A/N: I do not own the FSoG characters which are owned by the great E.L. James. I do maintain rights to my original storyline and my own original characters. Thank You for reading, reviewing and following.

Chapter 8

The weekend with Ray was just what Ana needed. She hiked the trails around Montesano and then they went fishing on Lake Sylvia. After bringing home their catch Ray started up fryer and they worked quietly getting a late supper together. They sat out on the patio having a few beers. They didn't have to speak but just enjoyed their time together. Sunday morning they got up and went to church then went to the Montesano Shooting Range where they competed for the best marksmen. Ana only smiled when she won.

Now she was back at work, working through Grey's schedule and dealing with the idiots who couldn't think for themselves and came running to the boss to solve their problems. She rolled her eyes when she heard Grey's voice over the intercom. She looked to Olivia who only smiled timidly probably thanking the Good Lord that the tyrant wasn't yelling for her.

Without knocking Ana stepped into his office to find him sitting at his desk staring at the computer screen. She shut the door and cleared her voice so he knew for certain that she was in the room.

"Miss Steele, are you aware that a certain New York City tycoon is trying to steal you away from GEH?" And me?

Ana fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course, I know, it was me who he called over the weekend."

"Are you taking the position?" He asked looking at her with those cool grey eyes.

"Do you have my resignation on your desk?"

"Do you always answer a question with a question?"

"Do you?" Ana asked with a sly smile starting on her lips. She did enjoy the banter between them!

Christian looked over her shoulder and tried not to smile. She was a sharp one. He was rather shocked that he liked her ballsy attitude. She was a breath of fresh air in his life. Most of the women in his life submitted to him without question until he tired of them and then they were sent on their way.

"Is that all you wanted?" She asked lowly.

Christian could list a million things he wanted from her, but he couldn't risk her getting pissed off and walking out. He had come to rely on her, even more than he ever did with Andrea. "Our practice dinner, are you free this evening?"

As always, she went to her IPad and checked her schedule. "I am free until nine tonight."

"What happens at nine?" He asked confused.

"I have a workout scheduled." She said.

"You are going to the gym after having dinner?" He was still confused. Who worked out so late in the evening?
"It's the only time I could get any time with my instructor." She explained to him. Somehow she knew his unspoken question. "Where do you want me to make the reservations?"

"I don't need a reservation. We are going to the Mile High Club."

She only nodded. She knew that he owned it as well as a few other clubs in and around Seattle. "Time?"

"Seven, I'll pick you up." He had to laugh since they lived in the same apartment building.

Ana only smiled. She was punching notes into her IPad. "Barney called and had a problem with the mainframe of our servers, but we got it resolved. Also, your brother has called three times asking for you. Can you ask him to call your cell so my business phone is left open for business? I also rescheduled your tailor's appointment from tomorrow until Friday morning. I need you to deal with this Esclava problem. The salons are draining money like a sieve. I have gone through the books and have red flagged a few entries that I find suspect."

"Pardon me, who asked you to go through the books of Esclava?"

"Um…you did when you made me your PA and Esclava Salons are part of GEH. Accounting caught this first and I just dug deeper. I do not know much about your partner, except her name, is in this venture, but I believe she is skimming profits off the top." She punched some more on her IPad, then showed him the screen. "These are receipts from Esclava's suppliers and these are the receipts that have been submitted to accounting. As you can see these receipts do not match and all the submitted receipts were signed by your partner."

Christian looked at the evidence before him. "I'll take care of this."

"I have taken the liberty of asking Mrs. Elena Lincoln to attend a meeting tomorrow morning, Conference Room A at ten. The accountants and representatives of the suppliers will also be in attendance." She touched the pad moving the screen to another screen. "Since I have your attention, I have taken the point on the Chesney Project. I have confirmed that Chesney is ready to sell and he is more than happy to meet with you at your convenience."

"You got Chesney to sell?" Christian was amazed. He had been working on this man for almost a year to even meet with him.

"I used my Marine contacts. Chesney is ex-Marine and when he learned that my Dad was a Marine and I lived on Marine bases throughout the world, he was more than happy to speak with me on behalf of GEH. All you have to do is tell me when you want to meet with him. These are the blocks of time that can be rescheduled if you wish." She flipped to his business schedule so he could see the yellow checks she placed on meetings that could be rearranged.

"Miss Steele, can I buy you the Hope Diamond or something that spectacular?"

"I am only doing my job, Mr. Grey." She said taking her IPad back. She was proud of herself for a job well done. Gotta love the Marine Corps Family, ooorah!

