Ana
Hello! This is rough and late and will get a sex scene added later, you'll figure out where, but it's been two weeks and you guys have been patient and here goes. Company gone. Thanksgiving over. Christmas on the way. Oh and if anyone is interested you can follow me on twitter I don't know if I'm supposed to say how, but I'm my handle's pretty obvious. I'm sure you guys will figure it out. My nephew tutored me and I'm supposed to practice tweeting so if I don't, you have permission to harass. I have to warn you it will be the saga of the tree and the making of the fruitcake so there will be cussing. very creative cussing. lots of it.
Enjoy.
"How're you feeling Annie?" Ray took her by her shoulders as soon as he stepped through the door, holding her at arms length, his assessing gaze tinged with worry.
"Better, dad. I'm so sorry about yesterday..."
"Nothin' to be sorry for. You were run down. Grey filled me in on what's been going on." Ray released her his gaze turning scolding.
Unless Adonis had a death wish, she was pretty sure Ray got the edited version.
"And the next time somebody drugs you, I'd like to get a phone call."
"Oh, that." Oops, yes, she should have mentioned that one.
"Yes that. Too bad that sesame seed killed him, too good for him if you ask me."
"Damn right." Kate strode through the front door blew her a kiss and headed straight for the kitchen. Elliot strolled in behind her his eyes glued to Kate's butt encased in figure hugging denim. Ana heard Ray clear his throat. Elliot's eyes lifted away, but the grin said he wasn't a bit repentant "Hey there Ana, he took a few steps towards her, looking around, then "Since my bear of a brother isn't around," Elliot's arms went around her a quick affectionate hug and a peck on the cheek, "You look good sweetheart. Rested."
"Thanks."
"Where is that brother of mine?"
"In his office. Someone named Welch called. I think he's..."
But Elliott was gone, striding across the great room and down the hall to Christian's office.
"Security."
"Annie," Jose' blew through the door. Ana blinked, and she thought the shirt he'd worn yesterday was eye-opening. This was like electric shock, a dizzying array of colors and stripes, "Nice Shirt."
"I know isn't it fabulous." Jose' did a perfect catwalk spin, "It's vintage Missoni."
"Ah yes, it's very eye-catching." She averted her eyes, from the pattern that seemed to be moving.
Jose, humphed her, but his smile was full of affectionate humor, "It's a classic." he gave her a peck on the cheek and a one-armed hug, his other arm loaded down with newspapers, "You look wonderful, I love that little get up. We'll have to get you another one in a burgundy. Is there honey-butter for the biscuits?" He set the pile of papers on the coffee table and dragged her to the breakfast bar. "Katie pour us a cup. Oooh, bacon. Extra crispy." He grabbed two strips off the tray.
"Bacon?" Ray pushed his way past Jose', not easy. "Don't hog the meat, Youngn'" Ray missed Jose's significant snort, and snagged a piece of bacon for himself seeing the sausage patties, "And damn sausage. Annie girl you outdid yourself.
"Annie, you have to come look at our new apartment. It is to die for." Jose' loaded up his own plate.
Kate choked on her coffee.
"Eggs Ana?" Ray's hangdog hopeful expression had her smiling..
"In the oven." she answered patting Kate's back. "Scrambled with feta and cayenne, just the way you like them."
"Let me get some biscuits, and we'll head on down. You won't believe the view. Not as good as the penthouse, but still..." Jose's words finally registered, and didn't make a bit of sense,
Her confused huh, was drowned out by Kate's ragged inhale, and her strangled shout, "Jose'."
.Jose' ignored them both, "The furnishings are a little bland, but Suga..aah...Chrsitian gave me the task of redecorating. It won't take long. I have got some amazing ideas..."
"Huh?"
"JOSE!" Kate shouted this time, still gasping.
Neither of them registered with Jose' who was in the zone and running like mad, "I'm thinking modern with just a touch of Hollywood glam for interest. I'll do various shades of white and taupe on the walls and incorporate, teal, black, possibly orange with the furnishings and accessories. I know that sound radical, but it's very hot in Europe right now and with just the right touches..."
Her, "What the hell?" stood no chance against Kate's bellow.
"JO! SE!" Wincing at the shout right beside her ear, she pivoted to see Kate looking ready to slam Jose' with her half full coffee mug, damn she must be pissed, ""Shut-upay aboutay ethay apartmentay."
"Huh?" It was Jose's turn to look stupid.
"She said, shut up about the apartment." Elliot joined them, reaching for a piece of bacon, winking at Kate,"My girl knows pig-latin."
