Chapter 6

Stonecrop gardens is beautiful. Lynn borrows us her car to go and as soon as we get there, I'm emerged in damp grass and greenery. The smell of fresh leaves assault my senses and Christian's hand wraps around my hand protectively. I never want to let go.

"How about we start with the trail," he states, pointing toward a little pathway.

Leaves glisten with water as we walk in the drizzle. The feeling of him next to me mixed with the chilled air is lovely. I can hear the birds singing from their little treetop dens and it's really sweet.

"What's your favourite childhood memory?" Christian asks, breaking through the quiet.

I think for a moment before answering.

"Probably when my mom came back from being away. She was visiting my gran in Florida for like two months and I was left with my dad. I was about seven at the time and she surprised me from picking me up from school." I smile over at him as he watches me.

"It was the best surprise ever," I continue. "I'd missed her so much."

"That's really cute," he says, squeezing my hand. "Tells me a lot about you."

I look up at him with big eyes feeling like I'm fourteen and in love all over again.

We walk through the pathway. It's quiet, there's literally nobody else here but it's better that way. Christian and I make our way through the dense leaves, talking endlessly.

"Do you have siblings?" I ask him when we get to a small rock. He helps me climb it.

I look down at him from where I stand and he wraps his hand around my waist. We both can't stop touching each-other.

"Two," he says. "Younger sister and older brother. You?"

"Only child," I shake my head. "I always wanted a sister or brother growing up though."

"Don't worry," he grins, preparing to lift me. "They're overrated."

I laugh as he spins me around, bringing me back down to Earth with a warm kiss. Something about kissing in the rain feels so romantic and I've never done it before. When it starts to come down harder however, he breaks away and guides me forward.

"Come on, let's get inside somewhere," he says.

By the time we make it into a little café, both of us are drenched. We burst out laughing as we take in each-other's dishevelled appearance and disturb the few people that are sat in here.

"Let's go over here," Christian laughs. "There's a radiator."

We head to said radiator and drape our coats over there. Christian removes my sodden hat for me and laughs once more at my hair underneath.

"Could be a new look," he suggests, brushing it out with his fingers for me. As he does so, I can't help but think about how happy he's making me feel. I can't remember the last time I laughed this much with someone. Not even my best friends.

Once we're finished causing havoc, we order two coffees and a huge slab of chocolate cake to share.

"This is amazing," I moan, devouring it.

"Now I know how to make you happy," Christian responds, helping himself to his own piece.

"Do you want to make me happy?" I say a little quieter now, knowing full well I'm willingly dipping my toes into dangerous territory.

"Very much so."

I dare to peek up at him. His expression is one of sincerity and kindness.

"It's Christmas Eve," I say when I have no other reply. I bite my lip and look back down at my cake.

"I know," he sighs.

"Did you check flight times?" I whisper.

I curse myself for doing this now. Interrupting our fairy-tale bubble with talks of reality but I can't lose myself too much in this wonderful story. At some point, I have to turn the page and find out what happens next.

"Taylor, my bodyguard, is keeping me updated. There's none yet."

I register nothing apart from the fact he has a bodyguard.

"Bodyguard," I say, the word feeling alien on my tongue. "What do you mean bodyguard? You have a bodyguard?"

"I'm wondering whether it's possible for you to say bodyguard any more in a single sentence," he smirks.

I ignore him, placing my coffee down on the table.

"Bodyguard," I repeat, awaiting my explanation.

Finally, he sighs, glancing down at his mug.

"Yeah," he says eventually. "My bodyguard."

"Why?" I ask, confused.

And then my eyes widen.

"Hold up, you're not a secret agent or something, are you?" I speculate with narrowed eyes. "Because I'm definitely thinking that's something I should know."

He laughs and shakes his head. "No Ana, I'm not a secret agent."

I let out a visible breath of air in response. "Thank God."

He regards me for a moment before speaking. "I'm the CEO of a big company," he says simply. "It's good to have extra security."

"What kind of company?" I ask with narrowed eyes. The way he's skirting around the topic is making me paranoid.

"Have you ever heard of Grey's Enterprises?" He asks.

"Yeah," I say instantly. "I don't live too far from there actually. My best friend, Kate, applied for an internship last year but got rejected."

He looks guilty and my eyebrows knit together in confusion before realisation finally dawns on me.

"Oh my God," I say, almost too lost for words. "You own Grey's Enterprises?"

He nods.

"What, like a share of it or something?"

He shakes his head no.

"The whole thing?"

He nods again. "My name is Christian Grey."

I stare at him for what seems like forever, gobsmacked.

"You're Christian Grey," I whisper. "The Christian Grey."

"The one and only."

I feel pretty stupid for not knowing but then again, he's a business owner. Not a celebrity. His name is not going to be plastered everywhere but still…he must be a gazillionaire. And he's sitting here with me.

"Please say something," he pleads eventually when I don't answer.

"Sorry." I snap out of my daze and gulp down the rest of my coffee. "I'm just in…awe I guess. I can't believe you're so successful. And here you are with me, an office girl in publishing."

"No," he disagrees, pulling my hand forward and wrapping it in his own. "You're a beautiful intelligent young woman with the brightest future ahead of her. Number rule of being successful, never sell yourself short Ana."

I look at him with heart eyes, stroking the back of his hand with my fingers. "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask quietly after a few moments.

"I didn't want it to influence anything," he says truthfully. "A lot of the time, women only want me for my money or looks. I wanted to make sure you liked me for me."

I nod in understanding. He must have tons of high-profile women throwing themselves all over him for a taste of his lifestyle and money.

"I like you for you," I reassure him. "You know I do."

"I know." He brings my hand up to kiss before leaning forward over the table to kiss my lips.

We get back to B&B mid-afternoon. I've honestly had the best day ever with him. I can't remember the last time I've felt so at ease and utterly myself with someone. It's like with Christian I don't have to pretend to be anyone but me. He likes me for exactly who I am. We stop off at a small diner for lunch and once we get back, both of us take showers to wash the rain and leaves away. By the time I get out, Christian still has no updates on the flight schedule.

"I'm surprised you don't have a private jet or something," I muse while towel-drying my hair absentmindedly.

He gives me a sheepish look which causes me to pause mid rub.

"You do, don't you?" I push.

"Yeah."

"Why haven't you used that?" I wonder.

"If it's not safe for commercial airlines to fly, I don't want to risk my smaller plane. It's just as dangerous."

I continue towel drying but suddenly he's by my ear.

"And truth be told, ever since I saw you at the airport, I haven't been in that much of a rush to get home."

I feel myself warm all over despite the chill of my bare skin exposed in just a towel.

He kisses my ear where he just whispered and I drop the towel in surprise.

"I had a wonderful day with you Ana," he murmurs, just inches from my lips.

I kiss him in response, unable to resist. He pulls back with bright eyes and a big grin. His arms find my waist and as they do so, he pushes the towel off from my body leaving me completely naked.

A/N please review. See you tomorrow xxx