"Balls..."
Christian's POV:
"You look beautiful Anastasia." I almost fail to speak as she gracefully walks down the stairs of my penthouse. Once more Anastasia Steele has taken my breath away and I know that this won't be the last time. Beautiful is such a mundane word right now. It doesn't do Ana justice. She is stunning... Gorgeous... no... she is the picture of perfection.
I close my eyes briefly and imagine her walking towards me in a wedding dress. As promised I given her time to consider my proposal but I am not a patient man at the best of times. I have never wanted anything as much as I want to put a big fat diamond ring on her long fingers. It is going to take every last piece of endurance that I have kept myself in check during this 'open-offer' proposal. These few of weeks that Ana has lived with me have been some of my happiest moments. I still work long hours but find myself wanting to stop at five o'clock in the evening to pick up Ana and ride home with her. The conversation comes so easy with her. I am not sure if it is her easy and verbal nature or the fact that she challenges me unlike anyone else. Actually it's both. The only other person I have felt able to freely talk to is my brother Elliot, but Anastasia makes me want to me a better person. It is because of her that I have become closer to my father and, managed to allow my mother to hold me. A moment which ended up with me holding her when she broke down crying. Ana and I have spent an increasing amount of time with Elliot and Kate, sometimes joined by Mia. She has brought me into the light.
Ana's long silver satin dress glides over her slender, perfect body. The bodice clings to her chest and waist and then flares out a little. It's a damn good thing a whole squad of doctors are on the invitation list tonight, I chuckle to myself. My parents will more than likely need medical attention when I take her on to the dance floor in public. Then there is going to be the two hundred men that I intend on knocking out the second they start to eye fuck what is mine.
"Thank you, though I don't know how long I will manage to remain upright without falling down on these heels". I move towards Ana and hold my arms out as she almost trips over as she speaks
"Then it will be my honor to hold you tight throughout the course of the evening." I tug at her hand and pull her close. I stroke her back with me fingers until I rest them on her backside.
"The whole evening?" Ana giggles at my serious and determined expression.
"The whole evening, the whole weekend... the rest of the year and our lives... just say 'yes'" I doubt Ana realizes how much I would do to keep her close to me.
"Christian. You know it is too soon! Surely you don't open the paper, see a company advertised and then start immediate plans to acquire it surely?" I narrow my eyes at Ana's comparison to herself and a business venture.
"Miss Steele, never compare yourself to one of my business acquisitions. Though since you started it, I can confirm that no acquisition or merger I have undertaken has been as difficult as it has to make you mine... or as much as you are willing to be."
"And there I was thinking I was losing my edge... it is a wonder that you have not just given up." Ana rolls her eyes and looks perplexed.
"No, you definitely have not misplaced that" I smile slightly. "Your sassiness mean's that I have to work to show you how much I want you. I have told you that it is one of the things that I love about you. One of the many, many things I love."
"But you make it sound that being with me is difficult."
"At times it has... but it is the complicated tasks in life that reap the greatest rewards. I have told you, Anastasia, that it is you that I want, and if need be I will tell you a million times a day. You. Are. The. One. I. Love. I can't wait to walk into the ballroom tonight with you by my side. Every warm-blooded male tonight is going to be envious."
"You look pretty good yourself Christian. I think people will be more jealous me really. Plus aren't you nervous?" I cock my head to the side at her curious question. "You have never taken a date to a social event." Oh, that is what she is going on about.
"I am never nervous." I shake my head. I am a man who knows what he wants and strives to achieve whatever it is. "Jealous of you because you are with me?" I restate her previous statement. "Am I that much of a catch?"
"You know that you are. There is the undercurrent of uncertainty about yourself, although when you realize how amazing you are and join the human race, you will finally accept that you are the first prize in the world lottery."
"Wow, such praise. If this is true..."
"Which it is Christian. Don't be bashful; it doesn't match your looks, social or business standing." Ana partially teases, partially scolds. I struggle to resist my urge to tame her smart mouth here and now on her knees. Maybe tonight.
