Thank you for all your support, you are awesome! Also a big thank you to GatePark for her brilliant contributions.
Following the lead of many authors, I would like to recommend to all of you a fantastic story, The Sandman by Mrs Caron. Sophisticated and elegant writing, with a tortured Christian who can't escape the demons of his past, but wants to redeem himself because of Ana. Totally worth it.
MUSIC:
Light my fire. The Doors.
I love rock & roll. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Bang a gong (get it on). T. Rex.
Black velvet. Alannah Myles.
Maybe I'm amazed. Paul McCartney (Jamie Dornan version, of course!)
CHAPTER 37
Christian's melodic cooning faded away in sync with the music, a low guitar riff that paired perfectly with that velvety sexy whisper of his, almost breathless at the very end of it. Bruce put his palm flat on the cords of the instrument, making its hum stop, as his eyes searched his wife's. Maureen's face was alight with joy, her lips curled up into a full-on smile as she nodded silently. Bruce returned the contagious smile and also ticked his chin up ever so slightly with a raised eyebrow. His expression showed a new admiration for the man in front of him. They both directed their gazes to Christian, who still had his eyes closed.
"So, it seems we're doing this." Bruce stated.
"You are definitely doing this!" Maureen exclaimed.
"Are we?" Christian asked with trepidation. He had completely lost himself in the song, pouring his feelings into Ana's words. But now that the nebula around him was fading, he felt raw and exposed. And completely inadequate. His mouth suddenly went bone dry, and he licked his lips nervously. "I so totally understand Ana now…" He muttered, rubbing his face furiously with both of his hands.
"It will be a crime if you don't do it, Christian." Maureen voiced with a reassuring smile. "Ana will totally love it."
"I guess I can alter some things without Ana noticing them…" Bruce thought out loud, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe we could sneak you in when I'm supposed to sing? I'm gonna be your guitarist after all." He searched Maureen's face once again, looking for her opinion.
"So, am I singing, then?" Christian asked with wide eyes.
"You better get that settled in your head, Christian." Maureen smirked.
Christian took a deep breath and let it go slowly, nodding absentmindedly as he tried to find that self-assurance so ingrained in his business persona. Taylor's usual stoic façade had morphed into one of awe. He shook his head, slipping once again into his CPO role, when his phone vibrated silently in his pocket. He acknowledged Sawyer with the briefest of conversations, merely a curt nod and a grunt.
"Excuse me, sir." He called Christian, clearing his throat.
"Yes, Taylor?" Christian answered him, rapidly returning from the haze that surrounded him before.
"Mr. Rodriguez is on his way to Harborview. Ms. Steele is already there."
"Fuck." Christian muttered. "I have to go; I wasn't aware it was this late!" He told Bruce and Maureen while gathering his things.
"Tomorrow, same place, same time. There are some things we have to polish!" Bruce called out to him while Christian rushed out the door, relishing in the power of bossing around none other than one Mr. Grey.
_§ § 0 § §_
Ana blinked repeatedly against the harsh fluorescent light in the intensive care unit. She took a deep breath and brushed her fingertips against the smooth, cool surface of the panel window of Leila's room, outlining her prone form.
"They have lowered her sedation, and the doctors say she will be waking up anytime soon…" She said in that low, guarded tone you use at hospitals.
"This is so fucked up…" Jose shook his head, the words flowing in a pained whisper. He swallowed hard, a mask of guilt and disgust turning his mouth downwards as his gaze fixed at Leila. "How did I get involved with these people?" His chocolate brown eyes turned to Ana, cringing with regret.
"What do you want me to say, Jose?" Ana shrugged, offering him a sad and tired smile. Even after all the things Jose had done; the stolen kiss, the photos, she could empathize with him. "You made a big mistake; I know how manipulative Elena Lincoln can be… but you can make up for it now." Ana watched him with compassion. "For you, for Leila."
