A/N: I really do appreciate that you all like my story.
Just one thing I forgot to mention and now can't find the review to respond to it: The NDA Christian gave to his subs is different to the one given to staff. Ana's NDA therefore did not forbid interaction with his family.
Previous disclaimers apply
Important: I won't be able to update tomorrow, therefore I'm posting another update for today and will post again on Wednesday.
Chapter 12: Shocking news and admitting feelings before going to bed.
Christian POV:
"Clearly you're too busy pissing her off and kissing her in mom's bathroom to dig around like your usual self." After he answers my question, I'm coming back to that statement.
"Her ex-boss, Elliot." I say again, this time annoyed.
"Kate told me that he sexually assaulted her, she physically assaulted him, they paid her to keep quiet, she left." Who would do such a thing to her? Sexual assault. Sexual assault. Sexual fucking assault. Oh hell...Ana was sexually assaulted! I think my brain got stock on repeat.
"Can you fucking give me more than that? You cannot say shit like that and then keep quiet!" I'm feeling physically sick right now and it's got nothing to do with the flu.
"Geez, calm yourself. Anyway, apparently she told Kate that he liked being in her personal space too much but since he was her boss, she let it go as she didn't want to piss him off. One night they were working late and she was supposed to leave with him on a trip to New York and he decided that just being close to her wasn't enough anymore. Moron that he is, ripped her blouse and when he went for her bra, she punched him in the nose. He slapped her in her face and it seems that set the tiger free. She didn't like that very much." And then he laughs while I'm frozen with horror. I'm digging into this matter as soon as I get my hands on Taylor.
"I fail to see what the fuck is so funny."
"She grabbed that very hand and bent it, breaking two fingers in the process. Then, with her free hand, she grabbed his family jewels and took him to his knees. While the poor guy was in agony, she delivered a blow to his ribs, apparently cracking some. It's awesome because Kate says he's not really a small guy either." Ana must be right and I am insane as I fail to see the fucking awesome part. "Anyway, he landed up in hospital and then got six months for assault. Ana was offered a cash pay-out and letter of recommendation and she left because she couldn't stand walking into that building again." Then he leans forward, all serious again. "Kate said she cried for two days straight when the adrenaline left her body. She thought it was over what happened, but turns out it was because your girl has a love for books and being in publishing was her dream. She feels the prick took that from her."
"He got six months?" I think I'm in shock.
"First offence or some shit like that. I think the judge took pity on his ass due to his condition after Ana was finished with him. That shit must be hu-fucking-miliating for a guy like that." He says oh-so-casually and sit back.
I'm not feeling the same way though. No, I'm plotting revenge. No one touches my girl like that and gets a fucking slap on the wrist. Six fucking months? Our legal system astounds me some times. That's what you get for stealing a watch not traumatizing a woman.
And she loves books. That's good to know. I can totally see myself going into publishing. Why not, I'm doing all kinds of shit anyway?
But now I'm her boss…
"Taking all that into consideration, Elliot, do you think she will…?" I don't finish. I don't need to. I can see he gets where I'm going.
"In a heartbeat. You're a good man, Christian. I know you don't think so, but you are. All the shit made you a good person. It just took a good woman to bring it out." He says sincerely and if he thinks so, it should be possible.
"What if I hurt her?" Not physically, I'm done with that shit. For the first time ever, I just want a normal life with a good woman who won't take shit from me. I found the woman, but everything seems so messed up that I fail to see the light at the end of the damn three month tunnel. I'm not a patient man and I know what I want. I'm not waiting three months. Fuck that. We can make it work. I think.
"What if you don't?" he counters and he's got a point. "Mom said she walked in this morning in the middle of a very heavy argument."
"I had a nightmare last night." I say and see the pity in his eyes. "She woke me up and then stayed with me. I never slept so peacefully in all my life. I woke up and she was gone. I was pissed and hurt and that was a recipe for disaster. I didn't even have to wait long. I think I was awake ten minutes before the shit hit the fan. She was having tea with Taylor on the patio." Elliot doesn't see the problem. "She left me alone in bed to have tea with Taylor."
