CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:

Christian's P.o.v

I woke up with Ana in the crook of my arm, her head resting on my shoulder. I was tempted to slide between her legs and wake her up with a quick orgasm. But she looked tired and a little fragile.

I pulled her closer and ran the tips of my fingers up and down her arm. The strands of hair closest to my mouth fluttered with my every breath, and I hooked a finger around them to pull them away from her cheek.

Her eyelids closed and opened, and sleepy blue eyes stared back at me.

"Good morning," I murmured, she responded by snuggling deeper into my side. Her sigh was all I heard, and her arm crept around my waist, linking us tighter together.

I chuckled lightly and kissed the top of her head. "Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm hmmm."

It was easy being here in this room. Everything else seemed a world away and we were removed from reality. I wasn't stupid enough to embrace that, but it was nice, just for a while, to get a sense that the only thing that mattered was right here and right now.

"How about some breakfast?"

She raised her head. "What time is it?"

"Eight."

Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door. What the hell? My heart began to raise knowing well no one knew I lived here. I frowned, then eased from underneath Ana.

"Stay here." I yanked my jeans on and went to the door, opening it just a crack.

"Christian, it's me, Ethan." Ana's friend called from outside the door. I took a mouthful of air thankful that it was just him.

"Come in."

I closed the door behind Ethan. "I'll get Ana for you."

"Thank you."

I glanced up at Ana, who sat up in the bed, the covers were drawn to her chin. "Who was it?"

"It's Ethan,"

Ana rushed off the bed and grabbed one of my shirts and her jeans. When she was dressed she headed out of the room and to the living room where her best friend was sitting on the couch. He immediately got up and ran to her. They hugged each other for a while and I could see Ana was crying. My heart broke at seeing her this way. I knew the fight with her aunt had really left her wrecked. She loved working at the cafe and because of me, she couldn't do what she loved.

"Oh Ana, are you alright?" He pushed a string of hair to the back of her ear and I couldn't deny it made me jealous. It felt like such an intimate thing. I knew he was gay, but it still made me feel bad knowing another man was touching her. After what happened with us last night I'd realized I was starting to fall in love with her.

"I'm fine." Ana pulled away wiping her tears with the back of her hands.

"You sure don't look fine." He said and holding her hand they sat back down on the couch. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. All I know is my aunt hates me." She told him and I wondered if that was true, "how did you know I was here?"

"I didn't, but I thought if anyone would know it would be Christian."

I felt a bit anxious knowing Ana had shared with him where I was staying. I wanted to warn him not to share it with anyone else, but I was afraid of how it would come off as.

"How did you know I got into a fight with my aunt?"

"Your aunt came into the cafe this morning furious, she said you will not be coming back to work and that we need to find a new baker. She gave everyone the afternoon off and closed the restaurant."

"I still can't believe she fired me." Ana's eyes were red as she spoke to her friend.

I wanted to give them space to talk, but Ana placed her hand for me to take and sat me beside her in the crowded couch.

"So, how did this happen?" Ethan asked.

"Ummm, we got into an awful fight and she kicked me out."

"Well duh, I know that, but why did you fight?"

"I guess you can say she found me in a very compromising position." Ana shrugged.

Ethan looked shocked, "you hoochie, did she find you two in the midst of hooking up?"

That made Ana laugh nervously, "we were just kissing."

"That's why she kicked you out?" he rolled his eyes.

"Ethan you know we have a complicated relationship, this just fueled the fire. She said awful things to me that I'll never forgive her for."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm not sure, I'm still trying to figure that out." Ana looked worried.

"Damn Ana, I'll cancel my trip. You can stay at my place, I know it's small but we will manage for now."

"No, don't cancel your trip. You have been looking forward to it."

"Ana no-" Ethan looked annoyed at the thought of not being here with her and it really gave me a glimpse of how their relationship was like.

"Yes, you need to get your man back. Plus you deserve a nice vacation. I will be fine." Ana assured him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm positive."

"I'll be a phone call away." Ethan smiled.

"I know you will." Ana touched his hand and squeezed it.

"Ethan said he will go get my stuff now and bring it to me."

Ana's soft voice settled over me, soothing some of the tension. I crossed the room and slid onto the edge of the bed beside her. She stared back at me, her eyes puzzled, and there was a hint of something else there. Fear? Regret? I touched her cheek in an effort to reassure her. "I feel awful, you shouldn't be in this situation because of me."

She bit her bottom lip, holding back the tears, "It's not your fault."

I inhaled, hating what I had to say next. "I think I need to step back and let you fix your situation with your aunt."

Her face became impassive. Her usually expressive eyes were shuttered and distant. "I'm not going to do that."

Before I could say anything else, she leaned up and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"No, don't say anything else." she kissed me. Just once. With all the sweetness she'd brought into my life in just a short time.

I savored the taste and the sensation and knew I'd never had this before. Happiness tightened my chest. I held back the words that were threatening to leave my mouth.

"I'll need to find a place to live, there is no way I'm staying with Ethan in his one bedroom apartment."

"Stay."

"What?" she asked confused.

"Why don't you stay here?" I asked, "there is plenty of room here for both of us."

Ana gazed at me shocked, "Are you sure? You don't think it's too soon?"

"Perhaps it is, but I'm willing to give it a chance. It's my fault you're in this mess. The least you can let me do is help you."

Ana tightened her hold on me and smiled, "I would love to stay here with you."

"Great, now we will need to make room for you in the closet." I held out my hand out for her and she took it smiling.

She followed me to the closet and helped me move my belongings. "You can have the left half and I'll take the right. We will also need to buy a dresser."

"Here let me help you." Ana moved the blue duffle bag not realizing it was open. My heart froze when the picture of my mother and Raul felt out and hit the floor. Ana picked it up and I held my breath.

"Is this your mother?" She whispered trying to catch how I was feeling.

I wanted to tell her a lie, but I knew I couldn't. I was done lying, I wanted a life with her but not one full of lies."Yes, that's my mother Abigail Grey and the man beside me was my best friend Raul."

"What happened to him?" She asked.

I took a moment to catch my breath, it had been ten years since I'd spoken his name out loud. "I haven't seen him in ten years."

Ana touched my hand in support but doesn't push me more for answers. "Thank you for sharing this with me." She kissed my cheek and handed me the picture back.

"I need to go do something later, can you let Ethan in when he comes with my stuff?" Ana asked.

"Sure, where are you going?" I asked confused.

"It's a surprise." She kissed me once more and left me alone to my thoughts.