Chapter 22 – Everything I Do (I Do it For You)
Ana POV
As I walk toward the stage, Christian's parting words are still fresh in my mind – you and everyone else will see how far I'll go. What did he mean by that? We can't have sex in the VIP lounge! Everyone knows who we are; well, maybe not him. He is wearing a mask.
"You ready, Ana?" Kate asks as the other girls join our group. I nod my head, and we walk together to the stage.
"Welcome to the Mile High Club. I hope you all are having a great night so far." A few people are yelling and clapping after his welcome. "We are going to get the karaoke started with a bang. Welcome to the stage some of our regulars Ana, Kate, Kristen, and Brittney." He hands each of us a microphone as we enter the stage area.
The opening notes of the song come on with the words displayed on the screen behind us. We have sung this song together many times, and Kristen sings the opening line. We join in together for the chorus, and I sing the second verse.
She might've let you hold her hand in school
But I'ma show you how to graduate
No, I don't need to hear to talk the talk
Just come and show me what your momma gave (oh yeah)
(I heard you've got a very big shhh)
(Mouth but don't say a thing)
See anybody could be good to you
You need a bad girl to blow your mind
Kate slaps me on the butt as we start to sing the chorus. I steal a glance toward Christian to see what he is doing, he and Elliott are leaning across the balcony of the VIP room watching us. I don't know what his facial expression is because of his mask. Elliott has a grin on his face as he leans over to say something to Christian.
We finish the song, then place the microphones into the stand. I follow Kate back to the VIP room. Before we climb the stairs, someone reaches out and grabs my arm. I turn around suddenly to see who it is. I don't recognize the guy and try to pull my arm free. "You have a pretty voice, Wonder Woman. Can I take you home and tie you up with your truth rope?" The guy's words are slurring, and his body is swaying. I can smell the liquor radiating from him.
"I don't think so. Let my arm go, please." I try to remain calm, but this guy is getting in my personal space.
"Come on. You are flashing your goods for everyone to see. I want my share." I roll my eyes and try to pull my arm free. His grip tightens, and I move to bring my knee up to his groin. Before I make contact, I feel Christian's hard body behind me.
"She told you to let her go, so let her go. Otherwise, you will be dealing with me, and I don't think that is a wise idea." Christian's voice is steady and calm.
"You don't look like much. I think I can take you, Batman." He still has a hold of my arm, and I try to pull it free again.
"Listen, asshole. I've asked you nicely to let my arm go. Either do it, or your balls will end up in your throat." That does the trick, and he lets go of my arm immediately. Security appears and escorts the guy to the door.
Christian carefully takes my arm in his hand, looking for any markings or bruising. "Are you alright, baby?" he asks, then kisses me.
"I am fine, just pissed off because the guy put his hands on me. Can we go back upstairs, please?" He nods his head and leads me back up to the VIP area.
We go back into the room we were in before, and I grab a glass of champagne. I'm curious about what he and Elliott were discussing. "So, what did you think of the song?" I ask before taking a sip of the bubbly liquid.
He closes the sheer curtain to the room and goes to sit down on the couch in the back. We continue to stare at each other until he finally curls his finger for me to come to him. "Bring your drink," he says in a low voice. Oh boy. Here we go.
"Why did you close the curtain?" I ask while walking toward him.
"I want some privacy." I look around, and there is no one up here but us.
"Did you ask everyone to leave? Where are Kate and Elliott?" I stop just short of the couch, and he reaches his hand out for mine. I place my hand in his, and he pulls me toward him.
"Straddle my lap." His tone is firm, and I wonder if I have pissed him off somehow. I carefully sit down on him, and he pulls me in close.
"I told you earlier what I was going to do. Now, here is what you are going to do." I swallow hard and wait for his instruction. He places his hands on my hips, sliding me over his erection. "Do you feel what you do to me?" I nod my head slowly as his erection rubs against the nub in between my legs.
"I am the only person that will ever see you come, Ana. You were taunting me earlier, and now it's payback time." His thumbs are making circles on my inner thighs, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
"Finish your drink and put the glass on the table." I empty what is left of the champagne and set the glass down.
"Rest your hands on my shoulders and keep still." I don't know how that is going to happen because I am already squirming in his lap. We are sitting so close together that our chests are almost touching. We could probably fuck in here, and no one would know any different.
His thumbs continue to make circles on my thighs, and soon they are at the edge of the costume underwear/shorts I have on over my panties. He reaches inside the shorts and starts to stroke my clit. I want to grind my hips against his thumb, but he told me I couldn't move. I wonder what he would do if I did?
"Keep still, Ana. Absorb the pleasure my fingers are giving you." I lean my head back, and he squeezes my legs with his fingers. "Keep your eyes on me. I want to see them when you come." I am already close to the edge, and watching him is going to get me there quicker.
"Does that feel good, baby?" He lets go of my leg with one hand and slides my panties to the side. "You are so wet. I wish I could lay you down on this couch and eat your pussy until you scream my name for the entire world to hear." He sticks two fingers inside my sex and presses my clit with his thumb. I am unable to sit still, so I start rocking against his fingers.
