(My) Chapter 6- Ana takes the Upper Hand- Ana's POV

Ping. I just got a text. What time is it? I roll over and open my eyes. Looking around at these beautiful surroundings, I am reminded of why I am lying in bed at the Heathman Hotel. Christian came to Jose's show last night…we went out for dinner…then for coffee…and then he walked me to my car…convinced me to spend the night in Portland…two rooms…he actually submitted to my request…hmmm. I don't even remember coming up to the room. I must have fallen asleep in the car and Christian carried me upstairs. He obviously undressed me. I peek under the covers and see that I am wearing my black lace panties and strapless bra…he left these on me…interesting. I look over at the pillow next to mine and it has not been slept on nor touched. My subconscious is currently running her victory lap. She glows with pride watching the change in Christian; Christian has been respecting my wishes, he has been asking me and not telling me and most importantly, he has been truly listening and trying to empathize with what I am saying. On the other hand, however, my inner goddess is lying here with me feeling…ignored. Aren't you missing the attention Christian lavishes on you? she asks. The old Christian would have devoured you whole last night in this bed. I shake my inner goddess' words away as quickly as I can.

I find my purse sitting on the floor beside my bed and fish out my new Blackberry. I check the time. It says 6:00 AM. Whoa…way too early for me. I open the text.

Good morning Ana,

I hope you slept well. I apologize for waking you up so early. But if you can recall your plan from last night, you're driving both of us to work this morning…in Seattle. Breakfast will be here at 6:20. Chop, chop.

Ouch…no terms of endearment in the text…hmmm...

Good morning Christian,

Thank you for the wake up call. I certainly needed it. See you in 20…er…18 minutes now. Hope you slept well.

After I hit send, I jump out of bed and hit the shower. I take, hands down, the fastest shower of my life. As I towel off, I notice a toothbrush and toothpaste on the sink by the faucet. Attached to the toothbrush is a note, written in Christian's handwriting.

Since we didn't get to share a room, I guess we can't share a toothbrush. CG

I gasp- he remembered the first time, when we were here together and how I used his toothbrush. He doesn't forget much, does he? I quickly brush my teeth and blow-dry my hair. I rush back into the bedroom to get dressed. I notice that my bedroom door is still closed. Christian hasn't even tried to come in. Interesting. As I slide the black sheath dress over my head I shimmy over to the door and try the handle. The door is locked, from the inside? How did that happen? Christian must have come in to my room overnight to drop off the toothbrush and then locked my door from the inside on his way out. But why? I try to zipper my dress up all the way to the top but can't seem to reach the last inch or two. I'll leave it. I am in a rush.

I glance at the clock on the bedside table- 6:17. I quickly squeeze my feet into my black heels and hurry back in to the bathroom to apply some mascara and lip-gloss. I touch up my fully dried hair and make a last minute decision to change my style a bit this morning. I rake my fingers through my long hair and then pull it all over my right shoulder to rest on the front of my chest. Pretty sexy, if I say so myself. I grab my purse and reach in for my Blackberry once more to see if Christian sent me any more texts. None. He is showing some incredible restraint. Or is he? Maybe he gave some thought to what I told him in the Italian restaurant…about my not giving him what he needs…a BDSM relationship…maybe he is having second thoughts about giving us another try. Maybe…maybe…I stop my thoughts from running even wilder. I remember his adorable note about the toothbrush. I left it on the bathroom counter so I scoot in there to pick it up. I fold the note and tuck it into my purse.

6:20 on the dot. I am on time. Phew!

"Good morning, Mr. Grey", I say taking my seat at the breakfast table. He is sitting across from me wearing the same clothes he had on last night. In one hand he is holding his coffee cup and in the other hand, he is holding a copy of today's newspaper. He looks up and stares at me. Doesn't say a word. I am sure he notices my new hairstyle.

"This looks lovely", I say as I reach for a piece of French toast, not making eye contact with him. My Twinings English breakfast tea is in front of me. Even as I take my first sip, he still hasn't said a word. What's up with that?

"What time were you thinking we should leave to make it back to Seattle?" I ask, trying to force conversation. I know full well we have to leave here in the next ten minutes in order to make it to work on time. I am trying to get him to speak.

He takes a bite out of his French toast and chews it slowly. He takes another sip of his coffee. He places his cup down. What the hell is his problem? Why is he being so cold towards me?

"6:30, Ana. Did you sleep well last night?" he asks, not smiling. So this is what this is about. He is trying to punish me for not sharing a bedroom with him.

"Like a baby. The beds here are heavenly", I reply. Two can play at that game, Grey. I continue devouring my breakfast. I am so hungry all of a sudden. I am sure he notices that, too.

"Good to hear. Whenever you're ready, Ana. I'll meet you at the elevator". He gets up from the table and goes back into his bedroom. Shit. He is really mad. What should I do? What can I say? Nothing, Ana, my subconscious warns. Christian needs to grow up. Leave him alone or as Ray always used to say 'let it be', only he'd sing it as if he was Paul McCartney.

A few minutes later, I step out of the suite and meet Christian at the elevator doors. He presses the button and we wait together. The tension is so thick between us I can cut it with a knife. When the elevator arrives, he extends his hand out to offer me the chance to step inside first. I walk in the elevator and then turn my body around in order to face the doors. He follows me in and takes his place next to me. He presses the 'L' button and we begin our descent. In silence, nonetheless.

"May I, Ms. Steele?" he politely asks as he points to the unzipped portion of my zipper at the back of my dress.

