Everybody's got a hunger Precious pain
No matter where they are
Everybody clings to their own fear
Everybody hides some scar
Empty and cold but it keeps me alive
I gave it my soul so that I could survive
Keeping me safe in these chains
Precious pain
- Melissa Etheridge, Precious Pain
Chapter 10 Miss Steele
Christian and I arrived Seattle on Friday morning. Sawyer, part of Christian's security detail was waiting at the airport for us. On our flight back, we decided that tonight would be the trial run for our partnership. I agreed to accompany him to the charity event and tonight's dinner at his parent's house. He will be staying at my apartment tonight, and we will try our first scene together. Just the thought of Christian in my playroom sparks my desire.
I leave my bag at the entrance of the apartment, and go look for Kate. I knock on her bedroom door.
"Kate? Are you in there?" I ask.
"Come in!" She calls out.
I open the door, but she is nowhere to be seen. Her bed is rumpled, and there are clothes all over her bedroom. It has olive green walls and light wood furniture. "Where are you?" I ask.
"In the closet." She said. She is lying on the floor looking around a pile of clothes, but she's already dressed. "I can't find anything to wear."
"You are already dressed Kate." I say. Should I worry she has lost her mind?
"Tonight." She said, her tone implicating that I had lost my mind. "For Dinner at the Grey's. Elliot told me you were coming too."
"Oh good." I say relieved. "Someone I know besides Christian will be there."
"Not if I don't find the perfect outfit."
"Kate it's almost time for you to go work." I point out glancing at my watch. "I can help you choose when you come back." I offer.
"Fine." She says, pushing the pile of clothes to one side. "You have to fill me in on your trip, too."
"I will." I say. Then I remember I had something to ask her. "I was wondering… Christian is staying the night today, would you mind if we had the apartment to ourselves for a couple of hours after dinner."
She seems taken aback. "Of course.'' She said. I know she's dying to ask what we will be doing. "I have to go, but you better be here when I come back."
"I will. Have a great day." I said.
"Thank you. I'm glad you're back and that Carla will be okay." She gave me a quick hug. "Bye!" She said, leaving her room.
Grabbing the bag I left at the entrance, I make my way to my room. I think about Kate's outfit-frenzy, and then panic washes over me. I need to find something to wear too, since I will be meeting Christian's family and their friends. I also have to plane our scene for tonight, and I want it to be memorable.
A few hours and lots of dresses later, I remember Christian's comment on the usual colors of my clothing. I go to the 'forgotten' section of my closet. It's filled with vibrant clothing that Kate made me buy through the years, though I've barely worn them. A particular cobalt blue gown stands out. I hold it against me and look in the mirror. The chiffon floor-length gown is strapless with a silk-banded empire waist. It is beautiful. I remember I bought this for the first charity event I was invited to, but I wore a black dress Kate lent me instead. I'll wait for Kate's fashion advice on what to wear for tonight's dinner though. Halfway done with choosing outfits, I move on to the playroom in order to plan tonight scene.
I take in the spicy scent of cinnamon when I walk into my playroom. The familiar smell and surroundings make me feel safe, even though some items here might be considered dangerous to a few. I ran my fingers on one of the six steel torch holders that are mounted on the black walls. I look at the imposing bed with steel corner posts and horizontal steel headboard bars. The black and steel theme is avidly present. Next to the bed, bars hold canes, paddles, and my favorite, whips. A dark wood armoire filled with sex toys and special candles for wax play is next to a steel Saint Andrew's cross that is attached to the wall. I sit on the black leather padded bench in front of the bed and think about our scene. I think I have planned an interesting and fun night for us. Considering he didn't experience the usual teenage fling, and sometimes behaves as one, I have thought of a few juvenile experiences with a twist. I think tonight's scene should not push any limits, since we are both new to this exchanging of roles.
After lunch, I stop by SIP to get some work done and for Jose's farewell party. I was pleased that the office was running smoothly during my absence. The party was a nice opportunity to get to know some of the new staff. I have meeting with three potential PA's next week.
"Hey Ana." Jose said, holding a plastic cup.
"Hey Jose." I smile. "I can't believe you are leaving us!"
