Chpt. 13: Ana's POV
I wake up the next morning exhausted; I barely slept all night. The room was pretty cold even though I slept in heavy pajamas and buried under all the blankets. Unfortunately, all the blankets consisted of two blankets and a sheet none of which are very warm. I make my way to the bathroom and wait in line to get a couple minutes to wash up in the sink quickly before heading back to my room to pack up my belongings. I will call Kate later today to let her know that I'm moving in and sooner than planned. When we talked yesterday she said it was fine to move in while she was gone; hopefully she meant it.
"Good morning Christian!" I say surprised that he is calling me this early.
"Good morning beautiful" Christian replies, making me blush. "Can you come outside for a minute?"
"Huh? What do you mean come outside?" I ask nervously.
"Please come outside and you will see" he says and hangs up.
I sit on my bed and take a few deep breaths before leaving the room. Why is he here? What will he think of where I live? What will he say? What will I say? I go back to my room and sit on the bed again. I start counting and put my head between my knees. I need to get my anxiety under control before I have a panic attack which I don't need Christian seeing. Screw it! If he doesn't like where I live, tough! Not everyone can make millions of dollars a year and have everything they want. This was better than a homeless shelter and I did it by myself. If he doesn't like it, oh well he can just leave.
"Christian?" I say walking outside.
"Hey gorgeous," Christian says cautiously approaching me and giving me a hug.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
"We came to help you move," Christian says.
"We?" I ask.
"Taylor and an SUV," Christian answers. "You said last night you wanted to move your stuff to Kate's apartment and I couldn't bear the thought of you doing it by yourself so I came to help. Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad," I sigh. "Well you might as well come see where I live. There's not much to get so it shouldn't take very long."
I unlock the front door allowing Christian and Taylor to follow me into the entry way. We walk through the living room where there are several residents sleeping on the coach or laying on the floor. Continuing through the kitchen where dishes and garbage from the night before are still all over the counters and in the sink. Thankfully I can say I have never used the kitchen here before for this very reason. We walk up the narrow stairwell stepping around people sitting on steps talking on their phones and down the long hallway to my room. I unlock the door and allow Christian and Taylor to come in. I realize these are the only people who have ever been in one of the rooms I rented.
"I was just starting to pack up when you called," I explained. "These 2 bags are ready to go, this microwave goes and then I just need to throw a few things in another bag and that should be it."
"No problem Ms. Steele, I will take these to the car," Taylor says taking my overnight and school bags.
"Christian, can you hold open this bag?" I ask handing him a black garbage bag.
He looks at me confused but holds the bag. His look of confusion changes to surprise which he quickly covers as he sees me throw a few items of clothing, my blankets and pillow into the garbage bag. I hand him another bag and toss in the last few items before glancing around the room to insure I have everything.
"That's everything," I say as Taylor reappears.
"Ana, do you need anything else?" Christian asks.
"Nope, that's everything," I say sadly realizing everything I own just fit into the back of a small SUV.
"If you're hungry Gail, my housekeeper, has packed us a small breakfast that we can eat on the way to Kate's," Christian says.
"I'm starving," I say with a smile.
We have a breakfast consisting of fruit, cinnamon rolls and hot tea while Taylor drives us to Kate's apartment. While I still wish Taylor and Christian did not see where I lived, I am thankful nonetheless that they came to help this morning. Taking everything on a bus is never easy and Kate lives a couple blocks from the bus station. I probably would have had to leave the microwave behind again because there would be no way I could carry it.
"Sir, ma'am we have arrived," Taylor says as the car comes to a stop.
"Taylor, enough with the ma'am crap!" I say laughing. "It's Ana."
"Yes ma-I mean Ana," Taylor says smiling.
Just as quickly as the SUV was loaded, it was unloaded and everything was moved into Kate's spare bedroom. Christian assists me in unpacking my bags and putting the few food items I have in the kitchen. I make a mental note to find a nearby grocery store and go food shopping later today. Between the shelters and boarding homes I have only ever kept a few food items on hand since there was always the risk that it would be stolen. Now that I'm staying with Kate I can stock up on items even before she returns and even make dinner for myself.
"Ana?" Christian asks walking back into the kitchen.
"Oh sorry," I answer. "I sort of zoned out there. I didn't sleep much last night."
"Me neither," Christian admits. "I couldn't stop worrying about you."
"Worrying about me?" I ask surprised.
