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A POV

It's been three days since I decided to take a chance and try things with Christian. We've been talking on the phone and sending texts throughout the day, and he's came by the diner while I've worked. Yesterday when he came by to join me for lunch, Mary kept looking over at us while we ate. I suspect she's figured out that Christian is one of the reasons for my new outlook on life. With each word and kiss Christian and I share, my feelings for him grow even more. Both my body and mind crave him. Even though there hasn't been any pressure to have sex, I bought a box of condoms for when the time is right.

Before heading home from my shift at the diner, I decide to visit my dad. When I was growing up, my family was tight-knit. We loved spending time together and bonding, but that changed with the deaths of my mom and Natalie. My dad grieved for them and continues to miss them just like me, but my way of coping is different from his. I pushed those who cared about me away, including my dad. I realize that I was being somewhat selfish in that he lost half of his family that night too. One step in moving forward in life is spending more time with my dad.

"Annie, come in sweetheart.", my dad says while opening the front door of his small two bedroom house which he bought almost two years ago. I only went into my old childhood home once after that night, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I remember almost having a panic attack while walking through the living room where I had found my mom and sister. My dad also found it difficult being in the house so he decided to move.

"Hey dad." As I walk into the living room, one of the first things I see is the family portrait that we had made when I was eighteen. My mom insisted that Natalie and I wear matching outfits for the portrait. Even though we were reluctant, we agreed to wear to the black dresses she had purchased for us. Natalie kept telling jokes as the photographer tried to take the photos. It took five attempts for him to finally get the right shot. I sit down on the sofa while he sits down in his recliner.

"I'm glad that you're here. I don't get to see you enough." I feel a pang in my heart at his words.

"I know, and I'm sorry Dad. These past two years have been difficult, but it's no excuse for how I've been."

"We all have our own ways of grieving. I can't say that it's been easy having you distance yourself, but I understand. I've held out hope that you'll come around." Ray Steele has always been a glass is half full type of guy. He's always looking for the positive side of something.

"I know it probably sounds crazy, but I think being around you made me miss Mom and Natalie more. Each time I would look at you, I would have a memory of a happy time that we had as a family. As much as I wanted to think about those moments, it was hard because they no longer existed. I couldn't get back something that was no longer there.

"I know what you mean. Whenever a milestone comes around, I find it hard to think about. Your mother and I used to always celebrate our anniversary by going to the same restaurant, but now I can't even bear going down the street where the restaurant is.", he says. "Annie, I know that our family is forever changed, but we still have each other. Even though it may hurt to recall the memories, I realize they're part of us. They're fragments of your mom and sister. They may not be here, but we have these amazing memories of them. We can still be a family, if you'd like."

"Dad," I manage to say through my tear, "I'm so sorry." I get up from my seat and walk across the carpet to where he's sitting. I lean down and wrap my arms around him in the first real hug I've given him in two years. "I'm here."

C POV

As I sit at my desk going over reports for my latest bid, I can't help but think about how my life has changed since meeting a certain brunette beauty. Ana has brought into my life something I never thought I would ever have, happiness. I've smiled more with her than I've smiled in my entire life. There used to be times when I would see a guy out with a girl and wonder why he was so happy. I couldn't understand why a guy would want to date or be in a relationship. Guess what? I'm now that guy. Just before I go to bed at night, I call Ana. Hearing her voice before I go to sleep sends me into a peaceful slumber.

When I called her earlier, she was on her way to see her dad. I could tell in her voice that she was nervous, but I told her that she was going to be ok. I'm planning on going over to her apartment later. The highlight of my day is seeing her face, touching her lips. My pants get tight at the sight of her, but I'm all right with not sleeping with her.

"Sir.", I hear Taylor say as he opens the door. "Welch was able to get a copy of the full police report from the night Carla and Natalie Steele were murdered. He's also in the process of getting some more of the files from the investigation." While my employees piss me off sometimes, they do a hell of a job with their work.

"Thanks Taylor." I look down at my reports while he leaves the office. Before he gets a chance to close the door, I hear footsteps. Looking up, I'm met by my mom who's standing in the doorway. "Mom, hi." I get up from my seat and walk around to where she's standing. "Come in."

"Hello sweetheart. I can't stay long but I thought I'd see how you're doing."

