All rights to Fifty Shades of Grey are owned by E.L. James.
Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 came about when I started writing Chapter 5.
While writing Chapter 5 I got lost in the attempt to get this story to where it actually "begins." As in, hurry the hell up.
Anyway, Chapter 5 ended up being as long as War and Peace (joking) so I decided to make it two chapters. Then I started obsessing over an appropriate stopping place in Chapter 5 that would turn into Chapter 6.
Hopefully, I chose good stopping/starting points but I am not sure. Y'all will have to decide and I am sure you will let me know if I did.
These chapters are a skewed version of Christian and Ana's first night together. They also show a profound transformation that happens much too easily, which will shine a light on the future behavior of a character. Do not let the differences in the protagonist blind you to the empathy that has been scattered throughout Chapter 6. Chapters 5 and 6 shape both characters and are indicators of future events.
You Have Got To Be Kidding Me
Anastasia and Katherine were scurrying around their apartment like mice on a sinking ship. They were both getting ready for work and thanking the God's it was Friday. Ana was searching for her matching black boot, but only seemed to find either a sock or a pair of men's underwear belonging to Elliot Grey, who had all but moved in since meeting Kate three weeks ago. Despite Elliot's loudly gregarious personality, Ana did not mind his presence since she genuinely liked him.
Ana was packing her briefcase with manuscripts when Kate walked into her bedroom, arms crossed and tapping her foot. Worry was etched on her beautiful face.
"Do you really think this a good idea?" Kate asks.
Ana whipped around to look at her and sighed loudly.
Here we go again.
"Kate, we've discussed this a dozen times. There are zero reasons you need worry about me because it is just dinner. Not to mention its dinner with your boyfriend's brother. And if I do go missing tonight, you'll know where to send the search party." Ana tells her in a seemingly jovial tone, although she really wanted to tell Kate to mind her own business.
"Ana, three weeks ago, you sprain your ankle in the moguls club; he sends a fucking nurse to check on you AFTER the doctor cleared you to go back to work! YOU even complained when his numerous texts became incessant emails, which turned into very frequent phone calls AND if you did not answer, he fucking called Elliot to ask if he knew where you were! Stalker, much?"
"Don't forget about the gifts; flowers the very night you got hurt, which became an everyday occurrence. Books of poetry by Edgar Allen Poe-after you fucking told him poetry bored you, and Poe gave you the creeps! Now, it's a brand new iPad and a fucking Mac laptop!" Kate's voice had risen to a crescendo as she gestures toward Ana's new electronic gadgets.
"Kate…"
"No, god damn it! Listen to me! I sense Fatal fucking Attraction here! Then moneybags goes for an extended business trip to who the fuck really cares, and you are in bed waiting for him to Skype with every night! WAITING, ANA! Since when do you wait around for a guy? I watched you with Riley and Alex, and you could have taken them or left them,"
"Kate, if Elliot was here to listen to this lecture he would hang you."
"Elliot? Fuck, Ana, he is even confused with Christian's behavior. Hell, half of Seattle thinks he is gay since he has never been seen with a woman- Elliot admitted to knowing that was the general consensus. But now, Elliot is tickled pink over whatever is happening with you, even if he is shaking his head about it. He told me his brother probably didn't have genitals like a Ken doll!" She arches one of her perfect eyebrows at Ana.
"Kate, that was a meant as a fucking joke and you know it," Ana speaks in a quiet voice but is glaring at her best friend.
"Come on-I know you want to fuck him, but like I told you that day I interviewed him, he is weird," she says this with no preamble at all. "I don't trust him….it's like he's dangerous or something, and these past three weeks have proven…"
At this point, Ana is beyond irritated and rapidly approaching pissed. "Proven what, Kate?" Her words are cold.
"That he's…over the top, perhaps?" Kate answers quietly, her voice softening.
"You are aware you're saying these things about your boyfriend's brother, right?" Ana does not mean to sound curt, but Kate still frowns.
"Yes, I'm aware. Just like I'm aware of the concerns I've brought up to Elliot about his brother."