"Sit still, or I will stop." I huff out my annoyance, and he chuckles. I look into his eyes, and they are sparkling with mischief. "I promise it will be worth it, Ana. Trust me, okay?" I smile and kiss his lips softly. He slides his tongue across my bottom lip, and my lips open up, ready for him to deepen the kiss.
He slowly licks my lips and starts playing with my pussy again. My body comes alive with his touch. My nipples harden, and I want to fuck him so bad right now. "I want to fuck Christian, please. I know those pants have a zipper. I picked the costume out, remember?" I mumble against his mouth. He stills his hand and looks into my eyes.
There is a brief lull in the music as the next person takes the stage to sing, or try to sing. The beat starts, and I instantly know what song it is. I reach down and pull Christian's fingers to my mouth. I suck my juices off his fingers, and his eyes turn to molten gray. I feel his dick twitch beneath me, and I know he's fighting with himself.
I start moving my hips back and forth over his erection. He grabs my hips, stilling me. "Once we start, there is no stopping." I reach down and start to pull down the zipper on his pants. He brings his fingers back down to my pussy and starts to finger me again. "I want you at the edge of orgasm, so when your pussy swallows my dick, I want you to come all over it." There is something about him talking dirty to me that turns me on even more.
The music is loud as I rise on my knees. Christian pulls his hard dick out of his pants, and I slide down on it. I moan at the feeling of him inside of me. He has one hand on my back and the other on my hip. We move in slow motion, feeling every inch of each other. Our pace quickens slightly, and I hear the beat of the music.
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it
You're addicted to love
You see the signs, but you can't read
You're running at, a different speed
Your heart beats, in double time
Another kiss, and you'll be mine
I feel my orgasm approaching as Christian reaches up and pulls my face down to his. His tongue dives into my mouth and mimics the same action as his dick. I am moaning into his mouth as I grind down on his dick.
"God, Ana. You feel so good. I can't get enough of you." He leaves a trail of hot kisses down my neck to the swell of my breasts that are visible from my top. His other hand moves from my hip and unbuttons my top, exposing one of my breasts. He takes a nipple into his mouth and sucks the pink pebble into a hard peak. He bites it, and that's all it takes to send me over the edge. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him tightly to my chest as he continues to suck and lick my breast. He pumps a few more times and stills inside of me.
Our breathing is still heavy as we both come down from our orgasms. The song is over, but I don't care. The only thing that matters right now is the man sitting in front of me.
Christian places feather-soft kisses on my neck, and I moan softly. "How was that?" he asks as I play with his hair.
"My body is still humming. I love that you know how to make my body sing." I kiss his lips softly, then kiss his cheeks and his forehead.
"I love you, Ana," he says while looking into my eyes. He slides me back slightly as he tries to clean himself up. Luckily, there is a box of tissues on the side table. I reach over and grab the box, handing him a few. He does his best to take care of me first, then himself. He looks over my shoulder and grins.
"Well, did we have an audience as you promised?" I ask with a chuckle. He shakes his head, no.
"Everyone's attention is still on the stage." We right our clothes, and he tosses the tissues to the side. He leans back on the couch, and I rest my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.
I hear Elliott's booming voice tell Christian it's time to roll of it. I try to get up, and Christian holds me tighter. "Did he know what we were doing?" I ask, hoping it's not true.
"I asked him to give us some privacy because I needed to pay you back for earlier. He asked if I was going to fuck you on the couch, and I didn't give him an answer. He assumes what we did. I didn't tell him anything." I relax back into Christian's chest, wishing we were home.
Elliott opens the curtain and asks if Christian got everything straightened out. He waggles his eyes brows, and I can't help but laugh at him. He walks in and sets down in a chair. Kate grabs a few drinks from the bar and comes in behind him. She hands him a beer and sits on his lap.
We talk back and forth for a little while, and the sound of Christian's voice against my ear is relaxing me to the point of sleep. His hand is rubbing up and down my back in a rhythmic motion. I can hear part of their conversation about Thanksgiving and Mia. I guess she is coming in from Europe for the holidays.
"Baby, are you ready to go?" Christian asks me as I yawn loudly.
"Yes, I'm ready." I move off his lap to stand up, and I feel stiff from sitting down for so long. The downstairs area still has a crowd, so we go out the back at the employee entrance/exit to avoid it.
"This will be the last time I go anywhere without security," Christian says as we walk out of the door to the back parking lot. His hand is wrapped tightly around mine as he leads us to the SUV.
"Are you okay to drive, bro?" Elliott asks.
"Yes, I only had a few drinks when we first arrived. I drank water for the rest of the night." We get to the SUV, and before we can open the door to get inside, a group of women approaches us.
"Hey, guys. Can we get a ride home with you two? I'm sure men like you need real women and not the wannabes that are hanging all over you," the redhead says while pushing her boobs up with her hands. What the what? The women and I use that term loosely, have on short miniskirts and tube tops. Their hair is teased and stiff with hair spray.
