Chapter 4

As I leave the parking garage at John's office, I put the top down on the car my ridiculously over the top car. Gee I feel better already. Well no time like the present. I'm away from the house, so today will be Ana day. I push the button on the steering wheel and it dials, Kate.

"Ana!" It's Kate's voice. "What are you up to? "

"Oh, had to come into town and I was just wondering if you were available for lunch later."

"Oh, Ana, I'd love to. We haven't gotten together in ages, but I just can't today. I have deadlines to meet and I'm so behind. The baby has been sick most of the week and I haven't gotten much sleep. Can I take a rain check?"

I envy Kate. She has managed to keep her job and maintain her marriage to Elliott. She has her own life. "Sure. I know it was last minute, but I thought I'd give it a shot. We'll get together soon."

"Ana, are you okay?"

"Yes Kate. In fact I feel better today than I have in a while. Tell Elliott 'hi' for me and kiss the kids. Laters."

"Laters, Ana." We both laugh and hang up. I can't believe we are still saying that.

Let's see. I could go shopping, but I only enjoy shopping for the kids, not myself. But, today is Ana day, so I need to concentrate on myself. I know I'll go get my hair cut and maybe a massage and mani-pedi. I've never really been into that sort of stuff, but isn't that what most women do to pamper themselves? I pull into the garage at the salon and park. I know I don't have an appointment, but I've never had trouble getting in last minute. Being Mrs. Christian Grey does have its advantages.

I spend the rest of the morning, being washed, trimmed, rubbed and painted. You know this isn't half bad. I really should do it more often. It's not like I can't afford it. As I sip my glass of wine, I feel deliciously wicked.

Let's see, I think as I pull out of the garage. What can I get into next? I've called Gail and told her that I won't be home until later this evening. I'm so lucky to have her. She adores the children and is always ready to jump in and take care of them, even though nanny is not part of her job description.

Christian tried to convince me to engage a nanny after Grace was born. But I was insistent;' I didn't have children to turn them over to someone else to rise'. That's when Christian insisted that I quit my job. 'Well, if you want to raise them, then quit your job and take care of them.' So I did. I guess I can't blame him for not continuing with my career. It was my decision.

All of a sudden, I remember that Escala is around the corner. After we moved into the house, we decided not to sell Escala. It was a good investment and the location is perfect. Christian sometimes will go over there to work when he needs some peace and quiet or just go over at lunch time when he needs to get away from the office. We occasionally spend the night there when we come into town for a function and don't want the long drive home at a late hour. But the best reason is that we didn't feel comfortable with a play room in the new house, because of the children. So, sometimes we come over for a little mommy/daddy play time. Though not so much lately. Thinking about it brings a sly smile to my face.

It was about 3 months ago. Christian called from the office and asked me to meet him in town for dinner. We had a delicious dinner at the club and probably a little too much wine, so we decided to stay in town. We pulled into the garage and then entered the elevator and Christian punched in the code to the penthouse. He looked down at me and out of nowhere he scooped me into his arms and threw me against the elevator wall, pressing me to the wall and his mouth on mine pinning my head. He reached over and pushed the stop button bringing the elevator to a halt.

Christian's mouth never left mine as he quickly brought me the place I needed to be. "How was that, baby?" Christian murmured against my lips. All I could do is try to catch my breath.

Christian, pulled away slightly, and kissed my lips and quickly returned my panties to their proper place. He pushed the elevator button and it continued on to its destination. Christian, smiled giving me a wink. I tried to regain my equilibrium and wondered 'How does he do that?'

Once in the play room I knelt sitting on my heels. My hair in a long braid that fell down my back and wearing my white lace and satin panties. The room was dimly lit with soft, indirect light and it smelled of citrus and furniture polish. Christian opened the door and sauntered into the room wearing his soft, tattered jeans the top button undone. My eyes remained lowered and fixed on those sexy bare feet. Christian busied himself with something and didn't speak to me. I could only hear the toy chest drawers opening and closing behind me.

"Ana." "Ana. Answer me."

"Sir."

"Are you ready for me?"

"Yes sir."

"Yes sir, what?"

"Yes, sir. I am ready for you."

"Good." Christian walked over to me and stroked my head. "Good, girl."

Christian extended his hand to me. "Stand up." He orders and I take his hand as he pulls me to my feet. He ordered me to doff my panties and I complied.