The women stare at one another completely confounded. They are not used to having such storming disagreements with one another, and Ana does not even understand where Kate is coming from. They are at a stalemate over an argument Ana does not understand.
Kate sighs deeply.
"You're going to his place straight from work?"
"Yes."
Ana looks away and finishes cramming manuscripts in her case. The tension in the room is squeezing all the air from her lungs and she has got to get the hell out of it.
"Please text me when you get there. I know he's sending someone to get you, but I'm still going..."
"To worry, I know. I promise that I will text you. Please, stop worrying over this... this, unknown reason you do not trust Christian. Okay?"
Kate merely nods.
Ana exits SIP exactly at five thirty, and sure enough there is a black Audi SUV waiting on her curbside-just as Christian told her it would be. All day Ana was barely able to contain her excitement, but now, as she approaches the Audi, Ana is barely able to contain her nerves. Pulling her coat around herself tighter from a biting wind, Ana recognizes the man waiting on her as Taylor, the hulking figure she had collided with weeks earlier.
"Good evening, Miss Steele," he says in a professional tone.
"Hello, Taylor. Please call me Ana," She is smiling broadly, hoping to loosen him up a bit. Ana cannot imagine how far that stick is shoved up his ass. He nods at her and opens the back door, at which point Ana nearly faints. Sitting there in all his gorgeous glory is Christian Grey and he watches Ana climb in the SUV with gray heated eyes.
Oh, shit.
"Good evening, Miss Steele,"
He is smiling like the cat that ate the canary. A sexy cat dressed in a black suit, crisp white shirt, and a black tie. Ana swallows the lust that is rising up inside her and blinks rapidly; she was not expecting him to pick her up. Christian had told her he would be waiting for her at his penthouse, and Ana was praying she would have a handle on her nerves by the time she arrived there. That prayer was just sent straight to hell.
Too nervous to over think this unexpected Christian Grey moment, Ana decides to feign confidence by concentrating on all their flirtatious Skype sessions.
"Miss Steele? Are we back to that, Christian?" Ana felt her cheeks heating from her blush, grateful for the dark so he cannot see her.
Christian's lips twitch at her words and he clasps her hand tightly, sending an electric current straight to Ana's inner core that alters her breathing. She thought looking at him via Skype set her blood aflame, their close proximity had it bubbling from the heat.
"How was work?" Christian asks, still wearing that smile that is nearly making Ana squirm.
"It was exhausting. My head hurts from reading all day,"
Ana's heart is slamming into her chest due to their skin-to-skin contact, idly wondering if Christian feels the same. If so, he sure is not showing it. Ana is sure that he wants her; they have essentially admitted a mutual longing while being thousands of miles apart and through a computer screen. She starts to stroke his thumb and here comes that 'I've got a secret' smile of his.
"I'm sure there is something I have that will help with your headache, Anastasia." Ana's breath comes to a screeching halt, she is unsure if Christian is referring to Tylenol or Ibuprofen, but she is hoping he is referring to something completely different.
The ride to his penthouse in Escala is a relatively short one and Taylor lets them out at the main entrance. Christian let's go of Ana's hand and ushers her inside the building, both walking in silence. Once the elevator arrives, they step in and Christian punches in a code and they begin to ascend. Ana looks down at their joined hands, wondering when Christian had taken her hand back. She cannot help looking at her feet and smiling. Peeping up at Christian through her lashes, Ana catches him looking down at her, but their silence ensues. Ana cannot understand how this man makes her feel like she did at seventeen when she lost her virginity. Fuck, Ana thinks, even back then she never felt like this.
The elevator glides to a stop and the doors open to a vast room with an all white theme, even the marble floors are marble. Ana remembers his club's office looking similar-very clinical. Looking around at the sheer size of Christian's penthouse is overwhelming, and Ana thinks it looks nothing like a home.
Christian walks towards her with one arm out. "I'll take your coat if you like?"
