Page 228 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“He’s hot!”

“You should have seen his brother.” Anna smiled. “He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.”

“Damn, girl. Any other brothers?”

Anna shook her head. “No, but several cousins, though I can’t remember who’s married and who’s not. It’s been years since I’ve seen them. They all look alike. It’s a little overwhelming.”

Stef laughed. “You better invite me to the wedding.”

“Of course, though German weddings are really different from American ones.” Anna told her about getting married at the JP’s office, and the lack of a big church wedding.

“That is messed up. How can an American girl not have a big white wedding?”

“Did I mention he’s a duke?” Anna grinned.

Stef hit her in the arm. “Shut up!” She laughed. “Damn girl. Stop complaining and get back in there and jump his bones.”

Anna sighed and leaned back, looking up at the starless night sky. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

She had a feeling she should get back inside, and she reluctantly stood with Stefanie to head across the cement courtyard back into the theater.

Chapter 118

Kurt stood near the door, talking with Aaron and a few other dancers. The girls flirted with him shamelessly and he didn’t discourage it, almost flirting back, but not quite.

Anna sighed. This is what it would be like, being married to an Elder-Son. They were free to do as they pleased while their wives stood by and made sure everything stayed perfect at home for them. Anna just happened to have other duties to perform besides the wifely ones.

Stef smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry he’s being a jerk. Maybe you should make him jealous.” She grinned. “You look fantastic tonight. You could have any guy here.”

Anna knew that was true. Even if the man wasn’t interested at first, she could seduce him. But did she want to? Was she angry enough to play that game with Kurt? What would he do if he were jealous? She’d never seen him angry before. Had his temper grown to be like his father’s? Like Alex’s?

Kurt looked in her direction and she quickly turned away so he wouldn’t see her watching him. Over Stefanie’s shoulder, she saw Hugo dancing with a woman wearing a slim red dress and laughing with him. Her heart twisted in her chest and she turned further away.

“There you are, Katrina.” Tommy appeared in front of her. “Dance with me?”

She stared at him, his question not registering for a long minute, before nodding. Stefanie winked at her. If nothing else, it might make Kurt jealous. Petty, maybe, but she didn’t care.

“Where’s Kim?” Anna asked as Tommy held her close on the dance floor.

“With my mom, I think, getting some fresh air.”

“Oh.”

“Anna, I’m sorry for what I did to you a few weeks ago. I hated leaving you the way I did, but I couldn’t ignore the call.”

Anna shrugged. “I know. It’s just part of being a Mistress.” She glanced at Kurt across the room. “I guess I’ll understand that more, eventually.”

Tommy turned his head and followed her gaze. “I thought you liked him.”

Anna stared at the black buttons on Tommy’s tuxedo shirt. “I did. But he’s... different now.” She glanced up. “He’s being an ass.”

Tommy frowned. “I can’t imagine him being like that. He was captivated by your dancing.” He shrugged. “I guess we all were.”

She half-smiled at the compliment and then looked up at him. “If you want to stop by sometime again, you can.”

He arched his brow. “Are you sure?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “The freedom I thought I had isn’t real, so I might as well get used to having my duties again. At least I don’t have to worry about abusers coming to see me.”

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