A/N: This chapter is going to be a recognizable read to most of you if read you read the first book. I tried my best to keep to the storyline while making it my own. Bear with this rewritten familiar scene, it's a prequel to the next chapter as I switch up the dialogue to fit my story.
Also, I chose not to write her first part of her erotic scene with Christian because it'd be way too long, and it's something you all can read in the first book. I'm focusing solely on reconfiguring the storyline. It's a little hard doing a rewrite because you essentially have to write it a different way and fill in your own blanks, doing your best to follow the original story at the same time while not copying everything word for word.
DISCLAIMER: Just a reminder I do not own anything from Grey's Anatomy or Fifty Shades but the storyline you don't see in the books.
It was quiet throughout the car trip with Taylor but only because the surgeon was thinking about the man waiting for her presence. Christian's bodyguard was naturally a silent man unless he was asked to speak or was spoken to, a common characteristic she found in him and the women the dominant had his previous relationships with.
One thing that the brunette noticed was how quickly elevator rides go when she wasn't in the same room as Mr. Grey.
"Mr. Grey is expecting you," Taylor murmured, gesturing her to exit the double doors of the elevator after they opened.
"Thank you, Taylor."
The sound of the girl's black pumps clicked against the tiles of his apartment, echoing his spacious home. Its noise caused the man on the couch to peer up at the spectacle. Christian stared with a wicked twinkle in his gray eyes, causing Anastasia to melt from contact. He stood up as she approached the living room area. He was beautiful—a loose linen shirt accompanied by jeans, no shoes or socks in sight. He was in his home after all. Why wouldn't he dress this casually, but did he have to look this good? His trademark hair of tousled-ness was kept more neatly than usually, envisioning her fingers running through to mess them up.
When Anastasia met with him in the living room, she flushed with a smile—intimidated and caught under his spell.
"Hmm… that dress is something. You spoil me every time I see you," Christian murmured, staring down her body with approval. "Welcome back, Miss Steele," he whispered, pulling her chin up gently to kiss her lightly. He didn't want to get carried away just yet; the tension and anticipation was exciting and a fiery chase.
"Hello, Mr. Grey," she said quietly, flushing under his skin.
"You're on time," Christian commented with observation. "I like punctuality."
The surgeon shrugged and teased coyly, "You set a time. Why would I come late?"
"Good answer," he smirked, rubbing her cheek. "May I take your coat?"
Anastasia had forgotten that she was wearing it for a second; her white coat was becoming a part of her. The beautiful man's perfectly-manicured hand was offered to her, which obliged the young resident to take off her white coat and hand it to him. She could feel the hairs on her arm stand up straight from her goosebumps as the cool temperature of his home breezed onto her body. She brushed her dress gently, swiping off any lint or material on her body while her hands flatly and quickly flicked away.
Caught by surprise, the brunette gasped as Christian pulled at her arm and into his embrace. He felt the curve of her back against his hands. His eyes were dark with need, but his smile told her his true intentions. Mesmerized by his bold move, she murmured a question, "How're the Sunday's papers?"
Now catching the dominant off guard, he smiled, leading the girl in his arms toward the couch. He reached down and handed the papers to the surgeon, "See for yourself."
She made a face and smiled back with curiosity. Taking the Seattle Times from his hands, Anastasia spotted a photo of Christian and an immensely excited girl dressed in a cap and gown. He looked as serious as she had met him on their first day, which made her snicker quietly to herself. There was a comment under the photo that stated, Christian Grey and friend at the graduation ceremony at WSU Vancouver.
"You look very nice," Anastasia said, smiling at the man holding her before gazing back at the photo. "The girl in this photo is really happy to see you. Do you know her?"
"Oh no," Christian scowled in response. Recollecting his memory, he answered, "She wanted a photo with me, and then the photographer wanted one for the paper."
Scratching her head, the brunette began imagining what he would be feeling in that moment when the photographer took his photo. Smiling at her assumption, she said, "Well, you made the girl in the photo happy. It's obvious."
"I couldn't care much about that then or now," he stated with a smirk, "Anastasia, the last time you were here you said you'd reconsider."
"I did. There was no lie in that," Anastasia nodded, trying to figure out his impassive gaze.
The dominant shook his head to his current situation, unable to take in the fact that she was here, "I just didn't think you would."
"Well, I guess I did," the brunette nodded and proffered a flushing smile.
He gently pulled the surgeon down on the couch to sit beside him. "Have you eaten today?" Christian asked from out of the blue.
"No, I haven't gotten the chance to," Anastasia admitted with her honest excuse.
Struggling to keep his irritation at bay, Christian asked, "Are you hungry?"
She murmured, "Not for food in particular…"
"You are eager as ever, Miss Steele," he responded as his nose flared in reaction. He leaned in closer, whispering quietly in her ear, "Just to let you in on a little secret, so am I."
Moving away, she noticed a small frown on his face. He scolded her mildly afterwards, "I wish you'd eat, Ana."
Smiling secretly to herself, the surgeon replied softly, "Then feed me, Mr. Grey."
A low growl came from his throat as he responded, "I fully intend to. Come with me." He stood up and lent out his hand.
Anastasia gratefully took his hand, grasping it and feeling the heat surface and spread against her cold palm. Christian gestured her to sit, heading to the fridge as he pulled out a bowl, "Chicken caesar salad okay for you?"
"Yes, that's perfect." Something light was what the surgeon wanted, nothing too heavy.
Gathering all the items to set up their meal, the brunette watched him move around the kitchen, admiring the way he moved.
"What are you thinking about?" Christian asked, pulling her out of her trance.
"I was just watching the way you move."
Amused, he turned to face her with a lifting brow, asking dryly, "And?"
"I can't admire how graceful you are, Mr. Grey?" Anastasia asked rhetorically, cocking her head to the side and smiling as she answered his question.
He smirked, "Admire away, Miss Steele." He pulled up at her chin and pecked another light kiss on her lips before murmuring, "Just not as much as me. But thank you."
With a bottle of wine in his hand, he lifted the bottle, "Chablis?"
"Please," the surgeon replied, watching him pour her a glass.
"Help yourself to some salad, Ana," he ushered with a soft voice.
The chicken caesar salad was what Anastasia needed. Once the surgeon began her meal, she realized how ravenous her stomach had been. She took sips of the wine every now and then, enjoying the crisp, clean, and fruity notes of her glass. Minutes into their lunch, she noticed an expression on Christian's face, revealing him to be in deep contemplation as he struggled with what to say. When she gazed into his gray eyes filled with concern, he made his decision.
"Anastasia," he began, "my mother would like to meet you. She's invited you to dinner tonight, and I believe Elliot is asking his girlfriend, too. I don't know how you feel about that. It will be odd for me to introduce you to my family."
Odd? "Would you rather I not?" The brunette asked as she finished and pushed her plate.
"No! Well, I'm unsure. I don't know." His voice drifted quietly, conflicted with his internal thoughts and emotions.
Unable to contain the wounded hurt out of her voice, Anastasia asked, "Are you ashamed of me?"
"Of course not," he rolled his eyes at her.
"Then, why is it odd?"
"Because I've never done it before," he confessed.