"Yes, please. I couldn't reach all the way up there this morning", I reply, hoping this would help lighten his mood. I make sure that my hair is still all swept to one side so the zipper doesn't snag any of it. Light as a feather, his fingers graze my neck and linger there for a while. My insides begin to weaken. My breathing shallows. He feels so good. Then, with both hands, he separates the opened panels of my dress where the zipper should close and he smoothens them out. He is stretching this whole process out. My god, I am weak to his touch. Both of his hands on my back are driving me wild. Holy hell! I miss him so much. I want him so bad. I wonder if he can hear my labored breathing. I wonder if he can see my eyes flutter at the touch of his hands. I am going to die if he steps an inch closer to me.

Zip. Just like that, his hands are off me. He takes a step back and places both of his hands inside his pants pockets. The ride down to the lobby is coming to an end and I need to collect myself. What a player, he is.

We step out of the elevator and head straight to the valet. Christian hands the valet the key to my rental car. Moments later, the car pulls up and the valet driver gets out of the car and leaves the driver side door open. While Christian is handing him a tip, I jump into the driver's seat, shut the door, raise my dress really high up on my legs and then roll down the passenger side window.

"Hop in, Mr. Grey. We don't want to be late". I call. He looks at me frostily and gets in. If the valet area didn't have so many onlookers I am sure he would have made a scene. We both fasten our seat belts at the same time. I put the car in Drive, turn up the radio and release the brake. It's 6:35 and we are on our way to Seattle. Everything is going according to plan. Except for one thing. Christian is not talking to me.

About twenty long minutes later we are driving on the freeway still in silence. Man, is he ever moody. Perhaps he didn't get enough sleep last night and that's why he is grumpier than usual. I dismiss any negative thoughts from my mind about this potentially being the last time we spend together. I try to think about this being the real end between us. He gave me some hope last night. Hope that maybe we can start all over and takes things slow. With my sunglasses on, I focus on the road ahead and keep to myself. I f Christian doesn't feel like talking, and then we won't talk.

Ooh, baby, I'm hot

Just like an oven

I need some lovin'

And baby, I can't hold it much longer

It's getting stronger and stronger

Christian quickly turns up the volume on the radio. That's Marvin Gaye's 'Sexual Healing' song.

And when I get that feeling

I want sexual healing

"What an appropriate song to hear this morning. It describes how I'm feeling- to a T". He speaks. Finally.

"Does it, now?" I reply. This time I crank the volume even higher.

Baby, I got sick this mornin'

A sea was stormin' inside me

Baby, I think I'm capsizin'

The waves are risin' and risin'

I can't take it anymore. I wanted to wait until the song was over to start talking but I am going to burst if I don't say something. I blow up.

"Christian- a dinner and a coffee together does not automatically mean we jump into bed for dessert. You're the one who said you wanted to start all over from the beginning. Why are you sucking out on me now- you said vanilla but maybe what you really want is all 31 flavours… all at once?" Where did that come from? I am beyond mad but it feels great to get it all out. I don't deserve this silent treatment he has been giving me.

"I just want you, Ana. So much." He says very softly. I am still unnerved by his behavior that even this does comment not melt my resolve.

By this point, the Marvin Gaye songs ends and one of my favourite Katy Perry songs has begun. I turn the radio even higher.

"Cause you're hot then you're cold

You're yes then you're no

You're in then you're out

You're up then you're down

You're wrong then you're right

It's black and it's white

We fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up"

" And here's a song that really describes you, Mr. Grey…to a T!", I fume.

Christian sits in silence listening to the lyrics. By the time the song ends, I pull off the highway to make a pit stop at a restroom. I need to pee but more than that, I need to take a breather from Christian Grey.

When I get back to the car, Christian is sitting in the driver's seat waiting for me. The passenger side door is wide open so I get in. I don't fight him to drive the rest of the way. It's just not worth it. I have a full day ahead of me at work and need to arrive in one piece. For some reason, Christian at the wheel calms me down.

"So, do you have a busy day ahead at work, Ana?" he asks about ten minutes into our drive. This time it is he who is trying to start a conversation.

"Yes, I do, actually. Jack, my boss, has been teaching me a lot this week and has already put me in charge of a couple of projects", I reply.

" It sounds like you're enjoying your new position then?" he asks not taking his eyes off the road.

"I am, very much. I have met some really nice people too. They've already asked me to join them for drinks after work tonight", I add.

"So, I guess I can't see you tonight then", he says. So now he wants to see me? I am so confused.

"I haven't accepted their offer to join them yet. I want to wait and see how I am feeling after work. After the week I've had, I'm looking forward to crashing on my couch tonight in front of the tv and falling asleep".

We are approaching Seattle and Christian exits the highway. It's almost 8:45. He is driving in the direction of SIP.

"Aren't I supposed to drop you off first?" I ask as he turns the car into the underground parking garage at SIP. I have calmed down considerably.

"I didn't want to make you late for work. Taylor is picking me up here bringing with him a change of clothes for me to change into at the office".

He parks the car in a space and we walk towards the parking garage elevator together.

"It's a cute car", he says handing me the keys to the Prius. We get on the elevator and I drop the keys in my purse. The doors close and once again, we are alone.

"Thanks for last night, for everything, Christian. For coming to Jose's show, for dinner, cake and the overnight stay", I say. I so badly want to kiss him but then the elevator doors open.

I grab his hand and pull him out of the elevator. I lead him to the front of the lobby where I see Taylor is waiting for him. And right there, in front of Taylor and probably a hundred other spectators, I take Christian's face in both of my hands and pull him down to my lips. I plant the longest, deepest, hottest kiss on him.

"Have a great day, Mr. Grey", I say and walk back to the elevators without looking back.

End of Chapter 6