"Then maybe you should say yes to my proposal immediately" I add quickly and then step away to retrieve the gift that is sitting on top of my piano. I know that I am pressing the subject, but I couldn't help it... besides Ana is the one who brought up the topic of me being such a prize.
"This is for you." I pass Ana the red Cartier box and though she takes it fails to open it. Wow, I think I have finally silenced the spirited Anastasia Steele. I reach over and open the box exposing the diamond bracelet and earrings. I wanted to purchase her the necklace, but I honestly didn't want to draw any more attention to her neck and then her chest. I pick up the bracelet and clip it on Ana's arm.
"There, it looks far more beautiful on you, then in a box. Would you like me to help you put your earrings on?" Of course, I know Ana will decline, but it's an invitation and directive to have her put them on.
"This jewellery is amazing, but it's too much. You have already bought me this dress and shoes. Which was terribly overpriced! Your family is going to think I am with you for your money." I narrow my eyes at Ana's suggestion. I know she doesn't really mean that. Ana knows everything about my past, my lack of connection and effort with my family. She is even aware as are my parents of my sexual past. To say that they overjoyed over, our relationship is an understatement.
"Anastasia you know that isn't…." I commence to correct her, but she interrupts me.
"Actually, on second thoughts your family won't think I am with you for your money" Ana gently picks up the diamond earrings, walks towards the mirror and starts to put them on.
"Alleluia!" I reply not only to her words but also that she has agreed to wear the earrings without too much fuzz.
"Yeah, if it ever comes up or is insinuated then I will just tell them the truth… that I am using you for sex and your penis" My jaw practically hits the floor at Anastasia's boldness. If she ever thought that she could lose her edge by being with me and dealing with my dominant and controlling nature, then she is very much mistaken.
"We need to go. My family will be waiting for us and your smart mouth:"
# # # #
We hit the I-5 having exited the 520 bridge when I notice that Ana is starting to become increasingly tense the closer we get to my parents house. I take hold of her hand and run my thumb over her knuckles before kissing each one.
"Should I tell Taylor to pull over" I offer.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"You are apprehensive. I am more than happy to intervene to unwind you."
"What? On the side of the street with Taylor sitting in the front of the car?" It's dark so I can't see Ana's expression; however, I don't need to. The tone of her voice gives away her shock.
"I can always ask Taylor to step outside," I suggest seriously. I hear Ana breathe out and then feel her hand move to my thigh. Slowly, though steadily, she slides her hand up. Fuck, she is making hard with just her touch. What am I, a thirteen-year-old boy? She strokes me gently at first and then takes no prisoners. I put my hand over Ana's, and while I hate to stop her, I will come all over myself if she continues. I am about to tell Taylor to stop when he again he speaks up first.
"Sir, we will be arriving at Mr and Dr Grey's home in five minutes." Fuck no! I never thought I would say this, but I despised Taylor's constant efficiency this very minute.
"Already?" I query displeased.
"Traffic has been on our side" Taylor announces though his voice sounds a little off. I groan deep inside, but my frustration is replaced by joy when I Ana giggles loudly.
"It's a damn good thing I love your giggle as much as I do, Anastasia. Also, you should keep in mind that I intend to make you, finish what you started, the second we get the chance." I deepen my breaths and focus. The last thing I want my parents to see is just how much I am constantly aroused by Anastasia.
"What? But we're at your parent's house? We can't!"
"It's a big house. Besides I am pretty sure my parents would be ecstatic even if they found us skinny dipping in the pool." I grin broadly. Even though I am joking, this is still probably true. Ana's hand becomes a little cold as we reach the driveway of my parents house.
"Anastasia, for last time, you look gorgeous and I am excited to have you by my side tonight. There is nothing for you to be anxious about." I tell her sternly.
