Anna elbowed her in ribs.
“Ja, I do,” he said, voice cracking. “More than anything in the world.”
The table grew quiet. Anna stared at her hands as she twisted them in her lap. If Aaron or even Stef had brought the original subject up, she would have thought it planned. But Jasmine wouldn’t do something like that. She was probably just wanting to know how available he was.
Anna closed her eyes and concentrated. It had been a very long time since she’d read a man. She hadn’t needed to when she was under Devin’s control and before that, she’d lost her ability when he’d drained her every night. But her long separation from Devin had allowed her powers to return to almost normal levels again, and it didn’t take but a few seconds before she could feel Alex.
The force of emotion that erupted into her heart and mind from Alex shook her to the core. She exhaled sharply, feeling as if her heart would explode. How could he possibly still feel like that about her, after all these years? She felt his fierce determination to avenge her; he was taking out Devin’s supporters, not only to hurt Devin, but to take revenge on what they had done to her. His remorse about having to leave in a few weeks was keen, but knowing he was doing it for her made him determined to do it.
She stopped reading him and looked up to see him watching her. Did he know what she had just done? Her eyes were wide as she tried to understand what she was feeling about him. She was scared, but knew how he truly felt about her. It overwhelmed her. How could he still love her like that?
She shook her head, not able to look away from him. She wanted to run: run away and run into his arms at the same time. She twisted her fingers together, not knowing what to do. If he came to her, she didn’t think she would resist....
*****
Alex watched the conflicting emotions flit across Anna’s face. He saw her reading him and felt overjoyed that she was opening herself up to him. Now she would know his feelings, that his desires were for her, and her only. He wanted to run over, pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, but held himself back.
He’d been very careful how he interacted with her throughout the dinner. The last thing she needed was him trying to force himself on her like he had that afternoon. No, he would continue to give her space.
The waiter approached, asking if anyone wanted dessert and the tension around the table was somewhat broken.
“If you want some company while you’re waiting for your wife to come around...,” Jasmine said in a quiet voice that no one but him could hear.
Alex looked at her, not quite sure he’d heard her correctly. She gave him a seductive smile and he bit back a retort. She slid her hand onto his thigh under the table and he frowned and removed her hand. The touch of a woman was something he’d severely missed the last few years, but he had no intention of jeopardizing his relationship with Anna for a fling. Especially with one of her fellow dancers.
Jasmine was a pretty woman, with smooth olive skin and long dark hair. Her dark eyes would be more alluring if they didn’t hold a hint of desperate seduction. They were in sharp contrast to Anna’s warm, sincerely bright eyes.
“Thank you, Jasmine, but I am content to wait.”
She tilted her head and looked at him closely. “Do you know Katrina’s fiancé, Kurt?”
Alex cocked his brow. Did she? And if she did, Kurt had a lot of explaining to do. “Why do you ask?”
She smiled. “You kinda look like him.”
“Is that a good thing?” He wasn’t sure if it was wise to admit Kurt was his brother.
“It’s certainly not a bad thing.”
“Do you know him?”
Jasmine glanced towards where Anna was sitting talking to Stefanie and nodded. “Katrina doesn’t treat him very well, so he visits me when he comes out.”
Alex clenched his jaw and took a breath to control his temper. Oh, he and Kurt would have words tomorrow.
“Why do you say she doesn’t treat him well?”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “She’s not even wearing her engagement ring today. Maybe she thinks you’re better than Kurt. You might want to be careful around her. She, like, lures men in and then ignores them. Kurt doesn’t even bother to come visit her anymore.”
Kurt didn’t visit her because every time he did, she ended up getting hurt and Alex had told him to stop. Alex thought it was better if she thought he was ignoring her than being mean.
“She’s cheating on him, too,” Jasmine said in a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ve heard her talking about Kurt setting up elaborate evenings out, but when I called Kurt, he said he didn’t know anything about them. I don’t know who’s doing it, but it’s not Kurt.”
