Author's note: "Elwood" is the character Elwood P. Dowd, from the movie Harvey.

Thank you.

Chapter Eighteen

Dressed only in panties, Ana is kneeling just inside the playroom door, as I glance over my preparations one last time. Her head is slightly cocked to one side, though I can't tell if she's listening to the music or trying to follow my movements. She's so beautiful. Banishing any lingering nerves I feel about our latest experiment, I command, "Come here."

She rises gracefully to her feet and walks towards me. It still sends a thrill through me, that she trusts me to keep her safe. Perhaps it always will. When she's close, I take her hands in mine, and ask, "What's going to happen now?"

"Uh, you're going to shackle me to the cross, facing it, and then whip my back, fairly gentle at first. But then you'll escalate until we reach my limit of pain as pleasure."

"If you feel that you're nearing your limit or have any concerns?"

"Charlie."

"Good girl. And, if change your mind at any time, just tell me, okay?"

Her smile suggests that she won't, but she replies, "Okay."

When she then takes her bottom lip between her teeth, I command, "Go ahead."

She relaxes, and asks, "What if I reach my limit before it leaves a raised mark? I mean, I'm sure that I can take it if_"

I grip her shoulders, and insist, "No. I might consent to that if you weren't pregnant. But bad pain puts a strain on your body, and might be harmful to the baby. Promise me, Ana, that you won't let it go that far?"

Her expression grave enough to suggest that she's in earnest, Ana vows, "I won't. I promise."

I reward her with a kiss, and say, "Thank you. And, if you've had enough before it raises a welt, we can discuss other options, but they'll have to wait until after the baby is born. For now, remember to be selfish, okay? And leave the rest to me."

Her smile is the reason I'd walk over broken glass, to fall down at her feet. "Yes, Sir."

I'm already turned on by the time Christian has cuffed me to the cross, because this always ends very well for me. And then he touches the whip to my back, letting it crawl over my skin, in a sinuous caress. I honestly think my legs might give out if they could, and I can't help a moan. His laugh is soft and low, before he says, "Easy, baby, or you won't last the distance."

He's really enjoying himself, but I know he wouldn't have considered this if I hadn't asked. "Thank you, for doing this."

His movements still, but not for long, and he says, "Literally my pleasure, baby girl, but you're supposed to be focusing on your pleasure right now."

He has to keep reminding me of that. It doesn't really change what I can see, but I close my eyes, and direct my awareness inwards. "Yes, Sir."

He keeps up the leather caress for a few seconds, perhaps giving me time to prepare...perhaps summoning courage. And then the contact is gone, just before the whip strikes my back. The sound is a surprise, but the impact is gentle, no more than a finger flick, and leaves behind a warm tingling sensation. I know he's been nervous about this scenario, so I quickly comment, "Mmm...nice."

"Nice? I'm seriously out of practice, if that's all you've got to say."

His words are a complaint, but his tone suggests the opposite. Still, I know how much he loves it when I tease him, so I merely repeat, "Nice."

"Right, you asked for it."

This blow is harder—I think he skipped a couple of levels—but it still doesn't really hurt, though it does send a spike of pleasure straight to my groin. And the tingle lasts a little longer. I smile, and say, "Mmm...nicer."

Christian chuckles, and says, "Anastasia, you're insatiable. Quiet now. Focus on feeling."

I don't bother replying, except with a nod of consent. He sets up a pattern of whipping me, and then caressing the same spot with his free hand, I presume to give me time to process what's happening. As the whip repeatedly strikes my back, I become aware that the blows are in time with the music, which is also escalating. He really does think of everything. And my heart becomes as warm as my abused back, filled with love for my man, who is always intent on my pleasure.

I don't know how many times he whips me, but the next blow hurts enough that I startle. I hear a thud of something dropping onto the floor, and Christian caresses the site, even as he asks, "Ana?"

The pain is already easing, but that one wasn't fun, and I confirm, "Yeah, that might be one past my limit, I'm sorry."

He kisses my shoulder, and says, "Oh, my love, never apologize for that. I'm just grateful you mentioned it. Had enough? I'm pretty sure I got it, so we can play some more, if you wish?"

"Did it work?"

His caress continues, and his voice is low and warm when he confirms, "It did. You'll be able to feel the last few stripes, hopefully for a couple of days."

