A/N: Hi all. I apologise for the delay in updating but have had some things in real life to deal with. I appreciate your patience with me. I'm hoping to be able to get back to updating once a week again.
Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 25
CPOV
When I got the call that Ana was sick I don't know what came over me, I just panicked and rushed out of the office as if the place was on fire. My anxiety levels were sky high and the lift at Escala seemed to take too long to reach the penthouse. Sure, I have worried over my family but I have never felt such strong sense of fear for any other person before like this. My heart was rapidly beating inside my chest and I had to see her with my own eyes. That would be the only way I would know she was fine.
I just needed to get to her. After that damn email she sent me all kinds of thoughts were running through my mind. I yelled and screamed at Taylor. How the fuck did someone take a photo of me in the hospital and no one was none the wiser. I feel like fucking firing the lot of them.
When I found Ana on the bathroom floor it was like my worst nightmare come to life, for a fleeting moment the image of my dead mother came to mind and I was frozen in place. In that nanosecond of time it felt as if my life was over. Then I heard her moan and rushed over to her, falling onto my knees. I wasn't that young, scared little boy anymore. This time I was capable of doing something to help.
She looked so pale I was afraid something was really wrong. Once she started to throw up bile from her stomach there was no stopping me, I wasn't going to risk anything happening so I picked her up and we sped over to the hospital. Thank God Taylor knows all the shortcuts and got us there in record time.
The entire time my mother was in the room with her I was freaking the fuck out. Pacing back and forth in front of the door and pulling at my hair until my mother came out and told me I could go in to see her. As soon as I sat down next to her and held her hand I began to calm down seeing with my own eyes that she was fine. I have a good mind to get that fucking sandwich place shut down over this. How many others did they poison?
Next Ana then tells me about her run in with Linc and I fucking see red. How dare he approach her like that. Fucker is trying to cause trouble but I'll be the one laughing in the end. I had no choice but to reluctantly tell Anastasia exactly who he is and his connection to Jack.
Ana was angry and she had every right to be. I know I shouldn't withhold information from her but she has to understand that I'm only trying to protect her. I'm not proud of the affair and she's one hundred percent right, we are a team and full disclosure is a must. If she had known about Linc then things could have been different today and he wouldn't have caught her so off guard.
I'm not going to let anybody come between us. That's a promise.
Things were a little tense between us and I hated leaving her at the hospital last night but she obviously wanted some space away from me. I hate that I made her feel that way.
I couldn't sleep, not without Ana beside me so I stayed up working most of the night. I probably got a total of two hours of sleep and look it too, especially considering I couldn't be bothered to shave and have scruff all over my face.
If I could I would cancel this whole New York trip but I can't. The fuckers have been jerking us around for far too long and it needs to end one way or the other this week. It's important I go and it couldn't come at a worse time. At least I got Ana to agree to stay with my parents even if it is just for a day. I need to ensure she is taken care of.
Arriving at the hospital the next morning to pick her up I warily entered her room, hoping she had a better night than me. I know we're okay when she beckons me closer to kiss me. The last thing I want is to go on this damn stupid trip if we're fighting.
After getting her settled at my parents' house and talking to my mother it takes me longer than it should to say bye and leave. I know Ana is in good hands with my mother but I'm still going to worry. Elena is dead and Hyde is in jail but we still have threats lurking and I won't rest easy until I'm back home and have her in my arms.
I'm now in the car with Taylor and on the way to the airport. I pull my phone out and call Ros.
"Aren't you supposed to be on the plane by now?"
"I'm on my way as we speak. Listen, Ros, I want you to consolidate our shares in Lincoln Timber into GEH, then fire the board except the CEO."
"Christian are you crazy, do you know what that will do. You'll be losing money and a lot of it."
"I don't care. Just do it."
I hang up and lean my head back on the car seat.
I want to crush him. I'll show him you don't screw with Christian Grey.
I spend the five hour plane ride reading over the paperwork for my meeting and trying to catch up on some sleep. I email Welch to get all the background checks and information he can get me on Linc and Hyde and his adoption. I warn him to be discreet however and it's not exactly legal but I can trust him to do it without raising alarms.
Upon landing in New York Taylor and I get into the car he has waiting for us and make the drive over to my penthouse in the city. The place should be ready for me to use as I got in touch with my house manager over here two days ago to make sure there was food and everything was prepared exactly how I like it seeing as I was expecting Ana to come with me.
