Right my loves, we are on our final hiatus special. And we are jumping waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay forward in the rewrite. These two sections take place in book 2, and follow on from after Anna loses Reina. They are completely new additions and will change the story going forward. So I thought I would tease you with it.

Say the War Never Happened will return next week.

*This directly follows the small interaction Freddie and Keller have where Keller asks after Anna's welfare*

Anna's fingers glided across the keys, her mind numb to anything but the music.

Since reuniting with Elli, she'd found her passion for playing fully returned. Perhaps it was simply because Elli loved to listen to it so much and she wanted to please her. Really though, it soothed Anna too.

And today, it was a necessity.

Ernst was hosting some important presentation, so all of the sector leaders were present. They were filing into the room at this very moment. Keller included.

Her reverence to see him was not through fear this time. She simply didn't know how to react to him since Ilse's confession. How could she look into the eyes of a man she despised knowing that he had tried to save her?

This wasn't a simple case of him shielding her from being struck or stopping her from getting in trouble. He had put himself on the line to try and save her and her child. Ilse was likely right. He'd probably sussed that Reina was not Ernst's. And yet, he had kept that information to himself. Hadn't even thought to torture Anna with the knowledge that he knew and could use it against her. He had, for the first time in their relationship, protected her.

His humanity confused her.

Ernst's devotion to her was all for his own gratification. It was simpering and needy, and oh so easily manipulated. Keller's, on the other hand, didn't seem to come with a price attached to it. When he'd visited her in January, he had wanted to kiss her. Anna could feel the need radiate from him. Yet he'd held back. He'd apologised.

Mathias was a wholly different man to the monster she had first met.

The house finally fell silent as the door to the dining room closed and the noise of the men was blocked out. Anna's playing hushed again, her shoulders slumped in relief. Her thoughts drifted to Elli, and what they might do together tomorrow. A walk might be nice. It depended on how tired Elli was.

A door slammed.

Anna paused, listening for an explanation. There was a small silence, before quiet footsteps carried to her.

Keller hung in the doorway, his shoulders squared and his face soured. He looked every bit the bully he had when she had first arrived. Usually, this is when he would lunge for her. Or switch to the cocky, taunting tyrant she so loathed. But his face softened, his fists unclenching before they were shoved into his pockets.

Frozen, Anna continued only to stare. Somehow, all of the angst in the room had drained the moment he had relaxed.

'Don't stop playing on my account,' he said softly, taking a few more steps towards her.

The piano stool scraped as Anna sat away from the keys, her hands now obstinately in her lap. 'I didn't think you cared for music.'

'I don't hate it either.'

It fell quiet again, Ernst's presentation just audible through the thick walls.

Clearing her throat, Anna looked up at him again. 'Why aren't you in the meeting?'

'He kicked me out.' Keller leant on the other side of the piano now, almost as if to deliberately keep space between them. 'Said I wasn't important enough to be there and that my sector doesn't matter.'

'Didn't he invite you to it though?'

'Yes.' His tone was frustrated and clipped as he reached for one of the music books and began to flick through it. 'I'm sure he did it just to fuck with me.'

'Most likely.' Anna watched him as he studied a particular page in the book. 'Do you think it's a good idea to be in here with me?'

Keller's eyes met hers, his perusing paused. 'He didn't say not to.'

'You know what I mean, Mathias. He'll lash out at you if he thinks you're-'

'At me?' He shifted to give her his full attention. 'Why do you care about me all of a sudden?'

'I don't,' Anna said quickly, shooting to her feet and smoothing out her dress. 'I just don't want you here.'

'Of course.' Keller began walking around the piano towards her, Anna moving away as he paused by the stool.

'Please just leave me alone. I don't want any trouble.'

'I'm not trying to cause you problems,' he promised, sitting down. 'I'll leave well before the meeting has ended.'

'Then what do you want?'

'Company.'

Anna's brow furrowed, studying him as he set the music book in front of him. 'Since when did you get lonely?'

'Since you left,' he returned almost instinctively, his feet moving to the pedals. 'And I figured you would be too.' His long fingers spread over the keys, his body settling into a comfortable position as his eyes flicked up to the music. A soft, gentle tune extended from his touch, Anna's heart racing in her chest.

