Chapter 154

Warmth surrounded Anna like sunlight on a warm spring day. She stretched and smiled at the sound of a deep chuckle next to her. Alex! He was alive! She was with him, snuggled up close in bed.

As she opened her eyes, a rush of emotions flooded her heart, cherishing every second of waking up next to her beloved husband for the first time in years. The warmth of his body next to hers made her feel whole again.

The smile on his face and the love in his eyes made her heart pound. “ Guten Morgen .” Leaning closer, he planted a soft kiss on her lips. His arm was bent at the elbow, head resting on his fist. His other hand lay heavy on her ribs. A good heavy.

“Good morning.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her.

She noticed a round scar on his right side, just under his clavicle near his shoulder. Her hand ran up his chest to trace the light spot with her finger. “I don’t remember this. What happened?”

He rolled his eyes to the right and down, as if he could try to see it, and frowned. “Oh, that? It only shows up when I get really tan—I’ve been sitting up on our rooftop garden a lot lately, hoping to spot this girl from the neighborhood.”

She smiled at his deflection, but gave the scar a small push. “No, really.”

He grimaced. “I pissed someone off when we first arrived at Vitaly’s and they shot me.”

Anna gasped. “Oh, Alex!” She leaned up and kissed the pale skin. “Did it hurt?”

“Hurt like hell, but no permanent damage.” He frowned and his eyes darkened.

“What’s wrong?”

He grimaced and shook his head. “Just... memories.” Alex slid his hand around the back of her head. “Memories that will fade.”

She wanted to ask about them, but he kissed her and the idea flew away. He rolled onto his back, bringing her with him.

His cock teased her pussy, and she squirmed and tried to lower herself on his body to take him inside her. Grasping her hips, he obliged, pushing her down. Her wet, swollen folds separated to allow him in.

They both sighed as he filled her completely and they lay there quietly, feeling each other in the most intimate way. Anna lay her head on his chest and listened to his heart pounding. She shifted her hips and the pounding got louder and quicker.

She grinned and lifted her head to look at him.

He smiled. “You did that on purpose.”

She shrugged innocently and his smile turned into a wicked grin. He mumbled something in German and grasped her hips, holding her as he slammed up into her.

“Oh!” She sat up, arching her back with her hands resting on his chest. She tried to move with him, but his strong hands held her still as he repeatedly pounded his full length inside her. His abdominals contracted with every thrust, and the muscles in his upper body flexed as he held her immobile. Her head fell forward and she moaned loudly as he took her with loving force. “Oh, God, Alex!” She screamed as she came with such force it nearly blinded her. The colors exploded inside her like fireworks, consuming her every thought and nerve.

His hands tightened on her waist, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he exploded inside her. “ Oh, meine Anna!”

She slumped forward onto his chest, unable to stay upright. Alex slowly stroked her back and she listened to his heartbeat slow. “I think that’s my favorite sound,” she murmured, tracing a finger around his nipple.

“What is?”

“Your heartbeat. The most wonderful sound in the world.”

“ Schatzi ...” he murmured, squeezing his arms around her.

“Can we stay here forever?”

His chest rumbled as he chuckled. “I would love to, but you have class this morning and, as much money as I donated to the company, I don’t think Vincent would appreciate me keeping his favorite dancer in bed all day.”

“You really donated a lot?”

He chuckled again. “I wanted to ensure that I could see you as much as possible. Vincent offered to rename the theater after me, but that’s not why I did it.”

“Does he know who you are? I mean, that you’re my husband?”

“He knows that I know you and Aaron, but not much more than that. I believe he will learn the truth this morning.” He tugged gently on her hair and she lifted her head to look at him. “Is that alright?”

Anna knew he was asking if she needed more time to decide if she wanted to be with him. But she didn’t. She was where she belonged. Her heart twinged with sadness when she thought about Hugo, but she couldn’t change the truth. She belonged with Alex.

She nodded. “You don’t need to hide who you are. I am your wife. You are my husband.” She gave him a tender smile. “I think I’d like to put my wedding rings back on.”

