CPOV

"So how did your meeting go" Ros asked me.

"Well, really well."

I looked up from the paperwork she had placed on my desk, to see her looking at me strangely.

"What is up with you."

"I need to sit down" she said as I gestured to the chair in front of my desk.

"The couch is free, if you need that as well."

"Oh, shut up. Let me get this right, you went golfing which you hate, with the Senator who you can't stand, on a Sunday mind you and you said it went really well. What's the catch."

"Nothing" I laughed. "And who said I hated golf. I actually hit the ball well, beating the Senator which is always a bonus and I got the agreement for the shipments to be sent through. A good day's work, even though I missed dinner at my parents to do it."

"There is still something you're not telling me... Ok" she said, shaking her head as if that would put all the answers into place. "What did Blandino want you to agree to."

"He has this big plan to get the unskilled or uneducated younger generation off the streets and into work. He wants more companies to take on low skilled workers, give the kids that didn't have the grades they needed, the chance to train to do the job they would've had if they did."

"We already do internships here but how do you pay someone who worked hard and got those grades the same as someone who didn't."

"All details that will need to be worked out. I can understand where he's coming from though. Look at Barney, if you had read his resume, you would see high school dropout, no interest in school and no qualifications. Look deeper than that and you will find out it was the environment he struggled with not the school work. Bypass him because of his qualifications and we would've missed out on the computer genius that he is. Maybe there are many more Barney's out there waiting for that chance."

"I agree. Where are these unemployed youngsters going to work?" she asked me.

"I own many companies around Seattle in many different locations, we will work something out" I told her, adding my signature to the paperwork in front of me and then handing them back.

"Don't forget, were meeting Mr Alvarez in Panache at one."

"I'm hardly going to forget Ros, I've been working on this deal for the past three weeks. I would rather meet here or his business but I suppose I can buy him lunch before I buy his company for a knock down price."

"I have no idea how you're going to get that business to work, he's driven it into the ground."

"I know but his client list is extensive, that and he has a skilled workforce that under new management will be able to reach their potential. He may think that he's selling me a dud company but I have done my homework."

"Don't you always" she said.

"I will meet you downstairs in an hour" I told her as she got up to leave my office.

Getting down to work without interruptions is normally easy or it would've been, if a certain young woman's smile didn't keep popping into my mind. The last place I thought I would ever meet someone that I liked was in a business meeting on a golf course. Ana was like a breath of fresh air, my giggling companion around the course and one who might help me enjoy the game, considering I have signed up for this tournament.

Ana said she worked in publishing, there are a few in Seattle, I checked. We never exchanged numbers so I don't know if she just turns up for the tournament on Saturday or I'm hoping I will get to see her before. Would she think it too forward if I called up every publishing company in Seattle to find her. Of course she would, she would think you're a stalker Grey.

The Golf club wouldn't give out members details either, when I tried there this morning too. They only said they would pass a message and my number onto her the next time she was on the course.

I suppose I could get Barney onto it but I wanted to find her myself.

…

"If he doesn't sign" Ros said in the car on the way to the restaurant.

"He will, he's desperate even though he makes out that he's not."

We continued the drive in silence, not taking long to get there. As we were about to get out, I let her in on my plans for the weekend.

"I'm taking part in the golf tournament this coming weekend so you might need to take over my meetings on Friday" I told her.

She was quiet as I turned to see why she hadn't gotten out, having practically fallen back in her seat.

"Have you been secretly drinking wine for this meeting" I asked, offering my hand which she took.

"No, I'm just wondering where my boss is because you're not him."

Shaking her head, she headed into the restaurant as I followed smiling behind.

"Table for Grey" Ros told the maître 'd who quickly showed us to our table.

The restaurant was busy with the lunch crowd but our table was in the corner so we wouldn't be disturbed too much by the noise.

I stood as our guests approached, shaking hands with Mr Alvarez and his son before we all took our seats.

"If I knew we would be coming to a place like this, I would've insisted on all our meetings being here" Alvarez said, looking around the restaurant.

I could see his smile grow when he looked at the menu and especially as my company was paying, the prices. We ordered our food, Alvarez ordering one of the dearest things on the menu but I didn't mind, it would come out of the money I had saved from the sale price he had agreed.

"So, today we sign" he said excitedly rubbing his hands together.

"Yes, our lawyer is on his way and should be here shortly. Has yours arrived already."

"No, not yet. He has read the paperwork and agreed it's a good price so I don't really see why he needs to be here but he's on his way" he grumbled as if he didn't want the added expense of a lawyer." It's my company so my signature should be the only one that matters."

