A/N: I'm not a fan of long Author notes, but this will be longer than my usual. This update has been a long time coming. I know. Life has handed me a tough road… A few of you know that I stopped writing anything for months, other than a very few blog entries. There were things in my life that needed me more than this keyboard… so that's where I went.

Many of you sent PMs, asking if I was continuing the story. Honestly, for a while I didn't know if I would ever want to write again. Slowly I eased back into it. Writing my book had nothing to do with my fanfiction writing. The only thing that interfered with fanfiction was life.

That said. The book is done and available on Amazon for Kindle. The Casual Rule by AC Netzel

Please check "LIKE" on my facebook Author page (AC Netzel) to keep up with my other "authory" projects - or my blog at AC(no space) Netzel dot com . There are links on my profile page as well.—or twitter Netzel netzelfanfic

And Goodreads AC Netzel, The Casual Rule.

Thank you to everyone who hung in there with me, those of you who read this story (and Late Night Thoughts, and Night Time Thoughts). Even I had to re-read this story to get back up to speed. I did miss this couple. I hope you enjoy!

"Good morning."

I blink a few times, trying to get my eyes to focus. Christian is lying on his side with a smile, watching me. What a perfect way to start my day. I smile warmly back at him.

"Good morning. How long have you been awake?" I ask.

"For a while."

"What have you been doing for a while?"

"Watching you sleep."

"Like you watched me sleep at the Heathman?"

"Exactly like that, except this time you're naked." He smirks.

"You know, that's a little creepy stalkerish," I inform him.

"I don't think so. You're here, in my bed. Why would I want to look at anything else? I think of watching you sleep as an innocent hobby."

"First of all, I doubt anything that has to do with you and a bed can be deemed 'innocent'. And secondly, you think watching me sleep could be considered a hobby?"

"That's right. My second favorite."

"What's your first?"

"Fucking Anastasia Steele." He grins.

I shake my head and laugh. "Mr. Grey, you are an incurable romantic."

"It's the truth, baby."

"I thought you'd say soaring."

"That's technically correct. It's all in the spelling. I like making you sore."

I blush. "You do that well. You're quite the wordsmith so early in the morning."

"That's not all I am." He takes my hand and places it on his growing erection.

"What ever do we have here?" I flutter my lashes, feigning innocence.

"I know you're new to this Ana, but I'm pretty sure you know exactly what we have here. The question is… what are we going to do about it?" he asks.

"Hope the swelling goes down?" I tease.

He shakes his head slowly, with a sly smile curling up from his lips.

"Emergency room visit?" I shrug.

"That won't be necessary," he answers flatly.

"We could stick a thermometer in your mouth. You may be feverish. You certainly look hot to me."

"Oh, Miss Steele. There is something I plan to stick in a mouth, but it's not my mouth and the object doing the sticking sure as hell isn't a thermometer."

I gasp. "Why Mr. Grey, you are incorrigible."

"Yes, I am. Get on your knees."

~o0o~

Christian and I are spooning in his bed, my back to his front, deliciously sated after our early morning sexcapades.

"I could get used to waking up next to you," he says, with a hint of humor in his voice. He presses a delicate kiss on the back of my head.

"So could I," I breathe. And waking up next to him, eating next to him, breathing next to him. Anything, as long as he's with me. "What were you like when you were younger?"

Christian's body immediately tenses, his hold around me tightens. What did I say?

"Why do you want to know?" he asks.

"I want to know you better."

"You know me well enough." He tilts his pelvis into my backside.

"I wasn't talking about sex." I roll my eyes. I'm glad he can't see me. "Christian, you're a mystery to me. I want to learn more about you. Share things."

"Share things?"

"Yeah, you know. Hopes, dreams, thoughts about life, love."

"Sounds very flowery. I don't do flowery, Anastasia." He sure likes to remind me of that. "Why don't you tell me something about your childhood?" he asks.

"Okay. My favorite childhood memory was when Ray took me to Disneyland. It was just the two of us. I made him go on the 'It's a Small World' ride three times in a row. He never complained, even though I'm pretty certain he was miserable. I'm pretty sure I saw him napping in the boat the last voyage we took."

"Why did you want to go on it so many times?"

I shrug. "I always wanted to see the world. I guess it was my way to see it. And I liked the song. I sang it for days after. I'm pretty sure if I sang it to Ray now, he'd start trembling." I laugh.

"Sounds like your stepfather was very good to you."

"He was. He is. I can always count on Ray."

"What about your mother?"

"I love my mom. But some of the choices she's made in her life I'm not so crazy about."