Walking in, I drop my bag by the door and walk over to gaze out of the massive floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park. It's a great view even if I don't get to enjoy it all that much.
I try calling Ana to let her know I've arrived safely but she doesn't answer her phone. I try my mother next.
"Hello darling," she answers happily.
"Hey, mum. I tried calling Ana to let her know I landed but couldn't get through."
"Oh, she's fallen asleep. Don't worry, I'll let her know when she wakes and have her call you. She's absolutely fine, managed to have some lunch and your brother left not that long ago."
"Okay and thanks, mum for looking after her for me."
"Christian, you don't have to thank me. You know I would do anything for you and Ana, that girl is incredible. I'm so happy you have her in your life. You can tell me to mind my own business, but are you thinking about the future at all, you know, getting married."
Here we go. I knew it wouldn't take long for her to start planning my wedding.
"If I tell you yes will you get off my back and not ask me again."
"Absolutely."
"Then yes, I am. In fact I'm going to look at rings while I'm here."
She squeals so loudly she nearly burst my ear drum.
"Promise me not a word to anyone and I mean anyone."
"Your secret is safe with me, Christian. I swear my lips are sealed but I'm just so excited. I want you to be happy."
"I know, mother and I am. I'll talk to you later."
I'm excited too. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be at this point in my life but I want it all with Anastasia. She makes me want things I never knew I even wanted before she came along. If you asked me a year ago how I saw my future, I would have told you it would be exactly the same as then, faceless women and filled with work but that's not the case anymore. I will do anything I have to do to hold on to Anastasia and this life forever.
"I'm not leaving the apartment tonight Taylor. Take the night off." I tell him when he enters the room.
"Sir, I had a text from Sawyer to call him. Apparently while your brother was over at the house he was looking for a shirt of his. When Miss Steele asked him which shirt exactly and he told her it turns out it's the same shirt that was shown in the photos that were sent to her apartment. Miss Steele believes the shirt was stolen and used to scare her away."
"Are you fucking kidding me? How does this shit keep happening? Are you telling me some psycho has been in my parent's house going through their belongings and I have Ana staying there thinking it's safe for her. God fucking damn it, Taylor."
I take a deep breath and count to ten as I run my hands through my hair before crossing my arms over my chest.
"What would you like done sir?"
"Call my mother. Ask her to give you a list of all the people that have been in that house for the last six months and work your way through it. There has to be a connection somewhere and we need to find it."
Taylor walks away towards the security office to get started. Hopefully this shit will be over with soon. I mean I know my mother likes to socialise but exactly how many visitors could she have possibly had.
I call Sawyer and he picks up after the first ring.
"Mr Grey."
"Taylor has told me about the shirt and what Ana suspects. Until this is taken care of Ana is not to be left alone and that means she doesn't drive herself anywhere, you do not leave her side even for a second and if she starts to put up a fuss tell her those are my orders and if she doesn't like it to come to me."
"Of course, sir."
Next I call Elliot.
"Yo, bro. What's up?"
I tell him about the photos Ana was sent of some chick wearing that exact same shirt and the note which accompanied it. Now I'm thinking if the letter wasn't meant for Kate instead.
"I'm going to ask you this once, Elliot and I want the truth. Have you been unfaithful?"
"Are you fucking kidding me, how could you ask me that. Of course not. I happen to love Kate. I know I've been a man whore before but I would never do that to her."
He's screaming in my ear and I have to pull the phone away.
He's angry and I don't blame him. If I was accused of cheating on Ana my reaction would be worse.
"I know man and I'm sorry but this situation has me stressed out and worried and I just want to get to the bottom of it and deal with whoever is responsible. I'm afraid it's all going to prove too much for Ana and make her run."
"Dude, I get it but she loves you. If she can put up with your smelly ass 24/7 then she's not going anywhere. Have a little faith. Now I have to worry about some crazy stalker chick wearing my favourite shirt, damn it."
"I gotta go, please keep an eye on Ana for me."
"You don't even have to ask, that's what brothers are for. I got your back. Laters."
My meeting the next morning lasts for four fucking hours and I feel like gouging my own eyes out. How many times can I go over the same figures and promises without wanting to shoot someone in that room. I spoke to Ana briefly this morning but I was in a rush to get over here. These fuckers thought they had a home turf advantage but they soon realised I was not budging even an inch. I got the deal I wanted and wanted them to sign then and there, no more pussy footing around. They need me more than I need them. However they want their lawyers to read through the final contract. I give them one more day before I walk away.
