CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX:

I wake up in the middle of the night too warm. Christian's head is on my shoulder and he's breathing softly on my neck while he sleeps. We were up until just two hours ago getting to know each others' bodies. His leg is entwined with mine, his hand is placed behind his pillow. My eyes flicker open and close and I remove the blankets from my overheated body. Hazily my mind wanders through the events of yesterday evening. I lost my virginity—boy, did I lose it alright. I'm amazed at how much I truly enjoyed it. I smile as I remember how gentle Christian was with me. He was sweet, real sweet, and unexpected. I take a moment to think how I'm feeling about this. I can't deny I feel different.

"What's wrong?" Sleepy eyes search mine.

"Nothing. Go back to sleep." I run my fingers through his hair.

"How can I go back to sleep when you look this lovely." He says, kissing my lips, and my body lights up.

"I don't think I can go again." I shyly say.

"Did I hurt you?" He asks, and I'm embarrassed to admit I'm a bit sore.

"I'm just sore." I whisper.

Christian kisses my forehead and pulls away from me. He stands up and walks out of the room and a few minutes I hear water running from the bathroom. He comes back into the room with a glass of water and two pills, "Take this they will help with the pain." He hands me the Advil's and I gladly take them. "Come with me." He puts his hand out for me to take and I do so. He walks me to the bathroom and I'm welcome by the wonderful smell of watermelon. The bathtub is full of steamy water and bubbles.

"You did this for me?" I ask looking at him in awe.

"Yes, I want to take care of you." He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it.

I let go off his hand and wrap my arms around his neck. "You're going to spoil me." He shyly looks down at the floor, "Thank you for taking care of me."

"I like taking care of you." He finally looks at me again and smiles at me.

"You're making me feel loved." I kiss his neck.

"That's because you are," he murmurs, and my heart melts. He can be so sweet and gentle. "Now get in the bathtub before I take you back to the bed."

I smile like a fool and before I get into the bathtub, I get an idea. "Join me?" I reach for his hand and I'm over the moon when he does.

"Ahh this is heaven." I tell him as soon as my aching body hits the warmness.

"I hope I wasn't too rough with you." Christian say's and I lean my back to his chest.

"You weren't. It was amazing for me." I admit feeling shy.

"It was amazing for me too." He whispers into my ear and I feel a shiver leave my body.

Smiling I close my eyes and let the warm water and Christian relax me. "Can we stay here for ever?"

"Unfortunately, no. We need to head back in the morning." He says, and I can hear the disappointment in his voice. "-I need to catch a flight back to London tomorrow, but I'll come back as soon as I can." He adds and my heart sinks. I can't be without him now after what has happened between us. Not wanting to cry I put that thought out of my mind and enjoy the reminding of the night with the man I love.

~•~•~

"Will I see you soon again?" I ask Christian as he pulls into the Holiday inn hotel where I have been staying. I can't hold back the sadness in my voice. He must go back to London tonight and I need to get ready to present my final project and write final exams this week.

"Yes, I promise." he kisses my lips and I can feel that he feels the same way. He doesn't want to be apart from me. "I will miss you madly, but we can text and Skype as much as possible and I will be back in time for your graduation."

I nod my head knowing that we will both be extremely busy, and the time will go by fast, but I still can't stop but hate that we must be apart. "I will miss you too." I kiss him again and again. Until we are pulling apart breathing heavy.

"We better stop before I drag you up to the hotel room and make love to you." he says, and I can feel the power that I hold on him. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. It scares me to know I have his heart on my hands.

"I wouldn't mind that." I whisper. After all the sex we had this weekend you would think I would need a break, but that's not the case. I love every time he touches me, and I feel so close to him right now.

"I can't be late for my flight." he tells me, and I nod my head holding my tears back.

"Will you message me when you arrive in London?" I need to know that he has arrived safe. I wish I could go with him.

"Of course," he kisses my forehead, "Take care of yourself Anastasia."

I shyly smile, "I will." he kisses my hand and I reach for the door handle with the other. I open the door and step out. I wave at him and begin to close the door, but he stops me.

"I love you Anastasia." as the words leave his mouth I rush back into the car and kiss him hard.

"I love you too Christian."

~•~•~

I walk into the hotel feeling sad. I know he will be back soon, but I miss him already. I have never felt this way before. This is a new feeling for me and I'm confused about it.

My phone buzzes as I enter the elevator. I reach into my purse and pull it out only to realize I have ten messages and three missed calls. I check who they are from and see that most of them are from Paisley and a few from my parents. What do they want now? After all they kicked me out.

I open Paisleys messages:

Yo Anastasia.

Where are you?

Answer your phone.

Are you alive?

Your parents are worried and looking for you.

Helloooo

I call her number wanting to know what is going on and I'm glad she answers on the second ring.

"Anastasia where the hell have you been?" She shouts at me and I'm about to hang up if she doesn't stop.

"Christian took me to his cottage there is barely any phone reception there. I missed your calls and text. What is going on?"

"Well I'm glad you're alright. But your parents are seriously worried about you. They want to go to the police. They called my parents freaking out. They want me to tell them where you have been staying." She tells me, and I feel bad for putting her in this position. "You need to figure out something to tell them today, they aren't buying my excuses anymore." She adds.

"Thanks for having my back, I will take care of it." I tell her and hang up. I need to call my parents and calm them. I'm eighteen so even if they call the cops they can't make me go home, but I do feel bad that they are worried even though they are the ones who kicked me out.

I rush to my room and throw my purse on the floor. I walk back and forth contemplating my options. I could tell them the truth about Christian helping me. However, I'm not sure they will react well to that.

I grab my phone and before I can think more about it I dial their number.

"Oh God Anastasia we were so worried about you." my mother cries.

"I know I'm sorry I hadn't called, I'm fine thought."

"Where are you? Your father and I are sorry for everything. Please let us come pick you up. You need to come home."

"No, I'm not ready to come home. I just wanted you to know that I'm alright and not to worry about me. I will see you at the graduation and we can talk more than."

"Anastasia please-"

I stop her before she can say anything else, "Sorry mom but I have to go. I will call soon again I promise." with that I hang up and I hope this worked and I have a bit more time before I have to tell them about Christian.