Thank you all so much for the kind words and support. Because many of you asked me, or told me you'd like to read more from me, I'm trying again. Hope you enjoy this one as well. Not sure completely where this one is heading, but let's just go for a drive, shall we?
Fifty Shades – 3000 Miles
Chapter 1 (CPOV)
The world of mergers and acquisitions is a cutthroat world, a place that I have always felt comfortable in. I'm often asked why and the answer is simple: I'm emotionless. I have no problem ripping a failing company away from some jackass who ran it in to the ground, who has no right owning a business to start with, and then selling it off in pieces to make a profit-a very large profit. A weaker man would have a conscience; he would care. I'm Christian Grey, owner and CEO of Grey Enterprises and Holdings, and I'm well known in the business world for not giving a shit. But I'm even at a loss as to why I agreed to fly all the way to Boston to meet with some annoying real estate 'tycoons' – their word, not mine – who are losing their shirts and desperate for a backer. They obviously lied.
I'm sitting at this Italian restaurant at seven in the evening on a Thursday night, in a very expensive suit, trying to feign interest in whatever these people are talking about. The good food and wine selection is what's keeping me seated. Maybe if I drink enough wine I can get through this mundane meeting.
"So Mister Grey, what do you think?" Mrs. Grattan has asked after her husbands over blown presentation.
"What do I think of your proposal? Honestly, I think its horse shit." I wipe my mouth with my generic white cloth napkin, and toss it on the table in front of me. "You're asking for a loan almost double what your estimate was for your budget; you've continuously made fuck up after fuck up; and you have no experience to handle the magnitude of the work needed to make this endeavor a success. And that's just the start of the problems I have with this deal…"
I've certainly got their attention and they look horrified. I lower my voice as I continue, so as to show how serious I am. "Here's my counter-offer: I will buy you out at ten percent over what you paid originally for the properties, nothing more. That's my final and only offer. There is no way I'm going to hand you a bunch of money that you will just mis-handle like you did with your other investors." I pause for effect as I lean forward and rest my arms on the table. "Take my offer, pay your other debts, and walk away with a lesson learned."
I'm truly amazed at the size balls some people have. This couple borrowed millions from several different investors, bought some abandoned properties in Boston and thought they could quickly turn them into condos to sell off, and make a mint. Lofty goals for those who have zero experience or connections. They have regular nine-to-five jobs, so they won't be destitute, but they won't gain wealth if they continue making stupid decisions like this.
I offer to give them some time to speak privately and excuse myself. Moments later, as I make my way out of the restroom, I notice my long time security guard Taylor is speaking to a waitress privately, right before he approaches me. The look on my face tells him to get right to the point.
"Sir, the waiter you had earlier is leaving, as his shift is over. The young woman I was speaking with is his replacement. Her name is Anastasia Steele, and yes I already have Welch doing a check on her ASAP, although I don't think she's of any threat." He spoke so fast I barely caught the girl's name.
"I'm sure it's fine Taylor. Make sure the previous waiter is given a generous tip before he leaves." I head back to the table, confident that the Grattans will accept my offer, and relieved that I can head back to Seattle in the morning—one of the perks of having my own company jet.
"I hope I've given you enough time to think things over." I'm more arrogant than ever. Before they can respond, our waitress comes over to clear some dishes, and ask if we'd like anything else. Seeing her up close, I can see just how beautiful she is. She's not much over five feet tall, long almost black hair tied back in a ponytail, stunning hazel eyes that seem to change color as you look at them. Her skin is milky white, and her delicious curves are soft, and feminine. She is not the thin framed woman I usually contract with as my submissives. This one…she's different. There's something special about her.
I'm intrigued.
"Thank you, Miss, I believe we're all set; just the check please." No way in hell I'm sitting here any longer with these drains on my psyche.
"Absolutely, Sir, I will only be a moment." She replies with the most sincere smile I've ever seen, and my dick springs to life at the mention of the word 'Sir' on her lips. It's rare to find an honest to goodness decent person nowadays; I think I've struck gold. I need to speak to her some more, but before I can, she has left our company and is off to retrieve the check for our meal.
