Page 68 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“I left of my own free will. He didn’t kick me out.” He gave her a doubtful look. “I did. Please don’t be angry at him. He’s doing what he needs to do for his wife.”

Aaron sighed. “Alright. I’ll back him up.” He frowned. “For you.” He glanced at his watch. “I gotta go get ready. I’ll see ya later. Come get me if you want to talk.” He kissed her on the forehead and left.

Peter knocked on the door a while later and walked inside. “Hey, you okay?” He closed the door behind him.

Anna nodded. “I miss you.”

He sighed. “I miss you too. She’s... gone to the lobby. Man, did I get some looks when I came in.”

“Why did you bring her?”

“I didn’t have a choice. She wanted to see the theater. I told her that she couldn’t let anyone know we were married or I’d ship her back to Russia and not visit her.”

A smile crept across Anna’s face. “That might be nice.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but I do have to live with her the rest of my life.” He walked to Anna and put his arms around her waist. “And when I move back to Russia, I will come here and visit you,” he said softly and kissed her, and what started out as a playful tease quickly progressed to a kiss filled with hunger.

He walked her backward to the couch, laid her down, and settled on top of her. He pressed his hips against her thigh. She reached into his sweatpants and stroked his hard cock. “Do we have time?”

Peter sat up and pulled at Anna’s sweats. “Always.”

When her pants were on the floor, Anna took his cock in her hands and guided him into her body, sighing as he entered her.

“I love being with you, Anna,” he murmured against her neck as he began moving in and out of her.

They made love quickly and quietly. He crushed his lips against hers as she began to cry out her climax. A moment later, he groaned and stiffened as he came.

“I love you,” he whispered and kissed her again.

“I’ll tell Devin about Dariya,” Peter said as they made their way out to the lobby for the after-party, hand in hand. “Dariya said she was planning to stay all week. I told her I would be busy most of the time, but she said she still wanted to stay. I also told her she can’t come to the theater to hang out during the day, but she still insisted on staying in town.” He kissed Anna’s head. “So, we’ll have time together here.”

Anna nodded. “I’m glad.”

The other dancers had accepted their explanation that Dariya was just a friend, and they believed that she and Peter had a disagreement about her, but were in the process of resolving it. This allowed Peter to be affectionate, although it also clarified why Anna wasn’t staying at their apartment.

When they arrived in the lobby, Peter spotted Devin and went to talk to him about what had happened. Anna went to get something to drink.

“Anna.”

Anna turned and nearly spit out her drink. “Jackie! Mikhail! Wh-what are you doing here?”

Mikhail beamed. “We came to surprise the both of you.” He hugged her. “We don’t get to see Peter dance as much as we’d like and wanted to take advantage of his being close.” Mikhail had warmed to her the last time they’d been in town and was quite affectionate with her now. Mikhail looked around. “Where is Peter?”

Anna looked around the room, wondering where Peter and Devin had disappeared to. “He... had to speak to someone.” Oh, what would they do when they found out Dariya was here?

Anna spotted the tall blonde across the room. Dariya noticed her at the same time and shot Anna a disdainful look. Dariya’s blue eyes grew wider when she noticed Peter’s parents, and a sinister grin crept across her face as she started walking toward them.

Anna searched desperately for Peter and finally located him in the corner, still talking with Devin. Devin was frowning and shaking his head.

“You danced beautifully, Anna.” Jackie hugged her. “I can’t wait to see you and Peter dance together.”

“Thank you...” Peter, I need you. I can’t handle this without you! “Isaak hasn’t promoted me yet, though...” She drifted off as Dariya approached.

Dariya spoke in Russian from behind Peter’s parents and a surprised Jackie and Mikhail turned to see her. Their expressions were one of complete shock. Mikhail spoke to her in Russian and didn’t seem very happy.

Jackie looked back at Anna. “Anna . . . do you know . . . Dariya?”

Anna nodded. “We met this afternoon.”

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