I hear the click of the button and the room is filled with a gentle ballad that I am unfamiliar with. I glance to my right to see Christian selecting toys from the chest of drawers, my breathing increases and I feel a flush coming across my face. I feel almost nervous or perhaps shy is a better depiction, as it has been a while since we have been in here.
He walks up behind me, gently grasps my hair and skilfully braids it.
"Stand up and face me Ana" Christian whispers to me. I stand and turn, keeping my eyes down until his finger pulls my chin up and I gaze into his darkening eyes. "I love you Mrs Grey, always remember that." I nod in understanding.
"Go over to the tall bench and lean over face down" he commands.
"Yes Sir" I hurry over, I can feel my wetness increasing with every passing moment. I lie over the end and wait.
"Keep your arms hanging down to the side" he says before slapping my buttock.
"Oww" I say, it didn't hurt but just surprised me and then I relish the rhythmic rubbing that comes before slapping again.
His fingers start to roam, he reaches lower and I gasp as his thumb brushes over my clit.
"You like that Mrs Grey?"
"Yes" I breathlessly pant
His fingers slide inside me "Ah, always wet and ready Mrs Grey" I nod as my power of speech has deserted me.
I hear a vibrating sound and the gentle probing at my anus, Christian eases in a plug and the vibrations are deliciously heightening my arousal.
He pulls out and he picks up a crop, spreads my legs a little wider and begins to tantalisingly slide the leather up and down my inner thighs. I stand on tiptoe…
"Please Christian…" I beg.
"Not yet baby, not yet"
He flicks the crop over my clit and I almost come undone. He leans over me; I can feel his erection pushing against my thighs and as softly as a feather, runs the crop down the middle of my back. I shudder; it's not tickling but the sensation heightens my arousal. His fingers find my clit again…
"Christian please stop…no not stop, just I want you inside me" I am begging now.
"Hard, tight and fast baby, hard, tight and fast" he plunges into me, He fills me more than I have felt before; he grasps my hips and continues, it feels so good and very much overdue. I sense the plug being pulled out and pushed back in slightly and I shudder with the sensation.
"Come for me baby" with one last thrust I erupt around him.
"Oh…that felt so…good" I pant as I come down.
"Oh baby, I've not finished with you yet"
Oh boy he is back and hungry for more!
Christian has left the room by the time I have gathered my senses, he returns, wrapping me in a bath robe before taking my hand and leading me to our bedroom and then the bathroom.
He has filled the bath and put my favourite Molton Brown bath oils in making the room smell heavenly, the candle flame shadows are dancing around the room and a gentle orchestral tune fills the space.
Christian holds my hand as I step into the bath, sinking into the luxurious bubbles and he follows quickly. I lay back, my head resting on his chest and his arms encircling my waist.
I sigh and close my eyes, wishing we could stay here forever.
"You ok baby?" he asks with a worried tone.
"I'm good, more than good honey, just wishing we could stay here forever" I smile.
"Nice idea but I wouldn't want the wrinkles" he chuckles "so before that happens Mrs Grey…"
He manages to turn me around so I am straddling him and his mouth is urgently kissing every available bit of skin, his hands roaming frantically, his erection is growing, his breathing increases as he grabs my buttocks, lifts me on to him, and I ride him in the water.
I watch Christians face intensely, it's not often I get to see him come undone and he rests his forehead on my chest to recover his breath.
"What you do to me Ana" he pants.
I shudder a little "You cold baby?"
"A little" I say with another shake.
Christian almost leaps from the bath, grabbing my towel and bathrobe, holding them for me. He wraps me up ignoring his own chilliness and walks me to the bedroom.
"Don't you get cold honey" I say although I am admiring the view.
"See something you like Mrs Grey?" I blush and smile.
"Absolutely Mr Grey, as your wife I reserve the right to ogle your very fine ass at every opportunity" I giggle and playfully slap his buttock.
His eyes darken "Oh Mrs Grey, you shouldn't have done that" he walks toward me, his erection growing with every step. He tugs the collar of my robe and I stand before he pulls it off, allowing it to crumple at my feet.
"Now the towel Mrs Grey, I think it's only fair that I get the same privileges as you" his breath catches as I drop the towel.
"Perfection" he mumbles before pushing me down on the bed.
The sun streams in the room, I scrunch my eyes tighter to shut out the light but the light wins and I get up.
I ache a little from last night's activities but smile fondly at the memory and the feeling that Christian is in a much better place mentally, physically and emotionally for the first time in what feels like forever.
I slip my robe on that is still on the floor from last night and walk toward the kitchen. I hear Christian's raised voice
"But Mom that's really not necessary"
I peek through the partially open door to see Christian furiously running his hand through this hair.
"Ok Mom, ok let me talk to Ana and get back to you. Dad ok?" he taps something out on his laptop.
"Bye Mom" I hear the receiver click and carry on to the kitchen.
"Good morning Ana" the cheerful voice of Gail rings across the kitchen.
