Chapter Twenty

Warren puts in at Cruz Bay so the guys can get photos with their respective catches hanging beside them, Christian dragging a reluctant Ana into the shot with him, and then he asks their skipper, "Any chance of getting a couple of tuna steaks?"

With a grimace, Warren says, "Uh, how about I instead forget to unload that snapper until we dock at Pebble Cove?"

Christian shakes his hand and says, "Close enough, thanks." When their skipper resumes unloading the fish, Christian says to Ana, "Captain keeps the catch. But you know how I tip, so I thought it was worth asking."

Ana smiles and says, "Snapper for dinner?"

"If you can manage?"

"Sounds lovely." They wait in the shade for Warren to finish, Christian with an arm around Ana's shoulders. She notices that his free hand is never still. Finally realizing what he's doing, she says, "You're missing it, aren't you: the music?"

Immediately forcing his fingers to stillness, Christian shrugs and says, "A little, but I doubt we'll get that grand into the villa."

"You know there are probably apps you could download?"

"Piano apps?"

Laughing, Ana says, "How can you spend eighteen hours a day on that thing and not know about this? Here, give me your phone."

Christian unlocks and hands over his Blackberry as he says, "You do know that I'm working not playing on 'that thing', right?"

Ana quickly finds and downloads an app, then sets it up and hands it back to him, saying, "Now you can play as well."

At first unsure, Christian tinkers for a while, but is soon producing complex tunes from the twenty-five, virtual keys. He pauses long enough to offer Ana a beatific smile before returning to his attention to this new pleasure. Warmed by the sight of her man reduced to a child by a free app, Ana almost hugs herself with delight that he's so pleased with her idea. When Warren then says that it's time to go, Christian resists the idea until Ana reminds him, "Baby, you can take it with you."

Actually blushing a little, Christian says "Oh, right," and pockets the phone to help Ana aboard.

As the boat races across the water, the early evening breeze is cool enough that Christian dons his t-shirt, and again puts his arm around Ana's shoulders. He's clearly exhausted, so she says, "I suspect you're going to fall asleep during the massage again."

With a weary laugh, Christian says, "Baby, I may not make it back to the villa."

Patting her lap, Ana says, "So, sleep."

Christian does as bid, stretching out on the bench seat with his head on Ana's lap, smiling up at her before closing his eyes. It seems like only seconds of her gently running her fingers through his hair before he's fast asleep. Ana catches Warren's eye and motions for him to slow down. With a smile and a nod, he does just that. About twenty minutes later, Christian stirs a little in his sleep and, upon opening his eyes, offers Ana a smile that actually makes her chest ache with too much love for him, and he says, "Hello."

"Sweet dreams?"

"Yes, for once. You were Arial. I caught you in my net." His brow furrows and he continues, "But then you started struggling and were begging me to let you go."

Soothing him with her fingers through his hair, Ana says, "Hey, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Reaching up to pull her head to him, Christian kisses Ana and murmurs, "I know. That's the miracle." Sitting up, he looks around and says, "Why the fuck are we going so slow?"

Taking the hint, Warren resumes his previous speed, and Ana says, "So you could sleep, darling."

Christian kisses her again and his voice is rich with promise when he echoes, "Darling."

The power of that sound takes Ana's breath away, but she recovers enough to remind him, "Massage. And I think you should take my hour as well. I've not done anything today that warrants it, and I need to plan dinner." When he frowns, she quickly adds, "My arm's fine, I swear. Resting it today has done the trick."

Flexing his shoulders a little, Christian says, "I might just take you up on that offer, thanks. You know that I won't be much use in the kitchen."

Grinning, Ana says, "Even after Miss Cynthia's lessons?"

"Well, that's another surprise for tomorrow."

Catching on, Ana excitedly guesses, "You're going to make me breakfast?"

"Dammit, Ana. I said it's a surprise!"

Grateful tears already threatening, Ana says, "Oh, it is, darling, it is. But why would you do that? I don't expect anything like that from you."

One, gentle hand caressing the side of her face, Christian says, "Because of that look you get in your eyes, like right now, when you realize that I've done something just to please you. You're not the only one who enjoys seeing their spouse happy."