"For you, Ana. I will make it right for you." He gulped heavily, laying his palm flat against the glass. "And, yeah… also for Leila." After a moment, his hand fell to his side, and he turned his body toward Ana. "I am so sorry…" He shook his head, lost for words. "I was so mad, so… jealous. I know I had no right to feel that way, but… I don't know, Ana." He rubbed his forehead with his thumb and forefinger. "Now I understand."
"What do you now understand?" Ana asked in a tiny voice.
"This thing between Grey and you… It's the real thing, isn't it? Now I understand." He answered, looking her in the eye. Ana only nodded, a rush of emotions forming a lump in her throat.
Sawyer's movement on her left made her shift her attention to him. She noticed his hand pressed against his earpiece just before he turned around.
"Christian must be on his way up." She sighed, a rare mix of relief and trepidation pouring out of her lips.
Even before Ana could end the sentence, Christian rushed out of the elevator before the doors were completely open. His black slacks hung low on his hips; the first two buttons of his white shirt were open, and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows; his hair was even more disheveled than usual. He seemed… flustered. First, his eyes went wide; then turned into slate slits, zeroed in on Jose. With powerful, long strides he reached Ana, wrapping his arms around her and inhaling the scent of her hair just before kissing the top of her head. Ana closed her eyes, the blissful warmth of his embrace surrounding her.
"Sorry I'm late, baby. Something came up." He murmured against her hair.
With his cheek leaning against Ana's head, Christian studied Jose's profile, who had averted his eyes from the couple. He had shadows under his eyes, he had grown a scruffy beard and his clothes were crumpled, having come directly from the airport. This entire situation clearly had taken its toll on him, but Christian couldn't care less. Jose turned his head, feeling the weight of Christian's gaze on him.
"Grey." Jose greeted him apprehensively, offering his hand with guarded caution.
"Rodriguez." Christian gave him a curt nod, taking his offered hand with too much force, while not breaking his firm hold on Ana's shoulders.
"Thank you for keeping an eye on my father. That's very… thoughtful of you." Jose conceded.
"He doesn't have anything to do with this fucked up situation; it was the least I could do." Christian answered as a matter-of-fact.
"You are a good person." Jose enunciated slowly as if testing the words of a truth recently discovered. Christian dismissed him with a scowl, focusing his attention toward Leila, and Ana gave Jose a grateful smile, mouthing a silent 'thank you'. "I'm gonna head to the police station and then I will come back up here after grabbing a bite in the cafeteria. I… I want to be here when she wakes up…" His eyes fell to the ground, shifting his weight from right to left uncomfortably, before looking to Leila. Ana and Christian shared a questioning look. "I have to talk to her."
"I understand." Ana responded sweetly.
"The hospital will notify the police officers in charge of the case as soon as she is awake." Christian added. "She has to give her statement too. Oh, and Collins will escort you to the police station."
_§ § 0 § §_
"So, tell us everything about the big day! Are you nervous?" Kate asked Ana with enthusiasm, her eyes wide and dancing with mirth while sipping a colorful cocktail.
The two Grey brothers and the two friends had met for a few drinks at The Mile High Club. Ana and Christian had gone directly from the hospital, and although they were feeling exhausted, Ana didn't want to cancel on Kate.
Ana breathed a nervous laugh. "Well, I'm a bit anxious, but it helps that I have everything covered." She replied, sipping her chardonnay. Christian coughed nervously, leaving his tumbler of Scotch on the table between the two couples. Ana reached for him, patting him gently on the back.
"Wrong way." Christian muttered, thanking Ana with a chaste kiss. Elliot gave him a weird, incredulous look; one arched eyebrow with a pout that disguised a suspicious smile.
"I know that there might be some unforeseen circumstances, but I think I will manage." She shrugged.
"You will do great." Christian assured her, kissing her lightly on the side of her head.
"We received the invitations yesterday. They are super cool!" Elliot chimed. "But, what will you do exactly?"
