The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined (17 page)

He'd also seen Aaron watching her. Oh, his friend had it bad. He'd suspected it when they'd hung out earlier in the week, but watching him watch her it became obvious.
Good.

He looked around for his best friend and saw him standing at the end of the deck, looking out at the yard. Alex walked up and stood next to him as he looked out at Anna. Her face had softened and much of the fear seemed gone. Devin must be behaving himself.

“You really like her, don't you?”

Aaron jumped and glanced at his friend. “Not as much as you do.” He gave Alex a knowing look.

“It wouldn't work right now, Aaron. I told you that.” He inhaled deeply. “I think you should ask her out.”

Aaron turned to look at him, surprise evident on his face. “Me? Why?”

“Because it's obvious how much you like her and I trust you to treat her the way she should be treated.”

“Why are you so concerned about her, Alex? I don't recall you ever being so protective over someone. Especially someone you hardly know.”

“I know her better than you think,” he said without thinking about it, and Aaron rewarded him with a startled look.

Alex sighed, realizing he'd said too much. He trusted Aaron implicitly. Aaron knew things about him that only his father knew and even things his father didn't know.

Aaron also knew about the Manor, at least as much as anyone not in the Brotherhood could know. He should warn him about Anna's piercings. If they were going to date, they'd have sex eventually and he'd see them. The last thing Anna needed was Aaron getting the wrong idea about her.

Alex looked around to see if anyone was listening. They were the only people on this side of the deck. “Aaron, Anna is my slave. She belongs to me and my family.”

“She...what?” Aaron exclaimed loudly, then clapped his hand over his mouth. He gave Alex the dirtiest look he'd ever seen Aaron give anyone. “How the fuck is that possible?”

“It was the only way to save her....” He briefly explained how Anna came to be his slave. Aaron's eyes got wider and wider as Alex spoke. He also told him a little bit about her abusive past and explained about the ritual, telling Aaron what would have happened if he hadn't interfered.

“And you're not with her...why?” Aaron looked at Alex doubtfully. “You're obviously crazy about her.”

Alex sighed. “She needs freedom. I don't want her with me because she belongs to me. I want her to come to me willingly.”

Aaron frowned, but nodded. “I guess I could understand that.”

“Aaron, being with her could be hard, but she's worth it.” Alex sighed. “She has...obligations to Devin. I think she's attending something with him on Wednesday. You can't get upset with her when she has to do those things.”

Aaron grimaced. “He's gonna fuck her, isn't he?”

Alex nodded solemnly. “I would be incredibly surprised if he didn't. But you can show her what real lovemaking is and she will blossom.”

Aaron stared out at the yard where Anna was now talking with Jenna, and Alex followed his gaze. She seemed so sad. So different than when she'd been in the pool just a while before.

“What happened tonight?” Aaron asked.

Alex told him what Kirsty had done to Anna.

Aaron's reaction was similar to, though less volcanic than, Alex's. “Please tell me you’re ending it with that bitch.”

Alex nodded. “I am. That's why you need to ask Anna out tonight.”

“What if I've changed my mind?”

“She's still the same person, Aaron,” Alex snapped. “The only difference is if you hurt her, I will hurt you.” He glared at his friend.

“Jeez, Alex. I was just kidding.” Aaron laughed. “You really are protective of her, aren't you?”

Alex frowned and looked out at the yard. “Someone needs to be.”

*****

“Where'd you disappear to, Anna?” Jenna asked, walking up to Anna.

Anna had just finished a relatively pleasant conversation with Devin. He had told her that she was going to stay with him at his home Wednesday after the banquet. That had surprised Anna. Why would he want her at his house? Wouldn't his wife be upset?

But, it was her job to obey, not question, him.

“Oh...I...had to go to the bathroom...,” Anna answered lamely. She didn't want to relive her experience with Kirsty.

Jenna gave her a look. “Okay,” she said with a doubtful expression on her face. “So, let's get back in the pool. Garrett's been asking where you were.”

