I'm only telling you this because I care about you. Christian's ex-wife told me something you should know. —she pauses again and I start to get nervous. This is a piece of information I didn't know.

I knew Christian had been in another relationship before me, but I didn't know he'd been married.

—I don't know if it has to do with his nightmares or if something happened in the past, but Christian doesn't sleep with anyone.

—I've noticed that. —I tell her quietly. That's nothing new, I already knew that. I don't think she knows about his BDSM past, though. I'd better not tell her about that. —Christian told me why she doesn't do it.

—Did he? That's a new one, he doesn't like to talk about his past, in fact, he never wanted to tell me what happened.

—He told me that after the accident the nightmares got worse. But the fact that he told me doesn't help much. Christian still has problems and he needs to talk to someone to try to solve them. If he wants to have a normal relationship.

—A psychologist? Good luck getting him to go to one. His ex-wife didn't make it. I know he was watching one when he was in the sport and for a while after the accident. But there came a time when he stopped. Apparently he got tired of not getting results.

At least I am learning some things about his past, things that, if I were to ask him, I don't know if he would answer me. So, from what Elena tells me his ex-wife tried to get him to go to therapy and failed, I think this is a breakthrough. A positive development in our relationship. A breakthrough that I hope is for the better.

—In fact, we have an appointment for tomorrow. —I answer Elena as I take a sip from my wine glass.

—Really? —she looks at me dumbfounded. — I never imagined he would go to therapy again.

—When I asked him, I thought he would say no.

—And I thought I was going to give you a big sister lecture about my brother being dangerous and not good for you.

We both laugh as I take another sip of my drink. I figured that's why she wanted to talk.

—Tell me how the therapy went. —she says with a smile as I stare at her for a moment and I don't know if I should ask her the question on my mind.

—Can I ask you something?

Elena looks at me as she refills her glass.

—As long as it's nothing from his past.

—Christian is adopted?

—I think everyone knows that. —I didn't know that, not until I realized that they don't look alike and that he uses his birth mother's last name. Maybe I should have done more research on the internet?

—What happened to his parents?

—That story is not for me to tell you, because I even don't know the whole story. I only know that mom brought him to live with us when he was 4 years old. But I don't know much more. Every time I've asked Christian, he changes the subject. And mom hasn't told me anything either, she says it's in Christian's past and it's best not to stir up the past and leave it behind.

But I know from my own experience that sometimes the past can catch up with you.

—How much are you two chatting over there? —Christian interrupts us. —Dinner is ready. —he announces as he stares at me.

—I'll leave you two alone and set the table. —Elena gets up, leaving me alone with Christian who holds out his hand to me.

And I stare at him for a moment. His deep blue gaze penetrates mine and I feel as if he can decipher me completely. And I hardly know anything about him. And I want to know absolutely everything. If I asked him about his past, would he answer me?

—Christian, I...

—Come, help me carry the things to the table. —he says, interrupting my thoughts.

And I decide that I will ask him later or maybe another time. I take his hand and while he seduces me with his smile, I let myself be led to the kitchen.

—Thank you for dinner, you owed me. —Elena says to her brother as we walk to the door to see her off.

Christian has one hand wrapped around my waist, he doesn't want to leave me.

—Whenever you want. —he replies to his sister and then I see him get serious. —Or better not.

Elena smiles as she opens the door.

—Wait.

Christian separates from me and quickly goes to the kitchen. He returns with a bag with something wrapped inside.

—Take it to mom, tell her I'll stop by tomorrow. Give her a kiss for me.

—I will.

Elena takes the bag Christian holds out to her and leans over to give him a kiss on the cheek. They are definitely related.

—Let me know how it goes tomorrow. —Elena says goodbye to me, and I smile at her.

I smile back at her. Shit! I forgot that tomorrow is the interview and photo shoot.

—We're alone now. —the sound of his voice brings me back to reality.

I stare at him and then look at the open door he is still holding.

—Will you stay tonight?

—We still need to talk. —I answer.

Christian squints and tilts his head to the side.

—That's not an answer.

—As long as you answer my questions, I'll stay.

—That's more like an answer. —he smiles at me as he closes the door. —Come with me.

He takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. He opens the fridge and takes out a cartón of Ben Jerry's Half Baked and puts it in my hands. He holds out a spoon and only then do I look up and stare at him.

—How did you know? —I know the answer without him telling me.

—Kate mentioned it.

—I think I'm at a disadvantage, you know more about me than I know about you.

—I'll answer all your questions, but I need to train a little first. —He gives me a brief kiss on the lips and leaves, I imagine, heading for the gym.

I watch him disappear and return my gaze to the carton of ice cream in my hands. It's my favorite flavor, but I imagine he doesn't know why. I smile wistfully as I uncap the canister, take some and bring the spoon to my mouth. Delicious. I walk with the carton without even thinking about where I'm going and end up in the gym. Christian has his back to me, warming up. He's taken off his shirt and is wearing short shorts that hang sensuously from his hips. I see his muscles flex and that alone makes a tingle start to run through my body. But I ignore it, for the moment. I quietly walk in and sit on a weight bench eating my delicious ice cream while I watch him.

When he notices my presence he smiles at me.

—Will you join me?

—No. I'm enjoying my favorites desserts.

—Favorites?

—Watching you work out and eating my favorite ice cream seems like a good combination.

—If you say so.

I watch him put on the bandages before he starts hitting the bag with slow, sensual coordinated movements. One stroke after another as I revel in the sight of his naked torso beginning to pearl with sweat.

—Uff, it's hot. —I say softly as I take another spoonful into my mouth.

Christian looks at me and smiles, but doesn't stop until he's satisfied with this part of the workout. He takes off his gloves and I watch him walk in my direction. I follow his every move until he stops in front of me.

—I need to use this. —he says in a sensual tone with his gaze fixed on mine.

—Hum. —I answer incoherently, hypnotized by his burning gaze.

—The weight bench, I need to use it.

—Ah, right. —I say as I quickly get up and sit on another one next to this one.

Christian doesn't lose concentration at any moment. And neither do I. I'm very focused on making sure I don't run out of ice cream until he's finished training. Each spoonful I take into my mouth slowly and savor it in its entirety. Watching Christian hit the bag is exciting, but watching him lift weights is even better.

—It's so hot.

—Did you say something? —he asks as he looks in my direction.

—The ice cream, it's great. —I tell him, showing him another spoonful, which I quickly bring to my mouth to savor.

He goes back to concentrating on what he's doing. As he lifts weights, the muscles in his arms are even more pronounced than when he hits the bag. He lifts the huge weights as if they weigh nothing and does it with incredible coordination. It almost seems as if he makes no effort at all to lift them. The clang of the weights as he sets them down on the rack and sits on the bench makes me stare at him. He smiles at me as he gets up from the bench and stops next to me.

—Do you need to use this one? —I ask curiously because I'm sitting on a leg exercise bench.

—I need to use it. —he says with a mischievous smile.

I get up from the bench, I still have some ice cream left. But Christian grabs my hand and stops me from walking away.

—Come, why don't you help me. —he says as he sits down on the bench.

I squint at him.

—What do you need?

—You.

His words make the ice cream carton almost fall out of my hands.

—Come here. —he says to me as he pats his legs.

I straddle him as he holds me around the waist.

—I think today is going to be different. —he says with a smile. —I need you to distract me.

—You're not supposed to be distracted when you exercise, because you might pull a muscle.

—I need you to distract me so I don't think about the pain.

Pain! I forgot about his leg. Is he allowed to lift with it?

—Is this necessary?

—It's part of my rehabilitation, if I want to be at one hundred percent. Or at least ninety-five percent of my capacity.

—But won't it hurt your leg more?

—It's not that much weight. —he says with a smile. —Now, why don't you give me a taste of ice cream.

I dip the spoon into the canister and then bring it to his mouth. I feel his legs move under me and see his jaw tense. My hand freezes halfway to his mouth.

—I'm waiting for my ice cream. —he says, smiling at me.

I bring the spoon up to his lips and slide it across them before sliding it into his mouth.

—Mmm. —he moans and I don't know if it's the ice cream or if he's moaning in pain. —More.