"Well, I have to do basically what I did in WSU radio, but with an audience onsite. There will be both recorded and live music; there's even enough space if people feel like dancing. I will be doing some interviews, or music debates too, but not on the first day." Ana explained.
"Does it mean they know about Midnight Sun?" Kate asked.
"Yes, it is. Do you remember that radio singing contest where I sang when we moved to Seattle?" Ana looked at Christian with a sweet smile, and he squeezed her hand affectionately in return, with a smile of his own, "I named myself as Midnight Sun. Turns out the organizers, my bosses now, knew about the program."
"I told you that extracurricular activity would open some doors for you!" Kate exclaimed triumphantly. "It will be fantastic, sweetie. I'm dying to watch you in action."
"Thank you, Kate." Ana beamed.
"And… have you seen Jose, yet?" Kate asked hesitantly after a brief moment of silence.
"Yes, we have." Ana's eyes shifted to Christian's, lingering there with warm concern. "We met at Harborview. He wanted to see Leila. Then, he went to the police station." Ana explained.
"Thank God!" Elliot exhaled.
"Oh, yeah, um…" Kate stuttered, glancing nervously toward Christian.
"I know my brother told you everything, Kate. He asked me, and I gave him my blessing to share the whole story with you. After all, it seems you two are in this together for the long run, aren't you?" Christian half-joked, not breaking eye contact with Kate. Ana squeezed his hand under the table. "That being said, I don't necessarily want to discuss my past private life with you, so don't go all 'journalist' on me." He smirked.
Kate's anxious expression slowly faded into a grateful smile, shaking her head and chuckling under her breath. "Damn!" She joked back.
Ana gifted her best friend with a beaming smile, reaching for her hand across the table.
"It's almost dinner time, and I'm starving. Do you want to share some appetizers and wash it down with another round?" Elliot chimed in, rubbing his hands in front of him.
_§ § 0 § §_
They went to Escala after having dinner with Kate and Elliot, craving the intimacy of being just the two of them alone despite the good time shared with their respective friends.
"Would you like to see Leila when she wakes up?" Ana asked Christian with measured words, looking at his reflection in the large bathroom mirror while they discarded their clothes and prepared for bed.
He stopped his movements midway, his shirt already opened, showing off his naked chest, and his arms still in front of him, his left hand trying to release his cufflinks now motionless. He licked his lips and resumed his task before talking. "No. Yes. I don't know. What's the point?" He forcefully yanked his shirt and threw it in the dumper. "I doubt she knew what she was doing…" He closed his eyes and hung his head; the nightmare scene of his birthmother's pale face before his eyelids; dull eyes wide open, void of life, and mouth slack and askew. "Yes, I want to help her overcome this shit with the drugs… I do not want to be personally involved, but maybe Flynn could refer her to someone…" He rambled, not looking her in the eye.
"Hey…" She called to him softly, lifting his chin with one finger. Her warm gaze seeped into him, instilling a reassuring calmness. "I understand, Christian. I will support any decision you make."
Christian nodded imperceptibly, not quite meeting her gaze still, while his index finger traced her left clavicle, from outside to inside, following a path to the swell of her right breast, just above the lace of her bra.
"So single-minded, Mr. Grey." She chastised him half-heartily. It was an obvious evasion technique, which she would oblige him without hesitation. Her own finger outlined gently over his abs, past his belly button, and down his happy trail, looking up at him coquettishly under her lashes.
"Look who's talking." He chuckled with a mischievous smirk that didn't disguise his grateful gaze.
He took a step backward and got rid of his slacks and socks. Ana lifted a challenging eyebrow, discarding her bra and walking to the closet in only her burgundy lace panties to retrieve one of Christian's shirts.
"Tell me, are you really so cool and collected as you seem with Fifty's opening night?" He asked while they plopped onto the bed. He lay on his side, his head leaning on his hand. Ana sat cross-legged beside him.
She gave him a nervous smile. "Not really." She sighed.
