Chapter 29

Later that evening, Peter stood behind Anna on the back deck that overlooked the ocean, his hands resting on the railing on either side of her. The house was perched on a cliff above the ocean, giving them an incredible view. Peter said the view was even better during the day.

Anna leaned into his warmth and listened to the soothing sound of the waves crashing onto the beach many yards below them. She sighed and smiled. “It’s so peaceful here.”

Peter laughed. “Until my dad and uncle start arguing.” He leaned down and sucked on the side of Anna’s neck, making her sigh again. “You like that, don’t you?”

“Mmm.” She liked it when he touched her, period. He was an excellent lover.

His hands slid up her arms to her shoulders, and he pulled at the fabric of her top so he could kiss her bare shoulder. She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. When his thumbs brushed the bottom curve of her breasts, her nipples hardened and pressed against the thin fabric of her bra.

“I don’t know if I can go four days without being with you,” he murmured against her neck and pressed his erection against her ass. “My cock will get lonely without you.”

Anna giggled. “I’ll miss being with you, too.” She pressed her hips back against him and making him groan. He cursed softly in Russian and moved his hands to cup her breasts. “Oh, Peter...”

“There is a reason I did not want you sharing a room, Peter.” Vlad came and stood next to Anna and Peter, leaning his hip against the railing and crossing his arms. “They can be rather...” Vlad looked at Anna, a twisted smile on his face as he looked her up and down. “... addicting. You need some time away from her.”

“Anna is not a ‘they,’ Uncle Vlad. She’s a person.”

“She is an Elder-Mistress. Her job is to seduce men.”

Vlad’s words pierced Anna’s peaceful bubble, and she hung her head. Why had he allowed Peter to be with her in San Francisco if he hated her so much? Did he have to obey Devin because he was an Elder?

“Let us walk, shall we?” Vlad motioned toward a gap in the railing on the side of the deck.

Anna glanced at Peter, who narrowed his eyes at his uncle. “Why?”

“You wanted me to get to know Anna. I cannot very well do that in front of the family, can I?”

Anna’s shoulders slumped, understanding what Vlad wanted, and she walked in the direction Vlad had indicated.

“Anna, you don’t have to?—?”

“Yes, she does.”

The three of them walked to the side of the house where there was a small flower garden with small lights buried in the ground.

“Keep watch.” Vlad pulled Anna further into the garden and to a bench, where he pushed her until she bent over with her hands on the back of it. He pulled her skirt up over her hips and pulled her panties aside to delve his fingers inside her.

She glanced back at Peter, who watched with a helpless look on his face. Vlad smacked her hip. “You are to please me. Do not worry about him.”

Anna’s jaw trembled. “Yes, my lord.” She was thankful he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. She hung her head and let him do as he pleased. He unzipped his pants and he pulled her panties down. A moment later, he was inside her. His fingers dug into her hips as he thrust into her hard. She clung to the back of the bench and braced herself against his movements.

“Devin said you could come on command,” he said in a gruff voice. “Do it. But softly.”

Anna bit her lip and concentrated on the sensations in her body. It had been a while since she’d done it, especially in this position.

Vlad’s movements quickened and he growled at her. “Do it.”

She closed her eyes and was relieved when her body responded as he wanted it to. She gasped and clenched her jaw as she came, breathing heavily and trying to remain silent. Vlad came with a groan a moment later and dug his fingernails into her skin.

He pulled out, but Anna didn’t dare move until he gave her permission. She kept her eyes down so he wouldn’t see she was upset, but he grabbed her chin and looked into her face. “Why are you upset? This is what you are for.”

Anna blinked several times. “Y-yes, my lord.” Would the whole weekend be like this?

He looked at her with narrowed eyes for a long minute and then turned on his heel and left. Peter moved to go to Anna, but Vlad snapped at him in Russian and he turned and followed his uncle out of the garden.

As soon as they were out of sight, Anna fell to the ground and cried. My purpose in life is to provide sexual pleasure to men, according to their desires.

Sadly, this trip was promising to be more doses of reality than the enjoyment Peter had promised. But she didn’t blame him in the slightest. It wasn’t his fault she was what she was.

When her tears finally subsided, she was still alone in the garden. Was she allowed to go back inside? Should she stay where she was? Vlad hadn’t given her further instructions, and she didn’t know what to do. The wind from the ocean was growing colder and Anna shivered, paralyzed with indecision.

She heard footsteps, and Peter hurried around the corner a moment later. Her heart leaped at the sight of him, and then she pushed the happiness aside. This is all temporary. Vlad had reminded her of her place. She needed to remember it on her own from now on.

He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, Anna.” He helped her to her feet and led her back inside. “What can I do to help?”

“Can I go to bed?”

Peter nodded and led her up the staircase to Natalya’s room. He pointed out the bathroom again. “If you want to shower, go ahead.”

“Is it okay if I do?”

Peter nodded. “I don’t know why Vlad’s acting this way. He’s usually a really nice guy.”

She shrugged. “He didn’t hurt me.”

“Physically, maybe.”

Anna tried to give him a brave smile. “I’m okay.”

“No. It’s not okay that he did that. I’m going to?—?”

She put her hand on his chest. “Please don’t get into trouble for my sake, Peter. I’m okay. I’ve been through much worse.”

“That’s not comforting.”

Anna shrugged. “It’s true.”

“I know. That’s why it’s not comforting.” He sighed. “Go shower. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

“You shouldn’t do that. You’ll get in trouble.”

“I don’t care. You don’t deserve to be treated this way. I was hoping he’d see that if he got to know you.” He rubbed his face. “Go,” he said in a gentler tone. “I’ll be up in a little while.”

Anna nodded and he disappeared around the corner. She retrieved her toiletries and pajamas and then went to the bathroom and showered. When she returned to the bedroom, Peter was sitting on her bed.

“Feeling better?” He opened his arms and she gladly went into his embrace.

She knew she shouldn’t let herself get lost in her emotions for him, but right now, she couldn’t help it. She needed comfort.

After a while, he pulled back the covers and tucked her into bed, then lay down with his arms around her.

“I’ll let my family know you weren’t feeling well and went to bed early. You remember where my room is?”

Anna nodded.

“Come get me if you need anything.”

“Okay.” But she wouldn’t. She didn’t want him to get into trouble.

Anna closed her eyes and relaxed, letting his warm embrace lull her into the peaceful oblivion of sleep.