The surgeon huffed out a sigh of exasperation, "Why are you allowed to roll your eyes, and I am not?"
Christian blinked at the brunette that challenged him, disarming him with her question, "I wasn't aware that I was."
"Neither am I usually," she snapped.
His eyes glared her down, but she turned head away with aggravation, picking up her glass of wine and downing it all in one gulp. I regret that instantly, she thought, suddenly lightheaded. "May I use your bathroom?" Anastasia asked, wanting a second away from him.
"You know where it is," he said dismissively. And as soon as he did, she swiveled her chair away from him and secretly rolled her eyes.
Climbing up the stairs of his foyer, the surgeon walked up to the second level, hearing her heels clomp against the tiles as she escaped his presence. She found the bathroom and turned on the faucet, beginning to wash her hands before gently patting her face with the cold water. Staring at a set of golden eyes in the mirror, she wondered, What are you doing to me, Mr. Grey?
Exiting the bathroom, feeling a bit refreshed and cooled down, Anastasia was about to head downstairs to see him but was distracted by the playroom nearby. She pivoted her body to the entrance of the Red Room of Pain, rubbing her hands against the sides of the door as she tiptoed to it. The brunette turned her head back for a moment, checking to see that nobody would be behind her before carefully opening the door.
A whiff of leather, citrus, and polished dark wood filled the senses of her nose as it did before. The surgeon's blood heated to the color of the room, intense and overwhelmed by her surroundings. She walked towards his instruments of pain and pleasure, grazing her finger against each tool, feeling their texture and grip. A brown-plated riding crop caught the brunette's attention, gently picking it up and off the rack. She's never held a tool like this before, then again, she never rode horses. Her eyes closed, imagining the dark fantasy of the riding crop being used against her—fear was gone, replaced by her dark desire for the gray-eyed man.
"Eager as ever, Miss Steele?" A voice crept from behind, forcing her eyes open.
Anastasia turned her body around and faced the man behind her, immediately caught by Christian as his eyes marveled into hers with wonder and lust—the latter was something she knew well; she knew that look.
Looking up through her dark lashes, she responded in a hushed voice, "Yes." She flinched to herself suddenly, realizing that her hands were holding his riding crop.
His breathing hitched, and as Christian stared down at the brunette, the atmosphere between them shifted. Sexual tension was triggered through the electrical current of want and need emanated from each other's bodies. The glimmer in his eyes morphed from a dark to an intense eruption of burning desire.
"Are you positive that this is what you want to do with me?" He breathed, staring directly down into her golden eyes, piercing into her soul. He no longer just wanted her consent; he wanted to make sure that she was comfortable being with him, in spite of his dark needs.
The brunette chewed at her lip and slightly grimaced, "I haven't signed anything."
"I know," he said, as he pulled her bottom lip from her teeth with his thumb, "but I'm breaking all the rules these days."
"Will you hit me?" Her heart skipped.
"Yes, but it won't be to hurt you. I don't want to punish you right now." Christian stepped in closer, closing the gap between them. "If you'd let me yesterday evening, well, that would have been an different story—your overall attitude and demeanor was quite a shock, Ana." His voice was soft as he stroked her cheek. "And then you kicked me out when I wanted…"
Anastasia couldn't hide the anxiety from her face. This concept of enjoying pain was new, something to adjust to. Her body was adjusting to its pleasure, too, mortified by her aroused body.
"Don't let anyone try and convince you otherwise, Anastasia. One of the reasons people like me do this is because we either like to give or receive pain. It's very simple," Christian said reassuringly, running his fingertips against her arm. She couldn't get herself from focusing on her thoughts as he touched her. "You don't, so I spent a great deal of time yesterday night thinking about that after being kicked out."
He pulled the brunette's body in closer to his, pushing his erection into her abdomen. It could have been the room or him, but her deep and darkest desires were reflected back into his gray eyes. She couldn't shake the feeling away; it had a strong bonding hold on her.
"Did you reach any conclusions then, Mr. Grey?" She whispered, biting her lip.
Shaking his head, he bent his head lower, "Not yet, and right now, I just want to tie you up and fuck you senseless. Are you ready for that?"
"Yes." Her voice was hushed and hypnotized into his gaze.
Christian's demeanor changed before her eyes—his posture straightened and his eyes subtly altered in a harder and meaner gaze. "When you're in here," he breathed, speaking slowly and carefully with each word for the surgeon to remember, "you are completely mine. To do with I see fit. Do you understand?"
Lost in the darkness of his words, Anastasia nodded. Her heart was accelerating more quickly, and the adrenaline of lust and longing filled the depths of her sexual appetite and warm heart.
He began with his first order, softly instructing her, "Take your shoes off."
And so it begins, Anastasia thoughts echoed through the dominant's voice, following his order.
…
"Well done, baby," Christian murmured, cradling her into his arms after being un-cuffed by his leather restraints. "Did that hurt?"
He wanted me to work out, after everything I just did with him? Anastasia thought drearily and wearily, happy that she negotiated her decisions with him from earlier throughout the previous weeks.
The brunette responded gently, struggling to keep herself awake as she lay in the aftermaths of orgasmic bliss, "Not as much… Not as much as I originally thought."
"I told you, most of your fear is in your head, Anastasia," he paused, stroking her hair and then her back. "Would you do it again?"
"Yes." Her voice sighed out exhaustedly.
Christian hugged her tightly from her answer, provoking a weak smile to surface across her lips. "Good, so would I," he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. She was glad that she pleased him, and frankly, she was pleased with herself as well. The resident was tranquilized by his pleasure and fill, satisfying her eye-opening hunger she never knew she had.
"I haven't finished with you yet, baby," he murmured gently against her head.
There's no way. We just finished… More?
Anastasia was surprised but too spent to express her emotions physically. Instead, she fought the powerful desire to sleep, leaning her head against his chest with closed eyes as she listened to the lullaby of his heartbeat. The brunette was tightly bounded around his warming arms and legs that encircled themselves around her body, utterly sated and comfortable to think, move, or speak. Subconsciously, her face turned into his chest, breathing in his scent as her nostrils filled with his musk and body wash.
Tensing from her actions, Christian breathed his warning, "Don't."
Opening her eyes and glancing up into his gray eyes, the surgeon found fear in his eyes as he stared down intensely. She flushed from his admonishment, confused and gazing at his chest. Her eyes opened to the same markings on his torso, examining the scars dotted around his chest area. She recognized those scars, slightly opening her mouth and comparing them—in her head—to the one she had under her right underarm.
He pulled his arms back, placing them on his knees and taking the warmth along with him. The temperature decreased several degrees colder as he snatched himself away, ordering immediately, "Kneel by the door."
The surgeon struggled her way to the door, feeling her legs wobble and shake. She followed his command and kneeled, sensing Christian move towards her in the corner of her lazy eyes.
"Boring you, am I, Miss Steele?" His voice called out as his feet came into her vision.
The statement shook her awake, slowly looking up to see the dominant in front of her. Christian was glaring down with arms crossed, angered that the brunette was dozing off. His eyes softened to her weary golden eyes. "Stand up," he commanded.
"Stamina, Miss Steele." Christian admonished her with narrowing gray eyes.