He could play?

She'd never seen him so at ease, the icy exterior he shielded himself with all but melted away. Anna couldn't help but step closer, reading the music over his shoulder.

Tripping up, his fingers halted. 'Herr Hahn would be ashamed of that sloppy performance.'

'All this time, you never told me you could play.'

Looking over his shoulder, he glanced up at her. 'I'm rich and privately educated. Of course I can play the piano.'

They were close, their proximity the nearest it had ever been willingly. His pale eyes didn't seem so alarming any more. They were familiar now. In the last few months, this face had stopped being a warning signal and had shifted to something wholly different. He had been right when he had stolen a moment with her in the sitting room; she was curious.

Keller turned back to the music and shifted a little to the side. 'This is a duet, you know.' He had made room for her beside him.

Silence enveloped them as Anna considered it. The answer didn't have to be yes. She could walk away without any repercussions.

Tentatively, she perched beside him, her body settling against his.

'You'll have to turn the pages. I'm not that talented.'

Anna side eyed him. He was still serious, his gaze and tone in want of mocking.

'Ready?'

With a nod, they began.

It was strange to move in unison with him. They'd never done it before. She had always had to keep time to his lascivious beat for fear of consequence. Yet here they sat, their comradery creating sweet, soothing lullabies. Anna was careful not to let the page flips break their rhythm. She didn't want anything to spoil this moment. His leg began to encroach her space a little as he stepped on his pedal, but it never went so far as to invade. Even as his hand brushed over hers to reach the further keys, there was a deftness to it she truly appreciated.

She felt on a level with him.

Her heart soared with understanding as the pace quickened. She was not an equal to anybody in this cursed place. Not even Freddie; he always trod on eggshells around her, terrified that she would break at any moment. Elli was her charge, her little girl, the reason she did all that she had done. And Ernst... she was both his unwilling puppet and puppeteer. Perhaps it was folly to feel as though she could trust Mathias for even a brief moment of magic. He had proved time and time again that he would always give into mayhem. This felt different somehow. Not even Hans had made her feel this way.

No one was babying her. No one was forcing her. No one else was in control.

All too soon, the music ended.

The pair sat back. Neither retreated; neither dared to speak. Anna's hands moved to her lap, Mathias' mirroring the movement. He let them move to rest atop his knees, one of which was perilously close to Anna's.

'Thank you,' Anna said quietly.

'Always so polite,' he returned with a slightly huffy laugh. 'And you.'

Anna swallowed the lump in her throat. 'This is different for us, isn't it?'

'Most definitely.' His little finger outstretched to lightly touch the side of Anna's hand. 'It's nice though, isn't it?'

All she could manage was a nod, watching his wandering touch.

'Is he treating you well?'

'Ernst?'

'Mmm.'

'He thinks he is.'

At that, Keller's whole body tensed. It didn't feel aimed at her. 'Is there anything I can do?'

Anna looked at him now. 'You've done everything you could already.'

His jaw clenched, the movement tight and subtle. 'You know?'

'That you tried to save me from him that night? And that you'd likely been hiding my secret well before that? Yes, I know. Ilse told me.'

'I'm sorry it didn't work.' The words barely escaped his stiffened lips.

Slowly, Anna let her little finger touch to his. She wanted to explore; his boundaries; her boundaries; the very nature of their relationship. Everything was turned upside down. Mathias, this man she hated more than anything, had been there for her in a moment when the man she loved had abandoned her. Something about his presence felt familiar in the horror of the turbulence she had been thrust into. He was a raft in this stormy sea. A small, bedraggled raft that barely kept her head above the water. And yet, it was there all the same.

'Me too,' she whispered. Noses almost brushing, they looked up at one another. She could feel his breath on her face, how quick and uneven it was. Instinctively, she leant forward to press her lips to his.

Mathias jolted back. 'What are you doing?'

Anna stopped, horror sweeping through her system. What was she doing? 'I... I was trying to say thank you.'

'Were you going to kiss me?' She tried to pull back completely, but he cupped her face with his hands. 'Anna, were you going to kiss me?' His thumbs smoothed over her cheeks, his grip ardent without being firm.

