Chapter 127

Anna’s phone rang, dragging her out of a wonderful dream about mystery men with hard chests. She looked around for her purse and found it on the nightstand next to her. She smiled at Mr. J’s thoughtfulness and dug out her phone. It was Cameron.

“Hi, Cameron.” She couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she fell back onto the bed.

“You sound happy,” Cameron said. “I was worried when I didn’t hear from you last night.”

Anna glanced at the clock. Almost eleven. She never slept this late. “Sorry, Cam, I forgot to let you know I was okay.”

“That good, eh?” He laughed.

“Oh, God, yes!”

“Are you home? I want to hear all the juicy details.”

“No, I’m at—?” She grinned again. “The Library Hotel. In the Mystery Room.”

“How romantic!”

Anna laughed. “I’ll get moving and call you when I get home.”

“Do you need me to bring you clothes so you don’t have to take the walk of shame?”

“No, I was told there was a change of clothes for me here somewhere.”

“Wow. He thought of everything, didn’t he? Wait, don’t tell me any more. Get home fast!”

Anna laughed as she went into the bathroom. A pair of denim shorts and a pink tank top hung on the back of the door, along with panties and a bra. On the floor sat a shoebox with white sandals inside. All the right size. Mr. J was good. How often did he do this sort of thing? She pushed the thought aside. It would ruin the fantasy if she thought about it that way.

After a luxurious shower, she braided her hair and dressed in the clothes. How did he know her style? Last night’s attire wasn’t exactly her norm. Come to think of it, she had this exact tank at home...

Her heart raced and she stared at the shoebox on the vanity. Had he seen her before last night? She’d worn the pink tank on Sunday when she’d walked to the library. Cameron said he’d moved in on Saturday, and she’d walked right by his condo. Had he seen her? Had he gone to the club looking for her? The thought sent a thrill through her body.

And he knew what she was, or at least partially who she was. She was almost pierced like a common girl. Was he a Brother? Was he a politician that The Brotherhood had manipulated? Was he as much a victim of them as she was? The thought saddened her. She knew what it was like to be manipulated by them.

She sighed. She wouldn’t come up with any answers until she knew him better. If she got to know him better. Part of the thrill was not knowing who he was.

She grinned as she gathered her things. Maybe she’d check out a mystery novel at the library tomorrow.

“Okay, spill the beans, missy!” Cameron demanded after they ordered their meals at an organic restaurant a few blocks from their apartment building. Anna had refused to tell him anything until they’d ordered. The tortured look on Cameron’s face when she’d told him he’d have to wait was priceless.

They’d walked past the condo where Mr. J lived and she’d looked up, wondering which floor was his. It wasn’t a very tall building; eleven or twelve stories at the most. Too bad her apartment faced the opposite direction. She wouldn’t be able to spy on him.

Anna giggled and shared the story of what had happened the previous night. Cameron had promised he wouldn’t tell anyone and she trusted him. Of course, she would tell Aaron when he got home tomorrow, though.

Their entrées were delivered and consumed before Cameron asked his last question. He stared at her in awe. “That is so awesome. I’m so happy for you.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “It’s not like anything is going to come from it.”

He jabbed a piece of lettuce at her. “Fantastic sex is nothing to sneeze at, girlfriend.” He flashed a wicked smile. “Maybe it’ll wake Kurt up if he knows you have a... What’s a male mistress called?”

She laughed and shrugged. “A lover?” Mr. J was European. Maybe he was even German. That would please Kurt. “Maybe Kurt will let me keep him.” After all, even Kurt’s mother had a lover.

They both giggled.

Later that afternoon, Anna finished her trashy romance novels and decided to go to the library. Aaron would be home the next afternoon and she wanted to spend time with him. Besides, she wanted something new to read. She put her books in her backpack and headed out.

As she passed Mr. J’s building, she looked up, again wondering who he was. She shrugged her shoulders and crossed the street to the park. Glancing over her shoulder once more, her gaze moved to the very top of the building, where she saw a line of trees. Was it a terrace of some sort?

A shiver ran through her body as she felt someone watching her. Someone from up there . Was it Mr. J? She squinted and could just make out the outline of two people standing between two trees. The overcast sky provided a gray background for the building, and she could just see them moving. Was it him ?

She waved and then blushed, feeling foolish. But her heart skipped a beat when she would have sworn he’d waved back. Anna covered her mouth in shock and turned and hurried away.