Ana makes the colossal mistake of staring at him-grey eyes to blue. She would like to give him more than her coat. Shrugging it off, she hands it to him all the while under Christian's watchful gaze.
"Anastasia, you look lovely. The blue of your dress brings your eyes out beautifully," His voice is soft, maybe even reassuring.
"Thank you." Ana flushes scarlet and silently curses herself for doing so.
Christian wonders off to a probable closet and Ana walks further into the room. The only color comes from the numerous paintings that cover the walls. It looks like an art museum and not where one would reside. The farthest wall is actually a floor to ceiling window with a perfect view of Seattle. Everything is modern and state of the art, but to Ana it all feels sterile and impersonal.
"I'm going to have a drink. Would you like one?" Christian asks. Ana jumps; she had not heard him walk back into the room. He has taken off his coat and tie.
"Yes, please."
Following Christian, Ana notices a small fire has been set. Inside the kitchen, Ana looks at the dark brown counter top that also breaks the white themed monotony. In a corner across the living room is a black grand piano.
"Here's your wine. Shall we sit while Mrs. Jones finishes up with dinner?"
Ana looks at him puzzled; Mrs. Jones? She had not noticed anyone else in the kitchen.
"Sure. Although, I feel as if I need a map to find where the dining room could possibly be at." Ana murmurs.
Christian laughs at her words and leads her to a dining table big enough to fit an entire Army. He is pulling out her chair when Ana spots two pieces of paper and a pen near her place setting. Completely intrigued as to what they may be, she looks at Christian whose face gives nothing away. Ana pointedly looks at the papers again, raising an eyebrow when she realizes what they are and picks one up.
Well, well.
"That is a nondisclosure agreement that I need you to sign. There are two, one for each of us to keep." Christian tells her, his voice slightly distant. He clears his throat before speaking again.
"This document means…"
Kate's voice suddenly fills Ana's mind and her previous disbelief of Kate's gut reaction is beginning to frighten her. But she is not going to let Christian see that.
"Christian, I'm not an idiot. I am fully aware of what a nondisclosure agreement means." Ana interrupts him, suddenly irritable. Christian appears to be taken aback by both her tone and words, as if he had not anticipated Ana having teeth.
"Ana, I know you're not an idiot, and apologize if you think I was implying such. I simply assumed…"
Ana raises up a hand to silence him.
"You assumed I'm clueless because I'm twenty-two, and a recent college graduate. You may have also taken my tendency to be on the quiet side as a sign that I am timid, which I am not. Do you think the fact I often blush means I am innocent and unworldly? Well, I'm none of those, Mr. Grey."
Christian Grey's eyes narrow with each word that flies out of Ana's mouth. It is obvious he does not appreciate being interrupted, or used to anyone talking back to him, but at the moment Ana could not care any less. All she knows is that an NDA is proof you have a secret you are hiding, and the secret is usually bad. Remembering Kate's words again, Ana realizes Christian Grey's secret may be bad, really, really bad.
Letting out a deep breath, Christian appears to have reigned his temper back in. "Again, I am sorry if I led you to believe I had such ideas about you. I assure you that I do not,"
Ana picks up the pen and cocks her head to the side a bit, watching Christian's gaze try to analyze her thoughts.
"Don't worry, Mr. Grey. I am going to sign. But I'm only doing so because I'm dying to know what your secret is."
Ana can see her confidence and curiosity has caused Christian to ruminate over something, and she is confident he is sizing up whether he is still interested in allowing Ana to be aware of whatever this NDA is covering up.
Looking back at the document, Ana reads it carefully and scoffs to herself. She wonders if Elliot is correct; his brother's genitals may be as nonexistent as those of a Ken doll. The thought makes her giggle, and from the corner of her eye she notices Christian's furrowed brow. Ana knows he is curious about why she is giggling to herself.
God, he had better have a dick.
After signing Christian's precious legal document, she passes his copy back and places hers into her purse, and pulls out her cell. Christian raises his eyebrows and looks like he is afraid she is calling for a ride home.
"I promised to text Kate once I got here," She says simply and Christian nods.