'Yes,' she managed.

Fingers wound into her hair, Mathias leant in and covered her lips with his. Anna's head hummed, her body heavy as she gave in. Her hands ran up his chest to grip his jacket, tugging him ever closer as the kiss deepened. She should stop this. It wasn't right. She didn't want to kiss him. She didn't want to be near him. All he had ever done was hurt her and cause her suffering. Why now, because he wasn't the perpetrator, was she so willing to look past it for this small touch of comfort?

Mathias barely paused to draw breath. Each new moment felt devouring, as though he were starving and her kisses nourished him. It wasn't the same as Ernst's needy attempts at passion. This man knew her, the real her, and wanted her all the same. She wasn't hiding any part of herself to be there with him. Had everything between them simply been building to this bizarre encounter? Were they always destined for this small drop of understanding?

It was ripped away, sudden and sharp.

So caught in the moment, neither of them had noticed Freddie walk in.

He had hauled Keller back, sending him to the floor in one swift movement.

'Are you out of your fucking mind?' he spat, standing between Anna and Keller.

'Freddie-' Anna began, her hand shaking as she tried to stop her friend.

Freddie halted her with a small gesture. 'It's all right, Anna, I'm here now.'

Sprawled on the floor, Mathias glared up at the ceiling. He seemed just as stunned as Anna, his chest rising and falling heavily.

'Leave,' spat Freddie.

Mathias sat up onto his palms, looking through Freddie to Anna. His lips were pink and swollen, his cheeks just as flushed. Did she look the same?

'Now!' Freddie gave him a firm kick to spur him into action.

Reluctantly, Keller got to his feet, straightening himself up. He stopped, determined to catch Anna's gaze again. Clearly unable to stop himself, his index finger brushed lightly over his lips, as if to clarify that what had happened was real. With one last look of longing, he turned and left, the front door slamming on his way out.

The moment he was gone descended Anna into a panic. Her breathing quick and uneven, she tried to steady herself against the piano. A choked sob fell from her lips, Freddie immediately sitting beside her to pull her into a hug.

'I knew that letch would try something,' he seethed, rocking Anna as she cried into his shoulder. 'I should have followed him the moment he left, I'm so sorry.'

Anna wanted to answer him, but all she could do was shake her head.

'It's all right. You're safe now. I'm here.' He soothed her in hushed whispers, rubbing her back.

He had mistaken her reason for crying. It wasn't fear.

It was guilt.

***

*In between this, Anna has had the scene with Ernst where she nearly strangles him during sex*

'There now. All wrapped up again.' Anna made sure Elli's mittens were securely on her hands, an extra scarf wrapped around her stubbled head.

'You don't have to dress me, you know,' came Elli's muffled response.

Freddie didn't stifle his chuckle, and neither did Anna. Elli's presence always lifted her spirits even if only for the time she was there, and Anna truly needed it today.

What happened last night had completely thrown her off balance.

She hadn't told Freddie. Even if she had found a secluded moment, she didn't think she could bring herself to say anything. She's let him believe that Keller had forced his kiss on her, so why also admit that she had tried to kill a man? He simply wouldn't understand, and she couldn't take any abhorrence over her actions.

At least now they were all living in an honest moment.

Ernst had taken himself to town today. He'd woken to find bruises around his neck, and for the first time ever, didn't seem to want to be around Anna. It had meant that her visit with Elli was completely natural, no sense of pretence at any moment.

Sadly, it was time for her to go. Ernst might not be back, but Grüber would be expecting her returned.

Together, the three of them walked outside so that Anna could tuck Elli into the car.

'Will I see you again soon?' Elli asked as she settled into the passenger seat, Freddie sliding into the driver's side.

'In a few days, I'm sure,' Anna assured her, kissing her nose. 'You look after yourself.'

'I'll try my best,' smiled Elli, throwing her arms around Anna one last time. Anna hugged her close, planting a flurry of kisses over her cheeks.

A car pulled through the open gates.

Sighing, Anna pulled back. 'Off you go, you two. I'll see you soon.'

Freddie didn't move, his eyes glued to the encroaching car.

Anna could see why.