"Yes," Christian answers. "I kept worrying that you were cold and then I worried about you moving everything by yourself. I know you don't have a car and taking all this on the bus can't be easy."
"Nope, it's not" I say laughing. "I've done it a few times and I look like a bag lady. It's worse if you have to take everything on a crowded bus."
"How about we grab some lunch?" Christian asks.
"Sure, that would be great," I answer.
Christian takes my hand and helps me off the couch. As I stand up we are face to face and I feel my breath hitch. I quickly put my arms around his neck and kiss him trying to show him with the kiss how much I appreciate him not saying anything about my living situation and just helping me move. Christian moans as I move my hands to the back of his head. Christian's hands go to my waist which seems like his go to spot whenever we kiss I realize. We quickly fall to the couch with Christian landing almost on top of me as we laugh while still kissing. Christian gets more comfortable and holds his weight up with one arm while caressing my face with his other hand. He sucks on my lower lip and I can feel his erection against my thigh which makes me moan again. His hand finds my breast making me gasp; he gently teases my nipple until it is rock hard. I moan again into his mouth just as his gently bites down on my lip. Christian quickly moves us again, this time so we are laying side by side on the couch. His hand hasn't left my breast and his lips haven't left mine. Becoming more confident I put my leg on top of his just as he pushes his erection ever so slightly against me. We both moan at the same time with this new feeling. Christian's hand moves ever slowly up my shift until he pulls my breast from the bra.
"Ana," Christian says breathless. "Is this okay?"
"Yes," I respond.
Christian moans again and continues to gently rub his erection against my clit bringing a completely new sensation to my body. I find myself moaning and pushing back against his erection when he moves away. Christian must know what he is doing because just when I think I can't take anymore he lifts my shirt up and takes my nipple in his mouth. I tug on his hair and push him closer to my breast. He sucks and then gently bites my nipple as he holds my hip tightly continuing to apply pressure to my clit.
"Christian," I gasp trying to make sense of all these new feelings. I have never experienced anything remotely close to this.
"I got you baby," Christian whispers against my breast before tugging my nipple a little harder with his teeth which sends me over the edge.
I hear Christian moan as he pushes against my clit harder a few times and then he suddenly tenses up for a moment before letting a deep breath out.
"Are you okay?" Christian asks pulling my shirt back down and kissing me.
"More than okay," I answer shyly. "Are you?"
"Oh yeah," Christian says smiling. "I can't say I've ever done that before."
"Done what?" I ask. Clearly he has made out with a girl before I think. Someone as hot has he is must have hundreds a girl.
"Had an orgasm just from making out with a woman," Christian says reaching down to kiss me further.
We cuddle on the couch for a while and eventually I fall asleep in Christian's arms. I don't know what it was but I woke up a little while later feeling completely refreshed almost as if I had slept for eight straight hours. I wake up to find my head resting on his chest and his arm wrapped gently around my shoulders.
"How long was I out?" I ask looking shyly up at Christian.
"Almost two hours," Christian says kissing me on the top of the head.
"Two hours?" I ask shocked. "I am so sorry! I'm sure you had other things to do this afternoon! You should have woken me!"
"Ana, calm down," Christian answers. "It's fine. I didn't have anything to do that couldn't wait. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon."
"I'm going to grab a glass of water, would you like anything?" I ask standing up from the couch.
"Water would be fine," Christian says sitting up and grabbing his blackberry off the coffee table. "I will just be a moment…I need to respond to a few emails."
"Take your time," I respond handing Christian his glass of water.
I flip through a couple magazines Kate had left on the coffee table while Christian checks his email. I am really enjoying spending today with Christian and still cannot believe how comfortable I am with him. There is just something about him that makes me feel safe whenever he is around. I decide to cook him and Taylor dinner tonight as a thank you for helping me move today and spending the entire day with me. The only problem with my plan is that I have no food here to cook and Kate barely keeps anything in the house.
"Christian?" I ask.
"Oh, sorry I'm just about finished," Christian says tapping a button on his phone before putting it down.
"That's okay. Is Taylor still here?" I ask.
"No, he went home but will come back when I need him, why?" Christian answers.
"Oh I was going to make you both dinner tonight," I say. "But I realized I have no food here so I will need to make a quick trip to a grocery store."
"That's okay, we can go out somewhere", Christian responds.