Her eyes glazed from an internal yawn she repressed, responding quietly, "I'm trying, sir."
A softening expression peeked through the darkness of his dominant exterior, gently reaching in and caressing her cheek with grazing fingertips. With his touch, a spark of a flame burned deeply into her body, wanting more. He prevented a small smile from being invoked, saying, "And I'm proud. But I haven't had my fill of you yet." He reached down for her hand, initiating his next order, "Hold out your hands in front as if you are praying."
The doctor's wits were still in her, but she was too exhausted to smartly respond to his instructions. She wouldn't have dared speaking in that manner anyhow, obeying his command instead. Within a second, he pulled out a cable tie and fastened it around her wrists, tightening the plastic.
Mortification was shown on Anastasia's face, but she didn't question his actions. Christian had a smile he was unable to hide, causing the surgeon to test out the bonds of her plastic restraints. The cable tie bit into her flesh, sore upon resistance but fine when she relaxed.
"I have scissors here." Christian held the up his cutters for her to see. "I can cut you out of this in a moment. Come." He took her hands and led the brunette towards his four-poster bed. She noticed the dark red sheets and shackle at each corner. "I want more— much, much more," he leaned down and whispered.
More… The charms of that magical word captivated the girl into his lustful spell. Her heart began to beat more quickly again, eager and craving his touch and him.
"I'll make this quick, Ana. You're tired. Now, hold on to the post," he said.
Her fingers gently felt the ornately carved wooden post as the brunette did what she was told, opening her hands gently with bounded wrists. Her fingers clamped around the wood and held onto it.
"Lower," Christian ordered. "Good. Don't let go. If you do, I'll spank you. Understand?"
"Yes," she said mutely with desiring eagerness.
A sting lashed across her cheek as the dominant spanked her.
Grunting from his smack, Anastasia hunched over, forcing her braid to slip past her shoulder. She muttered quickly, "Yes, sir."
He stood behind her, grabbing onto her hips and then quickly lifted the surgeon's body backward to position her bending forward, still holding onto the post. "Don't let go, Anastasia," Christian warned. "I'm going to fuck you hard from behind, so hold onto the post to support your weight. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Her voice sighed, lifting her head back up.
The dominant forced her leg to part open more, moving his way in closer as he held onto her hips. "That's better," he whispered. "After this, I'll let you sleep."
He gently reached up her back and stroked it, humming to the touch, "You have such beautiful skin, Anastasia." He breathed hotly onto her back, placing a kiss in the middle which sent shivers down her spine. His hot kisses trailed down the entire length of her vertebrae, sending out a pleased sigh from her lips. While he worshiped her body from his lips, his hands reached forward and began palming her breasts, trapping a nipple between his fingers as he pulled.
Anastasia's body was alive and hot fire, burning inside and hot as she stifled a moan that spread pleasure down her body.
Christian bit the resident's waist gently, replacing his indented mark with a suck and a kiss while both hands tugged at her nipples. Her hands dug into the carved post, and she heard his pants drop as he kicked off his jeans.
"You have such a captivating, sexy ass, Anastasia Steele," he muttered with please. "What I'd like to do to it." His hands rubbed and smoothed against each of her cheeks, massaging and spreading them before slipping two fingers deep inside her eager wet sex. She opened her mouth but no sound came out as she fluttered her eyes to the sensations of his intruding pleasure.
"So wet. You never do disappoint, Miss Steele," he whispered, and she heard the wonder in his voice. "Hold tightly… this is going to be quick, baby."
Hurry… I need you…
Holding onto the resident's hips, Christian positioned himself, pressing his erection between the crack of her cheeks, teasing as he rubbed against them back and forth. She braced herself for his fill, but instead, he reached over and grabbed her braid, winding it around his wrist to hold her head down in place. And then, very carefully and agonizingly slowly, he eased himself into her, pulling her hair at the same time.
Yes.
Anastasia gasped and sighed out hot breath slowly. With a stroke of a fluid movement, he slammed his shaft deep into her sex, penetrating and pushing through her wet and tightening walls, letting them grab hold of his rock-hard erection. He held tightly onto her hips, and followed the motion of his hard, awakening thrust that jolted the brunette's body forward.
"Hold on, Anastasia!" He shouted through his clenched gritting teeth.
Listening to his orders, her hands gripped the post harder as her body pushed back against his hard thrusts, pushing again and again with his fingers digging into her hip. Her body was beginning to get sore, legs and arms weakening and her scalp the same way from the tugging. Like a match to a running gas line, her body was preparing to let go of an explosion. The walls of her sex were pulsing against his throbbing cock, expanding as he filled her.
Christian stilled and suddenly stopped, jerking and slamming his body into her really deeply. "Come on, Ana, give it to me. Give me more…" he groaned, and the name on his lips pushed her over the climax as she imagined the walls of the Red Room to blow away like the sensations of her orgasms; spiraling uncontrollably and falling into the mercy of her sweet release combined with his filling seed. Lost in the bliss of her glowing state, her mind absently drifted into the euphoria only he could give.
Although the resident's body was shattered into pieces, it mended itself back together as she picked up the pieces. Opening her eyes, she stared at the ceiling and realized he was under her, moving her body to his panting chest.
"Hands up," Christian murmured gently into her head. It took all the strength in her to follow his command, but she did it with a trembling arm. Wielding the scissors, he passed one part of the blade between the plastic.
"I declare this Ana open," he breathed and cut the cable tie, releasing her from her chain.
Anastasia giggled gently, rubbing her wrists once they were free from his restraints. She felt a grin press into her hair from the dominant's lips.
"That is such a lovely sound," he said with a hint of sadness. Christian moved his body upright as he sat, taking her body with her as she was placed on his lap. "That's my fault," he muttered. His hands were suddenly on her shoulders and arms, gently massaging at them.
Making a face, the brunette asked, "What's your fault now?"
"That you don't giggle more often."
Modestly, she mumbled, "There isn't much to giggle about when I'm around your intimidating presence. Plus, I'm not a great giggler."
"Oh, but when it happens, Miss Steele, 'tis a wonder and joy to behold."
"How flowery, Mr. Grey," Anastasia noted with a tired gaze.
His gray eyes softened, and he smiled, "Well, I'd say you're thoroughly fucked and in need of sleep."
"That wasn't flowery at all…" She grumbled playfully.
Christian carefully placed the brunette's body off his lap, standing up momentarily, naked before her. Picking up his ripped jeans, he pulled them through each leg, still naked from underneath.
"Don't want to frighten Taylor, or Mrs. Jones for that matter," Christian muttered, scooping the resident into his arms, walking to the exit of the door. He grabbed at a grey robe and draped it over the Anastasia's naked body as he carried her out to the empty bedroom down the hall.
"You're beautiful…" Anastasia mumbled tiredly, cradled into his chest.
He blinked at her, a mouth quirking into a small smile before leaning down and kissing her lip gently. She hummed to his lips, her hand caressing his cheek. "Bed," he said gently against her lips.
He set her down gently onto the bed, pulling the covers over her body, but the one thing that caught Anastasia off guard was when Christian joined her under the sheets.
"Sleep now, gorgeous girl," Christian whispered.
The last thing she remembered was the feeling of his kiss in her hair, the beautiful memory of his face and smile burned into her mind.