Our meal was delicious as always here and once Daniel and Alvarez's Lawyer had come over from the bar where they had been waiting, I was now the owner of yet another company.

Sitting back now the meeting was over, I noticed that Alvarez and his son were in no rush to move. I would pay for their lunch like agreed but this wasn't a free bar as well. I signalled for the waitress to come over but something else caught my eye.

A woman had just risen from her seat at a table close to the windows. She had her back to me at the moment as she weaved around the servers in the direction of the bathroom. Her long hair flowed down her back, her blouse fitting perfectly but her skirt showcased her perfect arse, one I had spent my Sunday following behind.

"Sir" the waitress said when she had come to my table. I still had my hand in the air as if I was in class waiting to give my answer.

"Cheque please" I told her as I excused myself, letting Ros know to take cake of the cheque when it came before I made my way in the direction of the bathrooms.

I walked past the bathrooms to the window at the end of the small hall. From here you had a perfect view of the Sound. Water's I had sailed many times before.

It wasn't long before the door opened behind me and a woman who was definitely not Ana came out. She must be in her sixties but was dressed like a teen. She smiled at me, looking up and down before going back to wherever she came from.

As the door opened again, I was in luck this time.

"How was your game" I asked as Ana spun around.

"Christian, hello. My game went well thank you and I was thankfully able to get back to the clubhouse before the rain started" she said, smiling as I walked over to her.

"You look very beautiful."

"Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself. I prefer my golf attire but you can't work in the city in them."

"No" I laughed, "I don't think I could turn up wearing them to a meeting unless it's one on the course like yesterday."

"Is that what you're here for" she asked.

"Yes."

"You do have a lot of meetings."

"They're necessary in my line of work. Some surprisingly turn out to be more enjoyable than others. Are you here for work" I asked her.

"No, my Dad and I were having lunch. We usually meet on a Monday if my mum and him have been away for the weekend. Mums got a cold so I got my Dad all to myself today" she said as we finally made our way back into the restaurant.

I looked to my table, seeing it empty now. It doesn't surprise me the Alvarez's have left now the free food is over but where is Ros. It was then that I heard her laughing as Ana smiled.

"Small world" she said quietly as we walked to her table where Ros now sat laughing with her father.

"I wondered where you had gone to" Ray said to Ana.

"I was just talking to Christian about my round yesterday."

"Hello again Mr Grey" he said standing and shook my hand.

"Christian please, we're not in a business meeting now."

"For a change" Ana smiled.

"I cannot believe that Ana agreed to be your caddie, what about me" he said to his daughter who just laughed.

"Join us" Ana said as I look the seat next to her.

"Dad, my days of being your caddie and having to duck every time you miss your shot because the club miraculously jumps out of your hand, are over."

"Now I know why golf has suddenly become more interesting" Ros said quietly, smiling to me. "Hi I'm Ros Bailey, COO of Grey Enterprises, seems you know my boss."

"Anastasia Steele" she said shaking Ros's hand. "Yes, we had an enjoyable day yesterday, especially watching the Senators meltdowns" she giggled, making me smile.

"Annie, I'm going to love you and leave you. It was lovely seeing you both again and I will catch you at the tournament" Ray said, shaking our hands before he kissed his daughter's cheek.

"Give mum my love" Ana told him as she watched her father depart the restaurant.

"What happens at these tournaments" I asked Ana.

"Shouldn't you have asked that before you signed up" Ros said, making Ana laugh.

"Shush you" I told Ros but my attention was on Ana.

"That depends, there is a lot going on as well as the tournament. For the golfers they usually are there from Friday until Monday. Practice is Friday, Saturday everyone plays so it is a long day and then Sunday, the top half of the group play again."

"Do the scores carry over."

"Yes, they do. You will be given a start time on Friday and will be going around in a group of two or four depending on how many play. How well you do on the first day depends on if you play and at what time you start on the second. Other course or tournaments may do it differently but that's how our club works here."

"Excuse me" Ros said getting up when her phone rang, leaving Ana and I alone.

"You stay there" I asked.

"Yes, the clubhouse isn't just a bar. There is a hotel, a beautiful restaurant overlooking the course, spa, indoor pool, but usually they're filled with the players wives or girlfriends. It's like one of those cheesy reality shows where the wives try to make out they're better than the others while sat in the hot tub in full make-up. I don't have time for people like that."

"You don't take to the tub then" I asked.

"Not the ones in the spa, some of the rooms have them and they're to die for. I prefer to enjoy the rigorous outdoor activities and then enjoy my own hot tub later in my room" she said before chucking to herself when she had realised what she had said about rigorous outdoor activities. "Golf."

I knew what she meant but I could think of a few that don't include golf clubs.