"No," I state firmly. "I want to cook you dinner; let me do something for you today since you helped me move. Can you find out where a grocery store is nearby? If not, I could call Kate and ask her I suppose."
"Taylor, I need your help," Christian says into his phone.
"Can you find me a grocery store nearby" Christian says.
"Yes a grocery store," he repeats rolling his eyes.
"Good, thanks," he says hanging up. "Taylor is texting me the name and address of a grocery store nearby. He says it's within walking distance of here."
"Perfect," I reply. "I'm thinking of making a vegetable lasagna with garlic bread, unless you prefer something else?"
"No, that's sounds delicious," Christian says grabbing his coat as we walk out the door.
Taylor was right, the grocery store is within two blocks of Kate's apartment. Well I guess it is technically my apartment too; it's going to take me awhile to get used to that idea. I haven't lived in a place all of my own since I ran away at 16; since then it's been shelters and boarding rooms.
"Christian?" I ask as we approach the grocery store.
"Hmmm?" Christian answers.
"How did you know where I lived today?" I ask realizing he showed up this morning and I never gave him my address.
"Don't be mad," he says quietly. "Taylor and my head of security information at GEH look it up after you told me you needed to move last night."
"I see," I say unsure of what to think about what he just told me.
"I'm sorry, but I knew you wouldn't give me the address if I asked but I really wanted to help you move today," Christian replies quickly.
"That's okay. Let's get what we need for dinner," I say grabbing a cart.
We go through a few aisles quickly finding everything I need for lasagna, garlic bread and a side salad. We scan the wine selection but Christian says there is a liquor store nearby that has a better selection to go with dinner. We get to the register where we have a minor argument about who is paying for dinner before Christian reluctantly agrees to let me pay. I try to explain to him that this dinner is my way of thanking him for helping today but he doesn't see what paying for the groceries has to do with that. He says my cooking the meal is enough but I disagree.
"Since you insisted on buying the groceries," Christian says, "I am insisting on buying the wine."
"That sounds fair, although I could argue since the wine is for dinner that I should buy it," I say smirking at him.
"Nonsense, I plan on having a glass while you're making dinner therefore the wine is not only for dinner" Christian says smiling.
We walk a block further, finding a liquor store where Christian picked out two bottles of wine that he said would complement the lasagna. Honestly I know absolutely nothing about wine let alone what kind would taste good with lasagna. Christian being the gentleman that he is insists on carrying the grocery bags back to the apartment, refusing to let me carry even one bag. We get back to the apartment and set everything on the breakfast bar as I go through Kate's cabinets finding a pan and a cutting board.
"What can I do to help?" Christian asks.
"Nothing," I answer. "I told you, I'm making you dinner."
"At least let me do something, I can't just sit here and watch," Christian says.
"Okay, how about you cut the peppers up?" I say realizing I'm not going to win this argument.
"I think I can manage that," Christian says.
As I begin preparing the noodles and sauce I check on Christian who is very slowly starting to cut the second half of the first pepper I gave him. I laugh to myself realizing this man has probably never cut a pepper in his life.
"Something funny Ana?" Christian asks.
"Yes, you," I answer.
"Me? I can assure you most people in my office would strongly disagree with you," he replies.
"Have you ever cut up vegetables?" I ask.
"Um, no," He says shyly. "Gail does all the cooking and if she isn't available she always sees that there is food in the fridge that I can heat up quickly. "
"Here, let me show you had to cut the pepper properly," I say demonstrating for him.
We finish cutting the remaining vegetables and Christian helps lay out the lasagna in the pan. We sit on the couch each with a glass of wine as we wait for the lasagna to cook. The garlic bread is prepared and ready to go into the oven when the lasagna is almost finished cooking. The salad is in the fridge; I will serve the salad just as I put the garlic bread in the oven.
"Did your mom teach you how to cook?" Christian asks.
"No," I answer laughing. "My mother couldn't cook anything beyond hot dogs and boxed macaroni and cheese. My father loved to cook and when he was home he would always let me help in the kitchen. My mom's second husband was a cook and he taught me how to make most of the dishes where he worked."
"Where did you grow up?" Christian asks.
"We moved around a lot when I was little" I answer. "Before my dad died we lived in Pennsylvania where he grew up. From there my mother moved me to North Carolina, New Jersey, New York very briefly, Florida, Texas and California."
"Wow, that's a lot of moving," Christian says. "How did you end up in Seattle?"