…
A pair of gently lips press against Anastasia's temple, pulling her from the depths of her dreams. Responding mutely, her mouth twitched, trying to smile, but her eyes remained closed as slumber seduced her right back into her original, sated state.
"Anastasia," Christian's voice coaxed gently, "Wake up."
Letting out a little moan through her nose, the brunette shut her eyes even more tightly with furrowing brows. She curled her body slowly into a ball, tucking her knees into her chest as she remained still with resting eyes.
"We have to leave in a half an hour for dinner at my parents," Christian mused.
She blinked her eyes open slowly, let her lashes flutter before staring into a beautiful man leaning over and gazing intently. The resident squinted her eyes as her voice groggily croaked, "What time is it?" The sun had already set as her head slightly turned and to the window.
"Time for you to get up," he stated. "Come on, sleepy-head. Get up." He bent his head down lower and kissed her again gently.
"I've brought you a drink. I'll be downstairs so you can get dressed. Don't go back to sleep, or you'll be in trouble," he threatened, but the tension and tone in his voice was less intimidating than his usual orders in the Red Room. He kissed her once more briefly before making his exit, leaving the surgeon confused as she sat up and blinked.
Mmm… so many kisses… She hummed in her thoughts.
Anastasia rubbed her eyes and reached for the glass, taking a sip. It was a mix of cranberry juice and sparkling water, quenching her thirst. Christian knew what she needed more than herself. Finishing the glass, she turned her legs to the side of the bed and began getting ready. She ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower to wash her body thoroughly but quickly, squirming around in the shower sporadically from the cold water. The resident was too impatient for the warm water, and she wanted to wake herself up with its chilling water—plus, she had a gorgeous man waiting downstairs.
Towel-drying herself quickly after she exited the bathroom, the brunette found her navy dress hanging by the wardrobe along with her matching blue, lace bra. She clipped the bra on first and then slipped the dress right on top.
Where are my panties? She thought nervously. Her mouth twisted, and she chewed at her, trying to find her missing pair of lingerie. She opened the closet wardrobe before searching under the bed, desk, drawers, and chairs. Checking all around the room, it was nowhere to be found. The surgeon did her best to remember what happened to it in the heat of the moment a couple hours ago.
Does Christian have it? The young resident felt uncomfortable, scowling to herself as she zipped up her dress and headed to the vanity. She pulled the hair band out of her braid, tousling the natural waves gently with combing fingers. Her golden eyes blinked back at herself when she looked in the mirror, slightly flushed and radiant—"The Christian Glow." Her cheeks reddened even more as she remembered her recent events with the dominant after slipping on her black pumps nearby the exit of the bedroom. She exited the room, giving up her search for her panties, and trotted down the stairs.
Standing by the panoramic window of his apartment, Christian stared out into the city dressed in his gray flannel pants with his usual white linen shirt. His taste in his attire was simple, but he always found a way to make himself look dashing in every way. He didn't need the fancy-looking clothing to make him seem intimidating; he did that all on his own.
Christian turned as soon as Anastasia made it down the last steps of the staircase. She noticed the sound of Frank Sinatra singing softly over the surrounding of his room speakers. She closed her eyes and smiled, opening them and greeting the gorgeous man, "Hello, Mr. Grey."
With an enigmatic smile, he responded back, "Hi. How are you feeling?" His eyes were brightened with amusement.
"I'm doing very well, thank you. And yourself?"
"I feel mighty fine, Miss Steele." His honest answer made the brunette smile, but it seemed as though the dominant wanted her to say speak of something else.
Killing the void of silence between them, she commented, "I never figured you having a taste for Mr. Sinatra."
"Eclectic taste, Miss Steele," Christian murmured. He walked over to his lamb, pacing himself towards his prey like a hungry wolf. His gaze was intense and hot, forcing her to forget to breathe as he stood in front of her.
A new song began to play over his speakers—"Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra. He stroked and traced her cheek with the back of his warm finger, send cool shivers down the young resident's spine. "Dance with me," he murmured again, his husky voice compelling her to follow his lead. He turned up the volume on the speakers, letting the room fill with its music.
Anastasia grinned up at him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he took her by the other hand and waist. The surgeon was caught under his spell again, bewitching and beguiling her from head to toe, stunned in his arms as they glided across the room. Pulling her closer into his embrace, he grinned lazily, spinning and turning her around as they slowly made their way around the room together. His playful mood was infectious, and she couldn't resist the temptations of her curling smile from fading away.
When the music stopped, Christian grinned down, kissing her sweetly before commenting, "There's no other witch nicer than you." His kiss was slow and captivating, but he pulled away, saying softly, "Thank you for the dance. Shall we go and meet my parents now?"
"Thank you," the brunette responded breathlessly with a winded smile. "And yes, I can't wait to meet your family."
"Do you have everything you need?" He cleared his voice while the tone in his voice suggested something suspicious.
Furrowing her brows, Anastasia stared up at him, "No?..." Am I forgetting something? She let go of his hands and searched her body, seeing if she needed to bring anything important. She patted her body gently from her chest to her thighs, and her eyes bulged, blushing as she remembered her bare naked bottom underneath.
Christian's gaze was kept together and impassive but a mischievous spark was shown in his eyes. Peering more closely and narrowing her eyes, the young resident brought out her open hand in accusation, "Give it."
His eyebrows lifted. A glare was shown in his eyes as he narrowed them back, "Excuse me, Miss Steele. Give what?"
Do you not have my… Wait, where are my panties, then? The surgeon blinked at the glaring, narrow-eyed man.
Am I doing this? I'm going to meet his family with no panties. I can't stall and look for them now, can I?
"N-Never mind," Anastasia responded dismissively with a flushed face, after deciding. "I'm ready."
"Are you sure?"
Nodding nonchalantly to hide her worries and thoughts, she watched his face split into a bigger grin, confusing her even more with his shaking head, "Okay. If that's the way you want to play it, Miss Steele." He began leading his girl into the elevator, enjoying his private joke with a flirting smile kept underneath.
"If that's the way you want to play it?" He must know or have them. The surgeon puffed her cheeks, blowing out slowly with widening eyes while the man beside her was still content in his own amusement. This game the dominant started was one that young doctor was going to lose, but she had hopes that she would be the underdog and win. When the elevator doors opened to the garage, he shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and took the brunette's hand.
Taylor suddenly pulled up to the couple in a different car—a red hatchback two-door Audi. A new car? What's wrong with the black one? Anastasia knitted her brows together again, a face of question sprung on her face as she gazed up at a wary-looking dominant. Exiting the running car, Taylor stepped out with a smile and handed the keys to the man beside her before leaving the two alone with the new car.
"Remember when we discussed 'more?'" Christian murmured gently, beginning to wrap his arms around her gently.
More? She thought with a chewing lip.
The memory of his voice appeared from two nights ago, telling her, I have one condition. You graciously accept my special gift to you.
"This is for you," he stated, tightening his embrace around her more as he kissed her head.
Stunned and blinking at the shiny car, Anastasia blurted, "No." Unsure of what to do with her body, her hands flinched away in response to his gift and were placed close to her chest.
