The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced

by Marissa Honeycutt

  But he was clearly enjoying what she was doing to him. Heck, she was enjoying what she was doing to him. She liked hearing him moan under her touch. She moved in front of him to take him into her mouth while she moved her fingers inside him. He let out a low guttural moan when she took him down her throat and mumbled something in German.

  She glanced up and saw him watching her with dark, hooded eyes. They gazed at each other as she moved her mouth up and down on him and she could have sworn he grew even larger.

  Suddenly, he grabbed her under her arms and pulled her to her feet and then up against the wall. He held her up under her knees and pressed her back against the warm tile. His eyes were dark with passion and he slanted his mouth against her, bruising her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he thrust into her.

  She cried out in pleasure as he slammed into her over and over again. “Oh, Alex. Yes, please! Harder!”

  He obliged, ramming into her so deeply she half expected to feel him in her throat. He was so thick and hard and long. “Yes!” she yelled.

  Suddenly he stopped, his cock buried deep inside her. She looked up into his face. His eyes were consumed with passion and he gazed at her as if he wanted to eat her up. She stared back at him with wide eyes.

  “I love you, Anna,” he whispered hoarsely, leaning his head against hers.

  “I love you, Alex,” she whispered back.

  He began moving again, slower this time, but more intense. She closed her eyes as he pressed himself in so deeply she could hardly stand it. It wasn’t painful, but so intense that she felt her entire body respond and shiver.

  He began murmuring in German and she felt dizzy. She felt him inside every corner of her body, every part of her soul. And she could feel every part of his body and soul at the same time. If she could have opened her eyes, it wouldn’t have surprised her to find herself inside his body. They were no longer two separate people. They were one body and soul.

  She had no idea how long they stayed like that, but she would have been content to stay like that forever. She felt a tingling then an intense orgasm roared through her body. She leaned her head back and screamed out Alex’s name. She heard Alex shout out and felt their bodies separate once more.

  She breathed heavily and leaned her head on his shoulder. His chest rose and fell with his breath. He gently released her legs and she wrapped her arms around his waist, unwilling to stop touching him.

  He petted her hair and held her close. Their bodies were slick from the water and steam. Alex leaned back and pressed a button and the water stopped.

  “Shall we go find some breakfast? Or lunch as the case may be.”

  Anna giggled. “I am a little hungry.”

  He reached down and stroked her belly. “It would not be good for the little one to miss meals.”

  Warmth spread through her body as she remembered that she was pregnant. She put her hand on his and grinned up at him. His eyes brimmed with emotion as he leaned down and kissed her.

  “Kommen Sie, let’s get you some food.”

  They dried off and dressed then wandered downstairs to the sitting room where his mother was sitting and reading.

  “Guten Morgen,” Ilsa said with a warm smile.

  Alex walked over to his mother and kissed her cheek. “Guten Morgen, Mutti,” he said with a big grin. “Is lunch almost ready?”

  Ilsa nodded and looked at Anna. “How are you feeling, Anna?”

  Anna smiled shyly. “Good.” She gazed up at Alex with adoration. “Very good.”

  Alex pulled her close and she rested her head on his chest. “I told her, Mutti,” he said quietly.

  Ilsa beamed. “I thought so. She’s glowing even more than she was yesterday.”

  Anna buried her face in Alex’s soft black sweater.

  “You should go tell your father. He was worried about you two last night.”

  “Ja. We worked everything out.” He glanced at Anna. “At least I think we did.”

  Anna nodded. She’d forgotten about the Gretchen issue, but right now she didn’t care about Gretchen. She was head over heels in love with Alex and knew he felt the same way. Gretchen was a non-issue.

  “Schatzi, I need to tell Vati about Gretchen. Do you want to be in there with me when I do or would you rather stay out here?”

  Anna looked up at her husband. “I don’t want to leave you.”

  Alex grinned. “I don’t want to leave you either.”

  He took her hand and led her away to the end of the sitting area where a door stood partially open.