"College," I answer vaguely. The conversation is starting to get too personal too fast I realize. "Where did you grow up?"
"Just outside of Seattle in Bellavue mostly," he explains. "But I was born in Detroit which is where my parents adopted me from. Then my mother landed her dream job in Seattle so we moved when I was 6 and my parents still live in the same house."
"That sounds nice," I say realizing his childhood is almost a complete opposite of mine.
"It was…you will get to see the house on Christmas for dinner," Christian replies.
"Wait…what?" I ask confused.
"Yes, remember we are having dinner together on Christmas Day since you are not working?" Christian asks.
"Yes I remember that," I answer. "I just didn't realize it would be at your parent's house."
"Don't worry about it, my parents will love you," Christian says obviously sensing my nervousness.
"Let's hope so," I say quietly.
"Hey, seriously don't worry about it. You know Elliot and he will be there of course and you've already met my parents. You just haven't met my sister Mia yet," Christian replies.
"Are you sure they won't mind? I feel like I'm imposing it being Christmas and all," I ask.
"No you won't be imposing at all," Christian answers. "My mom makes a big thing over Christmas breakfast which has always strictly been family only. Christmas eve and Christmas morning are very important to her. Christmas dinner while still important is less a family event and usually there are other people joining us for dinner. "
"If you're sure it won't bother your parents," I say sighing.
"Why are worried about it? I told you my parents will love you," He asks.
"Christian," I answer taking a deep breath. "It's obvious you and I come from very different worlds; I just worry I won't fit in or live up to your parent's expectations for a girl that you bring home."
"Ana, look at me," Christian says, lifting my face so he can see my eyes. "My family is not like that at all. My parents have been very fortunate with their careers but they have always made sure each of us had a level head growing up. My family will just be happy that I finally brought someone home and they don't have any expectations of who I should bring home. Don't think so little of yourself, you are a college student who is about to graduate and head into the real world. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"I suppose," I say sighing.
"I'm serious Ana," Christian says taking a deep breath. "I don't want to go into details right now, my childhood before Grace rescued me was not the greatest to say the least. When I say that Grace rescued me, I truly mean that in every way possible. Some day when we both trust each other a little more I hope that we can exchange stories, but for right now just know that our worlds were not always that different."
I am stunned at what he just told me. I knew he was adopted but I assumed he was adopted as an infant and had a wonderful childhood.
"I guess we don't really know much about each other," I say.
"Not right now," Christian agrees. "But I hope over time we will."
"Me too," I say leaning over kissing him.
Bing
"Time to put the garlic bread in the oven," I say pulling away just before our kiss turned into something more.
"Would you like some help?" he asks.
"I thought we could have the salad while the lasagna and bread finish; it should only be about ten more minutes. Do you want to take the salad out and set the table?" I ask.
"Sure," Christian says.
We enjoy a nice quiet dinner discussing our plans for the upcoming week. Christian says he will be flying to New York for a business meeting and invites me to come along but unfortunately I am already scheduled to work at the restaurant. As much as I would love to go with him, I can't call out on Antonio the week of Christmas. I work almost every day this week including a double on Christmas Eve but really don't mind since classes haven't started back up yet and I don't have very much to do otherwise.
"Thank you for a delicious dinner Ana," Christian says as he helps me clean up the kitchen and put away the leftovers.
"I'm glad you liked it, thank you again for helping me move today," I reply.
"I should probably get going, I have a big meeting tomorrow morning that I need to finish review a report for," Christian says taking out his phone and I assume texting Taylor to ask him to pick him up.
"Sure, no problem. I didn't mean to keep you from your work," I say.
"I would much rather spend the day with you than spend the day reading reports for a meeting tomorrow morning. I know you're working all week but I hope we can find time to do lunch or dinner before I see you on Christmas. I will warn you though it will be difficult to schedule though since I will be in New York for two days," Christian explains.
"Text me when you think you have time and I will see what my work schedule is that day. Christmas eve definitely won't work because I work a double but right now that is the only day I am scheduled to work all day," I say.
"Do you have email? Sometimes it's easier for me to respond through email depending on what I'm doing my phone isn't always available," Christian asks.
"I have an account but I don't regularly check it except when I can get to campus and use the computer lab," I answer.
"Right," he says. "I will be sure to look for texts from you then."
"Good night Christian," I say kissing him good bye.
"Night Ana," Christian says closing the door behind him.