Elli had promised Anna that she would give her and Abe the evening alone... unless it was really urgent. They had spent a wonderful afternoon together, Abe playing with her nonstop, even with his broken hand. Sam had apparently tripped, and Abe had tried to catch him. Anna wasn't convinced but said nothing more. Elli would surely question him about it as he put her to bed. Elli had insisted that she only needed Abe this evening; there was something important she needed to ask him, she insisted. They had left Anna waiting for him in the garden.

"There you are little lady," Abe said, tucking the blanket in around her as she nestled into her pillow. "All good?"

"Yes," she said, and he kissed her head lightly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"When will you ask Anna to marry you?"

He laughed loudly as she stared at him for the answer. "Elli, do you ever not go a million miles a minute?"

"Please," she said, her whole face pulled into an adorably serious expression, "I just want to know!"

"Look," he levelled with her. "I don't know when I'll ask her. But I will ask her."

Her face lit up. "You promise?!"

"Cross my heart," he said. She shot up and hugged him quickly, Abe squeezing her back. "Now, y'all need to sleep."

"Goodnight," she said dreamily, giving him leave to go downstairs to Anna.

Abe walked past the drawing room where the others were spending their time. Hollywood caught his eye, raising his glass of whiskey to him and wiggling his eyebrows. Abe just glared at him and went to find Anna. She was sitting on the grass, her expression tranquil as she enjoyed the cooling breeze. The weather was beginning to hint towards summer, the air around them more temperate. She looked so beautiful. She was wearing a dress that exposed her shoulders, her dark hair bouncing freely. When she saw him, she smiled, pulling him down to sit beside her.

"Was she any trouble?" she asked.

"She never is," he smiled, tucking his arm around her. He lay back, taking her with him so that they could enjoy the outside huddled close together.

Anna adored the gardens of this house. They were immaculately kept and filled with such vibrant, beautiful colours. She stared up at the sky, enjoying the pinks and oranges of its hue. She loved being tucked into Abe in this way. He always felt so warm, her hands splayed across his chest.

He looked so handsome... she couldn't stop herself. Her foot rubbed below his knee, testing for his reaction. Abe pulled her in closer, kissing her head lightly. She ran her hand up his chest to cup his cheek, pulling him to kiss her properly. He did so, tenderly. But went no further.

Was he not understanding her?

Anna propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at him, his arm tucked behind his head, the other hand still stroking her back gently.

"Watcha looking at?" he asked with a smile.

"You," she said softly, which made his grin spread even more. "I've been thinking about you a lot, too."

"Well, that's mighty good to hear," he laughed.

Anna bent down close to him, her lips touching his ear ever so slightly. "About how much I want you," she whispered, kissing his ear lightly. She paused, feeling his grip on her tightening as his breathing grew heavier.

Abe turned to look at her, rolling onto his side as their eyes met. His were hungry, Anna gripping his shirt as his fingers wound into her hair and pulled her in. This kiss was deep and filled with wanting. His tongue searched hers, Anna rolling onto her back and pulling him with her so that his body covered hers. Her arms wound round his neck, her fingers tracing it softly. He felt so good, every part of her excited to feel him this close. When his hand ran up her thigh she moaned against his lips, her leg pinning him closer still.

Abe drew back for a moment, both of them gasping for breath. "Anna," he murmured. "You don't have to do this if you're not ready-"

"I'm ready!" she assured him, leaning up and biting his ear and teasing it with her tongue.

"Baby, please," he said, unable to hide just how much he wanted her. "I'm tryna look out for you."

Anna sighed heavily, looking at him indignantly. "You're ruining the mood."

Abe sat up, pulling her with him so that they were still close. He kissed her hand, rubbing her fingers with his thumbs. "I really don't wanna rush you," he explained. "You said you weren't ready and I just-"

"That was then, and this is now!" she insisted. "I don't feel pressured at all! It's starting to feel like you don't want me."

