Chapter 21

A/N: This one's kinda short. Christian's point of view. Worked about 14 hours today, and have to work about 7 tomorrow. Wanted to get you something today. Hopefully I can get some more to you later tomorrow evening. Well that's what I'm shooting for anyway!

Again I want to thank ya'll again for all the wonderful reviews everyone! I'm really glad that you're enjoying my story.

Please let me know what you think! :-) Sorry for any typos or mistakes. Please review as all reviews are seen and appreciated! Again I do not own the characters.

CPOV

I've just arrived at my childhood home for my parent's fundraiser. I hate coming to these types of events but I couldn't not show up, my mom would be so disappointed if I didn't. I know my just being here helps bring in more than if I didn't show just because people tend to give more when they are trying to impress another person and well there's a lot of people that try to impress me on a regular basis. It's just so ... boring and makes for a long night.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about Anastasia. The new covert security that I had placed on her has been keeping tabs and I get updated every hour hours or so with either information on what she's doing and who she's with. Occasionally he is able to get pictures. That's what happened last night.

Around 8:00 pm I received at text with a picture attached. The picture was of Anastasia and Cross at a little romantic french bistro near Pike Place Market with a text saying that they had arrived roughly 15 minutes before hand. Damn she looked good in the picture. She was wearing a navy blue wrap jersey knit long sleeved top that made her chest look fucking amazing and a matching white and blue stripped skirt. Cross' hand was resting on hers as they were obviously talking.

Just looking at the picture pissed me off. I couldn't believe that she was off on a date with this asshole. She really doesn't give a damn about her safety at all. I fucking told her he was dangerous and here she is alone with him on a date! I strode out of my office yelling at Taylor, "Let's go." I headed for the elevator. I knew that I couldn't go without Taylor. I wanted to but I knew that I wouldn't be able to control myself if I did. I need control and where Anastasia is concerned that flies out the fucking window!

Taylor parked near the front of the restaurant. Near enough that we wouldn't be spotted easily but giving me an eye line to Ana and Cross talking. It looked like their meal was coming to an end. She was so free with him. I could see her talking. There's that little 'v' in between her brows, like when she's contemplating something.

I couldn't take seeing it. The jealousy that she was spending this time with Cross. She said we needed to talk but she wouldn't cancel her plans to do so. And her plans were with this asshole! I told Taylor to go in, discretely, and have the maitre d' send over a bottle of Bollinger for the table. Just as the waiter brought the bottle to the table and poured, I saw Ana's expression. All the color drained from her face. Yep. Good. She got the point. She knows who it's from even if Cross didn't.

I decided that it was time to return Miss Steele's earlier phone message to me. She answered on the second ring, "Christian. Why are you doing this?"

That smug bastard had the nerve to look angry when she said that and took hold of her hand. I want to beat the shit out of this guy. And why is she letting him touch her?

"Hello to you too Anastasia, and I haven't done anything. I just got your message from earlier and was returning your call." Yep, play it cool, smiling to myself.

Timidly she asks, "The champagne Christian, why?

She's looking at Cross and she looks unsettled, but he looks disbelieving. Good. She needs to be careful around him and he needs to know that I will always be around watching out for her.

"Well you and Cross looked to be celebrating something or another. Sitting so cozily next to each other. I thought you could use the champagne to make your toast." My voice dripping with sarcasm, but I'm shaking my head berating myself for letting her know that I know what she's doing right now.

"You're watching us? You're spying on me? What's wrong with you, Christian?" She's practically yelling at me and I can tell she's trying to control her emotions.

Just then I notice Cross waiving a waiter over to pay the bill and pull his phone out. He's going to try to rush her out of there. I tap on Taylor's shoulder and wave for him to go mouthing "home" so that he knows I'm ready to leave. Just as he's pulling away I hear her breathe, " You haven't answered me?"

My only response to her, the only thing that I could make myself say, "we do need to talk. Not tonight. Saturday. Good night Anastasia." I hang up the phone. Running my hands though my hair and letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. That was probably one of the most difficult conversations I've ever had just because all I wanted to do was go into that restaurant and beat the hell out of that ass and take Ana away.

When I got back home I tried to work but all I could think about was the same thing that I had thought about since she walk out of that door and away from me. Her beautiful big blue eyes looking at me like I killed her chance at happiness.

I make my way through the throng of photographers on my way to the back of the house. I want to find my parents and grandparents. There are a couple of other company executives that I know I must stop and speak to but as I don't plan on being here longer than absolutely necessary I am moving with purpose to the.

I stop to speak to James Bennett the senior VP of Operations at Smith & Klien. He introduces me to the other men he's been speaking with and their wives. As I'm speaking to the men I overhear the women talking. 'Did he introduce you to his date. She's amazing.' 'Yes, absolutely stunning.' 'She a natural beauty.' Hmmmm...I wonder who they're speaking about. I excuse myself when I see my father, "Excuse me gentleman," turning to the women, "ladies."

Finding my father, "Dad." I shake his hand. He's talking to a couple of partners from his firm. "Christian. You're mother's going to be so happy you made it." He's smirking at me. He knows just how much I hate these things. Then he introduces me to the other two men and their wives. And again, I overhear the women. 'She's so lucky! They make an stunning couple. He's so big, she's so tiny' 'Her dress is to die for!' 'I get the impression she's a bit shy but very friendly' 'Oh I haven't met her yet, she was talking to Mia Grey. Maybe I can get her to give us an introduction?' I have no idea who these ladies are talking about but obviously its someone who has grabbed the curiosity of the socialites here tonight.

I ask my father if he's seen my grandparents telling him I wanted to say hi before dinner. Dad pointed me to the corner of the dance floor and as I turn to head that way I stop dead in my tracks. I see Mia, Kate, Elliot, my grandparents talking to a tiny brunette in a tight fitting red dress. Mia and my grandparents are walking towards the tent and the brunette turns to the side and I gasp. I can't believe it.

Ana. I can't believe she's here and looking fucking amazing. That dress clings to her in all the right places. Accentuating all her curves to the fullest. Her hair is down over one shoulder and I think I just felt my heart skip a beat.

It looks like she's looking for someone. I turn to follow her eye line. Then I see him. Fucking Cross. She came here with him! She came to my parent's house with him! What the fuck is she doing? Why would she do something so callous?

Callous? No. Even I can't accept that. Anastasia doesn't have a callous bone in her body. It's probably because I told her that she was wrong for loving me. I close my eyes and the scene plays out again for the millionth time, her walking away. No this wasn't her. This was Cross. He's invited to this damn fundraiser every year and every year he never shows just sends a check. No this is him. This is him letting me know that he will do as he pleases.

Shaking my head clear of the bullshit going on in it right now I head into the tent to speak to my grandparents for a few minutes before dinner is served. My phone starts buzzing and I excuse myself to answer the message from Roz and walk out behind the portable bathrooms, where it's quieter making it easier to hear her and what she needs from me.

As I am finishing up the call and come around the corner I see Ana. I can't stop myself. She looks too damn delectable, I grab her by the arm pulling her to the side of the building away from any other eyes. I hear her say "What the hell!" just as my lips cover hers in a passionate and demanding kiss. God, I forgot how soft her lips are!