He offers his arm as we exit the apartment complex and we glide to the waiting Limousine together. Sawyer is holding the door open for us. I almost didn't recognize him with a driver's uniform and hat.
"Good evening Sawyer" I say.
"Good evening Miss Steele" is the reply.
I gather my gown up as best as possible trying not to crumple it as I slide into the back seat. I am taken aback when I come face to face with a beautiful blond woman in the adjacent seat.
"Hello Ana, I am Samantha, it's a pleasure to meet you" she smiles.
"Oh err hi, it's nice to meet you too" I say feeling stupid, not realizing she would be coming. Of course she would come, it's a social engagement and appearances have to be kept. I wonder if she knows anything about what has happened between Christian and I?
"I absolutely love your gown, doesn't she look gorgeous Christian?" she looks over at Christian. I forget that he is next to me as the car is steadily making its way to the ball.
"Breath taking" he answers with a blazing look in his eyes. I have to avert my eyes as I blush.
"Oh Christian, she is every bit as lovely as you described" and in that statement she confirms that she has some knowledge of our relationship. I sit feeling a little dumbfounded and uncomfortable when suddenly I see the irony of Christian being in a car with both his 'wife' and mistress. I chuckle to myself.
The limo pulls up to what I can only describe as a mansion. 'Grey Manor' is enormous; the driveway sweeps around the edge of the property and finishes outside of the main entrance. The gardens out the front are beautiful, a variety of trees, shrubs and blooming flowers make up numerous beds ideally framing the house.
I see a doorman swiftly moving to open the car door. I am looking around for signs of the press that one assumes would want to cover a prestigious event like this but unless they are waiting behind the bushes, it's eerily quiet.
Christian comes around to help me out of the car and I ask him where the press are?
"Invitation only, the rest know that security is so tight and we have a no-fly zone for 2 miles, that it's not worth the effort to try and break in" he informs me.
He helps Samantha out too and we all walk through the door and are shown in to the ball room. We take a glass of champagne from the waiter. Oh my goodness, there is a small orchestra playing classical music, the tables are laid with fine linens and floral decorations in the middle. The two chandeliers lighting up the room looks like they are made from crystal, they sparkle as the light bounces off of the prisms and that creates diamond patterns on the vast ceiling. People are standing in discrete groups sipping champagne.
I see a lady waving her hand and rushing in our direction.
"Christian, darling, it's so good to see you and Samantha dear, how are you? She says in a slightly out of breath voice.
"Mother, I would like to introduce you to Anastasia Steele, the assistant editor at SIP" He introduces me after tenderly kissing his mother on both cheeks.
"Anastasia, such a pleasure to meet you" she winks at me.
She winked at me, what did that mean?
"Thank you for inviting me Mrs. Grey and please call me Ana" I reply nervously.
"Christian, your father wants to see you, something about business papers that need reviewing. I know you don't like doing work on these occasions but your father wants your advice. Don't worry I will look after these two lovely ladies until you get back" she says looping her arms through ours and we head toward a table, watching Christian disappear out of the hall. Samantha discretely removes herself from Grace's arm saying she will be back shortly. Grace and I are seated by a waiter.
"Ana, This may seem forward and none of my business but I want you to know that I am fully aware of the situation between Christian and Samantha, whilst I don't agree with the husband and wife arrangement, Christian and Bill were close friends before the accident, such a terrible time and Christian vowed to look after Samantha and Sebastian until she could get back on her feet again. It was actually Samantha that suggested she could help by pretending to be his wife for appearances sake to stop so much intrusion into her and my son's life and also meant that Sebastian had his godfather or 'Uncle Chrissie' as he is called. Christian has made sure they have a secure future and is helping to guide Sebastian as best he can. I see the way he looks at you Ana and if you are to have any future together I thought it was best to say now" Wow that was an intense conversation with someone you have only just met! And I am not sure how to respond.
"Who else knows about this 'situation'" I ask.
"Only the immediate family. Carrick, myself, Mia, Elliot, Samantha of course and you".
"Thank you for telling me Mrs. Grey, I am very unsure of our relationship and the relationship he has with Samantha at the moment. We have only known each other for a short time but it could be a huge stumbling block. I obviously realize it's a very secret and personal situation and I will not betray those confidences whatever happens" I honestly respond.
"I believe you will keep your word Ana" Grace smiles. I smile what I hope is a reassuring smile back.
"Anyway my dear, there are more people I need to introduce you to. Elliot, Mia, could you come over a moment please" I watch them approach and smile again.
"This is my daughter Mia" she says warmly.
"Oh Ana, it's lovely to meet you, that's a lovely dress, oh and the earrings are just perfect" Mia garbles out. Grace smiles happily at her daughter.
"This is my other son Elliot" Grace proudly states, he takes my hand and kisses the top and I feel my now customary blush appear. I feel my hand taken away, I look up and Christian is beside me once more.
