Ch. 11 – Learning
When Christian finally awakens, I'm in the bathroom. I hear him moving around on my small mattress and giggle about how much he's roughing it to be in my little world. That sends a thrill right through me. He's really going the extra mile to please me. I'm dressed in a robe and my hair's wound up in a terry cloth towel when I go into the room to greet him.
"Good morning, Christian." I smile at him shyly. "Thanks for changing me into some sleep duds last night. I'm afraid I was too tired to do much myself."
"The pleasure was all mine, baby. Especially peeling off your dress. I like checking out your body. It gets my very own AAA rating."
"I need to return the favor sometime."
"Come over here then. We'll play doctor and nurse." He motions to the spot on the mattress next to where he's now sitting up. His hair's a mess and his t-shirt's wrinkled but he looks incredible anyway.
"Where did you put my clothes, by the way?"
"I tossed your outfit in the hamper."
"Thanks. Doctor and nurse, huh? I've got a better idea. Want to step into my shower?"
His eyes light up as though I've just flicked a rocker switch. I can't imagine the idea of stepping into a tub shower motivates his enthusiasm. The power I've got over him stuns me. Of course, I feel the same way.
I let my robe fall to the ground while hurrying to the tub. He stares at my nearly naked flesh with so much appreciation I feel as though I've just been crowned Ms. West Coast. He's following on my tail like a fighter jet on a search and destroy mission.
My shower's got a flimsy white curtain on the inside combined with a tan and brown acrylic floral pattern on the outside of the tub. To tease him, I pull the white fabric across my chest. He smiles at me like a demon and tugs it gently out of my hands. Then he towers over me.
"I think you need a thorough cleansing, Anastasia. Why don't we start with a little cherry flavored body wash?" He picks up a nearby sponge and squirts a generous amount on it. I luxuriate in the warmth of the water cascading from my showerhead and onto my torso.
I look up into his intense gaze and give him a flirty smile. "I'd like that, sir."
He starts rubbing my neck and shoulders gently. There's so much foam that I feel as though I'm dressed in gauze. Then he moves down to my breasts and gets stuck there a while with his sponge massage.
"What a great way to wake up," I mutter while he holds me still.
"Something's definitely come to attention," he whispers with a hoarse voice. That's when I look down and see that his favorite body part's at full alert. I also notice that his upper chest is covered with small circular raised burns. I take in a short breath and nearly cry in sympathy. I have more than an inkling now about why he doesn't want me touching him there.
"Don't I get to wash you, now?"
"Just have patience, baby. I want to make sure you're thoroughly covered."
He's got the sponge working on the lower half of my body then. The foam's covering my buttocks and back in the most stimulating way possible. His gentle massage technique is turning me to liquid desire in a hurry.
"Oh, Christian. Your touch feels like magic."
"Something else will feel like mojo magic, if you'll just let me take you there." He pulls me to him then and kisses me for a second.
"Soon. Right now, I just want to enjoy the next step on our journey."
"Is this my reward for telling Elena to back off?"
"It's more like my reward for not pulling her hair out." He gives me a smirk and another kiss. This time it's on my neck.
His sponge and hand have also now found their way to my entry. Christian quits speaking while he stares into my face. He lets his fingers do the talking. They're exploring my labial lips with the lightest of touches.
I'm pulling in breaths with difficulty while I look into his eyes with need. "Your massage feels so gentle, down there."
"Good. Do you want to let them inside?"
"Not yet. Outside feels great, right now."
When he's completed washing every inch of my flesh, I turn to him. "Can I wash you from the waist down? I know you don't want me touching your scars."
He nods and steps back to give me full access to his jewels. Thank goodness the sponge is a good size. I foam it up fully and work it over his ass. He swallows, hard. Then I move it quickly over his erection and balls. I try not to dally though I know we'd both like that.
Christian's speaking through clenched teeth and the fire in his gaze feels palpable. "Baby, what you're doing is dangerous. You have no idea how much I want you, right now."
That's when I unhook the shower head and use the accordion hose to spray him down. I simultaneously lower the water temperature. The water's tepid.
He wrests the device from my hand and returns the favor. Then says, "There's nothing like a cold shower to put a damper on things."
I yelp as I twist away from him and turn off the flow. Then I quickly pull the curtain back and grab the towels that I'd placed on the top of the toilet cover. I toss one to him and wrap the other around myself. He arranges it around his waist and then grabs mine to wipe me off. All the while, I'm getting a vigorous massage.
"You've got an utterly gorgeous body, Ana. Your skin has that peaches and cream glow that I adore. Don't ever be ashamed of it by covering yourself up."
"You make me feel like a beauty queen. Your body should be in ads for underwear."
He makes a face at my last comment. "You're a lot more than a beauty queen to me. Want to go out for something to eat?"
