A/N: It's taken a while, but I think this chapter has come out exactly how I wanted it to. I recommend glancing through the previous chapter again for a quick recap if you don't remember what happened last. (You might enjoy the chapter more if you can connect it.)

CMA: OTB recognizes that the written matter published on this work, with any inference to, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, belongs to the true owner being E L James and such 'fan fiction' material is considered 'not for-profit' thus, constitutes fair use, and that no copyright infringement was/is intended. Anastasia, Christian and Sawyer are her characters, but I have tweaked the characterizations to suit MY story. Almost all OOCs are mine and based on friends from real life, with a few exceptions of friends from FB. I have, however, changed a few names keeping their privacy in mind. They know who they are in the story. I have their permission to use them as my muse. If anyone knowing them objects... take it up with them dude.

Chapter 37.

CPOV

After the crazy work day I had, all I wanted to do was go snuggle up to my girl. My girl, eh? Yeah, yeah 's mine and I don't care that you'd have never thought it in me to ever have a girl I'd care to call mine. Not the way Annie is mine.

I could have easily gotten Andrea to organize this whole evening; but what would be the fun in that. I painstakingly chose each lamp, each light, each flower to be laid out. Hell, I went all out finding just the right movie for tonight. Asking Mia is what you deserve the hats-off for man! You were asking for the Spanish inquisition that followed. Like she was any help. All the movies she was suggesting were those sappy romantic ones. Like 'Date Night' or 'Pretty Woman' was something I could ever sit through. A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of having to endure those.

Now I'm excited and anxious as Ana walks down the pathway. I hope she likes it. Have I overdone it? Is it too much? I mean I don't want her running away 'coz I appear too clingy. May be I should have called for the event organizer like Mia suggested. Or at least have some soft music playing. Yes, that's exactly what's missing here. Soft instrumental music. Guitar… or perhaps a piano. Girls dig that shit. Maybe I can sneak out for a quick moment and organize….Before I can complete my thought, Ana turns with her eyes slightly wide. "Wow, Christian. This is so beautiful." Is that awe I hear in her voice?

Guess I was worried in vain. She looks more than delighted and I'm happy to bring a smile to her face. That's an accomplishment that beats clinching a billion dollar deal. I can feel my grin right up to my ears, but I can't control it. Not that I want to either. "You like?"

"I love it. You've done a fantastic job. How did you manage it? I'm in awe."

Told ya' she's awestruck.

"Thank you. I'm going to be away for a week and I just wanted to make these last few hours before I fly, extra special. Since I can't take you out for a typical movie date, I figured this was the next best thing." I shrug, trying for nonchalance.

"The next best thing? This beats a regular movie date night hands down." She jumps on to me wrapping her legs at my waist and holding me behind my head. Balance yourself dude. You can't drop and hurt her.

Yes, I can't hurt her, accidentally or otherwise. She's such a precious gem. Someone up there's definitely looking out for me. How else could i have found her. With her kind of history, it's amazing that she's letting me love her as freely. I have to take care of her. She may think she doesn't want a knight in shining armor but it's exactly what she needs. Damn!

Annie pulls back a little and slowly gets down looking at me. Why's she looking at me weirdly? Dude, you told her you get panic attacks, practically had one in front of her. How do you expect her to behave. Fuck!

I pull her close immediately, pushing her hands behind her back just like we did last time. I want to comfort her and let her know it's okay. Women want words, Grey!

"Annie, it's alright. I'm alright. Don't worry. No harm done," I try to reassure her. She pulls back and looks right into my eyes and I let her reassure herself. "Breathe, my love. Breathe." She let's go of the breath she was holding then leans towards me, avoiding touching me while I continue to hold her hands behind her back.

"Come, I have loads of surprises for you," I release one of her wrists and pull her towards the loungers. I pull the packet from the table between the loungers and place it on her palm. I hope she likes this gift. Mia said one couldn't go wrong with jewelry when it came to girls.

She pulls out the Om bracelet from the velvet box. It's an adjustable platinum band with the symbol of 'OM' in the centre. Since she's my Tantrica, I figured it was appropriate.

"What is this for?" she asks with a frown on her face.

"It's just a simple gift. The 'Om' is a sound that unites you with the Holy Spirit."

"That's all okay, but why are you giving me this? What's the occasion?"

"Why can't I simply give you a gift? Why do I need an occasion? You're my Tantrica and I wanted to give you something," I'm getting annoyed by her questioning. Why can't she simply accept my gift and move on to enjoy the other pleasures I have planned for her.

"Christian, I don't need you to buy gifts for me. I can very well buy things for myself. I'm not comfortable getting a gift from you. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude but I simply can't take this." She puts the bracelet back in the box, closes it and holds it out for me to take.

"It's a gift Anastasia. I can't take it back. It's yours. Don't wear it if you don't want to, but there's now way I'm, taking it back."

"You're talking about taking it back like I ever accepted it. I didn't so just take it and put it away safely. I'm certain this is precious metal." Her agitation is obvious in her rising voice.