"You will be great, baby." Christian reassured her, leaning closer and reaching for her hand. "What you have planned… it's incredible." He swallowed guiltily, doubts of breaking her schedule still lingering on his mind. "And it's so you, that's why I know it will be a success. I'm so proud of you."
"I think you might be a little biased." She poked him in his taut abdomen.
"And, why would that be?" He joked, feigning innocence.
"Well," she leaned in close, "because you love me."
"Mmmm… could be." He reached for her, making her lay down sideways and snaking his leg between hers, pressing her body flush against his. "I love you. I love everything about you… So yes, I may be a little biased." He grinned against her mouth. He moved away just enough to look her in the eyes. "Do you want to play a little game?" His eyes sparkled with innocent enthusiasm; his demeanor making a one-eighty from sultry to playful.
"You and your little games…" She leaned back on the bed and looked at him, since he was now kneeling beside her.
"You will like it." He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned like the cat that ate the canary. His eyes couldn't help but rake all up and down her body; his shirt, that she was wearing, had ridden up, exposing the soft skin of her lower abdomen, and those lacy, almost see-through panties covering his own warm heaven.
"You know I like all your games, Christian." She bit her lip, probably on purpose, knowing what it did to him.
The air grew thick between them, cracking with sexual tension, with that ever-present irresistible pull that always surrounded them.
He exhaled roughly, licking the underside of his upper teeth, and got out of bed, walking to the chest of drawers, where his iPod laid in the dock station. Ana cocked her head and sighed, mesmerized by the way his back muscles rippled with every movement.
"My turn, first." He muttered while fumbling with the device. His eyes flickered between the iPod screen and Ana, who was kneeling on the bed now, tempting and inviting, and so fucking sexy he bit his bottom lip so hard he almost drew blood.
"You began this game months ago, Ana." Christian's gaze was so intense she could feel her skin burning.
"How so?" Ana asked with a lazy smile.
"With Roberta Flack's 'I put a spell on you'." Christian said hungrily, remembering how she teased him, and lured him in, and made him feel fucking alive; made him feel things he had never felt before, way before even knowing who she was.
"Mmmm, I see…" Ana smirked, laying once again on the bed with her legs crossed by her ankles. "Well, you asked for it with that teasing e-mail, Mr. Fifty Shades." Ana's voice was husky and so alluring, Christian groaned lowly in his chest.
"Fuck, I can't believe it was only some months ago; it feels like I've known you all my life." He muttered to himself while pressing the 'play' button.
The first notes of The Doors' 'Light my fire' filled the room with melodic turns and metaphorical ribbons of psychedelic colors, overwhelming even with the low volume Christian had set.
"Ok." She whispered breathlessly. She loved this little game of seduction. "A classic, Mr. Grey. How appropriate. I'm game."
"You know I like the classics." He stared at her, as she sauntered off the bed, approaching him slowly until standing face to face with him, only a few inches away.
Her hips swayed on their own with the hypnotic rhythm of the music, and his hands, large and warm, reached for them, pulsing with the same electric energy. Ana turned around; eyes closed, head turned back, leaning over his shoulder. Her back was flushed to his front, trapping his growing need between their swaying bodies. His hands tightened on her waist, but didn't go further; he, instead, inhaled her hair, the tip of his nose tracing the shell of her ear.
"You said 'yes' with Rocketeer." He whispered against her skin, his wet lips grazing her pulse point.
"And I got you back with 'Bring me to life'." Ana moaned at the feel of his lips closing in on her skin.
"Thank God." He groaned, tightening his arms around her middle.
When the song finished, they both were panting, immobile and blinded by the lust-filled fog surrounding them. Ana's eyes fluttered open when she realized the room was in silence. She turned around slowly, looking Christian in the eye with crystalline amazement. His grey orbits matched hers, as a lazy, slow smile curled up his lips. A silent, breathless laugh escaped her mouth before moving to the iPod.
"Great choice, really." She chuckled as she walked to the iPod. "My turn". She added with a lopsided smile.