Sighing exasperatingly through his nose, Christian explained, "This is the deal, Ana. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you in the city when it's so easy for me to make it right." His eyes were on her, but the brunette couldn't make eye-contact with him with the generous offer in front of her.
"I don't want it," she shook her head, a worried look on her face. I didn't ask for this. We need to return it.
His nose flared, but his eyes were still soft, "It's a gift, Anastasia. Can't you just say thank you? We're going to be late." His smile was fading and a frown was soon to be replaced.
The situation of her reactions made her feel regret and dread. She slouched her shoulders and frowned, apologetically responding to him, "I appreciate what you did, but this is just too much, Christian."
"Not to me, not for my peace of mind. I want you safe," Christian stroked her cheek.
Anastasia held her breath, turning back to the car as she made a noise through her nose before exhaling a moan. "I'm happy for you to loan me your car until the end of this contract," she nodded quietly and smiled.
He sighed heavily, "That's not the deal, but okay. Indefinitely on loan."
"No, no. Not indefinitely. But for now, thank you." He frowned at her reluctance, staring back at the car and wondering if it was the right car she wanted.
Accepting a car for "more?" This doesn't feel right, but at least I have him. The surgeon's frown turned into a weak smile, trying to console the impression of her un-appreciativeness. She reached up on her toes, leaning into his cheek before expressing her gratittude to him as sweetly as she could, "I mean it, Christian. Although this was an incredibly generous gift, thank you for the car, sir."
Suddenly, a handful of hair was grasped into his fingers, pulling him her in Christian kissed her aggressively, forcing her lips open with his tongue. "You are one challenging woman, Ana Steele."
The blood in her body flamed and heated from his act of passion, and she returned his kisses with her own fury and intensity. Is it bad to want him now?
"It's taking all my self-control not to fuck you on the hood of your new car right now, just to show you that you are mine," he growled with her lip between his teeth. He pulled at it before letting go, "And if I want to buy you a fucking car, I'll buy you a fucking car."
"Let's go before I change my mind. My parents are waiting for us," Christian muttered before taking her hand and opening the car door for her.
Shit, he's upset, and it's my fault because of my ungratefulness now. The surgeon sighed to herself and entered the vehicle with slouching shoulders. Entering through his side, she could feel the fumes of his heat exerted onto her just by being near him.
The silence of the car was broken through Anastasia's whisper, "Please don't be angry with me."
Beginning to drive out of the garage and onto the I-5 freeway, the brunette watched his grip on the steering wheel flex against his fingers, but his tense body relaxed at the sound of her voice. She apologized, "I'm sorry about the car." Correcting herself, she explained, "Well, I'm not sorry necessarily. What I mean is—I was just… Your gift caught me by surprise, and naturally, I had to decline such a gift at first. It's not something I'm used to at all, so I'm sorry for my reaction."
He remained silent and brooding, gray eyes still cold and intense. "You're frightening when you're angry, and I don't like it when you are; especially when we're going to meet your family. I'm sorry, Christian." She reflected his past actions, placing her hand on top of his as the car stopped at the sudden small traffic. She rubbed her fingers across his knuckles as he usually did, grazing their bones with her thumb gingerly.
Christian closed his eyes, taking hold of her hand and kissing the back of her hand and then her mid-digits. He made a small smile against his kissing lips before holding it back down near the gear shifter. Anastasia smiled to herself from his silent gesture.
Deciding to change the topic, the surgeon asked, "Where did you learn to dance so well?"
"Do you really want to know?" He replied softly.
Her heart sank as she figured out the answer, comparing herself to the cougar. With her usual wits, Anastasia answered back, "Do you really have to ask that?"
"Mrs. Robinson was fond of dancing," he replied with a smirk and a shaking head to her sass.
Suspicions confirmed, the thought of Christian happily dancing with that mad women upset her. His former dominant showed him the way to be endearing, charming, and fun, but hid it away from the rest of the world, leaving him isolated in his ivory tower. The brunette wondered if the cougar had the best sides of him—the playful, fun side and the side where he could be himself without such a cold exterior and front.
Suddenly, Anastasia found a revelation that she hated that woman, hoping to never meet or see her and deciding to put all the blame of Christian's existing darkness on that retched woman. She believed that she corrupted him—a vulnerable child. And she didn't care if he consented, despite his age and inexperience.
The young doctor was feeling too many things all at once. She was wondering the whereabouts of her panties (but was sure that Christian had them at this point), the concern of being secretly naked underneath when meeting his family for the first time, her new car, and now the evil lady that eventually helped create the Red Room of Pain for the beautiful man beside her. Overwhelmed by a train of running thoughts, she stared at the window and watched the passing street lights pass her eyes, letting each light that passed her to represent her thoughts going away one by one.
Pushing all the darkness aside, the resident found the light in her again. All in all, with everything that had happened and the knowledge she was given about him, Anastasia wondered if she would repeat everything she had done with him. As her mind drifted off to the erotic altercations of her heaty afternoon, she determined that her driving dominant went easy on her, fully aware of his more intense preferences. The riding crop wasn't painful, but she was sure that he could reach a dark place within himself that would make it possible—likewise with other instruments of pain and pleasure. Would Anastasia do it again—was the question. The doctor couldn't deny that she would, so long as she didn't feel threatened or got hurt. She consented to being his free-willingly.
She wanted him—him in every way she could have. Sighing to herself, Anastasia made the judgment that she was starting to use her heart more than her logic—matter over mind with every event that had happened to her so far.
"Don't," Christian murmured, pulling her back into the now with him. The entire landscape of their view changed, driving across a bridge that was surrounded by the night's darkness.
Realizing that she had been holding his hand, she flushed and pulled her hand away. He shook his head, reaching back to take her hand into his. He kissed her knuckles again gently as he pulled his way through his parent's gates and into their enormous, colonial-style mansion. He clarified his admonishment, warmly taking her hand, "Don't overthink things, Anastasia. I have a wonderful afternoon. Thank you."
Christian Grey was like a puzzle, and although he had his confusing ups-and-downs, the dominant was able to pull her back with him in comforting reassurance. She blinked up at him and smiled shyly from his comment.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, turning of the car before turning to face her.
Anastasia shrugged and sighed, "I just wish I knew what you were thinking."
"Ditto, baby," he said, smirking and leaning in to hold her face for a quick kiss.
Opening her car door just as Christian opened his, the first thing that caught the young surgeon's eye were the roses by the door. It was as if she stepped into a fairytale, roses redder than any flower she had seen in her life. The Grey household was a picture-book perfect mansion, a house people would only see in movies.
He closed the door to his side and walked over to the brunette, taking her hand, "Are you ready for this?"
Awaiting at the door were two people smiling at the door entrance for them. A sandy-haired woman dressed in a pale blue silk dress stood beside a tall blond man a light blue suit. The couple looked poised, elegant, refined, and sophisticated with their presence and their warming smiles. The people that lived in that home were just as beautiful as the exteriors of their mansion.
Jesus… Where am I?
Christian gave the surgeon's hand a reassuring squeeze, murmuring quietly before kissing the temple of her head, "First for me too." He whispered even more quietly with a wicked smile and teased, "Bet you wished you were wearing your underwear right now."