Elliott is the first to speak up. "I don't think so, ladies, and I am using that term loosely. We are quite satisfied with our women. You two need to get on, maybe call an Uber for a ride home." Elliott opens the back door for Kate to get in, and he follows in behind her without saying another word.
"What about you, Batman? I know I can make this night unforgettable for you," the brunette tries her luck with Christian. He squeezes my hand and shakes his head.
"Even if I were single, and as you can see, I'm not, I wouldn't think twice about entertaining that notion. Ever since I met this beautiful woman beside me, every night with her has been unforgettable. You would never be able to hold a candle to her. I suggest you take my brother's advice and keep on walking." She huffs out a breath, and the two of them walk away.
I lean upon my tiptoes and place my arms around Christian's neck. "I'm unforgettable, huh?" He smiles and kisses my lips softly. "I didn't tell you earlier, but thank you for being there when the drunk guy grabbed my arm."
"I'm sorry he was able to touch you. That act alone pisses me off. Nobody touches what is mine." He kisses me again, then opens the front passenger door before helping me in.
"I can't believe how some women act. Isn't it obvious that Elliott and Christian both have girlfriends?" Kate huffs from the back seat.
"Maybe they see it as a challenge to take another woman's man. I find it annoying." I fasten my seatbelt and wait for Christian to get in.
The ride back to Escala was quick and uneventful. Kate and Elliott stay downstairs, and Christian and I ride the elevator up to the penthouse.
"Do you want to take a bath before going to bed?" Christian asks as the elevator doors open to the penthouse.
"That sounds fabulous," I say as he leads me toward the master suite.
After soaking in a warm bath, we are lying in bed wrapped around each other. "Do you have a busy day tomorrow?" I ask while rubbing circles on his chest.
"I have a full day tomorrow. Ros and I have to meet with all department heads to make sure we are still on schedule for the remainder of the year. Then I have several conference calls after lunch with overseas business associates. What do you have planned?" He kisses the top of my head and rubs his thumb across my shoulder.
I am a little sad that he is busy tomorrow. I have the morning off and was hoping to spend it with him. When I don't answer right away, he repeats my name.
"Sorry. I have practice tomorrow; then, I will be finishing up my emergency room time with your mother later in the afternoon. We are flying out Saturday morning for a weekend of away games." I try to keep my voice as neutral as possible. I don't want to give him the idea that I am depressed and needy.
"What time will you be done at the hospital? Maybe we can go out to eat?"
"Your mom is working until 11:00 pm, but I am not staying the entire time. I will need to have everything packed and ready for an early flight on Saturday."
"Oh, well, I will have Gail fix something for you when you get done with practice." I shrug my shoulder lightly.
"I can grab something at the hospital with your mom. Don't burden Gail with fixing something." The hand rubbing my shoulder stops, and Christian takes a deep breath.
"It's not a problem for Gail to fix dinner, Anastasia. That is her job." Oh, here we go. He said my full name again.
"I understand it's her job, but I'm telling you she doesn't need to fix me a meal when I don't know what time I will be back from the hospital. I appreciate the offer." Christian stiffens, and I hold my breath waiting for him to respond.
"I will have her fix a meal for two, and you can reheat it when you get home. If you decide to eat at the hospital, it will keep in the refrigerator." Great. Now I've pissed him off.
I don't say anything in return. I try to relax and go to sleep, but I can't. My mind is going in a hundred different directions. Why does he want to marry someone like me? Why do I have to act stupid? He is doing it because he cares about me.
I must have dozed off at some point because I wake up to my alarm going off, and Christian's side of the bed is empty. I feel the urge to run off the stress, so I get dressed in running shorts and a sports bra. When I walk out of the bedroom into the living room, the penthouse is quiet. I guess Christian's meeting was early, and he decided to leave without saying goodbye. That idea hurts a little bit, but I think I brought it on myself.
I get to the gym, and there is no one around. After entering the settings on the treadmill, I start at a steady pace. The music is blaring in my ears, and I have no idea what song is playing. My mind is scattered, and I hope running will help me straighten it out.
What went wrong last night? My attitude changed when Christian said he had meetings all day. I never told him I wanted to spend the morning with him. There is usually no chance for him to change his daily plans, so I decided to keep quiet and not tell him what I wanted. I should have said something. He may not have been able to spend the entire morning with me. But maybe we could have enjoyed breakfast together instead of me waking up alone.
How am I going to get my feelings in check? I can't act like this. Is it because we are so busy and not able to spend time with each other? Is this how it's going to be when we get married? No, because you will have graduated and volleyball will be over. Well, maybe not, if you make the Olympic Team. I am so fucked up in the head. Here I am running on a treadmill having a conversation with myself.
I continue debating back and forth until I decide I will take Christian lunch and apologize for my behavior. I nod in agreement.
I stop by my old apartment to check the mail for any correspondence from the National Team. It is quiet as I walk in, and I spot a pile of mail on the table next to the couch. I grab it and walk into the kitchen for a bottle of water. I drink half of it as I skip through each letter.
