APOV

I don't think I'd ever woken up with such a smile on my face before.

Was it feeling warm and safe in this small cosy bed, was it memories of last night that flittered through my mind, both are things I want to experience again and again but what had the smile on my face this morning, the moans leaving my lips was the man between my legs.

"Christian" I groaned. "What are you doing," I asked, cursing my question because I knew exactly what he was doing and I didn't want him to stop. His answer though brought a giggle to my lips.

"I'm having an early breakfast" he mumbled before sucking on my clit causing a loud groan to leave my lips.

I moved my hand down to his hair, tangling my fingers in the strands for a moment before pushing his head closer to where I needed him to be when he tried to pull away. Christian had me close, so close that I was panting, needing my release, but all I heard from him was a chuckle before his fingers joined his lips.

It was all over then, my pussy was waving the white flag in surrender as my orgasm washed over me. It was only when I opened my eyes that I realised that Christian was now hovering over me, his lips so close to my own.

"That was beautiful" he mumbled before crushing his lips to mine.

Tasting myself, my release is not something I would have ever thought of as hot before but knowing how much bringing me to orgasm had affected Christian, I couldn't wait for what was to happen next.

I wrapped my legs around Christian, pulling him closer to me as our kiss continued. Moving my hand between us, I gripped hold of his length, pumping it a few times before putting it right where I needed it to be. With one swift thrust, he was there.

I'd been on the pill and then the shot since I was a teenager due to problems with an irregular cycle so being able to feel Christian fully without a barrier between us was exquisite.

Jack and I had never gotten further than kisses and a few touches before his true colours shone through so the only other man, or boy I'd been with before this beautiful man was one time with the head of the science club back in high school. Tom had been my boyfriend back then, my secret boyfriend until my father found out and scared him off.

No one had ever dared to stand up to my father before, except the man I had fallen in love with, my Christian. The man who at this moment was giving me just as much pleasure as I was him.

"Ana" he groaned, picking up speed as his thrusts became harder, wilder. I had already orgasmed once but I was so close to another that it wouldn't take much to push me over the edge. A thought flittered through my mind then, a moment of research I'd done when writing the books that I'd written with not much sexual experience to go on. I squeezed the inner muscles of my vagina, the reaction I was hoping for instantaneous as a loud groan left his lips. "Again" he moaned so I did just that.

I knew the effect it was having on Christian; it was driving him wild and I had no doubt that should someone be walking past his truck at this moment, they would know what we were up to. I also underestimated the effect it would have on me because I could feel more of him, my body so hyped up it felt like he was everywhere all at once.

Feeling him cum inside me, my name shouted from his lips. Feeling my orgasm wash over me, I could only describe this moment as bliss.

"Are we still alive" I mumbled a few moments later.

Christian was still lay on top of me, nuzzling my neck, his panting as bad as my own. We were both wet in more ways than one, our bodies glistening with sweat.

"I think so" he groaned, reluctantly pulling out of me, before, when lying by my side he pulled the blanket that had been tossed away during the night, over us.

"I could get used to this" I stated, stroking his cheek with my hand.

"What, morning sex or sex in general" he laughed.

"Both, but I meant waking up and getting to spend time with you with no one getting in the way."

"I won't let anyone come between us Ana, I don't care who it is" he stated, cradling my face this time with his hands. "I love you."

"What" I whispered, shocked more because he had been brave enough to say the words I had wanted to say yesterday.

Besides my grandfather, I had only told two people that I loved them before, my parents and they had thrown that love back in my face. So, when the words had nearly escaped yesterday, I panicked that should I say them, he would never say them back but he has.

"Ana, I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to make you cry" he whispered, brushing tears away that I hadn't realised were falling.

"You haven't."

"Really, well your eyes must be leaking then," he replied, making me laugh.

"I love you Christian. I know we've not known each other very long but I do, I love you."

The smile upon his face must have been as bright as mine before he kissed me. Upon breaking apart, Christian asked me a question I truthfully gave him an answer to despite knowing it would make him mad, why the tears.

…

"Come on baby, let's go and get a shower," he said, popping one of his large t-shirts over my head, all I had on underneath was my panties.

"Shower, where?" I asked. "You don't have a shower in the trailer do you."

"No" he laughed, before, grabbing our clean clothes and opened the door.

I managed to get down from the cab without showing any part of my body except my bare legs. I knew Christian could see straight up the t-shirts as he helped me down but he didn't linger, he quickly led me to the side of Cameron's place and through a door at the side.

"What is this," I asked, as Christian unlocked a door after putting a code into an old keypad. I bet Barney would like this, he's weird about old gadgets, even weirder about the new stuff too.

"Cam and Sam" he stated, making me smile at the nicknames he gave them. "They knew their clientele would be on the road for a long time so they made this shower facility here."

"Can anyone use it?" I asked, stepping inside the bright spacious bathroom, a waterfall shower at the other end.

"No, it's only for those who stay over."

"Well, I'm glad it's here because, for some reason, I'm all sweaty and now I'm stood up, I seem to be leaking into my panties."