"Oh," Jose' nodded. Then his eyes widened and darted from Kate, who was shaking her head and shooting him her best shut-up-or-die-look, and over to her, "Oh, Oh." Jose's eyes went wide with comprehension and a good dose of panic, his hand slamming over his own mouth. Then he grabbed one of the biscuits he'd piled on his plate," These look positively divine,"
Hell no, that was not going to work on her a second time. She jumped across the kitchen in a single gravity defying leap and swiped the biscuit out of Jose's hand, "Okay, Spill it."
"Spill what?" he asked, trying for nonchalance. She snorted... again. Jose' was another one who couldn't pull off innocent.
"Oh for fuck's sake,"She threw her hands in the air and spun in a circle, taking in every suddenly silent body in the kitchen, "Will somebody tell me what's going on?" Reviewing Jose's words in her head and Adonis' cagey behavior this morning, she already had half a good idea.
"I've made arrangements for the three of you to move into an apartment here at Escala." Adonis entered the kitchen. Freshly showered, in a black silk shirt and gray pants and looking perfect as always and...wait... that shirt looked familiar.. OH!. She felt her cheeks light up like a torch.
"Nice shirt." This from Jose'.
"Thanks," Adonis leaned over her to grab a biscuit, his voice casual, but his the gray eyes boring into her were incendiary, "It's recently become a favorite."
Oh, you sneaky sneaky, hot as sin man. He was trying to distract her, and he was succeeding. She took in air in an effort to cool her burning cheeks. A dismal failure, as her head filled with his yummy, panty-melting scent. Her brain cells melted into a useless gooey mess. Adonis retreated with a wicked grin. She heard greetings exchanged around the kitchen, while she steadied herself and tried to clear her head. After a few seconds she was able to focus on the words he'd spoken while dazzling her with his super sex powers and yep, her half an idea was a direct hit. Mr. High and Mighty had high-handed her into his building.
Damn, the man was always up to something. You'd think he wouldn't have time, what with running that empire of his. When the hell did he sleep? Spinning to where he leaned against the counter, she met his carefully neutral expression that didn't fool her for a minute, "You've made arrangements?" She threw one arm up in a grand sweeping arc, "How very Demi-God of you. Perhaps we should sacrifice an unspotted calf. I'm sure you'd probably prefer a virgin, but as I don't have an active volcano handy..."
Adonis cut off her brilliantly sarcastic tirade by busting out laughing, damn his sexy hide. And he wasn't alone. Elliot fell over beating the counter with one hand and howling. Ray paused with his fork full of eggs half way to his mouth chuckling.
Jose', however wasn't a bit amused. That was probably due to the fact that Kate burst out laughing, and since Elliot was bent over the coffee that spewed out of her mouth sailed over him, and sprayed Jose's vintage Missoni,
The resulting ear-piercing shriek had to have done permanent damage to her ear drum."Kathryn Kavanaugh, this shirt is not replaceable."
"Is that really such a tragedy?" Kate proved she was still half asleep by attempting a joke.
The look Jose' shot her over the sink had her rethinking.
"I'm sorry Jose'."Kate tired for contrite, "I'll get it cleaned."
Jose' just humphed, and wiped down his shirt.
She turned back to Adonis, "I would like an explanation, Oh Arrogant One."
He popped one brow at her, his lips twitched, but he complied, "I bought one as an investment, it's been empty. I'm sorry, I wanted to talk to you about it last night, but you were sleeping..."
His eyes told her what he'd left unsaid. Yes, last night they had been occupied with other much more important things. His trust and her confessions left little time for such mundane details as where she would be living, "Aahh, okay" she relented, with a small smile, "I get why there wasn't time to discuss it with me, but why."
"Like he said Ana," Ray's voice had her gaze swinging to him, "Security."
She took in his grave expression, the heavy silence in the room telling her the other shoe was about to drop. Her eyes darted from Ray back to Adonis, "What, what is it?"
"Uh, Annie," It was Jose' that answered. She watched with ever-increasing trepidation as he walked over to the coffee table and grabbed the stack of newspapers, "There's something you should see..."
Ana stared down and the bundle of newspapers Jose' had spread all over the dining table, dimly aware of her extremities going numb. Dear God, she was everywhere.
EVERYWHERE.
"You made the front page in The Portland Tribune and the Seattle Register. Those being local papers and with Mr Kavanaugh owning them." Jose pulled the two papers in front of her. "It's not a close up, but since it's from the side and behind so you get the full romantic effect of him carrying you off into the sunset..."
"It was barely 1:00 pm" she heard herself whisper.
"Not the point," Jose' waved a hand at her, "It's romantic..."
"Is it?" she whispered again.
"Oh, but here in the Times...This is a great close up. He's kissing your temple..."
Oh shit! That was The New York Times. She plopped down in one of the chairs, before her legs gave way.
"Oh here it is on You tube... " Jose pushed his phone in her face, "He kisses your temple and tucks your head into his chest..."