"Then I want one on my ass, if that's okay?"

His hand has stopped, and he suggests, "That might make sitting a little uncomfortable."

"I know."

He's quiet for a few seconds, and then says, "I've got a better idea. There is one thing that needn't wait until after the baby is born. Assuming you're willing, I'd like to leave a love bite on your delectable ass."

He sounds nervous, and it feels too weird having a conversation when I'm like this. "Uh, can we do this face to face?"

As if he somehow knew that I'd ask, I'm free only seconds later, and then I'm in Christian's embrace, while he asks, "Okay, baby?"

I smile and reply, "Oh, yes. But can we get into bed?"

I meant walking, but I'm suddenly being carried, and he gently places me on the bed before joining me, even as he says, "Look, it was only a suggestion. I don't need_"

I glide a hand over his bare chest, and interrupt, "Relax, Grey, I just want to talk. You don't mean a hickey, do you?"

"Uh, no. I mean like how you bit my shoulder. The mark lingered for a few days, and the resulting bruise for even longer. I liked it, a lot. I'm certain that I could do it without risking infection, and the idea of seeing...it's very appealing. Of course, it's up to you."

I smile and slide my hand down to his waist, where I discover that he's still wearing his jeans, and then that he's still aroused. He gasps when I grip him through the cloth, and he releases the breath in a long exhale when I beg, "Please."

"On your tummy." His tone is still light and affectionate, so it takes me a moment to realize that it's an instruction, and I comply, stretching my hands above my head, as if I'm bound. It sounds like he ditches his jeans, and then his tender caress roams over my back, as he asks, "Have I mentioned today how much I love you, Anastasia?"

Blissfully happy, I ask, "How much?"

He starts kissing my stripes, to punctuate, "More, than, music."

Which reminds me, now that the scene has played out, "Darling, what's this tune?"

"You like it?"

"I do. It created a kind of longing inside me, which works very well in this room."

"It's my favorite parts of an opera by Wagner; Tristan and Isolde."

I know the story, and smile, saying, "You really are very romantic. For some reason I always thought that Doms would go with dark music."

His hand stops for a moment, but then he resumes caressing me, as he explains, "I play whatever seems appropriate, sometimes dark instrumentals, occasionally rock, and even popular tunes. With you, it's romances. Are you stalling?"

"Uh, no. Just having fun. Please, darling."

"Darling?"

He's reminding me to be selfish. I close my eyes, and consent, "Sir."

His hand glides over my butt, and makes me squirm when he tickles between my cheeks. His fingers slip between my thighs, through the ready moisture there. He chuckles, and says, "I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, baby."

I keep my eyes closed, and remind him, "Like I said, nice."

"Open." I spread my legs, and a finger slips inside me, making my eyes snap open as he asks, "And is this nice?"

My next breath trembles, and I grip the edge of the mattress with both hands, replying, "Very."

Another finger enters me, and they start gliding in and out, even as they twist and twirl within me. My breath spiraling out of control, I manage, "Christian, I'm not sure that I can wait with you doing that."

He kisses my butt, and softly instructs, "Focus."

Damn, I'm doing it again. I never would have thought that submitting is so hard, especially with someone I trust above all others. On impulse, I reply, "My Lord."

He pauses, but only for a breath, and then another finger is inside me, literally pushing me towards climax, and he instructs, "Say when."

I don't reach my limit in this. As Christian's fast breathing becomes audible, I'm certain that his whole hand is inside me. I feel the start of my orgasm, and another impulse leads me to command, "Now, darling."

His teeth sink into my left buttock, though his hand keeps moving, and a cry is torn from my throat as an orgasm fills me from head to toe. And then his hand is gone, and Christian fills me. As he pounds into me, I can feel a slight burn from the stripes and the love bite, which is incredibly erotic, and I finally manage to focus entirely on my pleasure, because nothing else exists.

Even when I'm again aware of my surroundings, I'm not immediately capable of moving, but there's nowhere I'd rather be anyway. Besides, Christian is still on top of me, though he holds most of his weight from me while he comes down from his orgasm. Soon, he kisses my shoulder and leaves my body, but only long enough to pull a sheet over our bodies, and his tender caress traverses my back, as he asks, "Nice enough for you?"

It makes me giggle. And I turn into his arms, as I tease, "I guess it was okay."

