Author's Note:

Hello all!

I'm so glad everyone has liked the story so far. I will most likely be updating every Monday due to work, but I'll try to perhaps update with two chapters when I can.

Peace, love, and hugs,

MaidSlave

CPOV

Oh my God, how am I going to make it through this interview, I think to myself. She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. I don't know how I'll manage to control myself while we're in such close proximities. Speaking of that, when we ran into each other, I didn't want to let her go, which is odd considering I'm still working on controlling my Haphephobia. When I felt her body against mine, my whole body became alive with a tingling sensation, not the usual burning feeling. When our fingers touched, she surely felt the spark too because she jumped. And then I caught her checking me out, so the attraction is not just one way! I have to get this meeting to last longer than ten minutes. Man, John's going to get an earful tomorrow. I grab my hand towel and walk back, sitting in the chair opposite of her, rubbing my head against the towel to dry off my hair.

"Alright Ms. Steele, where were we?" I remove the towel from my head and look to her. She bites her bottom lip, like she's trying to conceal a smile. "What is it?"

"Your hair looks like you stuck your finger in a socket." She giggles and flushes a beautiful shade of pink. I chuckle as I run my hand through my hair to tame it. She looks back at me, flushes again, and looks down at her cup in her hands. "Okay, I guess we should get started." I take a swig of my black coffee as she pulls out the slightly crumbled piece of paper with what I assume have the questions on it. She looks at it and seems to shrink a little into the chair. I can see she's getting nervous again. Before I know what I'm doing, I'm reaching over and placing my hand over hers. She looks at me, but her sapphire eyes are full of concern and panic.

"May I see this please?" She lowers her eyes and hands me the paper. "Please don't be nervous around me Ms. Steele." I don't know why, but when she's nervous, I just want to hold her and comfort her. I take the paper, and grab the clipboard that hangs on the side of my desk, and begin writing my responses to these average questions. I feel her looking at me, so I glance up and once again catch her staring at me. Stare all you want baby! "How long have you suffered from panic attacks?" The question just pops out of my mouth and I instantly wish it didn't. It's none of my business, but this is something we have in common, strangely enough.

"For about five years. It started when I entered college and after, certain events, I discovered I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder, but I also have separation anxiety. I'm sorry, I shouldn't bore you with this information."

"No please, don't think yourself as boring. I'm intrigued by you." She gasps softly, her blush returns to her face before she breaks eye contact with me.

"How did you know I was having a panic attack?"

"I use to have them quite often." I finish writing a response and look to her to find she's looking at me with a confused look. She has a slight V that forms on her brow when she's confused and it makes her that much more beautiful. "I suffer from Haphephobia, the fear of being touched. I could only shake hands with business partners, and the only embracement I could receive was from my sister Mia. If a stranger would run into me or someone would jokingly slap my back, I would go into a panic attack."

"Then I am more sorry than I was before when I ran into you Mr. Grey."

"Please, call me Christian."

"If I caused you any discomfort at all, I had no intention of doing so."

"It's perfectly fine. With the help of my psychiatrist, John Flynn, I'm now able to withstand hugs from my family members. I'm still not comfortable with strangers, except for you. I didn't mind it when I ran into you." Okay, where did my brain to mouth filter go? Her blue eyes lock with mine again and I feel like I could never tire from looking at her. We stare at each other for what feels like hours, until the door swings open and in walks Ros.

"Hey Christian," she states as she walks in looking at her Ipad.

"What," I yell, causing Ms. Steele to jump a little. Ros looks back at me, annoyance clear on her face.

"Jeez, what crawled up your ass and died today?"

"What is it you want Ros?"

"Well I was going to remind you of the conference call we have in five minutes."

"Please handle it without me Ros. I'm still busy with Ms. Steele here."

"Okay then." She turns to leave but she catches Ms. Steele's eye. "He can be an asshole sometimes can't he?" Ms. Steele stifles a laugh and blushes. As she shuts the door, the silence that surrounds us is a little awkward to say the least.

"I'd like to apologize for the disruption and my outburst Ms. Steele."

"It's fine. I'm sure you're busy constantly." She gives me a gentle smile and I return it before I turn back to answer the final question on the paper. Are you gay? I chuckle and write my answer before looking back to the goddess before me. "Your roommate asked me a rather private question that I've been asked before, and I found it humorous."

"Oh really? What did she ask you?"

"If I was gay," I state as I hand her back the paper. She flushes again and covers her face with her hand.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Grey. Kate can be a bit…intrusive."

"It's fine. I just like to keep my personal life private, that's all."

"Well that's understandable, seeing that you're one of the most successful people in the world." We take another drink of our refreshments.

"What is your first name?"

"Anastasia, but I go by Ana."

"Anastasia, that's a beautiful name." She blushes again before looking down at her cup again.

"My mom is a history teacher at a middle school back home and she's always been obsessed with the Romanov family."

"And where is home?"

"Montesano. Where are you from?"

"Detroit. What does your father do?" As she continues to tell me more about herself, I feel so relaxed and comfortable talking to her, like we've been doing this for years. I'm leaning into every word she says as she talks passionately about her family and her job at Seattle Independent Publishing. After an hour has passed, she tells me she has to go. I'm sad to see her leave, but I escort her out of the building to prolong our interaction. I open her car door for her to get in. She rolls down the window.

"It was a pleasure meeting and interviewing you Mr. Grey."

"Oh no the pleasure is all mine." I take her hand and kiss it, seeing her glorious smile spread across her face that takes my breath away. "Until we meet again Anastasia."

"Until then…Christian." She backs out and before she exits the parking garage, she turns and waves at me. I wave back and feel my heart swell. As I head back upstairs, I think back to our meeting then realize something I did that was very wrong: I didn't give her my phone number. Idiot!