"Uh-huh.." she rubbed her numb arms.
"And CNN interviewed Bree and Frannie again, they're pointing you out in the party video."
"CNN?" Her whisper was more of a stilted mumble. The combination of her shocked mind and frozen lips made speech a near impossibility.
"Oh, and in this fashion blog... " Jose grabbed the phone back his fingers flying then pushed it at her again. She saw her feet dangling over Adonis arm, "they got a close up of the peep toes."
"Sure enough..."
"Here it is on MSNBC, Rachel even commented on it."
Oh good, she liked Rachel.
"She's always been a fan of Sugar-Buns."
"Really, that's nice."
"She had wonderful things to say about his speech and she and that cute boy with the glasses, what's his name.. Chris something...talked about how Grey was raising the bar for men everywhere. ..."
"Raising the bar?"
"Thank heavens sugar-buns has that extra Condo here. We'd be accosted morning noon and night over at Kate's place."
She just stared at the newspapers. Somewhere in her shut down brain, it registered that it did look a lot more romantic than pathetic in print. She'd be relieved sometime...in the future...after feeling returned to her frozen limbs.
"Kitten?" warm breath stirred her hair. She turned her head and met gray eyes clouded with worry.
"You okay?"
"Uh-huh."
"Mmm-hmm," heat enveloped her and she was airborne. Held against a black silk shirt covering a hard male chest, "If you all will excuse us for a moment." Adonis threw the words over his shoulders her arms went around his neck. She heard Ray's dry chuckle and Jose's sigh.
Then Elliot, "Sure bro, we'll uh..just go down and check on the movers."
"Fine," came the succinct reply over her head, Adonis continuing down the hall.
Christian
"Uh, Adonis isn't this little fetish of yours how all this started in the first place."
"Fetish?" He looked down at the woman in his arms, his lips twitching.
"You know, this thing you have about plucking up and carrying me off."
"Aah," he nodded, turning into the bedroom and settling them both in the giant chair and a half thing he'd thought ridiculous until today, plenty of room for him and the woman he loved.
"Yes, I have to admit it has become a habit." More like an addiction. Having her in his arms, her fingers doing that little fiddling thing on his collar. Her scent filling his head. It soothed him like nothing else ever had, "I'm sorry about all this, kitten."
"It's alright."
"No, it's not." tension ripped through his gut at the thought of what he'd exposed her to, " Ana, the press will be relentless and it can be dangerous...and with the Jeffires matter and the explosion..."
"It's not your fault."
"Maybe not, but it is because of me..."
"Shush Adonis," he felt her lips touch his jaw, "did you not tell me you had the best security in the entire world."
"Did I?"
"Yes you did. We'll do what they say and it will be fine."
"Uh, I'm glad to hear you say that." Well, that was unexpected, but convenient. His kitten had just paved the way for her own walk down the aisle
"Oh?"
"We need to make a public statement confirming our involvement. It will cause some of the fury to die down."
"Alright, will you do a press release or something."
"My mother is hosting a party tomorrow night. Well, more of a ball."
"A ball? You mean like Cinderella and glass slippers and pumpkins?"
Oh shit, she was panicking already, "No pumpkins kitten," he pressed a kiss to her hear, his hand making slow circles at her lower back, waiting until he felt her spine soften before he continued,"It's a charity event for the children's hospital. Welch thinks it would be a good way to announce our...uh...relationship."
"Oh, wow..um alright, if he thinks that would help."
"Well, there's more..." he kept up the circles.
"Alright."
"Thomas Kinkaid is dead."
"Stinky's buddy?" her brow popped up, but her body was still relaxed.
Safe to continue, "Yes, I talked to Stan. He says someone is tying up loose ends."
"Oh my God," she looked up at him her eyes wide, "Is that why Mckenna told Maurice to protect Sara..."Suddenly she bolted upright, "Jose'... Kate..."
"Sssh, kitten, it's alright, we don't think they're targets but Welch...I mean..uh Welch and I came up with a plan."
"What what is it? What do we do..." Christian looked into his kitten's worried gaze and damned himself to hell for using her own loving nature to manipulate her, but he was desperate, and Welch had admitted it was a good plan. He braced himself and spoke the words.
"Tomorrow night we announce our engagement."
Ana shot up out of the chair like a rocket, spinning in mid-air to face him,"WHAT?"
"Our engagement, we... uh... announce it." Shit, he was sweating bullets.
"But we're not engaged." She spoke the words slowly.
Shit, this had all gone so much better in his head, "We could be."
"Adonis, you need to start making sense." Wide blue eyes searched his face, probably looking for signs of insanity. Oh he was insane, alright. Ever since she'd fallen out in front of him in a dead faint he'd become a half crazed Neanderthal. He had a flash of longing for the good old days when he could have just thrown her over his shoulder and run off to live happily ever after in the mist.