"Are you kidding me?" he said, the words breathy. "You see this?" he said, waving his bandaged fingers at her.

"Yes?"

"When I left this morning, I wanted to crash back through the door and have you right there. I got so excited by seein' you, I didn't know how to deal with it. So, I punched that tree."

"Oh," she said with a slight giggle. It always delighted her how he said exactly what was in his head.

"It's not funny! It hurt like a bitch!" he said, eventually laughing with her.

They fell quiet, both staring longingly at one another.

"Anna, I want you so fucking bad. Falling asleep beside you drives me crazy because you feel so good. You get me going with just a damn kiss. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that it feels wrong to look at you in that way."

"Why?!" she spluttered.

His head hung a little, his eyes guilty.

"Because of what happened to me?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "I can't get the image of your scars out of my head. I'm so worried I'll hurt you or somethin'. This is so new to me."

Anna took his face in her hands, making sure their eyes were locked. "Now you listen to me," she said sternly. "Yes, those things happened. And no amount of wishing on your part will change them. I don't want that to be what you see when you think of me. I am not broken!" She leant her forehead against his. "I have been trying to show you that I am ready! I want you to give in to how much you want me. I am still a woman-"

"You're my woman," he emphasised.

"Exactly!" she breathed. "Now show me that I am."

"But Sam said-"

"Samuel said what?"

Abe looked sheepish. "That you were giving in to please me."

"You know, Samuel is clever, but he does not know everything."

"Yeah, I'm starting to get that," he sighed. "Can't believe Hollywood was on the money though."

"Do you talk to everyone about me?"

"Just those two. I need advice! God knows I'm not the smartest and I really don't wanna screw this up!" he looked so frustrated.

Anna's heart sung in her chest. "Actually you are incredibly smart," she assured him. "What is your heart telling you?" Their eyes locked again, Anna immediately drawn to their dark and soulful colour.

"That I'm more afraid of your past than you are," he confirmed.

"See? You really need to trust yourself more," she said, then added, "and perhaps you should talk to me about how you are feeling. Not the boys."

"Agreed," he sighed, his hands rubbing her thighs a little. "You promise me that you want this too?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"All right then!" He got to his feet, Anna looking up at him, confused. "I'm not doing it here," he laughed, holding his hand out to her. Anna beamed, letting him pull her up as he kissed her again, engulfing her in his arms. Then, taking her hand, he led her through the house.

They crept past the drawing room where the others were, desperate not to get caught. They hurried upstairs to her room, Anna's heart hammering in her chest.

Anna slammed their bedroom door shut, eager for it to be just the two of them. She felt Abe's arms wind around her, her fingers lacing carefully with his as he kissed her neck. Guiding one of his hands down to her thighs, she allowed it to slip between them. Teasingly, Abe bit her shoulder, his hand moving higher. Her head fell back onto his chest as he touched her, his mouth finding her ear again.

This was ecstasy. In every way possible. Like their first kiss, this didn't feel new with Abe. It was perfected, artful, as though he already understood every inch of her body intrinsically. The more playful his fingers became, the louder he grew, as if he couldn't contain his pleasure at touching her in this way.

Anna finally turned around so that she could see him, her breathing laboured with desire. He still grinned devilishly at her, Anna loving that his playfulness had not abated. Yet his eyes seemed darker, ravenous even. She adored it. Running her hands up his chest, she undid his buttons slowly, teasing her own view of him. She enjoyed taking her time, letting him tug his shirt and vest off so that he stood there bare chested. His chest was huge, as were his arms and shoulders. She liked that his stomach was full and thick. He felt solid, her hands now biting into him eagerly.

Abe walked her back, pinning her against the wall, both his arms resting against it as he kissed her again. She wondered now, how long he had been holding back these kind of kisses. He was always ardent, but these were something else entirely. Already, she could see stars.

Anna began to undo her dress, her hands fumbling distractedly.

"Shall I help you?" he asked softly.