I spot one with the USA logo in the return address corner of the envelope. I all but rip it open in excitement. The letter explains the tryout process and what dates I need to report to Anaheim. I jump around in circles while clutching the letter to my chest. I grab my phone to call Christian but remember he has meetings all morning and won't be able to answer.
I go to my room to pack a bag for the weekend and remember my travel bag for volleyball is upstairs. I grab my keys and go up to get it.
When the elevator opens, I walk through the foyer and see Gail in the kitchen. "Good morning, Gail." She looks up from the stove, smiling.
"Good morning, Ana. How are you? You look happy."
"I am! I got the confirmation letter from the National Team for tryouts. Hey, what time did Taylor and Christian leave this morning?" I sit down at the breakfast bar as Gail hands me a cup of coffee.
"They left early. Jason got a text late last night, telling him to be ready to go before sunrise. He said Mr. Grey didn't seem happy about something this morning. Is everything alright between you two?" I sigh, taking a deep breath.
"I don't know, Gail. I keep messing up. I had the morning off and wanted to spend a little time with Christian. He said his day was busy, and I decided not to mention what I had in mind. He said we could go out to eat tonight, but I am finishing up my emergency room hours and will be back late. He said you would have dinner ready for me when I got home, but I told him that wouldn't be necessary. He acted like I killed his puppy because I didn't want to inconvenience you. He commented something about it being your job." I look down into my coffee cup, remembering back to last night.
"Ana, dear, it is no problem for me to fix you something to eat, no matter what time. And yes, it is my job to make sure things like that are taken care of here. I appreciate your consideration, but I promise it's not a big deal." I nod my head in understanding.
"I know, Gail. But Jason is away as much as Christian is, and I don't want to keep you from him when he is home. I can cook and clean, too. I have never had someone cook and clean for me. Honestly, it has been hard for me to get used to." I look up to Gail's smiling face.
"I can understand that. Ana, Christian wants to take care of you and protect you. In his mind, you shouldn't have to lift a finger to do anything. I know you have lived independently for so long, and it will take some getting used to. But he means well, I promise." I smile at Gail's honesty and take another sip of my coffee.
"How do you and Taylor do it? He is gone just as much as Christian is." Gail shrugs her shoulders.
"When I started for Mr. Grey, Jason wasn't working for him yet. I was used to being here by myself taking care of the penthouse. About six months after I started, Mr. Grey hired Jason. We got to know each other as time passed by, and I fell in love with him. I tried to keep my feelings a secret because Jason has a daughter from a previous marriage, and I wasn't sure he wanted in another relationship. One night after Jason came home from a business trip, he sat down in front of me and bluntly told me he was attracted to me. It caught me off guard, and I didn't know what to say. He took my reaction as a rejection and tried to leave. I grabbed his arm, pulling him down next to me and we talked it out. And four years later, here we are." Gail's eyes have misted over as she stares off into space.
I finish my coffee, leaving the cup on the counter. "Thank you for talking to me, Gail. I have to get going. See you later." She nods her head and goes back to finish whatever it was she was cooking.
I shower quickly and grab my bag and some clothes from the closet. I decide to drive out to the new place and take a look around. Elliott contacted his interior designer, and they have been working on remodeling the new house.
As I pull into the drive, I can see some changes already. There is an increased amount of fencing and security gates, along with some newly planted trees and shrubs. I see Elliott's truck parked at the front, so I go inside, calling his name.
"In here," I hear toward the back of the house. Elliott is in the sunroom measuring for the retractable roof Christian wants to have installed. He turns around when I walk in the room.
"Hey, Ana. What's going on? I didn't know you were coming out today." I walk over and give him a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. "Careful, if Christian knew you hugged and kissed me, he wouldn't be pleased." I shrug my shoulders and look out the window.
"I can just add it to the never-ending list of things I keep doing to fuck things up."
"Oh, come on. It can't be like that." Elliott tries to make a joke. When I turn around with tears in my eyes, his smile fades. "What's wrong? Has something happened between you two again?" I shake my head no and wipe my eyes.
"I'm not sure if things are working out between us, Elliott. We decided to take a step back and get to know each other better before we get married. Now, it seems like I am the one with all the problems, and we are drifting apart. Last night was the first night we had been together in over a week, and I pout when he said he was busy with meetings this morning and couldn't spend it with me."
"Did you tell him what you wanted?" I shake my head, no. "Why not?"
"Because GEH is important to him, and I don't want to interrupt his business. Besides, he said it was a department head meeting, and it sounded important. What is wrong with me?"
"Nothing is wrong with you, Ana. You have never been in a relationship before, and you don't know how to react to certain things. Keeping your feelings to yourself is not the answer, though. Yes, GEH is important to him, but so are you. I know he would have ditched those suits to spend the morning with you playing naked Twister." He smiles, and I chuckle.
"What else is going on? That can't be all." Wow, Elliott is good at reading people, or I must show my emotions too much.
"How do you know there is something else?" I cock my head to the side.
"Because I have been around a lot of women, and I can read them pretty well. Something else is on your mind." He sits on the arm of the chair and rests his chin on his hand.
