A/N: Thank you for the reviews and feedback. They are very much appreciated.

I do not own the characters. They belong to E.L. James.

I stare back into his intense gray eyes. I am his? Am I? I don't know how I feel about his declaration. On one hand it's so territorial and possessive….but I've figured that Christian is all about possessiveness, he even said it in our interview….I didn't realize that meant people too. But I'm not too surprised about this discovery.

On the other hand, it's sexy as fuck. He's staked his claim and I'm it. This man could have anyone, and I mean anyone…and he wants me. Am I his? I know I don't want anyone else. I'm caught in his web, and I like it here….truth be told, I love it here. It's sexy and forbidden, it's so Christian.

I look back into his intense gaze and smile.

"Christian…I…"

"Hush" He places his index finger over my lips.

He kisses me, urgently, passionately. I hear a low groan coming from the back of his throat as he presses his erection into me. My pelvis instinctively rises to meet him, desperate for the connection.

His hands skim up and down the outside of my shirt, grazing over the side of my breasts, down my waist to my hips. I tilt my head slightly. He kisses from just behind my ear down my neck. I want him. I didn't know you could want something, someone this desperately.

"You're so beautiful Anastasia" he whispers in my ear. "So beautiful"

I close my eyes and melt from his words. I want to touch him, feel closer to him. I try to loosen my hands from his grip above my head, but he holds them tighter.

"Christian please let go of my hands. I want to touch you" I whisper.

And like a bucket of ice water was just thrown on us, the temperature in the room plummets.

He lets go of my hands and sits up. What did I say? What did I do wrong? I don't understand how he could go from scorching hot to ice cold in a millisecond.

I sit up next to him. My lips are swollen from all the kissing and I'm sure my braid is a mess from rolling around the floor.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask.

"No. I should go." he quickly answers.

Why does he always want to leave when things get real between us? I don't understand. He stands up, and extends his hand out to me to help me up. What the hell is happening?

He straightens himself out and clears his throat.

"Thank you for dinner Ana." He says casually.

"Christian. Why are you leaving so suddenly?"

"It's time to go. I have some work to catch up on tonight." He grabs his leather jacket.

He's lying. I know he's lying.

I purse my lips and study his face. Unlike me, who wears her emotions on her sleeve, Christian has perfected his poker face. I can't read him at all.

Then it dawns on me. I've connected the dots…I know when things turn cold for us.

"You don't want me to touch you, do you?"

He's in the midst of putting his arm through the sleeve of his leather jacket when he freezes. He looks at me with a cold stare. Obviously I've touched a nerve.

"If you had read the contract that was drawn for us, you would be familiar with my rules and limits."

"Is not touching you a rule or limit?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"It just is"

I tilt my head and try to figure this man out…I don't think it's possible.

"Ok."

"That's it? Just ok?"

"What do you want me to say? Christian, I asked you to give me time to trust you. You need to trust me too. If that's a limit for you, for whatever reason…I respect that"

"That's it Miss Steele? You'll obey this rule? " he looks a little relieved. Of course he had to work the word obey in his sentence.

"I'm respecting your rule, not obeying you. But yes, if that's what you want." I correct him.

"I do enjoy that smart mouth, Miss Steele. I'm going to kiss that smart mouth again. You need to be kissed repeatedly... by someone who knows how to kiss you properly."

Oh my God. Did he just say that? Mercurial as usual, hot and cold…but when he's hot, holy fuck…he is scorching hot. I want to straddle him. He drops his jacket to the floor and grabs me by my waist, pulling me close to him.

"There are other things I know how to do to you I know you'll enjoy as well" he playfully whispers. I know I'm bright crimson.

He stands close to me, placing his index finger under my chin and tilts my face up to him.

"You really are quite beautiful, Anastasia"

He kisses me, gently. I fist his hair, pulling him down to me. I know this is ok, as I've done this before...in fact, I think he likes it. He groans and our kiss becomes more urgent. His fingers furiously begin to unbutton my blouse, his hand cups my breast over my lace bra.

His hand reaches around my back. I know where this is leading.

"Christian" I whisper.

"I want you. Let me make love to you Anastasia"

"I, I'm just not ready"

"We can take it slow baby. I want to be inside of you. I want to worship you."

His words are making me weak, but I know it's not the right time….not yet.

"Christian, please" I plea.

"Very well" he takes a step back and buttons up my blouse.

"Please don't be angry with me"

"I'm not angry Ana. Trust me; anger is not what I'm feeling right now" He says through his clenched teeth, his eyebrows are furrowed.

"I just need a little more time"

"I should go" he bends down to pick up his leather jacket.

"You don't have to leave"

"I do. I don't think that I can control myself anymore around you tonight."

I look down, knotting my fingers.

He grabs my chin and lifts my head up to look at him.

"Hey, don't overthink this. Believe me; I want to fuck you until next Sunday. And I will, someday. But I have to go before I'm no longer responsible for my actions."

"Ok" I murmur.

I walk him to the front door. We gaze at each other. He lightly kisses my lips and kisses my forehead.

"I'll be in touch."

I nod. My stomach is in knots. I know he said not to overthink this, but I can't help feeling like I blew it. Maybe it was unreasonable for me to expect a man who is so sexual to be with someone like me, who doesn't jump at his sexual prowess. And as always, Christian is being a gentleman about it.

"Good night Ana" he caresses my cheek.

