Chapter One
I look at my watch again as we pull up in front of the Fairmont hotel where the charity event I have been invited to is being held. I'm ten minutes early. I take a deep, cleansing breath before I step out of the backseat of the Audi Taylor is driving. The valet gives me a semblance of a weak, annoyed smile as he holds open my door for me. Yeah, man, I feel you. I wouldn't have come to this event if I wasn't trying to make a deal with the man whose family began this charity in the first place.
The valet takes the car keys from Taylor and drives it around the back to park it as Taylor and I make our way to the entrance of the hotel. This isn't my first time being here so I happen to know where I am going, and when I see an employee ask me if she could be of any assistance I politely wave her off. Never gets old I tell you. Women will make a fool of themselves and become the most petty creatures you will ever meet just because of a face. Utterly ridiculous and the fact that they don't even know me adds to the disappointment.
Not saying that I am put off by the female population and not saying that I don't use my good looks to my advantage, but you know, it gets boring dealing with the same type of women. What I would just really like is a woman who can turn my head, capture my attention and hold it long enough that I'm not out on the prowl sniffing out better, more interesting females. I like the hunt and capturing a good find, but I would just like at least a chance where I have obstacles in my way to get what I want, instead of having it thrown directly into my path.
I sigh loudly as Taylor and I reach the entrance of the room where the dinner is being held. He turns to look at me before I cross the threshold.
"I'll be close by, sir. Let me know when you're ready to leave." Taylor subtlety smirks at me, obviously guessing I will be ready to leave within 30 minutes from the time the event starts.
"Will do, Taylor," I say, walking into the room towards the tall blonde woman wearing a black pencil skirt and white dress shirt, greeting guests as they enter.
Her face lights up as she sees me and a wide, what I guess she thinks is appealing, grin settles on her face. I try to hide my grimace as best I can. "Good evening, Mr. Grey," she tries to seductively purr. "We are so glad you could make it this evening. Here's your place card. I do hope you enjoy your evening." She winks at me and I give her a brisk nod and a polite smile as I take the card from her dry, bony fingers. I'm sure I'll enjoy my evening if you stay far away from me as possible.
I look at my place card and unfold it as I begin walking away from Miss Unappealing, glancing at the table number written on the card. The number 13 is written in pink ink. My eyes search around the room, looking at all of the numbers labeling the tables. My eyes finally settle on a large silver 13 written on a pale pink paper that is nestled in a bouquet of rose pink hydrangeas.
As I begin my journey to the table I will be dining at this evening, I pass a few businessmen, greeting some and barely acknowledging others: I don't deem them worthy enough to enjoy my presence, mainly because they're egotistical pigs that don't deserve the companies and money they have.
When I finally reach table 13 I take my seat and take a deep breath. I am already regretting coming here and the event hasn't even started yet. I look around the table and see familiar and unfamiliar faces. The familiar faces being that of the Kavanagh's and the unfamiliar faces owned by two older couples who look to be friendly, but then I know how deceiving looks can be.
"Mr. Grey, how nice to see you again." I turn to the voice that is directed at me and see Evan Kavanagh's green eyes seeking mine. "You remember my wife, Karen, and my two children, Ethan and Katherine?"
I reach across his wife to shake his hand while giving him my first genuine smile of the evening. "Mr. Kavanagh, what a delight to see you again." I say then turn to greet his wife and kids. "Karen, looking beautiful as always. Ethan, Kate, nice seeing you." Ethan smiles politely and nods his head in greeting while Kate has a sour grimace on her face. I inwardly roll my eyes; she's still that snotty little bitch I remember her to be. I still don't know why she doesn't like me, one of the first women I met that is immune to my charms. I turn my attention back to Evan. "How's the business going? I heard the fiber optics division is moving along gracefully," I say to him.
"Gracefully, indeed, and I think I have you and your efficient team to thank for that."
I give him an indulgent smile. Yes, I know, my employees can be pretty damn amazing when I have the right people. "Well I'm glad my company was able to offer you an opportunity that benefited your company as much as it has."
"Yes, benefit I have. The other day I had a conversation with a young man who worked for the company I was considering before I decided to go with you, and I must say I am more than grateful for the decision I made. They young man was telling me that George Young, the CEO of Young Electronics, wasn't doing . . ."
