Ch. 29 Take down
I feel giddy about my engagement to the hottest billionaire around. He actually agreed to wait a year until our marriage occurs. In the meantime, Mia's gone into overdrive about the details of our wedding. We decided to set the day of June 11th aside. That's when I complete all my coursework and the TA job for the year. His sister already starting contacting caterers and putting together a list of the movers and shakers in Seattle. Grace insists on hosting the event at their home and using their large outdoor space for the service as well as our reception. Ray and mom seem relieved about the generosity of my future in-laws. So do I.
By the time my summer course and TA work come to an end, I feel exhausted. That's because Christian keeps me up half the night on Wednesdays with a vigorous workout schedule. The weekends never get dull. In other words, I'm learning more than I ever dreamed about new ways to reach sexual nirvana with CTG. He really enjoys watching me unwind. I feel cherished and so does he. I think he's thrilled about the fact that I really love and desire him.
His merged personality seems to be hanging together well these days. I suspect that's due to the fact that he feels pleased about the status of our relationship and the way I respond to his overtures in the bedroom. The best word for that response seems to be "More, please."
"Anastasia. You shock me with the energy you demonstrate in our bedroom."
"I do? Just doing what comes natural with you. What were your previous lovers like?"
"Paid performers. I now know the difference between actual lust and the sort that comes from the heart. There's no comparison. What you show me while we're making love seems so touching. You want me only for who I happen to be inside. Not because of my money, status and power."
"So true. It's only your body that I care about. It's hot and I want more." I giggle about my joke while he slaps me gently on the ass.
"I love the look on your face as we make love. You seem so thrilled and satisfied with me."
"That's because I feel more than satisfied to be your fiancé. I can't tell you how many times a day I find myself daydreaming about our next encounter."
"I think the days we spend apart actually make me more passionate on the weekend and, of course, after my class on Wednesday nights. I think about you constantly on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday."
"Hopefully, you're able to get some financial work done on those days and nights."
"I put in a ridiculous amount of time at work on those days. I'm talking 16 hour days. Then when Wednesday rolls around, I feel so much anticipation about seeing you again that my pants actually start shrinking."
"Maybe we should Skype on some of those days." I give him a flirtatious smile and suggestive look.
"I like where you're going with that idea. We can set that up in no time."
After summer school comes to an end, we spend several days in Seattle enjoying one another and planning our future. Christian surprises me with a tour of several homes that look like the size of small mansions.
"Why are you so interested in moving from Escala? Until we have children, there's no need for more space. What you have already seems just fine."
"I think we'll feel much more inclined to start a family once we have a home."
"What's the hurry with a family? I intend to finish my degree and start working for a few years before any little Christian or Ana clones appear on the scene. After all, I'm not yet 22 years old."
"Whatever you decide about children seems fine with me."
"How would you feel if I said we could skip the baby making business?"
"Then I'd have you all to myself. Forever. I can see that going well."
"How sweet of you to say that, Christian. I've got news for you though. I want children with you. At least one and depending on how that goes, more."
"Then I'm more than pleased to father our child and whatever else we decide. When are you thinking of making that happen?"
"In theory, I hoped to delay the event until my 30th birthday."
"We'll see about that. In the meantime, we can travel the world and grow our careers."
"We're on the same page then. Let's forget about house hunting and just enjoy remodeling Escala."
"What needs remodeling at Escala then?"
"Anything associated with your former subs and Elena."
"I've got some ideas that you'll find fascinating then."
"Do tell."
"My former Red Room will become your office. You need a place for all your books and tech toys. Especially when you're writing your prize-winning master's thesis."
"Christian T. Grey. You're quite the considerate fiancé these days. I wonder why?"
"Because we've moved to the next level with our relationship and I'm feeling generous."
"All that's changed between us is sex. On a regular basis. Men. You're all so focused on the brain between your legs."