"Dirty girl" he laughed, before pulling me, t-shirts and panties still on under the cold shower.

…

I was clean, I was warm thankfully as that shower hadn't taken too long to warm up and I was now fed.

I don't think I will ever get used to a trucker's portion of food, what was on my plate I think three of me could eat it. Samantha had laughed when I'd asked her for an Ana sized portion next time we come through and although she said she couldn't promise anything, she would be happy just like this time to box up what was left for me to take away.

"Samantha, I've got something for you" I stated, entering the diner while Christian was speaking to Cameron outside as he filled his truck up with fuel.

"What" she smiled, holding a box out for us, more food to go.

"I'm going to get fat" I groaned, taking it from her.

"Don't worry, that will stay fresh for a couple of days so you don't have to eat it all at once. I wouldn't bother telling C that though, his appetite is as bad as everyone else's around here."

"I'll hide some of it away then" I laughed. "Now, here."

"What is it my dear," she asked as I held my book out to her.

Christian had told her that I wrote and he had finished the book that I now had in my hand so I was just passing it on.

"My book" I stated, seeing her eyes go wide as she took in the title and the author on the cover. "Our secret."

"Oh, my god… but...but...but, shit I don't know what to say. I've read them all, H. Wilks is little Miss Ana."

"Shh," I whispered, not wanting anyone else for this moment to know that I wrote. "If you already have it," I said, pulling the book back before she quickly snatched it out of my hand. "You're all very possessive" I laughed.

"Do you blame us" I heard before Christian wrapped his arms around me tightly. "We protect what's important to us and I protect what's Mine."

At the word mine, he gently bit down on my ear lobe causing a soft moan to leave my lips. I was very conscious of the fact Samantha was still stood in front of me but she just laughed, telling me to deal with it.

"One day," Samantha said, as I sat in the cab of Christian's truck, the door open as I looked down to her.

We were ready to go, Christian had just gone to use the bathroom and she had come out to keep me company and to wheedle little details out about the book I was writing now.

"One day, what," I asked.

"You'll have to tell me why H. Wilks and not Ana."

She broke off seeing the look of sadness on my face, not knowing the truth of why I had to hide away that part of who I am. Would she think bad of me for being the daughter of a billionaire, getting to know this woman in the few hours that I had, no I don't think she would?

"One day" I replied, waving to her before closing the door as Christian got into his truck.

Leaving Cameron and Samantha's place behind, I was sad but also elated for the first time. Sad because it had been the first place away from the lumber yard that I could just be me, not a Steele and I didn't want to leave that feeling behind. I know there would be more places like that on this trip, but fitting in as I did, Cameron's Place felt special.

I was also elated that I had told this man by my side how I felt about him.

"Twenty questions," Christian asked when I had been quiet for a few moments.

"Sorry."

"Let's play twenty questions, we have a long drive ahead of us today."

"I'm sorry for being quiet, my mind was just back there," I told him.

"Ana, we don't have to talk every minute of the day, we can enjoy the silence as well" he stated.

"Really, twenty questions?" I asked, making him laugh.

"From the look on your face, your mind seemed to have taken you to a dark place and I wanted to distract you."

"I gave Samantha the book," I told him. "She was asking about why H. Wilks and not Ana... Part of my life is out there for everyone to see and nobody except you, your siblings, Hannah and now Samantha know it's me. I'm fed-up hiding Christian, I did it to start with because I knew my father would never let me publish anything but he has no hold over my life any more, he doesn't have the power to influence how things turn out as I once thought he did. I think I gave him that power, staying silent and giving in when inside I was screaming that I just wanted to be me. No more hiding what I have to offer the world, no more hiding me."

"I love you, I'm so proud of you baby" he spoke, taking my hand into his and placing a kiss upon the top of it.

I was proud too, of what I've achieved despite the obstacles that have been placed in my way. I'm proud also that despite the money that's surrounded me all my life, I've stayed grounded, sane and if there is such a thing, normal just as my grandfather wanted me to be.

"So, twenty questions," I asked seeing his smile before the questions and answers flowed between us.

"College, did you ever go," he asked a few hours later, those twenty questions long since passed.

"No, as you know I worked for my father and that was straight from high school because that's what he wanted so I never got that experience. From some of the stories I've heard about college and university being party central, I think that's a good thing, did you?" I asked.

"Yes, for a couple of years. I studded partying, beer pong" he announced, making me laugh. "Naa, I studied architecture and carpentry, but I never graduated as I left to look after Mia when our parents died."

"Couldn't you have gone back to graduate?" I asked him.

"If I'd wanted to but I've learned so much more by just getting stuck in and trying to make and build something that I don't think I would learn anything more in a classroom than I would at the yard."

Our twenty questions were interrupted then by the ringing of my phone. Very few people had this number, well only six people did. Christian, who was obviously with me but also, Elliot, Mia, Hannah, Luke and Barney and it was the latter who was ringing me now.

"Hey B, how's work," I asked, smiling when I heard his groan.

"Shit, shit and oh what's that word, shit. How's the trip" he asked.