He kisses me, and warmly accuses, "Wicked woman." And then he asks, "Anything we need to discuss?"

My brain is in a post-coital fog, but I think of one question. "Did you just fuck me with your fist?"

"As promised...well, my hand anyway. You seemed to like it?"

"Oh, yes. Though it's not my favorite of your appendages."

I can hear the smile, when he asks, "Oh? What's your favorite?"

Suddenly shy, I press my face into his shoulder, as I mumble, "You know."

His laugh rumbles through me, and he says, "God, you're adorable." A pleasant languor is dulling my senses when he pushes the sheet from us, saying, "Let's see the damage."

I groan in protest at being asked to move, but know that he won't relax until he's checked, so I roll onto my belly. His touch is gentle, and he soon says, "Looks good. Think I'll fetch some antiseptic cream for that bite, just in case." He kisses my unadorned butt cheek, and says, "Be right back."

"Mmm, hmm."

Curious how much I can feel, I reach around to explore while he's gone. There are distinct stripes across the middle of my back, and the bite mark is easily identifiable as such. It's just as pleasing as I'd imagined, and my libido stirs to life when I imagine going about my day while wearing my lover's mark.

Christian is already back, and his voice is full of love when he asks, "Something like what you had in mind?"

I rest my face on my hands, saying, "Better. Thank you, darling. Will they hurt tomorrow?"

"Only with friction. I have a cloth, a bottle of water and two Tylenol for you, which should ensure your comfort tonight. Arnica cream would help too, but we'd better check with Greene whether it's safe for the baby."

He wasn't gone long. "You keep all that in here?"

"Of course, like any good Dom should."

As he tenderly applies the antiseptic, I say, "Mmm, that's nice too, thank you. You did this for them, your women?"

"As needed, yes. Though I've never treated a bite before."

That explains why he'd seemed so nervous. "You've seriously never done that before?"

His palm caresses the mark, as he confirms, "I never wanted to before."

"And do you like it?"

He stretches out beside me, and partly covers my body with his. I can feel that he already has the start of another erection, so I'm not surprised to hear, "I wasn't sure that I would, but yeah, I love it. And fucking you while looking at the stripes was..." He laughs at little, and says, "Apparently indescribable."

The fact that he enjoyed it so much almost makes me want more, but it seems that the session was enough to tame even my desire for Christian. His tender caress is traveling up and down my back, as I reply, "I'm glad." I'm so relaxed that I then have to ask, "What was that, darling?"

He kisses my shoulder, and I hear laughter in his voice, when he says, "I asked if you want to sleep here tonight, but it seems that you already are."

Late Monday morning, I'm ordering lunch when my phone announces that Christian is calling me. I dismiss Ashleigh with a thankyou, and answer the call, "Hey, handsome."

He laughs, and reminds me, "Thought you said I'm hideous?"

"I lied. What can I do for you, Mr. Grey?"

"What did you have in mind, Mrs. Grey?" It's been a while since I saw an image of Elwood. A love of old movies is another thing Christian and I have in common, though we don't often get time to enjoy them. My smile is so big it hurts, when he continues, "I thought we might have lunch together."

"I've just ordered lunch, but I could cancel it. How far away are you?"

"Depends exactly where your office is above my head."

He's in the lobby? Just knowing that he's in the building sends a pulse of pleasure through me, and I'm suddenly very aware of the marks on my body, that he placed there only last night. I have to swallow, before saying, "Then get your ass up here."

He chuckles, and says, "My Lady."

I hang up and contact Ashleigh, to amend my order, and give her a heads-up. It seems too long, but is probably only a couple of minutes, before the intercom is telling me, "Mr. Grey is here for you, Ana."

The unit will work remotely, but I'm close enough to push the button, and say, "Thanks, Ash. Send him in."

It's a ritual born out of necessity, but I'm suddenly glad of my hands automatically checking my appearance, though I don't understand why I'm nervous enough to need it. The door opens and closes, before Christian says, "Hey, baby." And my nerves vanish.

I stand and move around the desk towards him. When I reach for him, his arms enfold me, and then he's kissing me. It feels like he's wearing sweats. When we finally come up for air, he runs the tip of his nose down mine, and asks, "Is this okay, me showing up here? You looked afraid for a moment there."

I rest my head against his shoulder, and say, "Yeah, not sure why. I'm always happy to see you."

