Chapter 26*

I wake up in his arms. My head and hand on his chest. I am not sure what possessed me last night to stick around after the beating I endured. I told him it was his face. This is true, but I realize that it could have gone either way. I am grateful that it went the positive route. I only hope we can keep the line of communication open. I need to stress to him that he can talk to me about anything. I know if he closes himself off again it could be dangerous for us both. Why is my first experience with love such a complicated one? Looking at him sleeping peacefully I know this is going to be quite a ride and I can only hope I am up for it. I kiss him softly and go to the kitchen to make breakfast. Gail has the day off and I am pleased that I will have full access to the house without feeling I am somehow stepping on her toes. I plug in my headphones as I cook finding myself lost in the music. This week I made a Christian playlist. All of the songs that make me think of him. Some of my favorites include, Give Your Heart a Break by Demi Lovato, Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars, Use Somebody by Kings of Leon and Let Me Love You by Ne-Yo.I get lost in the lyrics and don't notice Christian come into the room. When I turn he startles me. He is standing at the counter smiling. His eyes rake over my body. I blush embarrassed because I have a bad habit of singing and dancing. I pull out my headset.

"Sorry, I know I can't sing very well, I just got carried away," I say shyly.

"Don't apologize I love seeing you half naked dancing around my kitchen. Could you send me that playlist? I want to hear what has you so "carried away"," he grins.

"Sure, I'll get it to you at work on Monday since I don't actually own a computer. Do you want some breakfast? I woke up starving."

"How are you feeling this morning," he asks seriously.

"I'm fine. Why?"

"Are you hurting?"

"Oh that. I say looking at me feet. I have to answer honestly. Yes, I say. I am very sore and bruised."

"Oh God Ana," I go to her wrapping her in my arms. "I don't know how to make this better? Can I see the damage?"

She lifts my shirt and I see that her bottom is laced with strips of bruises the exact replica of the cane. I drop to my knees, placing my head in my hands. I can't believe I allowed myself to mark her like this. I reach up and touch the bruises. She winces a little and I feel defeated. This moment will be burned in my memory forever.

"I am as evil as him," I lower my eyes.

All of these years I justified the beatings as a way to cope with my anger at my mother and in seeing the stripes left on Ana I come to understand that I am no better than her pimp that burned me with the cigarettes because he was angry I was in the way. I feel Ana slide down onto the floor sitting on her knees at eye level with me. She grabs my hands and lifts my chin so that my eyes meet hers.

"Not another word about it, do you hear me? You are the victim in this whole mess. Did you pick the wrong coping mechanism? Yes, but before me you have always selected women who were accustom to this type of play. They willingly submitted to your devices. Granted I am different, but you told me I could stop you and I chose to see it through. These bruises are as much my fault as they are yours. I would like to discuss Elena with you, but at a different time when we are not both emotionally exhausted. Now let's get off the floor and eat. I know how you hate it when I go hungry," I wink trying to lighten the mood.

He kisses my hands, rises and sits to eat. He is quiet and I know his mind is still playing with his emotions, but I chose to push through breakfast without a deep discussion. I clear the dishes once we are both finished.

"I'm going to take a shower, would you like to join me," he says in a solemn voice.

As much as I want to comfort him more, I think he needs to work through this on his own. I said my peace and he will just have to take me at my word.

"No maybe next time. I really want to get the dishes done and then take a warm bath," I know the water will sooth my aching behind.

He nods, defeated and heads to the shower. I make quick work of the kitchen and as I turn toward the bedroom there is a knock on the door. I am not dressed for company, but I choose to look in through the peep hole before I call Taylor to answer it so I can retreat. I cannot believe my eyes. Just 6 inches of steel separates me from Elena Lincoln, the pedophile bitch that took advantage of a 15 year old Christian. I haven't had a chance to discuss my feeling about this woman with Christian, but fate has stepped in and I can't let this opportunity pass. I can only imagine what she wants. I am sure she is scared to death that she is losing her hold on Christian. If I have anything to say about it she will never be within 500 feet of the man I love. I calm myself, knowing that I can't just attack her and open the door.

"Why Elena, what I surprise to see you," I say through gritted teeth.

She doesn't even make pleasantries with me, I know it is because Christian is absent and she can let her evil show freely.

"I am not here to make small talk with you Miss Steele. Where is Christian?"

I stand my ground, "he is unavailable. Can I help you with something?"

"I completely doubt that. I will just wait. Maybe you could get me a drink," she demands.

Oh no she did not just treat me as her servant, I am about to go off on this self-important whore.

"Well Elena since I am in no way your servant and I am sure you know your way around I think you could make your own drink," I stand tall, shoulders back letting her know my confidence will not be broken.

"Well aren't you a feisty one. I can't imagine what Christian sees in you? He is more into the "submissive" type," she snarls.

"No thanks to you and your desire for little boys," I rebut.

Her mouth falls open, eyes gaping and I know I have hit a nerve.

"You don't know what the hell you are talking about little girl," her evil shining through.

"Don't I?" I let her chew on it for a minute.

"I will not stand here and explain myself to a "girl" who has known Christian for what 5 minutes and you think you know everything about our relationship," she is yelling.

I bring out the big guns.

