Page 195 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

He chuckled. “No. It was just nice.” He set her back up in arabesque and turned her to face him. “Have dinner with me tonight,” he said in a soft voice, holding her around her waist.

Her heart fluttered. “Okay.”

He grinned. “Pick you up at eight?” Anna nodded and Hugo laughed. “Did I make you speechless?”

“It’s not that hard to do.”

“I’m learning this. You don’t talk nearly as much as most women.” He chuckled. “Maybe that’s why I like you.”

Anna’s cheeks grew hot as she went to change her shoes to go home. She paused by the door and turned back to look at him. “Eight?”

He gave her a bright smile. “Eight.”

After dinner, Hugo walked Anna back to her apartment. “I had a really nice time tonight.” Anna smiled. “I guess I always have a nice time with you.”

He grinned and leaned against the doorpost, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all.” She chewed her lip as she saw him watching her. “What?”

His eyes turned soft. “I was thinking about how much I enjoyed kissing you the other night.”

Anna’s body tingled and her heartbeat quickened. “I liked it too.”

“Aaron said you just got out of a bad relationship. I don’t want to scare you away by moving things along too fast.”

Anna’s eyebrows furrowed. “He said that?”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed. “Is it not true?”

Anna hesitated. “It’s really complicated, but yeah, I suppose that’s the easiest way to explain it.” How else could she explain Devin?

He rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn’t with Aaron, was it?”

“What? Oh, no. No, of course not. He’s... a really good friend.” She looked up. “Are you upset?”

“No. You’re just reluctant to talk about your past and it makes it hard to get to know you.”

She looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry. It’s not easy to talk about.”

“Was he abusive?”

Her head snapped up. “Aaron?”

Hugo smiled. “Nah. I know him better than that.” He shook his head. “I meant your past relationship.”

“Oh. I—‍” She sighed sadly. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

Hugo’s eyes grew sad and he pushed himself away from the doorpost. He stepped close and cradled her cheek. “I wish you would trust me, but I understand. If you ever want to talk, I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, putting her hand on his.

He took a small step closer and Anna’s breath hitched in her throat. “Is it okay if I kiss you again?”

Her whole body tingled as she nodded. He smiled tenderly as he bent down and gently caressed her lips with his. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head where it tangled in her hair. She stepped forward and put her hands on his upper arms for support. He slanted his mouth against hers, increasing the pressure, teasing her lips with his tongue, and slid his other hand down to her lower back. Anna held back a soft moan as his tongue explored her mouth, drawing her own tongue to him and caressing it, sending delicious shivers through her body.

Their bodies touched as he held her close, and she could feel his heat radiating into her. He had held her close many times today, and Anna realized the intimacy he created with her while they danced. But this was more intimate than dancing together. She slid her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and around his neck as he deepened his kiss.

Her phone rang in her purse and they reluctantly pulled apart. She pulled out her phone to ignore the call, but frowned as she looked at the screen. “It’s Aaron.” Aaron knew she was out with Hugo. Why would he call her? She silenced the ring and looked up at Hugo. “He wouldn’t call unless it was important.”

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