It was a perfect day. The snow had eased, yet everything still had a soft, thick coat of fluffy white snow covering it. The sun was shining yet it didn’t have the warmth which would inevitably melt the paradise Anna in love with. Outside was unnaturally silent. There were no chirps of insects, no songs from birds, and no signs of life. Anna folded her arms and watched. She was completely captivated by the splendour that was laid before her.

Anna was so caught up by her thoughts that she momentarily forgot that James was there. He snuck up behind her, wrapping his long, muscled arms around her tiny waist. “Now gorgeous,” he lowered his head, dropping tiny kisses on her neck. “I’m all yours, all day. So, what…am…I…going…to…do…with…you?” he panted, kissing her neck.

Anna giggled. Her husband was an Olympic gold medallist, a world record holder at the top of his game. And he was now gasping, desperately out of breath.

“I don’t know. Any suggestions?” Anna taunted, wrapping herself around him. Anna’s stomach clenched with nerves.

James’s other hand slid under her top and his fingers were tracing circles on the flat plane of her stomach. “I have a few ideas, Mrs. Thompson,” James whispered as he nibbled on her ear before spinning her around and covering her mouth with his own.

All of a sudden, everything Anna had been afraid of disappeared. She looked into James’s warm, inviting brown eyes. Those captivating eyes dissolved all her fears and insecurities. The man before her made her feel comfortable and safe and loved. And there was nowhere else she’d rather be. No one else she’d rather be with. Anna’s arms slid instinctively around his neck, pulling his body flush against hers as she kissed him softly. Their kisses rapidly intensified and within moments their kisses were desperate and ferocious.

“Anna, you sure you want to do this?” James stared at her. He saw the desperation in her eyes. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Sliding his hands up her back, with one quick movement, he had her top lying in a pile on the floor.

There was no going back. This was it. Anna and James’s one perfect moment had arrived. After holding back for so long nothing was going to stop them now. They were married. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. And with their hearts leading the way nothing would or could ruin it.

James didn’t seem to care about the state of her underwear and neither did she as he unfastened her jeans and traced a flickering line with his tongue over her breasts and down the flat plane of her stomach. Anna groaned as her body arched convulsively, feeling the urgent, pulsating beat of desire. She tore at his clothes, her shyness forgotten, pulling at the buttons of his shirt, desperate to touch him. His skin felt warm, his muscles hard under her fingers.

They fell on the bed, their clothes discarded, exploring each other with tongues, eyes, and fingertips, discovering each other for the first time. Their desire spiralled out of control until they couldn’t stand it anymore and their bodies cried out for their inevitable release.

Afterwards they lay tangled in the warm, creased sheets, happiness enveloping them like a tight hug. Their sated bodies, drenched in sweat, clung together. Anna’s head rested on James’s heaving chest. He was stroking her hair tenderly. James looked down at her, his smile was devastatingly sexy. They spent the whole afternoon lying in each other’s arms, refusing to part, even for the briefest moment. Now they were enveloped by a cocoon of pure bliss, safe in the knowledge that what had taken place had been perfect.

The next couple of days proved to be harder and more frustrating than all of the previous chaste months. Now they knew what they’d been missing. Their appetite for each other was insatiable. Diana and Michael silently acknowledged the change in both of them and in their relationship. While Anna sat in the stands, James swam. Each time he emerged from the pool he gave her a sly wink and wave before taking his seat with the team. There were no more romantic dinners, no more walks, and he no longer took her home each night—all at Anna’s insistence. They’d already discovered that they couldn’t be trusted when they were alone. Any private moment that they found they couldn’t stop themselves from devouring the other.

James finished the competition with six gold medals. Four came in world record times. On the final day he was awarded the prestigious ‘Swimmer of the Meet.’ Despite the praises from the world and the fact that James had broken new standards with his medal haul, it didn’t go to his head. While the world thought he could walk on water, he took it all in his stride. As everyone around him celebrated his accolades and all his successes, James had only one single focus. All he wanted was to return to Australia and marry the love of his life. Again.

Reluctantly Anna packed her bags and checked out of Chesterfield Castle. Sadness consumed her as she realised that she was leaving her fairy tale. There would be no more early morning walks to the brook. No more snowflakes falling on her eyelashes. No more hours spent lost, exploring all the wonders the grounds had to offer. Anna was checking out of her dream. And as the realisation struck, Anna vowed that one day she would return.

Anna and James came face to face for the first time at the airport. Although they’d spoken on the phone at least twice a day, as their fingers intertwined waiting in line to clear immigration, it was the first physical contact they’d shared since the afternoon wrapped in each other. Quickly they cleared immigration and boarded the plane for the long journey home. Neither James nor Anna were looking forward to the long, uncomfortable flight home, but they both knew that once they got there, they definitely had things to look forward to. James sat next to Justin at the back of the plane, while Anna was seated next to Ian somewhere in the bowels of cattle class. Most of the way home, Anna slept comfortably on Ian’s shoulder. When James wandered past, he saw Anna sleeping soundly on his mate’s shoulder, Ian’s arm draped around her innocently.

“Hey! Watch your hands, mate.” James smirked.

Ian just flashed his trademark panty dropping smile. “I’ll watch mine but I can’t guarantee that your little firecracker wifey here can control hers.” James laughed heartily and kept walking. He was quietly relieved that his mates loved Anna as much as he did, it just made everything easier.

The plane touched down at Sydney airport just after eight. An hour later they were emerging from the heavy glass doors and into the sticky Sydney air. For the first time since their passion explosion Anna and James felt happy, safe, and ecstatic about the future. They were both shocked by the size of the media contingent waiting outside to take photographs and get their exclusive interviews. Instinctively, James yanked Anna behind him. No one was going to get through him to get to her. Moments later, James was smiling and signing autographs. He didn’t notice when a man grabbed Anna from behind. She lost James’s hand in the crush and was on her own. He didn’t look back as he pushed his way through the crowd and headed for the waiting car. He climbed in and waited expectantly for Anna to slide in beside him. Minutes passed, but still she never appeared.

Chapter 15

Anna

Anna stared with horror at the man who had pulled her from James’s arms and into his own. He was a tall, attractive man, with a mound of sandy hair. He wore a grey overcoat, dark glasses, and heavy, black combat boots. He pulled Anna through the crowd and towards his car before tossing her carelessly into the back seat of his black Land Rover. A young woman in the front drove off. Anna was grabbing desperately at the door handle, trying to get out. Tears stung her eyes as she saw James climb out of the car and his eyes began scouring the sea of faces for her. Without understanding what she was doing, Anna was kicking and scratching at the doors and windows, trying hysterically to escape, but it was in vain. Anna turned from frustration to anger and began lashing out at the man who had grabbed her.