Contrary to what I believed, Christian had stayed in town. His staying is a sign that even as Christian Grey, he still wants to give us a chance. So many questions remain, but maybe he can answer them.
After the dance was over, my dad and I went with Christian, Lea, and Henry to Karen's Cafe for a late dinner. All negative things were left at the door. Not once did my dad's cancer come up in conversation. My dad was happier than I've ever seen him, but my heart was still breaking. Deep down, I know that I need to mentally prepare myself for the loss that's going to change my life forever. I've lost relatives in the past, but not anyone as close or as important as my dad. I know that I will have photos and memories of him, but they're not the same.
My dad and his friend Tommy decided last night to go to Albuquerque today for a horse show. It's an annual event that my dad has never missed. They left just after 6 because it's a long drive. I was not sure about my dad going, but he assured me that he would be ok. The horse show is something that he's never missed and is not going to break tradition. Christian told my dad that he would help out at the farm since he's still in town.
"Good morning.", Christian says as I walk out the back door. The humidity is already in full force this morning, and I hate it. Henry is pulling into the driveway with a huge grin on his face.
"You know you didn't have to offer to help. Henry and I can manage."
"True, but Christian wanted to help.", Henry says as he walks from his truck. "Plus, it will give you two a chance to stare lovingly into each other's eyes." Good point.
"Your dad has been good to me, and I want to show my appreciation."
"Ok." I can tell he's waiting on me to say more, but I've decided to let him tell me about himself when he's ready.
"That's it?", he asks. "How about I come over tonight so we can talk?" I can see Henry nodding at me to say yes.
"Sure." The three of us get started feeding the horses. Every time I look at the barn, I remember what happened between Christian and I in the loft. It was the best night of my life, but it was also the calm before the storm. Everything changed the day after.
"Ana, it looks like your mom is heading up the driveway.", Henry points to her black Camry. Can the woman not take a hint and just us the hell alone?
"That's your mom?", Christian asks as he wipes the sweat from his face. Even sweat makes him sexy.
"Well, that's Carla." She gets out of the car and saunters over to us. "I think I ask you this every time I see you, but why are you here?"
"Hi Ana, Henry.", she says. Her eyes move to Christian. "Who is this?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but this is my friend Christian."
"Hello Christian."
"Hi", he counters.
"Is your dad inside?", she asks.
"He's gone to a horse show with Tommy." The mention of the name Tommy causes her to laugh. "What's funny?"
"I can't believe your dad is still friends with Tommy. That man and I never got along. He got mad at me one day because I told him he had issues since he was already on his third marriage."
"Tommy has been a good friend to Dad. He's been there for him, unlike some people." I think I literally see steam coming out of her ears. Good.
"I was going to see your dad for a bit, but I'll go since he's not here. Bye Henry and Christian. Ana, I will see you later."
"Don't count on it.", I mumble under my breath. Once she has left, Christian and Henry look they don't know what to say. "Let's get back to work."
The day goes by painfully slow as the heat becomes unbearable. Finally, the day is done and the guys leave. After showering, I change into a white tank with a floral pattern and
denim shorts. Remembering that night in the barn when Christian told me to leave my boots on, I gravitate towards a pair of brown cowboy boots. Just as I'm finishing, I hear a truck and see that it's Christian.
"Hey, come in.", I say as my trembling hands open the screen door for him. I don't know I'm nervous since the man has seen me naked. Maybe it's because he's no longer Christian Trevelyan. He's still the same man.
"You look beautiful." Dressed in jeans and a dark blue dress shirt, he is already making me wet.
"Thanks. Let's go into the living room to talk." I motion for him to sit down and pray that he sits in one of the chairs and not next to me on the sofa. No such luck.
"You seem nervous. Are you all right.", he asks as I move away from him. "Are you uncomfortable with me? Ana, you have no reason to be nervous."
"It's just weird now that I know you're not Christian Trevelyan." The arrogant bastard laughs.
"I was partially telling the truth because my name is Christian Trevelyan Grey. The name may be different, but my feelings for you are the same. My touch is still the same.", he whispers, inching closer to me.
"Hold it right there buckaroo. You came here to talk so let's talk."
"All right. Where do you want me to start?"
"What brought you to Logan?"
"After Cara's death, I needed to get away from where I lived, Seattle. I just had to escape from that life, my life.", he sighs, running his hands through his unruly hair. "My main security guy Jason Taylor saw that I needed a break. So, he told me about Logan. His great aunt Nancy Taylor used to live her, and she told him about how peaceful and stress free the town was. Even though Taylor never visited here, his aunt's memories stuck with him."
"I'm so sorry about everything with Cara. That wasn't your fault."
"That's something that I'm slowly coming to terms with.", he smiles.
"Does your family know that you're here?"
"No. I told them that I'm in Europe for an extended period for work." I see pain in his eyes as he speaks of his family. My hand reaches out for his. "Only Taylor and my right hand woman at work, Ros, know where I really am. Ros has handled things at my company while I email and keep in contact via phone."
"Wow.", I say as I try to process everything that he's just told me. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Meeting you was not my plan, but you make me feel emotions that I never knew existed. It was like I was in a dream that I didn't want to wake up from. I was afraid the minute I told you who I really was,the dream would be over, and I'd wake up." Oh
"Thank you.", I smile. "Do you want some dinner?"
"Sure." He follows me into the kitchen, and I find myself wanting him. Just like the last time we were in the kitchen, our tongues are soon dancing in the other's mouth. His erection is pushing against me, turning me on even more. I feel his skilled hands slip underneath my shirt and begin massaging my breast.
"I want to be in you so bad, so deep." Glancing at the clock on the wall, I see how late it's getting and know that we need to stop because my dad will be home soon.
"My dad will be home soon.", I pant as he starts going towards the zipper of my shorts.
"We'll be fast.", he says. I realize that even though he's opened to me, I still don't know him completely.
Pushing him away, I adjust my blouse. "Until I get to know Christian Grey better, there will be no intimacy. He stares at me without saying a word, but I already feel myself caving. "Fine, maybe some kissing. That's it."
"You mean no forking?", he pouts. I'm horrified at his words. "One of my favorite things about you is how you talk in your sleep."
"Maybe after I get to know Christian Grey better we can fork.", I giggle.
"Or we can spork. Spoon and then fuck, or fuck and then spoon.", he laughs. Suddenly, a thought comes to mind.
"You know you have to go back home eventually, right?" The look in his eyes tells me that he knows what I'm getting at. "What happens with us."
"You can come to Seattle." I realize that I haven't told him about my dad's change in health.
"No. I can't. Christian, my dad is dying." I feel a floodgate of tears opening. "No matter how many times I say it, it doesn't get easier." His arms pull me in as he holds me.
"Ana, I'm sorry."
"He's dying. What am I going to do without my dad?"