Chapter 99

“What will I do while you’re gone?” Anna asked as she sat on Aaron’s bed early the next morning. He was cramming a few last-minute things into his suitcase.

“Haven’t you ever masturbated before?”

Anna’s eyes widened. “You mean touch myself?”

Aaron chuckled. “Yeah. Most people do it.”

Anna shook her head. “If I did that, Devin would have punished me terribly.”

Aaron made a face. “Hon, Devin’s not here. There’s no one to punish you.” He grinned. “You should try it. You might like it.”

Anna frowned at the thought. “I don’t know if I could.”

“When I get back, I’m gonna buy you a vibrator.” He paused. “Or maybe not. If you use that, you won’t need me.”

“I’d much rather have flesh and blood inside me than plastic.”

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her deeply. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“Me too,” she murmured against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He pulled away and zipped up his suitcase. “We’ll be back next Sunday afternoon. Call Tom if you need anything.”

Anna nodded and put her pajamas on to walk him to the apartment door. “You... will return, right?” She winced at the shakiness in her voice that betrayed her fears.

Aaron looked at her with sad eyes. “It’s just a ballet tour. Nothing dangerous.”

She took a deep breath. “Yeah.” Everything would be fine.

“Would you feel better if I called you every few days?”

Anna’s heart lightened. “Yeah, that might help.”

“Okay. I’ll do that. I’ll call you when we land, too.”

“Thank you for understanding, Aaron.”

“I remember what you went through with Alex. I never want you to feel that way again.”

They hugged one last time. Aaron repeated his admonitions about being safe and not going out alone after dark, and then he left. Anna went to his bed and fell back asleep, hugging his pillow.

Later that morning, Anna woke up feeling refreshed and decided to go explore the city. She’d heard of the big New York City library and decided she would go find it.

According to the map on her phone, it was a thirty-five-minute walk. Forty-five if she went through Central Park. She had all day to herself and decided to take the scenic route.

She was glad she did. Central Park was a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The first hints of a green spring were breaking through the winter barrenness. There was no snow, but the air was still crisp. The winding paths through the tall trees filled her with a sense of tranquility after the chaos of the last few days. She could imagine sitting in the grass, her back against a towering tree, and losing herself in a good book. Once the weather warmed.

Anna emerged from the park a while later and was instantly engulfed by the bustling city. She walked down Fifth Avenue, lined with high-end boutiques and designer stores. The majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral caught her eye and she stopped to study the pointed arches and carved spires that seemed to reach the sky.

The energy of the city was contagious, and she had to intentionally slow her steps in order to not be swept along with the tourists and businessmen and women who filled the sidewalks.

A mile from the park, the library came into view. As she reached the bottom of the steps, she couldn’t help but be amazed by the iconic lions standing guard at the entrance. There was a different energy here. Reverence. Intelligence. Culture. Such a contrast from the commercial vibrance of the previous few blocks.

She stood outside for a good ten minutes, taking it all in, before slowly walking up the steps and into the historic building. The library had just opened, and as she walked inside, she spotted a sign announcing tours that began in an hour. After buying a ticket, she occupied herself by exploring the ground floor until it began. She hadn’t been in a library in years and was excited to learn about its history. After the tour finished, she signed up for a library card, silently thanking Tom for the New York driver’s license.

At dinnertime, Anna settled onto the couch with a sandwich she’d bought at a deli on the way home. She was laughing at the sitcom when there was a knock at the door. The sound made her jump and she crept to the door, her heart pounding. She looked through the peephole and gasped, then opened the door. “Tommy?”

Tommy grinned sheepishly. “Hey. I just... wanted to see how you were settling in.”

“Oh, well, come on in.” She stepped aside, and Tommy walked in and looked around.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. I live with Aaron.”

“Yeah.” Tommy nodded. “Is he here?”

She shook her head. “No, he’s gone to the Netherlands with the ballet company. He’ll be back next week.”

“Oh.”

Anna looked at his handsome face, and her heart warmed. She smiled tenderly. “How are things with you?”

“Good.” He blew out a breath and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Found out Kim’s pregnant.”

Anna blinked and tried to ignore the stabbing pain in her heart. “Oh, that’s... that’s great, Tommy.” She smiled weakly. “Are you happy?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. I mean, it’s good. It’s time to start the family. I just—?” He sighed. “It’s just weird, knowing I’m gonna be a dad.”

She swallowed hard, squinted, and forced a smile. “I bet you’ll be a great dad.” Why did her voice have to crack and betray her emotions?

Tommy stepped closer to her and she inhaled the scent of his cologne, bringing back so many memories of their times together. “I miss you,” he whispered. “It kills me, knowing you’re here, and... not with me.” He sighed. “I wish I’d waited for you.” His brows twitched and he cradled her cheek.

Anna’s lips parted and she trembled at his words. “Me too,” she whispered.

He slowly slid his hands around the back of her head and bent his head down to hers. His lips brushed hers lightly, waiting for permission to kiss her. Anna hesitated. She wanted him to, oh-so much, but... “We shouldn’t,” she said in a hoarse voice as she leaned forward.

His lips enveloped hers gently. “I know.” His tongue traced her bottom lip as his thumb caressed the sensitive spot behind her ear.

“Tommy...” She wanted him to continue... wanted him to stop. She didn’t know what she wanted.

“Anna...” He stepped even closer and captured her mouth with his, holding her head gently with both hands. Her hands slid up his hard chest and over his shoulders. His tongue slipped between her parted lips and past her teeth, stroking, caressing, dancing, and taking her breath away. His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her close.

