Chapter 117

Anna stared bewildered at Kurt, not really believing he was there. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you dance. And to see how you were doing.”

“But...” She stared at him. “I thought you couldn’t come.”

“Vati cannot. I can. At least more easily than he can.”

She stared up into Kurt’s gray eyes. Well, he would definitely be the one being gossiped about. He was as handsome as ever, though more relaxed than she’d seen in a while. He’d even grown out his goatee again.

Grinning, he pulled out a chair next to Tom. “Shall we sit?”

“I... uh, yeah.” She sat and Kurt took the chair next to her. She glanced at Tom. “Did you know he was coming?”

Tom smiled and nodded.

“How are you fortunate enough to know our new favorite dancer, Kurt?” the mayor asked.

Kurt put his arm around Anna’s chair and smiled in his relaxed way. “She was married to my brother before he... died.”

Anna stiffened at his familiar manners. She supposed he had a right to act that way, but... well, she didn’t want Hugo finding out about Kurt this way.

She searched the room for several minutes before spotting him across the room, talking with Vincent and some other men.

Anna jumped to her feet. “Excuse me.” She made her way across the room as quickly as she could, considering the crowd. She could feel Kurt’s eyes on her back as she hurried away.

Hugo saw her walking toward him and said something to Vincent and then hurried to her. “Katrina? What’s wrong?”

“Kurt’s here.”

He stared at her. “Here? Why?”

“He came to surprise me, I guess. I just... I didn’t want you to think I called him to come or anything. I—?” She swallowed and looked up at Hugo’s kind eyes. She wanted his arms around her again. She knew why they’d broken up and, now especially, it was obvious it was the right decision. But that didn’t mean she cared for him any less.

The look in his eyes told her he felt the same way. If they had been alone, he might have even kissed her. “I know you wouldn’t have done that, Kittycat,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “Where is—oh.”

“What?” Her focus was on his hand holding hers.

“Is that him?”

Anna whirled around and saw Kurt weaving his way through the crowd, a determined look on his face. “Yes.”

Hugo chuckled. “He looks like a duke’s son.” He took hold of Anna’s wrist and gently pulled his hand away from hers. “I won’t keep you from him, Katrina. This is why we broke up.”

“But Hugo?—?”

“Katrina.” Kurt’s voice was low and tinged with... warning?

“You must be Kurt.” Hugo smiled and extended his hand. “I’m Hugo Sintzenich.”

Kurt eyed him suspiciously but shook his head in surprise. “Sintzenich? You are German?”

Hugo said something in German, to which Kurt responded in kind with a laugh, lightening Kurt’s mood. Kurt slipped his arm around Anna’s waist and the two men chatted in German for a few minutes. Anna frowned at the wall beyond Hugo, unable to understand what they were saying.

“Holy shit. Kurt?”

Kurt turned and smiled at Aaron. “Aaron. It is good to see you. You were great tonight. As usual.”

Aaron grinned. “Thanks.” He looked between Anna and Kurt, confusion evident on his face. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to surprise An—er, Katrina.”

Several dancers walked by their little group, and Anna saw them watching her and Kurt. She tried to step away from Kurt, but he kept a firm grip on her waist.

“I think you succeeded.” Aaron arched his brows, glancing at Anna.

Anna didn’t know exactly how she felt about Kurt claiming her so quickly, but it wasn’t a positive feeling. She still cared for Hugo, and Kurt lived thousands of miles away.

Kurt was... different. Possessive. He had been before, but not like this. He was usually gentler with her. What had gotten into him?

Kurt kept his hand on her back as he led her back to the table a while later. “I did not realize Hugo was German.”

“Does it matter?” The coolness in her voice came through a little more strongly than she’d intended. “Am I allowed only to date Germans?”

“I would rather you sleep with a German than anyone else.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Anna stopped and turned to him, clenching her hands and frowning up at him. “You live thousands of miles away and I just found out from your father that no matter what happens, I’ll still end up with you owning me.” Deep inside, she didn’t dislike the idea of being with Kurt, but he was making a whole lot of assumptions about the present moment.

“I just think that if you are going to have a boyfriend here, I am glad he is German.”

Anna glared at him. “So you don’t mind me fucking around, as long as he’s German?”

Kurt shrugged. “I know you have needs and I am not here enough to fulfill them properly. I am not saying he has to be German, I am just saying I am glad he is German.”

Anna shook her head in bewilderment. “So you and I are ‘together’ now?”

“I suppose you could see it that way.”

“Were you planning on telling me this? I thought I was free to do as I liked.”

“You are . . . when I am not around.”

Anna stared at Kurt. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She narrowed her eyes. “You’re as bad as Devin,” she snapped, before turning to walk away, but he grabbed her arm.

He forced a smile, but his eyes were cold. “I am going to pretend I did not hear that.” He looked around, then locked his eyes onto hers. “I am not Devin and you know it.”

