The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged (7 page)

“You’ve never had a chance to be you,” Aaron
affirmed softly with a tender smile. “I understand. I’m sorry for
getting upset. It was very wrong of me.”

“You’ve put up with a lot from me, Aaron.
From the very beginning. And I am so thankful for you. You’ve
always loved me for who I really am.” She sighed. “But just to be
honest with you, I think Wilhelm will expect me to marry Kurt when
I’m freed from Devin.”

Aaron winced. “Oh.” He was quiet for a few
minutes and then started to smile. “Then you’re like the run-away
princess that is grabbing for her last few minutes of freedom
before she’s forced into a loveless marriage.”

Anna grinned. “Marriage to Kurt wouldn’t be a
loveless marriage.”

He shrugged with humor in his eyes. “I know.
But the story doesn’t work that way. What’s the point of running
away from a love-filled marriage?”

“Because even though the princess knows that
her future husband will make her happy, she still was imprisoned by
an evil sorceress...er, sorcerer.” She giggled. “And she wants to
see the world before she assumes her new duties.”

Aaron laughed. “I suppose that’s a legitimate
story plot.”

They grinned at each other.

“Of course, the princess has to have her
trusty best friend to watch out for her during her explorations,”
Anna added. “And that may come with some side benefits, if the best
friend is interested.” She grinned mischievously.

Aaron grinned. “What kind of benefits?”

Anna took a step forward and ran her hands up
his chest and around his neck. She went on tiptoe and kissed his
ear. “Fantastic sex.”

Aaron pulled her closer. “You really went all
week without sex?”

Anna nodded. “My fingers are a very poor
substitute, but yeah. That and....” She told Aaron what had
happened with Tommy and how she had felt afterwards.

“Oh, hon. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell
me when I called?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t want to
bother you while you were out of town. I...it’s still my duty to
please the Elders, isn’t it?” Doubt reared its ugly head.

Aaron frowned. “Katrina isn’t an
Elder-Mistress.”

“But Anna is.”

“Then don’t be Anna.”

She smiled wryly. “You make it sound so easy,
but I was doing pretty well before....” She trailed off with a
sigh. She didn’t want Aaron to feel bad.

“Until I started yelling at you?” He shook
his head. “It was so wrong of me to do that, Anna. I’m so sorry. If
I do that again, slap me.”

Anna shook her head with a smile. “I don’t
know if I could do that.”

A grin spread over his face. “If I were your
Master, I would command you to.”

She grinned. “Katrina doesn’t have a Master,”
she said mischievously.

“That’s true.” He grinned. “So me and Katrina
will be friends with benefits?” He brushed his lips against
hers.

“What does that mean?” she asked softly,
heart racing at his touch.

“It means....” He ran his hands down her
back. “We go into my room and fuck because it feels good, but no
one else knows because I don’t want Katrina to get a reputation,
but I also know that Anna really needs to be touched on a regular
basis.”

“That’s quite a definition.” She trailed her
fingers down his chest, circling a finger around one of his
nipples, making him moan softly.

“It seemed appropriate. I really want you to
be respected, hon. You don't need gossip spreading about you. Not
here.”

“Thanks, Aaron.” She kissed him again. “I
think I could do that. Can you?”

“Mmm,” he murmured against her lips. “Yeah.”
He kissed her again and then took her hand and led her to his
bedroom.

Anna walked confidently into the studio
Tuesday morning. The company had Monday off to recover from
traveling and she and Aaron had spent much of it in bed. She was
eager to show Vincent what she’d learned.

“Katrina,” Vincent called as she walked
through the door.

Anna didn’t respond and Aaron nudged her and
motioned to Vincent. “He’s calling you,
Kat
,” Aaron
grinned.

“Oh!” Anna exclaimed. “I forget...things.”
She grinned at Aaron and then walked across the room.

Vincent and Hugo were both watching her as
she came nearer and she bit her lip nervously.

“Good morning,” she said quietly.

“Good morning,” they both responded.