She clung to him as if he were a life vest in the middle of the ocean. His kisses became more insistent, his embrace tighter. He slid his hands down her back and pressed his fingers into her hips. “Tommy...”

“Where’s your room?” he asked against her lips, his voice husky.

She pointed down the hall, and he picked her up and carried her around the corner and into her room, placing her gently on her bed. He stretched out next to her and pulled her close to kiss her again. His kiss was deep, passionate, loving. He caressed her back, her ass, her hips, and finally moved his hand up to cup her breast gently. She broke the kiss to gasp as he thumbed her nipple over her cotton camisole. The heat from his hand scorched her skin.

He kissed her neck when she leaned her head back, sucking on the skin above her collarbone. She moaned as he kissed her nipple over the soft material and sucked on it through the fabric. It puckered under his skilled mouth and she arched her back to press her breast deeper into his mouth.

She cried out softly as he pulled the camisole away, exposing the sensitive skin, and softly bit her now engorged peak. Her hands got lost in his hair as he swirled his tongue around and around, the nipple ring being jostled with the movements.

She caressed his cock over his jeans and he moved his hips in rhythm against her hand.

“Touch me,” he rasped.

Anna unfastened his jeans and wrapped her hand around his cock. She caressed his piercings and smiled at the throbbing hardness. They quickly disposed of their clothing and Anna kneeled next to his hips and took him into her mouth, moaning at his familiar taste.

“Oh, God, Anna!” He pulled at her hips and adjusted her legs so that she was straddling his head.

He held her hips and buried his tongue into her swollen pussy. She gasped against his cock as he sucked her clit hard, kneading her ass and brushing his fingers against her asshole.

He knew her body well. Knew how to make her moan and scream in passion. And he did both. She tried to concentrate on his delicious cock, but his tongue lapped at her clit as he sucked on it. She felt herself tingling, and then she leaned her head back as her orgasm rushed through her body.

“Tommy!” she cried, trying to pull away, but he held her firm until he sucked every ounce of pleasure out of her.

Tommy gently pushed her to her side and moved quickly above her, her head at the foot of the bed. In one swift move, he was inside her. His tongue mimicked the movements of his cock, thrusting slowly in and out. Anna moaned loudly and met his rhythm. His movements were deep and deliberate, making her moan with each deep thrust. Her fingernails dug into his back as another orgasm built.

“God, Anna!” He cursed as his cock throbbed deep inside her. She followed quickly, her muscles clenching around him.

He held her tightly and kissed her as he softened inside her. He nuzzled her neck and then rolled to his side, stroking her arm as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

Anna grinned and turned to face him. “I think you’ve learned some new moves.”

He chuckled. “Maybe.” He kissed her again, sliding his hands down her back and hips. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

She ran her hand slowly over his chest and abs, loving every inch of him. She’d missed him so much...

Music sounded loudly, making them both jump.

“Shit.” Tommy sat up and reaching for his jeans. He pressed the screen and stood, running his hand through his hair. “Hey, baby,” he said in a gentle tone that ripped Anna’s heart in two. “Yeah, just getting some air... yeah... I can do that... okay... yeah, be home soon... love you, too.”

Anna sat up and stared at her blanket. His wife. She bit the inside of her mouth, trying to keep from crying out.

Tommy shrugged his clothes on. “I’m sorry, Anna. I have to go home.”

Anna nodded, not trusting her voice.

He paused after he’d dressed, standing next to the bed. “I’m sorry.” He leaned down, but she didn’t look at him. He kissed her temple, then left the room.

The apartment door opened and closed as she stared at her blanket. She hugged her arms around herself, rocking back and forth as she tried to understand the emotions coursing through her body. Her skin was cold; her blood was hot. She could hardly breathe. Her mind whirred. Her heart felt as if Tommy had run Devin’s jeweled dagger through it.

Tommy truly cared for her. He’d helped her escape.

But he had a wife at home and a child on the way. He was grown up and starting a family. Regardless of her being away from Devin, she was still an Elder-Mistress. Her body was to be used as the Elders and their Sons pleased. She was trained to fulfill their every desire. My purpose in life...

Coming to New York was supposed to be a new beginning. A new life of freedom. Away from slavery and her sexual duties to the Elders and their Sons. Away from Devin.

Why did she feel so empty?

What was she? Was she a Mistress or a free woman? As an Elder-Mistress, what she and Tommy had done shouldn’t have bothered her. As a free woman, what just happened broke her heart. Katrina was the free woman. Anna was the slave. Was she Anna? Or was she Katrina?

Who did she want to be?

Did it matter what she wanted?

The harsh reality was that she was Anna. Katrina was just an illusion to keep Devin from finding her.

Part of her wanted to embrace Katrina. To find out what it was like to be “free.” But could she? Could she dare try to be something she’d never been before? And what did that mean, anyway?

What did it mean to be free?

Her head hurt. She was too tired to think right now. She went into her bathroom to take a shower and then lay down on the couch to drown out her screaming emotions with the TV.

Devin stared out the window of his downtown office. Where the hell was Anna? How was she managing to avoid being found by him? Someone, somewhere, had to know where she was. Someone had to be helping her. There was no way she could have escaped on her own.

Who was helping her? Surely Wilhelm had something to do with this, but his activities had showed nothing suspicious.

Damn Ian for his betrayal!

If Anna was hiding, he had to get her to reveal herself. But how? What might convince her to come out of hiding?