I swallow hard. "Did you all have house help when you were growing up?"
He nods his head. "Yeah, why?"
"Well, I didn't. My mom and I did most everything around the house, except handy work that my dad would do. I am not used to leaving dirty clothes and dishes around for someone else to clean up. Anyway, I am finishing up my emergency room hours this evening and won't be home until after dinner. Christian said he would have Gail fix me dinner when I got home, and I told him it wouldn't be necessary. I could grab something from the hospital. He told me that it was Gail's job to make sure stuff like that got done. We didn't speak the rest of the night, and he left this morning without saying goodbye."
"Hmm, well, look at it this way. You two need to communicate better and compromise. The other night when I was at the penthouse for dinner, Christian cleaned up the dishes. I have never seen him do that before. He said you don't like leaving things for Gail to deal with when you can handle it yourself."
My eyebrows knit together. "Really?" I am shocked by that.
"Yes. Look, I haven't had a lot of long term relationships. But I can tell you that I love Kate and I will do anything for her. The same goes for Christian. He wants you to have everything, and he will go through hell and high water to make sure you get it. Go and talk to him and clear the air." I nod my head.
"Thanks for the talk, Elliott." I look around the room. "How are things going here? Do I need to do anything?"
"Nah, we are handling things okay. There are somethings we need to fix, but nothing major. The retractable roof will take no time at all. Taylor is working on the new security features, and they will be ready in a few days. There are a few cameras that will be near the water. The new furniture has been ordered and will be arriving in a few weeks. Once that happens, you guys can move in whenever."
I clap my hands together in excitement. "That sounds wonderful, thank you!" I check the time and realize it's close to lunch. "I'm going to pick up lunch and take it by GEH for Christian. I will see you later."
"Alright. Take care, Ana. And remember. Just talk to him." I nod my head.
I stop by Arilio's and grab two chicken Caesar salads for lunch. When I get to Christian's floor, Andrea is not at her desk. I knock on Christian's door, but he doesn't answer. I walk in and look around. It's empty, but I spot two people sitting at the conference table in the adjacent room. It's Christian and a woman I have never seen before. She is beautiful and dressed professionally. I swallow hard as I watch them laugh together. I walk to his desk and set both lunches on it. I grab a piece of paper and leave a note. Then I turn around and go without saying a word.
CPOV
I left early this morning without telling Ana goodbye. She wanted to talk about something last night but stopped short when I told her I had a busy morning. I have a meeting in a few minutes with the department heads to finalize the end of year plans and set next year's goals in motion.
While I am waiting for the meeting to start, I glance through a few potential acquisitions that will be our main focus in the new year. Both are major tech companies on the East coast that have fallen under hard times. I will discuss these with Katrina after the department head meeting.
Katrina Woodward is in charge of GEH in New York. She has a sharp mind for business and doesn't take any crap off of anyone, including me. She and Ros are alike in many ways, including batting for the same team. The three of us met at Harvard and stayed in contact after I left. When we decided to expand operations to New York, Ros sought Katrina out to help run things there. So far, it has worked perfectly.
"Thank you for a great year, ladies and gentlemen. I look forward to next year and the continued success of GEH. We will meet next week to finalize everything for the upcoming year." I nod my head, and the group gathers their documents and tablets before leaving the room. Katrina remains seated and leans back in her chair.
"Grey, I heard you found someone. I can tell. You aren't the mean bastard you used to be," Katrina says and then laughs.
"Oh, the mean bastard is still around. It comes out when necessary. And yes, I have found someone. We have known each other for a long time." I sit down in the chair across from her and grab a bottle of water.
Katrina's eyebrows raise to her hairline. "Really? You mean she hung around you for that long? She must be a saint then." Smartass.
"The time wasn't right when we first met. We both are in a great place right now, and things seem to be going smoothly." I check my watch and see it's close to lunchtime.
"Well, it appears like she can handle you pretty well. When will I get to meet her?" Katrina grins, and I shake my head laughing.
"I will keep her as far away from you as possible. She is mine, and I have no intention of sharing her." I laugh at her facial expression, and I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. The caller ID shows Elliott's name, so I answer it.
"Elliott," I answer in my usual terse tone.
"Hey, bro. How was lunch?" he asks, and I can hear hammers and drills working in the background.
"What are you talking about? I just finished up a meeting and haven't had lunch yet." I check my watch, and it's nearly noon.
"Oh, well, Ana came by the new house today to check on things and mentioned bringing you lunch. I guess she hasn't made it there yet." I get a knot in my stomach.
"I haven't seen or talked to Ana this morning. She didn't mention coming by today." I pinch the bridge of my nose.
"She said she wanted to talk to you about a few things and decided to bring lunch with her. Anyway, things here at the new house are going smoothly. You two should be ready to move in after Christmas." I look around the conference room, then into my office. I see a large bag sitting on my desk. Fuck.
"Elliott, thanks for calling me. I need to go." I hang the phone up without hearing his response. "Excuse me, Katrina." I get up, and in a few long strides, I am standing by my desk, looking at a note from Ana that is sitting next to a bag from Arilio's.