"And you are doing it very well." He said in awe of her. "Maybe a fur coat?"

"No, thank you, Sir." She said with her tight smile. She was so reserved. "I will return to my desk and get your lunch ordered."

"Miss Steele, thank you."

Ana only nodded at him. Mr. Grey had thanked her. He never said thanks to anyone. She returned to her desk and made his lunch order then moved on to the next emergency. Without noticing, Ana worked through her lunch break as she sat with Barney in IT going over new security measures for their computer systems. When she returned to her desk, her stomach was growling. She grabbed a protein bar she kept in her bottom drawer and nibbled on it. She looked up to see Grey standing before her desk watching her.

"Is that your lunch?" He asked horrified.

"For today it is. I was stuck in IT and couldn't get away for lunch." She answered shrugging her shoulders.

Christian took out his phone and hit a few numbers. "Claudeen, I need a seafood salad with French bread on the side sent up to Miss Steele's desk at GEH, pronto." He snapped off his phone. "There, now you can have a proper meal. I can't have you fainting on me."

Ana got out of the office a little later than she wanted. Even though she felt she got roped into a dinner date with her boss, she still wanted to look good. She wondered why he needed a "practice dinner". Surely he knew table manners. Ana decided she would have to work for this man a hundred years before she could even begin to understand him. He was mercurial, one minute running cold and the next minute running hot. He could be charming and warm and then turn on a dime and be a cold-hearted bastard. She had seen him reduce grown men into blubbering masses of tears. However, she did have to admit that he never treated her disrespectfully, except for that little incident last week. He kept his temper in control when she was around so it became common practice for her to sit in on his department head meetings. She was told by these heads that she was a calming influence on their boss and they appreciated that.

Right at seven Christian was knocking at her door. She opened the door to find him in a fresh grey suit complete with a grey linen shirt and silk tie. She had to appreciate how well he did wear a suit. "Good evening, Mr. Grey."

"Please, for tonight, will you please call me Christian?" He asked. His eyes went up and down her body. She was wearing a light china blue shift dress that hugged her curves and black Jimmy Choo strappy sandals with 5 inch heels. Her legs were fantastic and seemed to go forever. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, Christian." She said as she retrieved her clutch from the foyer table. "I am ready to go."

They rode down in the elevator in silence. Ana kept her eyes forward and tried not to notice how good this man smelled. His scent was heady, with a mixture of spice and outdoors. She looked down at her hands which were holding her clutch close to her belly. For some reason, she felt nervous. This wasn't the first time she had gone to dinner with a man, but then again this was no ordinary man…this is Christian Grey, her boss, the most successful businessman in the United States under the age of thirty, and if one could believe People Magazine, one of the most sexiest men that ever lived. She spied on him from under her long eyelashes. He was handsome with his trademark messed up copper hair and his body was near perfect. He was lean but muscular with long legs that went on forever. She did admire the width of his shoulders. All in all, she would say that Christian Grey is a handsome man. Besides his good looks, she had learned that he was a humanitarian. He gave millions to charities and he also transported food to underdeveloped countries. She had to admire his work ethics. He worked just as hard as anyone in GEH, and probably more so, since she knew he worked late into the night at his home.

"You are a very beautiful woman." Christian said bluntly.

"Thank you, Christian." Ana replied.

"I'm not trying to come onto you…I am just stating fact. You are a beautiful woman." He kept his hands clasped behind his back as if he was restraining himself.

"I would say that you are a handsome man." She offered. "More so when you smile."

"You would say that I have a nice smile?"

"Yes."

Christian laughed softly. "Finally, I get a compliment." He said almost to himself.

"Were you fishing for one? Really, Christian, when did you become a girl?" The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the parking garage and to Taylor who stood waiting for them. Ana lost her smile when she saw him and looked boldly at him with narrowed eyes. "Taylor."

"Miss Steele." Taylor replied stoically. He turned and led them to the limo and opened the door for them.

Ana slid in first and Christian followed. The first thing that Ana noticed was that the privacy barrier was already in place and there was champagne chilling. Christian buckled her in which made her flinch away from him for just a moment but then she relaxed. He noticed and frowned. "I won't hurt you, Ana. Please, don't be afraid of me." His face was so close to hers that she could feel him breathing. Her blue eyes were mesmerized by his full mouth. Even his lips were perfectly formed. Surely this man was made by the gods for the enjoyment of women! "I hope you don't mind, but I thought some champagne was in order since you were able to get Chesney to meet with me. I am impressed, Anastasia." He moved away from her and poured two flutes of champagne. After he handed her one, he proposed a toast. "To good business and good partnerships."