"Perfect" was the best way to describe the trip so far, and there was no better word than that.

"I hope I'm not going to ruin it then," he said before a look of worry came over my face, one that had Christian reaching for my phone to put it on speaker.

"Barney, it's Christian."

"Hey Chris, I hope you're looking after my girl."

"Fuck off, she's my girl" Christian replied with a smile.

These two men had never met but had spoken to each other a few times in the past week. Having Barney ring me now though, I knew something had to be up and it could only be for one reason, my parents.

"Barney, what's wrong," I asked.

"You know I've been keeping an eye on your place, well making sure your security system is up and running. Well, it seems someone has been trying to hack into it."

"Why would someone do that" Christian asked.

"To see if I was there" I admitted, knowing there would be no other reason than that.

"Ana's right. I've traced the hack back to SEH. It seems your father may have realised that your phone is no longer in Seattle and is trying to find out if with your car parked up at home, if you're there too."

"Why would he care," I asked, more to myself.

"He's a control freak you know that, Ana. You're the only thing, sorry person, that he's never been able to fully control. He tried it with you going to work for him, wanting to control all your movements with his guards only to realise with you not working there and with your guard gone, that he can't control anything. Plus, it doesn't take a genius to notice that with Christian's truck missing from the yard there's a chance you could also be with him."

"My truck is there though" Christian said, confusing both Barney and me.

"Um, Christian, we're sat in it" I stated.

"I know baby, but we have two trailers, one that was parked up behind the one we're taking now. It's older than this one and we use it to store wood in when the workshop is full. It's decorated just the same as this one though and with its arse on show, someone may be easily confused that the cab is parked out of sight down the side of the workshop and it's not moved. Your father searching for your phone or more importantly, you out there will be like looking for a needle in a haystack. With our vehicles all at home but your phone on the move in California, he has to be confused and your father doesn't seem to be the type to like that. I can guarantee though that our delivery driver will be long gone before anyone does find the phone and I can also guarantee you won't be with it when they do."

"Christian, your computers in the office," I asked, wondering if someone would be able to hack into them to find out where we're heading if they should realise our ruse.

"Don't worry, I think Elliot could rival Barney for his geekiness when it comes to computers, no one will get into them."

"I would take offence to that comment" we both heard my friend say. "But I won't because Elliot's cool."

I had to agree with that, especially after receiving a call from Elliot later that day as we were parking up at the bed and breakfast where we were spending the night.

"I've just had a visit from the president," Elliot told us. I was about to panic but I could hear the amusement in his voice. "I had him and his henchmen escorted off the premises by the police."

"What" I squeaked. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Ana. I think he was under the impression that you were hiding away or were kidnapped and being held hostage in Christian's trailer so he thought he could just try and enter it without keys or permission."

"Has he made any mess" Christian asked, anger filling his voice.

"No, he never got that far. Jason threatened to deck him one if he took one step on the porch. He's pissed off and I know why" he laughed. "James called."

"James," I asked.

"Senator James Blandino" Christian stated before Elliot continued.

"Yes, it seems your father has been badmouthing us at one of these high society soirees and James put him in his place."

"Typical, he thinks his daughter is missing but still wouldn't miss a parrrty," I said, sarcastically earning a smile from Christian. "He's desperate, as Barney said. He's lost control of the one part of his life he thought he would always have control over, me, and he can't stand it."

My father's desperation continued to grow because only the next morning did I receive not just a call from Hannah, the only friend my parents knew I had, who they'd tracked down to ask if she knew where I was, but also Barney called again, letting me know just what he'd done.

"Barney, you're going to get fired" I stated, worry as well as amusement filling my voice.

"No, I'm not, he has no clue. It was me he called in to sort it out because his supposed best IT guys couldn't even get the system to reboot, never mind log in."

It seems my good friend had planted a virus into my security system so that when my father's minion at SEH tried to once again hack into my home security, the virus had activated and rebounded back to Steele House shutting all the systems down.

"He will think it's me then, then again maybe not," I told him, knowing my father would never think a woman capable of doing something as smart as that.

"He'll find out one day just how smart his daughter is and that her brains she didn't get from him."

"That would mean he would have to take an interest Barney and I'm past caring if he ever did that."

After finishing my call with Barney, I sat and watched Christian from the cab of his truck direct the men who were here to help unload the pieces we had brought all this way.

I sat here, wearing shorts, one of Christians t-shirts and had his cap backwards on my head, just the way I'd seen him have it the day we met.

I couldn't help but smile watching my man in action, seeing him instruct and guide with the crane such a heavy object with as much care as when he carried me. Christian took pride in all that he did and that shone through now as he shook hands with the man whose wish to have perfection had brought us here.

Looking from Christian to myself, I realised now more than ever that I was comfortable in my own skin, I didn't have to hide who I was inside. Despite the trouble I knew was brewing at home I would face it head-on because for the first time, I knew was happiness truly was and I would never allow anyone to take that happiness away from me.

Thank you for reading.

That trouble is coming but not yet as Ana and Christian continue to enjoy their time away.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.