10
APOV
The bright sun wakes me up and I have a terrible headache. I open my eyes, groan and then realize Christian is holding me against him so we are face to face. He looks cute sleeping. He opens his eyes and as soon as he sees me he smiles. "Good morning, beautiful."
"Hey. Did you sleep OK?" I get up and search for some Advil.
"Actually, yeah. If I knew I'd like sleeping with someone, I would have done it sooner."
"What? You've never just slept with someone without sex?"
"No, I've never slept with anyone before. My submissives always had their own room."
"Really? So you've never fallen asleep after sex?"
He's laying on his side with his head propped up by his hand. "I've never had sex in my bed."
"Wait, so last night, before… that was your first time?" He gives me a smile and nods. "Don't look at me like that."
He frowns, "Like what?"
"Like that, you look too good there. I'm still mad at you."
He makes a ridiculous face at me. His eyes are crossed and his tongue is sticking out. "Is that better?"
I giggle, "Much. There isn't any food here for breakfast or I'd make you something."
"Let me take you out to breakfast. I figure it's the least I could do after the antics of last night." We head out of the apartment to go grab some breakfast. Luckily my headache is starting to go away.
CPOV
I text Taylor and ask him to drop off some clean clothes for me, he should be here any minute. Then, I send him another text to just leave the bag at the door. We come out the door and practically run into him.
"Taylor." Simultaneously, Ana says, "Hi, Jason!"
I look at her and then at Taylor and his eyes get big. He pauses for a moment, "Mr. Grey, Miss Steele. Good morning." Ana looks confused.
"Taylor, can I have a word with you?"
"Yes, Sir." We step aside out of earshot of Ana.
"What was that about?" Don't tell me that he's dated her or something.
"I bought coffee before at the coffee shop on my way into work." I give him my best, 'back off' look and nod. "Thank you for bringing these. You can put them in the car for now."
"Yes, Sir."
I rejoin Ana and we start walking again up the block.
"How do you know Jason?"
"I'm his boss."
"Oh, does he work for you at Grey Enterprises?"
"No, he's personal security."
"Personal security? Like a bodyguard?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why what?" She's not going to give up on these questions. I can tell.
"Why do you need a bodyguard?"
"Because when you are in the spotlight as much as I am crazy people come out of the woodwork with threats."
"Oh, that must be scary." I just smile at her.
"Not really." Just then my blackberry rings. It's Elliot.
"Elliot."
"Christian, what are you up to bro?"
"I'm on my way for breakfast."
"Sounds good, where?"
"I'm with someone."
"Is it Ana from the coffee shop? Did you close the deal?"
"Elliot, you are a neanderthal." He just laughs.
"Listen, we're having a party for Grey Construction at Big Picture tonight. It would be cool if you could go."
"I don't know, Elliot."
"Christian, quit being a pussy and ask Ana if she wants to go with you." Sometimes I really dislike my brother.
"I'll get back to you." I hang up before he has a chance to do anything.
Ana looks at me, "What was that about?"
"He wants us to go to a party he's having at Big Picture."
"I've never been there."
"Do you want to go?"
"I don't know. I don't want to impose and I will only know you."
"You've met my brother. Come on, it'll be fun."
"Well, since I still can't get into my apartment until tomorrow I guess it's a date. Oh, shit."
"What is it?"
"I don't have anything to wear. I just have my dirty laundry in Kate's car I'll have to go to the laundromat."
"I think we can take care of that." She gives me what can only be described as stink eye.
"Christian, I hope you're not thinking what I think you are."
"Ana, I can afford it and I want to."
"No, it's not right. You've already paid for too much and I don't want to take advantage of you."
"Then we'll both go in our underwear."
"Christian!" I start to laugh.
"I'm kidding. I don't want all those people ogling you like that." I see her cheeks start to pink. For someone so sensual, I'm surprised at how shy she is. I'm not sure if Ana realizes this is kind of a big deal for me. I've never taken anyone to any type of event before.
We have breakfast and after Ana fights with me about who is paying, she really is stubborn, I take her to Neiman Marcus. "What type of car is this?"
"An R8."
"Is it yours?"
I smile because she's very inquisitive and with anyone else it would annoy me. "Yes."
"And the other car?"
"Mine as well."
"Oh."
"Ana, I own a few cars. They come in handy. Please, don't sweat it."
"OK. It's just that I'm not used to all this." She waves her hand around as she says it.
"I know. You will." I look over at her and smile. Before she has a chance to respond I turn on the music and change the subject. "You can pick the music if you like." She scrolls through my iPod and picks The Lumineers.
We get to Neiman Marcus. I've never shopped in here myself. I always use a personal shopper.
APOV
This is seriously crazy. This isn't how I was raised. Ray always told me you should work for what you have. I haven't done anything for this. Maybe when he isn't looking I can hide money somewhere for him. Or, I can give him free coffee for life. I have a feeling it would be a lot of coffee.
We get to the jeans and I find a pair I like. Then I look at the tag. "Holy shit. Christian, these jeans are on sale for $300! Why don't we just go to Old Navy or something?"
"Anastasia, so help me God, if you don't pick out clothes now and stop worrying about the cost I will buy this entire damn store."
"Jeez. Keep your pants on." With that statement, I can see his face soften and he smiles at me.
"Ana, what am I going to do with you?" With the way he says that and the close proximity, I can feel the charge between us. I really want to kiss him. But, I can't. I need to keep my composure here, especially after last night.
I pick out a pair of skinny jeans and even I have to admit they look good on me. Then I pick out a black cowl-neck top. "OK, I think I'm good. Let's go."
"You're not done."
"What do you mean?"
"You still need undergarments and shoes."
"First of all, I'm not going to let you spend all that money on undergarments no one will see. And second, in case you haven't noticed I have shoes on." He gives me a heated stare which immediately turns my insides to jello and then he slowly licks his lips. Why does he have to be so damn good looking?
"I was hoping maybe I could see you in those undergarments. And…" he points to my well-worn chucks, "you do need new shoes."
We head to the lingerie department. This feels so awkward. But I find a beautiful La Perla black lace demi-cup bra and matching panties. I try to just walk away thinking maybe he's been distracted and will forget about the shoes. But, he doesn't. I end up picking a pair of Michael Kors black high heeled booties. "Are you sure you want those?" Christian asks me and I have a feeling it's because they aren't high fashion like some designers.
"If this much money is going to be spent on one pair of shoes then I am going to make sure I can wear them often." He just smiles and shakes his head.
"Do you need anything else, like jewelry?"
"Nope, I'm good."
"Are you hungry? Do you want lunch?"
"I agree to lunch, but, I want to pick the place - no arguments."
What is she up to? "OK."
The directions take us to a place called the Luna Park Cafe in West Seattle. I'm not sure about this place. She laughs at me. "You're not very good at hiding what you're thinking. This place is great, I promise."
On the inside, it's a funky little diner. We're seated in the booth. Ana doesn't even look at the menu. "Do you already know what you want?"
"Yup. My favorite…" She smiles at me and I can't help but smile back at her. The waitress comes up to take our order and I signal for Ana to go first.
"I'll have the chili cheese fries and a chocolate malt shake." I didn't expect her to order that.
"Well, make that two." The waitress takes the menus and leaves.
Lunch is fantastic and for greasy and fattening food it is pretty good. I can see why she likes it here. I tell her stories about Elliot and she is laughing with me. This is good. This is really good.