This asking nonsense was torture.
"You said you loved me." His sweaty hands formed fists.
"Yes, because I do." she answered slowly.
"Good, that's good." he wiped his sweaty palms on the lush velvet chair, he drew a deep breath..."Marry me."
"Adonis, are you asking me to marry you?" Her blue eyes stopped searching, and went wide with shocked disbelief. Not the best sign.
"I... uh... yes."
"Are you sure?" he saw her lips twitch. Good or bad sign ...shit, he didn't have a clue.
"Yes, of course I'm sure."
"Uh-huh," She crossed her arms over her chest and quirked a brow at him, "You look awfully nervous for a guy who's sure."
That's because he was scared shitless, heading for a panic attack, and going into flop sweats. His tongue tied around itself trying to find words to explain the riot of emotions churning inside him. He came up with nothing. Finally in defeated weariness, "You might say no."
"I might say no..." she repeated. Then spun around so her back was to him. He sat frozen. Fear choking him. The sweat on his body going cold, his eyes glued to her back.
Her head dropped forward, her shoulders drooped. Not a good sign. Women who joyously replied, "Yes I'll marry you," didn't have drooping shoulders.
"Damn you, Adonis," a whisper thick with tears. That could be good or bad. Women cried when they said yes. He watched her turn around, tears running unchecked down her cheeks. She crawled onto him straddling his lap. Her hands on either side of his face. She pressed a tender kiss to his mouth, "You break my heart."
He stayed quiet. His eyes watching. That could go either way.
"Listen to me, hear me out, alright."
"Alright."
"I'm not saying no..."
Well, that was good...
"But I can't say yes."
That wasn't.
"We'll announce our engagement."
"We will?"
"Yes, but it won't be real..."
"What?" No, no that wasn't how this was supposed to go at all. He felt the beginnings of panic.
"Adonis," arms slid around his neck, wry blue eyes met his,"The day you tell me you love me. Ask me again, and I'll give you a real answer."
Well shit. He was an idiot. He opened his mouth to tell her he loved her. Nothing came out. He cleared his throat. He tried again. Nothing. What the hell?
"Oh Adonis, if you could see your face." Sweet feminine laughter chased away his panic, then his face was being covered in kisses. What the hell? ""It's alright. You'll say it when you're ready. I have faith in you." Then he felt a nuzzle to his ear and feminine heat on his lap, "Adonis, I need a favor."
"A favor?" he repeated automatically. That feminine heat causing the blood to leave his brain for a warmer climate.
"Hmmm... it's been a difficult couple of days." a little wiggle of female flesh.
"It has?" he struggled to listen as his erection thrived and grew in that warmer climate.
"Yes,"another wriggle pressing down on him, a little nip of teeth on his lobe had his cock twitching, then, a heated whisper "Please Mr. Grey sir, will you fuck me, please."
Holy Shit! Sweet, feminine, polite as you please, and dirty as fuck. He had no defense for that, not that he wanted any.
He grabbed her under her ass and walked them over to the bed, pressing his mouth to her ear, "Why, I'd be delighted Miss Steele."
"Why, thank you, Mr. Grey. That's so very sex-on -legs of you."
Ana
"Oh shit, get out of the way!"
"Go, go, go!"
"Holy shit that woman's crazy."
"Did you see how fast she threw that damn shoe? She could have fucking killed me."
"Shit, the money's good but this ain't worth it."
"We're done."
Ana stood beside Christian and watched a herd of men, three familiar and four strangers who she assumed were the movers by their manner and dress, fly out of her new apartment. She heard Elliot's voice shout, "No way in hell." then Kate's raging, "I don't answer to you. You arrogant ass" before the door clicked shut muffling the sound just enough muddle the actual words. The yelling could still be heard plenty.
"Oh Annie," Jose' Sr. embraced her, his normally cheerful face, distracted, "And you must be Mr Grey," he greeted Christian at her side.
"Yes, It's nice to meet you Mr. Rodriguez.
"You as well. Thank-you for your gracious hospitality. I'm afraid I cannot recommend entering the apartment right now..."
"You can say that, again. Damn that Kate has a temper." Ray shook his head, "I don't know if that brother of yours is brave or just stupid."
"What..."
A familiar kerthunk hitting the closed apartment door cut off her words. Followed by a male shout and a feminine screech.
"Well, this speeds up my time-table a bit." Jose' grabbed Ana, and started pulling her towards the elevator.
"What?"
"We're heading to Neiman' have to have you looking your best for Grace's Charity Ball"
"Huh?" Damn, she was saying that a lot these days. Maybe delicious hot sex made you stupid.
"You're going to the ball, and your fairy god father has the American Express Black."