The girl beside him opened her mouth in shock before scowling at his broadly grinning face.
So, you do have it, you bastard. Who takes a girl's panties?
Walking up the steps of his parent's house, Anastasia smiled meekly at a Christian's parents, pushing her hair behind her ear as the wind blew gently from behind.
"Mom. Dad," Christian began greeting them briefly before turning to the girl beside him, "this is Anastasia Steele. Ana, these are my parents—Grace Trevelyan-Grey and Carrick Grey."
Before being able to speak, Grace wrapped her arms around the young surgeon, inviting her into her warm-hearted embrace, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Anastasia. I feel somehow as if we've met before, darling." The young resident's eyes met with another pair of hazel eyes, curious and stunned. Her voice was as warm as her glowing eyes, filled with relief and care.
I don't think we've ever met before… I've only ever met your interesting son.
"Dr. Trevelyan Grey," Anastasia murmured, surprised by the sudden intimacy as she smiled and gently hugged his mom back.
"Call me Grace," she grinned. "I am usually Dr. Trevelyan in the office, and Mrs. Grey is my mother in law." She winked.
The young resident then shook the outstretched hand by his dad before answering quickly, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you both."
"The pleasure is all mine, Anastasia," Carrick smiled and answered back with crinkling eyes. His eyes were so gentle—soft, kind, and blue.
"Please call me, Ana." The young surgeon said to his parents, nodding gently and staring into their kind eyes.
"Ana, we're so happy to meet you and have you over for dinner," Grace said kindly and took her other hand. "Come in, my dear."
A girlish screech echoed the walls of their mansion as the three of them entered through the doors of the Grey household, "Is she here?"
The brunette bobbed her head back from the sound, turning to Christian.
"That would be Mia, my little sister," he replied bitterly, but not as irritably as his voice hinted. There was an underlying emotion of compassion in his words, and it was the way his voice grew softer and the way his eyes sparkled when mentioning his sister's name. It was his adoration for Mia that became a revelation for the young surgeon—proof of a heart the dominant claimed to never have.
A tall girl with a raven-black bob barreled down the hall with clicking heels. She rushed into the brunette's arms, crashing into her with a hard hug, "Anastasia! I've heard so much about you!"
A smile couldn't be prevented from the young doctor's face; Mia's boundless enthusiasm was a wave of bright energy and happiness. "It's Ana, please," she grunted from the hug. Forced to let go of Christian's hand, his sister pulled at her arm and dragged her down the large vestibule. The floors of the house were covered in dark wood and antique rugs with a sweeping staircase to the second floor.
"He's never brought home a girl before," Mia commented, dark eyes bright with excitement.
Anastasia smiled, snickering inwardly and glimpsing peripherally at a set of rolling eyes from Christian's expression. She turned and lifted her eyebrow at Christian, but he narrowed his eyes back down at his girl.
Entering the living room, with Mia's hand still attached to hers, Anastasia marveled at the interior beauty of Grace and Carrick's home—warm colors of cream, beige, and hints of blue placed beautifully throughout. On the couch was another gorgeous couple cuddling together while holding champagne flutes in their hands. The new couple's eyes bolted to the gathering people, standing and smiling at once.
Oh, goodness. More people. The brunette thought nervously.
"Ana!" The strawberry blonde greeted and beamed. Her green eyes beamed, opening her arms up and hugging her gently to greet the young resident, which forced her to let go of Mia's hand. "My name is Katherine, but you just can call me Kate. It's nice to meet you." She turned her head to the gray-eyed man and nodded, "Christian."
"Kate," he said, equally formal with her.
The brunette nodded and smiled shyly. Not a another second to spare, Anastasia yelped as her body was lifted off the ground and was spinning around the room, caught into the arms of Kate's boyfriend and Christian's brother, Elliot. His eyes twinkled blue, and he grinned widely, "Hi, Ana! I'm the better brother." Cheeky behavior and mischievousness clearly ran in the family, but she knew that the two brothers contrasted with one another drastically.
After being set down, she blushed from Elliot's bold affection. "Thank you all for such a warm welcome. It's nice to meet all of you," Anastasia responded and nodded, staring at all the smiling beautiful faces around the room. There was so much hugging and warmth; the hug-fest was not something she could get used to. She was intimidated by their beauty—well frankly, everyone's beauty, wondering how and why everyone looked so good.
Immediately, the young surgeon found that Christian was by the her side and holding her closely with his arm. His eyes were cold towards his brother, but Elliot simply grinned even more widely. Silence filled the room momentarily, and everyone simply stared at the wolf and the lamb, letting them become the spectacle of entertainment in the center of the room. It was an unnerving feeling for the both of them.
"Drinks?" Carrick said, lightening the mood. "Prosecco?"
"Please." Christian and Anastasia spoke in unison.
Mia clapped her hand together, cheerfully exclaiming, "Oh, they're even say the same things together! I'll get them, I'll get them!" She trotted out of the room noisily in her heels.
"Dinner's almost ready," Grace said, following Mia out the room.
Christian commanded as he pointed to the plush couch, "Sit." Obeying with what she was told, Anastasia crossed her leg cautiously and swiftly. He sat down beside her, but he was far enough to where she couldn't feel the warmth from his body.
"We were just talking about vacations, Ana," Carrick said kindly. "Elliot has decided to follow and Kate and her family to Barbados for a week."
As Anastasia glanced at the strawberry blonde, Kate grinned with bright and wide eyes, grasping Elliot's hand from the mention of his name.
"Are you taking a break now that you've finished with your schooling, I assume?" Carrick asked.
The young surgeon thought to herself, Ha. The funny thing is… "I actually graduated early, so my time for taking a break has already finished. However, I will be traveling back to California coincidentally for a couple days."
The oral boards exams—in order to achieve the recognition and the status of becoming a board-certified surgeon in her specialty—were coming. The brunette should be studying, but she knew she'd be okay. Her memory never failed her when it came to last-cramming and crash sessions.
Christian tensed from her answering statement, gaping and blinking a couple times with an unreadable face.
Oh, shit. Did I forget to mention this?
"California?" The gray-eyed man murmured questioningly. She felt the temperature exchange between their bodies begin to increase as he inched in closer.
Fuck. I forgot.
Anastasia cleared her throat, rubbing her teeth with her tongue, "I have some business to attend to in San Francisco." It was true; she was finishing her residency after all, and she needed to ace and take the oral exams to ensure that her education in her surgical program (regardless if it was at Stanford or Grey-Sloan) didn't go to waste.
"When were you thinking of going?" His voice was low.
"T-Tomorrow. Late evening."
Mia sauntered back into the living room, handing the champagne flutes filled with pale pink Prosecco to Christian and Anastasia, breaking the tension.
"Your good health!" Carrick rose his glass.
As the brunette took a sip, Christian came in closer, asking with a deceptively soft voice, "For how long?"
"Just a couple of days. It depends on how long the exams will go," she answered dismissively and looked away.
The people in this room couldn't cage his dominant side for long, and Anastasia was aware of this and the situation. She knew this anger from anywhere.
Kate butted into the conversation, furrowing her brows, "Well, California will be a blast. I'm sure she deserves the break and could relax from everything in her life. Right, Ana?" She gazed and smiled warmly at the brunette, causing Christian's jaw to clench and flex.
