Chapter 4 – Intimacy

CPOV

We spend the next several days settling into a routine, Kate left us after the weekend and has made a couple of visits during the week to check on Ana; and in addition they Skype almost every day. I have returned to work on an abbreviated schedule, but I also work from my home office and on days when I do go to the office, I count the hours until I walk through the door into her waiting arms, she's always all smiles and listens intently while I prattle on about my day. Last night Ana made me dinner with Gail's help and it was delicious, she set the table and we dined bathed in candlelight. She made poached salmon with a sweet dill sauce that had a yogurt base and capers with raspberry glazed red cabbage and new potatoes, with an apple tartlet for dessert. Everything was delicious but the best part by far was sitting down with her and talking about any and everything while we ate. I never want this to end.

I don't discuss the investigation with Ana, but I have requested daily updates from Welch and Taylor who are in constant contact with Detective Best, campus police and anyone connected with the investigation. The latest development is that finally we've been given all of the video surveillance footage from the evening of Ana's attack. There were a total of sixty cameras and subsequent videos to be reviewed, and Barney, along with a colleague of his are going through them looking for relevant footage from that night. The task is daunting because it has to be pieced together based on the path the attacker took, both from Taylor's account, possible detours and where attacker was last seen on camera. It's expected it will take weeks to finish but Barney is on the job, so I'm very optimistic. While it's always in the back of my mind, I push down those thoughts because I cannot let anything distract me from my time with Ana, and I know they will leave no stone unturned.

Ana uses her iPad library almost daily, spends time with Gail, keeping her company while she cooks while talking about everything from food to fashion. We have not slept apart since her first night at Escala, I cannot imagine not having her here and I'm so afraid she won't want to stay after her doctor lifts her restrictions. I have been home before six every evening that I don't work from my home office since Ana began staying with me, clearly I'm going for some kind of record. I can't manage to stay away from her for long. My PA Andrea has worked a miracle juggling my schedule to ensure that I'm able to cover essential meetings and reschedule others. For the first time ever I look forward to the end of the work day and I am eager to get home to share what happened during my day with Ana.

The absolute best part of my day is waking up with Ana in my bed and watching the sun come up together, I find it very reassuring to find she's really still here every morning. I wake before she does and my body stirs in a way that is unfamiliar to me I think this is desire as it's in stark contrast to the lust I've felt for other women. I find it almost impossible to keep my hands to myself, and I'm drawn to her even in my sleep. I'm not sure but it seems Ana feels the same attraction to me because she is affectionate towards me in a consistent and natural way, she cuddles me with purpose as if I'm her lifeline and it makes me feel important and worthy.

Tomorrow is her ten day check-up and her doctor will likely let her know that she's good to return to normal unrestricted activities. Ana initially thought she would have to withdraw from her class, luckily the semester had just begun and she had just received her first assignments but with Kate's help typing she was able to complete and submit those assignments, her TA position can be resumed because her absence was due to circumstances beyond her control and Professor Caldwell was extremely understanding. I took the day off so that I could be with her on her first day out except for the grocery store and a few trips to the gym in Escala to watch me work out and swim; I plan to take her out for lunch and to do anything else she wants, I'm all hers for the day.

APOV

I have no idea when Christian arranged all of this as I look in my closet at the navy leggings and elongated denim colored angora turtle neck sweater, he's so thoughtful, picking clothing that won't be tight on my stomach, but keeps me covered just in case I'm self-conscience about my neck wound, which I'm not. He's so awesome! To top it off there's a pair of flat Joan and David riding style suede boots in chocolate brown and a rich tan corduroy waist coat and a coordinating cashmere scarf with fringe. Christian is wearing a pair of dark denim jeans with a navy blue v-neck sweater with a white tee shirt underneath, brown driving loafers and a brown leather pants coat, he looks like an Abercrombie ad.

Dr. Simon gives me a clean bill of health and I'm good to go to return to school and my TA position. I need to wear my immobilizer for an estimated three more weeks until my finger is fully healed, I guess the process might go faster if I would stop typing with it, I think to myself. My wounds look like scratches at this point and with each day are becoming less and less noticeable. There were no surprises there at all, I fully expected he would sign off on my returning to normal activities. We decide to go to Guisti's an Italian restaurant nearby, I've always wanted to go, but never had time or the funds for such extravagances for that matter. Christian insisted on taking me there to celebrate my return to classes on Monday. It's Friday afternoon, and the lunch crowd is in full swing, I feel slightly underdressed, but just as that thought enters my mind Christian takes my hand in his draws it to his mouth kissing my knuckles and leads me to our table. I have the chicken parmesan and Christian has the carbonara. We each sample the other's dishes and they are divine! We sit and talk at our semi private dining table for hours, shutting down the lunch crowd leaving as the dinner crowd starts to gather.