"I thought I'd make us some scrambled eggs here. OK?"
"Absolutely. Give me a minute to pull on my underwear and pants."
I grab a cover-up that hangs on the back of my bathroom door and make my way into the bedroom. Then I find a fresh pair of panties and bra in my top chest of drawers. He follows me out of the bath a few minutes after he's used the toilet and combed his hair.
While we're seated in the kitchen munching away on toast, I ask more about the strategy he's going to use to keep his ex in check.
"How can you keep Elena off my case, Christian?"
"I'll threaten to liquidate her spa business. She's always interested in the bottom line. I can guarantee that she'll back down."
"Back down from what?"
"Spending time with Jack Hyde and even Jose."
"Why do I get the feeling that Elena cares more about you than she does about money?"
"Because you don't know her very well."
"That's true. But just suppose the troll tries to notch things up with some of my other friends, like Jose."
He chuckles at that idea. "I'd love to see that interaction."
I drop my mouth and stare at him in horror. "So you think it would be funny to watch Jose submit to her sick games?" I imagine her stalking him with a riding whip while he's down on all fours near her knees, like a pet dog. The image is more than disturbing.
"Sorry, baby. I know how much you'd like to protect him from the harsh realities of life."
"Life? I don't think most people would benefit from a BDSM experience. Let's put it that way. And they manage to get their sexual thrills just fine, without that torture."
"Of course, Ana. Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't touch or manipulate your friend, Jose. In fact, I'll tell her to butt out of our private life altogether."
"How will we know if she's cooperating?"
"Remember, Welch, the PI? I just gave him a raise and another job last night. You were out cold by then. He'll be tracking every move she makes with her tech toys and interpersonal contacts."
"I'm so happy that you're putting Elena on ice for me."
"That's because you let me stay over in your bed last night. Taking a shower with you, this morning, was the topping on the sundae."
"To tell the truth, I didn't even know you'd stayed over last night."
"Could have fooled me. You were begging me to keep you company. How could I possibly resist?"
"Did I talk in my sleep?"
"You were loquacious, baby. Told me how appealing I was, how much you appreciated me and…you let a little secret out as well."
I blush crimson at what he's just revealed about my deepest thoughts. I know from what Kate and mom tell me that I talk all the time while I'm dreaming. Christian's always playing a major role in them, lately.
"What secret did I reveal?" I could slap my own mouth for betraying my feelings so easily.
"That you went to the campus medical clinic and asked for some birth control pills."
"I can't believe what comes out of my mouth when I'm in the REM stage. Just let me warn you, I haven't received them yet. Plus I need to take the pills for a month before they're fully effective."
"I like knowing how much you want me. Don't worry, I've got a backup plan. They're called Trojans. Located in the hip pocket of my suit jacket."
I huff in frustration. "You carry condoms around with you all the time?"
"Of course not. Just when I'm out with you, Ana. A man can always dream."
"At least you know there won't be any secrets between us."
"I like that fact. It makes you that much more trustworthy. Your innocence and that traitorous mouth of yours keep me in your thrall, baby."
"I don't even want to know what else you learned about me last night."
"Let's just say I feel confident about where our relationship's headed."
"Glad you've got that straight. Wish I could say the same. You're so tight lipped, I should probably hire Welch to give me updates on your moves."
"That won't be necessary, Ana. I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Right now, I'd like to take you out on a boat. On the nearest vessel we can find."
So we spent the day sailing on a yacht he'd rented. He showed me all the basic moves. Then it was out to dinner at my favorite pizza place near campus. By the time evening rolled around, I was thoroughly wind and mind blown. As well as totally impressed with his skills.
Saying goodbye, at the door of my apartment building, was more than difficult because I wanted him badly. We were both determined to wait, though.
When Monday morning rolled around, I was at the University and full of enthusiasm for my work with Dr. Hyde. He greeted me as though nothing had transpired over the weekend. I took that as my cue to avoid mentioning anything personal. I was going to be nothing but professional. Although an image of him with a leather studded collar around his neck had me giggling during class. He gave me a strange look but it passed as soon as a student asked a question about an upcoming assignment.
Before the class began, he explained more to me about the assignments I'd be helping to grade and what to do with problematic students. That is those with late papers, illnesses and any lame excuses for poor test results. We also went over the study guides and exams. I felt fully in control of things.
Wednesday night was the class meeting that I felt the greatest anxiety about. When the day finally arrived, I changed tops three times and made sure to wear my best and coolest pair of skinny jeans by True Religion. The room only held about thirty people, tops. Seats were arranged in a U-shaped fashion. There'd be no snoozing in this space.