I repeat the same thing. I slide the spoon across his lips before he devours it. The next spoonful drops some ice cream on his chest.

—I'm sorry. —I tell him as I bring my mouth closer and slide my tongue down his chest to scoop up the ice cream.

—This is a distraction. —he says in a whisper.

I sit up suddenly. I didn't even realize what I'd done until I did it.

—Don't stop.

I don't have much ice cream left, but I'm not going to waste it. I pick up ice cream again and as I slowly pour it on his chest and then wipe it off with my tongue, I feel his legs move. He doesn't moan in pain. He moans in pleasure as I suck up all the ice cream I pour over his body. Beneath me, I can feel a part of his body come alive and harden little by little to my caresses.

The last spoonful I pour, I wipe it off and kiss my way up to join his lips with mine. I moan against them. I am also excited and horny and I need Christian to take care of cooling my body down very, very slowly. His hands move from my waist to the button of my jeans and undo it before slipping a hand inside.

—You're wet. —he moans against my lips before very slowly inserting his tongue into my mouth.

And just as slowly, he starts to move his thumb over my clit making me go wild. God! I need it. I need to feel him inside me.

—I need you! —I beg him in a trembling voice as I move against his hand.

—And I need you. But not here. Come on!

Christian stops the movement of his hand and I lift myself off him. He takes the ice cream canister from my hand and sets it down on the bench before intertwining one of his hands with mine. He pulls me towards the exit.

—And I thought you were going to take me over the bench.

My comment causes him to stop abruptly in the middle of the gym.

—Is that what you want? —he raises an eyebrow and brushes a strand of hair away from my forehead.

—I want you, however and wherever. But without you having to plan it.

—Ana, we talked about this. I'm not going to lose control with you again.

— Who said anything about losing control?

—I can only do this if I plan everything in advance. I can't get carried away by desire and my primitive instincts. I don't want to hurt you again.

—You can't go with your instincts, but I can. —and without even thinking I bring my lips to his and take his mouth.

Christian kisses me back without resistance. I wrap my hands around his neck and stroke his hair as I slip my tongue into his mouth, which still tastes of ice cream. Christian moans, and so do I. And I lead him to the bench where a while ago he was lifting weights.

I pull away from him slightly and look at him mischievously, I know exactly what I want from him.

—You can't lose control...— I tell him as I slide my hands down his strong chest and down to his hard, defined abs. —...because you don't have it right now.

I stop when I reach the waistband of the shorts he's wearing. I slowly undo them down his legs as I bend down until it falls to the floor next to his boxers. My gaze falling right in front of his hard, powerful erection. I look up at Christian and know exactly what is going through his mind. But I don't plan to give him the satisfaction. I might torture him a little, though.

I bring my mouth close to his erection and without preamble I insert it inside my mouth and suck hard before pulling away and standing up. He looks at me puzzled by what I have done.

—I thought you were going...

—Oh no Mr. Grey, you don't give orders here today. —I push him by the chest until he's sitting on the bench.

I slide my hands down my body sensually and direct them to my unbuttoned jeans. I slip my fingers down the sides and slowly run them down my legs next to my underwear. Christian doesn't take his eyes off me at any time. He stares at me mesmerized. I step out of the jeans and walk over to Christian, straddling him.

—Are you ready for me? —I ask, placing my hands on his shoulders and rubbing against his erection.

—I'm always ready for you.

I join my lips with his and take advantage of his distraction to push him across his chest, making him lie completely. I lean with one hand on his chest, lift myself up a little and with the other hand I take his erection and push it into me. I slide over his cock slowly until I am completely seated on top of him. I close my eyes at the delicious pleasure I am feeling.

—You're enjoying this, aren't you?

—I'm certainly going to enjoy it. Hands up. —I tell him and he obeys. —And hold on to those irons very, very tightly.

Christian does as I ask. At no time does he move his hands away to touch me and I start to move on him. Slowly at first, then harder. As my excitement grows, the intensity of my movements increases. From where I stand I can see Christian's face break down in pleasure. I feel powerful being the one in command, in control. This way he doesn't have to worry about losing control, that's what I take care of, losing control over his body completely. This way, he can't hurt me.