"Well, you knew it was temporary. Even though it took me a while." He laughed awkwardly.
"I'm glad you are finally showcasing your pictures though."
"Thank you." He smiled. "Don't forget, I expect you and Kate on Thursday."
"Well be there." I say for the hundredth time.
"Ana." He seems contemplating his words. "What's going on with you and Grey?"
"I'm sorry?" I blink a few times.
"There's something going on between you two. You see each other frequently and went together to Savannah. I handled your schedule, remember?" He said.
"It's complicated." I say honestly.
"I don't like him." He said through gritted teeth.
"You don't need to." I said a bit too harshly. "I'm sorry. It's just my decision who I associate myself with."
"I understand." He sighed. "There's just something about him…"
"I'll be fine, Jose." I smile.
"I hope so." He smiled.
After work, I help Kate choose her outfit for both nights. Against Kate's wishes, I wear a white 3/4-sleeve dress with a black thin belt, and black pumps. Elliot and Kate left before Christian and I. Taylor is driving the black SUV. I'm glad Christian has someone like Taylor in his security detail. He is efficient and underneath that serious exterior seems like a nice man. He smiled at me through the rearview mirror when I entered the car.
"You look beautiful tonight." Christian said as we drove to his parent's house. He grabbed my hand and kissed it softly. "A vision in white."
"Thank you." I smiled. He is wearing gray trousers and a tucked in white button down. "You're quite the debonair gentleman yourself."
He laughed. "You forgot to leave those words in the century old book where you read it." He said playfully.
I feign an offended face. "I take them back. You're no gentleman."
He laughed, and held on to my hand. We barely spoke the rest of the car ride, staring at the looming darkness. I have to admit, I'm getting nervous. I come from a small family, and the thought seeing his siblings and parents is somewhat overwhelming.
Christian's parents are standing on the doorstep of the picture perfect colonial-style mansion. I presume the tall, blonde, and handsome man next to Dr. Trevelyan-Grey is his father. Christian climbs out of the car and opens the door for me.
"Anastasia, how lovely to see you again." Grace wraps me in a warm hug.
"Thank you for inviting me Grace." I smile.
"Dad." Christian shakes his hand, and then places a hand on the small of my back. "Anastasia, this is my dad, Carrick"
"Mr. Grey, pleasure to meet you." I smile and shake his outstretched hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, Anastasia." He smiles, his blue eyes soft.
"Hello Darling." Grace said, and Christian kissed both her cheeks to greet her. "Come in, my dear." She told me.
Christian and I walk into the large vestibule. It has dark wood floors and antique rugs. We walk to the stylish living room, decorated in pale blue and cream hues. A tall, raven haired, curvaceous young woman talking to Ethan and Kate stands up from the couch with a grin from ear to ear.
"Anastasia! I've heard so much about you!" She hugs me hard. "I'm Mia."
"Mia. I'm glad to finally meet you in person." I say. I've spoken with her on the phone regarding the consent forms for her mother's biography. She had concerns on whether she could keep some personal information from being included in the book. Knowing Christian, now I understand why she wanted to conceal that information.
"Me too!" She said genuinely happy. "Christian's never brought a girl home."
Christian rolled his eyes. "Enough now." He said grabbing my arm.
Mia sticks her tongue out at him. It's beyond amusing to see someone act that way towards him. "Brother." She said with a grin.
"Hi Mia." He said with eyes filled with… love? And kissed her cheek.
After greeting everyone, Carrick toasts with a delicious pale pink prosecco to our good health. Then, Grace redirects us to the dinning room when dinner is ready. It's pleasant to see Carrick and Grace's interaction; they seem to love each other deeply. The food and company are exquisite. I've learned a few things from Christian's childhood. The fact that he didn't mention his birthday was two weeks from now irritated me. The Trevelyan-Grey's have raised remarkable children though, all three of them excelling at a martial art, instrument, and another language.
"You speak French Christian?" Kate said, one of the few times she has addressed him.
"I do." Christian agreed.
"What a coincidence, Ana's college boyfriend was French." She said. What the fuck? I've never told Christian about Henri. I widen my eyes to try and tell her to stop.
He raises an eyebrow. "Was he?"