Anna looked over at the pool. Garrett seemed like a nice guy, aside from not letting her go get her phone. How could he have known how important it was for her to answer the call? There were several nice guys. Alex wanted her to flirt and have fun. Okay, she could do that.

She nodded to Jenna and they started walking towards the pool when Alex came up to them.

“Is everything okay, Anna?” he asked, glancing down at the phone in her hands.

Anna nodded. “Yes....” She glanced at Jenna. “Everything's fine.”

“
Gut
,” Alex said. “Well, if you're okay, I'm going to take off and take Kirsty home. Do you...want me to come back later?”

Jenna's brow raised at his words.

Anna shook her head. “No, that's okay, Alex,” she said quickly. “I'm all right. Really.” She smiled. “Jenna's here.”

Alex seemed reluctant to leave. “Okay....” He glanced behind him, then back at the two girls. “Call me if you need anything,
Schatzi
,” he said softly. He hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say something else. “I'll see you later.”

“Okay,” Anna said softly, watching him carefully.

“Bye, Alex,” Jenna said cheerfully, with a glint in her eyes.

Alex made a face at her, then turned and walked away.

Jenna laughed and watched Alex as Anna stared at the ground. “He's totally into you. Lucky girl.”

Anna's head snapped up. “Hardly,” she said. She was not lucky. Not by any stretch of the imagination. She still didn't understand Alex.

Anna sat on the side of the pool while Jenna jumped back into the water. Her feet dangled in the water and she watched the ripples created by the movements of her legs. She was tired and wanted to go home. What a strange concept: the ability to go home and be alone. Too bad Seth had left with Alex. A warm body would have been nice tonight.

“Hey, Anna, having a good time?” Aaron asked, sitting down next to her.

Anna looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She didn't want to be rude. “It's...a lot of people. I'm not used to being around crowds like this.”

Aaron nodded. “That's understandable.” He smiled suddenly. “C'mon. I have somewhere quiet we can go.”

Anna gave him a startled look.

Aaron grinned mischievously. “Not my bedroom...well, maybe later.”

Anna smiled and allowed Aaron to pull her to her feet. He led her around to the side of the house to a small garden with lots of vines and flowers.

“My parents bought this place after I graduated high school. When they decided to move to LA about three years ago, they sold it to me for a good price. This was my mom's garden.”

Anna looked around in the dim light. It smelled delicious. Roses and jasmine and other flowers she didn’t know. Anna felt herself relaxing in the peace and quiet.

“It's lovely,” she said, walking around.

Aaron took her hand. “I want to dance with you,” he said softly pulling her close.

“Aaron...,” she protested, but didn't pull away. “There's no music.”

Aaron smiled and started humming the music from the
pas de deux
from the second act of
Giselle
.

Anna shook her head. “No, Aaron. I haven't danced that since we—”

“So what?” he interrupted in a low voice. “I know you can still do it. Anna, your dancing is from your heart. I knew that eight years ago. I want to see it again.” He turned her around to face her away from him. “Please,” he whispered in her ear. “Close your eyes and dance with me.”

He stepped away and began humming again. It brought back powerful memories long pushed away and she was helpless to resist.

She closed her eyes and Aaron's humming faded in her ears, replaced by the orchestra's strings calling her to dance. Her arms and legs began to move, almost of their own accord, to the music in her mind. Aaron joined her at the appointed moment and they moved as one, limbs moving in sync to the unheard music. Aaron lifted her as if she was a feather, all grace and beauty.

They danced only for themselves. The harshness of Anna's life released its hold on her heart for just a moment and she and Aaron were of one mind and body. A cocoon of intimacy wrapped in music bound them together in that moment, and didn't release its grip until the last strings faded in their minds.