Pushing the tears back down and contenting herself with a brilliant smile, Ana says, "I like being your spouse, Mr. Grey."

Mirroring her smile, Christian says, "Hold that thought for the next seventy years or so and we should do fine."

They're still kissing when the boat gently touches the jetty. They can see Prescott waiting at the stairs to the villa and Taylor says, "I'll follow with the snapper when it's ready, sir."

Christian nods to him and says to Ana, "I was wondering why we needed two of them to traverse the stairs."

Ana almost runs to Prescott and shows her the photos of Christian landing the tuna. Back on board, Taylor is wrangling the large snapper from the storage compartment. When he stands, Warren is staring after the couple and says, "That is a man in love."

Taylor glances at the stairs, where Ana is climbing and chatting with Prescott at the same time, followed by Christian wearily shaking his head, and says, "Can you blame him?"

Warren snorts a laugh and says, "No. I might still be married if my wife had been that supportive."

Knowing something about failed marriages, Taylor says, "And how often did you learn a new skill just to put a smile on her face?"

Warren laughs again and says, "Good point. It's always both at fault, isn't it?" And then he slaps the work surface he's prepared and says, "Let's get this fish ready."

After a quick shower, Ana opts for a peach blouse over white, cotton capris and spends some time scanning their food stocks before deciding on an accompanying dish for the snapper. But there's no sign of the fish in question and Christian is still under the therapeutic fingers of the masseuse. Suddenly exhausted, Ana remembers that she was up before the birds this morning. Scrawling a few notes, to avoid having to repeat the process on waking, she lies down on the sofa, where she'll hear Taylor when he knocks on the door, and just closes her eyes.

Ana wakes utterly confused, at first not even sure where she is, and mystified by the soft, golden light that suffuses everything she sees. Next, she becomes aware of Christian softly humming. Bolting upright, she can see him working in the kitchen. Sensing that she's awake, Christian looks right at her and his mouth curves into a cheeky grin as he says, "Well, look who's decided to join the land of the living. Taylor dropped off a couple of fillets a while ago. You know I can't cook worth a damn, but I found your notes and have prepared what I could. I hope you don't mind?"

Still in sleep shock, Ana says, "Yes…no. I mean, that's fine, thank you. But…what time is it?"

Christian, wearing olive green chinos and a charcoal, pinstripe suit vest, approaches with two full champagne flutes as he says, "Time to watch the sun set on our last night in the Caribbean."

With all that's happened today, Ana hadn't even considered that dreadful prospect. Suddenly awash with grief that their vacation in paradise has to end, she accepts a glass and dejectedly echoes, "Our last night."

Christian leans down and kisses her, says, "I know, baby. So let's try and make it a night to remember, okay?"

Somehow cheered just by the fact that he seems to share her reluctance to return home, Ana is able to summon a genuine smile and lets Christian lead her out onto the balcony as she says, "Yes, Sir."

Glancing back at her, Christian grins and says, "Well, that's an excellent start." Sliding the door open, he helps Ana through as he says, "After you, wife."

As she steps through the door, Ana can see that there are now countless unlit tea-lights lining the perimeter of their huge balcony, including a few on the dining table and edge of the hot tub. Detecting the faint smell of citronella, she says, "Don't tell me: insect repellent, right?"

Glaring at her, one eyebrow raised in threat, Christian says, "It's not nice to laugh at other people's misfortunes."

Resting a hand on his chest in apology, Ana says, "It's not that...don't you think you've gone a little overboard?"

Smiling, Christian says, "Poor choice of words, given that we're above the ocean. And I'm not taking any chances." Extending his glass, he then says, "To a heavenly honeymoon."

Pleased with the toast, Ana echoes his words and touches her glass to his. But then almost chokes on her drink when Christian adds, "And many more."

Looking into his cheeky, twinkling gaze, Ana admonishes, "One, Christian; one marriage, therefore one honeymoon."

Leaning in to kiss her, Christian's voice rumbles with barely contained laughter as he says, "If you insist, Mrs. Grey."

Utterly content, Ana leans against Christian to watch the sun set over the bay, she with an arm around his waist and he with one arm draped across her shoulders. Sliding her hand under the vest to idly caress his back, she asks, "Are you ever going to wear a shirt again?"

