Chapter 131

Hugo was the first to arrive for their night on the town. “Damn, Katrina. That’s not fair.”

“What?”

“What you’re wearing.” He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Not nice to tease the ex-boyfriend.”

Anna giggled and playfully pushed him away. Sometimes the feelings that came up when he touched her were nearly unbearable. She’d given up Hugo for an unkind future husband. The thought made her so angry.

She pushed the anger aside, determined to enjoy the evening. “I thought that was what exes were supposed to do to each other.” She grinned.

“You should have seen her last week!” Cameron wagged his eyebrows. “Even I was tempted.”

“Hey!” Aaron hit Cameron’s arm playfully. Then he shrugged. “Eh, well. Yeah. I can imagine.”

“What were you wearing?” Hugo asked with a smile.

Cameron rattled off the designers and the fabrics, but Hugo raised his eyebrows at the words “sheer” and “micro-mini.”

“Damn summer tour,” he muttered and then laughed. “Maybe it was good I wasn’t here.” He shrugged. “Or maybe we’ll have to go to a less classy place next time so I can see you in it.”

Anna rolled her eyes and then grinned. “Don’t you know it’s unbecoming to wear the same club-wear twice?”

Hugo’s eyes glinted. “Then maybe we should have a private club here.” His voice turned husky and made Anna shiver.

“You shouldn’t tempt me like that, Hugo.” She bit her lip and took a step away.

They stared at each other for a long time, the electricity between them undeniable, until Hugo shook his head and looked away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” He cleared his throat. “You do look really nice, though.”

Anna smiled and glanced down at the short black dress she’d bought the other day. Its low V-neck was covered in sheer lace, as was the back.

Stef, Jamie, Rachel, and Tanner—dancers Anna had become good friends with—arrived a few minutes later, and the apartment became noisy with the girls’ chattering. Cameron joined in, but Hugo, Aaron, and Tanner stood on the other side of the room, shaking their heads and laughing at the girls’ excitement.

A few minutes later, the doorman called to inform them that their transportation had arrived and they all crowded into the elevator. They ooh-ed and ahh-ed about the elegant limo that waited for them at the curb, and scrambled in, excited to begin the evening.

Dinner took place at an exclusive French restaurant with melt-in-your-mouth everything in a private dining area. Then they were taken to the same club Anna and Cameron had gone to the previous week.

As they walked inside, Anna wondered if Mr. J would be there. She glanced over at the private area he’d been in before and her heart leaped when she saw that the curtains were closed, allowing only a hint of silhouettes behind. Was he here?

Cameron nudged her and nodded to the side of the archway where Simon stood, hands clasped together in front of his hips. He smiled and gave a deep nod when they made eye contact, and then disappeared into the curtains.

“He’s here!” She grinned at Cameron as butterflies filled her stomach.

Anna didn’t know if she should behave herself or give him something to watch, but smiled when they sat down at their reserved table, knowing he had a perfect view of her and her friends.

Drinks were ordered and delivered. Anna glanced in the direction of the curtained room and smiled before she took a sip of her martini. She could almost feel his eyes on her and it gave her shivers.

Hugo pulled her onto the dance floor a while later and slid his hands down her hips. “This is the one place I’m expected to molest you.” He grinned as he ran his thumbs over her hips.

Anna smiled and slid her hands around his neck as they swayed to the music. “Then maybe we should come here more often.”

“Tempting.” He pulled her close and slid his hands lower, to her ass, and her heart pounded.

Was it wrong that she wanted Hugo’s hands on her? It wasn’t like Mr. J was expecting anything other than sex from her. He wouldn’t be jealous, would he? Why else would he send her to a dance club where he’d watched her dance with men the previous week?

She pressed her hips to Hugo’s, and she faintly heard him groan as she leaned her head back so she could smile at Mr. J. Hugo’s fingers trailed down her neck and ran against the edge of her dress. When he skimmed the very edge of her areola, she straightened quickly and stared at him. “Did you mean to do that?”

“Did you like it?” His hands went back to her ass, moving her hips with his.

“Yes,” she said breathlessly, making him grin. She pressed her chest to his and he looked down her dress. “You’re not wearing a bra.” His hand skimmed up her side and brushed the side of her breast.

Anna gasped and closed her eyes. “I can’t with this dress.” Was dancing like this considered indiscreet? Chewing her lip, she pulled back. She had to take into consideration two men’s feelings tonight, and Hugo wasn’t one of them. She gave a small shrug. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

Hugo’s face fell as she pulled away and hurried toward the other side of the room.

Damn Kurt! Dodging dancing couples, she made her way to the bathroom. The line extended out the door and into the hallway, so she continued down the hallway until she reached an open door that led out to a gated patio. A few club-goers had a similar idea. She walked to the end and gripped the metal railing, looking up at the starless sky.

“Do you know the man you were dancing with?” Simon had walked up silently and stood next to her.

“Yes.”

“You looked like you were having a good time. Why did you walk away?”

Anna looked down at her hands, deciding what to share. Finally, she looked over at Simon. “I had a feeling I was being indiscreet.” Her fingers tingled. “If Kurt saw me dancing like that with my ex-boyfriend, he’d probably fly out here again to yell at me, and then lock me in my apartment.”

“Your fiancé is that temperamental?”

“He used to be one of the kindest men I knew, but since I moved here...” She shook her head. “He’s become volatile. And cruel. Well, no, not cruel. But mean.”

