Chapter 12

Christian's POV

For the second night in a row, I have experienced a nightmare-free sleep. I know it is because Ana has slept in my arms. She keeps the night terrors at bay. She calms my troubled soul and she makes me happy. I smile when she is around for no apparent reason. Hell, I smile when I think about her.

She is asleep right now and cuddled close to my body. I can smell the honey lavender of her hair shampoo and conditioner and the sweet scent of her womanly aroma. She smells like home, you know that warm cinnamon aroma that one can smell when they come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I traced my finger softly along her jawline. Her skin is so soft. She feels like silk. My finger then traces over those full lips that I love to kiss. Her kisses are so sweet and they make my blood boil with desire. I never knew kissing could be so fulfilling. I didn't kiss the Subs, that is to personal. I laugh at the remark of kissing being too personal when I did more than personal things to those women. I feel Ana begin to stir. She is adorable as she wakes with a little pout dipping her bottom lip. It's like her body is upset that it must wake up. Those bright blue eyes snap open and she realizes that she is in her bed with me.

"Good Morning, Beautiful."

"Hey." She replied shaking the sleep off her fogged mind.

"I don't know about you but I slept like a baby." I kiss her softly. I have to stay under control. We haven't made love yet but it's getting harder and harder to remain in that control. I want this woman like I have never wanted anything before but I am waiting until she is ready. I know she is still unsure about having a relationship with me because we work together and that fact that she knows about my past. I can't blame her, I'm one fucked up individual. "I was thinking we could clean up and head out to my parents."

"Uh…is that a good idea? I mean…" Her voice drops off. There it is again; the worry.

"Baby, they have to meet you and I know they will love you." I have to laugh. "And, they will be shocked. I've never brought a woman home for them to meet. Actually, they've always thought I was gay."

She gives me a tender smile because she had wondered the same thing. Of course, she knows the truth about me and yet here I am in her bed holding her close.

"I will go get some coffee going then take a shower." She starts to get out of bed but I pull her back and kiss her once again. Her lips respond to me so sweetly. "Christian," She laughs between my kisses. "Remember coffee, shower, and your parents."

"You go shower and I'll make the coffee."

I watch her skip off to her bathroom. I am head over heels in love, lust, or whatever with this woman. She owns me. Ana has the power to destroy me if she so wants and that does scare me, but the thrill is more than sexy.

Ana's POV

The hot water showers down on me as I stand alone with my own thoughts. I am a mixture of fear, excitement, and some unknown emotion that I do not recognize. Christian Grey is in my bed and for the second night in a row we have slept in each other's arms. This is something I have never done before. I don't share my bed with anyone, but yet, here he is. How did I get here? When I started working for this man I promised that it would stay professional and I thought it would be easy. If I am honest, yes, I found him very attractive, but I also found him difficult. There have been times that I didn't even like him. I did my job which was to make his office run smoothly and to handle him. I did it well and efficiently then I was out the door. Now, my boss is sleeping in my bed. Fuck! This will not end well for us. We are both fucked up and we will destroy each other. I need control, he needs control and I know that he has conferred much control to me, but that won't last long. Christian eats, breaths, sleeps, and lives for control. We are too much alike. I like controlling my life with strict rules and procedures. Every part of my life is planned and on schedule. Now, this man blows into my perfect little world and has me in a tizzy. I do think about him more than I should, but I blame it on the job. Of course, I have to think about him, it's part of my job. However, I don't think sleeping with him is part of my job description. Now sex is part of the equation. I don't do sex. Frankly, the idea of sex scares the hell out of me. I've seen it's destructive qualities. Maybe, I am just frigid. I know it's because of my abandonment issues due to Carla running off with every man she spread her legs for. How can I make a sexual being like Christian Grey happy? Maybe, I should just end this now. It would protect him and me. Neither of us needs to be jacked over.

I am dressed in jeans and a light blue sweater. I've braided my long hair and let the fat braid fall over one shoulder. I wear casual and light make-up. When I get to my kitchen, Christian has the coffee ready and a steaming cup is waiting on me with a note from him telling me that he ran up to his apartment to shower and change. I almost called his cell and tell him not to bother to come back, but a part of me wants to see him again. To say that I am conflicted is an understatement. I am a fucking mess! I want him but I am scared shitless to even think about letting him have me. What if we have sex and I am horrible at it? What if he hurts me? Oh, shit what if he needs to beat me so he can excited? My heart is racing in fear. He is a Dom. He says he doesn't need that anymore, but I don't believe him. He has been in that lifestyle more than half his life. It's want he knows and accepts and it's something that disgusts me. I have to end this. This is just madness. I am vanilla and he is chocolate-covered sex on legs. We are too different. I really don't want hearts and flowers, but I don't want to be hit or beaten. I want something, but I don't know what it is.

