Disclaimer: I do not own 50 Shades of Grey or any of the books in the trilogy. I am simply borrowing the characters to have some fun. Also, I do not own the songs from NEEDTOBREATHE's album "The Outsiders".
Title – Christian's Need To Breathe
Summary – No matter how crazy his life got, down whatever path it chose, she was always there to remind Christian to breathe. Some Christian introspection inspired by songs from NEEDTOBREATHE's "The Outsiders" album. Stories may be pre, during, or post 50 Shades trilogy.
A/N: I'll try and keep this brief. So, I'm not new to fanfiction, but I am to the 50 Shades category. So please be kind with my first stories! :-) Each chapter is pretty much a one-shot that I was inspired to write based on a song by NEEDTOBREATHE (at least just them for now ^_~). This first story is pre-50 Shades, and Ana (although her name is never explicitly given) may seem a little OC. Since it's from Christian's POV, I'll give a little insight to my thoughts:
What if Christian and Ana had met previously, but don't remember? It's still early in Ana's first semester at WSUV as a freshman, and she hasn't been wholly consumed by academia just yet. She is actually out of her comfort zone and having some fun for once and letting loose, hence her actions during the course of the night. I hope you enjoy.
Christian's Need to Breathe
Ch. 1 – The Girl Named Tennessee
To say that Christian Grey was less than pleased would have been an understatement. Currently in the passenger seat of his brother Elliot's Mustang, he moodily worked on his Blackberry while Elliot sang loudly and played steering wheel drummer to the current song blasting on the radio.
"For the love of God, Christian, will you put that damn phone down?!" came Elliot's exasperated exclamation from Christian's left, "You already have enough money for a thousand life times. I brought you out tonight so you could stop working and get a life!"
"I have a life, thank you," came Christian's clipped reply. His mind wandered to Charlie Tango and The Grace. There really was no feeling that quite compared to the freedom and power one felt when soaring towards the horizon or gliding across an endless sea.
Elliot rolled his eyes, while Christian frowned and gazed at him narrowly. He really hated when people did that.
"Fine I'll rephrase: a social life."
Now, it was Christian's turn to roll his eyes. I'm as social as I need to be, dear brother. Have you not seen my empire?
"Pleeeeeease, bro," Elliot practically whined, "Just for tonight, put the phone down and act like a 24-year-old."
Sighing loudly, Christian dramatically waved the phone in Elliot's line of vision and made an exaggerated show of stowing it in his pants pocket.
"That's the spirit!" Elliot, grinning like a mad man, cranked the radio back up and put pedal to the metal.
Christian shifted uncomfortably and pushed himself further back in the seat. The I-5 might have been pretty barren that night, but it had started to lightly mist and was making the roads more slippery. Letting his had fall back on to the seat, he closed his eyes and grimaced, wishing – that just once – Elliot would listen to his advice about certain cars and their safety features.
.o.0.o.
"We're here!"
Christian internally cringed, Elliot sounded far too happy. Why did I agree to this again?
Parked next to a meter, Christian glanced out the tinted window on his right to see a line of younger adults waiting to enter a bar with a brightly lit neon sign. No valet? … Where in God's name did he take me?
Stealing a glance about the remaining surroundings, Christian was able to pick out some landmarks and instantly knew where he was … WSUV. Oh joy, nothing like a night surrounded by drunken college students. And by the look of those in line, Christian mused, it was 21 and under night as well.
"Come on, bro," Elliot exclaimed as he jumped out of the car and headed to feed the meter.
Slowly exiting the car, Christian met up with Elliot as he dropped the last coin into the slot. Elliot threw his arm around Christian's shoulders and directed them to the bouncer at the door. With a smile and nod to the bouncer, the two of them were able to circumvent the line much to the surprise of those waiting. As they passed by the front of the queue, Christian heard many excited whispers from the women, probably trying to figure out exactly who they were. Pursing his lips, he fought to roll his eyes again as he felt annoyance set in.
Yes, this is going to be a wonderful evening. I must remember to thank Elliot.
.o.0.o.
Upon entering the establishment, Christian's ears were assaulted by thumping music, clinking glass, and rowdy talking as students practically screamed at each other just to be heard over the music - the glorious cacophony that is a college-town bar. Christian gritted his teeth behind tight lips.
I need a drink. NOW. … No, scratch that. Drinks, if I'm ever going to make it through this night.
The brothers bee-lined towards the bar and ordered a couple of beers. Elliot held his glass up to Christian and the two clinked bottles in a silent 'Cheers!' before downing a large swig. They both turned, placing their elbows on the bar and surveyed the crowd before them. Barely dressed girls were everywhere, either dancing with their equally scantily clad friends, or grinding up on some half sober, hormone-crazed male. Christian sighed; he knew he shouldn't have agreed to going out tonight without knowing all the details. This was Elliot's scene … not his.
