as she greeted their intruder. 'Elli, sweet girl, are you okay?'

'I heard a thump,' Elli said with a sleepy yawn. 'Just wondered what it was.'

'Just me,' Anna assured her quietly.

Mathias had pulled her hand to his mouth, kissing her palm lasciviously.

Trying not to react, Anna cleared her throat. 'I'm just getting ready for bed. Go back to sleep.'

'Was the gala any good?' Elli asked.

Anna's hand was being trailed down the ripple of his chest and stomach and brought to rest on the top of his trousers.

'Mhmm,' Anna managed.

'Did you and Captain Nemo have fun?'

Anna definitely heard Mathias smirk beside her, his hand guiding hers lower so that it rested on his long, hard length. Why did it feel so inherently right in her palm?

'Yep,' Anna said. 'Elli, sorry, I'm so tired. Can I tell you about it tomorrow?'

'Sure,' sighed Elli, before giving into another yawn. 'Stop crashing about though. I'm trying to sleep.'

'Of course.'

As Elli's figure retreated, Anna closed the door and turned to Mathias. He didn't let her chastise him, stealing her flustered tongue in a deep, hungry kiss. It was all consuming, her body submitting to his immediately. Suddenly, it didn't really matter that they had nearly been discovered.

His fingers ran into her hair, beginning to pull it free of its updo as he backed towards her bed. 'Can we take this out? I need to see it free.'

Letting him sit on the side of the bed, Anna stood between his legs and began to fiddle with her hair. 'Turn the lamp on.'

He did so, the room filling with soft warm light. Immediately, his gaze was on her again. His fingers dug into his thighs, as though it ached to see her so barely dressed.

Anna swallowed, trying to focus on her hair. 'That was too close.'

'I rather think it adds to the fun,' he murmured, his hands beginning to wander over her curves.

Anna wasn't convinced. It had set her on edge. She paused her efforts and rested her hands on his shoulders. 'Mathias, wait.'

He looked up at her as his hands sat on her hips. Dear god he looked amazing from this position. All sharp edges and biting angles.

Swallowing, Anna let out a huff. 'Mathias, I don't know what I'm doing,' she admitted. 'And I want to follow the feelings I have with you, wherever they go.'

Grinning, Mathias gripped her hips and pulled her into him. 'I want that too.'

'Then you have to promise not to rush me. This feels more like my first time than it ever did before.' Slowly, she pulled the final pins from her hair and shook it out, Mathias tracking the movement with his gaze. 'I want you to teach me things about that world of ecstasy you spoke of earlier. I want to feel that with you.'

Mathias bit his lip, his forehead resting on her stomach as his fingers dug greedily into her flesh. He was completely silent.

Anna's heart thrummed. 'Has that annoyed you?'

With a sigh, Mathias looked up at her again, those icy eyes dark with intent. 'Quite the opposite.' Guiding her forward, her legs fell either side of his waist, her skirt ruched at her hips so her thighs were bare. 'I won't push you to do more than you're comfortable with,' he began, his face burying into her breasts before he kissed across the skin he could get to. 'So long as you do as you're told.'

Anna almost didn't conjure a response as he tipped her back a little way, his mouth moving lower on her chest to find her nipples through the silky material. 'That seems counterproductive,' Anna managed, as his tongue moved in teasing circles. She quivered beneath his smouldering touch, her legs pinching his waist.

'You have to trust me.'

Stiffening, Anna's entire body locked as she considered it.

He noticed and grabbed her chin to look at him. 'Do you trust me, little cuckoo bird?'

Did she? Perhaps that's where her reverence came from with men. She didn't trust any of them or their motives. But she knew what she wanted, and that was Mathias.

Delicately, she nodded.

Gripping her tight, he flipped her onto her back, his body covering hers as his hands pressed either side of her head. Anna gasped as he ground his hips down so she could feel his length against her core. 'I want to know how you make yourself come.'

Blinking, Anna had no answer. She could feel herself shrinking inwards, embarrassed by her lack of knowledge.

'Anna,' he said, his voice low and throaty, 'have you ever come before?'

'I don't know what it is,' she admitted.

Teeth gritted, Mathias rested his head on her chest for a brief moment then focused on her. 'You're going to be the death of me.'

'I'm sorry, but I told you...'

Mathias shook his head. 'Anna you are too perfect. I just don't know how to hold myself back.'