Christian's family went on a long vacation every summer, his father and mother both had challenging careers but made sure to carve out time for their children. Christian ran long distance track in high school and is still an avid runner who works out usually every weekday. He has a house in Aspen and an apartment in New York and spends very little time in either. I tell him about my fishing vacations with Ray, and my love for the water in general. I was on the debate team in high school and while I never played any sports in school I do like to run and I enjoy Yoga, funny how we both like exercises that involve solitude. I tell him that I still own my dad's house in Montesano and that I make visits there to check on the house once a month or so.

I inherited one and a half million dollars, not including our home; Ray bought a policy with a double indemnity clause which meant his life insurance pay out doubled because he died as the result of an accident, a drunk driver to be exact who was also killed instantly. The money enabled me to handle his burial expenses, pay off the mortgage left on our home, my undergrad loans and put away a substantial amount of money in an interest bearing money market account. In spite of the money I still live a very frugal lifestyle, I want to make sure I have a safety net always, as such I try to live on less than what I make. I have kept the utilities on at the house and stay there when I visit. I pay a landscape company for upkeep of the property, and have maintained the house exactly as my dad had before his death.

Even though it's rather chilly out we walk along the waterfront drinking cocoa and chatting about nothing in particular, he's blown away that I've never been to the space needle and promises to take me there soon. Christian tells me he often runs along the waterfront, but admits he's never really seen it until today and leans in to give me a kiss.

I feel slight tension and I can tell Christian is quieting something away from me right now but I'm just enjoying the moment, that and I'm trying to give Gail and Kate time to work on putting together my plans for my evening with Christian. I'm nervous so perhaps he's reacting to that, I thought I was doing a good job hiding it, but maybe not, we'll find out soon enough. I really want him to be surprised, I want everything to be perfect. One last lingering kiss by the water and we're off to our cozy tower for what I hope to be a very romantic evening. I text Gail to let her know we're about fifteen minutes away.

CPOV

We arrive at Escala, I didn't want the night to end, I feel like we walked for days. My stomach has been doing flips since we left the restaurant, this could be my last night with Ana and I am profoundly sad, I don't understand how I could feel so empty at just the thought of her leaving, I'm finding it hard to even look at her. Riding the elevator Ana steps in front of me, taking my arms and wrapping them around her, she feels so amazing in my arms. When the doors open something seems off, off different, not off Jason Vorhees. We step into the foyer and the house is dimly lit with dozens of candles. In the great room is a bottle of Veuve Clicquot chilling along with chocolate covered strawberries.

"Christian…" she starts.

"You keep telling me over and over that I don't need to thank you but I think it's only because you haven't the slightest idea of what I'm thanking you for. I have come alive for the first time in over three years since meeting you. I have feelings and desires I never knew were possible before now and it's all because of your kindness, generosity and consistency, no one has ever made me feel more wanted and beautiful…ever. I am so incredibly happy, so thank you Christian, for not only saving my life, but for giving me one worth living, a life that I hope ALWAYS has you in it." Barely able to contain my emotions, I lean forward and kiss her gently.

I take off my coat and drop it on the sofa and then help her out of hers dropping it on top of mine. I take her right hand and interlock our fingers and lead her to our bedroom. Our? Grey, slow down buddy. We walk into the bedroom and there are rose petals on the bed and the room is glowing from candlelight with soft music playing through the speaker I'm thinking from a playlist she created. I step back and lift the hem of her sweater, lifting it carefully so that it doesn't drag against her scars, she lifts her arms as the sweater comes off, I drop it on the nearby chaise. She's wearing a cobalt blue lace bra with a deep v that looks incredible, perfection. I lay my hands gently on her breasts and she backs up instinctively and sits on the bed; I bend down and take off her boots and socks, standing her up I roll her leggings down revealing a lace hipster that matches her bra; I stand up and take her hair down, and reach around to unhook her bra. Sheeze, is it hot in here?

