The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia was utterly bewildered when she found herself being whisked away in Herman's car without a word of explanation.

Half an hour later, after shaking off whoever was tailing them, Herman brought Anastasia to an upscale apartment complex he owned. It was a place he seldom stayed at, but someone came by regularly to keep it pristine. From the grand floor-to-ceiling windows, the bustling city of Riverdale was on full display.

Standing before the immense window, Anastasia asked, "Herman, why have you brought me here..." She couldn't finish her question before his lips captured hers in a fervent kiss.

Months of longing, months of restraint, all melted away in that instant. Herman kissed her desperately, their clothes shed one piece at a time, the air between them electric with desire. She craved him just as fiercely-her heart, her body...

"Darling," he husked into her ear, his voice rough with emotion. In his heart, she would always be his beloved, his darling.

Their skin was ablaze, their heartbeats frenzied. After their intense kiss, Herman pressed her against the window pane, his arms encircling her, their foreheads touching as they panted for breath. The glass was one-way; they could see the world outside, but no one could peer into their intimate space.

Their heart rates soared, their bodies flushed with heat.

Anastasia lifted her gaze to meet his, which was filled with desire. "Herman, why...?" she breathed out.

Did he not harbor any resentment towards her?

After all, she was the one accused of taking his grandmother's life.

He looked deep into her eyes, as if reading her thoughts, and said, "The real culprit behind Granny Anita's death is still out there."

Anastasia was shocked not by the revelation that there might be another murderer, but by Herman's suspicion. How could he possibly know?

Herman's arms tightened around her waist, and he gently lifted her onto the window seat, caressing her face with a serious tone, "Tell me, darling, how many times did you stab Granny that day?"

It was a crucial question, one of the reasons Herman had sought her out.

When Herman pressed for such a critical issue, Anastasia knew for certain he was onto something.

"Just once." Anastasia spoke with grave sincerity. "After I stabbed her, I panicked and ran out. I heard she died from a second stab. Do you know who delivered it?"

Herman trusted her implicitly; if there was anyone in the world he would stake his life on, it was Anastasia.noveldrama

"Now, there's no concrete evidence..." Herman began.

"Is it Julie?" Anastasia interjected softly, "Jason came to see me; he told me there was something fishy about Granny's death. She had been investigating quietly. But now, with Julie pregnant and no hard evidence, it's hard to overturn the case." "He seems quite concerned about you," Herman noted, a hint of acidity in his voice.

In the time that had passed, he had visited her in secret often enough to know she had been in contact with Jason.

Anastasia picked up on his jealousy and smiled, "As a detective, it's his duty to catch criminals. Are you jealous?"

Herman frowned, "He's been too close to you."

"And how would you know how close he's been?" Anastasia teased, delighting in the knowledge that he cared, "Have you been spying on me?"

Herman looked a tad sheepish, stubbornly retorting, "Just passing by."

Anastasia laughed, "Liar! I don't believe it. You, with your busy schedule-my daily routine is just the Night Market stand, taking Pattie to school, and back home. We live in different districts, your office is in another. How could you just 'pass by'? Maybe Mr. Salstrom enjoys slumming it at the Night Market for a taste of the simple life?"

Herman, eyes brimming with affection, playfully pinched her nose, "You're too smart for your own good."

Anastasia wrapped her arms around his waist, contentedly declaring, "Herman, I'm so happy. To be loved by you like this... Many people search their whole lives and never find that kind of connection, never experience what it's like to love someone to the bone. I'm one of the lucky ones I have your love, and my heart, well, it's too small to fit anyone but you."