I wasn't planning on starting another story but this idea came to me and I couldn't shake it until I started writing it down. I don't know how often I will update as my other story is my main focus right now. However, if I get a good response to this first chapter I may try to update as soon as I can. I would love your thoughts!
Chapter 1
For as long as she can remember, Anastasia Steele had one recurring dream one where she fell in love with a man but never learned his name nor anything else about him. He had saved her countless times from the brink of death or he has been just the friend that she has needed at the time or just a friendly face. Every time we would touch her she swore it was real even though she was deeply asleep. The strange thing that everything she woke up from one of these dreams she left a burn on her skin wherever he touched her and that was what gave her hope that he was more than just a dream.
He is also the reason why he ruined her for any other men that came into her life. She was in love with her dream man and knew deep down one day she would find him, she didn't know how but she was confident she would. It was the same thing that happened to her whenever she woke up from one of these dreams, but today was different; the last thing she remembered was her beloved telling her that today was the day that would be reunited but in the flesh. When she spring out of bed she was covered in sweat. She wasn't sure what to make of her latest dream but she felt her fire burn with desire and that gave her hope.
Today was a big day for Anastasia Steele has she was about to embark on a new adventure in her life, that as a deputy prosecutor for the City of Seattle. She came back to Washington by the way of Cambridge, Mass. where she left the past three years studying law at Harvard University. In truth, after graduating with top honors Anastasia had the pick of any job but she chose Seattle to be closer to her father who lived about three hours south of the Emerald City. Sure she could have picked a cushy job at a top private firm in any city in the country and made a pretty nice six-figure salary effecting starting to erase her larger than life college debt instead she chose a job that would barely make a dent into her loan payments, but she didn't care she wanted to make a difference in her community and seek out justice that she wasn't shown.
Standing in front of her mirror, dressed in a sharp black pencil shirt and white blouse, Anastasia couldn't decided how to wear her hair. She wanted to look confident yet sweet and innocent so no one was any the wiser when she would destroy them in court. She decided that her soft brown hair would look best in a side fishtail braid. Securing the elastic rubber band in place, she was all ready for her first day.
Anastasia knew exactly what she wanted to do when she got her first pay check, after paying her bills and purchasing a few new outfits for work she was going to buy a new car. Her beloved baby saw there through high school, undergraduate at Washington State University and then the trek to Harvard, but Wanda has seen better days and she's on her last leg and it's only a matter of weeks, possibly days until she was gone forever.
Stopped at a red light only a few blocks away from the courthouse, Anastasia casually looked over and noticed a man on a motorcycle and something about this man struck her. It reminded her of the dream she had last night and she froze and couldn't take her eyes off the man whose face was hidden behind the black helmet with a crimson stripe down the back. Could this be a coincidence? She watched closely as the mystery man flexed his back and sat up and the man his leather jacket fit him was like a glove. Desperate to know if this man was her dream man she contemplated a way to get his attention but by the time she figured out a plan he was gone and the car behind her was beeping their horn incessantly. Quickly putting her foot on the gas pedal Anastasia needed to follow the man on the motorcycle but he was out of sight. That might have been her only chance and she could have just missed it. Feeling a deep pang deep down, Anastasia tried to brush off her missed connection and pulled in to the King County Court House.
Parking her assigned spot, Anastasia looked in the mirror to make sure that she looked presentable before walking into court and once she sure that everything was perfect she grabbed her briefcase and locked her car. Once she got out and looked at the other vehicles of members of her unit she felt embarrassed. Although she loved Wanda, she was not the car of a practicing attorney so maybe she would start looking for her replacement this weekend, the sooner the better in her mind.
Walking into her new office, Anastasia was greeted by fellow deputy prosecutor Brooks Mathews, three years out of law school. Anastasia first met Brooks when she interviewed for this position nearly two months ago while home on spring break. He seemed really nice but was a little more than attentive than she probably would have preferred. As like during her interview, Brooks asked to go out to dinner to celebrate her first day of work but she politely declined and he was satisfied when she agreed to coffee.
She knew that this job was going to be busy but never thought she would be arguing her first case after lunch as Brooks was already in court and this case needed to be heard. To her luck it was simply a bail hearing and not much work was involved and Anastasia got her way with the judge and the defendant was held without bail.