I don't hear the rest of Kavanagh's, what I can already tell to be dull story, when the most beautiful woman I have ever seen walks in the direction of the table I am sitting at. Her strapless, silk purplish pink dress accentuates her rather enticing chest then descends down her torso in a loose fitting grip only to flare out in small amounts beginning at her shapely hips. My mouth dries as I watch the hypnotizing sway of her hips and the way her waist length honey brown hair bounces and swings around her as she takes each step. She has a diamond wreath necklace lying around the base of her neck and I have a very vivid image in my mind of her only wearing that necklace as she lies under me.
She's a goddess, Aphrodite in the flesh. She's looking away from me so I can't get a good look at her face, but from what I can see from her profile she is surly something to behold. My body is pleased just as much as my eyes are by the sight of her, and my trousers seem to get less comfortable as my eyes continue to feast upon this angel. I watch as she pulls out the chair seated next to Kate and gracefully lowers her body down, facing Kate. I didn't even realize there was a vacated seat next to her.
". . . You know, it's just unfortunate. His company could've been the best in that field but he blew it all to hell." I focus my attention back on Kavanagh and turn a guilty eye on him. I don't think he noticed that I wasn't listening, thank God. I come up with some sort of comment that will hopefully keep him from thinking I wasn't listening to him.
"That is rather unfortunate. Such wasted talent, people don't want to work hard to get where they want nowadays," I say, looking at him, hoping I'm along the right tracks of what the man was talking about.
"Wholeheartedly agree with you, Mr. Grey." He smiles at me, no hint or sign or displeasure in his voice or on his face so I think I'm out of the woods.
Before I can say anything else the man of the hour interrupts conversations across the room and greets everyone cordially. I look to my left and there on the stage is Charles Wilcox, the sole reason for my presence this evening. Being the CEO of Wilcox Shipping Co., I can't afford not to be in his good graces as I want his shipping company. His shit head of a son, Adam Wilcox, will be taking over the company within the next year, and if Charles knows what's best for the company that his grandfather started, he better not hand it over to that little fucker.
Kavanagh was talking about unfortunate and that is exactly what Adam Wilcox is, a parasite on this earth that is unfortunately alive. The epitome of a spoiled dumbass, Adam has been handed everything on a silver platter from the day he crawled out of his mother. Yeah, sure his family is rich, so it's a given that he would have nice things, but this vile leviathan has never earned any of the luxury he dwells in. I understand that in all reality he doesn't have to work if he didn't want to, but the fact that the little shit acts like he deserves what he has because of the bullshit idea that it was given to him for a reason other than his great grandfather working his ass off to start this company, yeah makes total sense to me.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for attending the fifth annual Pink Ribbon Foundation. As you all know this is a very important cause to my family and me. Losing my mother to breast cancer was hard, the hardest thing my family has ever had to go through, I'm sure. So in honor of my mother, and other women, we created this foundation to help fund research for breast cancer, a disease that kills about every 1 in 36 women, and the second leading cause of death in women, following lung cancer. So please join us in making a difference and to fight for victims of breast cancer everywhere this evening. All proceeds are donated to the Pink Ribbon Foundation. Thank you for your generous contributions."
I join the round or applause as Wilcox Sr. exits the stage and the master of ceremonies makes his appearance, telling us to enjoy the meal that is being served, after going over the itinerary for the evening.
I watch as Charles walks over to his table and note which table number he is located at so when I get the chance I can speak to him. When I turn back to face my table I catch blue eyes scrutinizing me then hastily turning away. Those beautiful blues belong to the lovely lady who sat down before Charles made his introduction. Since she's only sitting a few feet away from me now I can get a better, more thorough look at her. The delicate pale skin lining her body is only marred by a few beauty moles covering her chest and arms. Her button nose and plump full lips colored by a light pink gloss only add to the many attractive features of her face and body.
It's almost painful for me to turn my attention away from her. I've seen attractive women before, been with attractive women before, but none of them, not even one, compare to the beauty that is this exquisite creature before me. I wish I knew her name, I'm sure she has to know mine, so it would only be fair if I knew hers, right?