"When it comes to us, my brain knows exactly what it needs. Ideally, you should be in my bed every night. I also need to wake up with you in my arms every morning. "
"Well, we've got less than a year before that happens. In the meantime, let's enjoy our engagement."
"Thank you for loving me for who I am, Ana."
"Thanks for waiting and trying to be patient, Christian."
"You're putting my new and improved personality to the test. The old Christian/Edward combo would never have tolerated all the delayed gratification that I experience now on a weekly basis."
"Glad to know the merged 'Chris' has mastered some new skills. They'll come in handy when we finally do have children. Most kids will test the patience of any Maharaja ."
"Don't push me that far, baby."
That week we also heard an update about the latest on Elena and Charles from Welch. They married in early August at the resort in Las Vegas where he headlined. Over 1,000 people attended the wedding, including Grace and Carrick. Christian and I got invited but declined in a big way. Charles made the event memorable by wearing a neon red jumpsuit and riding up on the stage while sitting astride a large black horse.
The stallion made quite the entrance. It seems the powerful animal also left a calling card. Of fresh manure. Near where Elena waited with her entourage. We both burst into squalls of laughter about the symbolism of that event. The poop seemed more than fitting for their new status. The resort's cleaning crew removed the mess quickly. Then their garish ceremony moved forward without any further interruptions.
Elena spent thousands festooning the room with flowers and garlands. They gave favors to each guest with their photo and embossed signatures declaring Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burger. Unfortunately the wedding picture showed a little too much of his face. Hers seemed to be in the shadows. Charles went out of his way to sing several of Elvis' hits. The finale of his wedding day performance concluded with a powerful rendition of "All Shook Up". Elena nearly fainted from the attention he showered on her during the piece.
A well I bless my soul
What's wrong with me?
I'm itching like a man on a fuzzy tree
My friends say I'm actin' wild as a bug
I'm in love
I'm all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
My hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can't seem to stand on my own two feet
Who do you thank when you have such luck?
I'm in love
I'm all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
Please don't ask me what's on my mind
I'm a little mixed up, but I'm feelin' fine
When I'm near that girl that I love best
My heart beats so it scares me to death!
She touched my hand what a chill I got
Her lips are like a volcano that's hot
I'm proud to say she's my buttercup
I'm in love
I'm all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
My tongue get tied when I try to speak
My insides shake like a leaf on a tree
There's only one cure for this body of mine
That's to have the girl that I love so fine!
She touched my hand what a chill I got
Her lips are like a volcano that's hot
I'm proud to say she's my buttercup
I'm in love
I'm all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
I'm all shook up
Elena's girls danced throughout the entire event. Up and down the aisles they shimmied and flirted with both women and men. Grace and Carrick admitted they even felt a little embarrassed by the scanty clothing worn by the entertainers at the wedding. I wish I'd been able to explain a bit more about why they behaved that way. However, my lips remained sealed.
Both dismissed their concerns with the phrase, "What do you expect? It happened in Las Vegas."
I rolled my eyes and became more determined than ever to avoid the place. I felt pleased that Christian agreed to wait another nine months for our wedding and that it wasn't going to be held at the Bellagio.
We also learned that Charles and Elena spent their honeymoon dancing and gambling every night at the Wynn and its related properties. Welch reported that Burger's losses mounted by the day. At the end of their weeklong bash, he'd amassed over $100,000 in foolish bets that went south quickly. Elena seemed unaware of the deficit.
Charles bought his new wife a pearl white Lincoln limousine with a deep red leather interior. They disappeared within the vehicle for nearly an hour. I could well imagine what sort of encounter the two experienced while exploring their new toy.