"…beneficial for us at this time." I suddenly hear Mister Grattan speaking, but I've been so wrapped up in Anastasia that I've missed most of what he said. How embarrassing!
"Beneficial?" That seems to be the only word sticking in my mind at the moment.
"Yes, Mister Grey; beneficial. We believe your offer is the best we can do, and going forward I don't believe we'll make the same mistakes again." Mister Grattan is beyond humble at this point. He's fully humiliated, and possibly emasculated. Good—a lesson already absorbed.
Anastasia comes back with the check, but without even looking at it, I hand her my AMEX Black card. She looks at it like it's the Hope Diamond. Without another word she disappears yet again. "Very well then, I will have a bank check delivered to your home by tomorrow evening, and my lawyers will be in touch to handle all the paperwork." With a hand shake to the Grattans, and my signature on the bill, I head out the door towards Taylor and the awaiting vehicle. I never did get to speak further with our sexy waitress.
Just as I'm about to step into the SUV's back seat, I hear my name being called. It's Anastasia, our waitress. Change that—it sounds as if she's singing my name. "Yes? Is everything alright?" I'm at a total loss as to why she's followed me out here. Did she too perhaps feel the heat between us? Is she one of the few who knows who I am back in Seattle? Perplexed indeed.
"Oh yes, Mister Grey…" She's biting her bottom lip and I've never wanted to kiss someone more than I want to kiss her at this moment. "It's just that, well you left too much of a tip. All I did was clear your plates and bring your check: that's hardly worth a thousand dollars, Sir. Unless perhaps you meant to leave it for Rick, the gentlemen I replaced?"
Oh she really is adorable; cute, sweet, and sexy as hell. I'd bet my fortune that she doesn't even realize the effect she has on men.
"No Miss…"
"Steele. Ana Steele."
"Miss Steele. I intended that tip for you; our other server was previously well tipped before he left for the evening." I think I've stunned her if the 'deer caught in the headlights' look is any clue.
"I can't take it, I'm sorry. I mean I appreciate it, it's extremely kind of you, but it's just too much." She manages to declare as she's holding the money out to me.
"May I call you Ana?" I wait for her nod. "Ana, I insist. I find your profession to be one of the hardest, most daunting jobs out there having to deal with pushy, rude assholes. Take the tip—I want you to have it. I'll be insulted if you refuse." There's no way in hell she can resist the Grey Grin.
"Okay, I don't want to offend you. I really do appreciate your kindness. Thank you so much, and have a great rest of your evening." She says as her blush creeps up into her cheeks. "Goodnight."
As she shakes my hand a lightning bolt shoots through me. It's as if I collected static electricity for a lifetime and it all just released at her touch. Not painful; just extremely intense. I can actually feel my heart beating, something I've never paid much attention to before. I was always told that I have no heart, actually.
I guess I do have a heart after all. I watch her make her way back inside, and I'm fixated on her as she cleans up a couple of tables, and takes orders from others. Taylor breaks me out of my reverie. "Sir, we should head back to the hotel. It's getting late."
"Yes, okay. I'm coming." When I settle into my seat, I check my watch and I'm surprised at the time: I've been standing outside this restaurant mesmerized by a woman for close to a full five minutes. What the hell is happening to me?
That night at the hotel, I'm unable to sleep. It's not out of the norm for me, but this is different. I can't get my mind off of Ana, and what I felt. I should try to forget her: she lives in Boston, and I live in Seattle. We're worlds apart. Normally I'd be convincing her to be my sub; I can already picture her in a few scenes I'd love to try.
But Ana is distinctive. I don't want her just in my BDSM playroom.
I decide to take a walk. I let Taylor sleep, as I don't think security is really necessary here since I'm not well known on the east coast. Not yet, anyway. I find myself heading in the direction of the restaurant, surprising myself when I hope it's still open. Those hopes are quickly dashed when I see the lights are off, and the chairs are upside down on the tables. I'm just about to start walking back to the hotel when I hear a small jingling noise.