"Excuse me. I'll go see how much longer until dinner is done." Christian's tone is clipped but polite, and Ana knows he is not pleased, but neither is she. Signing a nondisclosure agreement on a first date is not exactly romantic.
The dinner is pleasant enough as they talk throughout their meal about virtually everything. Ana decides to not mull over the NDA mystery and finally relaxes, listening to Christian recount this past overseas business trip. Ana can hear Christian speaking and responds at the appropriate moments, but all she is actually thinking about is what his mouth would feel like all over her body. For a very long while, Ana has fantasized about the man sitting across from her, never taking into consideration that she would ever be in his apartment having dinner with him. Ana had never imagined she would garner the attention of such an incredibly gorgeous man, much less one that was a billionaire CEO.
I wonder if he is farsighted?
Ana politely declines dessert and watches Christian's housekeeper discreetly clean away the table. For a few moments in the dimly lit room, they both fall silent and stare at one another. Looking at Christian has Ana pressing her thighs together tightly, trying to still the quiver in between them.
As if he could read her mind, Christian stands, holding out his hand to her.
"Come." His voice is low and commanding.
Ana's senses alight as she takes his proffered hand, desire coursing through her veins as she imagines what is about to occur. What she is hoping is about to occur. Christian's fervent, burning gray eyes bore into Ana and she follows him to the staircase where she assumes his bedroom is located. Staring at Christian's back as they make their way up the stairs, Ana can smell the sex exuding from this man. She wants nothing more than him to be buried to the hilt inside her. She is already wet, and damn near panting with want.
Christian stops at a door at the end of the hallway, and takes his hand from Ana. Pulling out a key from his pocket, Christian lets out a deep breath as he unlocks the door. Christian is looking at Ana with apprehension and she begins to feel a slight unease tracing its way along her neck. Ana looks at Christian for an answer.
"Ana, what I'm about to show you is not intended to scare you. Please do not feel as if you cannot leave. You can take one look in here, turn around, and be taken home immediately. Whatever you think or do is fine."
Ana just stares at him, unable to ask him why. Suddenly, thousands of ominous scenarios are running around her head. All she can do is nod at him.
Opening the door and standing back to let Ana in, Christian switches on the lights. Before walking in the room, Ana gazes at him once more. Her stomach is in her throat with some unknown dread. Taking in a gulp of air, Ana slowly walks inside.
The first thing Ana takes in is that the room's décor looks like the one of The Mile High Club. The walls and even the ceiling are painted the exact shade of red that had covered the club's private ladies room.
Ana slowly makes her way further in the room, looking up at a cornice that covers the room's ceiling and is the source of a soft, ambient light. Then her eyes latch onto the room's centerpiece, a huge antique bed that has been covered in red leather. Looking up at the bed's immense canopy, Ana sees various chains and cuffs. Suddenly, the other pieces of furniture become irrelevant.
Mother fucker.
There are rods on each wall with pegs that hold belts, whips, paddles, and riding crops, all of various sizes. Ana stares at the different width of each cane along one of the walls, imagining how terribly painful it would be if you were struck by one. Looking up, she sees iron grids on the ceiling, hanging from them are a variety of ropes, chains, and shackles. There are carabineers on the ceiling as well, spread out sporadically. Ana continues walking around the room with her arms crossed. Walking over to a large chest of drawers, she opens the top drawer where she finds an assortment of dildos and vibrators.
Of course, Ana knows what this room is about and what it says about Christian. She immediately feels an immense sense of disappointment. She had not envisioned this at all, and what she had hoped for with Christian will obviously not happen. She turns to where he is standing, and as she expected, he is gauging her every move and expression. Thankfully, Ana has remembered her poker face.
"Say something, Ana." Christian's voice is soft, but it still sounds like a command.
Quirking an eyebrow, Ana holds up a pair of metal handcuffs. "What shall I say, Marquis de Sade?"
Even Ana recognizes the disappointment in her voice.
"Not quite, Ana," Christian replies sardonically.