"Partnerships?" She asked confused as he clinked his glass against her glass.

"Yes, I consider us partners. We work well together. I've never had a PA or OM as good as you." He leaned toward her. "I usually don't work with others. I surmise that you have noticed that I am a loner. I don't have a board of trustees and I keep my corporation private. I like to have complete control."

"Yes, I have noticed that about you." She took a sip of the champagne. It was delicious. She knew it was Dom Pérignon. "Why is that? Don't you trust others?"

"I like to have control of all things in my life. I've found that only I can make my dreams come true." He replied then he took a drink of his champagne. "That is until you came along. You have become indispensable to me."

"Maybe I should renegotiate my contract." She joked with a giggle.

That giggle drove Christian over the edge. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard in his life. He was head over heels in love with this woman and he didn't know how to handle it. Love! That concept was foreign to him and he didn't know what to do. Should he try to kiss her? He wanted to desperately. He didn't kiss women, not even his Subs. He just flogged them and fucked them hard. He didn't know how to be tender and gentle.

"Ana, I …" He began then he just shook his head.

"What?"

"It's nothing. Forget it." He didn't know how to verbalize what he was feeling mainly because he didn't understand what was going on inside his head and soul.

They sat in silence for the rest of the ride to the Mile High Club.

The minute they arrived at the Mile High Club, they were seated in a private alcove that Christian informed Ana was his own private table. He had already ordered their drinks, appetizers, their meal and desert. He sat across the table from her smiling as their white wine was served. "How am I doing so far?"

"Truthfully, Christian not so well. Yes, back in the day, men ordered for their dates, however this is the 21st century and women like to make their own decisions. But, I do appreciate your chivalry. It is charming."

"Charming?" He questioned. "Ana, I don't date so this is new for me, so I'm asking you to lead me here."

"Didn't you ever ask a girl out? Take someone to Prom? What about college?" She couldn't understand why this good-looking guy didn't have dates.

"I've never asked a girl out. I skipped Prom, and I didn't date in college." He toyed with his glass of wine.

"I'm confused. You don't date but you're not gay. So, Mr. Grey, what are you?" She sat back and considered him thoughtfully.

"When you decided to work for me, I had you sign a NDA, and I know that when you give your word, you mean it. So, what I'm about to tell you about my private life is just that, private. No one knows about this, not even my family." He took a deep breath and made a leap of faith for the first time in his life. "I'm a Dominant and I practice this within the BDSM lifestyle."

Living around the world, Ana had seen many things foreign to her but nothing had ever shocked her like the confession she just heard. It took awhile for her brain to process what he stated. She knew about the BDSM lifestyle due to courses in psychology in college, but she never believed that she would meet someone who lived it. "And, this kept you from dating? I don't understand, you don't take your vict…your…whatever they are called out for dinner?"

"No. I don't date them. I never took them out. They don't sleep with me in my bed and I don't bond with a submissive." He could see the disgust in her eyes. "They sign a NDA and a contract then after the term is finished we part ways."

"Why are you telling me this? This has no bearing on our business relationship."

"I told you this because I want you to trust me." He felt a heat flow through his body. He was nervous for the first time in years.

"Why is this important to you?" She asked lowly. "Why do you need me to trust you?"

"Because, Ana, I want more with you. I want more than just a business relationship." He so desperately wanted to reach across the table and hold her hand, but he knew her well enough not to make any sudden moves. "I want you."

"If you think that I am going to be one of those women that you can tie up and beat on, then Mr. Grey, let me give you an example of my answer. Oh, hell no! A fucking hell no!" She grabbed her purse and started to leave but Christian blocked her way. "Let me go."

"Not this time, Miss Steele. You will sit and listen for a change." He sat her back down and he pulled his chair around and sat next to her. "I don't want that with you. I want us to be together."

"Mr. Grey, I am not interested." Before she could say anything else he was kissing her. His arms were wrapped around her waist pulling up into his body and those lips were pressed against hers. She tried to fight him, but when his kiss deepens she found herself responding. She could taste Christian and the wine and the combination was more than intoxicating. Her heart was fluttering, her stomach was rolling, and she could feel the moistness between her legs. "No."

"Yes." He kissed her again and again. "This is what I want, you in my arms."

Ana had never been kissed like this. Her heart was slamming against her chest violently. Every single cell of her body cried out for his touch. She was experiencing true yearning for the first time in her life…and it scared the shit out of her. Not him, not now! Not this difficult man who just admitted that he was a BDSM Dom. Her head was telling her to flee or flight and her body was screaming for sexual release. "You can't." She finally heard herself say. "This is wrong on so many levels. Please, Christian, let me go."