"Ethan? Kate mentioned that to me that he will be here tonight." Shit! I didn't know that he would be invited though it is plausible. He another fucker who has a high social standing because of his parents wealth, plus his sister is dating my brother. I will have Welch's balls for this oversight if the fucker gets near Ana. I hate that she just wasted breath to utter his name. I don't reply not wanting to give him any credence. "Christian, I know you... well at least well enough to know that you probably retaliated somehow over Ethan's interest in my and over the dress. You still don't like anyone wanting what yours is." When Ana told me how Ethan had purchased that far too short black dress and confessed his interest in her, setting him straight and keeping Ana far away from him was my number one objective. Her moving in with me meant I wouldn't need to keep them apart. Ana had made that decision on her own. Also since Ethan has been wise enough not to make any attempts to reach out; I have uncharacteristically refrained from my usual course of action since I didn't want to harm Elliot and Kate's relationship. My brother deserves to be happy.
"Nothing. I have left him alone. You asked me to not make his life difficult and I promised not to. I won't unless he makes another wrong move."
"Truthfully?" Ana raises her eyebrows surprised and a little... disappointed? Strangely I can't tell exactly.
"Yes, Anastasia. I have promised to be honest with you and I have been."
"Well good. Thank you. " Ana replies firmly.
"Masks on" I instruct. I have always appreciated the anonymity that my parent's masked ball provided though I would rather throw this accessory aside. I want people to see me with Anastasia. I must talk to my parents about dropping the masks aspect of this ball next year.
My mother and father greet us at the door. As my mother kisses Ana Hello, I shake my father's hand. It is then that I notice my parents are grinning broadly at me… more than you would expect from loving parents. I narrow my eyes slightly and then it hits me that they are beaming because right in front of them and the media that I have wrapped my arm around Ana.
"If you would excuse us, Mother and Father. I would like to get Ana and myself a drink." Good manners pour out of me.
"Of course darling. We will see you soon" My mother replies. "Elliot, Kate and Mia are already enjoying themselves. Mia brought a date." A date for Mia? My sister has a date to a formal event? This should be interesting. I haven't bought a date before either, but that is because of my 'issue'. Mia has dated since she was sixteen, but the boys she has been with haven't been those of the quality expected from an upper-class charity event.
"Miss Steele, are you ready to make good on what you started in the car?" I look around and there are hundreds of people nearby, but we are far enough that no one has taken notice of us. It would be easy enough to slip off, get ourselves off and return with no one, none the wiser.
"Mr Grey, the real question that needs to be answered is, are you ready for me?" I breathe out and tug at her hand leading her into the house through the back door.
"Christian. Slow down. I can't walk that fast in these shoes." I don't reply but instead take hold of Ana's' legs and sweep her over my shoulders.
"Christian!" Ana squeals.
"Ssshhhh…. Just because the guests are outside there are still people in the house." I rush up to the door of my childhood bedroom, accidentally slamming it as I kick it close. Thank Gosh my room is on the third floor.
Fueled by Ana's antics during the car trip over, I place my hands on her hips, pushing her towards the wall. As I grip her right thigh, Ana hooks her leg over my hip. Thank gosh, she chose a dress that flared out from her waist. It only took one flex of my pelvis to earn a groan out of Ana's smart mouth.
"Since you were the one to start tonight's festivities do you have any requests?" I ask salaciously. Ana's only response is to nibble at my ear. Fuck, if she continues then there won't be time for requests and we will break the record for the quickest slam and dunk.
"Fill me. Hard" Ana hums softly into my ear but causes me to become anything but. I love her like this; feisty and self-confident.
"And there I thought you only had a smart mouth. Who knew it is was also a little dirty…" Ana hand skims down my torso and teasingly to my pelvis until she grips me, feeling how much she affects me. "You know that we can still be caught, someone could have seen us coming up here..."
"I am game." With those three words, I am lost in her spell. Again.
"Turn around" I unzip Anastasia's dress; slowly and carefully undress her, before removing my clothes. I place them carefully over the chair. Regardless of how little I care about the state of her clothes in comparison to how much I want her, we still have to attend the ball.
"So tender," Ana observes. I know she is challenging me, but she needn't. I know exactly what I want.
