CHAPTER 9
ANASTASIA POV
Monday starts out just like any other weekday; I get up, shower, get Chloe ready, make breakfast for all three of us, clean up, then head to work. I am so thankful for Mark. After interning for him and finding out his other accountant cheating him, Mark has catered to whatever my needs were. He found me one day crying in my office over having to leave Chloe at daycare and the next day he had an office set up like a nursery and a sitter already to watch her. He put her two doors down from my office and refuses to let me pay for it. I owe Mark a lot he is so patient with me and really goes above and beyond with me and Chloe. Although I do return the favor by making sure all of his businesses are producing and he is living every bachelor's dream.
I had gotten a text from Mark early this morning saying to come to the new offices and to bring Chloe. Mark had bought a ten story building that needed a lot of work done to it and decided to make it has main office to hold all his departments that are needed. He plans on renting out the rest of the floors that are left. Making my way over to the building I park in my designated parking spot. Grabbing the carrier and diaper bag I head into building, make my way to the elevators and hit the button for the tenth floor. Stepping off I see that the office is buzzing. Why is everyone here? I walk into the entrance and see that our level has been completed and everyone is hard at work. I hear my name being called so I turn to see Mark skipping towards me with a Cheshire grin on his face.
"Surprise! Come see your new office!" He says guiding me down the hall and taking Chloe from my hands doing baby talk with her. Just another person she has wrapped around her finger.
"Wow Mark this is better than what I thought!" I praise. As I look at the nursery for Chloe that Mark built. It is bigger than her bedroom. It has a crib with a changing station, a rocking chair on one side of the room and then a play mat and toys on the other side. There are two doors; one for a full bathroom and the other is a closet full of clothes for her.
"Anything for princess Chloe!" He says kissing her cheeks. She giggles which in turn makes us all giggle. We leave her with Julia, her sitter and head out to see the rest of the office.
We walk into Mark's office and the view is the first thing that I notice. It has a spectacular view of Seattle. I walk towards the floor to ceiling windows and look out, I wonder how he will get anything done with this beautiful distraction.
"Do you like it?" Mark interrupts my thoughts.
"What's not to like, Mark this view is amazing!" I compliment.
"I'm glad you like it because you have the same view!" He smiles back at me.
"What?" I was sure I was getting a cubicle or a coat closet.
"Come." He takes my hand and leads me next door.
"Holy shit Mark! This is mine?" I question looking at my new office. It's smaller than Marks' but has the same breathtaking views. I bet when the sun sets it is something to behold.
"Of course it's yours. Listen Ana you are a very important part of my company. You are not just my accountant; I consider you a valuable member of my team. You have been a godsend to me in more ways than one." He states looking me in my bewildered eyes.
Really? I always saw myself as just another employee. Man, I guess Kate is right; I am naïve when it comes to things outside of my little bubble. I just like to have a very organized life. Wow, who would have thought little Annie Steele would be considered a valuable member of a fortune 500 company at almost 22.
Getting teary eyed, "Thank you Mark! And not just for the office, but for giving me a chance to make something of myself. You have helped build my confidence since I was an intern and always believed in me. That means more than anything." He wraps his arms around me and holds me in his embrace a few minutes and lets me cry it out. He doesn't know everything that I went through, but he knows enough to be very protective of me and Chloe. I know that he would like to be more than just friends, but I have always worried 'what if we don't work out ', where would that leave me and Chloe? Trust has always been a big issue after Trevor and even though I trust Mark I think we are better off as friends. He is still in his playboy stage and I don't think that he is quite ready to be saddled down with a woman and kid just yet.
The rest of the day flies by with getting me set up with Harry our IT guy and organizing my office just the way I like it. Tomorrow is going to be busy playing catch up since today was basically show and tell with our computer system.
I check my phone before putting it my purse and heading to pick Chloe up from the nursery; nothing from Christian. Maybe he is just busy and in meetings all day or whatever it is that he does. I know that what Christian and Mark do are totally different. Mark is into real estate, clubs and restaurants. Christian I think just buys businesses and sells them piece by piece.