"One last kiss?" His mouth captured hers in ravishment. He invaded her soul, her passions, and that sweet mouth. She was responding against her will. He held her tighter as he felt her fight dissipate. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

"You are failing your dating lesson." She said in a near whisper. She had to recoup. He blew away her resolve and left her bare. Did she really respond? To him? This madness could only be explained because of the rejection from Jason Taylor! She took a deep cleansing breath and found her center. "You don't spring something like that on someone and you certainly don't force them to stay or to kiss you."

Christian only smiled as he sat back in his chair and considered her. Her face was flushed, her breathing was hard, and he could see the beating of her heart in the throbbing vein in her neck. She was excited. He could smell her arousal. "You are a difficult woman, Anastasia Steele. I had to get you to listen to me. You are a force to reckon with and I don't know how to handle you."

"That's your problem, Christian. I'm not a woman to be handled." She said in her all business tone. "And, I don't appreciate that you think that you can."

"You handle me."

"You need it." She said with conviction. "You have been running rampant over people for years and expecting the world to bow down and kiss your feet. I just gave you want you needed in business. Someone to take some of the pressure off your daily routine. It must be tiring to be an asshole 24 hours a day!" Those blue eyes bore into him. "I just did my job, Mr. Grey, and I have done it very well…maybe too well because now you think you know me and can have me. I'm no whore, Mr. Grey and I'm not like your women..submissives…victims…whatever the hell you call them. I warned you the other day about touching me inappropriately, so consider this my two week notice." She stood up looking down at his horrified face. "Good evening, Mr. Grey. I will find my own way home." Her final words shocked Christian so much that she was able to get up and leave him at the table. She went straight to the elevator and punched the call button. The doors opened quickly and she stepped in. As she turned around, Taylor was slipping in between the closing doors.

"Don't say a word to me." She demanded hotly.

"He's attracted to you." Taylor said bluntly. "He's a good man, just fucked up."

"His personal problems are not my concern."

"Ana, he has experienced the hardest of lives. He has seen things as a child that no child should ever see." Taylor wanted her to understand. He actually liked his employer even though Christian was a flawed and damaged man. Taylor, at times, thought Christian was too severe and bordered on violence and sadism but there was something deeper in that young man. "He doesn't know how to reach out to anyone. He's survived by taking care of himself, so when you come along and begin to take care of him better than he has ever done, it threw his world out of its balance. He needs you, Ana."

"No, he wants to fuck me." She snapped.

"Of course, he does, you are a beautiful woman. I'm sure most men who are captivated by your charms want to bed you. I wanted to bed you the moment we met." He stepped forward. "When those elevator doors opened that day and I saw you standing there, I thought, 'what a gorgeous woman'. Mr. Grey doesn't understand what he is feeling. He's never let himself be open to the opportunity of being in love or loving someone."

"Jason, you know about his lifestyle choices, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"I can't do that. Don't you find it disgusting, beating someone to get sexual gratification?" She shook her head. "I don't want any part of that."

"I don't think he wants that with you." He took another step toward her. "Ana, give him a chance. You might be the peace that he is desperately seeking. Heaven knows making millions of dollars a day hasn't made him happy or secure." He reached out and touched her pretty face. "I know we had a flirtation and I did enjoy the time we spent together. I understand his attraction to you. Ana, you are like a breath of fresh air. You heal people with your smile and energy."

Her blue eyes were swimming with tears. "But, you, it was you that I wanted."

"Sweetheart, it was wrong of me to even think about starting something with you when my heart was already given away. I've loved Gail Jones from the moment I saw her. I thought she didn't want me, and when you came along…I did want you, but it would have been wrong. I'd be using you and you're too fine of a lady to be used. Then, there is our age difference. I am 14 years older than you."

"Oh, Jason." She cried. "How can you be so sweet when you are breaking my heart?"

He held her to his chest and let her cry. "I'm so sorry, baby. I never meant to hurt you, but I can promise you that I will be your best friend and confidant if you will let me. I know that the Boss needs you like he needs to breathe and eat. You are his angel; his just hasn't figured it out yet. See, that is what age can give you, the ability to see things that others miss."

"Jason, you will be there for me, always?" She asked feeling his arms cocooning her warmly. She felt safe in his arms…just like when Ray held her. Then, it dawned on her…the attraction for Jason Taylor and she was horrified at herself. Maybe, she was just as fucked up as her boss! She smiled through her tears when Jason kissed the top of her head. "I want to go home…to my apartment."