I open my mouth to introduce myself, and right when I part my lips I catch Kate's evil glare thrown my way. I eat the words that are about to escape my lips and give Kate a questioning look. She shakes her head then simply mouths the word "no" to me, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. "No", don't speak at all, or "no" don't speak to the girl sitting next to her? Why wouldn't she want me to talk to her friend? I'm more than positive Kavanagh isn't gay so she can't be calling dibs. Well, whatever the reason I'll let it go for now. Maybe I can get a chance to talk to the girl alone before this event ends. For now I'll just settle with gazing at her from afar.
Dinner was delicious, a very satisfying meal. The fact that I had a front row seat to watch an angel only added to my fulfillment. She hasn't looked at me anymore since the first time I caught her looking at me, and I must say it's rather irritating considering the fact I want her to look at me so I can get a good view of her baby blue's again. As dinner moved along I conversed a little more with Evan, and even a little with the older gentleman and his wife sitting to the right of me. Nice couple they were, the other one, not so much.
As the table is getting cleared I see the goddess excuse herself and watch as she walks to a hallway at the back of the ballroom, I think headed to the restrooms. We are given a little time to make idle chatter before the auction starts, so I excuse myself from the table, wanting to go talk to Charles Wilcox for a bit.
Before I can even make it two feet from the table Katherine steps in front of me. I would think she would be a very attractive woman if she didn't have such an overbearing attitude, and you know, if she wasn't such a bitch for no reason. I honestly don't think I have ever said nor done anything to this woman to make her dislike me as much as she does.
"Katherine, can I help you with something?" I ask, paying more attention to Wilcox's table than to her.
"Cut the shit, Grey. I saw you eyeing Ana. Stay away from her. She isn't one of your bimbos you can fuck whenever you feel the need to and then toss her aside."
Ah, so that's what the look was for. Alas, the mystery is solved. Her name is Ana. Hmm, Ana. I quite like it, fits her well, simple yet charming. I focus my undivided attention on Kate and want to laugh at the haughty look and stance of her face and body. I hope she knows that her words and disposition aren't going to deter me.
"Listen, Katherine, I'll let Ana decide whether she wants me near her or not. I get you're trying to protect your friend," I roll my eyes, it's not like I'm a fucking disease or have any, "but from the looks of it she's a grown woman, let her make her own decisions. Until then mind your own damn business. No one likes a cockblocker." I take a lingering look at her and walk away with a satisfied smirk as I revel in the indignant expression displayed on her face.
I stride over to Wilcox's table and see an empty seat to the left of him. I glance around and don't see the telltale sign of Adam's brownish-black hair so I assume that the vacated seat must belong to him. I stand behind Charles and clear my throat to get his attention before I greet him.
"Good evening, Mr. Wilcox," I say, and watch him turn around to greet me as recognition registers on his face.
"Mr. Grey! Pleasure seeing you again, I'm so glad you could make it this evening." He stands and enthusiastically shakes my hand. Not the response I was expecting, but hey the more familiar and friendly the better, means I'm doing something right.
"Yes, it's for a good cause, and anything I could do to help."
"Thank you, son. So how is the business world treating you? Last I heard there was speculation of your company being in the top 10 on the Forbes Fortune 500 list."
"Yeah, yeah it's good, great actually. I'm more than blessed to be where I am today. I couldn't have imagined GEH ever being this successful, but I had my hopes like every other business person."
"And for someone so young, you really knocked a few of us out of the ball park. Congratulations on the success though, not many can say they have come as far as you have." I smile at him. I do like Charles Wilcox, he's such a smart, competent man, how he ever got such a tool box for a son is way beyond me.
"Speaking of success, do you have a few minutes to discuss business? I want to offer you a proposal that I think will benefit us both. But if you'd rather discuss it in a less formal setting . . ."
"Nonsense, I can spare a few minutes. Have a seat." He gestures towards the empty seat next to him as he sits down. I pull out the chair further and firmly plant myself down. "Now what is this proposal of yours?"