“How do you know it’s not Kurt who’s treating Katrina poorly?”
Jasmine huffed. “I know Kurt loves her, but she’s hurt him really bad.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “And you open your bed for him, when he’s in love with a fellow dancer? Don’t you think it would maybe be nicer to him if you encouraged him to work on the relationship, rather than cheating?”
“He said he has to marry her. He has to. I just...comfort him.”
“So if you’re interested in Kurt, then why are you coming on to me?”
She smiled and shrugged. “He’s not here very often.”
Alex was disgusted, but was determined to remain polite. He had a feeling that Jasmine wasn’t a friend of Anna’s, but they still danced together. “Thank you for your offer, Jasmine, but I’m content to wait and work things out with my wife.”
Jasmine put her hand on his again. “Well, if you change your mind....” She gave him a flirtatious smile. “Let me know.”
Alex heard a whimper and then a crash and turned to see Anna walking away from the table.
“Fuck!” Alex muttered, pushing his chair back and going after her.
*****
Aaron had watched the interaction between Alex and Jasmine with narrowed eyes. Did Alex know what Kurt had done with that woman? Anna wasn’t paying any attention and didn’t see Jasmine’s arm move in such a way that Aaron was pretty sure she was stroking Alex’s leg. Alex removed it quickly and shook his head and Aaron was glad, otherwise he would have gone over and punched Alex in the face.
But when he kept talking to her, it began to bug him. Alex was a smart guy, but Jasmine was manipulative, and he’d been out of the game for a long time. Anna noticed them talking after a while and when Jasmine grabbed Alex’s hand, she gave a soft, strangled cry and pushed away from the table so hard her chair fell backwards.
Aaron had watched the whole interaction, and Alex had not flirted, but Anna didn’t know that. All she saw was Jasmine touching him. Jasmine was a sore spot in her new life, and seeing her touch Alex was not a good thing.
Alex cursed and went after her, leaving a bewildered Jasmine staring after him.
She caught Aaron’s eye and raised her brows. “She’s manipulated him already?”
“You’re such a fucking bitch, Jasmine,” he growled, and turned to see Alex catching up with Anna halfway to the front door and grabbing her around the waist from behind. He pulled her hard against him and spoke into her ear.
Anna shook her head and Aaron could see tears streaming down her face. She struggled to get away, though, Aaron was pleased to see, not as hard as she could.
“I thought he was going to give her space,” Cameron said, watching the couple.
“He won’t let her go, thinking that he’s interested in Jasmine. She doesn’t need to be worrying about that.”
The incident had gained the attention of the others at the table. Those that knew their relationship had slight smiles on their faces. Those that didn’t were as bewildered as Jasmine.
*****
“Anna, what I said at the table is true. I love you. More than anything else in the world. I have no desire for anyone except you.”
Alex’s hot breath tickled Anna’s ear as she tried half-heartedly to get away from him. Being held against him f
elt good...so good...and so right.
“You were holding her hand,” she whimpered.
“She was trying to convince me to sleep with her. I said no, several times.” He loosened his grip slightly and he turned her around to face him. “Kurt hurt you with her, didn’t he?”
Anna gazed up into his concerned eyes and nodded slowly.
Alex frowned. “I didn’t know until she started talking, otherwise I would have avoided her. And I will be having words with my brother about it tomorrow.”
“Kurt’s coming tomorrow?” she asked between sniffs.
He nodded. “And Vati. They’re traveling back from Chicago.”
“Oh.” She stared at Alex’s broad chest beneath his blue dress shirt. It was a similar blue to the one he wore the night after the bonding ceremony. The one that made his eyes almost glow.
“Anna, Schatzi,” he said quietly, cupping her chin and lifting her face to his. “I will back off if you want me to, but....” He smiled softly. “I don’t think you want me to.”