"Is that a complaint, baby?"

Putting her empty glass on the nearby table, Ana moves in front of Christian. Gliding her hands up and down his bare arms, she says, "Not at all."

With neither of them wearing shoes, Christian towers above her. Gazing down at Ana, he appraises her look and says, "Uh, uh. I'm hungry, and you promised to cook for me." Turning Ana to face the kitchen, he smacks her butt and says, "Now get in there and make my dinner, wife."

Rubbing her stinging behind, Ana glares at him as she heads to the kitchen, but receives only a self-satisfied grin in reply. Keeping it simple, she quickly mixes a citrus-based marinade for the fish, then starts on the couscous and raisin salad, grateful that most of what she needs is on the counter. When he's done lighting the candles, Christian sits where he can watch her and starts playing a tune on his phone. Smiling, Ana says, "You know, they probably have a piano app for iPad, too. It's in the top drawer of my nightstand."

Pocketing his phone and fetching her iPad, Christian quickly finds a suitable app and then music fills the villa. After a few tunes, he says, "I don't understand why even Mia didn't tell me about this."

Managing to refrain from laughing, Ana says, "Well, I presume they thought you already knew. I suspect that the average toddler knows about such things. You really have been focused on work, haven't you?"

Ana sees Christian shoulders square off in discomfort, and he says, "And fucking."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Christian. It was all you knew at the time; the best way to stay sane."

When he doesn't reply, and the music takes a somber turn, Ana knows to be worried. Quickly covering the food and washing her hands, she walks over to Christian and removes the iPad from his lap slowly enough that he could stop her if he wished it. Looking up at her, he says, "Do you mind? I was playing."

"Well, now you can play me, instead."

Christian's eyes flare with desire, but then his expression closes down and he says, "Pity fuck, Ana? You think I'm depressed."

"No. I think you have the'mean reds'. This week has been as close to perfect as we can ever expect, so your scared little boy is curled up in the corner waiting for something terrible to happen." Forcing her way onto his lap, reassured when he doesn't resist, Ana wills him to understand as she says, "But you're not that little boy, Christian. You haven't been him for a very long time. You are a strong, talented, sucessf…" Yelping with surprise at the speed with which Christian stands, of course now carrying her, Ana asks, "What persuaded you?"

With a grin, Christian says, "Actually, you had me at 'now you can play me'."

In the bedroom, Christian stands Ana on her feet. In a deep, passionate voice that contradicts his almost clinical explanation, he begins undressing her as he says, "Now, I'm a big fan of the sonata. But, given the fact that dinner is waiting, I think we should content ourselves with the briefer sonatina."

Her breathing already a little fast, Ana controls it enough to ask, "And what part is this?"

With a lazy grin, Christian continues undressing her as he says, "Unveiling the instrument, baby." Kneeling down to help her out of her capris, he continues, "Note the care with which the musician handles the equipment, as if it's precious to him."

When she's naked, Christian lifts Ana and places her gently on the bed, then stretches out beside her, his torso raised up on one elbow. Though he's made no move to bind her, Ana automatically stretches her arms above her head, securing them under the headboard. After several seconds of him devouring her entire body with his gaze, making her squirm with need, Ana asks, "What happened to playing?"

Again with that lazy, contented smile, Christian says, "There's always a hush just before the maestro begins." Stretching out one hand, his caress so gentle that he's barely touching her, he traces a random pattern on her midriff as he explains, "The introduction, which contains material that may be reproduced later in the piece."

With his fingers gently finding and seeking out sensitive parts of her body, but steering clear of her breasts and groin, Ana is soon aflame with desire and arches into his caress as she protests, "Christian, please."

Laughter in his voice, Christian cautions, "Uh, uh, baby; pianos don't move."

Ana knows him well enough by now to recognize that he's going to make her wait. But she's also learning what turns him on. Staring into her lover's eyes, Ana runs the tip of her tongue along her top lip and then deliberately takes her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down on it just enough to hurt before letting it slowly fall free. The look Christian levels at her throughout makes her blood sing and then, with a soft moan, he's suddenly kissing her as if he's dying and she is his only chance at life. When he finally ends it, chest heaving and breathing ragged, he gasps, "Question is; who's playing whom?"