"What?" Not stupid, just out of the loop.
"I uh, called Jose' and asked him to help you with a dress for tomorrow night."
Oh for fuck's sake, she opened her mouth, but Jose' cut her off by shoving her into the elevator. She moved all the way to the back to avoid being trampled by the movers, who were understandably spooked, not being familiar with Kate's temper.
Hose' then whirled on her before she could open her mouth, "Don't even think about arguing, Miss I-have-a-hot-hunkalove with the feel good sex glow."
"Jose!" Ana shot a nervous look at Ray. He was looking at his shoes. Jose' Sr. however gave her a wink and two thumbs up. So this is where Jose' got it from.
"Oh pooh," her friend waved his stereotypical hand, "like we don't know what went on in that apartment for the last hour. But I will remind you of my current lonely loveless state. You will not rob me of the pleasure of shopping for fabulous clothes. No way. Not happening."
"So does anyone know what my foolish brother said to garner Kate's wrath." Adonis changed the subject with his usual effortless aplomb.
"Oh honey. Shit. Has. Hit. The. Fan." Jose dove right in to one of his favorite topics. Really. Juicy. Gossip. "Well, Kate got out her phone saying she needed to call Stan. True to his aphla maleness, Apollo demanded to know why. Katie explained that Stan was in the know about Thomas Reynold's death. Seems her father has a source on the force and said he was seen and the scene. " Jose' paused for the couple of chuckles in response to his play on words, "Well, honey Apollo about blew his pretty golden head right off his perfect shoulders. He said and I'm quoting, 'No way, Katie-girl, are you going anywhere near anything that's getting people dead' end quote. Oh sugar, Kate hit the damn ceiling."
By the time they exited the elevator, the subject of her shopping excursion had been completely derailed. Sawyer and Vince, that's right Jose's guard was Vince, met them. Ray and Jose' senior left, saying they would have dinner tonight at that steak place. Before she could ask what that meant, they were gone and Adonis was giving her a peck on the cheek, "Be good Kitten. I have to go into the office."
"Uh...we need to talk about this later."
"Sure, why don't you and Jose' come by the office this afternoon. I'd love to see whatever you buy."
"That's not what I meant..."
"Oh perfect. I've been meaning to see the Arboretum." Jose' jumped in.
"I'll give you a personal tour." Adonis offered.
"What?" Honestly, the two of them were a dynamic duo of distraction.
"It's famous. I'll fill you in later." Jose' took her arm."And now we shop!"
Christian
"I'm sorry can you say that again?" He juggled the phone at his ear, maybe the reception was bad.
"Smote..is that the past tense for smite?"
"I'm not sure..." No not the reception. He rubbed his temples with one hand and resigned himself to the task of deciphering the insanity coming from Lena McGovern's mouth.
"You know like, 'I will smite thee from the holy hills' thus sayeth the Lord..." What the hell, she was quoting scripture?
"Honestly, Miss McGovern I don't know..."
"Yeah, we don't either. Anyway, the guy was hit in the head with an iron skillet, and I don't think he's going to be coming around anytime soon. He's in a coma."
A coma? Shit had he missed something. What the hell was going on in that house? "You hit a man in the head..."
"No, no not me, our neighbor, Miss Maddie, she's the sweetest thing. You know, if more Christians were like her, I might be tempted to sign up."
"Uh..." Seriously, what the hell was he supposed to say to that?
"She spent the night." The woman saved him from having to respond by continuing to spout words that might as well have been in Cantonese for all the sense they made, "They're doing some work on her house. She brought her great-great-great grandmother's cast iron skillet. She was going to make us fried green tomatoes. You ever had those?"
"No..."
"I hadn't either until Miss Maddie made some for us. And damn they are good. She says the secret is the skillet.
"I see." He didn't see shit.
"Anyway, this guy broke in, tried to take the bird. Damn thing practically brought the house down squawking. Woke all four of us, even Mac."
"Mac?"
"Mckenna, we uh, gave her a little something to help her sleep."
Aah right, drugged.
"But we were upstairs.. By the time I got down to the living room he was almost out the door, but Miss Maddie, she was in the guest room, so she was already down there. She's eighty-two, just a tiny thing, doesn't look like she could hurt a flea, but damn, did she do some damage with that skillet."
Finally, he was able to put together what she was saying and still it was fucking crazy, "Miss McGovern, are you telling me a man broke in, tried to take the Macaw, and was knocked out by an eighty-two year old woman armed with an iron skillet?"
A second of silence, then "Man, you got it fast. It took the cops way longer to put it together and they had the benefit of actually being here."
Actually being there, Grey suspected that wasn't a benefit so much as part of the problem.