She berated herself all the way through the park. What if it wasn’t Mr. J? What if she’d just waved to a complete stranger? What if she’d waved to a statue? She supposed the latter was the best option.

Anna stopped at Rockefeller Center as usual and went to buy a soda from Levi. He gave her a big grin. “Hey, Katrina. I was gonna call you when I got off. Wanted to know if you wanted to go out tonight.”

Anna smiled. “Really?”

“Yeah. I meant to call you Thursday, but I got called into work and had a double shift yesterday, too.” He shook his head. “If you have plans already, I understand.”

“No. I was just heading to the library.”

“Today’s Saturday.”

Anna flashed a mischievous grin. “I’m daring to do something different.”

“Different’s good.” Levi laughed. “Anyway, a buddy of mine is performing at a comedy club and got me tickets. Wanted to see if you were interested in coming with me.”

“What time?”

“It starts at ten-thirty. I get off at seven, and we could do dinner first.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Cool.” He grinned. “I’ll pick you up at—?” He looked at his watch. “How about eight?”

Anna nodded. She wrote down her address and apartment number on a napkin.

He raised his eyebrows. “Nice place.”

“It’s near the studio.”

Levi leaned his hip against the bar. “Ya know, I’ve actually never found out what you do.”

“I never told you?”

He shook his head. “Studio would imply some sort of artist...” He stroked his chin mockingly and laughed. “Singer?”

Anna grinned and shook her head.

“Painter?”

She shook her head again, giggling.

He peered at her over the bar. “Dancer.”

She nodded. “Ah, but what kind?”

He grinned. “Exotic?” His eyes filled with hope.

Anna laughed again. “Sorry, no.”

“Damn.” He laughed. “Okay. What kind of dancer are you?”

“Ballet.”

His eyes widened. “Wait. Is your last name Engel?”

“You didn’t know?”

He rolled his eyes. “This is the longest conversation we’ve had.”

“True. Yes, that’s my last name.”

“I read about you in the paper. You’re really good.”

Anna looked away, biting her lip. “Thanks.”

“Well, see, now I have to take you out. I have a thing for dancers.” He grinned.

She grinned. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint you. Eight?”

He nodded.

“What does one wear to a comedy club?”

“Whatever you want.” He gave her a mischievous look. “Less is always better.”

Anna laughed. “I’ll see you tonight.” She picked up her soda and walked toward the exit.

“Looking forward to it!”

She glanced back with a saucy smile and then walked out into the sunshine.

She turned to head to the library and stopped. Did she really want to go to the library right now? She had a date, and that called for a new outfit.

Levi arrived a little before eight, wearing nicely fitted jeans and a red button-down shirt. Anna had known he was good looking but hadn’t seen him in anything other than the light blue t-shirt he wore while tending bar. Yum-my!

They had dinner in the West Village and then headed to the club a few blocks away. As they waited in line, Levi stood behind her and put his arms around her waist. When he kissed her neck, electricity shot through her veins.

“Is that okay?” he said in a low voice and nipped her earlobe gently. “How long has it been since he visited you?”

“Months . . .” She tilted her head.

He brushed her hair away from her neck and she shivered. “Stupid man...” He nuzzled behind her ear. “You smell delicious.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, pressing back against him. Her hardened nipples strained against her strapless bra.

He chuckled. “I like the view.”

Anna glanced up to see him looking down her top and giggled. “Glad you like it.”

“I’m glad that you’re glad.” He sucked gently on her neck and she let out a shaky breath.

The line moved suddenly and he released her, but held her hand as they showed their IDs and walked inside.

After many drinks and a whole lot of laughing, they emerged two hours later, Anna clinging to Levi’s arm and stumbling in her heels.

He pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. “Come back to my place with me,” he murmured.

Anna gave him a lazy smile and nodded. He flagged down a taxi and kissed her one last time before helping her in.

She giggled and stumbled as he led her into his apartment that he shared with two other guys; one of which was the comedian they’d seen tonight. They were alone, and Levi pulled her to himself and kissed her deeply. “God, you are so beautiful. I’ve wanted to do this since the first day I saw you.”

Anna was pretty sure she was tipsy, if not drunk, and was feeling very good. “Then you should do it.”

He grinned and kissed her again, walking her backward into his bedroom.