The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Eighteen

Anna snuggled in closer to Abe, still half asleep. He chuckled throatily, kissing her on the forehead.

"You're finally awake," he said, Anna's eyes fluttering open to rest on his face.

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Eight," he replied.

She groaned. "No! You should have woken me! You have debriefing in half an hour!"

"I'll see you after patrol!"

Anna buried her face in his chest. "But I like our mornings together," she mumbled.

"So do I, baby," he sighed, "but you looked so damn cute."

She glared at him grumpily and he just laughed. He stretched, then kissed her before he got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Anna was so annoyed at herself. She had meant to wake early. Elli had had another bad night last night, so they had just gone straight to bed when she had finally fallen asleep. Anna had not had the opportunity to try to seduce him again. Elli always left them alone in the mornings. Gabby and she had got into the routine of having breakfast together and then going for a walk. The mornings always belonged to Anna and Abe... that is, until he had to leave for a patrol or something. It was infuriating. Perhaps they still had time...

As Abe returned, he grinned at her, and she back at him. She had an idea. He started tugging on his clothes, so Anna went to her wardrobe opposite him. He sat on the bed, doing up his boots, unaware that she was grinning mischievously at him. She pulled out an outfit, then took her night dress off. He glanced up at her, now noticing that she was only in her underwear.

"Woah," he said, quickly looking down again with wide eyes. "Baby, what're you doin'?"

"Getting dressed," she said nonchalantly.

"Don't you usually do that when I'm not around?" he said, still keeping his eyes averted.

"I thought I would try something different," she said, now standing directly in front of him.

He snuck a peak again, his breathing deep.

"Do you not approve?" she asked playfully.

"No, I very much approve," he said, his throat tight. "Just... tryna be respectful is all."

Anna stepped even closer, cupping his face as his hands rested lightly on her thighs. She loved how they seemed to instinctively pull her closer, one of his legs now slipping between hers.

"You're makin' it very difficult to stay a gentleman," he mumbled.

"Then don't," she whispered, kissing him softly on the mouth. She ached for him, as he did for her.

Abe couldn't help but let his hands bite into her skin, kissing her deeply as her chest pressed against his. It was clearly killing him. "Baby, please," he begged. "I'm gonna be late."

"Then let's be quick," she whispered.

He picked her up, fighting every impulse as he quickly set her down on the bed and stood away from her. She looked so enticing, her big blue eyes staring up at him pleadingly.

He took her hand, kissing it tenderly as he held her cheek. "I don't ever wanna have to rush a moment with you," he said softly. "We've got time-"

"This evening?" she suggested, now kissing his thumb playfully.

"We've got time," he repeated, almost to himself.

Before she could say anything else, he kissed her quickly, then darted out of the door. She fell back on the bed, letting out a sigh of frustration.