A/N: Sorry I have been M.I.A. I totally lost my mojo with this story. Nothing was making sense and I was forcing things which only made it worst. I had to take a step back and come at it from a different angle. Big thanks to my personal John Flynn for helping me find a way. I hope you'll forgive me for the length of time. Next most of the next chapter is complete. Just need to finish it off.
This is still Christian's POV…
"Don't think for a second that you really won that auction. I let you win." Reggie smirks at me. Reggie has been egging me on since we left the church. I know it's all been in good fun but I would have risked everything to be the winner.
"Really? My recollection of events was that you got your ass handed to you first by a child and then by me."
"Chris, you don't back down and can keep up with our shit; I like that. Alex and I are going to change and then have a drink out back and just chill. It's still early. You and Ana should come out."
"Sounds good but I have plans with my baby."
"Dude, you are so whipped but I hear ya. Ok, we'll check on you tomorrow. Good night Ana." He announces and waves causing me to turn to see Ana coming out of Nancy and Alex's apartment.
"Good night Reggie." She kisses him on the cheek. I want to pull her away. I don't want her kissing him; hell kissing anyone but me. I count to ten to stay to stay in control. Reggie doesn't want her. "Have I told you lately that you are one in a million? How did I get so lucky to find a friend like you?"
"I guess you have been blessed. It was my pleasure baby sis. I'll see you tomorrow." As Reggie disappears into his apartment I pull Ana into my arms, burying my nose in her hair and inhale deeply. "Is everything ok baby?"
"Yes. I think Nancy was having some kind of reaction to something she ate at the party. Rachel, Luke and Mike are taking care of her. You should see her; Rachel and Luke are each massaging her feet and Mike is massaging her back and shoulders. She's in heaven."
"Good. I have one more thing for your upstairs. Come."
"Christian, no more, please." I grab her chin and force her to look directly at me. "You're making my palm twitch. Get that cute little ass upstairs right now and stop giving me lip."
APOV
"Twitchy palm?" I ask and he gives me a knowing look. I realize he's talking about spanking me again. I smile up at him through my lashes. Time to give this submissive thing another try. I lower my head and look at the floor and very softly tell him, "If that's what you want…Sir." I hear him gasp. A few seconds pass but he hasn't said anything. I look up at him but his eyes are closed and it looks like he's counting. "Christian, I'm sorry if I did it wrong. I wanted to try a few things; to let you know I'm not opposed to trying. Tell me what you want."
"Ana…" he takes a few deep breaths. I still myself waiting for his disapproving remarks. Thinking back over this, I was too forward. Nancy said I didn't have a submissive bone in my body and I guess this proves it. I didn't think this would be that strict. Opening his eyes, his expression in flat, guarded and completely unreadable. I forgot we're in the hallway until Luke appears from Nancy's apartment. "Is everything ok?" He questions.
Not missing a beat, Christian responds not taking his eyes off me, "Yes Luke, we're fine. Please leave us." Luke nods and walks back into the apartment. He cups my face with his hands bringing my forehead closer, leaving small kisses across my brow. "It's you I want Anastasia, only you and anyway I can have you. Come."
The door swings open and a sweet smell hits my nose immediately. I can't keep still. "Stop jumping around Anastasia or I will keep my hand over yours eyes."
"Please! Please! Please! Let me see."
"Oh baby, I love it when you beg." His voice is deep and lustful. Pulling his finger away my eyes instantly fill and my tears are like a waterfall. My small apartment has become a glorious field of pink roses, carnations and daisy bouquets. I count four; all spaced around the room. My coffee table has been moved and in its place is a circle of lit candles. There's one metal holder on the counter with a star design which has a flickering of the candlelight, creating a dance of stars all around the room; it's magical. In the center of the rug is a small wrapped box, a bottle of champagne with glasses and a small tray of milk chocolate and white chocolate dipped strawberries. "Chr…Christian, how? This is beautiful. How?" I throw my arms around his neck and sob.
"I have connections. Baby this is supposed to make you happy, not turn you into an emotional wreck. Is there something you don't like?"
Pulling back from him, "How could you ask me that? There is nothing wrong with any of this. Not a single thing. Oh Christian…" I can't stop crying. "All that you've done, this is truly the best night of my life. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I crash my lips into his causing him to lose his footing and fall against the wall. The kiss deepens as his tongues dance. My hand flies into his hair as his hands are all over my body; both of us moaning and grunting. I want him right now. Pulling away from me, "Baby I have things planned. We have to stop or I'll make love to you right here in the doorway." He pleads.
"Go for it!"
"Someone is turning into a very naughty girl on their birthday."
"You have that effect on me." I smile straightening my dress. "You're right, the night is young." I look down at the wrapped gift on the floor. "I supposed that any objections I may have about the gift that's on the floor will be rebuffed?"
"Your observations are correct. I told you, I will spend my money as I wish and that includes spoiling you when the mood hits me and who said it was for you anyway. That's very arrogant. Maybe I bought myself something pretty."
"The same goes for me. I have something for you too." I take off to the bedroom before he can protest, grab the white box and head back to the living room. "This is for you. Don't worry, it's…pretty."
"That box is too big. I won't accept that." He's adamant.
"Listen, I can spend my money on you as I see fit, just as you can with me."
"But baby, you're not working and it's your day. This isn't how this is supposed to go."