“Then why are you marrying him?”

“Because I have to.”

“In this day and age? That seems unlikely.”

Anna glanced at Simon. “I’m in a... position that comes with duties. I must perform those duties.”

Simon chuckled. “Are you a runaway princess?”

Anna smiled at the reference she and Aaron had made months ago. But now she really was trying to enjoy herself before she got into a loveless marriage. “Something like that.” If it weren’t for the whole Devin-wanting-to-control-the-world thing, she’d fly back to him tomorrow. At least with him, her life would fly by without a thought. She wouldn’t know what was going on. At this moment, the idea sounded wonderful.

“Mr. J was enjoying watching you dance. Envious, perhaps, of the other man’s hands, but comforted in the fact that his will be there soon enough.”

“I don’t understand why he stays hidden. With the amount of gossip going around, at least in the ballet company, he could have any woman he desired.”

“He has the woman he desires.” Simon gave her a pointed look. “At least in a way.”

She laughed. “Has he seen the other dancers?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

“Enjoy yourself. I will... keep your fiancé’s hawks away, if that will comfort you.”

“You know who’s watching me?”

Simon nodded. “Consider your dancing... foreplay.” He smiled and walked away.

Anna walked back inside a few minutes later and searched for Hugo. He was dancing with another woman and she mouthed, “I’m sorry.” He grinned at her and nodded, and she went back to her seat and took a big gulp of her martini.

“Did you hear?” Stef squealed. “He’s here!”

“Who?” Anna asked, putting her drink down.

“ Him . Euroman.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The rich European who donated all that money to the company.”

“Oh!” She tried to look surprised. “How do you know?”

“I overheard someone talking about it in the bathroom. He’s over there.” She motioned to the curtained archway.

A crowd of women danced in front of Mr. J’s private room. Doubt plagued her as she watched the beautiful, sophisticated women dancing for him.

“C’mon. Let’s go dance.” Stef said, pulling her to her feet. “Rachel and Jamie are there already.” She grinned. “We have an advantage over the other women there.”

“What’s that?”

“We’re ballet dancers. He obviously likes ballerinas.”

“Or the guys.” Anna laughed. “Maybe he’s gay.”

Stef stopped and frowned. “Bi?” She looked around. “Just in case...” She grinned and grabbed Aaron’s hand. “Come dance with us for Euroman.”

Aaron rolled his eyes, but followed along.

Anna felt very silly, dancing with all the other women, trying to gain the man’s attention. But she wasn’t trying to get his attention... really... Well, maybe. She had doubts he was truly watching her.

Dark hands slid around her waist, and she turned around to see Hugo behind her. “You owe me the rest of a dance.” His hands slipped down to her ass and cupped it as he pressed her hips to his. She clung to his upper arms, becoming dizzy as the alcohol caught up with her.

She gazed up into his eyes and he smiled. He grazed her neck with his fingers and she leaned back, letting his hands trail down her chest as before. His palm subtly grazed her nipple and her breath caught in her throat. When she straightened, he held her close, one arm around her upper back, the other hand at the side of her breast.

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “Come home with me tonight.”

“Hugo...” She whimpered as his thumb brushed her nipple, sending jolts throughout her body. “I can’t. We can’t.”

“You don’t sound very convinced.”

“Kurt found out I did something last weekend...” She told him the basic story and he stared at her, horrified. “I don’t want to get into trouble again.”

“God, he’s an ass.”

Anna shrugged. “I don’t want to think about him anymore. But that’s why—?” She looked up at him. “And I don’t think I could stay without falling for you again.”

He gave a little smile and nod. “I understand.” He turned her around, guiding her into Aaron’s arms. “Maybe some other night.”

She looked back in surprise, and he grinned at her and winked.

“Hey, sexy,” Aaron said. “Trying to steal me away from Cameron?”

Anna laughed, looking to see Cameron dancing between Jamie and Rachel. “Looks like he’s having fun.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Yeah.”

The next few hours were spent drinking and dancing, and Anna had a wonderful time. She didn’t have to worry about Kurt and Mr. J was enjoying himself. At least, she assumed so. With all the beautiful women in front of him, how could he not? As it approached midnight, she began to wonder how she was going to slip away from her friends without them becoming suspicious. Only Aaron and Cameron knew what was happening next.

Walking out the door wasn’t the problem. She knew she could get out without being noticed, but how would she explain her absence in the limo home? Not that it looked like everyone would be going home with her... Stef was practically fucking the guy she was dancing with.

She went to get a drink and sat down for a few minutes. Cameron came over and sat down next to her. “When are you supposed to leave?”

“I don’t know. Simon hasn’t said anything.” She shook her head. “How do I explain why I’m not in the limo on the way home?”

“Get sick?”

Anna laughed. “That might work, though I hate lying.”

“Don’t lie. I’ll do it for you. Let me know when you get the go-ahead, slip out, and when we get ready to leave, I’ll tell ‘em you weren’t feeling good and took a cab home.”

“I can’t ask you to lie for me, Cameron.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering.”

Anna’s phone vibrated in her purse and she pulled it out. She shivered with excitement. “The limo’s outside.”

He looked around. “Go. Everyone’s busy. I’ll take care of it.”

Anna gave him a goofy grin. “Thanks.” She kissed his cheek and walked around the perimeter of the room and out the door.