The car pulled to a stop, and Keller stepped out. He paused by his open door, looking at the three of them before he let it fall closed. Anna stiffened and swallowed hard, her throat constricting. He shouldn't be here.

Freddie leapt out, slamming his door behind him.

'Anna?' said Elli uneasily.

'It's all right,' hushed Anna, watching the to men square up to one another.

'Go away,' barked Freddie.

'I need to speak with Anna,' returned Keller, his voice completely calm.

'Please Mathias,' implored Anna. 'Not right now.'

Freddie shot her a confused look. He'd clearly never heard her speak to Keller on first name terms.

'This is our only chance,' said Keller, eyeing her levelly.

'You have nothing to talk about!' Freddie's voice was raised, his body tensed as he stood defiantly between the pair.

Elli gripped Anna tightly, burrowing into her older sister for comfort. She shouldn't have to see this.

'Freddie,' called Anna. 'It's all right. Take Elli back.'

Incredulous, Freddie spun to look at her. 'Anna-'

'I'm fine. You need to get her back or she'll get in trouble.'

He still did not move.

'Please, Freddie. Please take her back.'

Her friend looked between her and the man she loathed. He was torn. He settled on Anna again. 'I'll come right back.'

Nodding, Anna bent and kissed Elli a final time. 'I'll see you soon. I love you.'

'I love you more,' Elli returned.

Anna shut the door, avoiding Freddie's gaze before he pulled away and out the open gate. She turned her eyes to Keller.

He seemed frozen, hovering not far from her. 'Is that-'

'My sister,' Anna cut across.

Keller's footsteps crunched across the frozen gravel. 'I didn't think he'd let you see her.'

'He has to buy my affection somehow.'

He stood over her. 'I thought you said he earned it.'

Anna looked at him levelly. 'I lied.'

A small hint of a smile seemed to flicker on his mouth.

Not wanting to know why, Anna turned and retreated back into the house. 'We have at least an hour until Freddie gets back,' she explained as they shut out the cold and she beckoned him to follow her through to the kitchen. 'But I'm not sure when Ernst will be back.'

'He's drinking with a few others in town. I doubt he'll be back any time soon.'

Anna stood on the other side of the kitchen table, her hands knuckled into the wood. 'How do you know that?'

'Strauss is driving them. He called to tell me.' There was a small silence. 'I wouldn't come to see you if I thought you'd be in danger.'

'Wouldn't you?'

His gaze never dropped. 'Maybe before. But not now.' It fell quiet again for a moment, the dripping kitchen tap counting down the seconds.

'What do you want?'

'You kissed me.'

Drip.

Anna sniffed, fidgeting in her shoes. 'So?'

Drip.

'You've never kissed me before.'

'Yes I have.'

'No,' he affirmed, taking a few steps towards her. 'I've kissed you. Never the other way around.'

Drip.

'It doesn't mean anything.'

'Yes, I think it does.'

The leaking faucet continued to sound, each drip like a pin in the back of Anna's neck. Irritably, she turned to it and tried desperately to screw the tap to a stop. It wouldn't budge. 'Stupid thing,' Anna cursed, still trying with all her might to twist it.

'Anna,' said Mathias, coming around to her side.

She ignored him, her eyes filling with tears as the drops continued to fall.

Standing behind her now, Mathias pressed his body into hers. 'Anna stop.' He placed his hand over hers, ceasing her efforts.

Her chest heaved as she tried to quell the need to cry. She dropped her hand, her fingers lacing with his. Never had he done this. Never had he tried to calm her. Every new moment with him was unchartered territory. 'You can't be here.'

His other palm ran up her arm to grip her shoulder. 'Why?'

'It only makes everything worse.' He didn't release her, nor did she try to free herself. Her body slumped into his. 'I tried to kill him last night.'

Tensing, Mathias froze behind her. 'What?'

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks, Anna's eyes screwed tight shut. 'I tried to strangle him.' Her words were a hurried flurry, one that she simply couldn't stop. 'He found me in my hiding spot and wouldn't shut up about us trying to have a child. I said no and all he did was berate me. I couldn't take it. Not from him. Stupid, pathetic little man-'

Keller turned her gently, halting her words as he held her at arm's length.

