Chapter 1
Christian
"Hello?" I answer in a groggy voice.
"Christian! I need your help." Elliot's urgent voice comes through the phone, and I groan. I glance at the clock and it's too early to deal with him.
"What now? I'm kind of busy now," I answer breathlessly, feeling Candy or Mandy, whatever her name is wrapping her hand around my cock.
"Christian, Kate kicked me out and I need a place for me and Elijah to stay." Elliot and Kate have been married for ten years and I'm honestly surprised it has lasted this long. My bed partner takes my cock in her mouth, licking and sucking what's left of my brain through the tip of it.
"Yes, yes, yes," I say over and over. This girl must be a professional because she is hitting all the right spots.
"Thanks, Christian. We are on our way over." The call ends and it takes me a few minutes to process what Elliot was saying.
Kate kicked me out.
I need a place to stay.
We are on our way over.
"Fuck!" I yell, sitting up in the bed. I throw the covers off and politely tell the blond she needs to get dressed and go home. I slip on some lounge pants and a t-shirt as she begs me to stay.
"We both know last night will not happen again. I told you before. I don't do relationships. So, stop trying to change my mind and get dressed so you can be gone when my brother gets here."
"You are such a bastard, Christian." I smile as she stomps around searching for her clothes. I have enjoyed my bachelor life thus far, but I have a feeling it is about to come to a screeching halt.
I escort the chick downstairs and when I open the door, I see Elliot and Elijah. Elliot scans the blond and focuses on her tits. Yes, they are real Elliot. I had my head buried in between them most of the night, among other places.
"Christian, thanks for letting us come over. It is only until Kate calms down. We had a fight this morning and she told me she wants a divorce and asked me to leave. I'm sure it will only be for a few days." I roll my eyes, knowing it will probably be longer than that.
"Hey, Uncle Christian," Elijah high fives me and walks into the house. Elliot follows behind him, with a few suitcases in tow.
"Christian, please let me stay!" I smirk at the woman and help her outside, then close the door in her face.
"That was rude," Elliot says, and I turn to face him.
"Elliot, it doesn't concern you." I look at his suitcases again and sigh. "Judging by the baggage you have; I don't think this move in is temporary." I walk into the kitchen in search of coffee. Hopefully it will help me wake up from this nightmare.
"Once she comes to her senses, we will be going back." Elliot tries to sound confident, but I believe his hopes are set too high.
"Does mom know Kate kicked you out?" I take a large drink of coffee enjoying the rush of caffeine.
"No, and I don't plan on telling her just yet. She will say I told you so and I don't feel like having that conversation right now." I knit my brows together.
"Who else, besides me, calls you a failure?" I ask and Elliot rolls his eyes. He reaches for a cup, then pours some coffee into it.
"You know how mom is. She has disliked Kate from the beginning of our relationship. She only tolerates her because of Elijah." I nod my head in agreement.
Kate and I have never gotten along. I'm sure it has something to do with me screwing her best friend in the coat closet during her and Elliot's wedding reception. I chuckle at the memory.
"I am going to take my suitcase to the spare room. Thank you again, Christian. I promise once Kate has time to cool off, we will be moving back to my house." Elliot leaves the room and I shake my head.
Later that afternoon, I am enjoying a cold beer while sitting on the deck. I hope Elliot doesn't think my bachelor life is going to change just because he and Elijah are staying here. I will just need to make sure me and my house guests are partially clothed if we come downstairs.
"Hi Christian!" I jump in surprise when I see Leila peeking at me over the deck banister. She is one crazy bitch. I made the mistake of having a one-night stand with her when I first moved into this place last year. I didn't realize at the time she was my neighbor. After a few drinks and small talk, we ended up in my bed and I woke up the next day with one hell of a hangover. To this day I think she spiked my drink. She climbs up the side of the deck instead of walking up the steps. Like I said, crazy bitch.
"Leila," I greet, with no excitement in my voice and finish my beer.
"Who is that guy with the kid that is in your house?" I turn to stare at her and roll my eyes.
"How do you know I have people in my house?"
"I can see perfectly into your house from my bedroom window." She says nonchalantly and climbs over the top rail of the deck, then takes a seat in the empty lounger beside me.
This crazy person can see everything I do at all hours of the day. What the hell?
"It is my brother Elliot and his son. And it doesn't involve you." I try to be hateful with her, but she doesn't seem to care.
"You have a brother and a nephew? I didn't know that! Are they going to be living with you now?" God, I hope not.
"He and his wife had a fight, and he will be staying with me temporarily. What do you want, Leila? I am busy." I stand up and walk into the house to get another beer. Elliot is in the kitchen fixing him and Elijah lunch.