  Chapter Forty

  Alex’s stomach was a little nervous as he walked to his father’s study. He wasn’t sure how Vati would react to the news. The good thing about Anna’s presence is that Vati would be less likely to yell. Not that he was afraid of his father. He just wasn’t in the mood to fight this morning. The morning had been incredible so far and he didn’t want to ruin it. But the Gretchen situation needed to be dealt with. Especially her attitude towards Anna.

  He knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  He pushed open the door and allowed Anna in first. She stopped mid-step and looked around at the oval-shaped room, eyes wide. “I’ve been here before...,” she said softly. She glanced back at Alex. “I saw you yelling at each other here.”

  Alex arched his brow. “You did?”

  Anna nodded. “You were very loud.”

  Alex didn’t recall seeing Anna in his father’s office at any time and wondered which fight she saw. There had been many. Had there been other times she’d seen him and he hadn’t known?

  Wilhelm sat behind his large wooden desk, typing something into his computer. He smiled when he saw them. “Good Morning.”

  “Good Morning, Vati.”

  Wilhelm looked between the two of them. “Everything okay with you two?” he asked in English.

  Alex nodded and saw Anna blush. Vati looked at Alex and smiled.

  “Vati...there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Vati’s brow raised. “Oh?”

  Alex motioned to the nearby sitting area and sat down on the couch with Anna next to him. Vati sat in a leather chair opposite them.

  “What do you need to tell me?”

  Alex recounted his conversation he’d had with Gretchen in the hallway. Anna sat quietly and listened.

  When he finished, Vati sat quietly with his fingers tented in front of his mouth. Alex could tell he was contemplating what he had told him.

  “How do you feel about it, Alex? About Otto?”

  Alex sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know. I can’t hold it against Otto, it’s not his fault. I’m furious at Gretchen, for so many reasons.”

  Vati nodded. “Her attitude needs to be dealt with. Does Kurt know?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know if she told him or not.”

  Vati glanced at Anna. “How do you feel about it, Anna?”

  Anna’s eyes widened. Alex suspected she didn’t think she would be part of the conversation. “I-I don’t know either. I don’t understand why she doesn’t like me.”

  “She’s jealous, Liebling. That’s probably why she decided your wedding day was the appropriate day to confess to Alex. I honestly don’t know what she thought she would gain by doing that.” Vati sighed. “I don’t understand that woman. But, she’s Kurt’s wife. He has to deal with her.” He turned to Alex. “Alex, regardless of what you decide with Otto, he would never be your legitimate heir. For one, I wouldn’t want to give that to Gretchen. And you are married now and will have children of your own.” He glanced at Anna and smiled when she blushed. “You don’t have to acknowledge him, Alex. There is little chance that anyone would suspect he isn’t Kurt’s son and socially, I don’t believe it needs to be dealt with.”

  Alex ran his fingers through his hair. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to acknowledge Otto as his son, but it would be easier on everyone if he didn’t. Otto would grow up thinking Kurt was his father, and thing
s would be much simpler on the little boy. He had no doubt that, even if Kurt decided to divorce Gretchen, Vati would make sure that all the children were taken care of.

  “I suppose the next thing to do would be—” A knock on the door interrupted Vati’s words. “Come in,” he called in German.

  The door opened and Seth poked his head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we got some new intel on the source of the information leaked to Devin.”

  Alex glanced at Anna and then his father. He was reluctant to make Anna leave, but would the information frighten her? She stared at Seth with wide eyes.

  “Come in, Seth,” Vati said.

  Seth walked in and closed the door behind him. He glanced at Anna then Alex. “Your mom said you two were up. We found out a little bit ago, but I didn’t want to bother you....” He smiled sheepishly.

  “It’s all right, Seth,” Alex said. “I appreciate it. As long as the source doesn’t know you know.”

  Seth shook his head. “I don't even think she’s aware of what she did.”

  “She?” Alex repeated. He couldn’t even begin to guess who he was talking about.

  Seth looked at Alex apologetically. “I’m sorry, Alex. But all the intel points to Gretchen being the informant.”

  “What!” Alex and Vati both shouted at the same time.