I tell him of my idea to merge our two companies together. I know he has his doubts about his eldest son's capability of running his family owned company since the 30s, and merging our companies will solve this problem. He would still have controlling interest in Wilcox Shipping Co., but GEH will be taking over as highest ranking executive in the company, or in other terms I will become the managing director of Wilcox Shipping Co. Of course it's clear how this would benefit me, so I tell him that he can still have final say if that is what he wants or staying on the sidelines, and since he has controlling shares he would still be able to control a large portion of his company. I would be acting COO, making decisions and changes only when beneficial and completely necessary. I also inform him that I would be increasing employees pay and keeping employees that pass the background check that my company does for every company we acquire or merge with. I want to make it hard for him to pass up this opportunity and keeping his loyal employees on the job and making him happy will do just that, I'm sure. I know he's a smart man, and he would be pretty clueless to pass up this proposal.
I watch him as he mulls over what I'm offering. From his body language I can tell he isn't against the idea, but there's something holding him back. What that is I have no idea.
"Well, Mr. Grey, you have certainly given me a lot to think about. How about I call you sometime this week so we can discuss this some more?" Charles says to me.
I stand up and shake his hand. "Sounds good, I'll look forward to your call. Have a good rest of your evening." He returns my handshake and says a farewell.
I walk back to my table, but before I make it to my chair my bladder alerts me that it has reached carrying capacity, so I walk past table 13 and head towards the hallway, leading to the restrooms.
As I pass the threshold entrance of the men's bathroom I see Adam Wilcox relieving himself at the urinal furthest from the door. I walk to the urinal closet to the door and act like I didn't see him. I can't stand him, his face, his presence, the fact that he is even alive; all of it just pisses me off. Of course if he hadn't been involved with my little sister three years back this intense dislike probably wouldn't consume me, but it does. And if it was up to me Adam fucking Wilcox would have been taken care of a long time ago.
As I'm relieving myself I watch him out of my periphery. I see him zip up then wince in pain. I focus my attention on a spot on the wall above the urinal as I try to hold in the raucous laughter that wants to escape my mouth.
I zip up, getting my silent laughter under control then turn around to wash my hands only to see the little shit staring at me through the mirror. I walk up to the multiple sinks placed on a single counter, completely ignoring him, washing my hands then pulling off a few paper towels from the dispenser.
"Alex told me that you made a proposal to our father pertaining to our family company. You know I'm taking over soon and being the selfish fucker you are, you swoop in and try to take my place. What the fuck is wrong with you, Grey?"
I slowly turn around to face him. He's about six inches shorter than I am, scrawny compared to me, and having the misfortune of having an elephant's asshole for a face. What my sister, or any girl for that matter, could possibly ever see in him is something that should probably be investigated.
I give him a deathly glare before I speak in a menacingly low tone. "You know, if you weren't such a fuck up I would feel guilty about the proposal I made to your father. But since you are a fuck up and since we live in a free country I can do whatever the fuck I want, guilt ridden or not. And I suggest if you want to continue to live in the lap of luxury you were so wrongfully given, you learn to keep that filthy mouth of yours closed. Do all of us a favor."
I notice his face is turning a bright red and his fists clenched at his sides. Funny how a few insulting words can piss him off so easily, but then again if he knew they weren't true he wouldn't be reacting the way he is. "As for my problem, let's reminisce on a few years back to the 19 year old girl you fucked over." I take a few steps closer to him, my face about five inches away from his, even though I have to bend down a smudge to get closer to him. "I told you, you fuck with me or my family, I fuck you over. Heed my warning you sack of shit and make yourself scarce." He narrows his eyes at me and his nostrils flare in absolute anger, but I could care less about his adolescent tantrum, as a matter of fact I welcome it. Free entertainment what could possibly get better than that?
"Watch your back, Grey. This isn't over. Heed my warning." I roll my eyes at his empty threat; even if he was serious I know he would never see it through.
He angrily stomps out of the bathroom much to my amusement and I begin to follow his trail but my ringing phone distracts me. I roll my eyes and sigh when I see the name flashing on the screen. God, what does Natalie want? Last time I saw her I made it perfectly clear I wasn't the man for her, and now here she is calling me. I don't want to deal with some hysterical girl begging me to give her another chance so I ignore her call and turn my phone down to silent.
