Chapter 133

Tom called on Tuesday to let Anna know the Summer Gathering was in a week and a half. The same weekend that the ballet company was going out of town.

“You need to stay inside the apartment while Devin is so close, Anna. Do you understand? You can’t go out, not even onto your terrace. He’ll be arriving in D.C. next Thursday and leaving the following Thursday. He might even come into the city. You must stay inside until I call and tell you he’s gone.”

“But I have—?” She sighed. “I have something I do on the weekends.”

“I’m sorry, Anna, but I won’t let you put yourself in danger. If I have to have someone stay with you to make sure you don’t leave, I will.”

“I’ll miss rehearsals.”

“I’ll talk to Vincent. Anna, my power to protect you is growing weak. Please do as I ask.”

Anna winced at the urgency in his voice. She’d never heard him sound so desperate, and she closed her eyes, ashamed she’d tried to argue with him. “I’m sorry, Tom. I promise I’ll stay inside until you say it’s okay to leave.”

“Thank you.”

“Is he . . . getting weaker?”

“Yes. And he’s furious about it. This will not be a pleasant Gathering.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’d rather it be an unpleasant weekend for me than for you.” He sighed. “Thank you for understanding. Your promise takes a load off my mind.”

Saturday night, Anna, Aaron, and Cameron went out to a Moroccan restaurant, watched Casablanca at an old movie theater, and then Anna was taken to the Hotel Casablanca, all courtesy of Mr. J. When she arrived at the hotel, she thanked both Mr. J and Simon for their thoughtfulness. After a wonderful time of lovemaking, and a peaceful night’s sleep, she visited the library and followed Mr. J’s roses to a travel book on Morocco, and two books about the country. Anna couldn’t wait to get home and read them.

When Simon had called to make the arrangements for the weekend, she’d told him she wasn’t allowed to leave the apartment the following weekend. Simon said Mr. J would be disappointed, but would understand. But when Anna looked at the calendar for the following weekend, she realized it was Alex’s birthday. If she didn’t go to see Mr. J, it would be two weekends of not being with him. But she didn’t think she could bring herself to go have sex with someone else on Alex’s birthday. Would he lose interest if she didn’t go? Would he think she had lost interest?

Sunday afternoon, she gathered up the courage to call Simon.

“Hello, Katrina. How are you?”

“Bored.” She sighed. “Being stuck in here kinda sucks.”

Simon laughed. “Is that why you called me?”

“No, although it is nice to talk to somebody. I... needed to tell you that I’m not available to go out next Saturday.”

“Oh?” He sounded wary. “May I ask why?”

Anna hesitated. She’d made up her mind that it was the right thing to do, but doubts crept in. “I was married when I was twenty and my husband died just a few months into our marriage.” She paused. “Saturday would have been his thirty-third birthday and... I just don’t think I’d be good company that night. I’m sorry.”

“I see.” There was a long pause and Anna’s stomach twisted. “Have you eaten dinner?”

“What?”

“I asked if you had eaten dinner.”

“No . . .”

“Good. Don’t. I’ll talk to you soon.” He ended the call and Anna frowned. What was that about?

A half an hour later, she found out when someone knocked on the door. Sam, the doorman, stood there with two paper bags that smelled amazing and a dozen pink roses. A grin spread across her face as she took the roses and the bags. “Thanks Sam.”

She put the bags on the kitchen table and pulled out a complete Italian dinner, including breadsticks and a salad. In the second bag was a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with a note:

Think of me when you eat these.

Could she think of anyone else while she ate chocolate-covered strawberries? No way.

There were also two DVDs: Pride and Prejudice and An Affair to Remember. Anna’s heart pounded at the sight of the second movie. Was he trying to tell her something? Was he engaged as well? Is that why he had to keep things hidden?

No. It was just a classic romantic movie. They’d only come together for physical enjoyment. Although he treated her romantically, he barely knew her. Some guys were just romantic.

“Don’t overthink it, Anna.” She shot off a text of thank you to Simon and watched Pride and Prejudice while she ate.

Aaron returned home Monday afternoon. “Where’d all this come from?” He nodded at the empty containers from the previous night. “You weren’t supposed to leave the apartment.”

“Mr. J sent them over.”

He grinned. “I think someone likes you.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “We’ve spent three nights together. And he’s never spoken to me.”

“Maybe not with words, but he certainly has with his actions.”

“I’ve been told he is a very good man.” She shrugged. “Maybe he treats all his lovers like this.”

“He has multiple lovers?”

She shrugged again. “I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s very... virile.” She smiled, embarrassed.

“Is that code for ‘has a big schlong’?”

Anna laughed. “Maybe. But I can’t imagine him being happy with sex just once a week.”

“I dunno, Anna. You are that good.”

“But he doesn’t let me do anything. He does it all. I’m not allowed to touch him.” She realized what he had said. “Oh. Thanks.”

“Well, then, I’d just go with it. Does it matter if he sleeps with other women?” Aaron threw away the empty containers and rooted through the fridge.

The thought of Mr. J being with someone else made her cringe, but she didn’t have the right to demand anything else. “It shouldn’t.”

“Yeah, you’re right. It shouldn’t.” He straightened, holding the milk container. “You’re gonna marry Bastard-Kurt eventually.” He lifted the container to his nose and then pulled out a glass from the cupboard. “I say just enjoy your time with Mr. J so you have happy memories of your time in New York.” He raised his eyebrows. “ Those Kurt can’t take away from you.”

“I wish he wasn’t such an ass. Kurt, I mean.”

“Yeah, I figured. Is he coming out for the gala?”

Anna shrugged. “Haven’t talked to him since he yelled at me.”

“Maybe you can talk to him... see what the hell is wrong with him. I just can’t believe the nice, laid-back Kurt is acting like he is.”

“Maybe you could talk to him. You know, before he goes off and sleeps with Jasmine again.”

Aaron growled. “I can’t believe he did that to you. Fucking asshole. She’s so fucking arrogant about it now, too. Whenever you’re not around...” He rolled his eyes. “I want to hit her sometimes.”

“Did he go see her when he came to yell at me?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Dunno. I can’t believe he’d rather have her over you. I mean, even if he is not liking you for some reason, you’re still really, really good at sex.”

“We can’t have sex until we’re married. It’s not allowed.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Anna shrugged. “It’s The Brotherhood.”

“Well then. Doubly enjoy your time with Euroman. Kurt deserves it.”