I collect Chloe and say bye to Julia and head down to the parking garage. Mark always has a security guard on duty in the garage for safety reasons and to walk me to my car every day after work. He feels like I'm an easy target carrying Chloe and all my bags. I have learned not to argue at this point so I just accept it and say thank you.
"Good evening Ms. Steele." Burt the security on duty says with a smile.
"Good evening Burt. By now you should know to call me Ana!" I try to correct him knowing he is very professional and takes his job seriously.
He chuckles a little and walk with me to the car. I back out of the spot and wave to him like normal and head home.
I enter the apartment, place my bags on the chair and lay Chloe on the play mat in the living room just as the buzzer rings. I press the intercom wondering who it could be.
"Hello?"
"Yes, I have a delivery for an Anastasia Steele. My name is Luke Sawyer, we met on Saturday." A deep voice says. Hmm. Luke Sawyer? Doesn't ring a bell.
"Uh...not to sound rude but I don't remember you."
"I'm one of Mr. Grey's security guards. I was at the restaurant; you know food flying in all!" He says with a chuckle.
"Oh, okay sure I will buzz you up. 923." How weird I wonder what he is delivering.
Before I have time to think of what it could be, someone is knocking on the door. I answer and see Sawyer standing there in a black suit holding a medium sized box with a purple ribbon and a bouquet of white and baby blue roses. Not sure that I can carry both I invite him in to place them on the table. Chloe has managed to make her way over to us and immediately grabs ahold of his pant leg trying to pull herself up.
"Uh...is this okay? She is determined to stand and walk." I giggle.
Sawyer bends down taking her little hands trying to steady her. "It's perfectly fine. I have a niece that was once this age." He smiles like he is remembering something. She looks up at him and giggles then her legs give out and she starts crawling towards to the toys by her play mat. Sawyer gets up and heads for the door.
"Thanks for the delivery." I say.
"Your welcome Ms. Steele. And if I may be so bold, please go easy on Mr. Grey. He is really a good man deep down, he just has a funny way of showing it sometimes." He pleads.
"Sure. I guess I won't make him work too hard!" I joke as he heads towards the elevators.
Closing and locking the doors I make my way over to the box. I open the lid and find a note card with what I think is his handwriting.
I hope you had a wonderful day and can't wait to see you on Wednesday!
Christian
I must've reread the card a million times and traced over the writing with my fingers about the same. How is it that a simple note can make butterflies in my stomach? I look further in the box and see a smaller package and open it. I pull out the cutest little soft plush pink princess doll. How thoughtful! If I wasn't swooning before I am now! He thought of Chloe too and he has never even met her.
Grabbing my phone, I try calling him right away only to get sent to voicemail. Maybe he is busy, I think so I decide to text.
AS: I just got the delivery and love my roses! How did you know they were my favorite? Also, huge brownie points for Chloe's doll! ;)
I walk towards Chloe and see if she likes her doll. Of course she squeals and hugs it tight. I snap a quick picture and send it to Christian.
We finish our evening and just as I finish putting a tried Chloe to bed, I hear my phone beep. I have 2 text one from Kate and the other from Christian.
KK: Hey working late on an assignment and then heading to Elliot's place. Don't wait up! ;)
AS: Okay have a fun night! See you tomorrow
Then I open Christians text.
CG: That's my little secret! ;) I'm glad Chloe likes her gift; I was told anything soft was a good option. I'm at a charity dinner tonight and can't get away or I would've dropped it off myself.
AS: Oh sorry I disturbed you. I just wanted to say thank you and that it was sweet and thoughtful of you! Enjoy your evening.
CG: No worries. Goodnight Anastasia
AS: Goodnight Christian. Sweet dreams!
I place my phone on the charger and get into bed. Closing my eyes my lasts thoughts are of a gorgeous gray eyed man.
Tuesday and Wednesday are pretty much like any other workday. I am crunching numbers and meetings with different people in the company making sure everyone is on the same page as far as budget and estimates goes. Mark lets me know that at some point in the next few weeks we need to fly to New York for a major deal he has been working on, as well as checking in on his other investments out there. He wants Chloe to come with us and after the meetings we can all go sightseeing. He already has Julia, the sitter, on notice and she is able to travel at any time.