"I know, honey." His strong hand gently stroked her hair. His feelings had changed. He still wanted to protect her, but more like a favored Uncle or a Father. He was seeing her through his father's eyes, a young girl who was lost and bewildered about her own feelings, desires, and needs. "I'll take you home."

Christian's POV

That could have gone better. I blew that all to hell. She fucking hates me now! I should have restrained myself, but oh no…I just jump her bones in public and scare the hell out of her. I didn't want to reveal my lifestyle choices to her so quickly. I knew she would find me sick and twisted and that look on her face proved that. But, for some reason, I do trust her. There is something about her that I can't fight no matter what I do. Every since she came into my life, I have been walking on eggshells. I am afraid. I am excited. I am in lust! Hell, I am in love with her and she thinks that I am dogshit on the sole of her shoe! Maybe, she should move on. I'm so fucked up that I would cause her nothing but pain and misery. She deserves so much more. Maybe, I should have left her and Taylor alone. God, if she ever finds out about that…she will fucking kill me and I really do believe she can do it. How in the hell can I be afraid of this little bitty woman? She barely comes to my shoulders even in her heels and I am scared shitless of her. Have I gone completely mad? Of course, you are afraid of her. She's blown your perfect little sterile, cold, and structured life to hell. She is stronger than you. She doesn't need to dominate over people to know her worth. She is confident in her abilities and she has direction in her life. You have never had that except to be wealthy and to be able to control everything in your own life and shut out the rest of the world. You built this world of dominance where you are the sole master of and bring in various women to use. Those women didn't mean a damn thing to you. They were objects. Sexual toys to be used then thrown away if they got too clingy or you tired of them.

I thought I was in control of my life, but I see know, I have never had control. The lifestyle has control over me…it forces me to search out these kind of women because I was taught that this was the only way for me to have control. My mentor always told me that love and devotion was for fools and the weak! She told me that beating me was teaching me control. And, she did teach me how to control others, just like she controlled me…still controlling me. She is still controlling me. She chooses the girls. She brings them to me. She takes care of the interviews. She has fucked me over royally for the last six years. Fuck! Where in the hell is Flynn when I need him? I really should make my psychologist escort me around just to keep me from going ape shit crazy! He would have stopped my impulse to control Ana. Ana. Anastasia. She is the sun, the moon, and the stars…and I have lost her. I've lost any chance with her. She fucking resigned! I drove her to that and she did warn me. Why didn't I just ask her? You never ask a woman anything from them…you take…that's what you do, Grey! You are a taker, a selfish asshole of a taker! Deal with it.

I have to get out of here. I have to go somewhere. Maybe I'll go to Elliot's. No, you can't go there. He lives to close to her. It's too much of a temptation not to bang down her door and try to explain everything. I need space from her. I have to regroup and get my head straight.

I am about to stand up when a hand lands on my forearm. I turn to see her. The wicked witch of the West has blown in on her broomstick. Elena Lincoln, my mentor, my Dom, my fucking nightmare!

"Christian." She purred rubbing my arm. "I thought that was you over here."

"Hello, Elena."

"Have you decided if you are ready for another submissive? I can have one sent to you tonight if you need to release some pressure. Oh, Dawling…you are so tense. Shall I go home with you?" Her perfume was so heavy that it made me sick.

I pick her claws out of my arm. "Don't touch me." I stressed through my clinched teeth. "Don't you ever fuckin touch me again."

"Christian, dawling…what is wrong with you?" Her botoxed face showed no emotion. She was a piece of granite, cold and unmoving. How in the hell did I ever think she was someone who actually cared for me?

"I don't want you to touch me." I step away from her. Her wickedness oozes out of her pores. She is dressed completely in black…she always wears black…just like her black heart and soul. I see it now. It took being in the presence of an angel like Ana to see the dark and evil that is Elena Lincoln. All these years, Flynn has tried to tell me, but I was so convinced that she had taught me everything I know. All she did was fuck me up even more. Having a drug-addicted hooker of a mother was bad enough, but this woman made my birthmother look almost like a fucking saint. At least, Ella had a sickness, an addiction to coke and heroin, but this bitch…she just wanted control over a young horny stud that would do anything for sex! I see it all now. She fucking played me from day one. "I have to go. I have an emergency to deal with now."

"I will see you tomorrow morning at the meeting." Her dark eyes are ablaze with greed. She thinks she is going to get more money for her salons.

I only nod at her. "Good evening." I turn and leave knowing that just by standing so close to her that I need to take a long hot shower. I feel dirty. I feel sick to my stomach. I feel like a fool!