"You might have to," she managed.

He finished undoing her buttons, Anna hurriedly shrugging it off so that she stood in just her underwear. Abe looked at her for a moment, his jaw clenched tightly as his eyes poured over her.

"What do you think?" she whispered.

His eyes flicked to hers. "I don't have the words for just how beautiful you are."

"But do you want me?" she pressed.

He bit his lip to stay a grin. "Touch me and find out."

Anna's eyes lit up but never left his. She reached out, her hand running up his thigh to his trouser buttons. As she found him, he let out a long held breath.

Anna's hand flexed in surprise. She should have expected him to be proportional to his height but the size of him still shocked her.

"You see?" he breathed. "Don't you see how I ache for you, darlin'."

Anna could only manage a nod, her fingers still teasing him. Abe leant into her, letting Anna undo his trousers as his hand found the back of her brassier, undoing it in one swift motion. He pulled it off, Anna letting go of him so that she stood with her bare chest pressed against his.

It clearly wasn't enough for Abe. He hooked his hands under her thighs, grunting from the pain in his fingers as he pressed her into the wall. Trailing kisses from her neck to her chest, Abe pushed her a little higher up the wall, his face buried in her breasts. Anna's fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue brushed softly against her nipples, Anna unable to supress a moan. Her legs locked round his waist, Abe's muffled enthusiasm only fuelling hers.

Anna was torn away from the wall, her grip on Abe tightening as he walked her to the bed. She slid down his body, her knees sinking into the soft mattress. She looked up at Abe, enjoying the way his jaw clenched and his thumb reached out to brush her cheek. Slowly, she tugged his trousers down, her fingertips grazing his thighs. He kicked his trousers away, Anna's thumbs tucking into the band of his underwear. He stopped her.

"Don't you want me to touch you again?" she asked, holding his hips.

"I don't think I'll cope if you do, baby," he managed, his voice low and throaty. "I wanna savour you being on your knees for me."

Anna's breath caught in her throat, a smug smile catching her lips. She felt powerful, and respected. Abe looked at her as though she were the most precious thing in the world, but also as if he wanted to devour her. It made her heart race.

Abe let out a frustrated sigh. "It's been a long time... since I last-" He dipped his head a moment as if to search for the words. "This ain't gonna take very long for me, is what I'm saying."

"I don't mind," she assured him as he sunk to his knees. "I just want you."

"I wanna make sure you enjoy it-" he mumbled, kissing her across her chest so that she let out a contented sigh.

"It is not as if women finish every time anyway," she managed.

"What?" he said, now looking at her properly. "Who told you that?"

Anna didn't reply, looking at him in confusion.

His devilish grin returned. "You trust me, right?"

"Of course!"

"Lie down."

It was a gentle command, and her heart fluttered. She'd never known him like this. She wanted to test it.

"But I want you!" Anna insisted, pulling herself closer to him. She fell back on the bed, bringing Abe with her. He smiled against her tempting kisses, propping himself up to stare down at her.

"This is about you," he murmured, his body pressing into hers as he teased her nipples with his teeth. "And only you."

He kissed lower and lower, falling to his knees with a definite thud. Before she could ask what he meant, his lips found her thighs. The slight bristle of his jaw brushed against her soft skin, his tongue and his teeth exploring higher and higher. Abe pulled her underwear off slowly, sliding his shoulders beneath her knees, his eyes flicking to Anna's one last time before his mouth began a different journey.

Anna couldn't help but moan as he began, his mouth and tongue knowing exactly what to do. Her hands gripped the sheets, her whole body overcome with an intense pleasure. This was so different to anything that she had ever felt. This was about her, and her alone. She felt herself getting completely lost in it, his hands biting into her thighs and waist. She had thought about him for so long yet never like this; this was more powerful than she ever could have imagined. She knew she was moaning his name, she could feel the curve of it on her lips. But everything else around her seemed so far away, her mind fixated only on Abe and his talented tongue. His fingers dug in as he felt her climax building; he wanted it just as much as she did.