She blinked away the tears, his face coming into focus, and gazed into the eyes of her husband. Her husband whom she thought was long dead. Who was alive. And just as kind and wonderful as he’d been when she’d known him before. “I don’t know you anymore,” she whispered.
“I’m not saying I’m going to take you home and force our relationship to work. Just...give me a chance. Spend time with me. Let me share what happened and you tell me about what you’ve been doing. I know you are a different girl than the one I married, Anna. I’m very proud of the woman you’ve become.” He gave her a heart-melting smile. “I saw you say no to men at the bar. Several times. You’ve become the strong woman I always knew you were, and am proud to know you are my wife. But we can take things as slowly as you need to.”
He cradled her face and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “I love you, Anna. With everything that I am, I love you. I will make sure Devin pays for everything he did to you. And it will happen very soon.”
She knew he was being truthful, but part of her was still frightened.
“I know you’re scared, Schatzi. I promised myself I would give you space, not pressure you, not....” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “...not kiss you.” His voice was hoarse. “Tell me not to, and I will stop.” She searched his eyes as he began to lower his face to hers. “Tell me to stop, Anna,” he whispered when their lips were a scant centimeter apart.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She didn’t want him to stop.
*****
Aaron grinned as several dancers gasped when Anna and Alex began kissing. He glanced at Jasmine, who would have been shooting daggers at Anna if looks could kill.
“That fucking liar,” Jasmine snarled.
“Who?” Aaron asked, amused at her anger.
“Alex. He said he was going to wait for his wife, and then he goes running after that cunt?”
“I would watch what you call Katrina, Jasmine,” Hugo said in a dry voice. “She is Alex’s wife.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened as she stared at Hugo. “You knew? You were dating another man’s wife?”
“I didn’t know until this morning that he was still alive. She didn’t know until Saturday.”
“And, yes, Jasmine,” Aaron said. “That is Kurt’s older brother. If you know what’s good for you, you will stay away from Kurt. You don’t want Alex angry at you. Trust me.”
Jasmine’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe I should just call Devin,” she said with a wicked grin.
Immediately, Seth, Tony and Greg stood and all walked over to her, menacing looks on their faces.
Seth very casually lowered himself until he was inches from her face. “I’m not one to hurt women, but if you even so much as look up Devin’s number, I will slit your throat.”
Aaron had never seen those three men so aggressive. Seth, a normally very easygoing guy, was truly terrifying, and his voice held no hint of bluff.
Jasmine frowned. “What the hell is so special about her?”
Alex returned at that moment, arm around Anna’s shoulders, and gave his men questioning looks. “What’s going on?”
*****
Alex was concerned about the threatening looks on his men’s faces as they stood around Jasmine.
“She threatened to contact Devin,” Greg answered in German.
Alex took a deep breath, knowing he needed to keep in control of his emotions.
“Seth told her he’d slit her throat,” Tony said with a grin.
Alex smiled at Seth, appreciating his protectiveness. He turned his gaze to Jasmine and she shrank under his glare. Good. “I don’t take threats against my wife lightly,” he said to her in a low voice, pulling Anna closer to him. He hated catty women. It was sad, really. Jasmine was a very talented dancer and a pretty woman. What on earth was his brother thinking?
He kissed Anna’s head. “Anna, stay here with Aaron for me, all right? I’ll see you in the morning.”
She looked up at him. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to deal with Jasmine.” Her eyes widened and he felt her fear again. “Anna, she’s threatened you. I won't allow her to do that.”
“What did she do?”
“She threatened to call Devin.”
Anna gasped and looked at Jasmine, eyes filling with tears. “Why would you do that?” she asked, truly bewildered. Her tone made Alex even more adamant about making sure Jasmine didn’t talk to Devin.
Alex tried to guide Anna back to her seat, but she turned and glared at him. “You can't seriously think I’m okay with you going anywhere alone with her.”
“I’m not going alone. My men will come.”
Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. Alex’s brows raised at this new, defiant Anna. It was kinda sexy and he grinned, which made her frown. He stopped smiling, though his heart still pounded with desire for her. That lower lip sticking out like that....
He shook his head slightly and gave her a firm look. “Anna, I don’t want you to see what happens.”
Her brows arched. “What are you going to do? Sleep with her?”
“What? No, of course not.” He glanced over and saw Aaron watching him, an amused look on his face.
“I warned you she was stubborn,” he said with a laugh.
“Anna, please trust me....” He trailed off when her brows raised even higher. Okay, that probably wasn’t the best choice of words, but she didn’t need to see him reprogramming Jasmine’s mind. At least, that was his plan, if Sebastian would help. Since he wasn’t an Elder yet, he couldn’t do a lot of things without Sebastian’s help. If Sebastian refused, he would just wait until Vati arrived tomorrow. Vati would take care of it.
He looked around, realizing that they were being watched. After having just kissed Anna, it probably wasn’t a good idea to go off with Jasmine, even if he had absolutely no intention of doing anything except removing a threat. He ran his hands through his hair and looked down at Anna, who was looking at him with a defiant expectation in her eyes. He liked this new Anna, but was careful to keep his face impassive. “All right. Fine. Do you want dessert first?”
*****
Anna stared up at Alex in surprise. He’d given in to her? Well, good. He should have. There was no way in hell she was letting Jasmine near him alone.
“Anna, do you want dessert?”
She had been looking forward to dessert, but had lost her appetite when she’d seen Jasmine touching Alex. “Yes...I guess so.”
Alex grinned at her and then looked to his men and said something in German. Seth leaned down to say something quietly to Jasmine and her eyes widened and he helped her to her feet. When they had gone, Alex took Anna to Jasmine’s place and sat down.
“What was that about?” Lara asked.
Alex’s face turned firm. “She threatened Anna, er Katrina. I won't stand for that.”
Lara’s eyes widened and then she smiled. “I figured her apology was full of shit.”
She shook her head and looked between Anna and Alex. “So, you two are really married?”
Anna glanced up at Alex, who was looking at her carefully. “Is it okay if they know?”
“It’s a little late for that,” she said with a smile, her heart swelling with affection for him. “It’s not...dangerous, is it?”
Alex shook his head. “Sebastian’s reinforced Tom’s protections, and I can protect you.” His eyes grew firm. “I will protect you,” he added in a soft voice and then looked at Lara. “Ja, this is my wife.” He put his arm back around Anna’s shoulders. “I went on a business trip and there was an accident. She was told I was dead.”
“But you’ve been here for a few months, though,” Lara asked. “Haven’t you?”
Alex nodded. “And I had my reasons for doing what I did, which I am not at liberty to discuss. But I have spoken to Anna about them.” He gave Anna a tender smile. “We will work through those issues.”
“So, should we start calling you Anna, now?” Lara asked with a smile.
Anna shook her head. “At least, I don’t think so.”
Alex shook his head. “Please continue to call her Katrina. I will try and remember too,” he added with a smile.
Dessert arrived and the conversation moved to other subjects. Anna glanced at Hugo, who gave her a sad smile. Her heart ached for him, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she felt like she was where she was supposed to be. With Alex.
To everyone’s surprise, Alex insisted on paying the massive dinner bill. “I am so happy that Anna has good friends around her,” he said. “It is the least I can do.”
“You gonna throw some parties?” Aaron asked, leaning back in his chair and grinning.
Alex grinned. “Maybe, but not like our old ones.” He looked at Anna. “Perhaps a wedding reception? We never got to have ours.”
Anna sighed. “That’s true.” They’d begun planning it before Alex left, but it never happened.
“Kommen Sie,” Alex said softly, helping Anna to her feet. “Let me show you the home I purchased for us.” He caressed her cheek. “I don’t expect you to stay with me, but I would love for you to see it.”
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 28