There is silence between Christian and Ana as they ride to Bellevue where Christian's parents live. Both are lost in their thoughts and doubts. Christian took her hand and softly squeezed it. "Don't stress out, baby. My family will adore you. Mom and Dad have already met you so this is just formalities."

"Christian, why me? I'm not what you like…I'm far from submissive."

"That is why it's you. I like that you challenge me." His long fingers caressed her hand. "I'm bored with what I know. I always thought that it gave me some measurement of peace but it has left me empty. You come into my life and I feel alive."

"What if…"

"Hey, let's not think about the 'what ifs" today. Just relax and enjoy this day." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

Ana could feel the heat of his mouth against her skin. "I will try to relax."

Grace's POV

I am nervous. My youngest son is bringing a girl home for Sunday Brunch. He has never brought a girl home. To tell you the truth, I really thought the boy was gay. He never dated in high school or in college. He skipped all school dances and even his Prom. Of course, now I know why…that fucking bitch Elena Lincoln. She stole my son's innocence. She stole his childhood. She hurt him. I want so much to have thirty minutes with that bitch. I would beat her within a minute of her death then watch with glee as she died in front of me. Even though I am a doctor and took an oath to 'first do no harm' I would let her die. I know that sounds very un-doctor like of me, but my rage is clouding my good reasoning.

I hear the familiar sound of that Audi SUV roll in front of the house. Carrick and I open the door so we can greet our youngest and I see her. Goodness she is a pretty little thing, even prettier than I remember. This petite woman rules my CEO son's offices? She is slender but well formed. Her hair is in a braid but I can see the rich chocolate color of it and I know it must be long. When I see Christian putting his arm about her waist I can't help but smile. He is looking down at her with warmth and love. I have seen my son's first and only love. As they approach, I notice those vivid blue eyes. She is more than pretty, she is beautiful and I mean a true beautiful. Not the kind of beauty that comes from makeup and fashion, but the true beauty that comes from within the soul. I want, no, I need to embrace her. When Christian introduces us in his formal CEO tone I ignore her offered hand and I hug her warmly. She is reserved at first, then I feel her body relax against mine and her arms hug me back. I pull back with tears in my eyes. I love this little girl already. It was an instant emotion that I felt that I can't explain. The minute I embraced her, I knew she would be my daughter some day. I turn to Christian who is complaining that he is here also and that he is my son and give him a kiss on his offered cheek but I am careful not to touch his chest. Carrick is hugging Ana now and shaking Christian's hand.

Christian leads this beautiful creature into the house and into our family room where the rest of the family is waiting. He is proud to announce that this woman is here with him. I see Mia screech with joy as she jumps up and hugs Ana with gusto. My little Mia is a fireball of energy and I pray that Ana isn't offended by the constant questions and plans that comes from Mia. Elliot is being Elliot the flirt when he greets Ana and I see Christian stiffen. I was worried for a few seconds that Christian would lose his temper until I see him wrap his arms about Ana's waist and she gently patted his clasped hands. She has a calming effect on him. She smiled at Elliot and said hello, but she was not blown away with his sexy little smile and mischievous dancing eyes. Elliot then introduces the girl that he has been dating for about two weeks. Her name is Katherine Kavanagh, a reporter for the Seattle Times and the daughter of one of our acquaintances. She is pretty, tall, and blonde, just Elliot's type. I have to wonder how long she will keep Elliot's attention. He's known as Seattle's Playboy. The rumor is that he has slept with most of Seattle's eligible women. I am shocked as Kate, as she likes to be referred to, jumps up screaming Ana's name and shoots into her arms. Damn, that girl is louder than Mia. I'm not sure if I like this woman yet. She seems too brash for my tastes. She isn't Anastasia Steele. I am shocked to learn later on that Ana and Kate had known each other in college and even lived together for a year. I never learned why their living arrangement ended, but I can almost guess. Kate is as sexually free as Elliot is and Ana was more reserved. She didn't flaunt her beauty or her sex appeal. I do like this young lady that my youngest son has brought home.