"I should point out that I don't intend to be so from this point on… You're wet already" I moan into Ana's ear as I run my hand through the apex of her thighs. If only I had the power to stop time. Then I would have the time able to show her how much I want and love her.
"On the bed, on your back" My eyes take in every inch of Ana's perfect and exposed flesh. I straddled her first, teasing her. Ana whimpers a little as I played with her breasts and she thrust her hips into mine. "Eager?"
"Christian... please...go in... like now!" Bossy little thing!
"We aim to please" As soon as I enter Ana, her moans signal that she was more than ready. I build up an easy rhythm, before slowly begin to increase the pace. She is so tight and as usual exquisite. My fingers intertwined into the tendrils of hair "I want you to come for me, nice and hard."
"Oh... Christian!" My ears filled with Ana's lust filled cries and I watched her back arch downward as her hands clutching the sheets, until we came, in a mutually intense orgasm that drained and energized us both.
I help Anastasia back into her dress and grab an old hair brush. As much as I like the just fucked look on her, she isn't as big a fan.
"I am so glad you left your hair down and natural" Ana smiles and runs her hands through my hair in an attempt to get it under some sort of order. I try to stifle it, but I can't and laugh outlaid.
"What's so funny Mrs Grey?"
"You are! … You have caused my structured and controlled life, to flip upside down and now you are trying to organize my hair?" Ana scrunches her lips up, not sure how to take my comment.
"Thank you, Ana" I lean down and kiss her perfectly shaped lips, straightening them with mine. "I never knew that two people could be so in tuned. My biggest regret in life might be that I didn't find you earlier."
Anastasia's bright blue eyes become wider and start to water a little. No! I do want her to cry, even if they are happy tears. I only want to make her smile, laugh... I want to give her the world, my world.
"We better hurry downstairs. Someone is likely to start missing us soon" I guide Anastasia downstairs and as suspected the crowd of guests are just starting to make their way to their seats.
"There you two are! Grace and Carrick said you arrived half an hour ago. Where have you been?" Kate probes. My brother is glaring at me, grinning in only the way he can.
"You look beautiful Anastasia..." Elliot states courteously. At least he still has his manners.
"Thank you."
"So back to Kate's question... Where have you both been?" Elliot's rephrasing of Kate's question is beyond suggestive. I am about to throw back a brotherly comment when Ana's inner sassiness gets in first.
"Let's just say, Elliot, that this isn't the only ball, I have attended to, tonight" Elliot's jaw almost hit the floor until he recomposes himself quickly. He offers Ana a broad smile.
"Little Anastasia Steele, you have balls! Marry my brother..., please! Christian, you are to one day ask Anastasia to marry you! Do you hear me! If you don't, then I am going to castrate you!" Elliot stresses. I want to reply that I am working on it, but I can't put Ana in that position.
We are seated on my families table. Anastasia is to my right; while to my left is Kate, then Elliot, our parents, our grandparents. Only two chairs remain free, for Mia and her date. Whoever that will be. Mia's dates are always 'interesting'. I become uneasy knowing that whoever the fucker is, will be sitting next to Anastasia.
"Where has Mia got to?" Our mother enquires. There are still a few people walking finding their seats, but I don't see my sister.
"Come on mom, whenever has Mia been anywhere on time? She will be late to her own funeral and you know it!" There is a common light laughter from the table. Everyone in our family knows that Elliot's comment is true.
"There she is" My father points behind me, so I don't see her coming.
"Sorry for being late, but I was just showing Ethan some of the grounds" Ethan? I turn my head, and rage starts to build inside of me. Why the fuck is Ethan Kavanagh, the asshole who wants my Anastasia, with my little sister? Why does he have his arm around Mia and why is it, that he is going to sit between her and Ana? This evening is not going to go well.
Authors note: I am sorry that I haven't updated in awhile. I promise I won't leave make you wait that long again. So the Coping together ball is going to get interesting, though keep in mind they are amongst high society... but our Christian Grey is resourceful. Going to be fun... review if you wish.