Page 8 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna’s mouth dropped open and she shook her head. “Why would I voluntarily take someone to bed with me?” She spoke before she realized it, and clapped her hand over her mouth, her entire body trembling. This room was not safe. It was loosening things that shouldn’t be loosened.

Devin just laughed. Again. Apparently, I’m very entertaining today. Though, Devin’s laughter was a welcome change from his anger. She searched his eyes but saw nothing to indicate insincerity.

“Oh, Baby, just try to go a few days without sex. See how desperate you get for a hard cock inside you. You’ll find it very difficult to resist the temptation of a willing man.”

She pressed her lips together. I doubt it. The thought of being away from a man for more than a few hours thrilled her. A bed to herself. A room to herself. Heaven.

“I like that you are comfortable enough in here to express yourself. That pleases me immensely.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I want things to be different from now on. I want things to be good for you.” His voice was soft and tender.

He pressed his lips gently to hers, urging his tongue against her mouth to gain entry. She succumbed to the pressure and his tongue darted into her mouth, teasing and cajoling hers. She moaned and pressed her lips to his as her body reacted as it had been trained to do. Her nipples hardened, and her pussy tingled with anticipation. She swirled her tongue around his, pulling it into her mouth and sucking on it gently. He moaned and slid his hand to the back of her head, threading his fingers into her braid.

He wanted her. She could tell by his breathing that he was aroused. She placed one hand on his knee and slid it up his thigh toward his cock. He groaned as her fingers brushed the bulge in his pants. Pressing her thumb against the base of his shaft, she moved upward with gentle pressure.

“Oh, God, Anna...” He ripped his mouth away and put his hand on hers to still her movements. “Oh, stop, Baby. Please.”

Anna blinked and straightened, her brows drawn together. “Did I do something wrong? I thought you were enjoying it.”

Devin grimaced. “Yes, Baby, I was enjoying it. Very much so.” He blew out a breath and raised his eyebrows. “Too much.” He shook his head. “I think I understand what Jack was talking about with your lack of social refinement.”

Anna tilted her head. What was he talking about? The only reason a man would kiss her was because he wanted sex. If a man wanted to have sex with her, she was to do whatever she could to make sure he enjoyed himself. Her purpose in life was to provide sexual pleasure to any man who wanted it.

But Devin had stopped her.

Her heart twisted, and her shoulders slumped. Why didn’t Devin want her?

“Baby, sometimes a man just wants to kiss a woman. Without it leading to sex.”

She drew her brows together, now thoroughly confused. “Why wouldn’t he want to have sex?”

Devin stared at her for a long moment, then his expression softened. “Sometimes there isn’t time to have sex and he just wants to touch her. Or tease her. Kissing can simply be a sign of affection.”

“Affection...” She chewed her lip. A faint recollection of a softer emotion brushed the outskirts of her thoughts. She closed her eyes, letting the memories swirl around her... cuddling on the couch between Devin and Master Jack, secure in their love for her. They didn’t have sex, but they held her and kissed her as if they loved her. I remember now.

Anna looked up at him, his image blurry with her tears. “Do you... feel affection for me again?” She whispered the question, afraid of his answer.

“I do.”

His eyes radiated warmth, and Anna could feel it deep within her. For a long moment, she locked eyes with him, lost in a whirlwind of emotions as memories from the past came rushing back. She smiled, even as confusion filled her mind. “But you want to have sex with me.” She knew that as much as she knew the sky outside her window was blue.

“Oh, yes, I do. Very much so.” He cupped her cheek. “But I kissed you just now because I wanted to show you affection.”

“Oh.” She chewed her lip again. “How do I tell the difference? I know you were aroused, so I did what I was supposed to do. If a man wants to have sex with me, but he doesn’t...” She sighed. Devin wanted to have sex with her. He said so. And she could feel it. But then he told her to stop. “I don’t understand.” Anna blinked away tears again. Why did she keep crying? She never cried at Master Jack’s house.

“Baby, don’t get upset. It’s alright.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “Maybe the best thing to do until you’re able to tell the difference is to let the man take the lead. If he kisses you, kiss him back. If he pursues more, then do more. At some point, you’ll learn the difference and be able to act accordingly.” He paused. “Accept his kisses and his touch, but don’t go any further unless he indicates he wants you to. I know you can read men very well, but desiring sex and making the choice to have sex are very different things.”

Anna frowned. His words didn’t make any sense. Men always wanted to have sex.

He smiled. “You could walk into a store this afternoon and sense that every man in there wanted to have sex with you. It’s a likely scenario. Men are aroused visually and easily. But I don’t want you to feel obligated to work your way through all the men in the store. Does that make sense?”

Anna pursed her lips as she considered Devin’s words. “I think so. Just because a man wants to have sex doesn’t... mean he wants to?” It sounded convoluted, but she was beginning to understand.

“Yes, I suppose that’s an accurate summary. I’ll help you learn. Jack taught you about seduction, right?”

Anna nodded.

“Sometimes I’ll ask you to go have sex with a man. When I say that, I mean I want you to seduce him. I don’t want you to walk up to him, grab his dick, and shove it in your pussy. Seduction is an art, and Jack told me you are very good at it. The best way for a woman to work a man is through seduction. Aggressive women are a turnoff.”

Okay. Seduction, not raw sex. Got it.

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