A/N: First, thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Look, I realize that I make silly typos and spelling errors. My computer is prone to skipping around and I don't always catch them. I cringed myself when I reread the story to catch myself back up. Some are obvious spelling mistakes that I miss and some are from not looking up a spelling in the dictionary. I don't mind when you point them out and maybe someday I will go back and make corrections. That said, I do not have a beta and one of my biggest weaknesses is being able to edit myself. I try to push the chapters out as I write because it is about three months before I can edit myself. I have to forget what I was trying to write myself before I can edit properly. If this is unacceptable to you, this might not be the story for you. Just throwing that out there. I KNOW I make mistakes. I wish I didn't but I am a human with three children that get distracted and what not so you can deal or you can't.

That said, for those of you still along for the ride, Enjoy. I really thought I would be able to flesh this story out in about twenty chapters and be done with it. That obviously was far from the case. I am about three fourths of the way. A little drama in the next chapter and then Vegas.

Chapter 46

The tell tale sound of the elevator ding announces Christian's arrival home right as I am pulling dinner out of the oven. My timing couldn't have been better. I give myself an imaginary pat on the back as I make my way to go greet my man.

He gives me a little grin when he sees me walking towards him. "Something smells delicious." he compliments. "Thank you for cooking." I take in his manly scent as he leans over to kiss me. Every single day since we have gotten back from Aspen and Gail has been recovering he has thanked me for cooking. It is the sweetest thing.

I start dishing our plates while Christian freshens up. Talking to Gail earlier really put some things into perspective for me. I realize that in all this wedding excitement, I do need to take the time to say good bye to my singledom properly. It isn't something that I can do later. Christian and I have our whole lives in front of us as Mr. and Mrs. Grey but my days are numbered being Miss Steele. I am still not up for wild shenanigans like I am sure Kate is planning but it is only a short weekend. Now I have to figure out how to broach the bachelorette trip and letting Gail ease back into work. I can't imagine Christian is going to be any happier than I am about a trip apart right now and Gail, well, he cares about her and he wants to make sure she is well.

Christian comes into the kitchen whistling. His hair is a little damp from his quick shower and he is much more comfortable in a t-shirt and pajama pants. He pours us some wine while I takes our plates to the table.

"So how was your day?" Christian asks as he sits down across from me. "Any fascinating wedding planning developments?" He asks with a cocky grin which I return with one of my own. Reading between the lines, he is already aware of Kate's plan for a weekend girls trip.

I nod. "As a matter of fact, yes. Your mother sent me photographs of the dinnerware she reserved. She has impeccable taste." I tease.

"That she does." Christian agrees. He twists his lips as I pretend to be lost in the incredible view. "Anything else?" he fishes. "I don't know… perhaps something from your best friend?"

I pop a brussel sprout into my mouth to play coy a little longer. He is in a good mood tonight and to think I was worried. It's so good, smothered in bacon, parmesan cheese, and garlic. I savor the flavors as I hold one finger up to tell him to give me a second which of course then makes me hyper aware of how long it takes to chew.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Kate sent me an email offering me three places to have a bachelorette weekend. Hawaii, Napa Valley, and Las Vegas. At first I was apprehensive about it but the idea is growing on me. I just don't want to spend an entire weekend apart." I share with relief that he doesn't seem to be upset about the idea like I was. "How did you know?"

Christian taps his nose. "Well, Elliot called an proposed a man's weekend. I told him I didn't want a bachelor party and much less a weekend but he slipped and told me that Kate was dragging you to some far flung location that was to be announced so we might as well make the best of it. I told him that I would agree to a weekend provided that we went to the same place you ladies are going. So now I am wondering, where are we going?"

I giggle. "Las Vegas. When I thought of Napa and Hawaii, all I could think about is how I want to experience those places with you." I admit as I watch his eyes light up. "I truly thought you would be upset about the whole thing."

He looks at me with concern clouding his eyes. "Upset? Why? Of course I want you to have time with your friends. I really am not trying to lock you up inside our penthouse."

I shrug, "Perhaps because I was upset. I guess it is me who is not ready to be away from you for the whole weekend." I admit and watch him beam a smile back at me, relieved.

"Ok, on that account I am with you. I am not ready to spend a weekend apart from you yet either, especially not a long weekend. That's why I insisted on going to the same place. So I sneak in a few precious moments with you while also giving everyone else the time with us that they deserve." He admits shyly before taking a bite of his dinner. "This is delicious by the way. Is there anything you can't cook?"

