After reporting back from his patrol, Hunk went directly to Lyon- the capital Arus. Annie had invited him for lunch.

A short while later, the young couple sat in the comfortable family room. It was furnished with deep leather chairs and sofas, and there were wonderful old paintings of nature scenes on the walls. The only sound was the ticking of the antique clock on the marble fireplace.

Annie eyed him carefully. She understood just what kinds of pressures Hunk lived with, and just hard he worked. He had been in an apparent good mood through out the meal and had complemented her repeatedly on her cooking. But now he had a wistful look on his face as he stared out over the fireplace.

"You miss Sven terribly, don't you?"

Her question was greeted by such a wide-eyed, solemn look that Annie realized immediately that she had hit the mark.

"Yes, he was an excellent friend. No- he was more than that, he was like a brother."

Hunk paused for so long, that she began to regret reminding him of the fresh pain of loss.

He turned his face for a brief moment to gaze through the window, with a reflective expression in his beautiful brown eyes. Then he spoke with a quiet tone in his voice, as if waiting for the worst.

"After what happened to Sven, your folks must think that I'm not the right man for you."

Annie used her fingers, firm and reassuring, to turn his face toward hers. Her golden brows were gathered tightly over curious blue eyes. "How could you say that? My parents like you very much."

"Anna," he said at once, but he read her expression of disapproval and relented. "I know, but I can't help feeling…"

His voice trailed away, and she urged, "How do you feel?"

He drew a shallow breath. "Scared of dying…scared of losing you."

"Oh, Jonathan." Her voice cracked with emotion. "That will never happen, you will always be in my heart as I hope I would be in yours."

Hunk searched her expression intently and then a smile softened his sober features. He put his arm around her shoulders. She stayed snug in the curve of his arm, but half-turned toward him.

"Hunk." Her voice was gentle. "I love you," she murmured soothingly, lifting her mouth to meet his. She braced herself for a hard, powerful, passionate kiss. She could feel his heart beating beneath her hand and knew he was barely holding on to the threads of composure.

He was very strong, and a war of emotions played across his face as he looked down at her.

He hovered over her mouth for a moment, his dark eyes seeking hers as he gathered Annie into a firm embrace. Then he lowered his head and brushed her lips as lightly as butterfly wings. She clung to him, enjoying the tenderness and slowness of that kiss. The care with which he held her made her heart turn over.

Fueled by her response, he curled his hand in her honey blond hair, angling her head so their kiss could mature. He took his time; the kiss turning more passionate, until Annie's mouth slowly parted and allowed him entry. She slid her fingers into his hair and prolonged the kiss until she was drowning in its sweetness.

He found himself too hungry to leave the feast she was offering. She was made for kissing, her mouth warm and sensually shaped, and her reactions both refreshingly modest and unashamedly eager. It took a huge amount of willpower on his part not to take advantage of both those things.

She let out a soft sigh when he drew back. He seemed unable to catch his breath and his face was flushed.

"I don't want to ruin what we have started," he said raggedly.

She looked deeply into his eyes and then broke into a smile. "I won't let you, my love," she replied tenderly.

** TBC **