  Alex counted to ten again to keep his temper under control. The last thing Anna needed was for him and his father to lose control. He could feel his pulse rising and suppressed the urge to go find Gretchen and beat the shit out of her. And he never hit women. But she had betrayed his family and almost gotten Anna hurt. She had crossed the line.

  He thought back to the previous day. He thought he’d seen a look of surprise on Gretchen’s face when they walked in yesterday afternoon, but didn’t think anything of it. God, she really wanted to get rid of Anna that badly?

  “What do you mean you don’t think she knew what she was doing?” Vati asked. He took deliberate breaths and clenched his jaw when he’d finished speaking. Alex would be surprised if Gretchen was still here tonight.

  Alex noticed Anna trembling and pulled her close.

  “We think she was approached by someone who just asked to be kept informed of Anna’s actions. I don’t think she was trying to be especially malicious.”

  “No more than normal,” Alex grumbled.

  Seth chuckled. “True.”

  “Seth, would you please go get both Kurt and Gretchen and bring them here?” Wilhelm asked in an even tone.

  Seth nodded and left the room.

  Vati stood and walked to the window behind his desk.

  Alex watched his father, amazed. He looked so calm, but Alex was certain that his father was as angry as he was. Vati loved Anna too.

  *****

  Wilhelm concentrated on his breathing, clenching and unclenching his fists behind his back as he stared out the window. It was snowing lightly and he watched the snowflakes drift lazily in front of him.

  Only for Anna’s sake was he able to calm his heartbeat down to somewhat normal levels. He knew Gretchen; he knew how she was, but this was going too far. He wasn’t totally convinced she didn’t know what she was doing.

  He counted fifty snowflakes and then walked to the door and opened it. “Mausi?” he called to his wife. “Would you please join us in here?”

  Ilsa looked startled. He rarely asked her to come to his study, though she was always welcome. He loved it when she sat in the room with him, but he knew she loved the light of the sitting room better.

  “Wilhelm, what’s wrong?” she asked coming near. Seth returned with Gretchen and Kurt and they all gathered in his study.

  Seth turned to leave. “Seth, please stay,” Wilhelm said. If Gretchen tried to run, Seth would prevent it. He also had the first hand information that might be useful.

  Ilsa sat next to Alex and Anna on the couch. Gretchen and Kurt sat in the chairs across from the couch. Wilhelm sat in the chair at the end and looked at Gretchen over tented fingers. She at least had the decency to look nervous.

  “I understand there is some news you would like to share, Gretchen?” Wilhelm said in a calm voice. He spoke in English so that Anna wouldn’t feel left out. He had spent the last thirty years taming his temper. The same temper Alex shared. For the sake of their wives, he would keep it under control.

  Gretchen paled and glanced at Alex, who glared at her. She looked back at Wilhelm. “W-what do you mean?”

  Kurt frowned and looked at Wilhelm. “Vati, what is going on?”

  Wilhelm’s continued to look at Gretchen. “Ask your wife.” He cocked his brow. “Something regarding Otto?”

  Gretchen’s eyes narrowed and she turned to Alex. “You told him?”

  Wilhelm could see Alex’s jaw tighten and the veins in his neck bulge as he struggled against his natural inclinations. His eyes flashed and his hand clenched into a fist. Wilhelm could empathize how difficult it was to keep calm in this situation and was very proud of Alex.

  “Yes. I told him.” Alex spoke between clenched teeth. “You obviously weren’t trying to keep it a secret anymore, since you hinted as much to my wife.”

  “I did you a favor, Alex. You said she couldn’t have kids. Now you have a son.”

  Kurt sat up and stared at Gretchen. “What the hell are you talking about, Gretchen?”

  Gretchen looked at Kurt arrogantly. “Alex is Otto’s father.”

  Kurt’s face turned pale, then green. “What?”

  Wilhelm felt bad for Kurt. As poor a husband as he was, he was a very good father and adored his children. Gretchen...he sighed. He didn’t know what to do with her.

  “You heard me,” Gretchen snapped.