"Well, this is certainly sadism at its finest, Mr. Grey. Intimidating and frightening everywhere you look," Ana murmurs, while using a hand to gesture around the room.
"This is my playroom, Ana. No sadism is involved in here."
Ana gapes at his remark. What a blatant lie. She cannot help but wonder if he is lying to her or himself.
"I was once little, and had a playroom. It did not have a single pair of shackles or a St. Andrews cross in it. It was where I played, not where I spent time hurting people,"
The ghost of a smile Christian was wearing fell with her words.
"My playroom is about pleasure, Miss Steele. Not to hurt people,"
Christian is getting defensive and Ana can tell he does not appreciate having to defend what gives him his kicks.
"No, you use your red boudoir of torture to hurt women." She hisses at him.
"No, this is not sadistic or masochistic. I'm a Dominant,"
Ana puts both hands up in a defensive position, numb from shock. "And you want me… as your submissive?"
Although her voice is hesitant and small, she continues looking Christian square in the eye.
Christian looks impressed, practically smug. "You're acquainted with BDSM, Miss Steele?"
"Hardly. But I had a human development class in college and we went to one of those clubs. I know what this is all about, and to be quite honest, I find it rather depressing that you want and enjoy hurting women,"
Ana is reeling from this colossal calamity that has befallen her.
"Let's take this to my study shall we?"
Christian holds out his hand for Ana to take, and actually looks hurt when she shakes her head no, refusing to take it.
Once again, Ana is following Christian through his maze of a house until they reach his study and he quietly shuts the door behind them. Ana sits in the over sized chair in front of his desk and eyes his decanter of brandy, she could use a fucking drink. Kate was right; he is dangerous.
"Can I at least tell you about my proposition?" he asks in a deceptively soft voice.
Ana shrugs, unable to look at him.
"It's true that I want you to become my submissive…"
Ana is one breath from being enraged.
"No, shit!" She yells at him.
Christian's face remains impassive and while Ana sees the storm brewing in his eyes, she continues.
"Christian, once again I will remind you. I am not naïve. A submissive is nothing short of her Dominants plaything, and when she does what he tells her to, she is rewarded in some fashion. But if she displeases him, he punishes her, also known as beating the fuck out of her. Is that pretty accurate?"
Christian is running his hand through his hair in such a way Ana cannot believe he is not tearing it out from the roots. She has no idea what is going on in his head since Christian has not responded to her outcry, he looks like his own island state. Ana continues watching him.
Sighing softly and for some inexplicable reason, Ana softly says, "Show me the proposition."
Christian looks at Ana as if he is seeing her for the first time. His eyes are wide, unfocused, and confused; his expression showing he does not understand what she has said.
"I have a contract."
He almost sounds…embarrassed?
"You have a contract? You contract a woman to be your submissive?"
"Yes. I do."
Ana watches as Christian miraculously regains control of himself. It is an extraordinary metamorphose.
"May I see it?"
Christian opens a drawer in his desk, gets out a manila envelope, and passes it over to Ana, who frowns at the thickness of it.
"This is the contract I drew up for the two of us. Even though it has our names on it, it is the standard contract I have with all my submissives. The other pages inside are copies of acts the Dom and his sub will or will not do,"
Ana's face is like thunder. "You just put my name on a sex slave contract assuming I'd jump right into this? How fucking dare you? Give me that fucking shit."
Leaning back into the chair, Ana starts reading through Christian's contract. The more of it she reads only shocks her further. Ana's stomach is doing somersaults and she feels a twinge of panic rising within her.
"You have rules? Rules, Christian? What they have to eat? How long they have to sleep? Work out? Have sex anytime, anyplace, anywhere you demand it? Did you come up with these on your own? Because if you did, then you're fucking nuts,"
"As a matter of fact, Miss Steele, I did. Those rules are for your benefit and my pleasure. If you adhere to them, I will be pleased and you will be rewarded. If you don't follow the rules, I will punish you as I deem fit, and you will learn." His whisper is like a shard of glass.