She was running out of breath, her chest tight in her anguish. 'I wanted him to feel pain. I wanted him to know how I felt. And I couldn't stop myself. Not after what happened between you and me.'

'Why would that matter?'

'Because you made me feel good!' she screeched, glaring at him. 'I can't stand him when I know there is a comparison. It's just like in the early days, when I could remember Hans...' Anna trailed off, her head hung low. Why was she comparing Keller to Hans? They weren't the same.

Were they?

'I just want to feel good, to stop this ache.' Anna rubbed her palm against her chest, as if it might ease her heart. 'And now I've tried to hurt someone.' She'd never done that before, never sunk to that level. She had always protected, defended. Never attacked.

Mathias pulled her in, his arms wrapped around her as she sobbed into his chest. And she let him. He smelled different to Ernst. Something about his bright, fresh scent was so soothing. It was familiar; a time before Ernst. She'd hated it once, yet now anything that wasn't Ernst was so welcome. Her arms snaked around his waist, her fingers clawing at his jacket.

'You aren't the terrible person you think you are,' he murmured into her hair. 'This isn't you.'

'It is now.'

'No,' he promised, pulling back so that he could cup her face. 'It isn't, Anna. I know it isn't.'

'I'm not that naive idiot that you first met.'

'You were never that either,' he urged, almost shaking her. 'Do you know why I want you? Why no one else can fill your void?'

She shook her head.

'Because when everyone else used to look at the ground, you stared up at the sky.'

'W-what?'

'Whatever happened to you, no matter what I did, what anyone did, you kept going. You found a way to break through the darkness each and every time.'

'Like a guiding light in a fog,' she murmured.

'Exactly.' He rested his forehead against hers. 'It's why we all cling to you. Me, Ernst, Lange.'

Anna tried to turn her head away but he held it there.

'Don't think he isn't like us because he is.'

Anna's throat was dry. 'I can't talk about him.'

'You need to. He used you to feel good as the world crashed down around him. And then he left you.'

Anna hung her head, her chest heaving with hurt. 'I know he left me. I feel that every day.'

'He's a pig.'

'And what does that make you?' she spat, her face now thrust back into his.

There was a beat, honest, ardent intensity pooling in his gaze. 'A fool who has done nothing but want you since the moment he met you.'

Shaking her head, Anna tried to pull away.

He didn't let her. 'Stop retreating.'

'Just let me go, Mathias.'

'Not until you show me that you'll keep fighting. Don't let Ernst steal your nerve.'

Wavering, Anna leant back against the sink, drawing him closer. 'I just want to feel good,' she repeated, her voice wobbling.

'I can make you feel good.' Keller pressed a light kiss to her dampened cheek, Anna struggling not to melt into him completely. 'Let me make you feel good.' His touch changed, his caresses no longer simply soothing. He kissed along her jaw, moving to her neck, his tongue gliding slowly across her skin.

Anna gripped him tight, nuzzling into him. She'd done this before. She'd taken pleasure in Ernst's touch just to escape the agony of loneliness. But this wasn't pretend. She didn't want to imagine that this was someone else. Something about the way Keller's hands felt, the smell of him, the sound of his heavy breathing, pulled her back to a time she preferred. It wasn't a good time. She'd thought it was the worst time of her life. But she was wrong.

'This isn't us,' she managed, as his lips moved towards hers.

'Why not?' His top lip parted hers, his grip on her waist tightened. 'Why can't we have this?'

'It's wrong.'

He didn't stop.

'Mathias please.'

He still didn't stop.

Anna's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to wriggle free. It felt too good, and she couldn't bare it. She shoved him, Mathias staggering back a few paces. 'Why? Why are you doing this?'

Breathing deeply, he steadied himself on the table, his icy eyes fixed on her.

'Hmm?' goaded Anna, resentment and anger coursing through her. 'Why are you here?'

'I want you.'

'Is that it?' she spluttered, her laugh huffy. 'You think I should bypass every warning siren in my head because you want me?'

'You should do it because you want me too.'

Anna shook her head. 'I've never had a choice with you.'

'You do right now.'

Silence surrounded them, the air electric with a force that Anna couldn't understand. It surged between them, swirling around her so that her skin itched.

Mathias stood straighter. 'I'll leave if that's what you want.'

