Devin smiled. “Yes, Baby,” he said, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
As the Gathering proceeded, Anna was pleased to find it unlike what she was used to. Devin treated her respectfully, and only had her please a few of the men. She sat with them and flirted and cajoled, but they were all nice. It was odd, especially when Jack was the same way. Devin didn’t have her do anything with Jack.
When the Gathering was over, Devin took her back to his room and made love to her and she slept peacefully in his arms.
They woke mid-morning and went to visit Jamie. Devin wanted Jamie and Anna to please one another while he watched, and they spent the rest of the morning and afternoon with her. He made love to both girls several times, and in between had the girls play with each other.
Chapter Forty-Five
When it was time for Anna to leave Saturday afternoon, she dressed and met Alex downstairs in front of the Manor.
As soon as she saw him, it felt like her head cleared and she ran into his arms. He put her in the car and drove away. As soon as he was out of sight of the Manor, Anna burst into tears.
“Anna!” Alex exclaimed, pulling the car over and leaning over to gather her into his arms. “Schatzi, what’s wrong? Did Devin hurt you?”
She shook her head and sniffed. “No,” she whispered. “No, not at all.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Anna wiped the tears from her eyes and stared at her hands. “I...,” she burst into tears again. “I enjoyed it,” she sobbed.
Alex got out of the car and Anna’s heart dropped into her stomach. He’s angry.
He opened the car door and pulled her out, hugging her to his chest. He stroked her hair and spoke soothingly to her. “Schatzi, it’s all right. Shh. It’s okay, Anna. Everything is okay.”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have enjoyed it,” she said through her tears.
“Anna.” He tipped her head up with his hand. “Anna, despite what I would like, he is still your Master. You have an innate desire to please him. You are still connected to him, even though it is weakened. I would never hold anything you do at Gatherings against you. It’s...how you’re programmed.”
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Really?”
He wiped her tears away. “Ja. It won't always be this way.” He held her close. “I love you, Anna.”
“I love you, Alex.”
*****
The two of them spent a quiet evening at home together. Alex lay in bed, holding Anna close. He had been so relieved that nothing bad had happened while with Devin; he had kept his word. Alex had to admit he’d had his doubts. He was worried until he saw her.
“What did you and Aaron do last night?” Anna asked with a yawn as they lay naked in their bed after lovemaking. She had showered, they had eaten dinner and then gone up to their room and made love. Several times.
“Drank. We went to the bar with Seth and Tony and I lamented about how you weren’t with me.” Alex chuckled. “I woke up with a headache.” A very bad headache. “Aaron was pissed that I didn’t tell him before that I was going to marry you, but when I told him why, he forgave me.”
“Is he upset?”
“No. Well, maybe a little jealous. He still cares a great deal for you, Anna.” Aaron was still in love with her and Alex couldn’t blame him. Aaron had also said that he was a little jealous of Anna.
Aaron and Alex had become friends shortly after Alex moved to San Francisco. One night they got drunk and woke up the next morning, having fucked several times in Alex’s bed. Alex wasn’t opposed to being with men, but he generally kept it within his team. He wasn’t attracted to men in general, but out in the field, once the battle was over, sometime the need for release was very strong.
Over the years, their friendship had grown stronger and they slept together many times. Neither of them wanted any more than a friendship. They both liked women. But when the mood struck, they enjoyed one another’s company. Seth and Tony would join in sometimes too.
Now that he and Anna were married, Alex wondered if he should tell her about his...varied sexual tastes. Being bisexual was expected amongst the Elders and Brothers as well. Alex had never ventured outside of his team before Aaron.
“Alex? Are you all right?” Anna stroked his cheek.
He took her hand and kissed the palm. “Yes,” he said absently.
Anna sat up on her elbow with worry in her eyes. “Did something happen last night? Did you get a call to go out?”
Alex shook his head. “No, Anna. I’ve put out the word that we’re taking a break. I shouldn’t receive any calls in the near future.”
Anna smiled at him. “I’m glad. I don’t want you to leave me.”
“I don’t want to leave you either.” He chewed his lip, debating whether or not to tell her what Aaron said while they were drinking.
After quite a few drinks, the topic of sex came up. Aaron had mentioned that if Anna was ever interested in a threesome, he would love to be a part of it. Seth and Tony had laughed and said they should make it a five-some. Alex had to admit, at least at the time, that the idea of being with Anna and the three other men was a turn on.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing for Anna to have a lover. His mother had one for when Vati traveled or was at the Schloss for long periods of time.
He turned onto his side and kissed her neck, trailing his hand down her back to her ass. He caressed her hole and she moaned softly.
“Do you like anal, Schatzi?”
She opened her eyes in surprise. “I...as long as it doesn’t hurt.” She studied him for a minute. “Do you?”
Alex looked at her intently and nodded. “I do.” He meant it in both ways, but didn’t assume that she would understand it.
He dipped his fingers into her pussy and then returned to running his fingers around her hole until she relaxed the muscles. When she did, he pressed a finger inside her. He knew she’d had anal many times before. Men were rather fond of raping women in the ass. The screams were rather magnificent. When he lost control, it was his favorite thing to do. But he didn’t want to hurt Anna. Not in the least.