"Is that why you chose to live with your stepfather?"

"Mostly. I didn't get along very well with husband number three. And I missed Ray. Besides, he needed me. The man would eat cornflakes every night if I didn't move back to Montesano to take care of him. I guess we took care of each other. Husband number four seems like a much better fit for my mom. She's happy and that makes me happy."

Christian tightens his arms around me and kisses the back of my head.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"I don't know. You're just so…" He hesitates, searching for the word. "lovely."

I close my eyes and relish in this quiet moment. I never thought we'd be here, lying in Christian's bed, content. He unwraps his arms, releasing me from his hold. I turn around and face him. He's gazing at me with bewilderment in his eyes. I reach my hand to his mouth and lightly trace his lips with my index finger. He closes his eyes and inhales deeply as he presses a soft kiss on the pad of my fingertip.

He opens his eyes and takes my hands by the wrists, holding them up above my head. He leans his body into mine and kisses me, softly, slowly, deeply. It takes my breath away.

He nuzzles my neck, nibbling on my earlobe, trailing delicate kisses down my neck to the curve of my shoulder. My body tingles all over, responding to his touch the way it always does.

"You never answered my question," I breathe.

"No, I didn't," he murmurs seductively into my neck. He rolls on top of me, covering my body with his, spreading my legs apart. I know he's using sex to avoid my question, but right now…I don't care. I'll ask another day.

~o0o~

Unfortunately, Sunday night has finally arrived. My weekend at Escala and playing house with Christian must come to an end. I have work and Christian is going to New York for a few days on some business something-or-another. It's probably for the best, anyway. Anytime I asked Christian something he wasn't comfortable answering, we'd end up having sex. I'm probably going to walk bowlegged for a few days. I don't care. It was worth it. I need to ask more questions.

"I had a nice weekend. Thank you," I say sincerely.

"So did I." He reaches over and squeezes my hand.

"You know, you got your wish."

"What might that be?" he asks.

"I'm sore from all the… well, you know."

"You never refused," he teases.

"No, I didn't." I smile.

"I like to get you sore. Every move you make tomorrow, even when some undeserving fucker talks to you, you'll think of me." He chuckles softly then grins.

"You do it well." Very well actually. "What are you grinning about?" I ask.

"It's a surprise," he says cryptically.

"Oh? What kind of a surprise?"

"A surprise for you."

"For me?" I frown.

He nods slowly, doing a terrible job at hiding his excitement. I never know what to expect from Christian. He certainly keeps me on my toes…that is, when I'm not on my back or knees.

We're about a block from my place, my stomach sinks.

"Close your eyes," he says.

"My eyes?"

"Yes, now," he orders sternly.

I shake my head and close my eyes. "Okay, okay. Relax. They're closed." Jeez, don't get your nuts in a bunch.

"What kind of surprise?" I ask.

"Patience, Miss Steele."

"Okay, Okay."

The car stops. "Keep them closed," Christian instructs.

I hear the driver's side door close, then a few seconds later, my door opens. Christian takes my hand. "Keep your eyes closed. Come with me." Does he think I can't remember a simple request? He has to say it three times?

I stand, and he puts his hands over my eyes. The guy has real trust issues… I said I'd keep them closed. I can feel his excitement…it's contagious. I have no idea what he's up to, but whatever it is, it's giving me butterflies in my stomach. We walk a few steps and stop.

"Ready?" he asks, his voice filled with excitement.

"Ready."

He takes his hand off my eyes. "Open your eyes."

I'm standing in front of a red hatch-back Audi. New, no doubt.

"For you," he states proudly, grinning like he just won the lottery…. Not that he needs the money.

My jaw drops. To say I'm at a loss for words would be an understatement. I'm at a loss for anything. Words, vision, ability to stand… breathing. Oh Christian, what the hell have you done?

Finally, I find my voice. I turn to him "What is this?"

"It's a car. It's for you. Your car," he says matter-of-factly.

"I know it's a car. And I know it's not my car."

"Anastasia, that car you drive is a deathtrap."

"I can't accept this."

"Of course you can. It's a gift. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you in that dinosaur Beetle you call a car. It's not safe. I need to know you're safe, baby."

How do I navigate this? He doesn't have a clue. How many times do I have to tell him I'm not comfortable with him lavishing me with gifts? This has to stop. I smile at him then sigh.

"Christian, while I truly do appreciate your generosity, I like Wanda. I like my car. I like that it's mine. Surely you can understand that concept."

He frowns and his face flushes. Crap.