I grab a beer from the refrigerator, open it and drink half of it in one drink. With Elliot and Leila in the same room, my nightmare is getting worse.
"Kind of early to start drinking, don't you think?" Elliot asks and I give him a dirty look.
"My house, my rules," I say and grab another beer. I see the wheels turning in Leila's mind and decide it's time to leave the room.
"Hi. I'm Leila, Christian's neighbor." I turn my head and see Leila reach her hand out to Elliot.
"I'm Elliot and this is my son Elijah. It's nice to meet you, Leila." I sigh to myself and go back outside. Why can't this crazy woman leave me alone. From what I can remember from that night, the sex wasn't too great, and I woke up with my nuts superglued to my leg.
A little while later, I'm trying to enjoy the sun and breeze on my deck and Leila sits down on the lounger next to me.
"Christian, why don't you like me?" Leila asks in a pouty voice.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because you drugged me, and then superglued my nuts to my thigh. And you are always showing up at my place when I have company. How is that possible?"
"I thought we shared something, Christian. You told me the first night we spent together how much you liked me and wanted to spend more time with me. I'm only doing as you asked," She whines. I scoff and roll my eyes. "And I told you before. I have a great view of your place through my bedroom window." This is getting better and better.
"I told you no such thing. I don't do relationships. That is one conversation I remember having with you. And I don't appreciate you stalking me. I'm trying to be nice here, but you are making it difficult." I suck down the rest of my beer and get up to search for something stronger.
"Please be gone when I come back out. I'd like to enjoy the afternoon without you around." I don't give her a chance to answer and stomp inside the house.
"Why are you so mean to her? Leila seems like a nice woman." Elliot mutters while I grab the bottle of scotch and glass. After pour three fingers worth, I drink it in one swallow.
"That woman is a psycho. She just told me she watches my house through her bedroom window. She shows up out of the blue when I have company. It wouldn't surprise me if she watches me have sex with other women and gets off on it. It would be in your best interest to steer clear of her." I pour some more scotch and sit at the dining room table.
"Christian, she doesn't seem that bad. Maybe you should give her the chance to show you how nice she is." I stare at my brother and wish I hadn't answered the phone when he called. This situation is turning out to be disastrous. Maybe I should call Kate and beg her to take back Elliot and the kid.
"Good morning, Christian. I am going the grocery store shortly. Is there anything you need me to buy for our new house guests?" My housekeeper Gail pulls me from my thoughts.
"Good morning, Gail. I hope that Elliot and Elijah won't be staying here for long. You can grab whatever you think is best. Thank you." I try to smile but as soon as I hear my mother's voice coming from the living room, I realize my day just went from bad to worse.
"Well, hello Elliot. What are you and Elijah doing here?" My mother Grace sashays into the kitchen dressed in a black pant suit and bright red lipstick.
"Who died?" I deadpan. She scoffs and directs her attention to her grandson.
"Elijah, how are you dear?" She ignores my comment and leans down to kiss Elijah's cheek. He looks as disgusted as I feel right now.
"Kate and I had a fight and Christian agreed to let Elijah and me stay here for a few days while she cools off." Elliot hands mom a cup of coffee and I try to leave the room without her speaking to me.
Don't get me wrong. I love my mother. But sometimes she can be annoying as fuck. I am the bad child because I didn't go to college, and I have no aim in life. Elliot is the golden child because he went to college and runs his own business.
"Christian, wait just a minute. Don't think you are going to leave this room without talking with me. I am hosting a dinner party next Saturday and I want you and Elliot to come." Mom faces me with her hands on her hips and the look she is giving me dares me to say no.
"I can't. I already have plans." I walk out of the room, and I hear her heels clicking on the floor as she follows me.
"I don't care what plans you have. Cancel them. I expect you and your brother to be at my house on Saturday evening. I will not take no for answer." I roll my eyes.
"Whatever, mother. What is the occasion? You and dad planning to retire and leave the area? That alone is worth celebrating in my book." I walk to the front door an open it. "Now, if you wouldn't mind leaving. I need to discuss with your other son his temporary living arrangements."
Mom grabs her purse and stomps out the door. I slam it closed after her and smile. I am sure she will find some way to get back at me for how I spoke to her. I can be disrespectful at times, but she would expect nothing less from me.
"Christian, I can't believe you spoke to our mother that way. What is wrong with you? First Leila and now mom?" Elliot stares at me.
"What do you want me to say, Elliot? Everyone just barges in here like they own the place and I'm the one that gets scolded for speaking my mind. Since you like to find the good in everyone, why don't you call your wife and beg her to let you come home?"