Her eyes closed and her lips parted as he gently thrust his finger in and out. Her breathing was shallow and caught in her throat a few times.
Suddenly her eyes flew open. “Alex?”
He stopped his movements. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head and then bit her lip. “It feels good,” she admitted with a smile. “I like it.” She bit her lip again. “Do you....” She cleared her throat and looked into his eyes and then looked away. “Do you like men?” she asked in a whisper.
Alex’s jaw dropped. Had she been reading his mind?
Her eyes got wide and filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Alex,” she said in a frightened tone. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
Alex blinked. “I’m not angry, Anna. Just...surprised. Why do you ask?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “When we were in the shower...in Germany...when I was...um, doing what you’re doing to me...you seemed to like it. A lot.”
It was the conversation opening that Alex was looking for, and now he was hesitant to pursue it. Especially with his finger up her ass. He slowly removed it and she whimpered.
“I have in the past,” he admitted slowly.
“Are you gay?” she whispered, almost fearfully.
He gave her a gentle smile. “No. I like women quite a lot. I love you.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “Does that bother you?”
She shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “When was the last time you were with a man?”
“Before I started dating Kirsty.” He and Aaron had shared Kirsty a few times, but never did anything with each other. Kirsty wouldn’t have allowed the attention being taken away from her.
“Do I know him?”
He nodded slowly. “Aaron.”
Anna gasped and her eyes got very wide. “Aaron? I didn’t think....” She was quiet for a l
ong minute. “I had no idea.”
“It’s not like we advertised it, Schatzi. And we weren’t dating or anything. It was just sex. Even as open as the city is, I don't go around bragging about fucking guys. Besides, there are only a handful of guys that I’ve ever been attracted to.”
“Really?” He could see the relief in her eyes.
He nodded.
“You don’t regret marrying me?”
“Anna, why would I regret marrying you? I love you. I care deeply for Aaron. He is my best friend. But I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
She snuggled close to him. “I’m glad.” She slid her hand down to his hip. “I liked what we did in the shower.”
“Did you? I enjoyed it too.” He slid his hand to her buttocks and caressed them. He felt his cock stirring again and heard Anna giggle.
She reached between them and stroked his hardening cock. “You have very impressive stamina.”
He rolled onto his back and pulled her onto his chest. “It’s all you, Schatzi. I don’t recall being this active since I was a teenager.”
She giggled again and sat up, bringing his cock up and stroking him. “I like it.”
Watching her hands on him made him even harder. He rolled her over onto her back and buried his cock deep inside her. “Me too.”
Chapter Forty-Six
The next morning, Anna called Jenna and invited her and Matt over for dinner. Jenna wanted to go but said that Matt was upset about Anna getting married so quickly after Ben’s death and didn’t want to see her. Jenna said that she would see her in the morning.
Anna sat in the great room and stared at her phone with tears in her eyes.
“Anna, are you okay?” Alex asked, sitting next to her on the couch.
“Matt’s angry at me for getting married,” she said softly.
Alex put his arm around her. “I’m sorry, Schatzi,” he said, kissing her hair. “He’ll understand eventually. He knew Ben a long time, from what I understand. If things had been different, I would have come back to San Francisco and we would have dated a while before I asked you to marry me. But I couldn’t wait while there was a way to get you safe.”
Anna nodded and buried her face in his shirt. “I hope so.” She sighed. “Will the dancers think of me the same way tomorrow?”
“Schatzi, we did what needed to be done. I won’t apologize for what I did. If they have a problem with it, then tell them to speak to me about it.” Alex’s voice was firm.
“Aaron’s not mad, though, right?”
“Nein. He’s happy for us. He’ll make sure no one bothers you.”
Anna sighed. She had been looking forward to dancing again tomorrow.
“Do you want me to drive you in and pick you up?”
Anna looked up at him. “I’d love you to, but I don’t want to be a bother.”
Alex smiled. “You’re never a bother. Besides, I should speak to Isaak about getting back on the board and we should let him know about the baby.”
Anna smiled. Thinking about the baby always made her happy. Even when it made her sick. Last night she’d told Alex about letting Devin know about the pregnancy. Alex had been pleasantly surprised that Devin had not gotten upset.
*****
Aaron came over in the early evening. He greeted them both with hugs. “I’m so happy for you, hon,” he said as he hugged Anna. He leaned back and looked into her face. “You’re glowing.”
Anna smiled shyly and glanced at Alex. “Did you tell him?”
“Tell me what?” Aaron asked.
Alex shook his head. “I thought you might want to tell him.”
She shook her head and blushed.
Alex walked over and put his arm around Anna’s waist. “She’s pregnant.”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, you move fast.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “It’s not mine, you idiot.” He grinned. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
Aaron laughed, then stopped. “Wait, I thought you couldn’t get pregnant.”
“There are ways, Aaron. We’re pretty sure it’s Ben’s.”
Aaron raised one brow and looked her up and down again. “That would explain a lot.”
Anna frowned in confusion.
