The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared

by Marissa Honeycutt

  Rehearsals passed quickly and soon it was time for opening night of Swan Lake. In the afternoon before the performance, Peter and Anna went home to relax before they had to be back at the theater. They were naked in bed with Peter poised to thrust into Anna when there was a loud knock at the apartment door.

  Peter shook his head and Anna moaned as he pushed into her body. “Whoever it is can come back later,” he groaned and kissed her as he thrust in and out. Anna wrapped her legs around his waist and met his rhythm with her hips.

  A few minutes later, the knocking repeated. Anna looked up at Peter who shook his head again. “You feel too good to leave,” he said in a breathy voice, quickening his movements. A few minutes later, as they moaned and thrust hard against each other, Peter’s phone rang.

  It was Dariya’s ring. Peter cursed. “I’ll call her back,” he said and kissed Anna as he thrust even harder. They both cried out loudly a few minutes later and Peter rested his head on her shoulder, breathing heavily. “This is a really strange time for her to call,” he mumbled and rolled off Anna. He picked up his phone from the nightstand and looked at it.

  There was another knock at the door. Peter cursed in Russian and stood. “Whoever it is, I’m going to fucking kill them,” he mumbled. He pulled on his sweatpants and went to answer the door.

  “Dariya!” Anna heard Peter exclaim a moment later, and then he proceeded to speak rapidly in Russian.

  Oh, no! Anna stood and looked for her clothes that had been discarded. She found her pants, but her shirt and bra was out in the other room. She pulled another shirt out of the dresser and dressed quickly.

  It didn’t sound like Dariya was happy, and Anna was hesitant to go out into the living room. But she was curious about what Peter’s wife looked like.

  A few minutes later, Peter walked into the bedroom. “I’m sure you heard?” he asked quietly.

  Anna had sat down on the bed and nodded. “Why is she here?”

  He frowned. “She wanted to see me dance, and surprise me.”

  “She doesn’t seem very happy.”

  “Well, I did just answer the door in a sweat from making love to you.”

  “Doesn’t she know we live together?”

  “I told her that, but I don’t think she put two and two together. She—”

  Peter stopped as a beautiful woman with long blond hair and sapphire blue eyes stepped into the doorway. Her skin was flawless with expertly applied makeup and fashionably highlighted and styled hair. She was tall and curvy, wearing tight jeans that showed off long, thin legs and a red low-cut peasant blouse that showed off impressive cleavage. Anna couldn’t help but stare. Peter fell in love with her when he had Dariya waiting for him at home? Why?

  Peter ran his hand through his hair. Anna could tell he was upset and uncomfortable with the situation.

  “Peter, do you want me to leave?” she asked softly. She didn’t want to be in the way.

  He sighed. “Dariya, this is Anna Kunze. Anna this is Dariya.”

  Anna stood and gave her a timid smile

  Dariya looked her up and down and then looked back at Peter. “She’s rather fat for a ballerina, don’t you think?” Her voice was low and thick with accent.

  Peter gasped. “Dariya! That was rude.”

  Anna put her arms around her stomach. Her face had filled out and she imagined she did look rather fat for a ballerina.

  Dariya shrugged. “Is true.”

  “She’s pregnant. Give her a break.”

  Dariya’s eyes got wide. “You got her pregnant?”

  Peter narrowed his eyes. “What if I did? It was before you gave me your ultimatum.”

  She snapped in Russian and then proceeded to speak very rapidly, pointing to Anna several times.

  Anna stood silently looking at the ground as they argued. Oh, this was not what she wanted for Peter. Who could she stay with while Dariya was here? Aaron? Travis? Devin? She supposed she could stay at the house. Yes, that would be the best option. She could use Alex’s car to get around.

  Peter raised his voice at Dariya and pointed to the door. She narrowed her eyes and then left the room.

  “Peter, I’m so sorry,” Anna said softly. “I don't want to cause trouble. I was thinking maybe I could go stay at the house for a few days...or however long she’s in town.”