Brunch is very casual and served in cafeteria style. Everywhere that Ana goes, Christian is beside her. The family notices that this is a new Christian Grey. He is laughing. He is having fun with his family. However, most importantly, he is touching Ana and she is touching him. Grace had found them after brunch on the patio embracing and Ana's hands were on his chest for a slight moment then traced up over his shoulders and clasped behind his head as they kissed. Christian never flinched but accepted her touch. Ana had forgotten about his aversion to touching his chest and she quickly apologized with a kiss. He only smiled down at her.

"It didn't hurt." He whispered. Their foreheads were against each other. "I like you."

Ana giggled as she stood on her tippy-toes. "That's good, because I am liking you and being here. I was so nervous, but your family is very welcoming and warm. I really like your Mother."

"Isn't she great?" He kissed her little up-turned nose. "We should go back in or Elliot will be accusing of us having sex out here on the patio." She snorted a laugh. "Yeah, my brother is a horn-dog."

"Oh, really, I've never noticed." She joked causing them both to fall into laughter.

Carrick was observing his youngest son with this Anastasia Steele. He had to admit that she was a calming influence on Christian. What got Carrick's attention was that Christian was always touching this woman. He had to smile. Christian was in love and all Carrick wanted to do was to embrace Ana and tell her thank you.

For any relationship to be formed, Ana knew that there would have to be guidelines. This couldn't affect their work. She didn't want the gossips at work to make them the stars of a some work soap opera.

Christian agreed that they would keep a low profile for a while, but he warned her that he wanted everyone to know that he was in a relationship with her. They dated quietly going to dinners by themselves and with Elliot and whatever girl he was with for that evening. He was still dating Kate off and on, but nothing serious. All was going well until some photographer got a shot of Ana and Christian at dinner holding hands. The picture went viral in seconds and the whole world knows that Christian Grey has a girlfriend. The next few days were pure hell for Ana and the PR department.

Ana walked into Christian's apartment and dropped her briefcase. Tonight they were staying at his place. She went into the kitchen to find Mrs. Jones fixing their dinner.

"Good evening, Miss Steele."

"Good evening, Mrs. Jones." Ana sat at the island and saw the day's newspapers. The photo of her and Christian was yelling up at her. She picked it up and read the caption.

Seattle's own multi-billionaire The Christian Grey has a girlfriend, his Office Manager and Personal Attendant, Miss Anastasia Steele. It seems they are very personal with each other.

"What crap!" She said a loud. "There are countries wanting to blow the hell out of each other and all these newspapers can write about is Christian's personal life. There is something very wrong with journalism now days."

Mrs. Jones smiled at the young woman that she was fond of in so many ways. In the last couple of weeks, there had been a change in her employer. Christian seemed to be happy. "Would you like a glass of wine or a cup of tea?"

"Wine, please?" Ana threw the paper off to the side. "I'm going to go clean up and find some comfortable clothes."

"Dinner will be in about thirty minutes. Mr. Taylor called and said they would be here in about twelve minutes.
Ana only nodded and took herself off to Christian's bedroom. She showered quickly and slid into one of Christian's t-shirts and a pair of yoga pants that she left. She dried her hair quickly then threw her hair up into a ponytail. By the time she returned to the kitchen Christian was sitting and having a glass of wine. She gave him a kiss on his cheek then on his lips as a welcome.

"A man could get used to this." He said with a smile.

"Well, we are personal with each other according to the newspapers." She sat on his lap where he put her. "They are never going to leave us alone. If this starts to affect my work or disrupt your business I will resign."

"Honey, stop worrying. It's all good." He took a sip of his wine. "Listen, this will blow over."

"Who in the hell are you and what have you done with Christian Grey who hates the press?"

"Fuck 'em." He said shrugging. "This is what it is."

"And, what is this?" She motioned between them. "What are we doing?"

"Ana, we are falling in love with each other." He answered amazed that she didn't know this.

The word "love" made Ana panic. She hopped off his lap. "You don't do love, remember? I don't do love or sex. How can you be happy with me?"

"It will happen in time, when you are ready." He said but he was more than ready to take her to bed. He dreamed about it every single minute of the day. He wanted her like he had never wanted a woman before.

"Christian, what if I can't? Maybe, you should find someone else. I'm not right for you or for anyone like this."

"Stop this! Damn it, Ana, you are not your mother." He said losing his temper for the first time in weeks. "She really fucked you up didn't she?" He brushed his hands threw his copper curls. "It's time for you to work this out. I'm making you an appointment with John Flynn."