I look in the bag, and it is two Caesar salads with a small piece of cheesecake. I grab the note and read it. Christian, Andrea wasn't at her desk, and I stopped by with lunch, hoping to spend a few minutes with you before I go out of town. It appears you are too busy, so I will leave it for you both to enjoy. Ana
I close my eyes and shake my head. She must have arrived after the meeting was over, and Katrina and I were talking. Why didn't she just come into the conference room? I reach for my phone and dial her number. It rings a few times and goes to voicemail. I decide not to leave a message this time. I try calling Prescott, and she doesn't answer either. I call Taylor and ask him if he has been in contact with Prescott. I explain that I can't reach her or Ana and I'm getting worried.
"Sir, they left the building about ten minutes ago. Miss Steele seemed upset but didn't say anything when she left. I will check their location and get back to you."
"Fine." I slam the phone down and look at the note again. Then I think back to last night and our conversation about today.
"Christian, is everything alright?" Katrina asks while sitting in the chair in front of my desk.
"Actually, no, it's not. Ana came by to bring me lunch and saw you and I laughing and talking. I'm sure she read too much into it and left without saying anything. Last night, I told her I was busy this morning with meetings. I have a feeling she wanted to spend the morning with me before going out of town this weekend for volleyball. My guess is she thinks I gave her the brushoff." I toss my phone on my desk and sit down in my chair.
"It sounds like you both are pretty busy. How much time are you devoting to each other? Aren't you supposed to be getting married soon?"
"We were together last night for a few hours, but before that, it was last week. Between her volleyball schedule and me being here, we haven't spent a lot of time together." I lean my head back against the chair and close my eyes.
"It sounds like to me she misses you and wants to spend time with you. Valerie and I make time in our schedule to devote our attention to each other at least twice a week. We both are busy professionals, but we are committed to each other. How committed are you to Ana?" Katrina raises a brow and taps her finger against her lips.
I shrug my shoulders. "Ana has a lot going on with college and finishing up her nursing hours. I have been leaving it up to her to determine when we see each other. I have more flexibility than she does."
"Well, you need to tell her you want to see her and spend time with her. Women are emotional creatures, Christian. We wear our emotions on our sleeve and get hurt easily. Haven't you figured that out yet? Don't you have a sister?" I chuckle thinking about Mia and her dramatic ways.
"Yes, I have a sister. She was dramatic and usually got her way. She would ask me for things, but I don't remember offering to do anything with her." I get up from my chair and walk toward the window. I look out over Seattle and think about what I just said. Have I taken Ana anywhere to do anything or asked her to go anywhere with me, not work-related?
My desk phone rings and I see it's Taylor calling me back. "Taylor? What do you have?"
"Sir, I spoke to Prescott. She followed Ana to a small grocery store, then to a cemetery. They are still at the cemetery right now." Why there? Oh.
"Thank you, Taylor." I hang the phone up. She must be distraught to visit her father's grave.
"Well, where is she?" Katrina asks with excitement in her voice.
"She is visiting her father's grave." Katrina's face falls.
"Oh. I guess a daughter needs to talk to her daddy right now. I suggest you leave her alone for a little while. Her security will keep you updated, right?"
"Yes, they will. Sometimes I wonder if I should take Ana to Vegas and get married. But I don't know if that will change anything. We practically live together now and hardly see each other."
"I think you should make time to see each other before it's too late." I look up to Katrina sharply, and her lips are flat with no other expression on her face. She holds her hands up in defense. "I'm not saying you two will break up, but just think about it." I nod my head.
"I will. Things are busy at GEH because it's the end of the year. You know how it is."
"Yes, I know. But does Ana? How much have you told her about what you do here? What your responsibilities are? Get her involved, so there's no doubt or questions. I mean, if you two are getting married, this place could be hers if something happens to you. She needs to know the ins and outs of it." Good point.
"Yes, you are right. I will make it a point to talk to Ana tonight. I have some explaining to do anyway. Thanks, Katrina. Have a safe flight back to New York." We both stand and walk toward the door.
"I will let you know my opinion on the acquisitions. I need to do some additional research." She nods her head and turns to leave.
"Thank you for everything," I tell her, and she winks and walks out the door.
I grab my phone and call Taylor. "Are they still at the cemetery?"
"No, Sir. They are on the way to UW for practice."
"Alright. Thanks." I hang the phone up and ponder my next move.
Ana POV
I left Christian's office and had a destination in mind. I stop by the store and grab a small bouquet and drive toward the cemetery.
I park as close as I can and make the slow walk toward daddy's headstone. Once I get there, I lay a blanket down next to it and sit down. I cry silently for a few minutes before I start talking. "Daddy, I wish you were here. I need you right now. I don't know what to do. I feel lost when it comes to Christian. One minute, things are going great, and the next not so great. Most of the time, it's my fault. I either assume something that is not true or my expectations are too high. I wonder if we would be better off apart. The harder we try to spend time with each other, the worse things get."