"Keep cursing in German baby," he mumbled into her. "I love it."

His words reverberated against her, Anna's entire body acquiescing to him. When her release came, it took her over in entirety. Fireworks, stars, everything imploded through her system. If she was loud, she had no idea. She didn't much care. This release was so freeing. She lay there gasping for air as he rose up to lay beside her again. Immediately, she tried to move so that she could pleasure him, but he stopped her, kissing her softly.

"Let yourself enjoy it. There's no rush."

Anna gave in, smiling as she let herself fall calm again.

Abe went to his shirt and pulled out his hip flask, taking a quick swig before he fell down on the bed again.

She nestled into him, letting out a long, contented sigh. "I don't know what to say."

He chuckled. "Don't need to say anythin'."

"But it was amazing!" she cried, looking up at him as he stroked her hair. "I've never done that before."

"Never?"

Anna shook her head.

"That's mad to me."

"Why?"

"Cause tastin' you like that was insane. And your moans... god baby, it's drivin' me wild just thinkin' about it."

A deep blush flooded her cheeks, Abe's grin smug. "But what about you?"

"It ain't the same if it's all based on my finish." He pulled her on top of him, revelling in the view of her. "Seeing you like that, totally care free... it's the best damn thing I've ever seen."

"Oh really?" she said, her mouth twisting into a smile. She felt confident and womanly for the first time in so long. This was so vastly different to before. She was sure of herself and was excited to please him, not nervous.

Eagerly, she pressed her hands onto his chest, sitting back so that she could feel him again. His eyes closed as he let out a long breath. Hurriedly, Anna helped him pull his underwear off, staying on top of him as he sat up, holding her against him. She moved her hand down, caressing him again so that he swore under his breath.

Slowly, she positioned herself against him, gasping as he started. He eased in slowly, careful to let her adjust. It only made her hungrier for him. She arched into him, his face burying in her chest as his hands gripped her waist. It felt undeniably good. She expected it to have dulled for her, but it was anything but. She fell back a little way, loving that his hands began to guide her hips.

"Oh god, baby," he breathed, nibbling her neck. "You gotta slow down."

"But it feels too good," she whispered back, kissing his softly and letting her tongue glide over his.

He wanted to build the pace, she could feel it, his whole-body rigid where he was trying to hang on.

"Take me exactly as you want to," she begged. "The way you wanted to this morning."

"Fuck."

Abe pushed to his feet, spreading her across the bed as he stayed between her legs. He gripped her thigh tight, angling himself to push up to the hilt. This was the abandonment she craved, the absolute freedom and joy at connecting in this way. Her head fell back and burrowed into her pillow, Abe's wandering thumb the only thing in between them. He caressed her more with each thrust of his hips, Anna already feeling a second wave ready to descend.

"Abe," she whimpered, clutching his arm for support.

"Give into it, baby," he urged. "I wanna follow you over the edge."

"I can't-"

"You can."

The words tore from his throat like a growl, the impatient command enough of a push for Anna. She let herself go again, her nails dug into his biceps.

Abe's pace didn't relent. "Yes."

His finish was loud, the feel of it incredible for her too, a spattering of sparks starting again throughout her body. He collapsed on top of her, Anna snuggling into his heavy body. She trailed kisses across his shoulder, lost in the salty taste of sweat the glistened on his skin.

Eventually, he sat up a little way. "See? I warned you," he grumbled, clearly frustrated.

Anna propped herself on her elbows. "Warned me of what?"

"That I wouldn't last long."

"Abraham Coleman, if that is what you think of as a poor effort, then I'm not sure I'll cope with more."

They paused, drinking in the view of the other. "You make me feel like a damn god."

"Nonsense." Anna kissed his nose. "You do that all by yourself."

His cheek pressed to her chest for a moment, a contented sigh released between his lips.