"Anastasia. Accept the fucking car. Say thank you and take it. It's a simple gift. Call it a graduation gift, call it whatever the fuck you'd like. It's yours. I will not accept 'no' for an answer."

"No." I cross my arms in front of my chest and huff. He does not get to dictate what I drive.

"Take the fucking car, Ana," he growls.

"I will not, Christian." I growl back, narrowing my eyes

"You are a frustrating woman," he snarls.

"Takes one to know one." I scowl.

He scowls back. The tension between us is thick. I'm so turned on.

He grabs me, holding me against him and kisses me passionately.

"You drive me fucking crazy," he murmurs angrily into my neck.

"You came to me that way," I breathe.

"I'd like to spank the shit out of you," he barks.

"I bet you would." He may want to, but I know he won't.

"I want to be inside you." He nips at my earlobe.

"Finally, something we agree on."

"Come. I'm going to fuck you now." He grabs my hand and quickly leads me to my apartment straight to my bedroom, and he takes me. Hard, rough, fast.

And it's fucking amazing. Jeez, I love angry sex.

~o0o~

It's been two days. The Audi is still sitting in front of my apartment building. This car has become the battle of the wills. I refuse to use it. Christian refuses to take it back. Every once in a while, I check outside to make sure Wanda is safe. I wouldn't put anything past Christian. He's as hard-headed and stubborn as me. I hope the Audi stalemate doesn't go on forever. Although the end result was pretty darn spectacular.

Christian thought he was clever, leaving the keys on my dresser when I wasn't paying attention. They can sit there for eternity for all I care. I'm not taking that car.

I quickly dress for work, grab a protein bar and head out the door. Ugh, rain again. Thanks Seattle. I run to Wanda, with my handbag over my head, protecting my hair. I turn the key and the engine won't start.

"Come on Wanda. You can do it." I pump the gas pedal and try again. Nothing. Maybe I flooded the engine. I sit patiently and wait. After a few minutes, I try again. All I hear are clicks; the engine won't turn over. Crap. I'm not at this job long enough to show up late. I won't look very professional if I saunter in an hour late. I look down at my watch. Damn. It's too late to catch a bus…and it's pouring rain.

What to do? What to do?

I peek at the Audi. Even in the rain it looks beautiful and shiny. No. I said I won't drive it and I won't.

Then again….

Christian is in New York. I doubt he'll notice a few extra miles on the odometer. SIP isn't that far away. I run out of Wanda, back into my apartment and pick up the keys to the Audi, careful to remember exactly where he left them so I can return them to the exact spot when I get back.

With keys in hand, I open the door and slide into the driver side. Mmm…new car smell. The last time Wanda had a new car smell was a few Presidents ago. I put the key in the ignition, turn it, and it starts right up. This car purrs, it's so quiet. I turn on the radio. Wanda's radio sounds like it's coming out of a tin can; this one sounds like a symphony. I pull out of my parking spot and go to work. What a nifty ride. So smooth. The wheel is so easy to turn. Wanda's steering was so hard; I counted it as strength training. I might as well enjoy the ride. Air-conditioning! Oh, air-conditioning! A defroster that works! This day is looking up and best of all, Christian will never be the wiser.

After work, I decide to take the scenic route home in the Audi. I'd never admit this out loud, but this nifty little red car is awesome to drive. I pull up to my building and see someone has parked in the spot the Audi was parked in this morning. Damn. If he sees the car moved, he'll know I took it out. There's no way I'll give him the satisfaction.

He's not due back for two more days. I have plenty of time to get the car back into that spot.

~o0o~

I hate the alarm clock. At least I love my work. Almost makes it worth losing sleep…almost.

It's amazing how getting ready for work can become so mechanical, so quickly. I shower, blow dry my hair, get dressed, grab a protein bar, and I'm ready to go. I walk outside to a gray overcast morning. Wanda is usually more agreeable when it's not raining. I walk past the Audi toward Wanda… Boy, that's a pretty car. And so nice to drive. I hesitate between the two cars.

"He'll never know," the little voice inside my head whispers. "He'll never, ever know."

Oh hell, I have to move the car back to the original spot before Christian returns, anyway. I walk over to the Audi, open the door and slide into the driver's seat. I start the car and drive off to SIP. Ah, this is nice.

~o0o~

There's a knock on my office door in New York.

"Yes?"

Taylor walks in. "Sorry to interrupt you Sir, but you wanted to be informed immediately. The GPS shows that the Audi is moving again."

"Heading toward SIP again?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Very well. Thank you Taylor." I lean back in my chair, placing my hands behind my head and smile.