"Yes. Other than you, he's been her only boyfriend." She said. Okay, I'm ready to hide under the table now. I can't believe she just called Christian my boyfriend.
"Well, I intend to be the only that counts." He said squeezing my hand.
I smiled shyly at him and the rest of his family. I'm not sure what Kate was trying to do though.
Dinner was drawn to a close when Grace was called into the hospital due to a measles case. She mentioned that her children have always been healthy, and that Mia and Christian were barely affected even by chicken pox, unlike Elliot. This means his scars are not from anything health related. Hmm.
Before we leave, Christian gives me a tour through his parent's extended backyard. The moonlight is shining on the water, both connecting in the seemingly infinite horizon. It's a beautiful evening.
"Care to enlighten me about this French boyfriend?" He asked while we were enjoying the view.
"We were together for almost a year. I lost my virginity to him." I said casually.
"Was he an unsatisfactory lover?" He asked, and his words made me laugh.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "His personality reminded me of Stephen somehow, my mom's second husband."
"I see." He said, and stood in front of me. "So, he was a right? I bet he didn't bear a comparison to me."
"You are such a child." His unexpected remark made me laugh. "Which makes what I have planned for today even more appropriate." I wink at him.
"I have to say... I'm intrigued." He said.
I take a deep breath before opening the door. I check that everything is prepared for our fun scene. Christian is changing in my room into the jeans he brought in his duffle bag. I walk into my room, and Christian is has his over washed jeans on. His chest and feet bare, and his button unfastened. His muscles chiseled just enough to look sexy. His hair is almost in the way of his beautiful eyes. He is perfect.
I swallow. "Are you ready?" I say breathy.
He nods. I can tell he is nervous.
"Follow me, then." I say and turn on my heel.
Christian is walking close behind me. I open the playroom door, and we enter. He scans the room, observing every detail.
"My first impression of your playroom is just like my first impression of you." He says.
"Which was?" I ask intrigued.
"Resilient. Just as a playroom should be." He said.
"Hmm. Good to know." I said. "I have given this much thought, and I decided I'd like you to call me Miss Steele when we are in here. I don't know what it is, but the way you say it has somewhat a sensual promise behind it."
"I like that." He agreed.
"Are you familiar with the arrest pose?"
"Yes." He said. He stood up straight and placed his hands on his neck, interlacing his fingers.
"Wider." I said, and he opened his arms further. "Very well. I'll be back, when I return I expect you to be in that pose."
I left Christian in the playroom, and changed in my bedroom. I put on a black lacy merry widow with stockings, and black stilettos. I place a hair tie on my wrist, and let my wayward hair down.
When I enter the playroom Christian is in arrest pose staring down. I close the door behind me, and leave the day-to-day Anastasia outside. I am a dominant, and he is my submissive. I am the master, and he is my slave. I am the captain, and he is my prisoner.
"You can look at me now, Christian." His eyes locked with mine, pulling me to him, fueling my desire to fuck him hard. "It's a shame that you can't keep your pants on." I take one last glace of the Adonis standing before me. "Take them off."
I walk past him, and look for basic steel handcuffs in my armoire. I grab a stool by the bed, and place it behind his naked body. I stand on the stool, and handcuff Christian slowly. My hands brushing with his wrists, leaving my fingers electrified, and my body aching to be close to his. I place the stool on its place, and stand in front of Christian, enjoying the handcuffed man in my view, our attraction so unbearable he is willing to do this. Before coming to my apartment we went over the places where I was not supposed to touch him. His shoulders and from his hips up it is off limits.
"Go to the bed and lay on your front." I say.
"Yes, Miss Steele." Oh my.
He lied down on the bed, which had an impermeable cover, compliantly. I grab one of the beeswax candles I had previously placed on the torch holders. "I have a game planned for you later, Christian." I said, walking towards the bed. "The nature of the of it will depend on how you behave though. It can either be Seven Minutes in Heaven or Seven Minutes in Hell. Pleasure or pain."
I climb up the bed and sit on his thighs, just below his backside. Where I have the most remarkable view. I hold tilt the candle on his behind and the wax starts to spill. Melting, shaping in its way his perfect features. I can feel him tense below me. Christian's sharp intake of air makes me spill the wax closer, splattering wax on my thighs as well. It spikes my arousal, if possible.