"I think I might book in, saves going back into the city in the evening. I will make sure I get a hot tub as well."

"Make sure you bring a tux then."

"Don't tell me I have to wear a tuxedo on the course on the final day or something."

"No, she giggled. "There is always the Player's Ball on the Sunday evening."

"I'll look forward to it then."

Ana got up from her seat, letting me know she had to head back to the office. It was like yesterday all over again once she was due to leave, my interest in the place was gone.

"Are you busy all week" I asked Ana when we had reached her car.

Ros was just getting into the back of mine, as Taylor stood by the door.

"During the day's yes, evening's no. What did you have in mind."

"Practice, practice and more practice" I said desperately, making her smile.

"You're a good player, better than I think you know. Practice is away good though. Have you thought about following my tip yet?"

"Not yet" I smiled, thinking of her telling me to walk the course backwards.

"Start there then, know the course. What time are you up in the morning" she asked.

"Six thirty usually, to go for a run."

"How about a walk instead of a run."

"Backwards" I asked.

"Well the course yes, but I see more when I walk forward. Less chance of falling over things or hitting a tree."

"Ok, I will be there. What time."

"Seven. I have a meeting across town at ten thirty that I need to get to, unless you have an early meeting."

"Nothing that cannot be changed."

"Ok, do you have your phone" Ana asked me as I opened it and handed it to her, watching as she placed her number into the phone. "Call me if you need to cancel."

I smiled, looking at her as I called her number so she had mine too.

"See you tomorrow Christian, oh and wear something you don't mind getting wet in" she said before getting into her car.

"Wet?"

"Yes, at that time of the morning, there is a chance we will have to dodge the sprinklers."

"Ok, I will see you in the morning Ana" I closed her door and watched her drive away before walking over to my car.

"My god you have it bad" Ros laughed as we headed back to the office.

I couldn't deny it, I was incredibly attracted to that beautiful women who had just driven away.

…

This time last week, I think this would've been the last place I would have ever thought I would find myself, a golf club at 7am in the morning. I'm actually excited to be here though.

As we drove down the long lane from the road to the clubhouse, I knew what Ana had said about the sprinklers that littered the course.

"Miss Steele is already here sir" Taylor said as I looked to my watch, making sure I wasn't late.

"OK, I don't know how long I'm going to be."

"Sir" he said as I got out of the car and was greeted by a beautiful smile.

"Morning."

"Good morning." I said, walking towards her. "Where do we start" I asked.

"Eighteen back to one" she smiled as we headed on our way.

We slowly walked the course, stopping on fifteen where I had problems with a tree myself that just wouldn't move out of the way.

"Stand near the flag and look towards where you would place your tee."

"I can't see it" I told her.

"That's because you're tall and I'm a short arse and the branches of the tree are blocking your way. Come down to a normal level" she laughed as I bent down a bit, then I could see what she was talking about.

"How do I get around an immoveable object then."

"You don't, you move. When you took your shot, you were closest to the left side of the box, move over. I think only one person has gotten this shot in one and that's only because they sliced it and it bounced off the tree."

"I could do with a few shots like that myself."

"It's ok if it goes right for you but if you move to the right of the box when you take your shot, you will at least get it onto the fairway instead of in the rough."

"Where do you get your ball."

"On the green of course, I have an advantage, I'm short."

"Does your Dad hit it."

"No, he does the same as what you did. No matter how many times he plays the course, he never listens to advice. That is when I duck."

"What does your boyfriend think of you being on the course at this time of the morning" I finally asked the question that I needed an answer too.

"I wouldn't know, I don't have one. If I did then he would have to understand that golf has been a part of my life since I was a child, it isn't my whole life but it's a part that I enjoy. What about you."

"No girlfriend or wife and golf has become a lot more enjoyable recently."

"I'm glad" she said, giving me her beautiful smile.

"Who usually plays this tournament" I asked Ana as we carefully moved round a sprinkler.

"Business men, our ex-mayor plays, new one couldn't if she wanted to for obvious reasons. Anyone with a big...ego. No professionals, it's just amateur and meant to be a fun weekend to raise money for a good cause. If you do win though, you will be presented with the Trophy by Gemma Lane" Ana said, rolling her eyes before she laughed when I had a what the fuck look on my face, it was more like who the fuck.

"Who."

"She's on one of the daytime soap operas I'm told. She's from Seattle original so she was asked to present it."

"A soap opera actress, can't say I have watched one before so I have no idea who she is."

"You will soon enough, she has a reputation of attaching herself onto anyone who she thinks has the most money or who can further her career. Because the tournament will be filmed, she will have lots of cameras to look into."