"Anyway here's the thing, before Mac fell under again, and when I say fell, I mean knocked slam out. One minute she was standing over this guy wearing Miss Maddie's skillet like a Sunday hat, the next minute she's falling over."
Holy shit, "Is she alright?"
"She's good. Coma-boy broke her fall."
"Uh, good."
"Yeah, at least he was useful. Anyway, she got her faraway look and then said 'why take the bird?'
"I don't understand." He rubbed his temples. Dear God, the woman was like an instant migraine.
"We didn't either, at first. Mac's brain's a little different."
"Yes, so Stan said." he opened his desk drawer. Andrea made sure he had a bottle of asprin in here somewhere.
"But after thinking on it a minute, I think she was saying why not just kill the bird. Would have been a hell of a lot easier, and between Frankie Valli at four in the morning, and the damn thing squawking and repeating every word he hears, who'd want it."
His hand froze. Damn if that didn't make sense, "Ah right if the bird knew too much, why not just kill it? That is a valid point."
"You better believe it hot stuff. Something's up. I've been looking into Stratham Pharmaceuticals and there's a research division I can't hack. Damn thing's encrypted up the wazoo."
"And that's a lot?"
"Damn straight it is. You be careful out there. My 'Oh shit, shit's about to go to shit-o-meter is all the way in the red zone."
Grey disconnected and spent half a second thanking whatever power in the universe had made it so a good three thousand miles separated him from all things McGovern.
"Mr. Grey?"
Andrea's voice interrupted his moment of thanksgiving..
"Yes?"
"Mrs Lincoln is here."
Well, fuck. Not what he wanted to deal with just now, but it was probably for the best. She'd be there tomorrow night,"Fine, send her in."
Not two seconds later the door opened and Elena walked in. Her stride carefully composed, her face a neutral mask. He knew this behavior. She was upset, but didn't want to show it. He wondered if she really believed she could fool him. She stopped in front of his desk and thew a newspaper down. He didn't bother to look.
"You made the Times." Her perfect red lips were the only thing moving on a face that looked carved in stone, but Elena's eyes always gave her away. They were seething.
"Did I?" He leaned back in his chair. Elena's anger didn't surprise him. He'd dismissed her rather coldly the last time he'd seen her, but the virulent degree of that anger, that was odd.
"Yes, New York and LA." The red lips moved again.
Suddenly weary with the game she played, he opted for plain speaking. He really didn't give a shit why she was angry, he just wanted this conversation done, "Why are you here Elena?"
"What?" A slow blink told him he'd shocked her.
"I'm very busy. Please get to whatever point it is you came here to make."
She flicked a dismissive hand at the article,"What are you doing with this girl?"
His own anger stirred at the derision she didn't bother to hide, "That is none of your business."
"What?" the sharp exclamation had her perfectly poised face cracking.
He didn't say anything. Elena, of all people, knew he didn't repeat himself.
Her mask slipped completely revealing ugly rage before she settled into a hurt expression, no more genuine than her neutral one, "I'm sorry, I care about you. I'm concerned."
"You have no need to be."
"Christian, you hardly know this girl. You have no contract. You're behaving out of character. I'm sure I don't need to remind you that you're wealthy, you have to consider the girl's motives..."
"Elena," Ice cold rage softened his voice. Elena's mouth snapped shut. Yes, she knew what that tone meant. Her eyes turned wary, "The girl's name is Ana. I care about her a great deal, and won't allow you to speak about her in that tone."
"You won't allow..."
He sat back at the affront in her voice, wondering not for the first time, about Elena's mindset as to the dynamics of their relationship. Narrowing his eyes, he dropped his voice to a frigid whisper, "That's correct. I. Won't. Allow." If she had any delusions about being dominant in their relationship she needed to lose them now.
Ana
"You tell her sugar-buns. That evil bitch."
"Ssssh." She slapped a hand over Jose's mouth.
Jose' jerked it down, "It's on mute," He hissed pointing to the intercom on Andrea's desk.
Right the state of the art machine they were using to spy on Adonis had a mute button. Her proper southern upbringing had officially bit the dust with this one. But as Jose' had put it when he was dragging her through the lobby, "These are desperate times, that woman is evil. This is war."
They'd arrived at Adonis offices just as Tall Blond and Bitchy entered the building. Jose' shouted for Sawyer to stop, waved Vince to follow, dragged her from the SUV, and ran into the building. Vince flashed his pass at the security guards, and they hit the elevator. Jose' cursing a blue streak at not having an executive key, but he proved nearly as effective. The elevator had stopped numerous times but not a soul got on. Her friend had one wild excuse after another why no one could join them. Even went so far as to tell one woman he had a contagious skin disease. The poor thing had jumped back ten feet when he'd offered to roll up his sleeve and show her his "puss infested hot mess of an arm."