"And you were jealous?"
"That's an understatement. She could have tea with me. I just want her to want to spend time with me. When it seems that she doesn't want to, I get pissed and lash out at her for other shit." I explain and no it doesn't make sense, but that's how I feel.
"Did you ask her to spend time with you?" He asks.
"Don't be stupid. Of course I didn't. Anyway, how's things with Kate?" Time to get off the topic.
"A damn roller coaster man. But I'm liking every moment of it. She's amazing. I think we may have found love at the same time, Bro."
Love? I think he is over exaggerating or insanity comes with being adopted.
Ana POV:
Christian was sleeping so peacefully that I actually didn't want to leave him. He is frustrating and amazing. There's no denying it. I fell for my boss. I'm such an idiot and such a cliché. No matter how much he pisses me off, I can't wait to see him when I don't. His smile makes my heart stop. Luckily it's very rare as I might not survive. When he lets his guard down, I want to kiss and hug him. When he puts it back up, I want to kill him.
"How's Mr. Moneybags?" Kate asks as we wait for the take out. We could have ordered in, but I wanted to get out for a while to clear my head. I'm so confused.
"Awesome," I say softly before I can stop myself and then quickly change that. "Frustrating."
"Frustratingly awesome? Okay." She looks at me with a broad smile. "You fell for him, didn't you?"
"Totally and hopelessly, Kate." I say honestly. "I'm so screwed. College graduate turns walking cliché. Just what every parent wants for their only daughter." I sulk.
"He cares about you. Everyone says how much he changed since he met you." I smile.
"It's because he keeps his bad moods for me. He needs to be on top of his game to take me on and if he wastes his temper, I might win. He won't like that." And the smile turns into a grin. I even like fighting with him.
"Just imagine what the make-up sex would be like. Heaven knows you two get enough foreplay with all the fighting." I glare at her and she laughs. "Please, I've seen that man pissed and that is a hot look on him. If I didn't have the perfect boyfriend and he wasn't such a big ass, I would totally do him."
Laughing, we walk back to the car and when I see Jason, I remember that he didn't hold up his part of the deal.
"You owe me, Jason." He smiles as he opens the door.
"You were both sleeping peacefully. I couldn't wake you." He says and I smile with how considerate he was. It was a nice nap. "I only tried to keep the peace. All that fighting is exhausting. My stomach is not used to so much laughter." And then he screws it up.
"I'm glad I'm your source of entertainment these days. I hope you're enjoying yourself."
"I hope you never leave." He says sincerely and I smile. What can I really say to that?
When we get back to Christian's apartment, we find him and Elliot in the living room and a fire burning. Both of them are looking utterly relaxed, even though Christian is looking a bit pre-occupied. Kate takes the food and places it on the center table while I get plates and cutlery.
"What did you get?" Asks Elliot.
"Ana wanted pasta and I wanted pizza so we got both. What would you like, babe?" Kate asks and Elliot beams at the endearment.
"Pizza first." He answers and I hand Kate a plate to give him two slices of pizza. Then I turn to Christian.
"What would you like, Christian?" I ask him and I would have loved to use an endearment instead of his name. You could use boss. Then there's that.
"Pasta please." He answers without a smile. I wonder what he's thinking when he gets that look in his eyes.
When we've all gotten food, I sit down next to Christian and he puts his blanket over my legs as well. I sit back against the couch and where our legs touch I feel a tingle. I don't know how to separate these feelings from what I should be feeling. Being here with him like this makes it too easy to forget that I'm the employee and he is my employer. But I just can't get myself to leave. I like seeing him like this. Relaxed and acting his age. I wish I was more like Kate who firmly believes in living in the moment.