I entered our classroom, along with the other registered graduate students, at 6 pm sharp. I found myself sitting in a corner slot next to a young man with greasy blond hair and large pink acne eruptions on his neck. I had the urge to pop a few pustules. The seat on my other side was occupied by a short-haired brunette woman who looked at least thirty years old. She wore a pantsuit and stilettos heels. I imagined that she worked full-time at some high end business during the day. She nodded at me but didn't introduce herself.
For the most part, the group was quiet. That is, until Professor Grey showed up. He breezed into the room and headed to the front table. The woman next to me sucked in a breath in shock. So did a few other students. "Oh yes," she mumbled under her breath. She didn't take her eyes off him for the rest of the evening. The guy sitting on my right whispered to those nearby, "He's fucking world famous." The energy level in our class increased by a logarithm. Grey turned on the overhead and accessed the campus network for his electronic files and other media. He looked at the group of us briefly. I slid down in my seat and held the text in front of my face. He didn't see me, at first. Christian seemed consumed with calling up the syllabus and turning down the lights so that his slides were easily viewed.
"I'm Professor Christian Grey. CEO of Grey Holdings, out of Seattle. This is the first time I've taught a master's level class though the topic is something I confront on a daily basis. I have a business degree from Harvard. I'm here only for the summer session.
I'd like to go around the class and find out a little about each of you. That is, before we start on the topic of leveraging. That's key to any acquisition, of course. Mergers are quite tricky in regard to borrowing as well." He laughed at his own inside joke. I hoped he wasn't thinking about us. The room went deadly quiet.
The student on his right began the process with his name, Justin. He worked full-time, as a bank manager, but was taking part-time classes at night to complete his master's degree. And on it went. Most students were in their late twenties to early thirties and were advanced in the program. Meaning they were closer to finishing than starting. I was the seventeenth student in the room.
When it was my turn to speak, I put my book down and sat up straight. Christian's head shot back in shock and his face went pale for just a split second. Then his eyes took on that obsessed look that drove me wild. He licked his lips and cleared his throat. All eyes were upon me now.
"My name's Ana Steele. I'm a graduate student here in linguistics. I've never taken a business course in my life but I'm fascinated with the topic of Mergers and…Acquisitions." Then I giggled.
Half the class broke out in gales of laughter. The other half stared at me as though I'd gone mad. The woman next to me actually snorted. "Good luck with that, kiddo." The pimply guy on my right looked at me with sympathy and shook his head.
Christian seemed completely composed as he responded. "I'm sure we'll keep you on your toes, Ms. Steele. I'd like to speak with you after class, though, about the prerequisites." Then he moved on to the others.
In the first lecture, he showed a few video clips of successful business mergers. He asked us to identify what we thought the key elements were in those instances. Then we examined a few cases of unsuccessful outcomes. We discussed clashing managerial styles and financial risks.
"Basically, we're talking about understanding their divergent business models and the philosophical beliefs behind any large enterprise."
I raised my hand to ask a question. He looked into my eyes with keen interest. "Yes, Ms. Steele?"
"What about their ethical codes and behavior? Shouldn't those be consistent?" A few students looked at me as though they were impressed.
"That's an excellent point. The downfall for too many attempted mergers is that the ethics for one or both businesses are strictly on paper. Never put into action. Sometimes, it's window dressing that top management personnel don't really believe in nor embrace. If one corporation takes it seriously and the other does not, we've got trouble."
I decide to put him on the spot, at once. "What's the Code of Ethics that GEH embraces?"
He smiles broadly before speaking. "We'll analyze it next week." Christian gives me a searing look then. I hope that doesn't mean I'm going to get spanked after class. In his office.
We move on to the issue of lending next. I doodle dollar signs during that part of the lecture. He asks us to calculate mortgage and lending decisions on the basis of a few examples from our text. That's when the other students drag out their high end calculators. I use the simple one on my smart phone and blush crimson when Grey calls on me. I'm to provide an answer for a case on Company X, that he's displayed on the overhead.
"Would you care to share your conclusions about a lending decision for Company X with the rest of us, Ms. Steele?"
"I'm afraid I've brought the wrong calculator to class, professor." He looks at me with dismay.
"See that you come prepared next time…Who has a conclusion about this matter?"
The other students regard me with derision. Mr. pimples shows me how to calculate the results with his expensive HP App. I nod at him with a grateful look. Christian glares at us. The woman on my left walks us through the answer and her calculations without missing a beat.
Christian praises her and gives her a nod. "Very good, Ms. Brightside. Thank you." She gushes with pride and practically drools at him. She reminds me of a trained seal.
I can't wait for our class to end. Office hours should be fascinating.
AN: What should CG tell Ana during office hours? Is Ana violating campus ethics rules or PSU's sexual harassment policies by signing up for a course that her boyfriend's teaching and grading?