Page 282 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

While she’d been expecting to get lost in the dance as usual, something unexpected clicked in her mind a few steps in. She felt the sensuality in the music with her whole being—the sweet, pain-relieving sensuality—and let it take over. She danced the choreographed steps, but she used her eyes and slight changes in her body to fully immerse herself in the seductive dance. Travis’ eyes widened at her soft gaze, and she felt him react as he danced with her. None of the steps changed, just the feeling behind it.

The dance ended as usual, with Anna bent backward over Travis’ knee, her arm over her head, and Travis bending over her stomach. A foggy silence filled the theater.

Anna’s chest heaved in the silence as the spell wore off. She sat up and stepped away from Travis, who hadn’t moved. What had she done?

Isaak walked up to the edge of the stage, eyes wide and brows raised as high as she’d ever seen them. “Holy shit, you two.”

Travis stirred and stood. Anna twisted her hands together and warily watched as Travis rubbed his eyes and stared at her, eyes dilated.

Isaak stared at them for a moment more and then cleared his throat. “I don’t think I’ve seen the dance interpreted quite that way before.”

“I’m sorry,” Anna said softly, tears springing to her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint Isaak. “I didn’t mean to.”

Isaak shook his head. “It’s alright, Anna. It was beautiful. The, uh, reaction was unexpected, but you danced beautifully.” Isaak’s cheeks darkened and Anna looked away, her own cheeks burning. “Really, Anna. It’s okay.” He smiled at her. “If you two dance like that tonight... you’ll be the talk of the town. Now, go home and rest.”

Anna nodded and went to her bag, avoiding the looks of the other dancers who had stayed to watch.

Travis kneeled next to her to gather his things. “Do you know how difficult it is to dance with a hard-on?” he whispered.

Her heart dropped in her chest and she turned to apologize, but he was grinning at her. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

“The magic of an Elder-Mistress.” He wagged his eyebrows and grinned. “I don’t mind... too much. But it does make me really horny.”

A surge of heat rushed through her body. “I could probably help you out with that.” She gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth. Why had she said that? Though the distraction sounded nice. It had helped the previous night...

His brows shot up. “Anna!”

She blinked and looked away. “Sex helps me feel better,” she mumbled. She thought if anyone would understand, it would be someone raised in a Manor, but maybe she was wrong.

He took her hand. “You’re grieving. I don’t want you to regret anything.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and fisted her hands, then snapped her eyes open again. “If Devin came to my place tonight, he wouldn’t care if I were grieving or not. He’d have sex with me anyway. And I think you’d be a bit nicer than him.”

“Does he suck in the sack?”

“Not if he doesn’t want to.”

Isaak walked up. “Anna, has the family decided when the funeral will be?”

Anna nodded. “They were going to try for Friday morning.”

Isaak stroked his chin. “You should go. If you want to dance in the matinee, just promise me you’ll have a good warm-up on your own.”

“I do want to dance, Isaak,” she said earnestly. “Do you think... that’s okay?” She was suddenly doubting herself.

He nodded. “I know you and I know your reasons. You don’t have to justify yourself to me. If anyone says anything, I will defend your decision.”

She gave him a small smile and stood to hug him. “Thanks.”

“Go rest. I’ll see you tonight.”

Chapter 132

Anna collapsed onto her bed after rehearsal, exhausted and emotionally drained. She had expected her sleep deprivation to help her fall asleep quickly, but it didn’t. She lay there, staring at the ceiling while the relief she’d experienced while dancing slowly drained away, leaving only the excruciating pain of Ben’s death. Turning onto her side, she sobbed until the merciful embrace of sleep finally took her.

Voices in the hallway woke her later. Jenna and Aaron. Matt, too. She rolled off her bed and padded out of her room and into what used to be the guest room. Jenna sat in the midst of a dozen open boxes while Aaron and Matt leaned against the wall, talking.

“How are you doing, Matt?” she asked with a weak smile.

---