I laugh as I think of quite a few things I don't think I would be very good at cooking. "Plenty." I assure him. "I only cook the things I know I am good at cooking for you my dear."

We eat the rest of our dinner in a comfortable silence. I watch the rain coming down softly out of the window. I get a little angry when I think about how my mother forced so many of our windows to now have barriers on them.

Sensing me getting wound up, Christian places his hand on my knee providing me with instant warmth and calm. "Whatever is bothering you, don't let it get to you. Have you given Kate your preferred location yet?"

I shake me head no.

"Why don't you call her. I have a few things I would like to finish up in my office and then we can retire for the evening."

I stand up and pick up our dirty dishes. "Good idea. I'll call her after I clean up the kitchen."

Since I pretty much clean as I go, there isn't much left to do so I finish loading the dishwasher and turn it on, wipe down the stove top and counters and get comfortable on the lounger before dialing Kate.

The phone rings several times before a breathless Kate answers. "Hey Steele."

I get the unwanted mental picture of my best friend playing bedroom gymnastics with my future brother-in-law and shake my head. Not at all what I want in my head. "Am I calling at a bad time?" I ask cautiously.

"No, not at all. My phone was on the other side of the apartment so I ran to get it. Elliot isn't coming over until later if that is what you are implying." she laughs.

"Well, I was calling you to tell you that I would like to take our girls weekend in Las Vegas." I manage to get out before having to pull the phone away from my ear from her loud pitched squeal.

"Really! You mean you are game?" And the Kavanaugh inquisition begins. "I thought there was no way we were going to get you out of Seattle except kicking and screaming."

"You were half right." I confess. "Christian evidently spoke with Elliot and they are going to do a boys weekend in Vegas too so they are going to be around too."

Kate starts cackling and I can imagine her bent over in laughter as I have seen so many times before. "I can't be mad at them. That means our men won't be too difficult to find if we end up needing some relief from the sexual tension."

"Exactly." I agree while running my fingers over the super soft velveteen throw that is draped over the chair I am sitting in. "I was kinda hoping that maybe we could spend at least a night sleeping with our men."

"I don't think that is how bachelorette parties are supposed to work but since I have skin in your little game too I think we can work that out. I am so excited to start planning this. Are we going for class or are we going for classic Vegas? This is going to be the only part you get a say in."

I giggle, "Class, Kate. The answer is always class."

I hear the doorbell to Kate's apartment sound. "Um, Elliot is here. I will send you the details once I get everything booked. Don't worry Steele, this is going to be epic. Love ya. Bye."

The phone goes dead and I stare it for a second before a text message from Christian pings.

*Finished. Meet you in the bedroom.

I uncurl myself from my phone position and take immense pleasure from stretching my limbs before going in search of my beautiful hunk of a man.

Walking into the bedroom I freeze when I find him examining the clothespins that I inadvertently left on his night stand from earlier today. I feel the color rushing into my face. Since Gail is still on leave there is no one else but me who would have left them there.

Despite my best efforts to blend into the wall, Christian still sees me standing there looking like the cat who swallowed the canary.

He holds up a clothespin and looks curiously at me. "Ana, why do I have clothespins on my night stand."

I mentally go through a list of probable excuses but nothing sounds like they would pass the muster. Still bright red, I look at the floor shyly and shuffle my feet knowing I have been caught and needing to confess but not wanting to.

Christian stalks closer to me and in his low, sexy voice that I recognize from his time dominating me says softly, "Anastasia, I am going to ask you one more time, why were there clothespins on my night stand?"

I shrug my shoulders, still not wanting to answer him. Not wanting to admit that I spent part of my afternoon masturbating to thoughts of him. I am not afraid, just a little embarrassed and to be honest, a little excited at being caught. For the moment, embarrassment is winning over the excitement though.

Christian grabs me by the waist softly. "Look at me." he commands and I immediately do. I look up to see his gray eyes searching mine for answers and I bite my lip. His breath hitches as he pulls on my chin to release my lip before kissing me deeply and nibbles on my lip. "Your body is telling on you, you know?" he questions as he moves down my neck. "But I want to hear you say it."

"Fine." I pout. "I might have masturbated because I got horny doing my homework for Dr. Simmons." I shout out, the words quickly spilling from my lips.

He pulls me over to the bed and sits me on his lap. "You masturbated with clothespins?" he questions.

I nod at him. "I needed a little stimulation because I don't have my BOB." I admit while running my fingers up and down his back.