A few weeks later, we learned that the happily married couple purchased a palatial home on the outskirts of sin city. Their Spanish Mediterranean spread cost $5 million and was described online in the following manner:
"This exquisite Olympia Hills custom designed residence combines old world charm, modern conveniences and luxury living. Exceptional architecture and designs are notable upon arriving to this 9,741 square foot home. It's situated on a corner golf course lot with sensational views of the Strip. The estate is centered around a bright interior courtyard and showcases beautifully appointed interior finishes within its grand foyer, formal living and dining areas, chef's dream kitchen, large family room, game room with bar, study and five bedroom suites. Attention to detail is prevalent including Knotty Alder wood finishes, hand-carved wood ceilings, Isokern stone fireplaces, beautiful wrought iron accents, meticulous stone flooring designs, aesthetically pleasing architectural enhancements and designer lighting. Each bedroom features elegant balconies, en suite bathrooms and walk-in closets. The master suite feels warm and inviting with custom cabinetry, a cozy fireplace and spacious master bath. It boasts an oversized soaking tub and an amazing steam shower with 10+ faucets for a spa-like experience. The amazing outdoor living spaces feel tranquil and serene presenting a soothing infinity edge pool & spa, fireplace features, fountains, manicured landscaping and an expansive covered patio. In addition the residence includes two large detached casitas for guests including full bathrooms and kitchenettes."
I sighed while thinking about the excesses that both parties seemed to enjoy. Welch estimated that Mrs. Lincoln's assets appeared fully depleted after her first month of marriage to Charles. Trouble developed in their relationship as soon as the first of his gambling debts came due. That's when Elena became unglued. She assumed Charles had double her assets. However, once his liabilities were revealed, she realized the truth. She'd be responsible for covering everything. In the end, she owned little more than a car.
The blame game started when a member of the mob paid her a visit before she and Charles were set to perform their typical Elvis gig. The only problem happened to be that Elvis went missing. Apparently, Charles decided to take a break that evening and didn't tell Elena. She and her girls tried to make the best of it with dancing and piped Elvis music but the crowd wouldn't accept the substitutes. They demanded their money back and threw paper cups at the stage to protest.
Elena and Charles got into major battles over his debts as well as her past. She tried to cover that information up as much as possible. Burger knew all about her exploits however. He reported her to the police as a child abuser and even cited Christian Grey as one of her victims. We asked them to keep his name out of the information released to the police and they respected our request. That was only after Christian made a very generous donation to the Police Widower's Fund. The social media went wild with the story about her past as a Domme. Elena's reputation in Seattle plummeted to the bottom of the social register. She had no choice but to flee the scene and think about another kind of lifestyle outside the US.
She eventually found her way to Canada to avoid arrest. Charles managed to sell their Las Vegas house while she left town in the limo. He continued to perform in Las Vegas in order to make his mafia connections happy. They escorted him to each show and collected most of the proceeds to repay his gaming debts. Elena had no such support there. They insisted that she be replaced by a topless group of 18 year old dancers. She'd been duped, humiliated and used by one of the best con men out there.
Ray called me to discuss the story. "Told you the guy couldn't keep it together for long. I found out Mrs. Lincoln is hiding up near Vancouver."
"I'm surprised the woman fell for his cheap tricks."
"It's all about their egos. Hers was more than huge. She assumed he really meant it when he got down on his knees and shed a few tears for her. He was thinking about dollar signs when bending his knee. The guy's a master of manipulation."
"So glad they both got what they deserved. She'll probably start something like her old business in British Columbia."
"She's just about washed up now that her forties have rolled rounded. He ended up with the better deal although the mafia owns him, at this point."
"I hope he's in their thrall for the next twenty years. I'm just happy she's out of the country and on a watch list of pedophiles."
The night we learned that Elena left the country, I celebrated by doing a strip tease for Christian in his study. I didn't even get my panties off before he pulled me down on the desk top for a little business.
AN: Happy to learn of Elena's take down? Should Ana give in and buy a home with CG? Any other ideas?
Look for my specials on the Love Shakes series this weekend on Amazon. Freebies and discounts are going to happen on Sunday. See books by JS Luxor. Thanks for reading!