Her breath hitched in her throat, Anna ran her hands over his bare chest. He was carved like the marble statues of the gods, so athletic and firm. 'Can you try?'

He gave a small, pained nod in response, then moved to lean on one elbow. Slowly, his hand slipped all the way down her body. 'Do you know how much it pleases me that I'll be the only one to make you come?' Climbing her thigh, his fingers found the waist band of her underwear, teasing their entrance.

'Wait,' she gasped, grabbing his hand to stop him. He was actually going to touch her. He would feel the crude, wet reaction she had to his presence. What if he didn't like it? She wished she was more drunk, like the last time. There hadn't been a single inhibition then. But she also hadn't wanted to please that man the way she wanted to please Mathias. What if he thought her disgusting?

He stopped but didn't remove himself either. 'Tell me what you're thinking.'

'It's just...' She paused. She was so frustrated with herself. Why couldn't she just completely submit? Why couldn't she give him full control just for tonight? 'What if you don't...' The way his icy eyes studied her made her infinitely more nervous. He seemed to know what she was thinking, but she had no idea what was in his mind. 'I don't want to disappoint you.'

'Anna there is never disappointment with you. I want every reaction you have.' He bent low and crushed his lips to hers, stealing a kiss that made her head light. It was calming. Did he know that? 'I want to know what you sound like in the midst of your pleasure, what you feel like, what you taste like...'

'I don't want to do it wrong.'

'You reaction is your own. It can't be wrong.'

Anna wanted to believe him. Really, she had no reason not to. She'd asked him to guide her and that's what he was trying to do. This is what she wanted.

'That's enough,' he said in a short, sharp command. 'Eyes on me.'

Her eyes locked on his, instinctively lost in the fevered authority, her mind falling silent.

'Breathe with me,' he said as his fingers finally dipped into her underwear, 'and keep your focus on me.'

Anna wrapped her arms around his back, her hands twisting his shirt in her fists as his fingers began to explore her. This touch was entirely new to her. It was wrong and right in equal measure.

Mathias hummed as his fingers strummed, his rhythm slow and coaxing. 'I have imagined touching you like this since the moment I met you.' Slowly, his long finger teased inside her, Anna just managing to keep her moan quiet as his thumb moved over her. 'You are so wet for me. Do you feel how perfectly I fit inside you?'

In and out his finger dipped, Anna writhing in unbridled ecstasy beneath him. There was no pain, no frustration. Whatever she had experienced before had completely fizzled away in her memories. This is the moment she wanted to live in forever. She wanted to remember everything of him and steal every one of these secret touches he ever had to give.

'It's like you were made just for me,' he murmured, the pressure of his wandering thumb just tipping further as he nuzzled into her neck. 'You were always meant to belong to me. Your moans, your body, your everything. It was always supposed to be mine.'

Something was building inside her that had lain forever dormant as he slipped in a second finger. This was the peak Karl had spoken of, that delicious edge of ecstasy finally within her grasp. 'Mathias, something is happening...'

'Yes,' he urged, moving down so that his tongue circled around her nipples over her slip. 'Give into it. Give into me.'

Anna clamped her hands over her mouth, knowing that whatever was about to happen to her, she wasn't going to be quiet.

'Move your hands,' he ordered.

Without question, she did as she was told. He caught her moans with his mouth, kissing her deeply with his fingers laced into her hair. His tongue on hers was that final push over the edge. Squeezing her thighs around his hand, Anna tumbled down, further and further, into the depths of something decadent and sinful. Every muscle in her body relaxed, the tension she had carried for years suddenly gone in that moment.

'Look at me,' instructed Mathias.

She had no idea her eyes had closed. Even as she opened them, all she saw was stars.

Mathias looked down at her, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip as his eyes mapped every inch of her expression. He pulled his fingers free of her, Anna finally understanding what emptiness felt like. He brought them to her lips. 'Taste yourself.'

Her eyes grew wide. 'Taste?'

'Open your mouth and taste yourself.'

Slowly, she parted her lips and sucked his fingers into her mouth. It was sweet and salty, a strange tang that she had never expected to taste. Removing his fingers, he kissed her eagerly, his tongue searching hers for every trace of her that was left. With a growl, he flipped them over, pressing Anna at the base of her spine so that her core was pressed against his length.

'I'm not done with you yet, little cuckoo bird.'