Finally they hit the 20th floor. Andrea, another of Adonis' perfectly coiffed minions, had seemed oddly relieved when Jose' introduced them, offering to buzz Mr. Grey immediately. Jose' however, had other ideas.
"Andrea we are both just parched..." looking down at the woman's desk, "Oh you have the Intel 430. This is a wonderful com system," He pointed to the phone, "I especially love the speaker and mute functions."
Andrea grinned, and once again Ana marveled at Jose's ability to charm anyone, "Yes, it can be very useful. What with that one little bug in the system they can't seem to do anything about. Not that I've ever taken advantage."
"Oh, of course not." Jose' agreed. To what Ana hadn't a clue.
"I'll just go see about some refreshments." Andrea rose from her desk, "It may take a few moments. I have to go down to the 5th floor cafeteria. We seem to be out of water."
"Oh take your time, why don't you take Vince with you. He's so strong, he could lift gallons." Jose waved a careless hand, as Andrea, the picture of professional elegance, crossed the foyer and got on the elevator, accompanied by a relieved looking Vince. He probably didn't want to be caught spying on the man who signed his checks. Jose' hit a couple of buttons and had them listening in on Adonis and the pedophile in under ten seconds. And now here they were at war.
"I'm sorry Christian. I've never seen you like this. I'm worried. We're friends after all. I thought we were...""
"Oh, that bitch is clever, I'll give her that." Jose' spat in a heated whisper.
Ana just seethed.
Of course we are." Adonis' weary voice broke the silence. They heard rustling and what sounded like retreating steps. Ana experienced a wild moment of panic when she thought he was heading for the door, but then she heard the clicking of retreating heels. She realized they were moving in the opposite direction.
"Christian, what's going on?"
There was more silence then she heard Adonis,"I love her, Elena. I won't live without her..."
"Oh my God, oh oh..." Ana fell right down in the floor her knees giving way...But Jose' yanked her back up again and pinched her arm. Hard.
"OW... hey."
"Annie Steele this is no time to flake out." Jose' gave her shoulders a little shake, "That bitch is after sugar-buns, pay attention."
Damn, Jose' was right, before she could thank him, for his intervention, the bitch spoke again...
"And does she love you?"
"Yes."
Tears filled her eyes. The doubt in Adonis' voice breaking her.
"Really?" Doubt that evil bitch honed in on," And does she understand you, what you need?"
Oh now that slimy, vile excuse for a human being was really starting to piss her off.
"Christian," Slimy went on, "I don't want to see you hurt. So please understand, I know the needs you have."
"Oh, that bitch is pure evil." Jose's whisper held equal parts awe and loathing.
Ana heard a strangled hiss and realized it came from her. Shit, she was pissed beyond speech.
"There's no way this... Ana was it, could understand the darkness inside you in the short time you've known her."
And with those carefully crafted words, disguised as care and designed to harm, Ana felt something rise, hot and molten, scalding her like acid. Killing rage erupted inside her, propelling her towards the giant mahogany doors leading to Adonis' inner sanctum, she barely made out Jose's words over the pounding of boiling blood in her ears, "Go grab that bitch by her bleached blond hair and smack that red lipstick right off her conniving face, but watch out the her teeth. She's poisonous."
Christian
"Get away from him, you slimy, evil, blood sucking troll!"
What the hell? Christian whirled around at the same time he felt Elena's hands ripped away from him. He saw a woman with long dark hair jerk Elena back, then familiar heat enveloped him, banishing the chill that had steadily invaded his bones as he'd stood and listened to Elena. Shocked, he blinked down into Ana's face and saw a woman he'd never seen before. Raw anger and fierce possession lit her eyes. She looked wild, feral. and fuck, but she was gorgeous.
Half expecting her to evaporate, he grasped her waist, the feel of her burned through the last of his shock. She was really here, standing in front of him,"Kitten, what...how did you.."
"Shush, Adonis. No talking. Listen." The familiar stranger placed her hands on either side of his face, "I see you. I know you. I love you. But just so we are clear, let me put it in words you'll understand." She stood on her toes and pulled his head forward so they were eye to eye, "YOU. ARE. MINE."
Yes, that he understood. He felt his lips twitch. Needing to touch her, he stroked his hands up her arms to encircle her wrists.
"If you ever let that sleazy bitch touch you again." His kitten hissed, her eyes narrow slits, "I swear, I won't be held accountable for my actions."
Elena's outraged gasp barely registered. He felt half a grin pop out on his face. His thumbs stroked her wrists, "You won't?"
"I won't," Ana buried her hands in his hair and pulled him down till their mouths nearly touched, her voice dropping to a heated whisper, "But I can tell you it will make your fight with Stan look like two baby chimps playing a nice little game of patty-cake."
"The hell you say." He felt the other half of his grin pop up.