I was so ready to leave that conference room and not because they were slowly making me go insane but because I have an appointment at Cartier today which I'm not missing.
Taylor accompanies me into the 5th Avenue store where I'm shown an arrangement of rings and diamonds. I will know the perfect ring when I see it. Ana won't want anything too flashy but she deserves a ring that is special and shows her how much she means to me but one that she will also love. She will have to wear it for the rest of her life I hope.
The plan is to propose on our six month anniversary which gives me two months to get the ring and plan it perfectly.
In the end I decide on a platinum 4 carat, flawless, oval shaped solitaire diamond ring with brilliant cut diamonds running along the band. I hand over my black Amex and wait for them to process it and prepare the paperwork.
With the ring certified and safely in my jacket pocket I leave the store with a smile on my face. Just having the ring in my possession gives me a feeling of satisfaction that maybe finally something is going to go my way for once. I want these next two months to fly by so we can start our lives together properly with everyone out there knowing she is mine.
I'm not watching where I'm going as I walk towards the car that's parked on the kerb and bump into someone on the sidewalk. I grab their arms to stop them falling over.
I begin to apologise but when I realise who it is I stop talking and stare.
"We have to stop meeting like this." She says.
Fuck my life. God, will I ever get a fucking break?
"Irina. What are you doing here?"
"Shopping. What else?" She laughs.
She smiles widely at me like she's won the lottery and reaches out to touch my forearm but I take a step back away from her.
"Enjoy your day. I have to go, Ana is waiting for me."
I sprint to the car and jump inside before slamming the door behind me. Taylor gets in two seconds after me and drives off. Only then do I let the breath I was holding out. I can't wait to leave this city.
The next morning I receive a Google alert on my phone.
Fuck! Some fucker took a photo of me from a distance while I was talking to Irina for those few brief seconds.
"Fucking hell." I mumble to myself.
I need to call Anastasia.
"Hello."
At least she answered.
"Hi, baby. Where are you?"
"I'm at home."
Her voice sounds strange and off over the phone which can only mean one thing.
"You saw the photo." It's not even a question.
"I saw it."
That's all she's going to say?
"I swear nothing happened, it's not want it looks like. I just bumped into her on the street, it was an innocent meeting and a coincidence."
"Okay."
"You believe me don't you, I mean for crying out loud Ana you were supposed to be here with me."
"What do you want me to say, Christian? You said it was nothing so it's nothing. I trust you."
I can't judge from her tone whether she means what she is saying or just trying to avoid an argument.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better. I've managed to eat and Mia and Kate are coming over to keep me company today and watch a movie with me. How was your meeting?"
"Idiots are trying my patience but it should be signed and sealed today and then I can come back."
"Great. I'll see you when you get here."
"See you soon."
She hangs up before I get the chance to tell her I love her. Shit!
I need to finish up this deal today and get back home. There's just one thing I need to do first.
XXXXX
As I walk in through the foyer door of the apartment late that evening after a long ass flight filled with worry Ana attacks me, she jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist. I drop my bags on the floor as Taylor quickly disappears.
"I missed you," she tells me in between kisses.
Well, this is not the reception I was expecting but I'll definitely take it.
She has spread her fingers through my hair and is pulling it to the point of pain and grinding herself onto my growing erection in my pants. I can feel her heat through the fabric. Her tongue is fighting for dominance in my mouth as my hands find her ass cheeks and knead them roughly.
"I missed you too, baby. So fucking much. I'm never going away without you again."
"I need you."
Those words are music to my ears.
I blindly carry her to our bedroom continuing to kiss her the entire way. I slam the bedroom door shut with the heel of my foot and lower her feet onto the carpet by the bed. There is only the bedside lamp on and the bed is messed up so she must have been in bed already when she heard the elevator ping with my arrival.
I take hold the hem of my t-shirt that she was sleeping in and lift it up over her head. She's not wearing a bra and her breasts are begging for my attention.
I pull her close to me by the hips, my dick rubbing against her. My grip tight on her as I place one perfect pink nipple in my mouth and suck on it.
She throws her head back and gasps.
"Fuck, Christian. Harder please."
I release it with a pop and move my attention to the other one, sucking it with more force like she wants. I know I can make her cum like this but not tonight, I want to be in her when she does.
She smells like vanilla and it makes me want to devour her.
I work my way down her body, placing hot wet kisses on her flawless skin as I go until I reach the band of her yellow panties.