Christian put his mouth to my ear and whispered, "I'm going to blind fold you now. You will have to trust me. What's the safe word, Ana?"

"Red, sir."

"Good."

Christian placed the blind fold over my eyes and I descended into darkness, leaving me to only experience sound, touch and smell. Christian turned on the iPOD and I began to hear a very dark, heavy song.

"What is that song?" I asked.

"It's none of your business. I'll tell you when you can talk. Put your hands together in front of you." I quickly complied as Christian placed leather cuffs on each wrist binding them together. I felt him stroke my cheek and lightly kiss my lips. "Come."

Christian took my hand and led me to the bed with red satin sheets. He restrained me on the bed the with my arms extended. "So beautiful." I hear him murmur. Christian took his role as my dominate teasing and taunting me into submission with the toys he had selected from the toy chest. He made me beg and took me harshly and with determination over and over again.

When we both were spent, he released my hands and then he removed my blindfold. I slid to the floor and he fell with me. We collapsed me lying on top of him, my back to his front. "Thank you, sir." I murmur.

Christian stroked my hair and kisses my neck. "No more. 'Sir'. It's me now baby."

"I love you Christian." I whispered and l felt his smile against my neck. Christian turned and pulled me to him and nuzzled my neck. "I love you Mrs. Grey. You are so good for me."

"Glad I can help, Mr. Grey."

"Mmmmmm", I hear Christian moan as he strokes my hair.

"How does that thing work? That vibrating belt thing?"

ZZZZT. I feel a quick vibration. "You mean that?" Christian says with a sly smile.

I gasp. "Yes. That."

"It's trickery." Christian grins and squeezes me.

"I like your trickery."

"You do?"

"Yes very much."

"It has a remote control, baby. And some day I want you to where it when we go out. I'll maintain the remote of course"

"Talk about control."

Christian grins. "Yes control."

We need to do that again really soon.

I think I'll just go over and spend the remainder of my day, having some wine and reading a book. My idea of relaxation. I pull in to the garage at Escala and park the car. Hmmm, most of our spaces are full, but we still keep several cars here for use when we are in town. We have so many that I can't keep track of which car is for what or belongs to who.

I make my way to the elevator. I do love this elevator. Thinking about it makes me smile. Yes. Christian and I need to come here more often. I put the code in for the penthouse, but the button doesn't light up. What's wrong? Did I punch the wrong numbers? I put the code in again, still nothing. Then it dawns on me that, just recently, Christian said that he had changed the pass code because security wanted us to change it more often. But, he didn't tell me what he changed it to. Darn! How am I going to get up to the apartment? I'll try something else. Let's see. As smart as Christian is, he's not terribly creative. I'll try my birthday. I punch it in and nothing happens. I then punch in Teddy's birthdate and voila, I'm on my way up. Do I know my husband or what?

The elevator doors open and I'm once again enveloped by the memories of our time here, good and bad. This is where my Fifty and I fell in love. This is where we made love, a lot of love. And fucked, a lot of fucking. Wonder which surface Teddy was conceived on? There were so many.

Gail still comes over once a week to clean and keep the pantry and refrigerator stocked. I hope she has left something good to eat, I'm starving. And if I know Christian, there will be wine in the cooler. I can't wait to run a hot tub, uncork a bottle of wine and enjoy the Seattle skyline with a good book. As I enter the kitchen I notice there are dishes in the sink and wine glasses. I guess Christian has been here since Gail last cleaned. Far be it for him to ever think to put a dish in the dishwasher. Well, I'm not going to clean up his mess. Looks like a couple of plates and glasses. He's been here more than once lately. Good grief, Christian, would it hurt you to clean up after yourself just once?

I look in the fridge and there is a chilled bottle of wine. It has been uncorked. Wonder if it is still drinkable. I open it and take a sip. Yep, still good. As I pour myself a full glass, I hear a faint voice. It sounds like Christian is here.

"I'll get that renegotiated contract over to you to sign today. And you can look for the additional funds to be deposit to be in your account by open of business tomorrow as agreed." He must be on his blackberry talking to someone. I hope he isn't mad that I have invaded his space this afternoon. After all it is my space, too. What's mine is yours and all that stuff. Maybe he'll be glad to see me. I could go for a little Fifty in the afternoon, on Ana day. A fission of excitement runs through me.

I look to the top of the stairs to see Christian's reaction to my being here so unexpectedly. What I see stops my heart and all the air leaves my lungs.