Aaron grinned. “Your body was changing before you left. Travis and I...uh, talked about it....” He drifted off and glanced at Alex sheepishly and shrugged.
“You were talking about my wife’s body?” Alex asked with a glint in his eye.
Aaron’s cheeks turned pink. “It was before you married. She hated you at the time. And you terrorized her on Christmas Eve. We were trying to cheer her up.”
“‘We’?” Alex asked, cocking his brow and glanced at Anna. Anna bit her lip and glanced at Aaron. Alex pulled Anna into his arms. “You didn’t tell me about that last night.” He kissed Anna again and ran his hands down to her ass. “Intriguing...,” he murmured.
Aaron sighed. “You want me to leave you honeymooners alone?”
Anna turned in Alex’s arms to face Aaron. “Of course not, Aaron,” she said, giving him an affectionate smile.
*****
Aaron stayed after dinner and they watched a movie downstairs. She liked having Aaron with them. She hadn’t spent time with him as often as she’d have liked in the last few months. When Anna and Ben had been dating, she mostly hung out with Jenna and Matt.
She couldn’t help but keep glancing at Aaron during dinner and the movie. She couldn’t imagine him and Alex having sex. Yes, many male ballet dancers were gay, but she could usually tell. Aaron always seemed...not gay. He flirted with women as much as any guy.
But Alex said they weren’t gay. Alex was the most masculine guy she’d ever met. And Alex definitely liked women.
Anna had no doubt that Alex loved her with everything he was. She was able to read Alex better than any man she’d ever known and he seemed to be able to read her now, too. The only emotions she got from Alex were affection for his friend. But she could feel his love for her very strongly.
She snuggled closer to Alex, and he kissed her head and held her tightly.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Alex woke with Anna curled against his side. She shivered in her sleep, so he turned onto his side to pull her closer and pulled the covers up over her shoulders. He loved how she fit right against him. They were a perfect match. He could imagine waking like this every day for the rest of his life and it thrilled him. God, he loved this woman. And she was his.
Alex had doubted that Devin would keep his word and that he would try to hurt Anna in some way. But no, Anna had come back to him Saturday afternoon safely. Part of him was glad that she had been upset that she enjoyed herself. No, he didn’t want her to be upset with herself or feel guilty, but Alex was relieved that, no matter what Devin might be able to do inside the Schloss, when she emerged, she would be her normal, loving self and still be in love with him. He had been worried that being with Devin would put distance between them. But Anna had barely left his side the rest of the weekend. Even in her sleep, she was right next to him.
He chuckled to himself. He wasn’t used to sharing his bed yet, though he loved doing it. He just needed to be careful when he moved. Anna naturally just stayed right next to him all night. He knew he would get used to it eventually.
He was relieved that Anna hadn’t felt awkward around Aaron last night. He saw her watching Aaron, but she still looked at him with affection. She still cared about him. Alex knew Aaron still cared about her as well, which was good. If anything ever happened to him, he knew Aaron would step in and make sure she was okay.
It was a morbid thought, but one he had to consider. Even though he wasn’t going out on missions right now, eventually he would have to return. And when he went out, there was, unfortunately, always the possibility he wouldn’t return. Of course, his family would make sure she was taken care of as well. But Aaron was here in San Francisco; his family was in Germany. Aaron was much closer.<
br />
Alex pushed the thoughts aside. He didn’t want morbid thoughts in his head right now. They hadn’t even been married two weeks yet. He wouldn’t go out for at least six months. That was as much time Vati had said he’d be able to get away with. As long as he was home when the baby was born. He wouldn’t miss that for the world.
He glanced at the clock. He had just enough time to make love to her before she had to get up and get ready for class. He kissed her neck and brought his hand up to cup her breast. She moaned softly and turned to face him.
His heart filled with love as she opened her sleepy eyes and smiled at him. “Hi,” she said softly.
He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Hello, Schatzi.” He leaned forward and kissed her, letting her feel his desire for her. She ran her hands up his side and around his back, pressing her soft body to his. Her hips pressed against his erection and he groaned. He cupped her ass and she hooked her ankle around his hips, opening her pussy for him to delve his fingers into.
He pushed her onto her back and positioned himself at her entrance. She looked up at him with desire-filled eyes.
“Please,” she whispered.
He needed no further encouragement. He sank himself into her hot, silken folds and groaned softly.
“I love you, Anna.”
She gazed up at him with love in her eyes. “I love you, Alex.”
*****
Anna held Alex’s hand tightly as they made their way to the studio. She was nervous about seeing everyone again. They knew that she had gone to Germany, but most of them thought that she hadn’t wanted to go. Now she was coming back, married to a man they all knew. The girls would be thrilled to see Alex, but how would they feel about her being his wife?
Alex squeezed her hand. “Everything will be all right, Schatzi,” he said softly as he opened the door to the studio for her. She walked inside with Alex right behind her and people stopped to look at them.
“Anna!”
She looked to the back of the room where she saw Travis making his way to her. She grinned and hurried to him to hug him.
“Well, don’t you look happy! What happened?” He looked at her with affection.
The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced Page 26