Page 102 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Her brows twitched. “Because you had to punish me.”

Alex heard the sadness in her words and cupped her cheek. “Anna, just because I had to discipline you doesn’t mean I dislike you.” His eyes filled with emotion. “Quite the contrary...” He looked deep into her eyes. He loved her. But he couldn’t tell her that now. It wasn’t the right time. He stroked her cheek, hoping she could see how much he cared about her.

Gazing into her eyes made him lose himself. He found himself moving his face closer to hers, then stopped, their noses a centimeter apart. Sucking in a deep breath, he pulled away, lowering his hand at the same time.

He sat her up and pressed her head against his shoulder. He needed to tell her his expectations so they didn’t have to go through this again. “Anna, from now on I don’t want you to worry about what I think of your behavior, except when we’re at the Manor. If you want to smirk at... someone, then smirk.” Kirsty deserved to be smirked at. “I prefer that you be kind and polite to people, but I want you to express your emotions freely.” He blew out a quick breath. “I want you to learn to be your own person and not worry about what other people think.”

“But I want to please you, Master. That is my duty.”

He sighed. How could he get through to her? “Then please me by learning to enjoy yourself and have fun.” He paused. “You should come to Aaron’s party tonight.”

“I called Aaron yesterday and let him know I would be there.”

Alex blinked and pulled back to look her in the face. “You did?” Jealousy was one of the most miserable feelings he’d ever experienced.

Fear filled her eyes. “Should I not have?” She gasped. “Oh, Master, I’m sorry! Devin said I could go, but I didn’t ask you.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She winced.

Devin had said she could go? Interesting. “Anna, it’s fine. I’m glad you called Aaron. Devin and I agreed you need freedom. You don’t need to ask permission to do anything, as long as you don’t have previous obligations.” He smiled. “I’m pleased to see you took the initiative.” Suddenly the text from Aaron last night made sense. He’d sent, “She’s coming to the party!” and nothing else. Alex hadn’t had the chance to text him back because Kirsty had been with him.

She smiled back timidly. “I had called Jenna and she said that I should call him myself.”

“I believe he’s glad you’re coming.”

“Are you going?”

Alex nodded. “So, when you’re there, remember you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Don’t think of yourself as a slave. Think of yourself as a beautiful young woman that is going to be the most popular girl there.”

She frowned. “I don’t know if I know how to be my own person, Master. I... It’s been a very long time.”

“You were doing a wonderful job when you were with my brother.” He didn’t want to think about her being with Kurt, but it made the point.

“I was told to do that.”

“You don’t like my brother?” His brows furrowed as studied her face. Was she that good of an actress? Was she totally incapable of emotion? Had they broken her that much?

Her eyes widened. “No, Master, I do.”

Alex breathed a sigh of relief.

“I am very fond of him. But that came after I was told to treat him well.”

Alex thought about that for a moment, then smiled. “Then consider this myinstructions for you: Enjoy yourself unless told otherwise. That way, you’ll know that by enjoying yourself, you are pleasing me.” He winked at her.

She giggled and he grinned. He’d made her understand at last! This might actually work. “I like hearing you laugh,” he said softly. Her laughter was music to his ears. Like her smiles were beauty to the eyes. “I like seeing you enjoy yourself. Can you do that for me?”

She looked up at him with bright eyes and nodded. “Yes, Master.”

He raised his eyebrows in mock rebuke. “And no more ‘Master’ unless we’re at the Manor, remember?”

“I’m sorry.” She dropped her gaze.

He lifted her chin and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Here, it was appropriate, Anna. I suppose if I have to discipline you, you should call me Master. But we’re done with that. Now you will call me Alex.”

“Yes, Alex.”

“Good girl.” He nudged her to her feet. “Now, let’s go find your clothes so you can get dressed.” And he could go get some relief in private.

“Alex?”

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