  He looked at the door and then at Anna and stepped close. “I don’t want to lose you,” he said softly, cradling her cheek.

  “It’s not real,” she whispered with longing in her eyes. “Take me to the house and fix things with her. I can use Alex’s car to get around.”

  “You shouldn’t be in that big house all by yourself.”

  “I’ll be okay. Aaron lives close by.” Peter didn’t mistrust Aaron anymore and, in fact, they had become good friends. He always cautioned Aaron about getting too close to Anna because of Devin, though.

  Peter sighed and thought for a few minutes. “I won’t tell anyone she’s my wife. She said she wants to stay for a while. She can be...an old friend or something and we had a fight over her or something like that. I’ll be the bad guy.” He gave her a sad look. “I never wanted to hurt you, Anna.”

  “I know.”

  *****

  An hour later Peter dropped Anna and two suitcases at the house in Presidio. He was hesitant to leave her, but she insisted she’d be all right. Now that he was gone, though, she wasn’t sure. The house was so big and empty. She wondered if Frau Gersten was still around. She decided to call Aaron. Maybe he would know.

  Aaron told her that Frau Gersten had moved back to Germany, but there was a woman who came and cleaned the house every few weeks. “Are you thinking about moving back in?”

  Anna looked around at the great room. “I’m here right now. Peter and I...had a fight.”

  “Oh, Anna. I’m so sorry.”

  She tried to smile. “It’s okay. I forgot how big this place was.”

  “Do you want some company?”

  It was tempting, but she didn’t want anything to happen to him. “I’m okay.”

  “I’ll...make some calls about a housekeeper for you and let you know. Do you need a ride tonight?”

  “Alex’s car is here. Do you know if it runs?”

  “Everything in the house has been kept in order, just in case you needed it. The car should be running perfectly.”

  “Thanks, Aaron.”

  “Come see me when you get to the theater tonight, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Anna went upstairs and unpacked. She noticed that Alex’s clothes had been put away. Strangely, it didn’t hurt as much to be here. She missed Alex terribly, but didn’t feel the stabbing pain in her heart. It was more like a dull ache and it was almost comforting. She pulled one of his sweaters down and put it on, and then went to watch TV until she had to leave for the theater.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Anna carefully parked Alex’s silver Mercedes Roadster in the parking garage. It was such a powerful car that it was a little scary to drive. But she’d done well, considering how little she drove these days.

  She got out to retrieve her things from the trunk and Aaron walked up. “Hey,” he said giving her a hug.

  She smiled. “Hey.”

  “How ya doin’?”

  “Okay.” She closed the trunk and stroked the car. “It’s so him, you know?”

  Aaron nodded. “I always thought so.” He took her garment bag from her and they walked across the street to the theater. “What did you and Peter fight about that made you leave? And does Devin know?”

  Anna’s heart sank. She didn’t know what to tell Devin. “I haven’t told him.”

  They made their way through the backstage halls until they came to the row of dressing rooms for the soloists and principals. “At least you’ll have privacy for this performance,” Aaron pointed out.

  “Yeah.” She opened the door and turned on the light.

  A vase of red roses sat on her vanity. She picked u
p the card. They were from Peter. “I’m sorry,” read the card.

  Anna smiled to herself. She missed him, but she knew how things were. Peter would stay as long as Devin wanted him to and then go home to his wife. He needed to make sure things were good with Dariya. That was more important than his fake relationship with Anna.

  “Holy shit. Is that what you two were fighting over?”

  Anna turned to see Aaron gaping at something in the hallway. She hurried to the door and saw Peter walking down the hall with Dariya, who was looking even more beautiful than she had earlier in a slinky black dress.

  “Who is that?” Aaron asked. “She’s fucking hot!”

  “A...friend from St. Petersburg.”

  Aaron looked at Anna apologetically. “Sorry, Anna.

  She shrugged. “She’s very beautiful.”

  “So are you.”

  Anna shook her head. “Not like that.”