"So that's what's bothering you? That it's precious metal. What if I told you it isn't?" Damn! You should have never asked Mia.

"NO! That's NOT what's bothering me. Besides, I don't believe it's not some ridiculously expensive bracelet. Now, can you please take a simple instruction and follow it without arguing?" She's getting agitated further and she said the word bracelet like it was something disgusting in her mouth. We need to know why.

"At least tell me why you won't accept it? If you didn't like the design, we could have it changed." I ask, trying to sound reasonable and negotiating my way with her.

"I told you why and if we're going to continue discussing this, I might as well go home and get some work done." She gets up immediately prompting me on my feet. She's going to leave you over a stupid bracelet.

"Okay, okay. No bracelet. Shit. This is so not going how I planned it. I have so many more pleasantries planned for you. Arguing with you was never on the agenda. Can you please forget it and let me show you what else I had planned for you?"

She humphs at me while standing up, turns and crosses her arms. At least she's facing away from the exit. She stood there, her shoulders shaking, probably from her deep breaths. She was trying to control her temper. It might be interesting to see what she's like when she's angry.

"Anastasia…" I call extend my hand to touch her on her shoulder, then think the better of it and withdraw. I don't want her getting further agitated. While I'd like to see her wild cat side, now is not the time I have to leave in a few hours and I wont be able to leave if she's mad at me. "I have these three movie options. Which one would you like to watch?" I try to change subject and hope she will take the bait.

She slowly turns to me and while she's still flushed in her cheeks from her anger, she's attempting a small smile. I feel like a jerk making her feel terrible and want it to turn right. I put my hand out for her to take and she simply puts her hand in mine. She's got such beautiful long fingers. I wrap mine around her hand and lead her on to her lounger. She stretches her legs out and her hand behind her head. She looks so sensuous stretched out like this and she knows it. She pats a space next to her and I sit there, gazing at her beautiful face.

I look at her and play with the stray lock of hair falling on her face. The silence stretches on for a few minutes before she clears her throat. "Christian, how come you didn't freeze or panic when I… you know…"

A small smile plays on my lips and I decide to let her in on this secret. "Anastasia, I'm discovering a few things about myself with you. While the touch on my back especially anywhere close to my scar would have still caused a panic attack, I think I was absolutely okay because you were touching the back of my neck. Besides, I was too focused on you to know what was happening to me."

"You were focused on me? Hmm…" she says with a faraway look, putting her other hand behind her head again.

"What's going on in that little head of yours?" I ask trepidation dripping from my voice.

"Nothing you need to worry your big head about." Damn! This woman can match me tit for tat. I love that about her. "Okay then. Which movie?"

"What are my choices?"

I tell her and she laughs out loudly. "Are you serious? Those are my choices?" and she laughs out loudly, shaking her head in disbelief. I, on the other hand, am staring at her, shocked and speechless; unsure or what she finds funny or how I should react, I focus on keeping my jaw closed and wait for her to settle back and tell me.

"So you think 'The Hangover', 'The Hangover -2' and 'The Hangover -3' are choices for our date night…" another bout of laughter and now I'm not so sure of my choices. Perhaps you should have listened to Mia. This is girl stuff after all. Doomed if you do, doomed if you don't. Women!

"Alright, I think I can appreciate all the effort you put in and so, let's start with the first part. I've seen it but I wouldn't mind enjoying it with you again."

"Really?"

"Really. Play it." She hands me the Blu-ray for Hangout and I quickly set it up, hurrying to get back close to Annie. Every minute away from her is already feeling like a lifetime. I get back on my lunger but extend my hand to her. She holds it in a gentle but firm manner and we let our hands dangle between us on the loungers.

She laughs with me and it makes my heart feel bigger, like I could fit a universe in it. Halfway through the movie, this feeling becomes too much to bear. All I want to do is hold Annie in my arms. I turn to look at her and she's looking at me with so much adoration.

"I want to try something, but if you think it'll freak you out, we'll stop. Do you think you're up for it?" she speaks in a whisper, like she's afraid the thin current flowing between us will rage into a fire. I simply nod in response.

"Scoot," she tells me, getting up from her lounger.

"Huh?" what is she referring to?

"Never mind," she says, pulling off her clothes till she's in just her thongs. I'm so glad I told my staff to stay away unless it was a life or death situation. She sits slowly on my hips, facing the other way then looks over her shoulder and asks, "is it alright so far?" Again, just a nod from me. I'm not sure where she's going with this, but I'll be damned if I ask her to get up. She asks me to give her my hand. She places a kiss on the inside of my palm when I extend it to her and she places it on her left boob. I swear my dick stands in salute to the firmness of her boob. Her nipple pebbles under my touch as she pulls my right hand and puts it on her right boob. I'm too focused on the sensation to pay attention to the question at the back of my mind, 'what is she up to?'

"So far so good?" her voice is tremulous. I nod, but realize she needs more assurance. "Yes, I'm liking it. A lot."

"Good. I'm going to lie down on you, okay?" again in a tremulous voice.

"I have no problems about you touching my front, so dont worry. I'll be okay; more than okay, I think. Come."

