AUTHOR'S NOTE: Another happy chapter. I wanted to show that physically, Ana still likes dominant Christian, but she also has sex now more on her own terms – so lemon ahead ;)
Stearncs321 – No Elena in this story any more. I just wanted this one to focus more on C&A.
And Millarca666 – The contract makes an appearance (and will make one more down the line, but in a good way ;) Glad you liked the receptionist bit. I got tired of these receptionists always being portrayed as caddy and competitive toward Ana. Thought a professional one would be more realistic.
Hope you enjoy and please review!
"Ana, this is my number two Ros, who also happens to be a number-one pain in my ass. Ros, this is Anastasia, my girlfriend."
Ana giggled. Ros was exactly as she'd imagined based on Christian's stories. A ballbuster who doesn't put up with my man's shit. "Hello Ros. It's nice to finally meet you. Christian has told me a lot about you."
The stout middle-age woman wagged her finger at her boss. "I don't even want to know what he said. You don't need me quitting on you Grey, especially now that you've been spending all that extra time at home with a certain someone."
Ros raised a suggestive brow at Ana, who gave her a shy smile. "He's said nothing but good things," Ana rushed to reassure her.
"Well, he's done nothing but harp about how wonderful you are my dear. Hell, I thought he'd lay out rose petals for your visit today. Not that I'm complaining. Whatever you're doing, keep it up. Christian hasn't been this agreeable in, well, ever! The whole company is grateful for your intervention," she said, letting out a deep-throated laugh.
"That's quite enough Ros," Christian cleared his throat, a tinge of pink staining his cheeks. "Don't you have work to do?"
"Apparently I do," she chuckled, throwing Ana a devious grin. "Enjoy your afternoon you two."
"She's just as I pictured her," Ana whispered.
"She's lucky I rely on her so much. No one else is permitted to speak to me that way." He gave Ana a peck on the lips. "No one but you of course."
"I'd hardly call you a whipped man," she flirted.
"Hmph. I don't think any woman ever says that out loud to her man. Doesn't mean it's not true."
"Poor baby," Ana pouted, feigning sympathy.
Christian was about to smack her ass again when he saw Andrea out of the corner of his eye.
"Ah Miss Parker. There you are. Let me introduce you to Anastasia Steele."
"Miss Steele, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the neatly dressed woman said, having been thoroughly informed of her boss's girlfriend, through flower shop requests and strict instructions that her calls be patched through immediately.
"Nice to meet you too Miss Parker. Thank you for your assistance earlier."
"Of course. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Did you want something baby?" Christian asked. Andrea hid her surprise at her boss's uncharacteristic term of endearment.
"No I'm fine, thank you," Ana smiled graciously.
"OK then. Come, there are a few other executives I'd like you to meet."
Christian may have joked about being a "whipped man," but he held court with his employees. Ana was impressed by the respect he commandeered — and the fear he had instilled. It was an incredible turn-on to see her man in action.
After a barrage of speedy introductions, Ana found herself in Christian's vast, modern office overlooking the city.
"Are those the paintings I liked at that art gallery we went to in Napa?" she asked, referring to the impressionist landscape of a pastoral farm along with two still lifes of ripened fruits that hung on the wall opposite his large desk.
Christian shrugged. "You said I needed some color at Escala. Since I put the other two paintings we bought in Napa in the penthouse, I put these three in here."
"That's so sweet," she gave him a toothy grin. Christian approached her from her behind and led her to his desk, rubbing her shoulders.
"Do you like the view?"
"Of course. I can just picture you sitting here in your element, watching over the rest of us plebeians while you're up here in the clouds — the master of your domain."
Actually I can — and it's sexy as hell. So are those forearms of his. Does he always walk around with his sleeves rolled up like that?
Ana turned around, a wicked gleam in her eye. Before Christian knew what was happening, she launched herself at him, flinging her arms around his neck as her tongue invaded his mouth. He was taken aback but reciprocated in a split-second, crushing her chest to his as their kiss deepened, their passion from earlier instantly reignited.
They stumbled back into Christian's chair, Ana straddling him. She groaned as his mouth devoured hers, their tongues battling for supremacy.
Breathless, Christian reared back to paw at the buttons on her blouse, tearing it open and lowering the cup of her bra to expose one perfect breast. He kissed the creamy globe before latching onto the nipple, sucking and worming the delicate tip with his tongue and teeth.
Ana grabbed the back of his head, urging him to continue. She began grinding her core against Christian's raging erection, the friction driving him into a primal frenzy.
"Oh God Ana, I need to fuck you, now," he panted, planting a sloppy line of kisses along her chest and collarbone. "What do you want baby? Tell me and I'll do it," he whispered in her ear before nibbling on the lobe.
"Desk," was all she could croak out.