  Aaron turned and put his hands on her shoulders. “Anna, you are a knock out. Guys follow you with their eyes wherever you walk. Yeah, she’s hot. And you are too. But you have...I don’t know...there’s something about you that makes you even more beautiful than that.”

  “The fact that I’m half Immortal?” she asked wryly.

  Aaron laughed. “Well, that could be part of it. But tonight at the party, see who gets more attention. You or her.”

  “Men like blondes. And I don’t care if they find me more attractive. Sometimes I wish they didn’t.” Anna sighed. “I just...why would he love me if he has someone like her at home?”

  “What are you talking about?” Aaron asked suspiciously.

  Anna’s eyes widened and she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Nothing.”

  Aaron frowned. “Who is she?” He closed the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me.”

  Anna told him the whole story with Peter getting married when he went to St. Petersburg, and Dariya showing up that afternoon at the apartment.

  Aaron got angrier as she spoke. “That fucking bastard.”

  “Aaron, you know our whole ‘relationship’ is fake. So we’re having a fake fight. He’s not going to tell anyone they’re married.”

  “I thought he loved you.”

  Anna sighed. “He does. But...c’mon. You know Devin will never let me leave. He has to get married.”

  Aaron sighed and reluctantly conceded the point.

  “I left of my own free will. He didn’t kick me out.” He looked at her doubtfully. “I did. Please don’t be angry at him. He did what he needed to do.”

  Aaron sighed. “All right. For you,” he added, giving her a stern look. “I’ll back him up.” He glanced at his watch. “I gotta go get ready. I’ll see ya later. Come get me if you want to talk.” He kissed her on the forehead and left.

  *****

  Peter knocked on the door a while later. “Hey, you okay?” he asked, closing the door behind him.

  Anna nodded. “I miss you.”

  He sighed. “I miss you too. She’s...gone to the lobby. Man, did I get some looks when I came in.”

  “Why did you bring her?”

  “She wanted to see. I told her that she couldn’t let anyone know we were married or I’d ship her back to Russia and not visit her.”

  Anna smiled shyly. “That might be nice.”

  Peter rolled his eyes. “Yes, but I do have to live with her the rest of my life.” He walked to Anna and put his arms around her waist. “And when I move back to Russia, I will come here and visit you,” he said softly and kissed her, and what started out as a playful tease quickly progressed to a kiss filled with hunger.

  He walked her backwards to the couch, laid her down and settled on top of her. He pressed his hip against her thigh. She reached down into his sweatpants and stroked his hard cock.

  “Do we have time?” she asked.

  Peter sat up and pulled at Anna’s sweats. “Always.”

  When her pants were on the floor, Anna took his cock in her hands and guided him into her body, sighing as he entered her.

  “I love being with you, Anna,” he murmured against her neck as he began moving in and out of her.

  They made love quickly and quietly. He crushed his lips against hers as she began to cry out her climax, keeping her quiet. A moment later he groaned and stiffened as he came.

  “I love you,” he whispered, and kissed her again.

  *****

  “I’ll tell Devin about Dariya,” Peter said as they made their way out to the lobby for the after-party hand in hand. “Dariya said she was planning on staying the week. I told her I would be busy most of the time, but she said she still wanted to stay. I also told her she can’t come to the theater to hang out during the day, but she still insisted on staying in town.” He kissed Anna’s head. “So, we’ll have time together here.”

  Anna nodded. “I’m glad.”

  The other dancers had accepted their word that Dariya was just a friend, and that she and Peter had a fight about her but were getting over it. So Peter could be affectionate, but it explained why Anna wasn’t at their apartment.

  When they got to the lobby, Peter spotted Devin and went to talk to him. Anna went to get something to drink.

  “Anna,” a familiar female voice said from behind.

  Anna turned to see Peter’s parents behind her. She nearly spit out her drink, but recovered before it left her mouth. “Jackie! Mikhail! W-what are you doing here?”

  Mikhail smiled. “We came to surprise the both of you,” he said with his deep, booming voice. “We don't get to see Peter dance as much as we’d like and wanted to take advantage of his being close.”

