Chapter 10
Christian's POV
Once at Escala, I get on the elevator to head up to my apartment. I decide I need to make an appointment with Flynn. What I'm feeling for Ana is nothing like I have ever felt for anyone else. Whenever I have been attracted to a brunette girl like her, I have only wanted to take her into my playroom as my submissive and nothing more. I have never spent the night holding anyone like I did last night with Ana. I have never wanted to, too scared that they will touch me. But last night I slept better than I have… in my entire life.
What is it about her? Yes, she is sexy and confident, and those big blue eyes… I see something in them I have never seen before. I don't know what it is, but I could look into them forever. I don't want her looking at anyone else the way she looks at me.
The elevator arrives at my place and I walk into my apartment to find Leila sitting at the breakfast bar. What the fuck is she doing here?
I stay standing in front of the door, staring at her. She turns toward me and smiles, but I continue looking at her impassively.
"You weren't answering any of my calls or messages and I really needed to see you." She explains herself when I say nothing. I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of bourbon; I'm going to need a drink before we start this conversation. I take a large gulp and look up to find her staring at me waiting for me to say something.
"Where have you been?" She breaks the silence. "I've been waiting here since 2 in the morning."
Seriously? I should have just called her yesterday.
"I was at a friend's." I finish the rest of my drink and pour myself another one. I can tell she wants to ask me who my friend is, but she knows better.
"Who was that girl the other night?"
"Leila, the contract is over." I state ignoring her question.
"What?" She whispers, her eyes filling with shock and desperation.
"This isn't working for me anymore."
"Why? Did I do something?" I can tell she is starting to panic. I don't like hurting her like this, but there is no way I can continue. I know she wants more from our relationship and I definitely don't. I just want… no I need to make Ana mine. I can't make that happen with her hanging around.
"No. I'm just ready for this to be over." I don't know what she will do if I tell her about Ana. She could hurt herself or worse, hurt Ana.
"Don't do this please. I'll do anything you want." She has turned completely desperate now, jumping off the stool and walking toward me.
"Stop!" I snap taking a step back from her. She freezes and her eyes fall to the floor.
"Yes, sir," she says, switching to her sub form.
"We're done, Leila." She doesn't move from her position.
"I want you to punish me, sir." It's like she can't hear anything I am saying.
"Look at me!" Her head slowly tips up so her eyes meet mine. "I am breaking our contract. I am no longer your Dom."
She continues staring at me showing no emotion. I don't know how to get this through to her.
"I don't want to see you anymore. I've met someone." It's the only thing I can think to say to get her to understand that we are through. Her mood changes from submissive to rage and jealousy.
"That skank from the other night?!"
"Don't you dare fucking call her that!" I spit glaring at her with fury. Hearing Leila call my sweet Ana a skank sets me off. She takes a step back clearly frightened by my tone.
"But... I love you." I can't believe what I am hearing. I made myself perfectly fucking clear when she signed that contract that I didn't and would never want anything more than a Dom/Sub relationship from her. I run my hand through my hair.
"Leila…" I can't find the right words to say without hurting her more than I already have. She starts shaking her head as tears quietly fall from her wide eyes.
"No! You love me too! I know you do!"
"No. I don't. Our relationship has never been more than the contract for me." She falls to the floor in front of me sobbing.
"Taylor!" I call for my head of security. She is clearly not leaving on her own anytime soon.
"Sir." Taylor appears out of nowhere.
"I need you to take Leila home." Her eyes dart back and forth between Taylor and I.
She doesn't fight Taylor when he picks her up off the floor to carry her out. After one last glance at me she turns into him and continues crying. Pouring another glass of bourbon, I sigh and run my hand through my hair. Thank god for Taylor.
I just saw Ana yesterday morning, but it feels much longer. I attempt to look like I'm listening during the Monday morning meeting, when all I can think about is the next time I will get to see her. It has to be sometime this week.
I open my phone, making it seem like I'm checking an email and send her a message.
Can I take you to dinner sometime this week?
I get frustrated when she doesn't respond immediately. It takes a couple minutes before I feel my phone vibrate.
I work every night this week.
I got her work schedule for Clayton's Hardware Store first thing this morning so I know she only works Tuesday and Wednesday night. Why is she lying to me?
You sound like a workaholic.
I respond playfully repeating what she said to me yesterday.
I'm far from a workaholic. I decided to pick up some shifts for extra money before I'm overloaded with studying. I don't work on weekends like some people I know, especially Sundays. I actually have a life.