I momentarily stop and sit on his side. "Turn around."
He dexterously turned around in spite of his hands being handcuff in his neck. His arousal is evident. I smile, poring wax on his pelvis, which melts so slow and sensual.
I can't take my own burning desire for him any loner. "You've been a good boy." I say smiling at him. "Open your legs." He does as he is told, and I kneel between them. "You can't come Christian." I say before taking his erection in my mouth, and deep throating it. I hold his hips with my hands, this area is not off-limits, and push him to my mouth.
After several minutes of probably my finest deep throat, I'm surprise he didn't come. He is undoubtedly skilled at that. I wonder what his other abilities are.
I climb off bed and go look for an eye mask on my armoire. I cover Christian's eyes. "Can you look?"
"No, Miss Steele."
"Good." I say grabbing one of the whips from the bars. I'm still annoyed he didn't tell me about his birthday. "Christian, why didn't you tell about you birthday?"
"I am not enthusiastic about it." He said, slightly raising his tone.
"Full disclosure is an important aspect of a partnership, Christian." I said. "I should whip you the age you will turn that Saturday," I say preparing my whip. "But I think that seven whips are appropriate, considering it will depend on what we do afterwards."
I am a committed person. When I do something, I want to do it right. That is why I trained in whipping, at The Stanton's club, until I perfected my aim. Where I put my eye, I lash the whip. I know I have to be cautious not to hit him in the off limit zones, so I will lash him from his bottom down.
"Count Christian."
"Yes, Miss Steele." He said. I can physically see his body tense.
Aiming and effectively lashing his backside he says 'one' through gritted teeth. The impression of the whip appearing in hues of pink. I continued lashing him, 'two, three, four, five, six, seven' he hissed his count. I am the artist, and he was my canvas. It's art.
"You've earned seven minutes in heaven for your good behavior, Christian." I say seductively.
"Thank you, Miss Steele." He said.
"You can turn around now." He does as commanded. I walk to him, and remove his eye mask. "Sit on the bench."
He does not struggle to get up of the bed and sit on the bench. I stand between his legs, and tilt his chin up so he can look at me. I try to look for any sign in his eyes, but he gives away nothing. With eyes locked, I release his entrapped wrists. I throw the handcuffs on the bed, and grab his left wrist. I kiss it softly, and then repeat the same on this right wrist.
I grab the individual handcuff I had previously attached to the front corner posts with chains. I cuff one of his hands, and proceed with the other. I remove my merry widow slowly, Christian eyes tracing my hands as I take it off. I leave my stockings and high heels on. This will be complicated because I can't grasp on his shoulders, but I will try to hold to neck. I grab him by the neck and kneel astride him on the bench. I slam down on him, taking his full length in, and then out.
"You can come in approximately seven minutes." I told him, and continued slamming on to him. I honestly don't think the timing will be as scheduled though. I moved around him, towards him, in and out, in a tortures pace. It was only a matter of time now. I pulled on to his hair, and his head went back.
"Oh Christian." I moan, while he groans and his breath quickens.
Yet again, we have found our release. We have done our first scene. Not even in my wildest and wantonness dreams would have I thought this would be possible.
I release the handcuffs, and go look around for a few items. I open the door, and then I put on my black silk robe, grab a plastic card to remove the wax from him, and a matching robe, though I doubt Christian would like to wear it.
Surprisingly, he put on the robe and followed me. I close the door behind him. We did it. I slam my body into his, and kiss him passionately. He returns the kiss, and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Thank you." I said breathlessly.
"We aim to please, Miss Steele." He said with a slight smile.
"I'm intrigued to know what you have planned for me tomorrow." I said.
"Good things come to those who wait." He winked.
I sighed. "Fine. Are you thirsty? Can I get you anything?" I offered.
"I'd like something to drink, please." He said, letting my waist go.
As we go to the kitchen, I feel as if I am floating. I feel triumphant. I can barely wrap my head around it. Of one thing I am certain, I feel damn good.
AN: Sorry for the delay! I hope you all enjoy the chapter! Please review if you have any comments or suggestions for the next chapter, which will include Christian's scene of course.