Oh, Kate, please stop. That's really sweet of you, but don't help. You're only poking the wolf with a stick.
"You have an exam?" Mia asked, making a face of disgust and shaking her head at the thought.
Chuckling softly, Anastasia responded, "Sort of. It's a little important."
"I wish you the best of luck," Carrick said gently, patting her knee with his hand.
Grace came walking back in and announced, "Dinner is on the table."
Everybody stood up, and while Kate and Elliot follow Carrick and Mia out of the room, Anastasia followed but was held back as Christian clutched her elbow, bringing her to an sudden stop.
"When were you going to tell me you were leaving?" Christian asked urgently, but softy. He was trying to mask the seething anger within him but failed as his body heated from his same emotions.
"I don't really have a choice. I have to take my oral boards, Christian." I forgot to mention it. I'm sorry. Can we discuss this later?
"What about our arrangement?" His voice was becoming bewildered.
Anastasia sighed, knowing how the reaction might come off, "What about it? We don't have one an arrangement yet."
He narrowed his eyes and then remembered his whereabouts. His parent's home and family dinner prevented him from acting or speaking any further. He let go of her elbow and escorted her out of the room. "This conversation isn't over," he muttered threateningly as they entered the dining room.
A crystal chandelier was hanging over the dark wooden table, and there was a massively carved mirror on the wall. The dining table was laid and covered with a crisp white tablecloth, and a vase of red roses—similar to the front of their house—as its centerpiece. It was beautiful, and the young resident expected nothing less from the beautiful people in their beautiful home.
Everyone took their seats and places with Carrick at the head of his table. Anastasia sat at his right as Christian sat beside her. Grace took her seat beside her husband and across from the young surgeon, offering wine to Kate and Elliot before passing it to her husband. Mia took her seat beside Christian, grabbing onto his hand and squeezing it tightly. For the first time, Christian had the sincerest, loving smile on his face, expressing himself warmly at his sister.
"Wine, Ana?" Carrick asked as he brought up the bottle.
"Please," Anastasia breathed out gently and smiled at him, watching him fill the other glasses.
"Where did you guys meet?" Mia chirped as she leaned her head forward to peek a glance at the brunette.
From the other side, Elliot put his arms behind his head, "Oh, I gotta know this. Who would've thought Christian would've landed himself a beautiful girl?" He scrunched his nose at his scowling brother before grinning more widely.
"Christian was actually in a car accident the day I met him," Anastasia frowned slightly. A fork dropped on the ground at the sound of her statement.
"But she saved me," Christian added instantly, trying to reassure everyone, in which only made the rest beg for more questions. "She pulled me out and sent me to the hospital."
"Honey!" Grace exclaimed with a feared worriment and concern, "What accident? Why didn't you let me know?!"
"Christian!" Mia whined, pushing his brother's shoulder, "What the hell?"
"I'm fine, everyone. It wasn't something worth mentioning because I'm okay." Christian sighed and gestured at his body with his hands.
Disconcerted expressions were spread across their faces, but their frowns disappeared as a pretty woman—smartly dressed in pale blue with blonde pigtails—entered the dining room while carrying two plates. Her eyes scanned each person in the room before meeting and finding Christian, blushing as she gazed from her long mascara'd lashes.
Everyone wants him, including me, Anastasia thought depressingly.
The blonde helper lifted up the silver covers and revealed their hors d'oeuvres —chorizo and scallops with roasted red peppers and shallots, sprinkled with flat-leafed parsley. It was mouth-watering and smelled delicious.
"Thank you, Gretchen," Grace said as she dismissed her.
Gretchen bowed her head, taking one last blushing gaze at him before leaving.
Anastasia stared at Christian nervously, hoping to quietly apologize with a contrite expression from the new earlier she had sprung upon him.
Catching her gaze, he cocked his head to one side, asking, "What?"
"Don't be mad," she whispered.
"I'm not mad."
The young resident lifted her brow, still expressing a face of worried doubt. Christian sighed quietly, "Yes, I am mad at you."
Reaching for his hand, Anastasia asked nervously, "Palm twitchingly mad?"
"What are you two whispering about?" Kate interjected, furrowing her brows.
Christian glared down the strawberry blonde and even she wilted from his angry stare.
Subduing the fires of his angry stare, the young surgeon explained with a façade smile, "Just my trip to California, Kate."
Everyone feasted from their dinners as Mia and Kate conducted the talk of the evening with getting to know one another, first discussing Mia's trip to Paris.
"Have you been to Paris, Ana?" Mia asked innocently, pulling the brunette out of her own fantasy of France.
"Never, but of course, I'd love to go." It appeared to Anastasia that she was the only person in the room that has never the country.
"We honeymooned in Paris," Grace smiled at a grinning Carrick. It was a bit embarrassing to see, but their smiles showed their deep affection and love for one another.
"It's a beautiful city," Mia nodded and agreed. "In spite of the Parisians anyway. Christian, you should take Ana to Paris," she declared firmly.
"Oh, I think Anastasia would prefer Switzerland," Christian replied softly.
The young resident smiled to herself, He remembered. His hand was suddenly placed on her knee, fingers traveling up her thigh. Her body tensed, and she looked away from everyone as her body tightened in response.
Are you insane? She flushed and shifted in her seat, trying to pull away from his seducing hand. His hand clamped down onto her thigh, stilling her. Unsure of what to do, Anastasia reached for her wine glass in desperation.
Gretchen returned the dining room with everyone's entrees, revealing a Beef Wellington with roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips and green beans.
"So what's wrong with the Parisians?" Elliot asked his sister. "Didn't they take to your winsome ways?"
"Ugh, no they didn't. And Monsieur Floubert, the ogre I was working for, he was such a domineering tyrant," Mia said with rolling eyes.
Hearing and paralleling the irony with her own situation, the young surgeon sputtered into her wine, coughing quietly.
Removing his hand from her thigh, Christian rubbed her back with a hidden smile, "Anastasia, are you okay?" The humor in his voice returned. As she nodded, he patted her back gently, removing it once she recovered from her choke.
The meal was delicious and hearty enough to distract Christian's perverted behavior, managing his good-humor for the entirety of the meal. Anastasia couldn't help but join with him; her fancy dinner was something not to waste, especially after such rigorous activities in the afternoon.
The conversation amongst the Greys were warm and caring as they also teased each other. Mia regaled everyone with her exploits in Paris before Elliot shared his latest building project on a new eco-friendly community to the north of Seattle. The young surgeon watched Kate hang onto every word he said, eyes glowing with passion—lust or love. He grinned down at her in secret, causing Anastasia to blush and look away.
It was his girlfriend's turn—Kate was a journalism major, optimistic and hopeful to begin her job lined up at the Seattle Times only after enjoying her vacation from Barbados. It would explain why she was so inquisitive and sociable—she isn't the type to back down from something she did not believe in, and Anastasia admired that in her.
"So, Christian was at your graduation, Kate?" The young surgeon eyed her with curiosity.
Kate smiled as soon as she had spoken, answering, "Yes. I was valedictorian at my university; my speech was first, and then it was Christian's turn."