So now here I am standing in front of my full length mirror checking one last time before Christian gets here to go on our date. Why am I so nervous? We have been texting back a forth the last few days, basically checking in on each other's day. I know we are going to an Italian restaurant down by Elliot Bay. I hear the knock at the door and hear Chloe scream in delight! She always loves visitors.
I walk down the hall and take a peek, Kate is standing in the living room holding Chloe on her hip while Christian is still by the front door unsure if he should come in any further. He is holding another bouquet of roses and a pink box in his hands.
"Here let me take those off your hands, hold Chloe for a sec." Kate says snatching the flowers from him and passing Chloe to him not giving him a choice.
Kate and I have always said that if a man doesn't pass the Chloe test then it wasn't going to work. Chloe and I are a packaged deal and you can't have one without the other.
Christian takes Chloe and places her on his hip. "Hello princess, I'm Christian mommy's friend." His smile could light up a football stadium. "This is for you." He hands her the pink box and she starts clapping her hands bouncing in place. Yep! Pretty sure he just passed the test. He walks over to the play mat on the floor and sits down with her. They open it together and it's a pink teething ring in the shape of a crown.
Tears well in my eyes and Kate sneaks over and gives me tissue to pat the corners of my eyes not to smear my makeup. How can one man be so perfect.
"He's pretty good with her huh?" Kate whispers.
"I was just thinking the same thing." I whisper back watching them play on the floor with toys while Chloe is sitting in his lap. Christian is only the fourth male I have ever introduced to Chloe. I never wanted to have men in and out of her life like a revolving door so I have put off dating or have male friends in the mix other than Pops, Ethan, Mark and now Christian. I notice Chloe trying to crawl up Christian's arm and think that now is the time to make myself known.
"And what do we have here!" I cheer bending down on my knees to be eye level with them.
"MAMA!" Chloe says so clearly and crawls her way to me.
"Wow Anastasia you look amazing!" Christian compliments with a shy smile looking me up and down. I am wearing a black shift dress with beading along the top and red heels with a red clutch.
"Thank you...you clean up real nice too!" I wink, taking in his black pants and dark blue shirt. "I see you have met the princess."
"Yes we are BFF's and plotting world domination." He laughs.
Rolling my eyes, "Great just what we need, two of you!" I say and see a change in his eyes. Chloe grabs his face breaking our stare and plants the wettest kiss on his lips and starts giggling while trying to pinching the side of his mouth.
"Chloe!" I say grabbing her and pulling her towards me. "Sorry she has no boundaries and apparently a little fast when it comes to hot men!" I say not sure how to handle these types of situations. She has always been a loving baby.
"It's fine, she must get it from her mother! I do remember being attacked in the back of my car on Saturday night!" He winks and on cue I blush.
"Are you ready to go?" Trying to change the subject.
"Only if you are."
We say our goodbyes to Chloe and Kate and head out. The restaurant is very upscale and we are seated in a private booth away from the other diners.
"Thank you for all the flowers the last few days and all the little presents for Chloe." I speak up trying to break the ice a little.
"It was my pleasure. I'm sure your other boyfriends have done the same." He says nonchalantly.
I'm about to answer when the waiter appears for our drink order. Once he leaves I blow out a breath, "No. No one has. I have only ever dated my deceased husband and now you."
He looks shocked and I lower my eye to my lap in embarrassment. "Hey, don't hide those pretty blue eyes from me. How is it that no one has managed to scoop you up?"
"After Chloe was born my focus has been strictly on providing for her. And I haven't really noticed anyone until I saw you on Saturday. I mean, I made out with someone but it never went past that and we are better friends away. What about you? How are you still single? I mean three women practically fell out of their seats on our way to the booth." I say shyly as I ramble.
"Anastasia, I normally don't do the 'dating thing'. I have very singular tastes when it comes to relationships but I am willing to try this with you. I've never dated anyone before so you will have to be patient with me because I have a feeling I'm going to screw up most of the time."
"I think you are doing a great job so far!" I praise him. Our drinks have arrived and after giving our food order Christian jumps right into questioning me about my upbringing and marriage.