I can't hold back my smile, and I feel like a pre-teen boy. "Miss Steele, why are you working so late?"
"Mister Grey!" She jumps at my voice, obviously startled. "I'm sorry, Sir, you just surprised me…I didn't expect to see anyone this time of night- Uh, Morning?"
I chuckle at her little joke. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. Do you work this late every night? It's really not safe for you out here." Did I just say that?
She smiles a devilish grin. "No Mister Grey, not every night; we take turns with the late shift and I'm on the next few nights." She elegantly brushes some hair from her face as a slight breeze blows through. It's been a crisp, clear, beautiful spring day and it's quickly becoming my favorite of the year. "I don't live too far from here, and I enjoy the walk. I carry pepper spray, I excelled in my self-defense class, and my cell phone is set to call nine-one-one as I head home with it in my hand. I'm perfectly capable of defending myself, and besides—this is a pretty good neighborhood."
"Duly noted." I feel like an idiot. "But I'd still feel better knowing you got home safely. Please, let me escort you."
"Wait, why aren't you asleep? Are you stalking me?" She asks jokingly.
I shrug my shoulders. "Chronic insomniac; always have been. But I'm very capable of functioning on little to no sleep. I think I've perfected it actually. And I can neither confirm nor deny any reports of stalkery." I say with mock pride.
Her laugh is something I'd spend my entire life doing anything to hear over and over again. "That's a good one. 'Stalkery'—is that a new word?"
I can't help but laugh either. "Yeah, well I'm trying it on."
She smiles as she takes me in. "Well then, I'm in good company! It just so happens that a handsome customer left me an obscene tip tonight for no reason. Let me buy you a drink; maybe it will help."
Did I just get asked out by a woman? Holy shit! She's not even my sub and she's topping from the bottom! I think I like it…
"I'd love to, Miss Steele—on one condition: drinks are on me. Save your tips for yourself."
"You've got a deal, Mister Grey."
"Please, call me Christian."
"Alright Christian, but only if you call me Ana." We shake hands on the matter, and it took all my strength to not pull her into me and kiss her for hours. As it was, placing my hand on the small of her back as she led the way down the street was killing me.
"Christian Grey…hmmm, your name sounds familiar. Have we met before?"
"No, I'm pretty sure we haven't. I'm not from the east coast; I'm only here on business." She actually looked sad for a moment when I mentioned my roots aren't based here in Massachusetts. "I'm from Seattle."
"Seattle? Oh I'd love to go there one day. I love to travel, but it's so expensive. I think it's getting dangerous to travel to a lot of countries, so I'm thinking a road trip! See the continental states, you know?" I realize I'm still smiling, and I still have my hand on her lower back. For some odd feeling, this all seems so natural.
"Oh God, I'm babbling aren't I? I'm sorry; it's such a bad habit. Once I start, I can't stop! So tell me what you do for a living, Christian?
I love my name coming from her lips…those lips she tends to nibble on, that I'm aching to taste. "I'm in mergers and acquisitions."
She stops dead in her tracks. "So, what, you're like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman?" Before I can answer, she continues. "Wait! Christian Grey? As in 'Washington's hottest, richest, and still single bachelor' Christian Grey?"
"Yes, that would be me, wouldn't it? Although the moniker that magazine gave me is still a little embarrassing."
"Well Fuck. Me. Hell no, don't be embarrassed; be proud! You're so young, and have accomplished so much. You're an amazing person Christian, if not supposedly a little impersonal." She starts to walk again, and again stops. "I don't find you impersonal at all. I think you are a very kind, generous man. I'm happy I met you."
"Well thank you for that, Ana. I think you're a very sweet girl, and very perceptive!" We have a little laugh. "I think the majority of those comments came from people I've done business with. I'm not exactly making friends with what I do."
She turns her head and looks up at me. "A real ball buster, huh?" She nudges me a little and I'm so turned on. I'm really digging this girl—I have to find a way to keep her in my life…and get her in my bed.