"Congratulations," Anastasia replied with a warm-hearted smile.
"What about you, Ana?" Kate asked, leaning in with her hands folded. "Did you just graduate too? It would be crazy if you went to WSU and how we'd never meet until now!"
The brunette chuckled, "No. I graduated four years ago at Stanford."
There was silence in the room, and Kate's smile dropped. "Stanford… four years ago?" She repeated.
And thus began the young doctor's train ride of introductions, repeating the path of her education from since she was fifteen—fresh as an undergraduate to her current status as a senior resident at Grey-Sloan. The dessert of lemon syllabub came out soon after. Christian smiled to himself the whole time, proudly holding Anastasia's hand as she explained herself.
Grace eyes widened, her mouth opened like others around the table, "Dr. Anastasia Steele?"
"Yes, ma'am," the surgeon replied and smiled meekly.
"Dr. Anastasia Steele as in the Catherine Fox nominee?" She clarified her question.
As surprised as Anastasia was by the articulated, she nodded slowly. Of course, Dr. Grey-Trevelyan would know about this—she's a doctor.
Grace gasped, "I cannot believe this." Everyone's heads turned in her direction in question as she turn to her husband, patting his hand, "Honey, this is the girl that I was talking about a couple nights ago, remember? The resident with her method."
Carrick opened his mouth in awe, turning back to the brunette, "That's right! The Steele Method." He smiled kindly in admiration as he remembered the article Anastasia wrote, a face that pulled the young surgeon out of her embarrassed hole.
"Wait, wait," Elliot interrupted, "I'm confused. Who's Catherine Fox?"
"She's the head of a medical foundation. The Catherine Fox award is a prestigious award, in the medical community, given to surgeons who excel at their level and change the face of medicine," Grace explained, covering her mouth before smiling. "Everyone—we have a special guest here tonight."
Kate muttered in shock, "I still can't believe that you're a doctor let alone win an award. It makes me rethink about what I did in my life in college…"
"Palm-twitchingly mad." Christian's voice suddenly came into her ear, low and growling. He sat up from his chair, turning to the shy girl beside him with a flared nose, "I didn't know about this, Ana."
"Th-There was nothing to tell. It's nothing, everyone," Anastasia rushed to reassure and explain.
"Don't be so modest, Anastasia!" Grace grinned with eyes of excitement in her eyes. "You're going to save so many lives with your method."
Mia clapped her hands together and cheered, "Oh yay! So, Ana is winning an award? How did she do it?" She turned to the young surgeon, smiling, "What did you do exactly, Ana?"
"I didn't win. I was nominated, that's all," the young surgeon corrected, biting her lip. Deep in her thoughts, she did her best to explain it as best as she could, "So… there is an artery in your heart that controls the blood flow from your entire body and then back to your heart called the aorta. During an aortic rupture, I figured out a way to stop the bleeding during a dissection using a tube basically—to say the least."
Sitting dumbfounded in their seats, Carrick chimed in with a more simple explanation, "In simpler terms—The Steele Method is just a new way for other doctors to learn how to save a broken heart, appropriately named so and invented by the smartest person at our dinner table. Right, Ana?"
Tucking her hair behind her ear, Anastasia sat up chewing the inside of her lip, "Yeah." She sighed a smile and a shrug.
Christian blinked at her, then sat back in his seat and stared ahead.
"Well, shit…" Elliot muttered with bulging eyes. He sat back in his seat like Christian, momentarily shaking his head afterwards and sitting up with a grin. He raised his glass with his bright smile, "Congrats, Ana."
Kate jumped in her seat, immediately reaching for her glass and grinned with him, "Yeah! Congratulations, Ana! I hope you win; you definitely deserve it!"
Anastasia's cheeks reddened even more as the people around the room reflected each other's actions. Christian cleared his throat and nodded, raising his glass. "Thank you, everyone," the brunette said quietly, smiling gently.
Grace and Carrick continued probing their curious questions at the young surgeon, admiring her capabilities and knowledge. Dishes were being cleared as everyone listened in awe. Their meals were being cleared while discussing intriguing conversations. Gretchen, Grace, and Mia helped clear the dessert dishes and bring them into the kitchen while Carrick, Kate, and Elliot discussed the merits of solar panels in Washington State.
As Christian pretended to engage in their discussion, feigning interest, his hand was placed back at Anastasia's knee. His fingers rubbed against her thigh and slowly traveled up. Flushing again from his bold actions and warm contact, she instinctively closed her legs together to prevent him from inching up any farther than he should be.
Christian stood up immediately and smirked, "Shall I give you a tour of the grounds?" His voice was portrayed as innocent, but the brunette knew better than to fall into his trickery. His eyes were void of amusement and humor any longer, replaced with a dark, hungry gray gaze. Her stomach turned and fluttered, every muscle in her body clenched in response to his desires.
Already making the decision for her with his hand awaiting hers, Anastasia reached for and held his hand, being pulled out of room. "Excuse me," she said to the guests as she followed him.
He led her into his family's hallway, making their way through the kitchen as Mia and Grace stacked the clean dishes into the dishwasher.
"I'm going to show Anastasia the backyard," Christian answered innocently to his mother.
Her heartrate accelerated with eagerness and anxiety. Bullshit.
Falling for her son's charm, Grace nodded, waving the couple out with a smile.
Stepping out onto the gray flagstone patio area, the brunette took in its sights as quickly as she could, trying to catch up with the dominant's quick pace. The outsides of their yard were lit by recessed lights in the flagstones. Shrubs were neatly gardened in their yard with a modern metal table and chairs set in a corner.
Christian pulled her past the backyard, leading to a vast lawn that led down bay waters. Seattle's evening was lit by the moonlight that glistened in its waters. A sparkling path glowed beside a jetty where two boats were moored against it. Assuming the destination of where they were going, Anastasia spotted a boathouse—picturesque and peaceful.
Unable to properly appreciate its sight and gape at it, the beautiful man in front of her continued pulling her through the grass. Her pumps sank into the wet grass and she stumbled, trying to keep up. She pleaded, "Stop, please."
He stopped abruptly by her call, turning and gazing into her golden eyes with an unreadable expression.
Panting lightly, the surgeon explained, "I can't keep up. It's my heels; I need to take them off."
"Don't bother," he said, bending down and scooping her petite body over his shoulder. She yelped and squealed, grunting over his shoulder from the manhandling surprise.
Christian spanked a stinging slap against the cheek of her behind, growling, "Keep your voice down."
The tone in his voice showcased his emotions. The man striding away from the of the mansion was angered, and the brunette was unsure if it was because of: a) Her sudden, (and what seemed to be) spontaneous trip to California or b) Not mentioning her nomination.
"Where are we heading?" Anastasia voiced in an exhaled breathe, staring down at the ground as her hair swayed against the rush of his moving body.
"Boathouse," he snapped.
Grunting as she bounced on his shoulder, she breathlessly asked, "Why?"
"I need to be alone with you," he hissed. "I'm going to spank and then fuck you."
"Why?" She whimpered with a slight frown. "I thought you were an in-the-moment guy."
Stopping at the entrance of the boathouse, Christian growled lowly, "Trust me, Anastasia. I'm in the moment."
Sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed it!~