Tears are flowing freely down my cheeks, and my heart breaks for my daddy. "I miss you so much, daddy." I cover my face with my hands and let my emotions go. I'm not sure how long I sit there, but suddenly I feel hands on my shoulders, then arms wrapping around me. I look up and see Prescott beside me with a small smile on her face.
"I'm sorry if I am intruding Miss Steele. I couldn't bear to see you here alone and crying." She hugs me tightly, and I cry into her shoulder.
After a few more minutes of nonstop crying, I feel a little lighter. I check my watch and realize if I don't leave now, I will be late for practice. I move out of Prescott's embrace and try to stand up. My legs falter slightly, and I feel a hand grab my arm.
"Let me help you, Ana." I stand with her help and pick up the blanket from the cold ground.
"Thank you, daddy. I love you, and miss you so much." I kiss my fingers and reach down to touch them on his headstone. I feel the slightest breeze blow, and I close my eyes. Even though he can't talk to me in person, I feel his love wrap around me. I take a deep breath and open my eyes.
"I'm ready to go. Do you think it will be alright if I leave my car here? I don't feel like driving now."
"Sure. I will call Taylor and have him send a few guys to take it back to Escala. Is that where you want it?" I nod my head.
"Yes, that is fine. I need to grab my bag from the trunk." We arrive at my car, and I grab my purse and bag from it. I check my phone for messages and see a missed call from Christian. He didn't leave a message. He must have found the note I left with his lunch.
Prescott calls Taylor and lets him know where my car is and asks if he can send a few guys to get it. She tells me someone will get it within the hour and return it to Escala.
"Thank you for being here with me, Belinda." Her eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, and she smiles.
"Of course, Miss Steele." I roll my eyes.
"It's Ana, remember?" I chuckle.
"I know I will try harder." She laughs, and I lean my head back for the remainder of the ride to UW. I feel my phone buzz and see a text message from Christian.
*C – Are you alright?
*A – Yes, we can talk later. ILY XO
A few seconds after I hit send, my phone rings. "Hello?"
"Baby, are you sure you are okay?" I hear the concern in his voice.
"Yes, I promise I am. I'm just going through a few things emotionally. We can talk more when I get home later. I know you are busy, and I don't want to take any more of your day." I hear a harsh exhale, and I hope I haven't pissed him off again.
"Sweetheart, you are not taking away from my day. Is there something going on that we need to talk about right now? I don't like the distance between us." We are a few minutes away from UW, and I don't want to start this conversation now.
"Everything will be fine, I promise. We are almost at UW, and I don't have a lot of time to talk. Going to the cemetery helped. Can you pick me up from practice? I have rescheduled my time in the emergency room for next week. I want to spend the evening with you."
"Of course, I can pick you up. Anything special you want to do tonight?"
"No. Just you and me. Is that okay?"
"Sounds perfect. I will see you in a little while, baby. I love you. You know that, right?"
"Yes, Christian. I know you love me. I will see you later. I love you, too." I end the call just as we arrive at practice.
"Belinda, Christian will be picking me up here later. Can you text him when we are close to being done?" I grab my purse and bag before opening the door.
"Yes, ma'am. I will get in touch with him. Anything else you need me to do for you?" I smile and shake my head.
"No, I am okay. Thanks again for being with me." She nods her head, and I exit the car. I feel a little more at ease right now. I need to tell Christian about my insecurities tonight. I hope he understands.
Later after practice
CPOV
We are sitting on the couch with numerous half-empty Chinese takeout boxes sitting in front of us on the table. "Oh my word, I can't eat another bite!" Ana says and groans.
"Me neither." I get up and take our dirty plates into the kitchen. She follows behind with the leftovers.
"Should we save the food for later?" she asks while I rinse the dishes off.
"Sure. Just put the cartons in the refrigerator. If they are still there in the morning, I will toss them." She walks around me, and I stare at her ass, wrapped tightly in yoga pants. We finish loading the dishwasher and go back to the couch.
"So, tell me what's on your mind, Ana. I know it is something." I pull her close to me and put my arm around her shoulder. She snuggles into my body and takes a deep breath.
"You smell so good," she says while sniffing my neck and shoulder.
"Stop stalling, or I will move to another seat."
"I'm not stalling. Your scent calms me, Christian. I wish I could bottle it up and carry it with me all day. I miss you so much when we are apart. Do you think I have an unhealthy obsession with you?" I laugh at her statement.
"What? No, I don't think it's unhealthy. I feel the same about you. I don't know what you want, Ana. I have left it up to you when it comes to spending time together because you are the one going in a thousand different directions. If it were up to me, we would spend every waking moment together. But I know that is not possible." I pull her to me tighter.
"Is that what has been bothering you?" I ask as I reach down and place my fingers under her chin, then lift it so I can see her eyes. They can tell me everything without her saying a word.
I see tears starting to form, and I know I have hit a sensitive subject. "Tell me," I say in a stern but calm voice.
"I wanted to spend this morning with you. When I asked you last night if you were busy today and you said yes, I let it go. I don't want to come in between you and your responsibilities at GEH. Then you left this morning without saying goodbye, and I thought you were mad at me. I ended up going to the new house to see how things were progressing, and Elliott and I talked. He said I should tell you what I want, and you will make it happen.