When I leave the bathroom I hear voices and when I look up I catch sight of Adam talking to that beautiful girl that was sitting at my table. Uhh, Ana, her name's Ana. I don't think they can see me since I'm still in the little cove that leads to the door of the men's bathroom. I know I'm eavesdropping but I honestly don't care. I strain my neck forward, perking up my ears, trying to listen to what they're saying.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Adam? I don't want to be with you. Do I have to get a restraining order to make you understand that?" Her voice is soft, but firm. In a different circumstance I would even go as far as saying she has a sexy voice. She has this mesmerizing tone hidden in her voice and I swear I think I'm already addicted only after one taste.
"Look, I know I screwed up, but we were so good together. Don't act like you don't miss being with me, Rosy." Rosy? Who the fuck is Rosy? I can't believe this prick was actually with someone as beautiful as her. What is up with these women? First Mia and now I find out he was with Ana, too? Do they really think he is that attractive to waste any time on him? I shake my head and keep listening to their conversation.
"Don't call me that. And no I don't miss being with you. In fact I haven't thought about you since the last time I saw you."
"You don't mean that. C'mon, let's just kiss and make up already. Just one kiss and I promise I can make you fall in love with me all over again."
I clench my fists and grind my teeth. I can't believe this shit. She was in love with the bastard?
"No, Adam. Let go! I don't want you." I can hear the distress and irritation in her voice clearly and either Adam is totally oblivious to it, or he's just ignoring it. I peak around the corner and see her struggling to get out of his grip as he tries to press his lips against hers. And for some unfathomable reason the sight not only royally pisses me off to incredible amounts but I feel like he is touching something that doesn't belong to him. Something he doesn't deserve and something I just now realized I want more than I've wanted something in a very, very long time.
I leave my hiding space and walk up to them. Ana notices me and her eyes widen when she sees me reach up and grab Adam by the back of his shirt, effectively pulling him off of Ana. I know I don't know her but I grab her hand and pull her towards me, placing a protective hand on her waist.
Adam composes himself just in time to see Ana's body resting against the side of mine. His eyes trail to where my hand is placed on her body then menacingly stare daggers at my face.
"What the fuck, Grey! Don't you know how to mind your own business?"
"What the fuck is right. I know you heard her protesting against your advances, but you stupidly continued. What the fuck is wrong with you. If I was her I would definitely file for a restraining order, you pathetic little shit."
I look at him through narrow eyes, then turn away, with Ana still in my grasp and walk out of the corridor.
"You think you're this invincible god but watch yourself, Grey! You're going to find yourself in a predicament not even your money will get out of. Mark my words, Christian Grey. One day you will get what's coming to you. I'll see you later, Rosy." I feel Ana tense up next to me as he calls her Rosy.
I take a backwards glance at him to see him shaking in anger. Yeah, yeah keep making those empty threats. I turn away and continue walking further away from Adam Wilcox, with Ana nestled in my side as we enter the ballroom again.
"Thanks for that, very chivalrous of you. I'm Anastasia by the way, but everyone calls me Ana." I stop to look at her then hold out my hand.
"Christian grey, pleasure to meet you, and pleasure to be of uselessness, fair lady," I say, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. She softly giggles at my attempt to sound like I'm from the medieval period, and it's the most captivating sound I have ever heard. I look into her eyes and have to remind myself of where I am for a moment. I have never seen eyes so exquisite in my life. A cobalt blue iris with a dark violet ring surrounding the pupils, I never knew such beauty ever existed.
"Likewise." She smiles at me, and I feel the air leave my body in a rush. She must be a witch who has casted a spell on me, or at least a siren. I have to physically shake myself to get out of the stupor I have unceremoniously been thrown into. My reaction to her is worrisome. Never has my body acted such a way to any woman I have encountered, and if I'm being totally honest it's unsettling. I drop her hand and take a step away to distance myself, trying to get my discombobulated thoughts in order.
Her smile falters and now I feel like a prick, I didn't mean to act so disinterested all of the sudden. "Well, I should probably get back to my table. Thanks again, for, um, saving me." She turns away from me and begins to walk back to our table. Did she forget we are both sitting at table 13?