Her breasts are perfect, I lay her down on the bed and take off my clothes leaving them in a heap, never breaking eye contact with her. I position myself over her so that I'm on my knees able to look down at her and begin to kiss her; our kiss deepens as we kiss each other hungrily with all of the emotion that has been building over two weeks. I run my tongue down her neck to her gorgeous breasts and begin to lick and suck each breast working her nipples over while alternating kneading her other nipple between my index and second fingers, paying careful attention to both. Her moans are driving me crazy and when I feel her body tense beneath me I realize she's nearing orgasm. I kiss and trail my tongue down her torso to her stomach kissing every inch of her along the way, I pause to lick and kiss the two scars on her stomach, trying hard not to get distracted by the notion that I almost lost her before I ever met her. Continuing south I reach her thighs and kiss the lace that covers her hips and she arches her back slightly whispering my name, I nearly combust hearing my name on her lips; I rub the palm of my hand between her legs feeling wetness on my palm. Fuck, she's soaked! I position myself between her legs and inhale deeply running my nose up and down her sex. "Baby you smell so good." Her breathing hitches and I feel her tremble beneath me.

I slide her panties off kissing her thighs while she writhes beneath me. I position myself between her thighs again and gently press them open with my hands, she pants, her chest rising and falling quickly as I suck her clit into my mouth sucking hard while stroking her hard clit with my tongue from left to right. "oh my god…" she exhales barely audible. She tastes so good, better than I imagined and I've fucking imagined. I pause to let her know how much I am enjoying pleasing her "damn you taste good" I tell her while looking into her eyes. I don't know what turns me on more, the quiet moaning or the way she smells and tastes. Good lord. I continue my assault on her clit licking and sucking and begin to feel her body tense so I know she's close, I slide my finger inside her juicy pussy holy shit she's wet and finger her g-spot while speeding up my tongue flicks on her clit; her back arches as her orgasm crashes through her as she screams my name. "Oh my god Christian…oh my god…CHRISTIAN!" I lick her juices and kiss her thighs as her breathing calms.

I take off my boxer briefs and grab a condom from my nightstand. Holding myself over her looking into her eyes I need to know if she is sure about this, even with all indications that she is.

"Ana are you sure about this?" Please let her say yes.

She reaches up and pulls my neck bringing my lips to hers, kissing me deeply with my lips still wet from her arousal. "I want you Christian, yes I'm sure."

I unroll the condom onto my length. I tell Ana that it's going to feel uncomfortable at first but if she's in pain and wants me to stop I will right away. She shakes her head in understanding, I place the head at her opening and I'm overcome by how wet she is, I slide myself up and down her sex and place myself at her opening again. I thrust long and steady until I'm fully inside her and still myself as she cries out.

"God baby, you're so tight, are you okay Ana?" I hope I haven't hurt her.

"I'm fine, it felt like I was being pinched, but its fine now, don't stop please."

"I'm going to move a little, so you get used to me inside you okay?"

"Yes…yes I'm okay Christian."

I start to move slowly in and out, she feels incredible, I am watching her face for any signs of discomfort, because it would be too easy to lose myself in her right now because she feels like a dream. The sounds she's making beneath me are almost enough to send me over the edge much too damn soon, and I don't want to stop, not now. I want to make her come again and I cannot stop until that happens. As I increase my rhythm Ana starts to move with me. She's moving beneath me with her hands on my ass pressing gently with her fingertips encouraging me deepen my thrusts. I spread my legs arching one knee higher causing her legs to open wider and wrap loosely around my waist allowing me to go deeper, holy fuck she's cradling me.

With each stroke her body sucks me in further and it feels as if I'm being jerked off by her pussy, the feeling is so intense and she's so fucking wet. "Shit, baby you feel so damn GOOD" I tell her and when I feel her body tense at my words and tighten around me I know her orgasm is close. I speed up and just as she's about to come I gently lie down so there's no space between us and I can feel her breasts against my chest; reaching underneath her I grasp her ass with both hands slightly spreading her cheeks while thrusting in and out and side to side until her release roars through her. As she screams my name I lift one of her legs onto my shoulder and thrust three more times before I come undone, almost unable to yell whatever garbled version of her name that was. Fucking fuck.

I'm not done yet, I position myself between her legs once more and go to work on her clit until she comes again, her body covered in goosebumps. I quickly sit up and pull her up so she's straddling me and hold her close to me with both our hearts racing. "I love you Ana."

"I love you too Christian."

"Christian…?"

"Yes baby…?"

"I forgot about our dinner" she whispers and we both laugh, but never stop holding each other and eventually she falls asleep. I lay her down and cover us with the duvet, pulling her close to me. She loves me too.