Elliot looks at me for a few seconds then turns to walk back into the kitchen. He says Kate needs time to cool off, but I somehow doubt that. She probably has already contacted a divorce attorney to draw up divorce papers.
I exhale a deep breath and decide to get the full story. Maybe once Elijah finishes his food, he can unpack his things in his room and give me and his dad some time to talk.
I pat Elijah on the shoulder as I walk by his chair. "Hey buddy, how's school going?" I sit down beside him and engage him in conversation.
"It's alright, I guess. Mom and dad are getting a divorce. How have you been?"
I chuckle at his brutal honesty. "I'm living the dream, kid."
"Elijah, why don't you take your bag to your room and unpack. I will come help you in a few minutes."
"Fine. See you later Uncle Christian." Elijah walks out of the room with his shoulders slumped over. Poor guy's life has been turned upside down.
"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't discuss your life habits with my son." Elliot's tone catches me off guard for a few seconds.
"What the hell are you talking about? I allow you into my home and you think you are going to tell me how I should be behaving?" I put air quotes around behaving and shake my head.
"I will do my best to act appropriately around Elijah, but I am bound to fail at some point. I have been living alone for most of my life and I am not used to people being in my space."
"People? We are your family, Christian. Not some strangers off the streets of Seattle."
"Don't turn this around on me. What are you going to do to make things right with Kate? There has to be more to the story, considering your son says you are getting a divorce."
Elliot sighs and sits down at the table. "We have been having problems off and on for over a year. We have tried everything, including counseling, and we still argue all the time. This morning we were fighting over who drank the last of the milk and she told me she wanted a divorce." Good thing I didn't have coffee in my mouth, or it would have sprayed all over the table.
"Maybe some time apart will do you both some good." I try to be optimistic, but a year apart wouldn't help them. I tried to talk him out of marrying Kate, but he was determined to make things work.
"I am not so sure. Last month she spent a week with her parents. I should have seen this coming a long time ago, but I was hoping things would work themselves out."
"Do you think she is having an affair? When was the last time you had sex?" I hate the mental image of my brother and sister-in-law in the throes of passion but maybe it can help explain a few things.
Elliot stares down at the table and mumbles under his breath. I tap my fingers on the table waiting for his answer. "Elliot?" He looks at me with regret in his eyes.
"At least six months. She won't let me touch her, much less see her naked. We sleep so far apart Elijah could fit between us." I stare at my idiot of a brother.
"Alarm bells should have been going off in your head when a month passed by without any sex. Did you bring this up in counseling?" I'm curious to see what the therapist had to say about the lack of intimacy.
"Kate didn't want to talk about it with me in the room. Every time I brought up the subject, she got defensive." Jesus H. Christ!
"I think you need to come to the realization your marriage is over. If I, were you, I would consult with an attorney. The fact that she wouldn't discuss your lack of sex with you in the room proves to me she had an affair or is still having one. You are blind when it comes to reading the signs, Elliot."
"I was trying to keep things together for Elijah."
"Seeing his parents fight all of the time is worse than you two splitting up. Why don't you help him unpack and talk things over with him? He may surprise you with how much he knows." Elliot nods his head and stands to leave the room.
"Thanks again, Christian. I know having myself and a nine-year-old boy staying with you is going to cramp your style." You have no idea, Elliot.
The following Saturday evening, I am ready for a night out. This week has been an adjustment to say the least. Elliot is annoying the fuck out of me. I see why he and Kate are having problems. He anal retentive on everything – how the silverware is placed when we eat dinner, the way magazines lay on the table and making sure my toothpaste tube is pushed up from the end.
I discovered him in my bathroom looking for something and noticed my personal items sitting neatly on the sink. I had to grind my teeth to keep from saying something right then. Gail doesn't even mess with my stuff. She cleans and puts stuff back the way I have it.
"Are you ready, Elliot? I'm surprised mom hasn't called to see where we are."
I decided to go to my parent's place tonight for their dinner party. At least the booze is free, and I can always catch a cab home if I get too drunk to drive. I take one last look in the mirror and run my hand through my hair. The ladies always seem to like it a little bit sloppy.
"Yes, I'm ready. Let's get going. I can't believe you agreed to come tonight." Elliot adjusts his tie and follows me out the door.
"I decided it would be a win – win situation. There will be alcohol and women there. Two of my most favorite things." I get behind the wheel of my sports car and start the engine. I smile when I hear the engine roar as I speed down the driveway.
"If the women there are mom and dad's age, I can't imagine you wanting to have sex with them. You seem like the type to enjoy younger women. Am I right?" Elliot tries to change the radio station and I slap his arm.