"Yes," he breathed, lifting her off of him and sweeping the smattering of paper and pens to the floor. He flipped Ana around and bent her over the edge, bunching up her skirt to reveal a black lace thong.
"Jesus Ana, you're trying to kill me," he gasped, caressing the soft, supple flesh before peeling down her panties. He leaned down to reverentially kiss each cheek, reaching one hand around to stimulate her clit.
"Oh God Christian. You're trying to kill me! Please, I can't wait," she pleaded, her voice raw and desperate.
To her relief she heard the distinct clatter of his belt buckle, his movements as hurried and impatient as hers. Eyes blazing at the sight of Ana hunched over his desk, Christian kicked her legs further apart and draped his body over hers. Fisting himself with one hand, he used the other to play with the bundle of nerves that sent jolts of electricity to Ana's toes.
Christian eagerly positioned himself at her entrance, his erection borderline painful, and nuzzled her neck.
"Do you want me to fuck you while you're sprawled out on my desk for me baby?" He sounded like the devil incarnate as his hot breath tickled her ear.
"Yes," she moaned, her voice strangled with need. "Please."
"Your wish is my command baby." Not wasting another second, he drove into her, her wetness easing the way. "Shit Ana," he hissed. "You feel so good."
He stilled, trying to fill his lungs with air as he savored the feel of her tight, welcoming walls. She whimpered at the sensation of being filled to the brim, clamping her muscles around his enormous girth.
"Holy fuck Ana," he groaned, his head falling on her shoulder. "I need you so much."
"I … need you Christian…" she trailed off, struggling to get the words out. The contrast of her bare breasts pressed against the hard, cold surface of his desk and his warm length inside her had her on sensory overload. "I need you to move. Please."
Obliging her, Christian set a languid pace. He glanced down to lewdly watch his erection slide in and out of her slick tunnel, her arousal coating him. She arched her back, pushing back against every stroke, the sound of their slamming bodies bouncing off the walls.
"Is this what you want baby?" he said huskily, grabbing the nape of her neck. "My cock inside you? Where it belongs. Filling every inch of you?"
"Yes," she keened, writhing in ecstasy. "Take me Christian. Take all of me."
He did just that, ramming into her and burying himself to the hilt. The relentless rhythm of his thrusts knocked over the few picture frames on his desk. Ana idly noticed that both photos were of them cuddling together on his boat.
I'm pretty sure he made Mac take those photos just to force him to see us all lovey-dovey with each other.
Thoughts of Mac quickly went out the window when Christian reached out around to pinch her sensitized nipple. He rolled it around in his adroit fingers before snaking his hand down to toy with her swollen clit.
His fingers massaged her in perfect harmony with his powerful thrusts. Ripples of pleasure radiated from her core and had her on the verge of tears. Ana groped for the edge of the desk — anything to hang onto as he hammered his cock into her, hitting every nerve ending.
"You look so fucking sexy Ana, laid out on my desk, just for me," he grunted, biting down on her neck.
"Yes. Only for you Christian. Ever."
Her affirmation ignited every cell in his body. Christian roughly hooked one arm under Ana's shoulder for leverage while the other grabbed her hip to hold her in place as he pounded into her, his pace brutal and unforgiving.
His entire chest was pressed against her back, swallowing her tiny frame like a security blanket — a symbol of his protectiveness and possessiveness. Ana felt him throbbing and pulsing inside of her, growing impossibly larger. Meanwhile, Christian felt her insides begin to quiver and quickly moved to entwine his fingers with hers.
"Oh Ana, I love you so much," he gasped, his face so close to hers that beads of sweat dripped down on her cheek. "Come for me baby. Come all over my cock. I want to feel you."
The muscles in Ana's belly clenched as her climax ripped through her, the spasms triggering Christian's own violent release. His let out a deafening roar as he unraveled in unadulterated pleasure, filling her with spurts of thick, white heat before collapsing onto her drenched back.
"Holy fuck Ana," he breathed, prostrate and replete. "What you do to me."
She hummed incoherently, her mind wandering. It wasn't the only time Christian had blurted out "I love you" while they were in the throes of passion. After that first time, he told her that he didn't expect her to say it back. He simply wasn't going to hide his feelings any longer.
Ana was grateful for the reprieve. He's been so wonderful about not pressuring me. I do feel the same way, but I'm so scared that once I say the words out loud, I'll somehow jinx us. It's stupid, I know. I'll at least address it at our appointment with Flynn today so he knows where I'm coming from, since he's been so honest and understanding with me.
After laying there comatose for several minutes, Christian kissed Ana's temple and helped her to her feet, buttoning her blouse before fixing his own outfit.
"Well Miss Steele, that was a very pleasant surprise," he said, re-energized as he gathered up his papers from the floor. "I think we'll have to schedule a lot more visits to the office from here on out. We have plenty more surfaces to cover." He bent down to whisper in her ear. "I want to picture your naked, sweaty body every time I work."