She lies down slowly, stretching her right hand to reach my hair. the movement causing her right boob to move up and the nipple to pebble harder. It causes a stir in my balls and my dick hardens further like it were even possible. We lie like this for some time, me playing with her nipples and she playing with my hair.

"Let me make sweet love to you Christian, right here, under the stars?" she asks after a while.

"My pleasure, my beautiful angel. My pleasure."

With that she leaves my arms and turns to sit straddling facing me. She bends down to kiss me. Her kiss is soft and feather-light, first on my lips, then eyes, temples, cheeks, nose, chin, jaws, covering every inch of my face. Multiple such kisses mask my face before she comes back to my lips. Her tongue dances on my lips and when I part them she pulls away. I close my lips and let her explore them again with her tongue, till she pushes her tongue between my lips, running her tongue over my teeth. I let her enjoy her exploration till I felt her press between my teeth asking to be allowed in my mouth. Her tongue is now exploring every ridge of my palette. When I feel her exploration getting over, I let her come up for air before replicating her actions and exploring her mouth while playing with her wonderful ass and beautiful boobs.

We explore each other's bodies with our hands and mouth till we can contain ourselves no more. I pull out a condom from my wallet and she takes it from my hand. Rolling it over my graft, she slowly sits on it, my dick entering the soft warmth of her. I close my eyes in the sheer bliss I feel while she rides me like a champion. She takes me to the edge before slowing her pace, picking again when she knows I'm more in control. Three attempts later, she lets me come and I fall into a deep abyss. When I open my eyes, my first thought is how beautiful my Annie looks straddling on me. My second thought is, 'I came before her.' That is so shameful of me! A gentleman always knows, ladies first. Shit. How could I forget?

"Don't worry. I wanted you to come first. That was my way of saying 'thank you' for organizing this date and making it so special," she tries to put me at ease. It is what it is and while I can't do away with the guilt, I can rectify that to a small extent. I play with her body, kissing her under her ear, while my hands roam touching all her pleasure points and arousing her, my dick standing to attention slowly inside her.

I lift her slightly to change remove my condom and quickly go back to paying my homage to her body. I make slow sensual love to her till she climaxes all over my two fingers dug in the warm cave. I continue moving my fingers slowly in and out of her till I feel her second orgasm building. I push her down with my other hand till she's lying down, her legs on either side of the lounger giving me a clear view of her hot pussy, glistening with her previous come. I pull my fingers slowly out and her, 'no' while spoken softly is very resounding.

I bend forward and kiss the insides of her things slowly moving to her apex and pushing in my tongue where my fingers have just been. a light flick of my tongue on her clit and she's pouring a salty waterfall for me to relish, and relish it I do.

I rise up and enjoy watching her try to catch her breath, sweat shining on her forehead, reflecting the tiny lights like diamonds shining on her body.

Slowly, she pulls her legs together, bending her knees and resting her feet on the lounger. I knead the muscles in her thighs and calf, keeping in asexual. She sits up and plants a firm kiss on my lips before picking her clothes from the floor.

"That was simply wonderful. Thank you," she says once she's dressed.

"No Anastasia, you were simply wonderful. Thank you. It's a good memory to go with. I hope I can survive without you for a week."

She snickers at my comment and sits besides me on my lounger. "It's just a week. You'll be focused on your work and it'll be over before you know it. Besides, we can always talk on Skype."

She really has no idea how hard it's going to be on me, but there's nothing to be done about it so I let it pass. She's right; we'll have to make do with Skype calls when we can manage.

"I'll be in a different time zone. 9:30 PM in Shanghai will be 6:30 AM here. Think you can login that early?"

"Sure, it'll be a wonderful way to begin my day," she says with sincerity and a smile on her face. I just give her a nod of acknowledgement.

"So, are you all packed and ready? Got all you documents in place?"

"Yes. I made sure everything is taken care of. I leave for the airport in... 2 hours," I tell her after checking my watch.

"Good. Let's get you a few shut eye before that," she says, fingering my hair. I've noticed she loves playing with my hair and I like the sensation of her fingers on my scalp. While I don't want to lose precious time with her, I know she needs the sleep too. I pull her up and drop her at the door of her room. "Sleep, my beautiful angel. I will call you when I reach Shanghai."

"Oh no, I'll be coming with you to the airport, so we'll say our goodbyes then. Good night, sleep well." She kisses me chastely on my lips.

Before I know it, we're at the airport, my beautiful angel waving me goodbye while I wave back from my plane with my heart heavy. This better be a trip worth the heartache.

A/N2: In case you're wondering about her fit over the bracelet, let me remind you; Gideon had left her a bracelet before he said good bye. Now Christian is about to go away for a while. You do the maths.

A/N3: Your comments encourage me to write more. I crave for my readers' responses. I know loads of you read but chose not to leave a comment for different reasons. May I request that you make an exception and tell me your thoughts on this chapter in particular, since it's special to me.

If you're following me on Pinterest, you've probably gotten a sneak peak already. If not, see them and tell me if they were the visuals you had in head while reading.