Christian stood immobile, waiting for the music to start. Once she hit play, a mischievous smirk adorned her face. Christian crossed his arms over his chest, arching a curious eyebrow. Ana sashayed to him, her hips beating with the drum intro and her hands clapping along with the rhythm. She twirled playfully beside him, her hair brushing his arms, which he kept tightly crossed to prevent himself to end the game too fast, too soon. She crossed the room, away from him, and leaned on the frame of the walk-in closet door, watching him watching her. Her eyes danced mischievously as sassy Joan Jett bawled out her love for rock and roll.
"Another classic." She shrugged, biting her lip.
"Yeah, you love the classics, too." He said breathlessly, his chest bursting with a happiness that made his heart bump frantically as he stalked towards her.
"I love rock and roll." She laughed playfully.
He stopped in front of her, both arms stretched at his sides; hands wide open aching to grab her warm flesh. Her attitude and the way she moved her body was just the perfect combination of spunk, seduction and power. Her laughter died with a breathless sigh.
"You're confident. You know what you want and you go for it, no matter what. You don't care about what other people say or think." He played with a loose curl of her hair, twirling it around his finger. "You wanted me and you have me." He whispered in her ear.
"How very accurate." She answered hoarsely.
"It's what this game is for, isn't it?" He murmured cockily, turning around and walking away to choose his next song.
He flashed her a dazzling smile and a devilish wink before hitting play, sauntering to her once again as the irreverent notes of 'Bang a gong' ricocheted on the walls of the room, painting playful smiles and lascivious gazes on their faces.
"What does this song say about you, huh?" She wondered out loud, her voice laced with mirth as she tapped her chin pensively.
"That you're dirty and sweet, and you're my girl." He answered whimsically, snaking an arm around her waist and pressing her body tight against his bare chest, swaying their bodies to the music.
"Dirty and sweet?" She arched a brow and smirked, lacing her arms around his neck.
"So, so dirty and so, so, so sweet…" He whispered against her skin, his lips skimming her jaw, making her suck in a breath.
He graciously made her twirl around, only to catch her once again. They danced, laughed and kissed like old-time lovers; a happy bubble cocooning them.
They didn't move when the song finished, joined in a tight embrace as their heartbeats slowed down and their shared breaths settled in. She caressed his arms from elbow to shoulder, soothingly, rhythmically interchanging between the gentle scraping of her nails and using the silky light touch of her fingertips; the epitome of dirty and sweet. He splayed his hands on her back, pressing her tightly against him.
"One more…" She whispered out of breath; hooded eyes that roamed his face.
"Ana…" It was a plea, a command; an only word with so much meaning.
"One more…" She begged against the shell of his ear, grazing his earlobe with her teeth.
He groaned low in his chest, awkwardly walking backward towards the iPod, without letting her go. She giggled with a tinkling sound that made his stomach do a somersault and his face split into a beaming smile. Christian's back hit the chest of drawers with a thud, and they chuckled quietly. Ana pecked him on the lips before reaching behind him to hit play to her song of choice.
"You, silly thing." She whispered, tenderly brushing her nose with his, as the bluesy, sexy melody weaved around them in a warm embrace.
Christian hummed, a low vibration born in his very core that reached Ana's fingertips, which were tracing patterns all over his chest and shoulders, tattooing the unhurried notes all over his skin. She reached behind him and traced his back, mesmerized by the way his muscles flexed in sweet agony.
"The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything. Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for." Ana sang along, whispering in his ear. Her voice was hoarse and needy.
Christian rolled his hips against hers, showing her how well he could move, and caged her against the nearest wall. "So fucking sexy." He growled. Ana blinked slowly, aroused and out of breath at his close proximity; so dominant, so masculine. She felt almost like fainting. "I'm gonna eat you alive." He growled again, this time against her ear; his lips brushing her skin. He inhaled sharply and groaned; he could smell her tangy sweet aroma.