"I'm good, really good." As she stands by my desk, I sense that she's here for another reason. "Mom, is there something you want to ask me?"

"You know me too well.", she laughs.

"Actually, I know that my dear sister Mia has a big mouth."

"That she does but please don't be mad at her. When she had lunch with me the other day, she was grinning like a Cheshire cat. I asked her what was going on, and she let it spill that there's a girl in your life." I can visualize my sister being animated while telling my mom about Ana. "I just want you to know that I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Mom." I'm not sure I'm ready to get into detail about my dating life with her. Wow, I'm dating! I can't help but smile at that.

"Ah, there's a smile that I know all too well."

"What's that?"

"It's the smile that I get when I think about your father.", she says before looking down at her watch. "I've got to go. Your father and I are having dinner with some people from his firm. Take care of yourself Christian." Once she hugs me, she leaves.

After leaving work, I head home and change into jeans and a black tee-shirt. I'm driving myself over to Ana's so I've given Taylor the evening off. On the way to her apartment, I stopped and picked up a pizza and a bottle of red wine. Since it's coming a down pour outside, she suggested we stay in.

"Hey.", she says as she opens the door. She looks sexy as hell in a yellow and black polka dot blouse and black shorts.

"Hey. It's coming a flood out there." I follow her into the living room where she takes the pizza box from me.

"Yeah. The news said we could have power outages which I hope don't happen. So, what kind of pizza did you get." She opens the pizza box and grins wide when she sees the pepperoni with extra cheese pizza. Last night when we were talking, she told me her favorite pizza was pepperoni with extra cheese. "You remembered?" Placing the pizza on the coffee table in front of the sofa, she motions for me to sit down next to her on the sofa.

"Of course. I remember everything you tell me."

"Really? What else have I told you that you remember?"

"You said that your favorite color is purple and you like singing in the shower even though you can't sing. Also, you said that you find me incredibly attractive and you like my kisses."

"Hmm, I said that? Well, it's true." She leans over and kisses me gently on the lips. My hand moves over to her knee while the kiss deepens. I know where this is going if I don't stop it.

"The pizza is going to get cold.", I sigh while pulling away. We begin eating the pizza, but our eyes are on each other the entire time. "How did it go with your dad?"

"It went better than I thought it would. I explained to my dad that seeing him meant thinking about memories that I didn't want to think about. Now, I realize that I shouldn't push those memories away. I should embrace them."

"It's good that you've got those memories of your mom and sister. It keeps them around. I don't have many memories of my birth mom, but the ones I do have aren't pleasant." Ana stops eating her pizza and stares into my eyes with those calming blues of hers.

"I'm sorry that you went through that. I'm sure you have good memories with your family though."

"I do. Most of the best ones involve my brother and sister. Mia always loved playing with dolls so my brother Elliot and I decided to get her a doll house for her birthday. Since I was only twelve and Elliot was fourteen, we didn't have a lot of money. So, Elliot suggested that we build her a doll house. Neither of us knew the first thing about building things, but we got some wood and hammered it together. I didn't think it looked like the best, but it wasn't the worst either. Mia was excited when she got it. She got one of her dolls and placed it on the second floor of the house. That damn house collapsed.", I chuckle.

"Aww.", Ana says in a sympathetic tone.

"Mia wasn't upset though. She hugged us and said we tried."

"That's a great memory to have."

We spend the rest of dinner talking and listening to the raging storm outside. The lights flicker a few times. As we're about to finish, a loud boom of thunder echoes through the apartment, causing Ana to jump.

"Hey, it's ok. I've got you.", I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead. She's careful not to touch my chest. Maybe one day that will be a scar that can be healed. We sit there for what seems like forever. "It's getting late. I should go." As I'm about to stand up, I feel her arm holding me back.

"It's raining like crazy out there, and I don't think it's going to slack up anytime soon. If you want, you can stay here tonight. My bed is very comfortable." Fuck, she's biting that lip.

"Ana, thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure I would be able to get any sleep knowing that you're right there next to me.", I say as she leaps from the sofa. Before I can get a chance to follow her, she's back in the living room with a small box which she hands to me. "What's this?"

"Open it." I can see that she's blushing as I tear the paper from the box.

"I don't know what to say." In my hands is a box of condoms.