"I'm very glad to hear it, and back at you. Ready for lunch?"

"It's on the way. You're having a roast turkey wrap and an orange juice, same as me."

"Perfect." Christian's fingertips then caress the welts through the cotton of my blouse, as he asks, "And how are you today?"

"Still a very satisfied woman." As I say the words, I realize, "Oh, that's why I was nervous. I don't want to have sex in here. I need to stay in boss mode."

"If you change your mind, I'd be happy to oblige. But that wasn't my intention. With all that happened yesterday, I just needed to make sure you're okay. Though we could always combine sex with you being the boss, if you wish? You know I don't mind handing you the reins."

Well, that's an appealing idea. I shake my head, in an effort to clear my thoughts, and say, "Not today. I don't have time."

He quickly kisses me, and then releases me, saying, "Okay, baby." I presume he's looking around the room, when he continues, "So, this is your office? It's quite nice."

"Jan arranged it for me. She was a good choice."

"Parsons? She was simply the most qualified of the applicants, but I'm glad she's working out for you."

As he moves around the room, I think to say, "You know, before we got to know each other, I'd have guessed you're a sexist, even a misogynist."

His footsteps stop, and he asks, "Oh?"

"That first day, all I heard were feminine voices, and I've since confirmed that most of your employees are women."

He sounds amused, when he says, "Surely that suggests I'm not sexist?"

"Not if they all answer to you."

"Oh, I see what you mean. Well, the simple fact is that I don't give a fuck about the genitalia of those in my employ. I initiated a rumor that I prefer blondes, so there aren't many brunettes on my staff."

Confused, because I know that all his subs had brown hair, I begin, "But..." And then I realize, "Oh, so you wouldn't risk being attracted to anyone who works for you?"

"Yes."

He sounds distant, in every sense of the word. He's getting better at discussing his past, but perhaps it's too much today. "Christian?"

After a moment, he sighs and says, "This might not have been a good idea."

His voice has dropped a tone, and I understand that he's merely horny, so I smile and say, "Then it's just as well I didn't decide to share your office."

He sounds more relaxed, when he counters, "Except that I'd be fucking you on my desk right now."

He really doesn't play fair. Even when he's agreed to let me be in charge, he still somehow has power over my body. When I finally remember how to breathe, I summon the strength to avoid checking my appearance again, and ask, "Darling, do you know what 'booty call' means?"

He laughs, and says, "With a few kinky amendments, it's pretty much the only kind of relationship I had, before you. Anastasia, are you asking me to become your workplace booty call?"

I'm back to nervous. It's not a scenario I'd considered until this moment. "Mmm, hmm."

"Then you'd better stop biting your lip, or I'm going to leave here with a wet patch on the front of my pants."

It's enough to break the mood, and I reach for him, saying, "Well, we can't have that. I presume that's a 'yes'?"

He holds me tight, and confirms, "That's a 'fuck, yes.' Have I told you today how much I love you?"

We woke in the red room, and I hadn't set an alarm. Smiling, I shake my head, and remind him, "There wasn't time."

"I love you, Anastasia, more than sex."

That seems unlikely. We can barely get through a day without it. "Seriously? More than sex?"

"Uh, huh. I told you, if you hadn't seduced me, I'd have remained content to be your friend."

It feels like my entire being is smiling, and I say, "You're that too; my best friend. And I would have stayed with you even if you never got around to the whips and chains. I love you, Christian."

I never know how he's going to react to that last sentence. This time, he's abruptly gone from me. I can guess why. I also know that he would never consider acting on the sudden crackle in the air without my consent. And I instruct, "Audrey. Please hold my calls for now."

Ashleigh's voice replies, "You got it, Ana."

Christian asks, "Who the f...who's Audrey?"

"The intercom."

After a moment, he asks, "Named for the first speech recognition system?"

"Yeah. You know about that? I didn't when Andy installed it."

"It's about time you knew that your husband is a giant nerd. I presume none of your employees share the name?"

I smile, and explain, "Andy thought of that. In case it ever happens, he explained how to quickly change the command word."

He's now close enough that his delicious scent is all I can smell. "And how long do we have, My Lady?"

Looks like he's worked out why I ensured no interruptions. I find his shoulders, and apply gentle pressure, as I correct him, "Boss."

He drops to his knees, his hands on my hips, as he says, "Yes, Boss."