Page 309 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Anna blinked back tears and buried her face in his chest. Alex was the only person who could truly protect her. Could truly avenge her. Could truly confront Devin and win.

“Devin will suffer, Schatzi, for what he did to you. I promise you that. If Jack were alive, he would be right there next to him.” Alex hugged her close. “But you already avenged yourself with him.” He kissed the top of her head. “You are a strong woman, Anna. A woman worthy of an Elder.”

“I’ve never felt strong before.”

“That’s because Devin never wanted you to. He beat you down so you would not know the strength inside you. I admire your strength.” He chuckled. “I liked that you stood up to me tonight.”

Anna leaned back to look at him. “You did?”

He nodded. “It was very sexy.”

Anna giggled and Alex’s grin broadened. “My favorite sound.” He brought his face close to hers. “I love you, Schatzi. I loved you when you were young and scared. I love you still, now that you are older and strong. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Both inside and out.”

His lips caressed hers lightly, and Anna slid her hand up his chest and around his neck. He traced the outline of her lips with his tongue before slipping between her parted teeth. She let out a soft moan and his kiss deepened. He held her tightly against himself and she could feel his desire radiating from his body; it matched her own. When he pulled away, as the car stopped in front of his building, her lips were swollen.

She traced his cheekbones and ran her fingertips over his smooth cheeks with a smile. “I like that you shaved.”

“I thought you might.” He kissed her gently and then stepped out through the open car door, extending his hand to her. “Komm mit mir, meine Liebe.”

They stepped into the elevator and Alex pushed the button for the top floor. Anna looked at him for a moment in the reflection of the elevator doors and then reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Kiss me again.”

He grinned and did so. She barely heard the elevator ding, and didn’t register that it had stopped until he picked her up and carried her to a door set in an angled wall. “Is it alright if I carry you in?” he murmured against her lips.

Nodding, she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She didn’t want to be put down, didn’t want to leave his arms. She wanted...

She wanted him to make love to her. She smiled up into his face as he opened the door and walked into a circular entry hall.

He began to set her down, but she shook her head. He raised his brows, questions in his eyes.

She cradled his cheek and leaned up to kiss him. “Make love to me,” she whispered.

He stared at her for a moment, studying her face, and then nodded. She saw in his eyes that he understood. She needed to be with him. Needed to reestablish their bond. She was his wife and there was no one in the world who could take his place. She may have loved other men while he was gone, but he’d never let go of her heart and never would.

Their lovemaking was long and sweet and earth shattering. Alex gazed into her eyes as he joined his body with hers. The sensation of him inside her, filling her without the barrier of the condom he’d used as Mr. J brought tears to her eyes.

“You are mine,” he whispered. “I have taken your body as you have given it to me.” He wiped away the tears that slid down her cheeks and smiled gently. “We are husband and wife. Nothing can separate us.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he began to move. His piercings rubbed her in just the right way and she moaned loudly. He kissed her deeply and then murmured in German. Her head spun as a powerful orgasm erupted deep inside her.

Her eyes closed as she felt herself melding with him as they had on their wedding day. Their souls touched once more, renewing the bond between them, stronger now because Anna was a stronger woman than before. She felt his strength wrap around her like a loving, protective shield.

They were one once again and all was right in the world.

Chapter 153

Alex gazed tenderly at his beloved wife, his treasure, sleeping peacefully in his bed. Their bed. He ran his hand down her exposed arm, marveling at how soft her skin was. He caressed her flushed cheek and smoothed her hair back from her face.

Making love to her had not been expected, but had been oh-so welcome. He felt whole again. For the first time since he’d been captured, he felt like himself again. His whole self. They completed each other. It was as simple as that.

She’d fallen asleep over half an hour ago, and all he could do was lay there and watch her sleep, his heart full of love and gratefulness that they were together again. He knew she’d felt the bond restored as he had. He smiled, anticipating seeing her wedding ring back in its proper place very soon.

A soft knock sounded on the door. “Come,” he called softly, hoping he wouldn’t wake Anna.

The door opened and Tony peeked his head in. He grinned when he saw Anna lying there. “Are you going to deal with Jasmine?”

Shit. He’d forgotten about that woman. He chuckled at the idea that she’d heard Anna scream out in passion as she came and then shivered in blissful memory of being inside her body. Oh, he would do that every day for the rest of his life and still not get enough.

“Yes. Is Sebastian here?”

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