I breathe her arousal through them and it's intoxicating, I could seriously get drunk from the smell of her. I nip at her clit through her underwear before I hook my fingers in them and tear them off her. She tries to move closer to my mouth, her hands now in my hair but I hold her back.
My fingertips skim up both of her legs simultaneously as I stand until I reach her core to find her soaking wet for me and growl in approval before I attack her mouth once more.
I need to be inside her. She's fucking perfect.
I'm still wearing my grey suit from my meeting earlier today. Ana grabs the lapels of my jacket to remove it off me and tugs it down over my shoulders dropping it behind me.
Next she unbuckles my belt, eager to get me as naked as she is but when she reaches for the top button of my shirt I grab her hands in mine to stop her.
"Wait." I tell her almost breathless.
"What? Why?"
"I did something while I was in New York. I don't know how you're going to react."
I see her face fall while she takes a step away from me as she tries to cover her body up with her hands because she is thinking the worst.
"What….what did you do?" I hear the tremble in her voice.
"It's nothing like what you're thinking so stop it."
I reassure her and rub my thumb along her soft cheek, smiling at her before kissing her deeply for a moment.
I take a couple of steps back and start unbuttoning my shirt one by one. Her eyes are following my movements. Once I have it opened I remove it slowly over my shoulders and throw it onto the chair nearby. I then take a step closer, turn slightly to the left and show her my right arm.
Her eyes widen and dart back and forth from my eyes down to my arm. Her hands covering her mouth in shock.
"Oh my god, Christian. That's a tattoo." She squeaks.
I had her name tattooed across my arm over the scar from where the bullet grazed me.
"Why did you do this?"
"Because I wanted to. I'm yours Anastasia and in this forever and if anyone ever sees this they will know it too."
She comes closer to me while biting her lip and runs her hands up my arms stopping at my elbows, the whole time not taking her eyes off the tattoo.
"What do you think?" I ask her.
"I like it. I'm surprised but I like it. Did it hurt?"
"Like a bitch, but it was worth it."
I have no idea how those guys you see covered in them can put themselves through that pain over and over again.
"Can I touch it?"
"Yes, but it's still sore. They've give me a cream to apply over it until it heals."
She gingerly runs her fingers across the lettering before wrapping her arms around my neck and standing on her tip toes.
"It's actually really hot, I need you to take me right now." She whispers in my ear.
I quickly shed the rest of my clothes then carry her into the shower and turn the water on, making it hot the way she prefers it. I don't waste any time slipping into her folds while I'm holding her up in my arms.
Our kisses are desperate and rough. She's pulling my hair so hard I'm surprised she hasn't pulled any out.
I try to reach every inch of her skin with my mouth as I can on her face, neck and shoulders. I bite down on her left shoulder and feel her shudder and contract around me.
I move to gently lean her against the tiled wall and begin to move, thrusting my hips back and forth furiously, her vaginal muscles gripping me, trying to keep me trapped in her body. I could live in her wet, hot pussy for eternity and not complain.
I'm holding onto her ass cheeks so hard I think I might leave marks but I'm so caught up in the moment that I don't care and I doubt she will either.
"Fuck yes." She yells out as I continue to pump into her.
"Shit, Ana. You feel incredible, baby."
I capture her lips again needing to be connected to her in every way possible.
"Harder, Christian. Don't stop…..god, don't stop."
"Never."
Our moaning and groans echo around the bathroom which has fogged up from the steam.
Ana tightens her legs around my waist bringing me even closer to her wet, naked body and uses her inner muscles to grip my dick and hold me in place briefly almost bringing me to my knees before releasing me to withdraw and enter her again.
"Holy fuck."
That feels amazing. She's amazing.
"I'm close, baby. Come with me, Ana. I need you to."
My legs are feeling as if they are about to give way underneath me.
"I'm there, shit I'm there with you." She tells me.
With one final, hard thrust deep into her I explode with a roar and we shatter together. I capture her screams in my mouth, our kiss slowing as we regain our breaths.
I dry us and we climb into bed. I'm on my back with Ana's head on chest, my hand lazily running up and down her arm, the white sheet draped over my waist.
I'm finally back home with Ana in my arms where I belong.
"How about we go away next weekend and spend it at my cabin in Aspen? Just the two of us."
"Sounds good." She sleepily replies through a yawn.
"Sleep, baby."
I'm so tired.
I place a soft kiss onto Ana's forehead then close my eyes and crash out straight away, all the sleeplessness catching up with me.
A/N: OMG Darker is finally out and amazing. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for?