APOV

And the Worst Timing Award goes to: Katherine Kavanagh! We stand in front of the cake as she and Elliot walk into the kitchen.

"Happy birthday Kate," Christian and I say in unison as we step away and show her the cake.

"Oh Ana thank you!" She rushes to me and grabs hold of me in a crushing hug. "You made it too Christian?"

"Well I helped. But I made the frosting."

"Well thank you too." She gives him a quick hug and I can't help but notice Christian stiffens at her touch.

"Christian can you serve the cake while I go get the presents?"

"Sure." I walk into my room and can't help but smile what just almost happened between us. I want to kiss him so badly! Heather has helped me significantly with my slight Haphephobia and my separation anxiety when it comes to Christian. She made a point in saying that some people will only be in our lives for a short while and to make the most of the time we have together. But as charming, sweet, and loving as Christian is, Heather also noted that Christian seems to be making a point on staying in my life for a long time. I blush at the thought of us being alone tomorrow on our hike. Perhaps we could kiss then? Don't get me wrong; there is a part of me that longs for the day we have sex, but the smaller part saying not to gets in the way.

I grab the two identical gifts and head back into the room. Christian beams at me and I flush again as we sit down with the other two.

"This one is from Christian, and this one is from me," I say as I hand Kate her presents. Elliot gives me a quick hug and a pat on the head as he sits next to Kate.

"I already gave the birthday girl her present earlier," Elliot states with a smirk. He bursts into laughter as Kate and I try to conceal our embarrassment. Christian brings my hand to his lips as Kate starts opening the gifts.

"I'll pay you back for whatever you said is from me," he whispers in my ear and I shiver. I was planning on giving her both but now that we're here, why not let her think Christian gave it to her. I just hope it's the right one. She giggles.

"Christian, how did you know I needed lingerie?" She holds up the matching purple bra and thong. Oops, wrong box.

"It was a lucky guess," he states while grinning at me. We laugh as Kate opens the other box and pulls out a silver necklace with a lace-like heart on it. In the center is a tiny purple gem.

"Oh Ana, it's gorgeous! Thank you so much!" She jumps up and gives me a quick hug. After singing to her, we enjoy the cake, which is delicious, and a bottle of wine amongst us. All the laughing has everyone weary after a few hours and we decide it's time for bed. We all share a round of hugs before splitting off to our designated rooms.

"Christian, you can use the bathroom first while I call my parents. The cake was delicious wasn't it?"

"Yes it was. I'm not going to lie, but if we hadn't had the wine, I would have eaten probably three more pieces." I giggle at him while he slips into the bathroom. I do my routine of calling Mom and Bob first before calling Dad. They all know that I'm seeing Christian and have heard many things about him, but I'm hoping tomorrow night's call, it'll be to tell them that we're boyfriend and girlfriend. After getting off the phone with them and changing, I expect Christian to have come in by now, but there's still no sign of him. I walk into the bathroom and brush my teeth and then go into the living room. He's laying a blanket down on the couch. I walk up and silently take his hand and lead him to the bedroom. He gets into bed before I crawl in and lay down in his strong warm arms. I lay my head on his chest, hearing his heart beat a little faster now.

"Ana, I can't tell you how happy I am that I helped you make that cake. I'm successful with things that have to deal with people and businesses, but other things, I feel like I'm a screw-up. Anything that might be out of my control, I could fuck up." I rub my hand comfortingly across his chest. I can feel his strong abs under my touch and unconsciously close my legs.

"Christian, you don't give yourself enough credit. For being a powerful CEO, you let your doubt get in the way sometimes." Looks who's talking! "I know it sounds a little cliché, but you can conquer anything you set your mind to. Please have a little more faith in yourself, for me."

"Anything for you Ana," he mumbles against my forehead before kissing it multiple times before I kiss his bicep and the spot on his chest where his heart is. We sigh our 'goodnights' and let sleep take over us.

The morning light wakes me and as I stretch out my muscles, I grin at the sleeping man beside me. I love seeing him sleeping because he looks like his age, instead of looking stressed and in the CEO mindset. I reach out and stroke his hair away from his forehead and hear him mumble my name in his sleep. God, he's adorable! His shirt has gathered up some on his chest and I see three circular scars just under his bellybutton. Who could have done that to him? His arms tightening around me and pulling me back into his chest interrupt my thoughts. I grin as he nuzzles into my neck and inhales before he kisses my neck. He's told me about his previous "relationships" and how he never wanted a girlfriend, saying he could never be romantic and give them more, but I think he is very wrong. He is very romantic without even trying.

"Good morning beautiful," he mumbles, sleep still present in his voice.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?"

"I was dead as a doorknob, you?"

