Page 137 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

He released her hips and without his support, her legs collapsed and she slid down the wall to her knees, wincing as her ass hit her heels. She hung her head and gasped for breath.

Zach stood over her and zipped up his pants. “It’s almost seven. Devin’ll wonder where you are.” He flashed a wicked grin. “You live in the Sapphire, right?”

She gazed up with watery eyes, nodded, and felt her heart sink as his lips twisted into a cruel smile.

“Apartment 2604?”

Her mouth dropped open at the sound of her apartment number and she gasped.

“I may come visit you. I’m on the 35th floor.” He turned and strode away.

The silence of the room pressed against her. He knew where she lived. He could come and visit her at any time. She shuddered. What would he do to her in the privacy of her apartment?

Anna closed her eyes and stared at the floor as her body went numb again. She needed to get back to Devin.

Dragging herself to her feet, she dabbed at her wet cheeks and did her best to not limp her way to the bathroom. After cleaning up in the stall, she walked over to the sinks and carefully fixed her makeup. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and focused on calming her racing heart. Her makeup was perfect, but her eyes were red. She pulled out eyedrops that promised to take the red out, ran a hand over her dress to smooth it, and headed back to the crowd.

Devin was talking to people on the opposite side of the room. She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and headed to his side, smiling at the people she’d already met and praying her face didn’t betray what had just happened.

Devin smiled and kissed her on the mouth. He nuzzled her ear. “Zach looks well satiated. Good girl.”

Her body warmed at his praise, and she gave a timid smile.

He studied her for a moment. “Are you alright?”

Not wanting to upset him with the truth, she hesitated. She shook her head, but added, “I will be, though,” and smiled as brightly as she could.

“Thank you for being honest, Baby.” He kissed her again. “Let’s get a drink and go into the ballroom. It’s almost time for the dinner to start.” He took her arm, led her to the bar, and ordered two drinks.

When Devin held out a glass of white wine to her, she stared at it. “Devin, I’m not old enough,” she said softly.

He gave her a look and she took the glass. “It doesn’t matter,” he said in a voice she knew she should obey. “I want you to have it.”

“Yes, Devin.” She discreetly tasted the wine, careful not to show any sign of disliking it.

He picked up his short glass of amber liquid and ice, and put his arm around her to lead her away. “There are advantages to going out with me, Anna. One of which is that you can drink. No one will question your age when you’re with me. Eventually, you’ll be well known enough that you’ll be able to drink even if I’m not around.”

They walked into an enormous room filled with dozens of large round tables covered in gold tablecloths. Many people had already made their way inside and a good number had already found their seats. Others stood around talking, drinks in hand.

Devin greeted people as he passed them, making sure to introduce Anna to them. A few he stopped and had a brief conversation with. Anna studied the men’s hands as he did so. Many of them wore sapphire rings on their pinky fingers and smiled at her knowingly.

Devin finally led her to the table that they’d be sitting at for the evening: Table One. A man stood and greeted Devin as they approached. He was slender and a few inches shorter than Devin, with stormy gray eyes and light brown hair, fashionably spiked with gel. He looked familiar, and she realized he was the man Devin had spoken with when he’d taken her to lunch at his office the other week.

Devin greeted the man with a handshake, then turned to Anna. “Anna, this is Trenton Needham. Trenton, this is Anna.”

Trenton gave her a big smile. “It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Anna.” He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “The girl with the amazing mouth,” he said softly, then straightened.

She stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was talking about, and then remembered she’d given him a blow job at her first Gathering. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Needham.” Anna glanced at his hand and saw an emerald ring.

“Call me Trenton, please. ‘Mr. Needham’ makes me feel old.” He laughed and Anna giggled. She guessed he was about Devin’s age, around forty.

“Trenton,” she repeated softly, gazing up at him and giving him her practiced smile.

Devin put his hand around Anna’s waist and nuzzled her hair. “You’re doing very well. Keep charming the men. Don’t let the women intimidate you. Pity them. You are the one their husbands will be thinking about when they’re in bed tonight.”

For some reason, the thought made her squeeze her thighs together. Anna’s cheeks flushed, and Devin chuckled.

“You like that thought, don’t you? Men fucking their wives, thinking about your pert little tits and sweet pussy. I’m the luckiest man in here, because I won’t have to imagine it.” He kissed the top of her ear and she shivered.

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