"I'll walk back with you," I say, after catching up with her.
She shrugs her shoulders. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I want to, plus we are going to the same table," I say looking down at her. She's about a foot shorter than me but most women are. Finding a woman who is close to the height of 6'2 and isn't a model for Victoria's Secret isn't very common to find in the female population of Seattle. Not that a mind being with short women in the least bit.
I let my eyes linger down her body and observe her slim shoulders and arms although I can see a little muscle definition accentuating her arms. I can see her cleavage as I look down at her and I'm impressed. Not overly gargantuan for her size, not too small and definitely not fake as I greedily regard the way they bounce as she walks next to me.
I see her glance at me out of the corner of her eye and I shoot my eyes to hers, a little surprised she caught looking at her chest as I never get caught. Her eyes grow a fraction larger as she looks down at her breasts then looks back at me with shock and I think a little bit of anger.
"Were you staring at my breasts?" she asks, stopping mid-stride turning to face me. She crosses her arms under her breasts, pushing them up further, but I know better than to look anywhere but at her face.
"No." I outright lie to her. I mean it's not like she can prove I was staring at her chest.
"Really? Okay then, what did I say before I looked at you?" She raises a perfectly arched brow at me.
"Uh . . ." Okay, so maybe she can prove that I was looking at her chest.
"That's what I thought. I can't believe Kate was actually right for once. She told me how much of a womanizer you are, and I guess it was my mistake to doubt her. Was your little act of knight- in-shining-armor back there just some show to get you laid?" She is looking at me completely disappointed and for some reason it really irks me.
I raise my hands in a gesture of surrender. "I apologize, I shouldn't have been blatantly staring at your chest, but if it helps my case any you have very nice breasts." Her mouth drops open and she looks at me incredulously.
She snaps her mouth shut after a moment and looks at me through narrowed eyes. "Good bye, Christian Grey. I wish I could say it has been a pleasure talking to you but then I would be a liar like you. Have a good night." She stomps away towards the table and my eyes follow her with what I am sure to be a bewildered expression.
The first woman who has ever caught me staring at her chest calls me out on it, calls me a liar for denying the fact, and then bitterly walks away from me. I don't know what to do with myself for a good 20 seconds then I absentmindedly make my way back to my table and sit down.
Ana is already sitting there, obviously avoiding my gaze, but Kate isn't hiding her displeasure for me as she stares at me through angry, hostile eyes. I seriously don't know what is wrong with the girl but she needs to get over her shit and stop staring at me like I stole her last doughnut while on her period.
The auction started about ten minutes ago, and I hear people calling out bidding on whatever item interests them. I vaguely hear what is going on around me as I can't seem to focus. Anastasia is clouding my thoughts, her face, her voice, her body, her feisty attitude, all of it swirling in my head, vying for my attention. I like Anastasia better than Ana. It's more unique and a name you don't typically hear on a normal day. It's quite beautiful name, too, but not as beautiful as the woman who owns it.
I run my hand through my hair and glance at her for about the millionth time since I sat back down after the bathroom debacle with her and that little weasel.
The fact that he had the chance with her and clearly screwed up pisses me off. Not only because she gave him the time of day, but also because I know that the little shit didn't and still doesn't deserve her. But he still got the opportunity to be with her. I wonder what he did in the first place to screw up, and knowing him I'm sure it was something that was beyond ridiculous and avoidable. I learned early on that stupid people do stupid things, and sometimes they learn sometimes they don't. Adam is the type of person that never learns, not that it should surprise anyone anymore.
I look at my watch and see that I have been here close to two hours. That never happens. Not unless I'm trying to get a girl to come home with me, or I'm conversing with colleagues, but that never takes two hours. I sigh as I take out my phone to text Taylor to get the car ready. I think it's time to call it a night. When I pull out my phone I notice I have five missed calls and nine texts. What the fuck? I go through my call logs and see that all of my missed calls are from Natalie and six of the nine texts are also from her. They're all basically pleading me to call her back for an urgent matter. I sigh heavily, I'm sure whatever it is can't be that important that I need to call her right this moment. I don't know what she doesn't understand about me not being enough for her? Not only that but I simply just don't want her, sure she's a good fuck but that's all I'm interested in. I text Taylor telling him I'm ready to go, turning up the volume to vibrate mode and put my phone back in my pocket, deciding to contact Miss Lane later.