"I assume he lets you touch his chest, feel the scars, kiss them to comfort him?" I already know the answer, but I want to see her reaction. She doesn't disappoint.

"He let you touch him," Elena is quiet eyes wide with surprise. "You're lying."

"Am I?" She knows by my face that I telling the truth.

I take my opportunity to tell her exactly what I think of her.

"You are a worthless, cold hearted bitch who took advantage of a 15 year old scared boy for your own gain. I am sure he was as beautiful then as he is now and you saw an opportunity to have him. You are truly sick."

I continue as she stands dazed by my assault. "Then you made him think it was normal to want to beat on women as a way of dealing with his anxiety. You must live in your own personal hell to think that is normal and quite honestly, Elena, I pity you. While Christian is moving on to a life he will love you will be reliving the small, sick part you played over and over."

Suddenly she is on me hand raised and I feel the blow across my left cheek. I smile knowing she has no power over me.

"Seems I've hit a nerve," I say smugly.

She starts cussing me from every direction. Letting me know how Christian will tire of me and when he does she will be there just like she always is. Calling me a weak, nothing and that I won't hold Christian's attention for long.

"ENOUGH Elena," Christian's voice booms.

We both turn toward him silent.

"What the hell are you doing here? You know to never show up without calling first," I stand my ground.

"I am sorry darling I just needed to see you about some business," Elena is icky sweet masking her earlier evil demeanor.

"Bullshit! You know very well that I do not discuss business on the weekends. So tell me why you are really here," I want answers.

Elena answers, "Can we discuss this in your office?"

I know Elena only wants to get Christian alone so she can manipulate him the way she has done for the last 12 years. I secretly hope he will not retreat with her. I want him to see me as his partner in this.

"Whatever you need to discuss with me can be done in front of Anastasia."

YES! I think to myself she will not be able to get his claws in him while I am present.

"Fine, I was coming to discuss with you our conversation at the dinner last night. It did not sit well with me. I feel like you are turning your back on yourself for this (she is pointing at Ana). You are going to be disappointed when she can't give you what you need," Elena looks longingly at Christian.

Before answering he approaches me wrapping his arm around my waist. He notices the red hand print across my face and I can see the rage rising.

"Did you hit her, Elena?"

"She was assaulting me verbally Christian," Elena stammers.

"Answer the fucking question!"

She looks at the ground, "Yes, but…"

Before Elena can finish Christian moves toward her. He grabs her arm and pulls her toward the front door. As he is tossing her out the door she is trying to explain and begging him to listen.

"I don't want you in my house again. If you need to discuss business you need to make an appointment at the office with Andrea. Do you understand? You have crossed the line, hitting the woman I am in love with Elena. You will not subject her to your callousness. Do you understand?"

She nods in defeat as Christian closes the door. He moves back toward me rubbing his hand over my cheek and kissing it gently.

"I ran you some bath water he pulls me close. Will you allow me to wash you?"

I am falling more and more in love with this man. He is so much more than the darkness I witnessed last night. I am sure he doesn't realize how romantic he actually is. I follow him to the bathroom where he undresses me, taking notice once more of my marks. I give him a brief look, letting him know that's enough and I slip into the bath. He washes my hair, back and front. I soak for a good 20 minutes allowing the water to soothe my skin. Once I am dry I get dressed from the overnight bag that I have left here for emergencies.

"Are you up for an adventure today," Christian asks.

"What do you have in mind," I say playfully.

"You'll see when we get there."

He grabs my hand and we head toward the parking garage. Today we take the Audi A8 spider and ride with the top open as we drive toward the ocean. We arrive at the harbor a little after 11 am. Christian has the same look in his eyes as when he took me up in the helicopter and I can suspect what he is planning. We walk down the pier and stand directly in front of a giant sailboat named "GRACE".

"She is magnificent. I have never been sailing, deep sea fishing a few times, but not sailing."

"Somehow I didn't peg you for the fishing type," he smiles.

"You have much to learn about me, Mr. Grey. I love fishing and camping. My dad is quite the outdoorsman and with no siblings I learned at a young age to love all of it for the sake of spending quality time with him," I miss my dad so much. I will have to call him this evening to chat.

"Well then Miss Steele, looks like you will be able to teach me a thing or two and I look forward to the lessons."

We set sail and Christian is definitely in his element. He barks orders out to me as we set the sails. I love learning a new craft and I find sailing challenging as well as relaxing. I can't help but smile every time he looks my way. There is something about the ocean in its vastness that is healing. The way the tide comes in and out daily. The life hidden in its depths just waiting to be discovered, I could stay out here with just the sound of the waves and the wind forever. I really must take Christian deep sea fishing. He would love the thrill of reeling in an Albacore 3 times his size. I make a mental note to talk to my dad about setting this up before the summer is over. Once the sails are set I join Christian. We sit and enjoy the beautiful summer day. There are only a hand-full of days in this region that it truly feels like summer. Christian leans in and kisses me softly.

"Thanks for joining me today, I think you are going to be quite a sailor," there is a twinkle in his eye.

"I'm always up for a challenge sir," teasing him since he is the captain of the ship.

I lean back into his arms and we spend the next few hours in our own world, far from the drama of the last 24 hours.