His eyes lit up and he grinned. “Oh, Schatzi . You have made me the happiest of men.” He kissed her full on the mouth and then rolled her to her side. “Does that mean you’re willing to live with me?”

“A wife should live with her husband, shouldn’t she?”

“Most definitely.”

When they finally got around to getting out of bed, Alex went in search of something Anna could wear back to her apartment. “I don’t have a housekeeper,” he said apologetically, handing her a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. “Tony’s the shortest one among us.”

Anna barely heard him, her eyes transfixed on his chest. He wore a snug-fitting pair of dark blue jeans without a shirt, and he looked so unbelievably sexy, she could hardly think of anything else. “Huh?”

He chuckled and walked over to her, bending down to kiss her on her mouth. “I like how you look at me.”

She shrugged sheepishly. “You’re very nice to look at.” She glanced up into his face. “What did you say?”

He laughed. “I said, I don’t have a housekeeper. At least, not a live-in one. Frau Gersten would have had your dress cleaned already.” He handed her the clothes again, and this time she took them. “I know they’re big, but I don’t have anything smaller. I didn’t expect you to stay the night so soon.”

Anna bit her lip. “Should I not have?”

Alex kneeled in front of her and cradled her cheek. “I am so very happy that you did. I am even happier that you’ve decided to stay with me.”

“Me too.”

Alex’s phone rang on the nightstand, and he reached for it. “Vati,” he said, looking at it. “Get dressed and I’ll take you to the apartment so you can get to class on time.” He answered the phone in German and stood to walk to the window.

After she pulled on the much-too-big clothes, Anna walked into the spacious bathroom. She searched through the drawers and finally located a comb to work through her hair and a hair band with golden blond hair tangled around it that matched Alex’s. He must have used it before he cut his hair. She washed her face as well as she could. Alex had good skincare items, but they were not designed to remove makeup.

Alex walked in a few minutes later and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Tomorrow you will have your own stuff here.” He kissed her cheek and turned her around. “Vati and Kurt arrived in the city a little while ago. They left Chicago as soon as the Funeral Gathering finished. They’re going to rest and then perhaps we can meet them for lunch?”

Anna bit her lip. The sting of hurt when she thought of Wilhelm and Kurt was still there. “If you’d like,” she said softly.

Alex cocked his head. “Anna, if you don’t want to, say so.”

She swallowed nervously and stared at his chest. “They... I know they didn’t do it on purpose, but they hurt me. The last time I saw your dad...” She sighed. “I know I should see them, but I don’t really want to.”

Alex tilted her head up and gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

“You can go, though.”

He made a face. “I’d rather have lunch with you than them.”

Anna giggled.

“How about I go to lunch with you, and then, while you are rehearsing this afternoon, I will go see them? They’re heading back to Germany tonight.”

Anna nodded. “I shouldn’t be too late, though. I’m not in Swan Lake .” Swan Lake was all this week, except before the Gala on Thursday night, when Hugo’s new ballet would debut. “Hugo’s ballet will probably be right after lunch.”

He nodded. “I thought that I would call Simon and ask him to arrange some movers to bring your belongings over here, hopefully this evening. But if that’s not possible, then tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She grinned. “Who is Simon? I mean. I know who he is, but what’s his relation to you?”

Alex chuckled. “Simon is the youngest son of Edwin Reisig, Elder of Bavaria. He’s lived here for several years, working for Deutsche Bank, and when I was planning on moving out here, Edwin suggested I get in touch with him. He agreed to be my face-man.”

“I’ve met Edwin,” Anna said softly. “He’s very nice.”

He nodded. “My father and he are good friends. It was Edwin who asked around, seeing who would support Vati in trying to reclaim you at Vitaly’s funeral.”

Anna smiled softly. “Then I must thank him doubly the next time I see him.” Alex frowned, making Anna giggle. “I just meant to give him a sincere thank you, nothing more.” She giggled again. “Will you be this possessive forever?”

“ Ja .”

She grinned. “I don’t mind at all.”