"Oh, I say, " She quirked a sassy brow at him.
His cock twitched. His kitten did sassy well, very well. Damn, moments ago bleak desolation was creeping over him and now a giddy recklessness that he suspected might be joy filled him up.
There was only one thing to do, "I love you Anastasia Rose Steele," then lowering his mouth so her lips tickled his with his words, "Marry me, kitten."
"Christian..." Elena's voice. Well shit, the woman didn't know when to shut the hell...
"Shut the fuck up, you hideous, carrion eating crow."
..up.
Well, DAMN that was one way to take care of it. He stared down at the tigress in his arms. Her eyes still locked on him her hands still buried in his hair holding him to her. Then, their lips still brushing, in a breath of sound only he could hear,"Yes, I'll marry you."
His heart expanded, relief rushed through his veins, "Good, glad that's settled."
"Mmm-hmm," She pulled back slightly, "We are now officially engaged, right?"
"Right you are, kitten." He popped a brow back at her.
She brushed his mouth with hers, "Hold that thought, Adonis."
Then he watched in ongoing shocked fascination as Anastasia Rose Steele spun around and faced Elena Douglas Lincoln, "You hear that, Slimy?"
Christian watched Elena's dignified mask slip at the nickname she'd been awarded. His grin grew.
"I'm his fiancé." the tigress growled, prowling forward, "We are engaged. I'm going to marry him."
Ana stopped in front of Elena, looked her up and down and then took another menacing step forward, Elena had no choice but to retreat, "He," another step forward, more Elena retreating, "Belongs." and another step, and more retreating,"To." another step, "Me." and another.
And damn if Ana hadn't backed a shocked Elena all the way to the door, "You ever lay so much as a finger on him," She got right in her face till Elena pressed herself into the door, "And I'll rip those blood red claws out one by one."
Shit. Grey felt his mouth drop open at the vicious attack. Who was this woman? Whoever she was vicious looked as good on her as sassy. His cock twitched again.
"Then just for shits, giggles, and kicks," The gorgeous, vicious woman hissed, "I'll rip that perfect blond hair out by the roots, soak it in oil, and set it on fire. Hell, I might even invite all your enemies, I'm sure you have plenty, mix up a pitcher of margaritas, and make a night of it."
Well, that was..uh.. graphic... and accurate. Elena had made quite a few enemies.
He saw Elena's eyes dart to him, looking for help, not that he blamed her, but hell no. No way was he getting between a Tigress and her prey, that was a good way to lose an arm. Besides, Ana wasn't brawling like a gorilla in the mist, so she was handling the other people touching issue a damn sight better than he had.
Seeing she would get no help from him, Elena stood straight and squared her shoulders, attempting to regain some control, "Just who the hell do you think you are? I've known Christian half his life..."
"Oh yes, I'm aware," Ana interrupted, then in words that dripped with loathing he would have never believed she was capable of, "Ever since he was fifteen, right?"
He watched all color leave Elena's face.
"Oh, you didn't think he'd tell me?" Ana's voice was pure venom, "You did your job too well. He doesn't see anything wrong with what you did, but you know better don't you."
Christian watched, suffocating shock twisting inside him, as the horror on Elena's face revealed the truth of Ana's words,"Sure you do. You're not stupid, just evil." Then Ana slammed one hand against the door right beside Elena's head. He jumped at the pounding crack echoing in the room. Followed by Elena's scream.
Shit! His shock forgotten he took a step forward, planning to intervene, before he could get there Ana's hand went to the doorknob.
"Now I think you'd better get out of my sight," she turned the knob, "Before I forget my proper southern upbringing," Then, in a sudden move, the door Elena was pressed into swung open and...
Holy shit! Shock froze him once again, as with an undignified shriek, Elena windmilled back and fell flat on her ass.
Grey barely held in his bark of laughter. Raucous sounds from beyond the open door told him someone else wasn't as successful. Striding forward, he caught the sight of Jose' standing over Andrea's desk bent double laughing so hard his face had gone from its usual light brown to beet fucking red. Andrea was hiding behind her computer screen, but there was no mistaking her shaking shoulders. Vince the security looked like he was having a seizure attempting to hide the laughter rolling out of him. Grey just waved a hand at him. He fell back against the wall and let the laughter fly.
"Christian!" Elena's furious voice brought his eyes back to her, where she held out her hand in a not so subtle command for his assistance. He took half a step forward, but Ana grabbed his arm.
"Not likely, bitch." She snarled. Then with that familiar hooting snort, his kitten yanked the door. Elena scuttled back barely avoiding being smacked with the heavy structure before it slammed shut.
"Oh, and as to who I think I am?" His kitten growled through the closed door, "I'm the new queen bitch. Slimy, you've just been officially knocked off the throne."