Having spied a pretty, shy, blonde thing chatting with friends along the wall to their right, Elliot gently nudged his brother's arm and gave him a knowing, salacious wink before strutting over to his find. A small frown graced Christian's face, he actually fell sorry for the girl. She had no idea she was about to meet Elliot "Heartbreaker" Grey.
"And hey!" Elliot shouted as he spun around, continuing to walk backwards towards the girl, "Have some fun, will ya!?"
Christian just shook his head, then downed the rest of his beer. Signaling the bartender for a new bottle, he resigned himself to a lonely night drinking at the bar, fending off flirty women that did absolutely nothing for him. All they saw was money and a pretty face; the thought alone made him bare his teeth in disgust.
Turning his focus towards the dance floor once more, Christian began slowly sipping his new drink until his eyes found her. She immediately caught his eye because she was probably the most clothed woman in this place. Beer #2 quickly turned into beer #3 as he continued to appraise her.
Dark chocolate hair cascaded in waves down passed her shoulders and over a black wrap top with a deep V-neck. The main part of the top hugged her curves perfectly, while the sleeves billowed into a bell shape that ended at her elbows. Her lower half was poured into sinfully dark jeans that once again gave Christian an excellent view of her womanly curves, including – from what he gathered – quite a remarkable ass that stirred his lower half as she wiggled and swayed on the dance floor. Finally, her feet ended in strappy black scandals with a little kitten heel.
The combination of 3 beers and heavy atmosphere of the bar was allowing Christian's body to react more readily than normal to this woman, and he shifted uncomfortably as he continued to stare. The girl was laughing and dancing with a slender blonde who was dressed as provocatively as most of the other girls in the bar, also with them were two boys who completed their group out on the dance floor. One of the male companions danced behind the blonde – a lanky blonde himself – and slowly inched himself closer and closer to the blonde until they danced as one. The second male – a decent looking Hispanic gentleman, Christian noted – danced with the brunette; however, he kept a friendly distance. Yet, it was not lost on Christian that every time the boy caught the brunette's eye his gazed turned to one of deep admiration that suggested… more. This caused Christian to let out a small possessive growl, which in turned made the logical part of his brain, not stupefied by drink, to wonder what the hell that was all about.
The look and aura this woman was giving off spoke of simplistic beauty, sweet innocence, and a dark side of herself yet to be explored.
Probably a freshman, Christian chuckled to himself with a sinister smirk.
Needless to say it was driving a part of Christian wild, which was … unusual to say the least.
.o.0.o.
A shift in the music produced an upbeat rock song with a slight country flair that Christian recognized, but couldn't place…
They say this lasts forever
That's just what I'm afraid of
I'll never dance this way again
Their eyes connected across the dance floor and an immediate blush spread across the brunette's cheeks. She flicked her gaze downward and lightly bit her bottom lip. Christian drew a sharp intake of breath and his lips parted slightly in an O shape; he swore his heart stopped at the sight.
His eyes slipped closed… to be the one to bite that lip! How delectable it must taste.
I want to bite that lip.
When their line of sight returned to one another, something much more heated and primal swam in the depths of her baby blue pools and Christian was positive his matched in intensity.
Slowly moving out of her circle of friends, the brunette silently called to Christian – her eyes never leaving his – begging him to join her out on the floor with every sway of her hips.
She smiles like a Georgia summer
She laughs at the sound of thunder
I wanna dance like this again
Christian hadn't realized he had left the bar until he and the brunette were standing chest to chest, his intense grey staring into soulful baby blue. His gaze bore into hers, questioning, trying to figure out the beauty before him. The sexy smirk she wore on her face languidly broke into a radiant smile as she put her arms around Christian's shoulders and her eyes clouded with a mixture of lust and shyness.
His hands unconsciously went to her hips and he began moving them in time to the music. With each sway, he slowly brought her body closer to his until she was fully pressed against him. Breathing had become labored and heavy, and they now studied each other through half-lidded sight. Still not a word had been spoken.
The weather outside must have gotten worse because a loud crack of thunder broke through the raucous of the bar. So startled by the sound, the brunette's eyes flew open and she jumped in Christian's arms. Both shocked by her reaction, their heady connection had been broken. Her face completely flushed at Christian's wide eyes before she broke into a fit of giggles in spite of herself.
Christian's breath caught in his throat and his eyes grew wider.
For heaven's sake, Christian, BREATHE! Hello! Your brain needs oxygen.
But he could not longer remember for everything else was moot. Never before had he heard something so pure and perfect. It was beautiful. Not until her shining eyes reclaimed his, did Christian remember to breathe. And her face – all flushed, laughing, and glowing – what an extraordinary reminder it was…
Coming back to his senses, Christian realized he caught the faint sickly-sweet smell of liquor and something sugary.