Vincent studied her for a moment then nodded.
“You look good, Katrina.” He smiled. “Hugo says you did
magnificently this last week and is very impressed with your
dancing.”

Anna glanced over at Hugo. “Thank you.”

Hugo shrugged with an affectionate smile.
“You did it.”

Anna’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she
looked back at Vincent who gave her an amused smile. “He said you
were working on
Firebird
a little bit?”

Anna nodded.

“Good. I want you to concentrate on
Firebird
and
Arches
.”

Anna widened her eyes and looked between the
two men. Those were two very difficult pieces. Arches was Hugo’s
new ballet and the world premier was the night of the Gala.
“Vincent, I...you think I can do it?”

“Hugo thinks so. I know you’re capable.
Besides,” he smiled. “Arches is more his decision and I can’t
override the choreographer.”

“I want you for the premier, Katrina,” Hugo
said. “Dancing with me.”

Anna smiled up at him. “Really?”

“You’re perfect for the role, Kittycat.”

Anna’s cheeks warmed, which seemed to amuse
Vincent.

“I also want you for Titania for
Midsummer Night’s Dream
, but concentrate on the others
first,” Vincent said. “
Midsummer
isn’t until the end of
the season.”

“Okay,” she said slowly in a shaky voice. She
was overwhelmed by the confidence they had in her.

“That’s all,” Vincent said with a smile. “You
can go warm up.”

“Okay.” She felt a little dazed as she made
her way to the
barre
next to Aaron.

“What’d he want?” Aaron asked as she sat next
to him.

“Letting me know the ballets I’m supposed to
be working on.”

“What are they?”

“
Firebird
and Arches. Then Titania
in
Midsummer
.”

Aaron arched his eyebrow. “Wow. You must have
really impressed Hugo.”

Anna pouted at him. “You don't think I can do
it?”

“Oh, hell, Kat. You know I think you’re the
best I’ve ever seen. No, I’m just...I’m glad they see it, too.” He
smiled at her affectionately. “I hope I get to do
Firebird
with you.”

“Me, too.”

Hugo had taught her all the warm ups and
other common steps used in class so when the music began, Anna felt
much more confident than she had the first two days of class. She
finally felt the exhilaration that she thought she should feel.
Vincent nodded to her several times, which Anna took to mean she
was doing well.

“I think the others are impressed by your
improvement,” Hugo whispered in her ear as they moved to the center
of the room for floor work.

Anna looked up at him, surprised.
“Really?”

He smiled and nodded but didn’t say anything
else. Anna did notice that most of the other dancers actually
smiled at her now.

After lunch, Anna read over the list of
rehearsals for the many ballets they would perform over the course
of six weeks. Anna was dancing
Firebird
with Dave,
Arches
with Hugo and
Midsummer Night’s Dream
with
Aaron. It seemed that each dancer had their own parts and the
ballets were scattered across the season. It was so different from
what she was used to, but it also meant she wasn’t dancing every
night for six weeks. Several nights a week, but not all. It would
be interesting to see how it all panned out.

Firebird
was primarily the first two
weeks.
Arches
was second, third and fourth weeks with the
premier the first week.
Midsummer
was every night of the
sixth week plus matinees. She had little to do the fifth week but
would more than make up for it the following week.

The next afternoon, Anna had her first
official rehearsal for
Arches
with Hugo. He had already
taught her quite a bit of the piece. They worked on the
pas de
deux
for most of the afternoon. She adored dancing with
him.

He held her in the final pose longer than
Anna expected and she caught his eye in the mirror, smiling. “Is it
really held for this long?”

He chuckled. “No. It was just nice.” He set
her back up in arabesque and turned her to face him. “Have dinner
with me tonight,” he said softly, holding her around her waist.

Her heart fluttered as she nodded.
“Okay.”

His eyes sparkled as he grinned. “Pick you up
at eight?” Anna nodded again, making Hugo laugh. “Did I make you
speechless?”

“It’s not that hard to do,” she admitted
softly.

“I’m learning this. You don’t talk nearly as
much as most women.” He chuckled. “Maybe that’s why I like
you.”