Victory she thought and had to share her good news with someone and the first person she could think of would be her best friend since their freshman year at WSU when they were made roommates, Kate Kavanagh who was a local television reporter. She felt bad in the few days she's been in Seattle she hasn't called her so called best friend only sending her a text letting her know that she had arrived safely in town. Kate had responded that they need to go out and celebrate once she was settled so they could catch up and introduce her to new boyfriend whom she believes is the one. Knowing Kate who has always been a little over the top but she's never talked about any boy like this before so it must be serious.
"If it isn't little Ana Steele," Her best friend said when Ana walked back to her office.
"It's so good to hear your voice, I've missed you it's been too long," She says knowing their last time they saw each other was last summer when she come home to Washington to visit her father.
"Let's go get a drink tonight. My last live shot is at 7 and there is a great bar right down the street from my apartment, we could meet there."
"That sounds good, I could use a stiff drink right about now," She says.
"Plus, I'm bringing a guy for you."
"Kate, no playing match maker, you remember how well that has worked out before," She says remembering the dozen or so times she was set-up and nothing ever worked.
"Oh come on Steele, you know he's not real?"
"I'm sure I don't know who you are referring to."
"You know exactly who I mean. I've told you, he's not out there Ana. You have to have a life and meet a real man and don't believe that your dream man is out there waiting for you."
At this point, Anastasia regretted ever telling her best friend about her dream man.
She would have conceded to that fact maybe yesterday, but after her dream last night and then her brief encounter with the mystery motorcyclist anything is possible.
"When was your last real date?"
"This morning." And that was partially true. It was a coffee date with Brooks.
"Was your date with a co-worker?"
Not hearing a response, Kate knew she was right.
"You deserve a brilliant romance. You need a man to love you, you know I worry about you and with this new job of yours I don't want you get too invested to have a social life just like your last three years at Harvard. I mean you went on like what a dozen or so dates in three years?"
"Kate, you know I didn't want a romance to interfere with my career and I'm happy with my life now."
"Now I never said you weren't happy, I just think you need to fall in love and have some fun with a member of the opposite sex and maybe one of these days you will cash in your v-card."
Being 24 and a virgin isn't that terribly uncommon, right? She knows that all of her girlfriends they all lost their virginity either in high school or college but Anastasia was holding out hope that her dream man would one day sweep her off her feet and make love to her like she always imagined.
Looking at the mound of files on my desk I'm not sure if I would make it out of her before midnight but I can't pass a chance to see my best friend so we agree to meet at 9. Then I'm sure to at least make a good dent in my files.
The rest of the afternoon flies by and before she knows it, it's eight and she's the last in the office well with the expectation of Brooks who once again offered to take her out to dinner but just like this morning she declined and instead ordered a sandwich from the deli that was across the street.
Thankfully for her, she only lived less than five miles from work so she knew she had just enough time to change her clothes and freshen up her hair and make-up. Walking into her apartment, which was quite smaller than her Cambridge apartment, it looked Anastasia's tastes. It's wasn't as spacious as she would have preferred but it was recently renovated and had brand new appliances which was a stark contrast from her previous home. There were still several boxes left to be unpacked as she just arrived into town less than 48 hours ago but everything she needed for tonight was already put again.
As it was quite warm for a June day, Anastasia opted for a navy maxi dress and brown gladiator sandals that complimented her now curled hair that feel down past her shoulders and applied a fresh coat of bronzer and lip gloss. Grabbing her clutch, she hailed a cab before checking her phone that she was going to only early and she was quite pleased with herself.
Arriving at the Diller Room she looked around for her best friend but she was nowhere to be found. Oh Kate she thought, her always showing up late was still her trademark so she decided to go and order a drink and wait for her and her new boyfriend.
Looking around, Anastasia could see why Kate loved this bar because it was over the top and a little pretentious which describes Kate at first glance until you get to know the woman underneath who is an amazing young woman who would do anything for their best friend.
Grabbing her phone out of her clutch, she texted her best friend asking when she was going to show up. Not getting a response right away, Anastasia decided to go ahead and finish her vodka tonic. As soon as she swallowed the last drop of her much needed drink, she felt her phone buzz and saw a text from Kate saying that she's covering breaking news and she didn't know she would make it to the Diller Room and she apologized and promised to take her to dinner this weekend.
"Welcome to Seattle," She mutters to herself before she starts to head to the exit before she runs smack into someone.