Either she pre-gamed or this bar is loose with their carding, but it at least explains why her shy-side isn't winning this round.
Christian leered at her with a wicked sneer as he pulled her close once again. Forehead to forehead, nose to nose, his eyes slipped closed and he breathed deep. This woman was intoxicating and for some reason he couldn't get enough. If coming to a club produced this experience all the time, Christian definitely wanted to dance like this again.
I'm not the marrying kind
I've said a thousand times
I've never danced like this before
Never were there such fitting words, Christian internally mused.
Normally, his relationships with women came bound and delivered, not trapped by a ball-n-chain. Oh, and the gratification that would come from having this delectable little morsel in front of him submit to his every whim. Trussed up, blindfolded, and spread before him in his playroom, Christian growled low at the mental image and increased the friction between himself and the brunette.
The girl whimpered at the heightened sensations, as Christian placed his right hand flat on her stomach. She gripped his biceps for dear life as his hand traveled up her body, over the swell of her breasts, along her throat until his fingers cupped her face and his thumb skimmed across her lower lip, effectively freeing it from the teeth that had unknowingly bit it.
Through hooded eyes he watched her reactions. Yes, what a succulent, responsive submissive she'd be. When the brunette reopened her eyes, they were alight – playful and wicked. She tantalizingly moved her body until her back was now pressed into Christian's body. Throwing her arms up, she wound her fingers through his hair and gripped, tugging slightly. Christian groaned as his head flopped onto her shoulder.
What is this woman doing to me!?
She even had the audacity to continue taking control and began to sway that glorious ass of hers back and forth, grinding it into his growing erection. The wench was teasing him! Not to mention trying his patience … My god, how he wanted her here and now!
No! Not without her consent. Not without the paperwork.
It was time to bring the control back to him. Nuzzling the crook of her neck, Christian grazed his teeth along her throat and nipped gently before blowing lightly on the sensitized skin. He felt her knees buckle.
Oh no you don't. Payback is torture with me, baby.
She gripped his hair a little more tightly before giving in to his touch. His hands skimmed down her sides, over her hips, and began to tease relentlessly over her thighs. The brunette trembled in his embrace.
She's got the prettiest shoes
And I love the way she moves
I wanna dance like this again
Continuing his assault on her neck and relentless torment on her thighs, Christian was able to gaze unabashedly down the brunette's body. His eyes landed on her cute little feet poking out of her black sandals. The shoes were nice, but he knew they were a bargain name brand.
Oh, the finery I could dress you in, baby. Silks, satin… you would never want for anything.
The woman in his arms was falling deeper and deeper with each passing second and he couldn't help but smile against her skin. Yet, Christian couldn't deny the affect she was having on him as well. And that fact scared him.
Control slipping, giving in to lust and carnal desire… he had never wanted to say "screw the paperwork" more than he did right now. The way her body moved against his, the delicious scent that was uniquely her. Christian would have taken her right then and there on the dance floor, and it took most of his control to refrain.
Whatever spell you have cast… I don't care. Just as long as we don't stop dancing.
I was free and far from home
I was young and on my own
I was blind as I could be
Thinking love was not for me
'Til the night I met the girl named Tennessee
More like the night I met Ms. Vancouver, Christian chuckled to himself.
At the sound, the brunette turned her head towards his and gave him a shy smile. Christian felt himself smile back.
Lights came down and the room spun low
Started saying she had to go
Don't go baby, I didn't catch your name
She said, "Don't worry, I did not say."
Christian stiffened at the words of the song. The girl circled back around in his arms. Placing her left hand on his shoulder, her right cupped his cheek; thumb gently stroking the stubble she found there. His eyes were wide and held a small amount of trepidation; this couldn't be it. She gave him a small, sad smile; holding his gaze her baby blues reflected happiness and longing.
"I have to get back to my friends."
Those were the first words spoken all night and with them the brunette turned and started to walk away. Christian felt cold; he couldn't let this be the end. He had to stop her.
And do what exactly? Kiss her? Take her back to your place? Break every single fucking rule you have?!
But before his brain could catch up with his body, he found that he had already placed his hand on her elbow to stop her retreat. She looked back at him, eyebrow raised in question, and waited.
Christian blinked dumbfounded for a moment before slipping on his cool mask, "Thank you, Ms. …," he paused, "I'm sorry, I believe I forgot your name."
The brunette smirked and her eyes twinkled, "Don't worry about it. I never said."
Cheeky wench! She is teasing me!
With a smirk of his own, Christian pulled her close once more. "Ah…," he purred, "Well then, it was a pleasure dancing with you, Ms. Vancouver." Grabbing her right hand, he placed a gentle, lingering kiss on her knuckles.