Touché, Miss Steele. I realize a couple people in the room are looking at me confused as I smile at my phone.
"Is there a problem?" I ask raising my eyebrows. Their attention immediately turns back to the presentation. Every one of my employees knows not to question anything I say or do if they want to keep their jobs. I turn back to my phone to respond to Ana.
Someone is a little feisty this morning. I'm okay with a later dinner. What time do you get off?
Around 8, but I'm usually exhausted so I doubt I would be much fun.
Spend one night with me and I'll show you what exhausted feels like. The things I would do to the fabulous body…
I'll pick you up after work Thursday.
I say knowing she doesn't work that night.
She doesn't respond until the meeting is over and I am back in my office.
Alright, fine.
Yes!
I look forward to another night with you, Miss Steele.
Now I just need to somehow get through the next three days.
Ana's POV:
Blake hasn't answered any of my calls or text messages since he walked out yesterday. I couldn't sleep at all last night. I feel horrible. I keep staring at my phone hoping he will call. What was I thinking? He is all I want right now. I want to feel his arms around me and hear his voice telling me we will be okay. A tear runs down my cheek as I think about the way he looked at me. How hurt he was.
My phone buzzes on my nightstand and snatch it up as fast as I can. It's a text message, but not from Blake. It's Christian asking me to go to dinner with him this week. I can't go to dinner with him. If Blake ever found out, he definitely would never talk to me again.
Staring at the screen I try to come up with some kind of excuse. I'll just tell him I work all week. That's logical. I don't have class right now.
I work every night this week.
You sound like a workaholic.
Workaholic? Ha, very funny. I scowl at the message. I'm not the one spending my Sunday at the office.
I'm far from a workaholic. I decided to pick up some shifts for extra money before I'm overloaded with studying. I don't work on weekends like some people I know, especially Sundays. I actually have a life.
Someone is a little feisty this morning. I'm okay with a later dinner. What time do you get off?
Try depressed and now… pissed off.
Around 8, but I'm usually exhausted so I doubt I would be much fun.
I'll pick you up after work Thursday.
Are you kidding me? He picks the one weekday that I don't work. He's clearly not giving up until I say yes. I'll just call and see if Clayton needs any extra help that night.
Alright, fine.
I'll just go get a free meal and then have him take me home.
I look forward to another night with you, Miss Steele.
What does this guy see in me anyways? He should be dating some tall supermodel, not pursuing a pale, awkward college student. He better not try anything again, because that is not happening this time. I need to figure out what I want. If I fall under he spell that will never happen. As of right now all I want is Blake, but I guess I can give Christian a chance. We do have some kind of connection that I have never felt with anyone before. I guess we'll see if it's still there on Thursday.
Kate gets home later that evening with Chinese food and a large bottle of wine. Perfect! Just what I need.
While we eat and drink I tell her everything that has happened in the last 24 hours. My conversation with Blake, him leaving and not answering my calls, and Christian's dinner invitation. She listens and asks questions until she knows every detail.
"I'm sorry about Blake. I guess he can't handle a little competition." She nudges me and I smile at her.
"Do you think I should go to dinner with Christian? I know Blake will flip if he ever finds out."
"I think you should definitely go. Blake is not going to find out unless you tell him." She says shrugging her shoulders.
"Yea I guess you're right."
"I say you go to dinner Thursday and get to know Christian a little. It could be really fun. Who knows… he could end up being your soul mate." She winks at me. Christian… My soul mate? That's a joke. I laugh. By the end of the night he's probably going to wonder what the hell he was thinking asking me out.
"Okay. Thanks for listening Kate. You always have the best advice."
"No problem, Steele. That's what best friends are for."
We finish off the wine while she tells me about her day and night with Ian on Sunday. They are pretty much together, but neither one cares if the other hooks up with someone else. I'll never understand her.
The next few days go by pretty fast. Kate has been doing her best to keep me distracted while I'm not at work, so I don't over think my date with Christian. She has done a great job of it too. I haven't really thought about it until today.
I ended up going into work for a little while to help with inventory, so I wouldn't have to lie to Christian. My heart is beating at an abnormally high rate on the drive home. Why am I so nervous? A couple days ago I didn't even care about tonight at all.
I pull on Kate's plum colored dress that she swears I look amazing in, with some black heels. I attempt to do my make up like Kate has shown me, but it doesn't look quite right. I wish she was here to do it for me.
Just as I'm finishing up with a little lip gloss, I hear a knock at the front door and my heart stops.