In that moment she knew that she didn't want that at all. This feeling was so new, so unknown, and so much better than the life she was chained to.

'Do you love me?' she whispered, her words trembling on her tongue.

That wasn't what he expected. 'Love you?'

'Yes.'

'I thought you said this wasn't us.'

'I don't know any more.'

He gave a small, almost pained nod.

'Please say it.'

There was alarm in his eyes, fear. 'I...' He faltered. 'I always have, Anna.'

Tears brimmed her eyes as she closed them, breathing deeply as she gripped the side. Why did it matter so much to be loved? Why did the knowledge that he truly wanted her above all else make her want him in return when she knew she still despised him? She could hear him step closer again. As she finally opened her eyes, she stared straight at him as he pinned her against the counter.

'I hate you,' she whispered.

'I know.'

He truly knew her.

Holding her against him, he propped her up on the counter, his hands running up her thighs. Her skin didn't tingle like it had with Hans. This wasn't sexual or romantic. She didn't know what this was. It simply made her less numb, her heart thrumming in time with his. Tugging her jumper over her head, she dropped it beside her and wound her arms around his neck. Her lips crushed his, her legs locking him close as their kiss delved deeper. Sliding to his front, her hands fumbled to undo his jacket. He shrugged it from his shoulders, staying as close to her as he could.

None of the old Mathias was here, and she didn't want to waste time remembering him. That would only make her stop this. Whoever he was now, she needed him.

Her hands moved to his trouser buttons, undoing them as best she could.

'Wait,' he murmured, trying to stay her hands.

She remained undeterred. 'Why?'

'I want to savour this.'

Pausing, Anna watched as he shrugged his braces down, his trousers slightly open at the top. He loosened his top button, his gaze glued to hers. Sliding her forward, he scooped her into his arms, and turned so he could lay her on the table. Standing over her, he wet his lips as he slid her skirt up to reveal her thighs. Bent forward, he trailed kisses across her skin, his fingertips dug into her. He moved up her body, her shirt opened so he could touch every inch of her as he pulled her closer.

'You have no idea how many times I have imagined this.'

Gasping, Anna tried to concentrate on his words as his tongue massaged her inner thighs. 'Like this?'

'Always like this.' He punctuated his every thought with a kiss. 'Ready for me.' He nipped her flesh with his teeth. 'Pining for me.' His long fingers hooked into her underwear as he pulled them carefully down her legs. 'With that fury burning in your eyes.'

Anna sat up at little way, meeting him as his face hovered over hers. He seemed pained that she had stopped him exploring her. 'Why is that what you like?'

His nose ran the length of hers, so soft and tender she almost couldn't believe it was him. 'Because that's the real you.'

Yes, it was. She reached out, her fingertips running lightly down his face to touch his lips. His eyes closed, breathing her in. She needed more. She needed to drown out the memory of last night, of Reina, of everything. She needed something completely new.

He saw her clear change in expression. 'What is it?'

'I want to be empty of everything else, except you.'

A spasm along his jaw was the only signal for how much he was holding himself back. 'You remember?'

'You told me to remember everything about that day.'

His brow creased, his hand cupping her face as he drank her in. He craved her, she could see it. This was the hunger Hans had when they were together, the ardent fervour that she so desperately needed. Did it matter that it was with a man she despised?

Not anymore.

'Take me,' she murmured, her lips kissing his ever so gently as she finally managed to unbutton his trousers. 'Take me, Mathias.'

His hold on her never waned as he tugged himself free. They were ready to fall over the edge together, unable to go back from this reckless, damning act. He teetered, his mouth hung over hers as he teased their union. He was still holding back, the glimmer of fear in his eyes the most intoxicating thing she had ever seen.

To know he was scared of her was the greatest thrill. It made her heart race, her body fully in control of itself for the first time in so long. Perhaps ever. No matter who they had been before, she was in charge now. With his shirt balled into her fists, she pulled him in.

Her mouth caught his moan, the vibration welcome and delicious. Tangling his hand into the hair at the base of her skull, Mathias pulled it taught. She heaved against it, enjoying the anguish as together they found a slow, brutal rhythm. Greedily, her hands dipped under his clothes to trail his back, her nails tearing at his bare skin. A low, angry growl tore from his throat, but he didn't stop her. The more she inched towards pain, he returned it in kind.