"Well, I had an outstanding childhood, other than Carla being the village bicycle, my dad was the best father a girl could ask for until his death. He was killed by a drunk driver in my teens and I was sent to live with Carla and her boy toy. I met...Trevor when I was graduating High School and we married right after I turned eighteen. I look back now and realize that he was my first chance to get away from Carla and I latched on with both hands. I was so young at the time and he was much older than me and was charming that I didn't know which way was up. We were married up until his death in combat and I went to live with Kate and her family."
I see him thinking about something and it's like he is warring with himself to ask it. "Just ask. I know you are wanting to ask something."
"I noticed you had scars on your body Saturday when I helped you out of your dress. What are they from?" He asks looking very serious into my eyes.
That was definitely not what I thought was on his mind. Crap I didn't realize he saw those. What do I say? "Uh... well I have a scar from the C-section I had with Chloe. It was unexpected and not part of my birthing plan." I laugh hoping he leaves the rest alone.
"No, I'm talking about the ones on your sides, neck and upper thighs." He's trying not to sound angry but is failing terribly.
"Christian, I didn't realize that you noticed those and right now I'm not ready to tell you about them. I hope you can understand, this is our first official date and maybe one day I will tell you but for right now let's table that for another time. Okay?"
Hoping I haven't ruined our night I try and turn the tables. "So what about you, how did The Christian Grey come about?"
He chuckles and smirks and it's like all has been forgotten.
"Well you know that I was adopted at age four by the Greys'. I went to Harvard but dropped out after the first year and started my business. I work almost seven days a week spending twelve to fourteen hours a day at the office." He shrugs.
"Thank you for the Wikipedia summary! Come on give me more than that."
"I really am a work alcoholic and don't socialize very much unless it is at a charity event."
"That sounds so boring." I giggle. Now it's my turn to ask a personal question. "Why did you ask me not to touch your back and chest on Saturday?"
"You think I'm boring?" He tries to sound hurt while raises an eyebrow. We both burst out laughing not caring that we are in a crowded restaurant.
"Are you avoiding my last question Christian?"
"I think that it is only fair to table it for another time. Let's just say I had a very hard life until the Greys' adopted me."
The rest of dinner is casual conversation about our likes and dislike; apparently eye rolling is a big dislike. We laugh at stories about him and Elliot as kids and the pranks they played on Mia and their housekeepers. Everything is just so normal like we have known each other forever. Christian is just so easy to talk to.
Finally, he stands holding his hand out for me, which I gladly take, "Come." He says and we walk out the door and head down the street to an ice cream parlor. After taste testing a few I decide on the double chocolate and fudge and he gets the same. We walk out and head across the street towards the park since it's a beautiful night and sit on a bench snuggling up to each other.
"Anastasia, what happened to your father's estate after his passing? You said he owned a business. What happened to it and all the employees?" He says taking a break from his ice cream.
"Oh God, I don't know!" I gasp. "I never thought about it. I mean, I was so heartbroken and depressed I didn't even think of how it would affect them. How could I be so selfish when others were hurting too. I was just so upset." I clamp my hand over my mouth trying to fight back the tears. Talking about my dad's passing always gets me so emotional.
"Anastasia I didn't ask you that to upset you. I was only asking if maybe he had a plan for someone to run his business until you were of age or put something in a trust for you. Ray seemed, from what you have said like a planner and I think he would have tried to make sure that you were okay if something were to happen to him." He sounds like he is in business mode at the moment.
"I'm not sure. I was only fifteen at the time and wasn't really thinking when I got the news from his death. Barbara was the one in charge of the office at the business. I never was able to keep in touch once Carla picked me up." I start to remember how Carla took my phone from me to keep me from contacting her.
"Listen I can have my guys look into it for you if you want. I don't want to pressure you into anything." He offers and I drop the rest of my ice cream on the ground while grabbing his face with my hands and kissing the life out of him. No one other than the Kavanagh's and Mark have ever tried to look out for me. We have only known each other less than a week and I already feel so connected to this generous man.
He deepens the kiss and moves his hands to my breast making me moan into his mouth. I place my fingers in his hair slightly pulling him closer, only to hear his own moan. Our tongues are fighting for dominance until we break away needing to catch our breathes.
