I could sense that Christian was frightened with the thought of me leaving him after I confessed, yesterday, to remembering the spanking. He, again, said he needed to connect with me so he'd know we were ok, even though I told him we were fine and I wasn't going to leave him. I blush at the thought of how well we connected, while I enjoy my English Breakfast tea on the balcony.

It's one of those rare sunny Seattle days. I am laid back in a lounging chair, taking pleasure in the slight breeze that caress my face. It's so relaxing out here, I think to myself while mindlessly rubbing my stomach with one hand, bringing myself comfort. Suddenly, I feel strong arms wrap around me from my side. I startle a little before he places his hand on mine, mimicking my rubbing pattern which relaxes me.

"Hey baby." He places a chaste kiss on my cheek, then moves to my stomach and places a kiss there as well, whispering an 'I love you' to the baby. Adorable.

I place my cup of tea on the table beside me and pull his face to mine for a proper kiss. He gently crawls onto the chair, softly pressing his body into mine. He traces the outline of my body, starting from my shoulder and stopping at the hem of my shirt…or his, rather…and begins to lift it.

"No," I whisper breathlessly. His hand freezes immediately, and his face reveals his confusion.

"Christian, we are not doing anything out here for everyone to see." I say, a little more firmly.

"Ana, you started it…" He says, and he starts placing lingering wet kisses into the crook of my neck. It feels so good.

"And now, I'm finishing it." I say with slight conviction in my voice while trying to sit up, only to be met with resistance. I feel him smirk.

"Are you sure, baby?" He mumbles in the side of my neck. "I can smell your arousal from here…" he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "…and you know I can take care of that for you," he adds, knowing that I am ready for him.

"Christian," I whine. He sighs and allows me to sit up a little. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him back to me for a kiss to take the sting out of my rejection.

"You know I want you," I whisper on his lips, "but I don't want to give everyone a show…only you." I kiss him again.

"Damn right only me!" He exclaims. He gets off the chair pulling me up with him. Needless to say, we are locked in our bedroom for the rest of the morning making passionate love.


"Ana, what are you doing in here?" Christian asks when he finds me in a pile of clothes in the closet.

"Trying to find something to wear…these don't fit properly." I stand, wearing only a pink lace bra and panty set, pouting.

"Where are you going?"

Shit! I forgot to tell Christian that I accepted Jose's invitation to lunch, but only after I found out if Kate was available to join us. I thought Christian would be more agreeable if it didn't look like a date, but just friends hanging out. Besides, he said he didn't think it was a good idea if he went when I asked him. Well, here goes…

"Um…I…well, we, Kate and Jose…" I stop when I see fury written all over his face.

"Anastasia," he booms with his face stuck in that furious look. "Do not tell me that you are going somewhere with Jose after I told you I did not approve!"

"Actually, I will be with Jose and Kate," I start. "When I suggested to you a couple nights ago that you come along with me, you said you didn't think it was a good idea." I say somewhat calmly.

"So you made plans without even telling me." It was more of a statement than a question. He looks confused and hurt.

"Christian," I move towards him and wrap my arms around him…to comfort him. "I just forgot to tell you. I didn't mean to make it look like I was sneaking around. It's just lunch with friends, Christian."

"I don't know, Ana." He runs his hands through his hair, causing me to drop my arms to my side.

"Then come with us," I plead.

When he starts pacing, I realize this is a very big deal to him and not just about friends hanging out.

"Christian," I say to get his attention. I go to him, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss him with so much passion that we are both have to catch our breath when we pull apart.

"I love you with all my heart, and I won't let anything or anyone come between us. I need you to trust me on this."

"I trust you, Ana. It's him I don't trust." He emphasizes the word 'him' with so much disdain.

"Then come with us…" I try again. "I know you and Jose aren't comfortable around each other at the moment, but I would really like for you to try to get along for me, please Christian." I bat my eyelashes at him.

"Really, Ana," he snorts at my poorly executed seduction techniques.

I let out a giggle.

"Ok." He huffs, obviously circuming to my charms.


Christian informed me that we own the Mile High Club and insisted we go there for lunch. Taylor and Sawyer, whom I was reintroduced to before we left the penthouse, accompanied us to the restaurant. We are here about ten minutes prior to Kate's appearance and fifteen minutes prior to Jose's arrival. Kate didn't seem surprised at all to see Christian here with me when she was escorted to our table; however, it was hard not to notice the scowl on Jose's face once he was shown to our table.