"Good night Christian"

I close the door and sigh. Goodbye Christian.

~~~xxx~~~

CPOV:

I hate these Galas. So fucking dull. But it's a necessary evil, as far as networking is concerned. I've made some of my best connections at these functions and the fairway. I do what I must, if it's in the best interest of building up the business.

I've spent most of the day catching up with work emails and issues and thinking about Ana.

She's frustrating me on so many levels…both mentally and physically. I don't know if I'm cut out for this…normal relationship. Thoughts of her are beginning to consume me. I feel myself weakening around her, my control slipping...this is a concept I'm not comfortable with. It all goes back to having a submissive, I wouldn't have to deal with these issues and my life would certainly be in better order. My rules and limits would be a non issue because I know they would be followed precisely as stated. I'd have complete control. The trade off to that scenario is I wouldn't have Ana.

There's a hand on my shoulder. I turn to look and see a familiar face.

"Christian, I didn't know you would be at this function"

"I'm a major benefactor, Elena. I have to be here. Why are you here?"

"I'm a guest of Bill Webb, he's one of Esclava's biggest suppliers. His boyfriend couldn't make it. He asked me to keep him company. "

"What will Isaac think?" I joke.

"Isaac's job is not to think, it's to serve."

"Spoken like a true Mistress"

"Are you still involved with your new pet?"

"Watch it Elena. I do not appreciate you referring to Anastasia that way. You know she isn't into the scene"

"Really Christian, don't; be so oversensitive. I was only joking"

Bullshit. Elena doesn't joke about anything.

I ignore her statement.

"Are you still seeing this Anastasia?" she asks.

"Yes" I nod.

"How is it working out for you?"

"Fine"

"You answered rather bluntly Christian, Is there trouble?" She raises an eyebrow.

"No. Everything is fine"

"Of course, I only want to help. Remember, I'm your friend. Your happiness is all I'm after"

"Thank you. Everything is good. "

"Do you miss it?"

"I'm adjusting"

"That's not an answer Christian"

"That's the answer you're going to get Elena"

"So touchy. Of course, I would never tell you what to do, but I don't want to see you unhappy, pretending to be someone you and I both know you're not. Your best interests are all I care about"

I know Elena has always been there for me, as a friend and confidant.

"I appreciate that. There are something's I need to work out. I'm certain I'll come up with a satisfactory solution"

Like how to get around Ana's need to touch me and my need to control her.

"Care to share it with me? Maybe I can help"

"Not here. Perhaps another time or place".

"Of course"

'Well, I should get back making my rounds so I can get the fuck out of here. Have a pleasant evening Elena"

I speak with a few CEOs and board members. Some are fairly intelligent, others are complete imbeciles.

Someone knocks into me. Christ.

"Oh, I'm so clumsy. Forgive me"

A very attractive brunette with piercing green eyes and pale skin looks me over. She licks her lips and seductively smiles.

"It's fine" I say.

"Aren't you Christian Grey?"

"Yes"

"Lorna Gates. Very nice to meet you."

I recognize her from articles I've read. Apparently she's an actress with a long list of movie star men she's bedded. I pretend I don't know who she is.

"Hello" I nod.

"These events are rather dull aren't they?"

I don't answer.

"Look, I'm going to get straight to the point. I don't believe in wasting time with formalities. I'd like to get out of here and fuck you senseless."

Usually a woman so straight forward would be a complete turn off to me. But I'm frustrated as hell and need a release.

"I can be anyone you want to be tonight, Mr. Grey. You can do anything, and I mean anything, you want to me. I can be a very naughty girl, if you want me to be."

The playroom instantly pops into my head. This woman could use a good caning.

"That's an interesting offer Miss Gates. But I'll have to pass. Have a pleasant evening"

I walk away.

~~~xxx~~~

APOV:

I haven't heard a peep from Christian all day. I knew I wasn't going to see him today, but I guess I was hoping I'd at least hear something from him.

The more I get to know him, the more I like him…a lot. I hope I haven't set myself up for heartbreak. Here I go again...overthinking. He told me not to overthink his leaving last night. He was trying to do the honorable thing and leave before things got more heated than I was ready for. After he left, I have to admit, I was frustrated too, like a fire was lit inside of me and I'm desperate for him to extinguish it. He's made me feel...sexual...even without the sex.

I bet it would be really good between us. The sex. Maybe I am ready.

It's interesting that he doesn't want to be touched. I wonder what brought that on...maybe it stems from that horrible woman who molested him when he was fifteen. God only knows what kind of scars he has from that relationship. It explains why he's always holding both my hands when we're kissing. I hope he learns to trust me. I would never make him feel uncomfortable, which I guess, when I think about it, is why he left last night. He didn't want to make me uncomfortable. Interesting. He is respecting my wishes.

My stomach growls. I look at the clock, it's nine and I haven't had dinner yet. I hate cooking for one. I really don't feel like eating but Christian's voice comes into my head "You must eat Ana"

Jeez, even in my subconscious he's bossy.

I order Generals Chicken and a small wonton soup from the Chinese food restaurant down the street. In fifteen minutes my food should be here. After I eat, I think I'll just read a little to get Christian off my brain and go to sleep early.

The doorbell rings. Good, my food is here. I grab a twenty dollar bill from my purse and head to the door.

I open the door and Christian is standing there in a tux, with his bow tie undone and the top button opened. I'm speechless. He looks good. Really, really hot.

Our eyes lock and he lunges at me, pushing me against the wall. My hand fist his hair while my mouth is against Christian's, our tongues are dancing. We are devouring each other. He lifts me up by my ass, I wrap my legs around him and he leans me against the wall.

"I had to see you" he pants.

"I'm glad you did" I whisper.

"I needed to kiss you again. I can't get enough of you"

At this moment, I'm starting to believe we are going to find a way around our issues, because in the end, we both have this primal need for each other.

He's kissing my neck, ravenously. My heart is beating so fast, I'm afraid it may burst.

"Christian, please look at me"

He stops and stares at me. His breathing is ragged, his eyes dilated and intense.

"You. Are. Mine" I growl.

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