He stiffens under me. "Who is Bob?" he asks sharply.

Realizing quickly that he doesn't understand and this can go badly quickly, I answer him without hesitation. "Not who, what! BOB stands for battery operated boyfriend. You might better know it as a vibrator."

I feel him relax immediately. "Ana, if you need a vibrator, I saved some and they are in the bottom drawer in the closet. But I have to admit, I am intrigued. Please tell me how you masturbated with clothespins."

I stretch my torso around to look at him curiously. "You mean you're not mad?"

I feel him reach into his pajama shorts and take his his warm, hardened member and stroke it against my leg. "Why would you think I would be mad at you, baby?"

I lean back against him and look down and watch him stroke himself. "You know, the contract banned masturbation."

Christian lightly bites my shoulder and it sends shock waves to my core. "Contract, smontract. That old thing no longer applies. As long as you are willing and able to make love to me when the mood strikes us both, masturbate away baby. The last thing I want is to think of you here, uncomfortable waiting on me to be able to take care of you." He rasps in my ear. "Besides, do you know how many times I have masturbated to thoughts of you over years? More than I can count. Your sweet puss turns me on so much." He is stroking himself even faster.

I envision him masturbating in the shower, on his bed, in his office and feel my wetness pool onto his bare leg."You have?"

Ummmhummm. I hear his hum his affirmative. "That's it baby. Rock yourself on me and tell me how you used the clothespins."

I let out a small moan as I realize I have been rocking on him trying to get enough friction in the right spot. "I clipped the clothespins on my nipples and my clit while I fingered myself." I moan as I let the words fall from my mouth. "When I needed more bite I pinched them tighter." I practically scream as he adjust his leg to give me what I want.

"Arch your back baby." He directs as he takes his other arm to reach around me to finger the nectar flowing from me. "You needed a little bit of pain to come?" He questions, his voices raspy from the strain of pleasure he is giving himself.

"I did." I groan. "I needed it so badly." I pant.

"Can I eat you while I jack off?" he asks, desperately.

I can't find my voice so I nod. I am so horny and in need of another orgasm.

He helps me stand up and gingerly lays me on the bed positioning himself around me so I can watch his ministrations. It is so hot that I almost give him my release the second his tongue starts lapping at my entrance but I manage to hold it off for the time being.

"You are so beautiful." He coos. "So delicious." He is so engorged the veins are popping out and I know it won't be long before he gives into his own blissful pleasure.

When he nibbles on my clitoris, I am immediately blinded by my orgasm. I moan loudly as I try to buck myself against his face but his strong arm holds me still. "That's my girl, just feel it." he instructs as my pure pleasure runs through me.

He takes a few more strokes before leaning towards me and empties his release onto my stomach. "Aaaannnnnaaa" he groans as he shakes violently a few times before looking up at me smiling.

Once we are both lying at the head of the bed, Christian wraps his arm around me and starts tracing circles on my breastbone. "I love you." He says wistfully. "I'm sorry you thought I would be mad about you taking care of your needs. I will always be here to take care of you when I am here, but when I am not, lets just say I now have something to be thinking about during boring meetings."

I turn my head and kiss his chest, the part of him that is closest to me. "I am just happy I didn't make you angry."

"No baby. I don't want you to be afraid of me. That part of our relationship, the one where I punished you sexually for breaking rules is over. Now if you need a bit of pain now and then, all you have to do is ask and I will still dominate you sometimes like you dominate me but it will be mutual and out of love." He assures me as I yawn. "Now sleep my sweetness."

There is a bit of light pouring through the few gaps in the window protection when I open my eyes again. Christian is throwing on clothes. He looks over at me and notices I am awake as his is hopping into a pair of sweat pants. He comes over and sits on my side of the bed giving me a kiss on the cheek, his breath smelling of minty toothpaste.

"Good morning baby. Sorry if I woke you up. Taylor just texted me that your mother is here and wants to see us. They have her in the security office. The choice is yours but I am going on a run first, she can wait."

I try to shake the sleep fog from my brain. Carla is here? "She didn't try to break in, did she?" I ask concerned. I wouldn't put anything past my mother at this point.

He shakes his head no. "She presented herself downstairs to the doorman. He called up and our security team took it from there. I can send her packing if you would like or we can go see her. Up to you but I need to get some of this energy out of me first so my first meeting with my future mother-in-law has a chance to go well."

I lay my head back down on the pillow, my long hair fanning itself out. "Go run. It's best if we go see what she wants."