"No harassing the guests you two!" he scowls but it softens when Mia throws her arms around his neck and Elliot gives him a brotherly tap on the shoulder.
"Sorry to have taken so long, here let me get you another drink Ana" he says as he searches for a waiter.
He passes me another glass of champagne and he leans over and whispers in my ear,
"You are extremely fuckable in that dress; I could rip it off and take you in front of all these people"
"Christian!" I exclaim and I am sure I blush head to toe.
The master of ceremonies announces the beginning of the auction. Various donors, some anonymously have donated money and others gifts to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. All of the proceeds go to Grace's charity, which mainly supports children in need of care and medical treatment.
It seems the most hotly awaited lot is for a week's sailing aboard Mr. Grey senior's boat, the 'Mia', which eventually is bought for $50,000. Seattle's finest certainly are generous and I am pleased for the success.
The champagne is flowing again and I am beginning to feel slightly light headed, I rarely drink so much especially on an empty stomach so I feel relieved when the entrée's arrive. Everyone is toasting a successful evening with thanks to the benefactors.
I am seated on a different table to Christian but happily chat to the other guests seated with me. The one face I recognize is Vicky, Christian's PA who is here alone, a couple who are connected to Grace's charity and an older couple who introduce themselves as Linc and Elena Lincoln. She tells the table she is a business partner of Christian and I see Vicky scowl. I glance over to where Christian is seated and he has a face like thunder. I can't catch his eye so I continue to socialize.
As the evening draws to a close I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, gotten tipsy and am now wanting my bed. After saying goodbye to the guests, the only people left are the Grey family, Samantha and me. I finally get to meet Christian's father, Carrick properly and he profusely apologizes for not introducing himself properly earlier in the evening.
Christian pulls me aside "Ana would you mind if we stayed the night here? It's very late and the drive home will take a while"
"But Christian, I don't have a change of clothes or toiletries" I say feeling lost.
"Don't worry about those things, I will arrange an alternative set of clothing and toiletries for you" he pleads in words and with his eyes. How can I refuse those eyes?
"Ok I will stay" reluctantly I agree. Moments later Grace appears and shows me to the guest bedroom. Towels and a bathrobe are waiting on the bed. She kisses me goodnight and leaves. I slip my tired feet out of my shoes, slip off my dress and head for the shower. After what feels like forever I finish my shower, wrap the bath robe around me and brush my teeth. Hmm nothing to wear in bed, oh well. I slip in between the luxurious satin sheets and make myself comfortable before turning the light out. I toss and turn to try and sleep but it seems I am losing the battle when I hear a soft knock on the door. I flick the bedside light on.
"Who is it?" I whisper.
The door opens quietly and I pull the covers up over me as high as I can. I let out a sigh of relief when I realize it's Christian but hang on, what's he doing here at this time of night? He shuts the door behind him. He is wearing a pair of long shorts only and I find myself looking him up and down.
"You like what you see Ana?"
"Of course" I smile. He walks over to the bed and slowly pulls the covers down until I am half sitting, half lying completely naked.
"Oh Ana, beautiful Ana, I have never seen you completely naked before". Our previous trysts had involved removing some clothes but never all. I can see a bulge developing in his shorts; I can feel myself getting turned on. I indicate for him to join me on the bed but I take down his shorts and allow his erection to continue unabated. I lick my lips subconsciously and get the chills as he lies down next to me.
I begin kissing his chest, circling his nipples with my tongue; he groans and traces his fingers from the nape of my neck to the bottom of my spine. I continue lower down his happy trail until I reach his now fully erect penis. I take him into my mouth, swirling the tip with my tongue and am rewarded with "oh my goodness Ana, what you do to me". I continue licking and teasing, all the while getting wetter and wetter.
In one swift move I am on my back with Christian partially pinning me down, I look into his eyes and see lust and yearning. I let out a small ahhhhh as his fingers explore my folds.
"Oh Ana you are so ready" as he teases my entrance with the tip of his penis, gently pushing in and out, this drives me wild.
"No more teasing please take me now" I breathlessly moan.
"Soon baby, soon" as he runs his hands over my breasts, pinching and twisting my nipples in turn, making me want to beg.
"Please Christian, Please" I start to beg "I need you inside me now" I say in desperation. He plunges into me and it feels exquisite.
"Oh baby you are so tight" groans Christian as he continues thrust after thrust until the warmth of my impending orgasm spreads from my toes up through my body and I release with a loud groan, followed by Christian finding his release too.
Oh my! That was fantastic I say to myself whilst coming back down to earth. He kisses me and spoons me from behind until sleep bestows us.
A/N: Thank you for the wonderful feedback I keep getting from everyone. I am trying to respond to my reviewers, but life gets busy at times. I would like to take time here to thank a special guest reviewer who left a wonderful review saying " ...the story concept is f**king ridiculous" please bear with me, i have so much more to write that will offend you. I tried to respond back but I could not find arsehole on FF list for PM.