"You surprise me at every turn Ms. Steele." Showing me a school boy grin.
"Well I need to keep you on your toes at all times. And to answer your question yes please have your guys check into it for me. Just let me know the fee and I will reimburse you the cost."
He rolls his eyes at me and I playfully smack his arm. He looks at me horrified. "Did you just hit me?"
"Yes I did! Did you not just say a BIG dislike was eye rolling." I point out.
"Ms. Steele I can't believe you just did that; any other person would be punished for doing that. What are you doing to me?" He states in disbelief while shaking his head.
Punished? What?
"Christian I need to know something... I need to know if you are really serious about this dating relationship with me. I would be fine if it were just me but it's not, I have a child and we are a package deal. I will understand if it is too much to take on and we don't know what the future holds but I need to know from you where you see us going. Please tell me now if you are only looking for a fling and we can walk away now. I don't want to bring a man into Chloe's life that she becomes attached to and then disappears because playing house is not his thing." I say giving him a chance to get out now.
"Anastasia, I wouldn't be here right now if I weren't thinking long term with you and Chloe. I will admit at first I was nervous about being with someone who has a kid, but after meeting her I can honestly say that I am in this one hundred percent. You have this pull on me that I can't shake. I think about you all the time. I have always felt like something was missing from my life and when you walked in on Saturday I knew that it was you that I was missing."
Holy cow that was the most beautiful speech I have ever heard. If my panties weren't already wet from the kiss before but now they are soaked. Not caring about our surroundings I straddle him taking him by surprise and kiss him again. It only takes a few seconds for him to realize what is happening and he responds just as passionately; pulling me to his body and to his rather large bulge in his pants. His hands skim down my back to find my ass and gives it a squeeze. I moan which spurs him on and he moves one hand to my upper thigh making its way up. Just as he reaches my soaked panties we hear someone clearing their throat.
I jump off of him remembering we are in public. Looking around wondering who interrupted us I see Sawyer not too far away with his back to us. Has he been there this whole time? Shit I must look like a slut trying to get laid in a public park. I try straighten my dress and hair when I hear Christian chuckling from the bench.
"What are you laughing at? We are in a public park and could get into so much trouble for what just happened. I can't believe I just did that out in the open. What if someone saw us?" I go into panic mode.
"Baby, don't worry about it. Sawyer was just letting us know that someone was approaching. Trust me, I wouldn't have let anyone see us in a compromising position. And don't worry about Sawyer, he is very discreet." He stands from the bench, adjusts himself and says, "Come on it's getting late and we both have to work tomorrow or we would be going back to my place to finish what you started." He takes my hand and leads me towards the car.
Once we are back at my apartment we both get out and make our way to my door. I am fishing for my keys when Christian pushes me up against the wall pinning me with his hips and attacks my mouth with his. He grinds into me letting me feel his erection and starts to kiss his way from my mouth to my jaw towards my neck. I hook one of my legs around his hip and return the grind. Growling he grabs the back of my knee and continues to thrust into me. We continue this for a while until I decide to make a bold move and slide my hand in between us and take a hold of his dick moving it up and down.
What is this man doing to me? I have never been so bold before in my life. This man has me under his spell and I'm not sure I want to break it at the moment.
He grabs my wrist locking it at my side, "Baby if we don't stop now I'm going to cum in my pants in the hallway of your apartment." Shit, he's right I'm sure we are giving my neighbors a show.
"Sorry I just can't seem to keep my hands to myself when you're around." I giggle.
"Never be sorry for that baby, I like it. When can I see you again?" He whispers in my ear and a shiver goes down my spine.
"I'm not sure. Call me tomorrow and we can compare calendars."
"Okay. I had a really great time with you tonight Anastasia."
"Me too."
"Goodnight baby!" He kisses me again and pushes off the wall.
I bend down to pick up my purse, that had fallen on the ground from when he attacked me, and find my keys for the door.
"Goodnight Christian, dream of me!" I give him one last chaste kiss and head off into my apartment locking the door. I go straight to my bedroom strip out of my clothes and plop down on my bed thinking about my evening with Christian. Sleep starts to take effect and the last thing I think about before I dream of gorgeous gray eyes is: he called me baby!