  Kurt and Gretchen launched into an argument in German.

  Poor Anna’s eyes were wide and frightened. Ilsa stared in shock. Alex glared at Gretchen. Seth looked amused and Wilhelm smiled. At least one person found the humor in the situation.

  “Enough!” Wilhelm shouted, his voice echoing against the paneled walls. Both Kurt and Gretchen stopped mid-word. “Gretchen, what made you think it was appropriate to share this news with Alex on his wedding day?” He was careful to keep his voice low.

  Gretchen looked flustered. “I...I thought he needed to know.”

  “Alex has been back since July. Otto was born in November. You couldn’t have chosen another, more appropriate time?”

  “I didn’t know he was getting married so quickly.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Gretchen didn’t answer.

  “Perhaps you thought maybe Anna would be out of the picture and he would run to you? Especially since you had a son by him?”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” she said, feigning innocence.

  Wilhelm raised his brow. “Really? You weren’t feeding information about Anna’s activities to anyone?”

  Gretchen’s eyes widened. “How...?”

  “There’s very little I don’t know, Gretchen. I have many contacts.” Wilhelm wouldn’t reveal Alex’s extracurricular activities. Especially to her. “Do you know who it was that you were speaking to?”

  “He told me he was a friend of Anna’s and wanted to know what she was doing,” Gretchen mumbled.

  “Is that all?”

  She shook her head. “He said he would take her back to America.”

  “Why you little—” Alex began.

  “Alex,” Wilhelm interrupted, looking sternly at his son. Alex took a breath and relaxed...somewhat. Wilhelm turned back to Gretchen. “Let me tell you about that man who would have taken Anna back home. He is one of the cruelest men I have ever met. He had Anna raised in a home where she was regularly beaten and raped. He turned her into a sex slave at the age of sixteen. If she had been taken back to America, she would have been locked up and punished for daring to think about marrying Alex. He likely would have tortured her until she passed out, and then revived her and tortured her again. And repeated the process until she n
o longer responded.”

  Gretchen’s face turned green and her eyes were as wide as he’d ever seen them.

  “Do you know why I know this Gretchen?”

  She shook her head.

  “Because he’s done it to her before. Anna has gone through things you could not even imagine. Her marriage to Alex will prevent that from occurring in the future.” Wilhelm paused, keeping his eyes locked on Gretchen’s. “And you wanted to send her home?”

  Gretchen’s mouth moved, but she didn’t speak right away. She looked at Anna. “I-I had no idea, Anna,” she said in a whisper. “I feel terrible.”

  Wilhelm could tell Anna didn’t know what to do or say. Her face was pale and she stared at her hands. Her first instinct was to sweetly forgive, but he could tell she was very hurt. As horrible as things had been in her life, she really didn’t understand how people could do things like what Gretchen had done. It would never have occurred to her that someone would do what Gretchen had done, and that made Gretchen’s actions even worse.

  Wilhelm could feel his temper rising again.

  Alex leaned over and whispered to Anna. She nodded in response. “Vati, I’m sorry, but Anna needs to eat. She hasn’t eaten since dinner last night.”

  “Oh, Liebling, I’m so sorry. Yes, Alex, take her down for lunch. I’ll speak with you later.”

  Alex helped Anna to her feet and led her out of the room.

  “Is Anna all right?” Kurt asked in German, watching the door close.

  Wilhelm smiled. “Yes. She’s pregnant.”

  Kurt’s eyes widened. “But I thought....”

  “There are ways, Son.”

  “I thought she couldn’t have kids,” Gretchen said with narrow eyes. “That’s what Alex said.”

  “No, I believe Alex told you she was told her whole life she couldn’t have children,” Wilhelm said. “Being told something doesn’t make it true.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Alex helped Anna downstairs to the dining room. Greta sat at the table with Albrecht and Viktoria. They lived outside of Dusseldorf and were staying at the Gutshaus through the New Year. The rest of Alex’s family lived in the Frankfurt area. Anna felt relieved that there weren’t many people there. She was a bit overwhelmed and just wanted to sit and eat.