It was she who made the first move; just a single brush of her fingertips over his long lashes. His eyes opened, revealing that feral stare of his.
In a millisecond, she was pinned to the wall, their bodies flushed together and his mouth covering hers in a possessive kiss. Her hands gripped his hair tightly, pulling in sync with the grinding of his hips.
Suddenly, he was on his knees and nudged her legs farther apart, burying his nose in her panty-covered core. He licked and rubbed through the lace; his hands gripping the back of her thighs as she kept her balance with just her upper back against the wall. Her head lolled from side to side in agonizing pleasure; the lace adding great friction to his probing fingers and his hot mouth. She moaned silently, breathlessly, begging for more.
"Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet." He chanted, rising from his kneeling position and biting her right nipple through her t-shirt before reaching her mouth.
"Oh, God, Christian!" She hissed as he ground into her, lifting her up against the wall.
She tightened her legs around his waist, plunging her tongue into his mouth following the same cadence of his thrusts. He could feel her wet warmth through the two thin layers of cloth separating them, and it was not enough.
"Fuck me, Christian." She moaned against his lips. "Fuck me hard and fast."
The bed was not near enough. They stumbled onto the floor, desperate and savage. Her soaked panties disintegrated with a forceful tug, digging deliciously painfully into Ana's skin. Her t-shirt and his boxer briefs followed next, landing on the other side of the room. He entered her in one swift movement, grinding when their hips touched. Kneeling, he grasped her thighs and began a punishing rhythm of rapid, deep strokes. Ana tilted her head back; her back barely touching the floor. Her tits bounced with every thrust, and Christian doubled his speed just to watch them jiggle even more. Ana's mouth was open in a silent cry, just on the edge of her orgasm. Christian massaged her clit with his thumb, sagging in a mixture of relief and pure agony when she imploded around him, hissing her ecstasy.
He lay her down on the floor and plunged into her with abandon. Her feet bounced on each side of his head; their skin slapped together with the squishy sounds of the moisture their bodies were producing; his hair, wet with sweat, stuck on his forehead.
"Please…" Ana begged incoherently, before blindly reaching for his mouth. He tightened his hold on her.
"You ready to give me more? Can you cum for me again, baby?" Christian rasped in between thrusts.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes…" She nodded furiously.
"Good, because I'm going to fucking explode!" He grunted.
He lowered himself down onto his elbows and hid his face in the crook of her neck and sped up his pumping chasing toward their releases, roaring in rapture when their orgasms made them shatter together.
_§ § 0 § §_
Later that night, after showering, Christian was lathering Ana's backside and back with arnica cream to ease the rug-burn on her delicate skin. It was immensely gratifying for him to be able to take care of her in every possible way.
"This is so nice." She sighed dreamily, leaning her head on her crossed arms draped lazily against the cool sheets.
Christian stilled, leaving a lingering kiss in the middle of her back before continuing his soothing ministrations.
"If… if I was to describe you with songs… it would be so much more." He said solemnly.
She turned around, looking at him with kind eyes.
"You are so much more than…" Christian opened his palms, pointing at the space between them and then waving to the rest of the room.
"I know, baby." She sat up, cupping one of his cheeks. "And you are so much more to me, too."
Christian closed his eyes, leaning his clean-shaven jaw into her touch, and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he roamed her face lovingly and mimicked her position, softly caressing her cheekbone.
After a few heartbeats, he closed the small space between them, leaning his forehead on hers, and began singing a sweet, meaningful tune; breathy at first, but more serene as it progressed; a heartfelt declaration that brought happy tears at Ana's eyes.
Baby, I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time,
And maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time,
You hung me on the line.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.
"You're so much more… you're everything." Christian whispered against her mouth.
Have you read Darts? It's a one-shot, born thanks to the 'Days of fifty Challenge', a writing challenge motivated by 'The Playroom of the FSOG Sisterhood' Facebook page. Those women are awesome. Darts will become a full story when Singing your Shades will be finished. Give it a try!