She let out an innocent school-girl giggle that belied the very naughty deed she had just done on one of those surfaces.
"Speaking of work," she cleared her throat, trying to regain some ladylike dignity. "Let's not forget why I came here."
"Ah yes, the contract. Have a seat Miss Steele," he smiled, placating her. He rummaged through his top drawer before whipping out a small stack of documents.
"Everything you requested has been added. I agree to all your points but I have a few addendums of my own," he said, handing her a ballpoint pen as she sat across from him before taking his chair. He was now recovered from his sex-induced stupor and in full-on negotiation mode. "First, I abolished any remaining references to you as a submissive or me as your Dominant and relabeled us as boyfriend and girlfriend."
"That sounds so high school," she giggled.
"I strive for accuracy Miss Steele. Second, I eliminated all limits with regards to you touching me and all punishments, although I noted that previously agreed-upon kink in the form of light spanking, loose bondage and certain toys listed below were permissible."
"Sounds good." Ana blushed, while Christian beamed. And we're going try out some of those toys later tonight. He adjusted his pants before continuing.
"Third, I changed the clause about spending the night together to read that we shall automatically do so unless there is a 'compelling personal reason or scheduling conflict for us to be apart.' Instead of simply stating 'as our schedules allow,' this new wording clarifies that it is assumed you will be spending the night with me, even when you have schoolwork or class in the morning."
Ana nodded. The clause was redundant. We pretty much spend seven nights a week together anyway and he's already set up a home office for me.
"Third, moving ahead, as you start the new school year, I'd like you to coordinate with me on your classroom schedule as well as your work schedule at Clayton's."
Ana arched her brow.
"Just to ensure that our schedules are in sync, not to dictate the terms of your schedule."
"OK," she flashed him a wry smile.
"Fourth, as promised, I will not interfere in your internship search but you will keep me abreast of any and all job applications and interviews and consult with me prior to accepting a position. I also reserve the right to run background checks on your superiors and any associates with whom you will be closely working."
"Agreed — reluctantly — but agreed," she conceded. At least I got him to stop pestering me to work at GEH and to abandon the ridiculous notion of buying up law firms around town.
"Good. Lastly, we need to discuss the press," he said, growing somber. "I've kept the leaks to a minimum but word about us will inevitably trickle out. I've already prepared a statement with my PR department that I'll release with your permission that basically says, 'We are in a relationship and do not comment on our private lives' — the standard line I've used for years."
Ana cautiously nodded. "What about my background? Will they start digging into it?"
"I've pulled every connection and favor I have to ensure that your adoption records are sealed shut. There's only the bare minimum about your mother passing away from an undisclosed illness. The hospital records were somehow either expunged or lost," he said darkly. "Your secrets are safe with me Ana."
"Thank you," she whispered, not wanting to know how those records conveniently disappeared.
"Now that that's settled and you're amenable to these terms Miss Steele, I believe it's time to sign so we can grab some lunch," he said, switching to a lighter tone.
Ana pored over the document one last time, twirling the pen between her fingers. It was so different from any other contract she had signed.
Those contracts were all safety nets to protect me and my body from abuse. Even with Morton, I held onto the contract as some sort of security blanket, as if it somehow made me less of a victim. But that couldn't be any further from what Christian and I have. So do I really need this piece of paper to protect me from the man who'd lay down his life for me? Why have I been so intent on doing this?
A shadow passed over her face. Because deep down I'm terrified of losing Christian and I think that a contract will somehow tether him to me. That's really what all this has been about — insecurity. She looked up and was met with a pair of anxious grey eyes. But we're bound together by so much more than a piece of paper.
"I don't want to sign this Christian."
"What? Why not?" he asked, alarm seeping into his voice. "Ana, if you don't like something we can change it. It's not written in stone. Please don't start overreacting about the press statement. I will do everything in my power to keep them from dredging up your past — and I am a very powerful man. You have to trust me. I'll protect you..."
"I know you will," she pre-empted him. "That's exactly why I don't need to sign this." She pushed the pieces of paper back toward him. "I don't need a contract to protect myself from you. I trust you with my life. And I don't need this to define the parameters of our relationship. What we share stands on its own — and binds us together more than a piece of paper ever could."
Christian exhaled in relief and ran over to her, hauling her up into his arms.
"Oh baby, I love you," he unabashedly declared. He cradled her face, brushing his lips against hers before slipping his tongue inside.
Eventually, they both pulled back from their impassioned embrace. "Come, let's get lunch and then I'm all yours for the afternoon before we meet with Flynn," he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
"What about work?"
"Nope. I'm playing hooky. Like I said, I'm all yours baby." He gave her a dazzling smile.
"Good," she cheered. "So am I."