This was not love making. She did not feel treasured nor worshipped. Every deep, torturous moment trembled with a different kind of intensity. It was as if Mathias was trying to consume her, to mould her to him so that she would never be free. There was no safety, no comfort. Yet there was no danger. The only hurt here was one she controlled, one she desired.

He owned her, just as she owned him.

Falling to her back, Anna pulled Mathias with her. His hands pressed into the table either side of her head. It simply wasn't enough for him. In quick succession, he took her wrists and slammed them down. She fought on instinct, squirming beneath him. He simply pushed deeper, a crooked smile catching his mouth as her breath hitched.

'Tell me you want me to stop,' he managed, his words heavy and low.

She couldn't. It would be a lie. Instead, her legs wrapped around his thighs.

He wavered a little but did not stop his pace. 'You like this, don't you?' Bending low, Mathias dragged his tongue up her neck, his kiss finding her jaw. When she didn't answer him, he ground her wrists into the wood. 'Answer me, little cuckoo bird.'

This small increase sent sparks across her entire body. He was daring her to be bold. She pressed her mouth to his ear. 'Why?'

'I want to hear you say it.' He drew back to look at her, that smoldering gaze locked on hers as he pushed so hard into her that the table creaked loudly beneath her. 'I ache to hear those words on your lips.'

More and more the delicious burn crept to every part of her body, that need to release a raging fire that surged more and more. She was so angry, so filled with fury that threatened to engulf them both. To let it would be to give in. And yet, it's all she wanted.

'I hunger for it, little cuckoo bird. More than anything else.'

She was so close, so ready to give into it. 'Then starve.'

Her declaration elicited another strange, feral sound from him, his movements now wild and unrelenting. This was it. The moment their relationship had been building to all this time. They were damaging everything beyond repair, changing the path destiny had set for them with each primal pound.

Anna's eyes snapped shut, her body bursting with an undeniable pleasure as she finally let it all go. Stars danced across her vision, the ebb and flow of her orgasm rolling through her.

'Did you just...' Mathias panted.

Opening her eyes, she could only manage a nod.

'Fuck.' He spat out the word in a curse filled with glory. He released her wrists but wound her arms around his neck. 'Stay close to me,' he breathed. 'Until the last moment.'

'Yes,' she whispered.

He captured her mouth in another kiss, breathing heavily through his ecstasy. He had slowed again, as if he could hold onto this. It was too much. In one, fluid movement, he pulled free of her with a loud groan and finished into his hand with a long, guttural groan.

The heavy heat of their union began to lift, seeping into the quiet still of the kitchen. Sitting up, Anna watched Mathias grab a cloth to clean his hand.

He was slumped against the nearby counter, as though to move was not possible. Discarding the rag, he looked straight at her.

Her heart sank as he looked at her again. She had expected him to look terrifying again, to return to the tyrant she had always avoided.

No.

She wanted him just as much now as she had before.

What had she done?

'Get out,' she murmured, closing her legs and covering herself.

His entire expression fell. 'Anna-'

'Get. Out.' She repeated.

He didn't move.

'Fine,' she spat. Inching forward, she shuffled off the table and made to run away. She couldn't bear to sit there and look at the longing in his eyes. It was fuelled by her own, twisted need and she loathed it. What an utter fool she was.

He'd stepped into her path before she made it to the door, scooping her into his arms.

'Let me go,' she spat, fighting against him.

'I'll leave,' he promised as he took her chin between his fingers. 'But understand this, Anna, you are mine. And I'm not going to give up on us.'

Frantically, she shook her head. 'There is no us. This was a mistake.'

'It can't be.'

'It was a moment of weakness.'

'It was the start of us, Anna.'

They both froze, their chests heaving in perfect time with the others.

'Leave.' The word was small and meagre, but it was all Anna could manage.

Without a word, he pressed a slow, tender kiss to her temple, her nose buried into him for the briefest of moments. As he released her, he slipped on his braces and grabbed his coat. He took one last look at her, wetting his lips in abject desire.

Then he was gone.