"I felt selfish in wanting you to spend time with me, but in reality, we haven't been alone together that much. Most of the time, it's with your family or Kate and Elliott. I just wanted to be alone with you and enjoy your closeness. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
I bury my nose in her hair and take a deep breath. "Why didn't you tell me what you wanted, Ana? The meeting could have been pushed out to later in the day. You have to tell me these things. I am not a mind reader, and apparently, I can't read the emotions of my woman very well." I chuckle with the last statement.
"Another thing. Why didn't you come to me today when you brought lunch? The woman I was talking to is the head of GEH in New York. She was in the meeting with the department heads because we were discussing potential acquisitions for next year. I would have introduced you to her." I feel Ana stiffen next to me, and I must have touched a nerve or something.
"She is gorgeous." That's all she has to say about it?
"Yes, and she is also a lesbian. She is a lot like Ros. She gets the job done and doesn't allow anyone to walk all over her. She told me I should be spending more time with you and less time at GEH." Ana tries to sit up, but I hold her still to me.
"You talked about me?" Ana's voice is almost at a whisper.
"Yes, we did. Katrina pointed out my inexperience with relationships and told me to work harder at making you happy. Do I make you happy, Ana?" she moves to pull away, and this time I let her.
"Of course, you make me happy. That is why this entire situation is so hard. I want everything to be over with, so we can concentrate on each other. I have considered not finishing my required nursing hours, but I am so close, and all the time and effort would be a waste. Volleyball is almost over, and that will help. OH! Guess what?" Now she is smiling and bouncing next to me.
"What?" I ask and grin at her excitement.
"I got a letter from the USA volleyball telling me when and where I need to go next month." She claps her hands together and moves into my lap.
I place my hands on her hips and pull her closer to me. "That is fabulous news. When are we going?" Her eyes widen.
"You want to go with me?" She questions.
"Of course I want to go with you, baby. This is important to you." I kiss her lips softly. "I am proud of you for getting this great opportunity. Not everyone gets to do something like this."
She hugs me tightly around the neck. "Thank you," is all she says.
"Ana, I will do everything in my power for you. Whatever you want, it's yours. Anywhere you want to go, we'll go. Do you understand?" She pulls back and looks into my eyes.
"Yes, I understand. I'm sorry if I have been acting weird. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I feel like a spoiled child when I don't get my way." I laugh at her.
"You are nowhere near acting like a spoiled child. You have every right to want to spend time with me. The only thing I ask is to say what you want when you want it. There may be times when I can't do anything about going to GEH for meetings. But there will be times when I can. I will do everything in my power to make you happy, Ana. You are my everything, and I can't live without you." I see tears welling in her eyes as she struggles to speak.
"Oh, Christian," she sobs and wraps her arms tightly around my neck. I rub my hands up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her.
"Taylor told me you went to the cemetery to visit Ray's gravesite. Do you want to talk about it?" I hear her sniff and take a few shuddering breaths.
"I told him how much I missed him and how I wished he was still here. I felt so out of sorts when I left your office. I just wanted to talk to my daddy and get a hug from him. I can't get that anymore, so going to the cemetery was the next best thing. And you know what? He wasn't there to speak to me in person, but I felt him there with me. As I got ready to leave, the wind picked up slightly, and I knew he was hugging me the only way he could. Does that sound stupid?" She sniffs at my neck.
I kiss the top of her head. "No, baby. It doesn't sound stupid. I am sorry Ray isn't here to hold you when you need it. I know I can't fill that void in your life, but I will do my best to try." She sits back but keeps her arms around my neck.
"I know you will, and I will do my best to let you take care of me. I'm sorry about last night. I will work at getting used to having Gail around. But I still want to help when I can. Is that okay?" She leans forward and touches her forehead to mine.
"Yes, that sounds perfect." I kiss her lips, then each corner of her mouth. I leave a trail of kisses down her neck to her collar bone. "I think we have done enough talking for now." She reaches down and pulls her shirt over her head.
"I couldn't agree more," she breathes out as I kiss the tops of her exposed breasts.
"Let me love you, Ana." She nods her head, and I stand up from the couch, with her still in my arms. I know we still have a long way to go. But after tonight, we are one step closer to where we need to be.
A/N
I know I mentioned in the last author's note about the story picking up the pace. I felt Ana still had issues with communication, and her moods are probably giving everyone whiplash. Hopefully, after everyone she talked to in this chapter, including the most important one of them all, things will get better for her.
I had multiple songs in mind for the chapter title, and they are by the same artist. I am a big fan of 80's music, and the songs reflect that. Heaven, Everything I Do (I do it for you), and Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman by Bryan Adams were floating through my mind when I wrote the last half of this chapter.
Also, I read a post a while back about chapter length. I can reduce the size of the chapter, but I am wordy when I write. I hope it's not too much to have 8k-12k word chapters. This story has maybe 2-3 more chapters left. Cheers!
Sherry