Anna’s cheeks turned pink as she gave him a
last shy look and went to get her things together. “Eight?” She
paused by the door and turned back to look at him.

He gave her a bright smile. “Eight.”

“I had a really nice time tonight,” Anna said
softly as she and Hugo stood by her apartment door. She smiled. “I
guess I always have a nice time with you.”

He grinned and leaned against the door post,
crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all.” She chewed her lip as she saw
him watching her. “What?”

His eyes turned soft as he gazed at her. “I
was thinking about how much I enjoyed kissing you the other
night.”

Anna’s body tingled and her heartbeat
quickened. “I liked it too.”

“Aaron said you just got out of a bad
relationship. I don’t want to scare you away by moving things along
too fast.”

Anna’s eyebrows furrowed. “He did?”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed. “Is it not true?”

Anna hesitated. “It’s really complicated, but
yeah, I suppose that’s the easiest way to explain it,” she said
slowly. How else could she explain Devin?

He rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn’t
with Aaron, was it?”

“What? Oh, no. No, of course not. He’s...a
really good friend.” She looked up. “Are you upset?”

“No. You’re just reluctant to talk about your
past and it makes it hard to get to know you.”

She looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry. It’s
not easy to talk about.”

“Was he abusive?”

“Aaron?” she exclaimed, looking up.

Hugo smiled. “No. I know him better than
that.” He shook his head. “I meant your past relationship.”

“Oh. I....” She sighed sadly. “I don’t really
want to talk about it.”

Hugo’s eyes became sad and he pushed himself
away from the door post. He stepped close and cradled her cheek. “I
wish you would trust me, but I understand. If you ever want to
talk, I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, putting her hand
on his.

He took a small step closer and Anna’s breath
hitched in her throat. “Is it okay if I kiss you again?” he asked
quietly.

Her whole body tingled as she nodded. He
smiled tenderly as he bent down and gently caressed her lips with
his. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head where it
tangled in her hair. She stepped forward and put her hands on his
upper arms for support. He slanted his mouth against hers with
slightly more pressure, teasing her lips with his tongue and put
his other hand on her lower back. Anna held back a soft moan as his
tongue explored her mouth, drawing her own tongue to him and
caressing it, sending delicious shivers through her body.

Their bodies touched as he held her close and
she could feel his heat radiating into her. He had held her to
himself many times today and Anna realized the intimacy he created
with her while they danced. But this was more intimate than dancing
together. She slid her hands up his arms, over his shoulders and
around his neck as he deepened his kiss.

Her phone rang in her purse and they ended
the kiss reluctantly. Anna gave him an apologetic look as she went
to ignore the call. “It’s Aaron,” she said, frowning. Aaron knew
she was out with Hugo. Why would he call her? She silenced the call
and looked up at Hugo. “He wouldn’t call unless it were
important.”

“Is he home?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She pushed the screen on her
phone. “Aaron? What’s wrong?”

“Where are you?” Aaron asked. He sounded
upset.

“Outside the door of the apartment.”

He didn’t say anything but a moment later the
door opened and he looked between her and Hugo.
“Something...happened.”

Anna didn’t like the look on his face. “What
happened?”

Aaron looked hesitantly at Hugo and back at
her. “Tom’s here.” He looked back at Hugo. “I’m sorry, Hugo. But I
really need to talk to Kat alone.”

Hugo looked a little bewildered as he
nodded.

Anna bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Hugo.”

Hugo recovered enough to offer a weak smile.
“It’s okay.” He leaned forward and kissed Anna on the cheek. “I’ll
see you tomorrow.” He and Aaron shook hands and then Hugo turned
and walked to the elevator.

Aaron grabbed her hand and pulled her into
the apartment, closing the door behind her. Tom was sitting on the
couch with a very unhappy look on his face. He looked up as Anna
walked into the room.

“Did you tell her?” he asked.

Aaron shook his head and then turned to Anna.
“Hon...it’s Jenna. She’s....” He swallowed and looked up at the
ceiling. “Devin took her a few days ago and said if you didn’t come
home that he’d kill her.”