Through half-lidded eyes, he watched her swoon, deeply affected. Much to his surprise she recovered rather quickly, the brunette gave him a 100-watt smile that was both sweet and sinister. She snapped back in the direction of her friends, hair flipping with the motion, and strutted back to her group while dramatically swaying her hips.
Christian watched her go, his eyes shamelessly glued to her ass. He felt his groin stir and he shifted uncomfortably.
Maybe it's better I don't know her personally. She would be the death of me!
Sighing he turned and began to make his way back to the bar.
Oh she danced away with my heart and soul
Who she was I will never know
Danced away with my hopes and dreams
My sweet girl from Tennessee
Strolling back to the bar, Christian began to think about how it was probably better this way. He wasn't thrilled about walking away from the girl, leaving things… unfinished, but it was right. Stop things before actions taken become later regrets. And neither of them deserved to be hurt: she too innocent, and he feared his reaction to the rejection from this unknown beauty.
Flynn is already dealing with 50 shades of fucked up. No need to make it 51.
Besides, with the amount of alcohol consumed by both parties, most of this will be forgotten by the morning anyway. Christian reached the bar and took the proffered beer from Elliot's hand. He was leaning against the bar again, watching Christian with a look of shock and amusement.
"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"
Christian full out laughed as he sipped his beer. Shaking his head, he replied, "You and I are asking the same question, Lelliot."
Elliot's shoulders shook as he chuckled. Very seldom did Christian use his childhood nickname for Elliot, so he knew the alcohol was getting to him. "Well, that explains part of it, but I didn't think it would only take a few beers to get Christian Grey to show a girl a good time." Elliot winked.
"Excuse me, " Christian growled in response to the hidden undertones of that statement.
"Please," Elliot cried with a roll of his eyes, "that wasn't dancing, that was sex on the dance floor."
Christian opened his mouth to retort, but found a small smile graced his lips instead as he thought about his brother's comment. Elliot threw his head back and laughed as Christian attempted to hide the smile by drinking his beer.
"Oh, I have got to take you out more often!" Elliot crowed.
"Oh no you don't. This was a once and done for me, Elliot."
"What!? Pleeeeeeease, baby brother?" Elliot begged with wide eyes and full on puppy-dog pout.
"Nuh uh," Christian shook his head, "I only cave to Mia's pout. You, big brother, suck at them."
Elliot sighed in defeat, there was no arguing with Christian Grey – even if he was a few sheets to the wind. The brothers drank in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Christian broke it.
"What about you? What happened to the blonde?"
Elliot shrugged, "I excused myself for a moment, and when I returned she was already drooling over someone else." Christian's eyes grew in surprise. "But no worries. I had enough entertainment watching you on the dance floor," he smirked.
A small blush rose to Christian's face as he downed his beer, and looked anywhere but at Elliot. His eyes scanned the dance floor and he found Ms. Vancouver once more. Back dancing with her friends, she was giggling as she whispered with the blonde; their line of vision flicking his way every so often. He also noticed that the young Hispanic male now looked a bit put out. A small part of Christian couldn't help but feel smug.
Yes, boy. She's mine.
Christian blinked in shock at his unexplained mental outburst, but shrugged it off as the beer going to his head. Instead he let his mind wander, replaying the whole evening. Still baffled by how he was affected by this woman, he stored it away hoping to bring it up with Flynn later. That is if he even remembers anything in the morning.
"You ready to head out?"
Christian froze at Elliot's question and slowly turned his head to give him an are-you-fucking-serious look. "Elliot, I barely kept my nerve with how you drove here. What makes you think I'll be getting in you supped-up death trap with you drunk behind the wheel?"
Elliot rolled his eyes, "Will you relax. Taylor and Sawyer are out front. I called them a while ago. Taylor will drive us back and Sawyer will follow in my car."
Completely shocked, Christian blinked a few times before replying, "And who do you think you are ordering around my staff?"
"Family," Elliot replied with his signature smile.
Christian shook his head with a small smile of his own.
"Come one, baby bro. We've had enough excitement for one night." Elliot threw his arm around Christian's shoulders and steered him towards the door.
Turning his head, Christian caught one last glimpse of Ms. Vancouver as he headed out of the bar and the last verse of the song played out into the damp fall evening…
I was free and far from home
I was young and on my own
I was blind as I could be
Thinking love was not for me
'Til that night I met that girl named Tennessee
A/N: Well there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter :-)! Just a couple of side notes…
1.) I have nothing against Mustangs. I just know Christian was very picky in the books about cars. ;-)
2.) For those who read this and are also following my Labyrinth fic Her Name Is Alice, I am still working on it! Promise! The next chapter is so close to being finished, I can taste it. But my muse just got carried away with 50 Shades recently ^_^.
3.) As far as the next chapter for this, please be patient with me. I'll get working on it right away but balancing work and ficcing might make updating a bit slow :-/. But I will get there!
Thanks again, and until next time!
-futrCSI1490