We say our pleasantries once everyone is seated. Kate, who is wearing the sexiest white criss cross open front halter dress and red pumps, is seated across from me. Of course, I had to let her know how gorgeous she looks as she compliments me on my attire. I have on a fitted black body dress and black pumps that Christian assured me looks amazing on me. Jose, who has on jeans, a white t-shirt and a black suit jacket, is seated across from Christian, who looks absolutely delicious in his gray Armani suit and white dress shirt…no tie.

Jose is looking everywhere, except at Christian who is glaring at him. I clear my throat to get Christian's attention. When he looks at me, I give him a pointed look so that he can stop his glaring game. He only smirks and fixes his gaze back on Jose. Why did I think this group lunch would be a good idea again?

"Ana, I didn't realize everyone would be joining us." Jose says nervously, obviously uncomfortable with Christians glaring.

"I'll bet…" Christian scoffs.

I put my hand on Christian's thigh. He turns his body slightly in my direction, but still doesn't take his eyes off of Jose. Kate seems unfazed by the tense surrounding as she looks over her menu. No, I didn't mention to Jose that Kate or Christian was coming, but what does it matter.

"Of course I'd bring my husband, Jose, and I feel like I haven't spent much time with Kate so I thought we could all hang out together." I say, rubbing soothing circles on Christian's thigh with my thumb, hoping he remembers what I told him earlier about 'not letting anyone come between us'. Kate finally looks up from her menu after hearing her name and looks from me to Christian to Jose and shakes her head.

"This should be interesting," she says under her breath, though I'm sure everyone at the table heard her. She sits back in her sit and crosses her arms, suddenly losing interest in her menu.

The waiter comes to take our drink orders, which didn't lessen the tension. We place our drink orders with only me getting a non-alcoholic beverage. Afterwards, we return to our conversation, Jose being the first to speak…

"It's cool. I just thought we'd have some time to talk alone being that I won't be in Seattle much longer." He says trying, and failing, to sound nonchalant.

"Mr. Rodriguez, whatever you have to say to my wife, you can say in front of me." Christian says.

"I've been in town for two week, actually, and I haven't been able to get in contact with you until I went to visit you in the hospital." He says, ignoring Christian and focusing on me. I feel Christian stiffen under my hand that is still on his thigh. I glance at Christian; he is now wearing his impassive face…oh no, that's not good.

The waiter comes back with our drinks

"Christian, I need to go to the restroom." I say, calmly.

"I'll go with you." Kate speaks up.

"No, I think Christian needs to come with me." I push the chair away from the table. Christian stands as well, but is now looking at me, silently questioning me.

As soon as we are out of ear shot, I face Christian.

"Why are you being so rude with the 'death glare' you are giving to Jose? You said you would try…"

"I agreed to come with you, I never said I would play nice." Christian replies.

I guess he's right. He didn't actually say he would try like I asked him earlier. I shake my head and sigh. When I look up at him, he's smirking with his arms crossed across his chest. He knows I realized he's right. Arrogant, sexy bastard.

I scrub my face with my hands. He's impossible and I know he's not going to back down, but I'm going to try again anyway.

"Christian, please," I beg, inching closer with each word until I'm so close to him I can feel his breath on my face. "I don't want this to end with anyone making a scene in front of a restaurant full of people." He wraps his arms around me, but he still has a smirk on his beautiful face.

"Ok baby, I'll try…for you." He kisses my nose.


"…You cannot show these to Ana! You don't understand, it's not…" Kate sounds almost hysterical.

"Jose can't show me what?" I interrupt Kate as Christian and I take our place back at the table.

Kate and Jose were in a heated, hushed conversation and hadn't noticed that we had returned. She startles as she hears my voice and throws what looks like a couple of pictures at Jose. Kate is giving Christian a look of…sympathy? I look at Christian, who looks just as confused as I am.

"What's going on guys?" I try again.

"Ana, as I said, I've been in town for two weeks now…" Jose begins.

"Jose, don't!" Kate interrupts. Her angry face looks just as scary as Christian's.

I eye both of them suspiciously. Christian is surprisingly sitting quietly. I reach over to grab his hand…something is not right here. Kate seems adamant that I shouldn't know and Jose is determined to let me know. And me being the curious one that I am…

"Just show me…" I say, hoping I don't regret my decision.

"Ana, trust me, you shouldn't see this…please," Kate tries to reason with me. She leans forward and reaches across the table to grab my free hand. I hadn't noticed that I was nervously drumming my fingers on the table. She gives me a gentle squeeze. Christian still hasn't said a word. I think he may be trying to assess the situation.

Before I could decide to let it go as Kate asked, Jose thrusts the two pictures in front of me making the decision for me. And all hell breaks loose!