After dinner, Kate and I clean up and Elliot comes into the kitchen to tell Kate that it's time for them to go. He tells me that Christian is resting on the couch and thanks me again for taking care of him. I walk them out and close the door when their gone, leaning against the closed door. I've never been this unsure of anything before. I'm confused. Most of all, I'm terrified that these feelings are one sided. How do you push something that feels this strong to the side and forget about it? I'm a feelings person. Simply put, for me it's not a possibility. Then again, I don't have much of a choice.
Pulling myself together I walk into the great room to find Christian sleeping peacefully on the couch. The combination of medicine and wine again proving that it's not advisable. I should wake him up to go to bed, but he looks so comfortable that I would hate to wake him up. If he turns however, he will fall and probably hit his head on the floor. Walking slowly over to him, I take the blanket and fold it up to put it back over the back of the couch. Then I bent down in front of the couch, running my hand through his hair to coax him awake.
"Christian," I call softly and my heart soars when I see a smile forming, "Christian, wake up. It's time to go to bed."
He opens his eyes slowly and gaze at me with an emotion that my fragile state of mind can simply not handle right now. It takes everything in me not to bend down and kiss his lips which looks so soft from his short slumber. Not saying a word, he stands up and takes my hand in his. I'm shocked when he walks straight to his bedroom, never letting go of my hand. When we reach the bed, I begin to feel nervous and very unsure of myself and what to do right now.
Taking the lead, Christian takes of his shirt and then gets into bed. He holds out his hand for me to join him, so I sit down on the edge of the bed and remove my shoes and socks. I decide to get comfortable. With my back to him, I take off my shirt and bra and then pick up his shirt to put it on. I take of my jeans and let it fall to the floor before moving back and getting into bed. He covers me with the duvet before putting his arms under it and around my waist.
"I like having you in my arms," He says softly and then buries his face in my hair. I have never felt this level of contentment before. It's like I'm right where I belong and truthfully, I don't have it in me to keep fighting against myself.
"I like being in your arms," I whisper and feel the need to state the obvious. "We shouldn't though. You're my boss." He only tightens his arm around me and pull me closer to him.
"I would fire you right now if I didn't know that I would miss walking into my office and you weren't there to fight with." He says before I hear him chuckle. "You are damn sexy when you're pissed, baby."
Oh. Holy. Cow. My heart just stopped. Wine and medication is not good and I warned him not to do drink wine.
"You look pretty hot yourself when you're pissed," I say and then he kisses the back of my head.
If it weren't for my little secret, that's sure to shock him into another blood group, I would turn around and see where this could go. That, and the fact that he's sick of course. And let's not forget intoxicated. Maybe it's the medicine making him more likable, more adorable. Maybe it's just because we are not deliberately trying to piss each other off. Maybe it's because I finally admitted to myself and Kate that I've fallen for this man. I, Anastasia Steele, fell in love with her boss. And right this minute, I simply do not care.
"I would miss you too," I say more to myself as I assumed he fell asleep again.
"That's very good to know." He says sleepily and ten we fell asleep in each other's arms.
I wake up and stretch my arms and legs slowly and I can't remember the last time I woke up this refreshed and ready to tackle a new day. Tomorrow is Monday and everything will be back to normal. Waking up alone however was not what I expected. I throw off the cover and stand to go to the bathroom when the door opens. Christian walks out of the bathroom, hot steam escaping into the cold bedroom. He's naked and wet and with a fluffy white towel wrapped around his lower waist. My heart didn't stop this time as I can literally feel hot blood running through my veins.
My breaths comes short and fast. My cheeks are flushed. My eyes are wide. My teeth biting into my lip. When I see his dark eyes run over my body, I look down and damn, I forgot about me being in only his shirt and my panties. Although right now, I'm wearing more than what he is. Silently he walks over to me and pulls me tightly against him. I look up just as he looks down and our lips are so, so close. I remember that this man is my boss. The problem is, the fact that he is wet, naked, wearing only a towel and holding me in his arms, completely made me forget what the word boss means.
A/N: Come on, let's face it. A weekend alone with the two of them, there was no way that nothing would have happened. There are two chapters for chapter 13-15 depending on whether she leaves before things get out of hand or she stays.
