Page 231 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

She shrugged again. “It doesn’t matter.” She hugged her legs to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees. “I’ll play the part and he’ll leave soon. Hopefully.”

Aaron frowned but didn’t say anything else.

As she’d suspected, her ring did not go unnoticed at the studio, and many admirers surrounded her, both for the ring and for Kurt. She forced a smile and answered questions, but was more than thankful when class finally began. Hugo had smiled kindly at her when he walked in, but went to stand on the other side of the studio.

Anna concentrated as best as she could during warm-ups, but couldn’t help but study the faces of her fellow dancers, wondering which one Kurt had taken back to his hotel room last night. Then she realized she didn’t really want to know and did her best to push aside the horrid thoughts.

Rehearsals went long and she was late getting home, but managed to be ready when Kurt knocked on the door. She gave a polite smile and said hello before walking away to retrieve her purse.

Kurt took her to a nice restaurant in Times Square. She was polite and attentive. He told her how Sofie and Derek were doing, and what spring was like in Frankfurt. When he asked how dancing was going and how she liked New York, she gave as short an answer as possible. Politely, of course.

As dessert was served, a thought occurred to her. She waited for the server to leave and then looked at Kurt. “Are you not sleeping with me because of the whole Elder-Son’s-wife-has-to-be-a-virgin thing?”

He grimaced and stared at the chocolate mousse in front of him for a long moment. Then he looked up and gave a sharp nod. “We are not supposed to sleep together until we are married.”

Anna frowned. “You really expect me to wait over a year to have sex?”

Kurt shrugged and took a sip of his wine. “I do not care what you do as long as you keep it private.”

Anna stared at him for a long moment. He looked back at her, an impassive expression on his face. Her jaw trembled and she dropped her gaze to her hands clasped in her lap. For a moment, she had hope that maybe he’d been keeping her at a distance because he didn’t want to be tempted. But it was obvious he just didn’t want her at all. She winced as the knife in her heart twisted and they ate their desserts in silence.

“When are you leaving?” she asked as they rode back to her apartment.

Kurt stared out the window. “Tonight. I was going to stay and watch you dance again, but...” He shrugged. “I do not think it is necessary.”

“Okay.”

The remaining few minutes in the car were even more uncomfortable than dinner.

As she stepped out of the town car, heat rose in her chest and she turned back to glare at him. “Can you please inform me in advance when you’re coming into town so I can be prepared?”

Kurt nodded. His brows twitched and his jaw clenched. “I do not know when it will be, but yes, I will call you.”

Anna nodded and turned to walk into the building, Kurt following behind. She wheeled around and frowned at him. “You don’t need to walk me to my apartment. I know the way.” He froze and she turned away again. She paused for a moment, her heart aching for the loss of the relationship they’d had previously. But Kurt wasn’t the man she thought, and?—

Kurt grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. He looked at her for a minute and then pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. She pushed against his chest, trying to escape, but he was too strong. He held her against his chest, and she could feel his heart pounding against her hands. One arm held her around her waist and the other tangled in her hair, trying to deepen the kiss, but she kept struggling, tears in her eyes now. What was going on?

He loosened his hold and held her head to make her look him in the eye. “I am so sorry, Engel,” he whispered. He kissed her one last time and then released her.

With a trembling hand, she touched her swollen lips and stared at him. “I don’t understand...”

He opened his mouth, but closed it and pressed his lips together. He shook his head and turned away, but not before she saw the pained look in his eyes as he slid into the back seat. The driver shut the door, then hurried around the car and drove away.

She couldn’t move. What had just happened? The way he’d looked at her... it was the old Kurt. The one she’d fallen in love with. But why had he been so cold? And why was he leaving her again? Why did he apologize?

She turned and ran into the building, desperate to escape the screaming questions in her head.

When Aaron came home later, she was in bed, still crying. He lay next to her and pulled her close. “What happened?” He gently slid her damp hair away from her face.

Anna told him how Kurt had acted and what he’d said at dinner, and how he’d kissed her before he left.

Aaron frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m so confused. It was the old him who kissed me, but then he... left.”

“I’m sorry, hon. I wish I could help, but I’m as confused as you are.”

There was a knock on the apartment door. “Expecting someone?”

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