"We should clean up," murmured Anna.

"In a moment."

They lay for a little while longer, naked and entwined. Anna massaged his scalp with her fingertips, drunk on the smell of his sun kissed skin.

"I never had sex like that before," he said after a while.

"What do you mean?"

"It was so-" He searched for the word. "Loving. Like, that was actually making love."

"Yes, I know what you mean," she smiled.

Abe rolled away from her, both lying on their sides. She still pressed herself close to him, his fingers tracing down her side and across the small of her back.

"You make me feel confident," Anna whispered almost instinctively.

His fingers paused a moment. "I do?"

"Mhmm. I feel like a proper woman."

"Oh baby, you're all woman," he grinned, Anna unable to stop herself from returning it. "How I'm ever gonna concentrate on anything else now is beyond me."

"You will have to find a way," she teased, stroking his nose with her fingertip.

"What're you doin'?"

"I love your nose."

Abe's brow furrowed. "Could you not have picked somethin' more manly?"

"But I like it so much," she protested. "You are so tall and imposing, but you have an innocent face. Particularly your nose."

"And that's a good thing?"

"The best!"

"Well, I just love you," he said, his gaze growing warm. "I couldn't pick any particular thing. I love it all."

It was peaceful for a moment, Anna pushing into him and laying her ear to his chest to hear his heartbeat.

He sighed in contentment, so happy to have her so close. "Anna," he said after a while, and she glanced up at him. "Does this feel as real to you as it does to me?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

He looked a little uncomfortable.

"Do you mean, how does it compare to Hans?" she asked quietly.

"I'm sorry to ask," he mumbled. "But I'd rather know the truth. You mean the world to me, I guess, I just wanna know that you're happy."

Anna nestled closer to him. "I have told you before, that my love for you comes from a different place. I feel very equal to you, and really, that's what I want most." Her fingers entwined with his. "I am comfortable with you already. I feel safe with you. I trust that you will listen to me and I do not doubt that you want me. Those are things that took a long time with Hans, and if I am honest, some things that never came at all." She rested her other hand on his chest, rubbing it again. "I sometimes wonder if I lived in a fantasy with him. But with you, everything is real. And I love that. And you making love to me-" Anna blushed, Abe unable to stop the grin. "It was something entirely different. I love you so deeply, do you doubt that?"

"Of course not! It's just, I'm gonna marry you, so I wanna know that we'll be happy."

Her eyes grew wide, and so did his as he realised what he had let slip.

"You want to marry me?" she asked.

He looked suddenly terrified, but still certain of what he wanted.

"Yeah, I do. Problem?"

"I thought you 'weren't one to settle down'?" she teased, doing her best impersonation of Hollywood.

"Yeah, well, I never thought I'd meet anyone like you." There was a pause.

"Are you asking officially?"

"Do I look like I'm down on one knee?" he asked, Anna grinning. "No I ain't. I guess I'm just... testing the water." He stroked her cheek. "Do you think you'll say yes when I ask?"

Her heart was thumping in her chest. She hadn't thought this far ahead... she hadn't dared to. After all that had come before him, she was afraid to think like that. But she felt so full, so in love. It was wonderful. And it really was so different. Where she always felt tentative with Hans, she felt sure with Abe. She never worried that she would say or do the wrong thing. She knew that he genuinely loved her for the way that she was. And she loved him in exactly the same way.

"Of course I will say yes," she whispered.

Abe kissed her fingertips, pulling her in and kissing her fully. He rolled her over, covering her naked body with his.

"Oh, I see," she laughed. "Were you just trying to get me into bed again?"

"I've already got you," he teased, biting her neck gently to tempt her. "But I can stop if you're not feelin' it?"

Anna pulled his lips to hers, kissing him hungrily as he slipped properly between her legs again. Her palms spread eagerly across his back, begging him to not keep her waiting any longer. Abe grinned against her lips, teasing her a little more before they gave into each other all over again.