Page 125 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna searched his eyes, her brows furrowed. “You’d regret being with me?”

He gave a half-smile. “We only just ‘re-met’ a week ago.”

“So?”

“I don’t want to rush things. I don’t want you to wake up in the morning and regret staying here.”

“Why would I do that?” Was he rejecting her like Alex and Wilhelm had? Her shoulders slumped. “You don’t want me either?” She dropped her hand and shrank away, heated embarrassment in her chest.

“Either?”

“Alex wouldn’t have sex with me or let me please him.” She twisted her fingers together in her lap. “Neither would Wilhelm.”

He didn’t answer right away. “I do want you, Anna. I think you’re the most beautiful girl in the world.” He stroked her cheek. “I just...” He sighed. “I was raised to believe that people don’t just jump into bed with each other if they want something more than a one-night stand.”

Anna looked up at him and frowned in confusion. “What’s a one-night stand?”

“Um...” He stared at her for a long moment before his face softened. “Sex only. Sleep together and never see each other again.”

“Oh.” She drew her brows together. “And you... don’t want that?”

He chuckled and kissed her palm. “No, I don’t. I want you. All of you. Or at least as much of you that’s available.” He gave her a tender smile.

Those words coming from his lips didn’t sound threatening like they would from any other man. “I don’t know if I know what that means.”

He intertwined his fingers with hers. “I know you belong to Alex and Devin. I know you have obligations to them. But I want to spend time with you. Take you out and do things together. If you’re interested, of course.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open. “Why? I mean, I’d really like to have sex with you. You don’t have to take me out or anything for me to—‍” His shocked expression froze the words in her mouth. “I said something wrong, didn’t I?”

He didn’t answer for a long moment and when he spoke, his tone was deliberate. “I’m not saying all that just because I want to have sex with you. I really want to... to get to know you. Spend time with you.” He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. “Maybe have you as my girlfriend...” A sheepish smile appeared as he shrugged.

Anna’s heart leaped in her chest at the thought of spending time with Aaron, but then she remembered Devin. And Alex. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I can’t... I mean, I have obligations to Devin and Alex. Devin is taking me to something on Wednesday night. He said...” He said he’d send men over to have sex with me. She didn’t want to say the words aloud, for fear of Aaron’s disgust.

“I know it won’t be normal, but I’d like to at least try.” He cupped her chin, his eyes searching hers with intensity. His tone turned urgent. “When we danced together tonight, I felt something between us. I can’t walk away, knowing I never even tried.”

Anna searched his eyes, desperately wanting to say yes to him. His eyes were so full of sincerity, so full of hope, her fear melted away. “I felt it too,” she whispered. “I feel safe with you. More than any other man I’ve ever known.”

Aaron smiled. “I’m glad. I want you to feel safe with me.” He leaned forward and kissed her again. “Always.”

His lips pressed against hers, firm but gentle. He trailed the tips of his fingers down her neck and across her collarbone. She wrapped her free arm around his neck and rubbed just under his ear. He shuddered under her touch.

He trailed kisses along her jaw and to her neck, pausing to suck gently below her ear before nipping her earlobe. She inhaled sharply. He kissed down her neck, and she leaned her head back as he kissed her collarbone. He glanced at the bed and Anna followed his gaze, her body tingling with desire.

“Do you... want to stay the night?” His voice was hoarse.

Anna nodded, butterflies jostling around in her stomach. Why was she nervous?

Aaron stood her on her feet and pulled the sheets back on his bed before unwrapping her from the blanket. He gently pulled her to him and her bare skin pressed against his. She shivered as he ran his hand down her back and kissed her neck again.

“God, you smell good,” he mumbled against her neck. He kissed his way back to her mouth, then walked backward toward the bed, pulling her with him. He turned her and lay her down on the bed, never moving his lips from hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. He lay on top of her and she felt his hardened cock against her inner thigh. She pressed her knee against him. He moaned and kissed her deeper, tongue thrusting in and out of her mouth.

He kissed her neck again, then trailed his tongue down to her collarbone, sliding his hand up the side of her ribs. It tickled and she giggled.

Aaron pulled back and looked into her eyes, his own sparkling with affection. “You’re so beautiful, my little Giselle,” he whispered, then dipped his head lower to kiss the top of her breast.

“Oh, Aaron . . .”

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