"I draw the line with you changing the music in my car. Don't touch." Elliot pulls his head back in surprise.
"What is that supposed to mean? I can't help it that l like things organized." He seems offended. Good.
"Organized? You call making sure the silverware is lined up correctly, magazines neatly stacked by genre, and my bathroom sink items lined up by size being organized?" Elliot shrugs and looks out the window.
"I know you are used to doing things your own way, but you are living with me now and we have to find some common ground. You can organize your items all you want. Leave mine alone."
"Fine."
"Glad we can agree on something." The radio in the background is the only noise in the car for the remainder of the ride to Belleview.
I pull into my parent's driveway and feel grateful we aren't the first ones to arrive. I park in an open spot and kill the engine. "Try not to embarrass me, Elliot."
"I think it's the other way around, Christian. Don't get drunk and embarrass us all." I scoff and get out of the car. Mom greets us at the door with a smile.
"There you two are. I was beginning to think you changed your mind about coming. Come inside and grab you a cocktail. I will introduce you to some people." I put on my best fake smile and follow her inside.
For the next hour and a half, mom walks me around the room and introduces me about everyone in attendance. I can't remember half of their names. Some of the women are attractive but they are married. I draw the line sleeping with a married woman.
"Christian and Elliot, I'd like you to meet a new colleague of mine. She just moved here from LA. Elena, these are my two sons, Christian and Elliot." I look up and make eye contact with Elena and I must admit she's beautiful. Her hair is shoulder length and platinum blond, and her eyes are emerald, green. I have never seen anything like them before.
"It's nice to meet you both. Grace talks a lot about you."
"It's nice to meet you as well. Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to speak to my father." Elliot walks away and I silently thank him. I'd like to get to know this woman, in the biblical sense.
"So, Christian. You know what I do for a living. What about you?" Elena licks her lips and steps closer to me. I can smell her perfume and I'm not sure I like the scent.
"I'm sure my mother has told you all about what I do for a living." She cackles and it grates my nerves.
"Do you have girlfriend, Christian?" I shake my head.
"I don't do the girlfriend thing." Her eyes light up.
"So, I shouldn't expect you to call me after we spend the night together?" I'm not sure I can stomach a night with her. The more I look at her the more I see how fake she is. If she came from LA, she's bound to have had plastic surgery. Whoever did it should close their shop because they suck.
"Who says we are going to spend the night together?" I say while trying to put some space between us. Her perfume is giving me a headache and making me nauseous.
"I just thought you would show me around Seattle. I just moved here a few weeks ago." Her hand touches my arm and I stiffen slightly. I see Elliot coming toward us and I'm relieved to see him.
"Hey, Elliot, why don't you keep Elena company. I need to use the men's room." I walk away without giving him a chance to answer. I slip out the backdoor and walk out onto the terrace. When me and Elliot moved out, I thought mom and dad would downsize. Now I see why they kept the house. It's large enough for them to entertain Seattle's upper echelon.
I've been outside for a few minutes enjoying the quiet and I hear the back door open. I pray that it's not the aggressive cougar I just left with Elliot. The faint sound of heels clicking on the marble tile cause me to turn my head. I watch a woman with lush brown hair quickly walk along the sidewalk to the front of the house. Her dress hugs her figure and stops just short of her knees. I can't see her face, so I decide to follow her in case she is in trouble.
I turn the corner and spot her getting into a silver car. She speeds away before I can see her face. As the car leaves the driveway, a middle-aged man comes running from the back of the house.
"Did you see a young woman leave?" He asks. His eyes are full of panic, and I nod my head.
"Yes, sir. One just left in a silver car. I didn't catch her name, though. Is she alright?"
The guy runs his hand through is dark brown hair and sighs. "It is my daughter Anastasia. We had a small disagreement, and I said a few things I shouldn't have. I will try her cell phone. Thank you." He reaches his hand out to shake mine.
"Raymond Steele," he says, as he grips my hand.
"Christian Grey, nice to meet you sir."
"You are one of Grace and Carrick's boys." I nod my head. "We work for the same real estate firm. Enjoy the rest of your night." Mr. Steele pulls out his cell phone as he walks away.
I may have to improve my relationship with my mother so I can get the story on Mr. Steele and his daughter.
A/N
I hope you like the first chapter. The next one will be from Ana's point of view. I am not sure how long this story will be yet. It depends on how hard Ana makes Christian work for it. LOL. I will try to update weekly but I can't promise it. As with my other stories, this one will be finished with a HEA for Christian and Ana. Take care!