Seclusion in the South
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy
" La foret...what?" I question Christian in disbelief.
"La forêt nue." Christian repeats with a remarkable French accent, which sends new vibrations through me. I meet his gaze, and I know that he's doing this on purpose. He surrenders a quick smile, and then gently brings my hand to his face.
" Steady, Miss Steele, we haven't even got on the plane yet." He murmurs in a low tone; the sound of his normal voice somehow being intensified by his use of his French.
" Christian, we've talked about this. I can't prance in and out of my office whenever I feel like it." I sigh in aspiration, knowing the same argument that will role itself out. I try to ignore the familiar ache of my body whilst Christian raises his eyebrows in amusement at both my word choice and my struggle against his tempting, and I realise this argument stands on a thin layer of ice which could both easily break or hold. I take in a deep breath.
" You're the boss,and it's apparently fine for you to leave whenever you want. But I'd like to not piss Jack off anymore, If I can help it." I continue, as my inner Goddess raises her spear in preparation for battle, her ice skates tied tightly on. A small smirk spreads across his face, one of which I'm starting to get too used to seeing.
" Sorted." Christian says simply, his mood suddenly turning at a ninety degree angle.
"Seeing as I'm your boss's boss's boss's boss, I was able to pull a few strings on your behalf." He continues to smoothly say, whilst his Grey eyes analyse my face to prepare for my next reaction. At his words I feel the spear dig into my temples, the ice cracking under our feet, and irritation takes over my once tranquil state.
" You know how I feel about you intervening with my work, Christian. " I reply through clenched teeth. I can see a spark of concern in Christian's eyes, but his grin remains stuck on his face. Then I realise: There's something odd about his behaviour. What is he planning? I try to seek out an answer through looking at the details of his facial expression, but am met with nothing but iced, creaseless perfection. I sigh and cross my arms, waiting for his next step on the now delicate ice. Instead, he lightly pulls my arms apart and gingerly wraps them around his neck. His face is suddenly very close to mine, and I feel the heat of his breath on my face. His familiar scent resurrects the intensity in the dark corners of my body, filling them with his light. I feel the snow fortress around my heart begin to melt, as every second between us sends boiling sparks launching off in the different directions that surround us.
" It's a trip for Valentines day. Did you honestly think I would let you spend that day with Jack?" He asks in a tone that would seem too serious if said by anybody other than Christian. Icicles quickly grow within his pupils, and then their cold glare target directly at me.
" Unless you want to spend Valentines day with him." Christian suggestively growls. I suddenly realise how low our voices had gotten in the intimacy of our embrace; the pounding of my heart echoing through my ears.
" No, of course not. I just-" My words evaporate from my mind as Christian's warm mouth unexpectedly collides with mine. The intimacy between us finally erupts into a million flames; burning our tongues whilst moulding our lips into one. Our ice rink has now transformed into a sea of desire, and I begin to endure the familiar feeling of being dragged deeper and deeper. I feel his hands glide to the back of my neck, locking themselves in the roots of my hair. He gently tugs at it, releasing bursts of pleasure from a part of me that has been desperately trying to escape out. As quickly as it had begun, Christian abruptly pulls away. I'm left panting as my inner Goddess has left nothing but her spear and an absence card on the floor saying " Gone for Lunch!"
" Then that settles it. You're my Valentine." Christian states, though his eyes remain blazing and starring into my own. My mind struggles to resurface itself from our encounter, as the strong tide of my body aches to pull him back to me. Christian speaks in my absence of words.
" I have a wood cabin in the South of France. It's a thirty minute drive from the neighbouring town ." He speaks, and I sense that Christian's business-man attitude is back. I finally break through the thick water, my heart inhaling some well-needed oxygen. I ponder the idea of going to France.
" Are there any more homes of yours I should know about?" I question him. I feel the atmosphere sharply change again as Christian evolves his shade once more.
" I've only owned the cabin for a few weeks." Christian admits, and my heart itself melts at his child-like naivety. My brain suddenly clicks at what he has said.
" You bought it, because of me, didn't you?" I realise, my voice numb with shock. Christian's posture remains firm, but I see the discomfort looming in the background of his eyes.
" You said you've always wanted to go to France. This is my Valentine's present to you." Christian says whilst the nerves in my body struggle to react. A mixture of guilt and excitement swirl in the depths of my body, as I watch Christian analyse my reaction once again.
" Christian-" I begin to protest, but his hand smoothly moves to my mouth as he sighs in disappointment.
" Can you please accept this gift from me without a fight?"Christian asks with such sincerity I pause.
"Ana, money isn't an issue. Sawyer has packed our bags, and he's outside waiting to take us to the airport." His strict tone is back again, and I know I have no argument left to defend myself with. I wonder how Christian managed to do all this without me noticing. Did he arrange this whilst at work, or when I was asleep? He takes my hand and gently pulls me towards him. He places a delicate kiss on my forehead and then holds my head between his hands. I treasure the thought of being alone with him, away from any civilisation.
" We're going to France...right now?" I ask, my voice sounding numb of any clarity. Christian slowly nods and then strokes his thumb gently against my left cheek.
" La forêt nue...it's a very quiet place. Private." He mentions. I hear a familiar tone leek into his voice, and my body reacts to it automatically.
" What does that name translate to?" I ask him. He replies with a dark chuckle that invites all the senses in my body to tingle with anticipation. Christian begins to walk us to the car, and after a long he pause replies to my question:
" You'll see."