"I was working when I bought this and the money is already spent. Take it Christian. I wanted to get this for you."
"This is for me? Really?"
"Of course it's for you. Christian, I have to ask, has anyone ever given you a present? You seem really surprised."
"Other than my family, no one has. I've never be given anything."
"Once again, I'm your first."
"You have no idea. Thank you baby." He takes my hand a leads me to what I'm calling our love circle. He pulls out his iPod and finds something to fit the mood. Placing it on the docking station, I hear beautiful violins and pianos. I don't know the piece but it's very fitting. Christian takes off his jacket and shoes; he helps me remove my heels; my feet are thankful and he turns off the lights. The room is cloaked in darkest except for the magical candle lights dancing across the walls and ceiling. Christian swoops me info his arms and we sway to the music.
I don't know how much time has passed. I lost track of the song and relish in the feel of Christian's strong embrace. I pull back when I realize the music has come to an end. "Sweetie, the song stopped."
Tightening his grip, "I'm not letting you go. You're mine Ana." He whispers in my ear sending shivers down my spine.
"Yes, I'm all yours but I have something planned too so you have to let me go long enough to get things together."
"No baby, stay here. You feel so good in my arms."
"Look at me Christian." He inhales my hair as he pulls up to his full height. "I want today to be memorable for both of us. I need to go get ready but I want you to open your gift first." We sit down in the middle of the love circle and I watch him slowly rip off the wrapping paper. "I hope you like them." I give him a big smile. I hope he doesn't think it's silly.
Watching him is like watching a small child on Christmas morning. It warms my heart to see him happy and smiling. He opens the box and pulls out the dark blue hooded terry cloth bathrobe, then holds it to his chest. "Ana this is a wonderful gift and I really like the embroidered C. Thank you." Rachel came through for me again by using her skills to stitch on the cursive lettering.
"I figured that you could have something here that's only for you. I have a matching one with an A. I thought we could lounge around in them all day tomorrow. Don't stop there, there's one more." He tears into the remaining tissue paper to the blue pajama set. "See, I told you it was something pretty. Do you like?"
"Absolutely, I do. In these, I'll be like Hugh Hefner. Ok, my turn. It's small." I rip off the paper just as enthusiastically as he did for his gift. It's a beautiful silver picture frame with a photo of us from our first date in the park. "Christian I had no idea you took this." My eyes are closed with my head resting on his shoulder and his arm is around me; there's a small amount a mustard from the pretzel on the corner of my mouthImouth clearly remember that moment of absolute bliss. The music was beautiful and I had zoned out in Christian's arms.
"It was an ideal moment that needed to be preserved. I guess great minds were thinking alike with the engraving." My eyes focus on the small script font in the corner of the frame. It says, "It's the moments together that change us forever." I smile up at him. "Knowing you Ana Steele, has changed me forever and I wouldn't have it any other way. I lean in to kiss his luscious lips.
Eric POV
"Dude, are you ok?" Some jerk asks from behind me." The last heave jerks my body forward. I threw up everything I'd put in my stomach. Seeing that mother fucking piece of shit with his hands on my woman; I couldn't keep it down. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. "Fuck off!" I yell back not bothering to look to see who I'm talking to. I run my hands across my face and head towards my car. Once inside I can't hold back my scream. "BOYFRIEND! He's her fucking boyfriend!" He had his hands all over her. She was enjoying it. She was all smiles. This can't be happening. I was only gone for two weeks. I punch and violently pull on the steering wheel.
I have to get my shit together and I need a cigarette. Fumbling around the car, I find my smokes and light up. Taking that first drag; my anger drops but only slightly. My mind is in overdrive. How could she do this to me? How could she run to that weak bastard? He got beat up by a bunch of kids for Christ's sake. She's no different from the rest. You know that. Ugh! Ana is supposed to be mine. I knew going to Mexico was going to have disastrous ramifications. I worked too damn hard for this not to go my way.
The tires screech loudly as I pull into traffic. Weaving in and out of the lane, I'm on autopilot. I know where I need to be. Pulling into the parking lot; this is his spot, a strip club. Mustangs, such a ridiculous name. I hate this place. It's filled with nothing but whores and users. Like Ana. She used your kindness. You looked out for her. Walking in, it's dark and smells; sweat, ass and desperation don't mix well. I've been in here a few times and each time I leave feeling dirty but this place has served its purpose on occasion. The large stage covered in mirrors has three women bumping and gyrating for change. I scan the room and there he is; in his usual spot. I make my way over to the booth with an individual stage and pole. I see he's been working fast; three empty beer bottles on the table and one in his hand. His eyes are glued to that chick's ass. "Ahh, you finally came to your senses and realized this is the place to be instead of with that little twit of yours."
"Fuck you! You have no idea what you're talking about." I grumble at him.
"Oh I know plenty. You need to leave that shit alone or man up and take care of business. All this…courting is making me nauseous and getting you nowhere. Now that little chocolate drop Rachel…man…I can't wait to get my hands on her. So, so sweet."
"Fuck Rachel too! She's the least of my problems though I'm sure she had something to do with that fucker that had his hands all over Ana. That bitch was there; she pushed them together."
"Alright…alright…alright, the little twit found another cock. Ha!" He gestures the waitress. "Sit down, have a beer and fill me in."