Anna opened her eyes slowly and blinked several times. Aaron was kneeling in front of her, her upper body resting against his back in the final pose of the dance. They were both breathing deeply and she fought the invasion of anything in her mind that wasn't the present moment. She relaxed and Aaron stood and turned around, taking both of her hands in his.

He pulled her close, placing her hands around his neck and wrapping his arms around her waist. They gazed into each other's eyes and felt the connection that had been planted in her heart years before. Aaron slowly leaned down and caressed Anna's lips with his own. Her eyes closed and she leaned into his embrace.

Their kiss was a continuation of their dance. Gentle, graceful, and beautiful. Aaron's tongue was as graceful as the rest of him, stroking, coaxing, cajoling Anna to open herself up to him. She moaned softly and allowed Aaron in, both into her mouth and her heart.

No one had kissed her like this before, not even Kurt or Wilhelm, though she was fond of both of them. The only one who came close was Alex, but he didn't care for her in any way more than just as a good Master.

Aaron pulled away slightly and she opened her eyes to look at him. His eyes met hers and, before the fear could set in, his warm gaze settled her heart. He brought his hand up to her cheek and stroked her skin gently.

“Anna...,” he whispered. Her heart leapt to hear her name on his tongue.

He brushed his lips against hers again and was about to resume the intimate kiss when a male voice came from behind Anna. They both jumped, pulled so abruptly from their moment.

Aaron glared at his roommate, Garrett.

“Oops. Sorry dude. We're out of beer. Where'd you put the extra keg?”

Aaron sighed. “Hang on,” he said, then smiled apologetically at Anna. “I'm sorry, hon,” he said, brushing her hair back from her face.

Reality hit Anna in the heart and she felt...well, she didn't know what she felt. Being with Aaron back here, dancing with him, had been unbelievably wonderful. But good things never lasted and she tried to step back to allow him to do what he needed to do.

Aaron tightened his arms around her. “Hey.” He cupped her chin. “I’m not done with you,” he said in a tone that conveyed more than lust. “Let me take care of this and I'll find you in a few minutes, okay?” His eyes were soft and tender. “I won't abandon you, Anna,” he added in a whisper, and kissed her gently on the lips.

For some reason Anna believed him, and they walked hand in hand around the side of the house. Back to the noise of the party. It was so loud it hurt her ears after the quietness of the garden. Part of her wanted to stay and wait for him there, but she felt she could be brave for him. Aaron kissed her temple and squeezed her hand, then turned to follow Garrett into the house.

Jenna appeared at her side a moment later. “You were gone for a while,” she grinned mischievously. “What were you two doing?”

Anna blushed and gave a shy smile. “We danced,” she said happily. “And he kissed me.”

Jenna looked sharply at the house, then back at Anna and grinned. “Aaron kissed you?” she asked excitedly.

Anna's face fell. “Was that wrong? Should I not have let him?”

Jenna shook her head. “No...I mean, yeah...fuck!” she exclaimed then smiled. “I just didn't think he would....” She shrugged. “He was complaining about you and Alex earlier.”

“Me and Alex?” Why would Aaron complain about her and Alex? Alex owned her; that was their only connection.

“Well, yeah. Alex was watching you like a hawk tonight. Aaron thought Alex would break up with Kirsty and go after you. Aaron didn't want to be in his way.”

“I think Alex watches me because of his family. He's so...confusing.”

“He can be that way, that's for sure.” Jenna shook her head.

“Do you know him well?” Anna asked.

“Alex? Well, yeah. I mean, he's Aaron's best friend, so I've hung out with him a lot.”

“Did you and Aaron ever sleep together?”

“Nah, I was like his little sister. He doesn't think about me that way.” She giggled. “Not that I haven't thought about it.”

Anna giggled, too. When she and Aaron had danced together, she'd had a bit of a crush on him and had thought about him a few times when one of the other men had been playing with her. She'd wondered what it would have been like to have Aaron touch her like that. But that was so long ago. She hadn't thought about him in years. And now he'd kissed her. As if he liked her.