"Morning Gail" I reply
"Pancakes and fruit for breakfast?" she asks and I nod keenly.
"Morning Mrs Jones" Christians voice makes me jump. He kisses my cheek
"Morning baby"
"Good Morning Mr Grey, breakfast in 10?" Gail replies.
"Perfect, thank you"
"Are you ok honey?" I ask tentatively "you look a little tense"
"Oh just my mother, she has a suggestion and I need to talk to you about it" he says.
"What idea does she have?" I respond with a little trepidation I must admit.
"Well Mom's housekeeper who has worked for them for about 18 years has had a family issue, her sister, illness I think but she wants to move to Seattle so she can be close. The commute to my parent's house every day is too much but if she could work for us as our housekeeper here then it would solve both problems" he pauses to gauge my reaction.
"Err, well I'm still very uncomfortable with any strangers in the house after Niamh" I mentally and physically shudder at the thought of Niamh.
"I understand that feeling baby, I've had Taylor repeat a background check; the story about her sister is true. I just thought you wanted to return to work at some point and as she has been known to my family for many years it would provide some reassurance"
"I suppose as she has been working for so long for your parents it should be ok, when would she start?" I ask
"As soon as possible, she wants to be here for her sister" Christian adds.
"Do you mind if I think about it for a few hours? Have you said anything to Gail?" I say.
"Take all the time you need baby and no I haven't said anything to Gail, I thought you might like to" he mentions "I have to go to the office as I have an early meeting, love you"
And with that he is gone.
I scoop up our breakfast plates and take them to the kitchen; Gail is tidying up and rushes over to take them from me.
"Christian has just presented an 'offer we can't refuse' solution to housekeeping"
"Oh?" Gail enquires.
"Mr and Mrs Trevelyan's housekeeper of 18 years needs to move here to help her sister so she is looking for work in Seattle. As she has had such a long history with Christian's parents I am thinking it's too good to refuse but I wanted your opinion as well"
"In all honesty after Niamh I feel uncertain about anyone however she is known to the family, obviously has the right experience and I assume another background check has been done" Gail replies.
"Oh yes, the sister is here, close by so getting to Escala every day won't be a problem. I couldn't take starting from scratch, interviewing and being very suspicious of anyone we employ" I admit.
"I agree Ana, she's known, experienced with Christian's family, and I don't think we will get better than that to be honest" she says.
I take a deep breath "Ok, let's say yes!"
I message Christian later that morning to tell him yes, he calls me back almost immediately.
"Hey baby, so you are happy with this?"
"As happy as I think we could be, it still makes me nervous but Gail and I weighed up the pro's and con's and decided to go with her" I tell him.
"I'm glad you decided" I can hear him smirk down the phone "I will let Mom know, I have to go baby I have another meeting now"
"Ok, don't work too hard, see you later"
"Laters baby"
I feel a little excited about the prospect of working a little again and another part is worried about leaving Max and Melissa even though it would only be for a couple of mornings a week to begin with. I must discuss this with Christian soon so I can let SIP know what is happening.
I spend the day with Max and Melissa, talk to Kate, my Mom and Ray on the phone, catching up with all the latest gossip about Elliot and Ethan, How bob is doing with another business venture and Ray is never very talkative but I establish he is fine and happy. Before I know it, Christian is home, he looks tired today and his shoulders have slumped a little.
"Hey, you look beat, busy day?" I question although I already know the answer.
He sighs "Yes, it's a long time since I have had back to back meetings like that, paperwork to catch up on; I guess I have slowed up a bit from the last few months activities and last night" he winks at me.
"It's just time, you need time to build up your stamina for work and other nocturnal activities" I giggle.
"It's the nocturnal activities that are going to build up my stamina Ana" he grasps my buttocks and pulls me in for an embrace, his mouth greedily covering mine. He pulls back gasping…
"I need food Ana, have you eaten today?" he asks
Damn I forgot lunch; I was too busy talking on the phone while the twins napped.
"Not since breakfast" I wait for whatever to hit the fan
"Come eat please Ana" he is too tired to fight which is unusual.
He takes my hand and walks toward the kitchen where Gail has left a pan gently heating on the stove. It's Mac and Cheese but a much nicer version than I could ever make, it's delicious. Christian shows obvious delight in my eating, I hear him mutter good girl after several mouthfuls and I can't help but grin.
"I told Mom today and Mrs…oh I have forgotten her name" he rubs his eyes "Well anyway, she can start in one week's time"
"That wonderful honey but I am going to put you to bed" I say moving toward the bedroom.
"Now you are talking!" Christian exclaims.
"Behave" I scold "You need rest and nothing else"
"Ok, ok rain check" he grins…
A/N: We are nearly coming to an end of this saga. I just wanted to thank everyone who read, supported, and provided feedback. Once this is finished, I will have more time to work on my other story Days of Steele. I may even repost the whole story again on FF, and I will continue to update on TWCS.