"I slept fine." He kisses the spot between my eyebrows and stretches out too. I get out of bed and instantly miss his warmth. "I'm going to go make us breakfast before we head out okay?"

"Okay. I'll get dressed and pack our bags." I reach up and kiss him on his cheek before I scurry out to the kitchen.

After the good meal and talking with Elliot and Kate, we head to the nearby park that has enough range to hike in. As we walk hand in hand, we talk and laugh while enjoying the nature around us, but I can't help but marvel at his beauty at times. Even in a simple green t-shirt and black shorts with hiking boots, he is gorgeous. I thought he was hot in a suit but man was I wrong. We stop a little after Noon and find a nice field to eat in.

"I'm glad we brought enough water," he states as he pulls up his shirt to wipe his face. Oh Lord help me! A chisel chest complete with a six-pack is before me as I pull out our food and a blanket. Hot! I see more scars but quickly look away when he pulls his shirt down. "See something you like Ms. Steele?"

"You're so good looking, it's quite unfair to mankind Mr. Grey." Oh my God, did that really come out of my mouth? He laughs as he joins me on the blanket.

"You're one to talk Ms. Steele." I blush at his words before we begin eating and enjoy the beautiful view of a flower-covered field before us, complete with trees dotted here and there. After we eat, he pulls me into his arms and I lay my head back against his chest, loving the way he feels around me. "Ana, before we move forward I need to share something with you that I think will help you better understand me." His grip tightens around me and I kiss his neck, encouraging him. "You know I was adopted, along with Elliot and Mia. But before Grace and Carrick saved me, I lived with my mother. She was into drugs and had a pimp. He burnt me with his cigarettes while my mother was getting high on whatever she was doing. He eventually left and she overdosed on drugs, leaving me alone with her body for several days before neighbors found me. That's why I have scars on my chest and back and that's why I have Haphephobia. Like I told you before, most of the time when people would touch me, it would feel like my skin was on fire and I would scream in pain. But now with you, I crave your touch. You're like the angel I was waiting for." I wipe my tears away before I turn and wrap my arms around him. I try not to let the tears fall, but they do and he gingerly wipes them away. He cups my face and kisses my eyes. "Please don't cry Ana. I hate seeing you upset. It was my past, and I'm hoping you'll be my future." Now. I need to tell him now. I wrap my arms around his center again and lay my head against his chest.

"I think it's time you know about my aversion to you touching me Christian. When I was a freshman in college, a guy in one of my classes, José Rodriguez, asked me out on a date. We went to a local restaurant and were having a great time, until I went to the restroom." He grips me a little closer to his chest. "I was washing up when he came in. I was so shocked to see him, I was too slow to stop him from shoving me against a wall. I tried the moves my dad taught me in self-defense, but he blocked everything. Eventually, he pinned me on the ground and started yanking off my jeans. I tried screaming for help, but the music was too loud. He had just pulled my panties down when a woman came in and pulled him off of me and punched him a few times before he ran away. She called for help as she comforted me while I experienced my first panic attack." He bends down and kisses my head. "When I first started going to my therapist, I learned I got PTSD from the attack and slight Haphephobia, so that's why I haven't been very affectionate with you. And eventually, that's why I started doing Krav Maga."

"What happened to that bastard Ana? I swear is he's out there, I'm going to find him and kill him myself." I rub his arms to try to calm him down.

"He raped another woman and is now rotting in jail as we speak, so please don't get upset Christian."

"Do you happen to know the woman? Did you get her name?" I lean up and cup his face, looking into his concerned eyes.

"It was Kate." I will always be grateful she had to pee that night. He sighs and leans his head against mine.

"I'm giving that woman the biggest hug the next time I see her." I chuckle and kiss his nose before pulling back and looking into his eyes.

"Like you said before Christian, it was my past, and I'm looking forward to a future, with you?" I smile shyly as his face splits in two with his glorious smile.

"So you'll be my girlfriend?"

"Nothing would make me happier Christian. Kiss on it?" He bends his head down and captures my lips softly. Oh how I've longed for this! Our kiss gets a little more heated as I feel his tongue lick my lips asking for entrance, which I allow. Our tongues explore each other's mouths before we have to pull away for air.

"You taste just as sweet as I imagined."

"My thoughts exactly." He chuckles before his lips find mine again. We make-out for a while longer before we head back.

We're walking back when I see a clearing when I stop to take a few pictures of. I look up at Christian, who has stopped and is looking at a map of the park when something catches my eye. Up the cliff side to our left, rocks are falling at high speed, making a b-line for Christian.

"Christian, move!" I jump and fling my arms forward and push him away, just as the rocks come down. I close my eyes and feel the crushing pressure on my ankles.