"Are you okay?" She heard the rock say and when she looked up into his eyes she froze. His strong muscular arms have encircled her and for the first time in her life she feels safe.
It's him. Her dream man. She must have hit her head because there's no way this could be happening.
"Miss, are you all right?"
All she can do is stare at this beautiful man with copper hair and gray eyes before she finally speaks.
"Yes," She breathes and doesn't struggle to leave his embrace.
"I'm sorry," His beautiful and melodic voice says but neither he nor she release each other. "Let me buy you a drink to apologize."
"Thank you," She responds and is a little disappointed when he finally lets her go but to her surprise he takes her hand and leads her over to a nearby booth. She felt the electricity flow from his fingers through hers and she wonders when she's going to wake up from this magical dream.
Her dream man heads over to the bar after asking her drink of choice and all she could do was stare at him and that's when she realized that she's seen that leather jacket before. Could it be that this man and the mystery man from this morning could we one in the same?
After a few minutes, the handsome stranger comes back to the booth and hands a drink and sits rather close to her and she doesn't make a move away from him, in fact the closer she gets to him the better she feels.
"I'm Anastasia," she says extending her hand and once again he takes her hand and then the electricity is there once again.
"Max," He says with an anxious smile.
Not knowing what to talk about, Anastasia just stares at the man seated to her right.
"So Anastasia, I've never seen you heard and I know I would remember such a beautiful face."
Even his voice is just as sexy has it always been in every dream. There is no way this could real, but she's pleading with her subconscious to not let her wake up.
"I just moved to Seattle and this is my first night out, my friend had to reschedule so here I am."
"Well, I'm glad that your friend didn't come otherwise we might not have met," He says before taking a swig from his beer.
The two complete strangers sat in their booth and completely shut out the world around him. They talked about their lives and family with the exception of their jobs as for some reason it never came up and that was okay for Max as his career as he described it was a little complicated. I don't even want to think about what that meant because all I can do right now is stare at this man and how much I want him to kiss me.
The next thing they knew the bartender was announcing last call. Anastasia looks at her phone and can't believe it's a quarter to two. She has to be back at work bright in early but she doesn't want her night to end anytime soon.
They both decide against another drink and when Max settles the bill it becomes apparent that he only had the one beer while she had a total of three drinks. She didn't feel buzzed but she did feel relaxed which was a first anytime she was around a gorgeous man that was clearly interested in her.
Walking together, Anastasia stood in the taxi line but Max was quick to pull her back.
"I could give you a ride back home if you like," He asks and it's the first time she notices the black helmet with red stripe in his free hand.
She nearly stops breathing and is slow to answer him.
"I'm totally fine to drive if you're worried about my ability."
"Oh that's not it; I've never been on a motorcycle before."
"Well, I'm glad that I'm your first," He says and she thinks about all the meaning behind his statement.
Handing her his helmet and helps to put it on, Max hops on the motorcycle and then helps Anastasia onto the back.
"You better hold on tight," he says looking back at her and she responds by leaning into his back holding on for dear life.
When they arrive at her apartment, Anastasia hoped that she lived farther away she still wasn't ready to say goodbye.
Max helps her off the bike and then she hands him back the helmet and the two of them are thinking the same thing. He walks her up to the door as she takes her keys out of her purse and then turns to face him.
"It was great meeting you," She says waiting for him to make the move as she didn't know how to make the first move as she never has. In reality she has only been kissed by four men but this was different.
Sensing her innocence Max knew what he wanted but tonight wouldn't be the night so instead he would settle for a simple good night kiss. Closing the gap, Max takes her face into his hands and gently presses his lips to hers. Again, just like earlier at The Diller Room, the electricity was there again and he felt his blood surge between his lips. She tasted so sweet. He's kissed many women and so much more but this kiss was different and he didn't know why. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close and tight against his chest. Now this is a first kiss to end all kisses he thought and there was no way he wanted it to end. So he was surprised when she was the one who leaned back.
"Could I invite you in?" She asks and immediately he knew how nervous she was with her proposition.
As much as we would love to come and see what she looked like under that stunning dress he knew he had to be a perfect gentleman with her because she deserved it and so much more.
"I think it would be best if I say goodnight, but I would love to take you to dinner tomorrow that is if you're free," He asks and that breathtaking smile is there again on her lips and he knows that he's forgiven.
"Pick me up at seven?" She says and places a swift kiss on his lips before disappearing behind the front door.