I make sure that I donate a large sum of money before I leave, also taking one last glance at Anastasia before I leave. I run my finger along my bottom lip as I exit the ballroom as inconspicuous as possible, thinking about all of the positions I would be delighted to be in with Ana's comely body wrapped around, underneath, and on top of mine. I try to shake my thoughts of her as I enter the lobby of the Fairmont only to hear a voice I was hoping I wouldn't hear for, well, the rest of my life. Ah, wishful thinking.
"Leaving so soon? I'm surprised you aren't going home with a floozy bimbo." I turn around and look the King of Parasites in the eye. I feel a headache coming on from being around him too much.
"Why do you care who I'm going home with?" I challenge him. His fingers twitch and he narrows his eyes at me.
He walks closer to me, standing about three feet from where I'm standing, looking me dead in the eye. "Stay away from Ana. She's not one of your play toys that you switch out every week. She's mine and you can't have her." I raise my eyebrows at him. Is he serious or is he more delusional than I thought?
"Yours? It didn't seem that way when she was trying to push you off of her."
"She's confused, she doesn't know what she wants. But until she figures out that we are meant to be together stay away from her. She doesn't need to be tainted by your less than honorable ways." I look at him like he's mental, which clearly he is because something isn't right.
I step closer to him, stalking closer to him like he's my prey. I stop when I'm not even a foot away and glare dare at the puny pest. Inside I'm falling asleep; this going back and forth with him is getting old. "Whatever I do, whoever I take home, is none of your fucking business," I hiss at him, he's really starting to piss me off like never before. "Listen to me and listen very carefully. Just for the sole reason you can't seem to close your mouth, I will make sure it will be me running Wilcox Shipping Co., instead of the pathetic excuse of a boy that Charles Wilcox calls his son, and you will have absolutely no place reserved for you. I am sick of tired of seeing your face. I should've disposed of you when you fucked with my little sister a long time ago. Do. Not. Fuck. With. Me. Anymore." I give him the most intimidating look a can muster, a look I have perfected over the years that make grown men quiver in their leather dress shoes.
I feel my phone vibrate against my leg once, and know it must be Taylor alerting me he has the SUV ready. I turn around heading for the entrance of the hotel hoping not to hear another peep from the nuisance that is the Wilcox heir, but unfortunately my hopes are shattered.
"You say not to fuck with you; maybe you should tell that to the women who share your bed. How's Natalie doing by the way?" My step falters as Natalie's name slips off his tongue, but I act like I didn't hear him.
When I make my exit and am safely inside the SUV with Taylor driving back to Escala, I relax and let the stress of the night reduce me to a lump of a man in the backseat.
I run my hand through my hair, going over tonight's events in my mind. Kate's mysterious hostility, my proposal to Charles Wilcox, the exotic, enticing creature that is Anastasia, the numerous missed calls and texts from Natalie and . . . Natalie!
My mind goes back to Adam's words, "How's Natalie doing by the way?"
How the fuck does he knows about her and why in the hell would he be worried about how she's doing?
I grab my phone from my pocket and go to my phone icon, dialing Natalie's number. It rings twice before I hear her voice on the other line.
"Christian, I've been trying to get a hold of you all night! What took you so long to call me back?" Her voice sounds different, like she has a cold or something.
"I was busy. What's the urgent message you need to tell me?" I ask her.
She hesitates for a few seconds then I hear her sniff before she speaks. "I'd rather talk to you about this in person, Christian."
"Well I don't know when or if you'll ever see me in person anytime soon, so you might as well tell me now." God, I hate when she does this, always trying to manipulate me into seeing her. I fell for it once, sure as hell not happening again.
She doesn't say anything and I pull back to see if the call disconnected or if she hung up, but the timer is still going. "Natalie, what is it you want to tell me. I don't have all day," I say, my irritation growing.
I hear her sniffle again. "Christian, I'm pregnant."
Thank you for reading! SS&G xoxo