The realisation of what she had just done was like a slap in the face. A sting that she knew would linger on her conscienc. There, under the sheets, was her temptation, his gleaming flesh the only light in her night. He looked so calm as he slept, innocent even, well almost.
Anna knew she shouldn't have slept with Richard, but after a few glasses of wine she was helpless. That was it, she couldn't control herself. It was all too obvious that Anna was going to end up with the lions. The first time, the example that would shine through all others, and she had blown it!
2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, time marched on all too quickly. Every sound like a gun shot to the open wound. They would be furious if they found out! There was only one thing to be done,...lie. Unethical as it was, nothing else would suffice.
As Anna went to wake him her hand started to tremble with the exact feeling she had been experiencing, just hours before. Slowly, slowly, her hand stroked his bare skin. His eyes opened in direct line with hers.
"Wake up," she said, as calmly as possible. He smiled. A single droplet of sweat rolled down her spine. But that was what had got her into this mess in the first place.
"It's 4:30," she carried on.
"Already?" he murmured, the only way people can at that hour. She could hardly believe it herself, reminding her how much she hated early plane arrivals.
"They'll be home soon," Anna was beginning to sound more worried, and Richard could sense it.
"I'll go and clear away the glasses," Richard added, stroking her arm. Richard slipped out of bed and into a dressing gown which had been hanging on the radiator. Down to the kitchen he went, Anna eagerly counting his every step, 15 in all that made.
There was an unwelcome clicking noise from the front door, swiftly followed by Richard sprinting up the stairs and into his room. A light appeared from downstairs. Anna walked down the large open staircase slowly, checking her footing as she went.
"Mum...Dad, you're back! Early too, did you have a good time?" Anna said smiling, just.
"Yes, great! You should have seen how busy the airport was though." a woman's voice replied.
"So Richard's home then," a male tone continued.
"Yes," Anna started again, "He cma back to see you. He's just coming out of the shower." She reeled of the script she had been planning for hours.
"I'm so gald you get on so well. When your mother and I got married we didn't know how close you would get. You and Richard are like a real brother and sister now!" her stepfather's words rang in her head. After all, he didn't know how right he was.