Absolutely delighted that she can so easily manipulate him, Ana smiles and says, "Does it matter?"

After considering for a moment, Christian is again calm when he says, "Yes. I was playing adagio and you forced me into allegro. That's not how it's done, baby."

When she's suddenly alone on the bed, Ana groans and reaches for him as she says, "Christian! Christian, please, I was just playing."

Capturing her outstretched hand, Christian quickly kisses her fingers and says, "I know, baby. And you're very good at it, so dinner will be delayed. I'll just put the food away." In that tone that brooks no argument, he adds, "But, when I get back, you'll remember that you promised I could do the playing?"

Relieved that he's not genuinely upset, Ana lowers her gaze as she says, "Yes, Sir."

Lifting Ana's chin, Christian says, "Baby, this is a good thing. You how much it still scares me when you make me lose all control. Well, I think that I'm finally learning patience."

Recalling how incredibly sexy she feels when Christian's need for her carries both of them to new heights of passion, Ana pouts, "How is that a good thing?"

Christian chuckles and observes, "The outrage." Kissing Ana, he then says, "I still want you, baby, sometimes so much that there is literally no thought in my head other than fucking you. But, if I can control that urge, then we can have a life outside the bedroom, and I very much want that, too." With a wry grin, he adds, "And I might be able to survive this New York trip."

Only now realizing that he's dreading the thought of being away from her, Ana asks, "You'll miss me?"

With a bemused smile, Christian says, "Of course, baby. I'm actually a little afraid how much. But part of looking after you is ensuring the solidity of our empire. So I have to go."

"Can you take your time?"

At first confused, Christian realizes that Ana is talking about his time in the kitchen, so he straightens as he says, "I can do that. Ten minutes?"

At Ana's nod, he leaves her to it, shutting the door as he does so. No idea what she has planned, but confident that she'll make it fun, Christian's dick hardens further as he heads to the kitchen. He stores the fish and salad in the refrigerator, his mouth watering at the thought of dinner, and then spends some time cleaning up while checking his watch. He inwardly laughs at himself for behaving like a fresh-faced boy on the first night of his honeymoon, and then actually chuckles at the accuracy of that analogy; though her body is now incredibly familiar to him, every moment with Ana seems like a first time.

Finally, the ten minutes are up, and he almost nervously approaches the bedroom, noting that his hand is trembling slightly as he turns the handle, and he wonders if that symptom of his hunger for her will ever disappear. The sight that greets him when he opens the door spreads the trembling throughout his entire body, makes his heart beat loud enough that he can actually hear it, and removes his ability to breathe for a few seconds, until his body screams for oxygen. When his lungs finally manage a breath, it's a rasping hiss of shocked desperation that leaves him gasping with need.

Ana has removed all but the bottom sheet from the bed. Facing away from him, she's on her knees in the submissive pose, her head bent down almost to the mattress, her glorious mane of hair hanging down as a veil over her face, and her exquisite ass in the air, practically begging for his attention. When his sudden and urgent need to just lose himself in her erupts as a guttural groan, Christian notices Ana's whole body quiver with desire.

Taking a moment to calm his body's reaction to this delectable offering, Christian remembers Ana's earlier promise and says, "Is this how you intend to make recompense for losing me that fish?"

Ana's voice is small when she replies, "Yes, Sir."

Stretching out on the bed beside her, Christian tenderly pushes enough of Ana's hair out of the way that he can see her face and says, "Look at me." With her eyes visible, he can see the fear, so he asks, "Baby, are you offering me your ass?"

Again, that timid tone when she says, "Yes, Sir."

Drawing her into his arms, where she readily molds her body to his, Christian soothingly caresses her back as he says, "Just cut that sub crap for a moment and talk to me, baby. Are you doing this because you think I want it?"

"You don't?"

"Oh, yes; very much. I want all of you. But I don't think you're ready, and I can wait until you are."