"I prefer intelligent confident women, not some actress who is in for a quick payday or likes to document every second of their lives on the internet."

I could see a small smile come onto Ana's lips as we moved onto the next hole.

I had enjoyed our walk immensely as Ana pointed out anything that I would or probably will get stuck on. Our time was coming to an end, knowing we both had work to go to.

"Are you getting changed" she laughed as I looked down to my trousers that were now wet as one of the sprinklers suddenly came to life, taking us both by surprise.

"No, you didn't fare much better."

"I know, I will go into the clubhouse and get changed before I go to my meeting. I always enjoy meeting new authors but going into a meeting like this is not very professional" she laughed.

"So, practice."

"Yes" she smiled as we reached her car.

"I can get out a bit tomorrow during the day but I know you're busy, tomorrow night oh no, I can't I have a."

"Meeting" she smiled.

"Conference call to China, which unfortunately will take forever. Thursday after work are you free for a round of golf."

"Sure, as long as you don't mind being beaten by a girl" she giggled, getting her bag from the trunk.

"Bring it on Miss Steele. Dinner, will you have dinner with me afterwards. We can eat here or go somewhere else."

"I'd like that, here the food is beautiful."

Not as beautiful as you, I wanted to say as she looked up to me with those beautiful blue eyes. I wanted to kiss her and as she licked her bottom lip, I hope to god she wanted it too. As I moved closer to her, we were interrupted.

"Grey" I heard shouted behind me as I turned to see Bastille approaching us. "I don't normally see you here. Ana, beautiful girl, how are you."

A tinge of jealously hit me for a second as she smiled to him and he pulled her into a hug.

"I'm fine Claude thank you, how are you, how's Marianne has she dropped yet."

"Do you think I would be on the golf course if she was in labour."

"Probably knowing you" she told him as he shrugged his shoulders before turning to me.

"So, golf, early morning. I have been trying to get you on the course for years" Bastille told me.

"We were taking a walk in preparation for the tournament this weekend."

"Wow" he said looking between Ana and me as he smiled. "Tournament, really. You don't look like you're being forced. No handcuffs in sight so you haven't been made to walk the course, what gives or do I already know."

I just rolled my eyes at him. I could convince myself that I'm here this morning to learn the course and play golf but really, I'm here for Ana. The golf tutelage is a bonus.

"Leave the poor man alone, if he wants to take part in the tournament, he can. Just because you can't win for toffee doesn't mean everyone else can't" Ana told him as he barked out a laugh.

"If you have Ana in your corner for this tournament then I think everyone should worry" he said. "She does hold a club record, plaque and all."

"Really" I asked, smiling to Ana who just rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to get changed" she told me. "Will you be gone before I get out."

"No, I will wait until you're ready to leave" I said before I watched Ana make her way into the clubhouse. "So, what's this record Ana holds. What, stop looking at me like that" I said, wanting to wipe the stupid smirk from his face.

"Come on, I will show you" he laughed.

We made our way into the clubhouse, me still in my wet trousers but no one said a word. We passed the trophy cabinet's before stopping where there was a wall of photos, each with their own plaque underneath. I read some that have been awarded for the best ever round or the most hole in ones but the one I stopped at was Ana's. There was a photo of her and her Dad on the course. They both had smiling faces as she held the flag for eighteen aloft. Underneath was a plaque for the most hole in ones on one hole. Hole eighteen.

"She cannot miss. I don't know if it's because Ana has been coming since she was a child and she knows the course so well but she just doesn't miss. Hale, blowing a gale and that ball always goes in. Really annoys some of the elder member who just can't hit that shot."

"Are you regaling him with my achievements" we heard behind, as we both turned to see Ana. She really was breath-taking. Ana was dressed in a trouser suit today and she wouldn't look out of place in my boardroom.

"Just telling him the facts, little one" he told her. "I'm off for a round, I will see you both Friday for practice day, you're coming aren't you Ana."

"Yes, who do you think is his caddie."

I could see his eyes widen before a beaming smile came onto his face.

"Perfect, just perfect" he said before he left for his game.

I walked Ana quietly to her car as she opened the door, once her bag was back in the trunk.

"I will see you Thursday" I told her.

"Yes Thursday" she said before she kissed my cheek before getting in.

Watching her drive away, my fingers came up to where her lips had been, wanting the warmth that I knew was no longer there. I had been so close to kissing her today, so close until we were interrupted. I just hope there are no interruptions next time.

Thank you to everyone who has read followed and favourtied my story and to those who offered their golf knowledge, thank you. I might be calling on you before this story is over.

Next chapter: No interruptions.

Until then, take care.

Caroline.