"When I asked you to stay, I didn't say anything about sleeping." My cock feels like it's about to rip through my pants. "Will you stay?" This is what I've wanted since that first night at the diner, but I only want it if she does.

"Ana, there's nothing that I want more than to take you into that bedroom right now and worship your body, but I don't want you to do something that you're not ready for."

"I'm ready Christian. I want this." Her hand touches mine as she looks for an answer to her suggestion. "Make love to me." She takes a step closer, closing the distance between us, but increasing the sexual tension. Suddenly, the lights go out, blanketing the entire apartment in darkness. I reach inside my pocket and pull out my Blackberry, using the backlight to see my surroundings, but most importantly Ana. "I think the power going out is a sign. I've got some candles in the kitchen." She pulls me into the kitchen while I hold my Blackberry out for us.

"Are you sure?" With a nod, she answers my question by kissing me. Opening one of the drawers in the kitchen, she pulls out a hand full of candles and holders. She also finds a box of matches. With the candles and holders in her hands and the box of condoms in mine, we guide each other to her bedroom. "I want you, but I want you to be sure."

A POV

"Christian, I'm sure. I've never been more sure of anything.", I reply. There are no doubts in my mind that I want to give myself to Christian tonight. He smiles and begins placing and lighting the candles throughout the room. Even in the semi darkness, I see his desire for me in his eyes. It's a reflection of my desire for him. He moves in front of me and pulls my lips to his in a kiss that deep and full of passion. Our tongues twist together as his hand moves down my backside, pressing me closer to him. I can feel how hard he is for me.

"You are so beautiful.", he whispers against my lips. His lips move from mine and to my jaw where he places a delicate kiss before slowly moving down to my neck. While a trail of soft kisses is being made along my neck, his left hand moves underneath my blouse and upwards to my breasts. My breath hitches at the feeling of him massaging my breasts through my black lace bra.

"Christian.", I pant. He looks up at me and gives me a boyish grin that adds fuel to the fire raging throughout my body. My right hand unzips his jeans, moving inside where I begin stoking his cock through the fabric of his boxers. This is all new to me, but it feels so right. As I continue to stroke him, his hands work on undoing the buttons of my blouse which soon falls open.

"Your skin is so soft." I feel his hand unhook the clasp of my bra. My breasts are released from the confining material and are soon being kissed by him. "I want you Ana."

"You have me.", I reply. He unzips my shorts and pulls them down. After I step out of them, he takes off his shirt and steps out of his jeans. I'm in a daze while looking at his well sculptured body which is only covered by his boxers. He takes my hand and leads me to the bed where I lay down and watch him place himself in between my legs. My panties are soaked in the evidence of my want for him. Our lips crash together with full force. I feel him slide my panties down before inserting a finger inside me.

"You're so wet.", he says just before he begins to move his finger inside me. Oh my god! My body feels like putty in his hands at the feeling. He moves around at a slow pace at first but slowly starts moving faster.

"Oh." As he continues his movements, I feel the walls of my body weakening. I'm getting close to my first orgasm.

"Come for me baby." I soon follow his words as my body shatters. "Are you ok?" My breathing is heavy from the out of body experience I just had.

"I'm more than ok.", I giggle. He reaches over to the bedside table where he placed the box of condoms. My hands tug on his boxers. After he pushes them down the rest of the way, I become even more wet at the sight of his throbbing cock. He rolls the condom on and hovers over me. Our eyes lock together as he positions himself at my entrance. This is it. I feel him slowly enter me, stopping briefly. I reach and pull him down towards me, making him go deeper inside me and letting him know that I'm ok. Once he's assured I'm ok, he begins moving inside me. The sound of our bodies rubbing together is matched with the sound of the rain hitting the windows. I meet him thrust for thrust as he goes deeper inside. Our bodies are glistened in a light sheet of sweat. With our lips tangled, he starts moving faster. My second orgasm is drawing closer.

"Come for me again baby." I'm getting closer to the edge with each thrust. "Come baby." After a few more thrusts, my release hits. Christian continues moving with a few more thrusts until I feel his body tense up. He soon finds his release. He remains over me while gathering himself. As he pulls out and rolls over next to me, he caresses the side of my face. "No regrets?"

"None.", I smile.