"But you said…" Christian can feel the flush spread over her skin as her inhibitions kick in, making it difficult for Ana to discuss this taboo subject, but then she takes a deep breath and continues, "When you sometimes put stuff there; I thought that was making me ready?"

"Physically you're ready, sweetheart. But you're obviously scared of the idea, and there's no fucking way I'll ever proceed if you're genuinely afraid."

After a few seconds, Ana says, "I've heard that it can be unpleasantly painful."

"But you don't really believe that I'd let that happen?"

"No. I guess it's more…is it messy?"

"When did you last take a shit?" When Ana squirms in discomfort, Christian chuckles and says, "Sorry, baby, but it's relevant if you want to do this."

Her face buried against his shoulder, Ana meekly says, "While you were getting a massage, just before I had a shower."

Kissing her forehead in reward for her courage, Christian says, "Then, no, it shouldn't be messy. If we go ahead, I'll wear a condom and keep some wipes handy just in case. Any other concerns?"

"Just that…it seems so wrong."

Christian can hear the passion in his own voice when he says, "Oh, it is, baby. That's what makes it so right."

Lifting her head to look at him, any trace of fear is gone when Ana asks, "Is that why you like it so much?"

"Partly. But it's also a large dick in a tiny, tight hole, so it's indescribably pleasurable."

"And it'll be pleasurable for me, too?"

"Baby, if I wasn't sure of that, I wouldn't even consider it."

Christian can tell that, this time, it's an unconscious action when the corner of Ana's sensuous bottom lip is captured by her teeth as she ponders his words. Willing his breathing to a calm rhythm, he patiently waits for her decision. After a few seconds, she says, "I think I'm ready now, but can you talk me through it? I want to know what to expect."

Thrilled beyond words that she's seriously considering it, Christian smiles and says, "Good idea." Remembering the musical theme, he decides to make the description part of their foreplay. Tracing her full lips with the fingertips of his free hand, he says, "We've already had the introduction; a sensual exploration of your body. Next is the exposition, which contains the main theme of the sonata; mutual pleasure." Tracing a line from her lips to her ear and then down between her breasts, Christian continues, "Material from the introduction will be repeated here, as I follow the path of my hands, but now with my lips, tongue and occasionally teeth, as I kiss, lick, suck and nip my way down your body."

Ana's hips arch into him as she moans, "God, please."

Christian chuckles and says, "Easy, baby. We're a long way from the finale." Drawing a line down to her groin, he barely touches her with the backs of his fingers as he explains, "The development part of our tune will involve my mouth on you here, until you are begging me to let you come."

Her breathing unsteady, Ana says, "But you won't."

"No, baby, I won't; not then." When he suddenly flips Ana onto her stomach, her startled yelp only fuels his desire and his hands are again trembling when his fingers alight on the back of her neck, sending another shudder of pleasure through her. Next, he gently caresses down her back in a crisscross pattern as he says, "Now we're at recapitulation, which is an altered repeat of the exposition, meaning that my mouth will explore your back. By the time I sink my teeth into your butt cheeks, you'll again beg me for release."

Ana wriggles her ass under his hand and says, "I'd beg now, if I thought it would make a difference."

Enjoying the game immensely, Christian laughs and teases between her cheeks with his fingers as he says, "Save your begging, baby, because the recapitulation will end with my mouth on your ass until you need me to fuck you." When he then feels the slick moisture, evidence that Ana is enjoying this game just as much as he is, Christian groans, his control hanging by a thread. Latching on to the musical theme as a means of delaying their gratification, he withdraws his hand from her and explains, "When you're almost ready to explode from too much pleasure, we'll be in the coda; the finale. I'll let your ass accept my throbbing cock an inch at a time, until you're clawing at the mattress and screaming my name."

Ana groans and says, "God, Christian; you're not even touching me and I'm ready to do that."

Satisfied that she's willing, Christian smiles and promises, "Not yet, you're not. But you will be." Turning her to face him, he says, "The coda ends on a perfect authentic cadence, where everything is in its right place. We'll finish as we started, with the theme of our piece. Do you remember the theme?"

With that radiant smile that somehow has the power to erase his past, remove all his guilt and almost make him believe he's worthy of her, Ana says, "Mutual pleasure. I'm ready now, Sir."