  They both hugged her warmly. Mikhail had warmed to her the last time they’d been in town and was quite affectionate with her now.

  “Where is Peter?” he asked.

  Anna looked around nervously. “He...had to speak to someone.” Oh, what would they do when they found out Dariya was here?

  She spotted the tall blonde across the room. Dariya saw her at the same time and narrowed her eyes at Anna. Her blue eyes widened when she saw Peter’s parents and a malicious grin spread across her face as she made her way over to them.

  Anna looked around and saw that Peter was still talking with Devin, who didn’t look happy.

  “You danced beautifully, Anna,” Jackie said with a warm smile. “I can’t wait to see you and Peter dance together.”

  “Thank you, Jackie,” Anna said sincerely. “Isaak hasn’t promoted me yet, though....” She drifted off as Dariya approached.

  Dariya spoke in Russian and a surprised Jackie and Mikhail turned to see her. Their expressions were one of complete shock. Mikhail spoke in Russian to her and didn’t seem very happy.

  Jackie looked back at Anna. “Anna...do you know Dariya?” she asked a bit warily.

  Anna smiled nervously and nodded. “We met this afternoon.”

  Jackie looked back and forth between Anna and Dariya, clearly confused.

  Anna saw Peter approaching with an inscrutable expression on his face.

  “Mama, Papa,” he said, greeting them with kisses on the cheek. “I didn’t know you would be here,” he said.

  Mikhail frowned at Peter and spoke in Russian.

  Peter nodded and put up his hand, then looked at Anna apologetically. “Devin would like to speak to you.”

  Anna nodded and hurried away, glad to be away from the family tension. As she approached Devin, though, her apprehension rose. His face was impassive as he looked at her. That didn’t usually bode well.

  “Why didn’t you call me when you left Peter?” Devin asked with a frown.

  “I’m sorry, Devin,” she whispered, terrified at what he would do to her for upsetting him. “I was...settling in.”

  Devin looked at her for a long time without speaking. “He’s been married for a while now. How are you doing with that?”

  Anna knew he wasn’t asking to be nice. He was asking to make sure she wouldn’t lose it and go cra
zy again. “I—I’m okay.” She smiled sadly. “We went into it knowing it was just for appearances. I can’t begrudge him wanting a real relationship. Especially with someone that looks like her.”

  Devin didn’t respond and Anna stayed silent.

  “He assured me she would be gone by the end of the week. I want you back in the apartment the day she leaves. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Devin.”

  “You’ve matured, Anna. You’re much more stable than you used to be. I’m pleased to see it.”

  “Thank you, Devin.” She paused. “Do...do you know what happened to my wedding rings? And Alex’s band?”

  Devin studied her with narrowed eyes. “Why?”

  “I’d like to know where they are, if they can be found. Not to wear, but....” She sighed. “I know I belong to you and I’ll never have any sort of real relationship. I just...would like to have them. For the memories.”

  “You are getting quite a collection of diamonds from men.”

  Anna blushed in shame. “I know,” she whispered.

  He sighed. “I know where they are. I’ll get them for you next time I’m at the Manor.”

  “Oh, thank you, Devin.” Anna smiled brightly.

  Devin looked amused. “Maybe I’ll have you come stay with me this week since Peter is busy. It’s a shame to let your pussy go unused.”

  “If you’d like, Devin,” she responded. It frightened her a bit to think about being with him every night. But he was her Master.

  “I understand you have access to a car?”

  She nodded. “Alex’s.”

  “Good. Yes, get what you need for the week and plan on staying with me this week.”

  “Yes, Devin.”

  *****

  Devin was a cruel lover. He didn’t use the spikes on her, but he always made sure he hurt her in some way. And for some reason, Anna enjoyed it, at least at the time. She came so hard when he hurt her. She was always sore the next day and was reluctant to let Peter touch her. The pain compounded, and by the time the next weekend came around and Anna was back at the apartment, she didn’t want to have sex with Peter because she was hurting so badly.