She opened her mouth to retort, but the emcee began speaking, and Kurt pushed her to their table and gently into her seat. No, Kurt was nothing like Devin. He’d only ever been kind to her. But his actions made her want to lash out, and the biggest insult she could think of was to compare him to her evil Master. She crossed her arms over her chest. Kurt frowned at her, and she sighed and dropped her hands into her lap.

During the dinner, she remained silent except when asked a direct question. Kurt was very affectionate, at least physically, ignoring her coldness and keeping his arm around her between courses, or leaning in to whisper something in her ear, which she ignored.

The dancing began after the final course and Kurt led her out to the floor as it filled up with couples. He held her close, intertwining his fingers with hers and holding them to his chest. “Why are you being so hostile?”

“Why are you being such an ass?”

“I am not trying to be an ass, Anna. I am trying to... get control of the situation. To establish your boundaries.”

“Don’t you think you’re making me look like a bitch? Lavishing my affections on the handsome foreigner while ignoring my boyfriend?”

He blinked and looked down at her. “I... had not thought of it that way.” He frowned. “But you should not have a boyfriend, anyway.”

Anna huffed. “When did all these rules come into play and why wasn’t I told about them? If I had known—?” She sighed. “God, Kurt, if I’d known, I never would have gotten involved with Hugo. I could have saved us both a tremendous amount of hurt.”

“Us?”

“Hugo and I.” She shook her head. “We broke up last week because of what I learned talking to your father. Don’t worry. I won’t get into any more relationships. I don’t want to hurt anyone else.”

“I thought you were just sleeping with him.”

“We haven’t—we haven’t done that. We were going to, and then Jack showed up and—?” She swallowed. “Because of everything, we decided it would be better if we ended things sooner rather than later.”

“You have not slept with him?” He tilted his head. “Really?”

“He was determined to be a gentleman and not push things too far. He didn’t know what I was until I told him last week.”

They danced in silence for a while, then Kurt broke the silence. “When was the last time you had sex?”

She shrugged. “I dunno. Couple weeks I guess.”

Kurt’s eyes widened. “I did not think you could go that long.”

Anna winced as his words drew blood. “Thanks a lot.” She stared hard at his chest, blinking away tears that threatened to escape. Kurt was just really trying to endear himself to her, wasn’t he?

“No, I meant—?” He sighed. “I think it is good...”

The music ended, and Anna didn’t look up at him as she spoke. “Can I go?”

Kurt nodded and she left him standing in the middle of the dance floor. She needed some fresh air and headed outside.

“Katrina!”

Anna turned to see Stefanie hurrying toward her. “Are you okay? Is he another bad guy from your past?”

Anna gave a bitter laugh at Stefanie’s question. Ever since Stefanie had learned about Jack, she’d become Anna’s protector. If Anna was unhappy, Stef was the first one by her side to make sure she was okay. Anna was grateful to have a friend. A female friend. “No, he’s actually a good guy from my past. He’s just acting like an ass tonight.”

“I’m glad. Because he’s yummy and I’d hate to have to take him out behind the theater and kick his ass.”

Anna laughed.

“Is he why you and Hugo broke up?”

Anna shook her head. “Well, indirectly yes.” She sighed. Her heart ached for Hugo. “I was married to his brother a long time ago. He died and now I’m expected to marry Kurt.”

Stef grinned. “That doesn’t seem like such a bad thing, to be stuck with someone like him.” She frowned. “But, I mean, why are you expected to marry your husband’s brother? That seems so... old fashioned.”

“They’re a very old German family and that’s the way things work. Even Hugo, once he found out, knew eventually I’d have to go to Kurt. That’s why we broke up. Because we care about each other too much to be forced to end things later.” Anna plopped down on the bench next to the fountain and rested her chin on her hands. “But Kurt’s being a jerk tonight and I don’t understand why. He’s usually so sweet and laid back.”

“He’s hot!”

“You should have seen his brother.” Anna smiled. “He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.”

“Damn, girl. Any other brothers?”

Anna shook her head. “No, but several cousins, though I can’t remember who’s married and who’s not. It’s been years since I’ve seen them. They all look alike. It’s a little overwhelming.”

Stef laughed. “You better invite me to the wedding.”

“Of course, though German weddings are really different from American ones.” Anna told her about getting married at the JP’s office, and the lack of a big church wedding.

“That is messed up. How can an American girl not have a big white wedding?”

“Did I mention he’s a duke?” Anna grinned.

Stef hit her in the arm. “Shut up!” She laughed. “Damn girl. Stop complaining and get back in there and jump his bones.”

Anna sighed and leaned back, looking up at the starless night sky. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

She had a feeling she should get back inside, and she reluctantly stood with Stefanie to head across the cement courtyard back into the theater.