We want to thank all of your for your wonderful feedback over the first chapter. It's inspired us to hurry and write this next one! For the fans who don't use Pinterest, we have chosen Devin Paisley as Ethan Kavanagh. You might want to google him before reading. *Beams*

Enjoy this next chapter and let us know how you like it!

Much Love,

Stephie and Sanjana

*Christian's POV*

It's been a long day at work. My mind kept wandering to the dark haired, blue eyed beauty I met on Sunday. I've had Taylor drop me by the florist after work to grab some flowers for Anastasia. My mother has always taught me never to come to dinner empty handed and since the grocer already sent Anastasia wine, I've opted for flowers. I find a bouquet of a dozen white roses and they're perfect. Not too forward, but sophisticated and beautiful. Hopefully, Anastasia likes them.

Taylor drops me off in front of her apartment building and I tell him I'll text him when I'm ready. Her apartment is only ten minutes from my own and, for some reason, I'm pleased by this. She's on the third floor, so I make my way to the elevator with the roses and I'm greeted by an old, black woman who is riding up with me. She stares at me, but I keep my eyes in front of me, ignoring her.

"She's one lucky lady." Her raspy voice mentions.

I can't stop my grin, but I still refuse to look at her. "Thank you."

"First date?"

I chuckle and finally look at her. "Obvious?"

She smiles at me. "Don't kiss her."

My eyebrows knit together and the door opens to the third floor.

"Why not?" I ask, making my way out.

I turn towards her and she grins at me as the doors start to close. "Trust me, boy."

I'm left standing, staring at the elevator doors for a second, dumbstruck, until I remember what the fuck I'm doing. I turn and make my way down the hall, stopping in front of the door labeled '3F'.

I can already smell dinner through the door and my mouth begins to salivate. I had an early lunch and I'm more than ready for dinner. I knock three times on the door and wait. I hear heels on a hardwood floor and then the door opens to a smiling Anastasia.

"Hi." She states as I do a quick sweep of her body. She's got a navy dress with pink flowers on that stops mid-thigh. Her hair is down in waves and she looks incredible. I notice her taking an extra long time raking her own eyes over my suit-clad body and I grin.

"Hi." I answer, sounding amused. Her eyes meet mine again and her cheekbones turn pink. She knows I've caught her.

"It looks as though I might be a little underdressed." She states, stepping to the side to allow me entry.

I shake my head. "You look great. I came straight from work."

She nods. "Ah. May I take your jacket?"

I shrug off my gray suit jacket and hand it to her. "Thank you."

She takes it from me and opens the door to a small closet just inside the front door and busies herself with hanging it. My eyes skim over her apartment and I notice it is tiny. A studio apartment. Her whole apartment could fit in my bedroom.

My eyes land on the bed and I imagine Anastasia all curled up among the white linen, her dark hair sprawled out over her pillow. An unwelcome thought runs through my mind and I begin to wonder who else has been in her bed.

The door to the closet clicks closed and I turn my attention back to Anastasia. Hers eyes land on the roses in my hand before they return to me.

"These are for you." I hold them out to her and she takes them with a smile.

"Thank you, Christian." She brings them up to her nose and smells them. "I'm just about ready to pull dinner out of the oven. I hope you like lasagna?" She states, making her way towards the sink. I watch the flowy dress wisp around her thighs as she walks and my dick twitches. A visual of her bent over the counter while I hike that skirt up comes to mind and I lick my lips.

She looks over her shoulder at me while she fills a vase with water and I realize that I haven't answered.

"Lasagna is great, Anastasia. Thank you."

"Please, call me Ana." She pleads, placing the roses in the vase.

I make my way towards the kitchen. "But Anastasia is such a beautiful name."

She bends down to pull the lasagna out and I tilt my head to the side, hoping to get a peek of her panties. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen.

"My full name is ever only used when I'm being chastised."

"Well...I'll change that." I tell her, having a seat at the counter in front of one of the place settings. Her eyebrow raises, but she doesn't say anything.

She makes her way to the small fridge and pulls out a large clear bowl full of salad.

"Is there anything I could help with?" I ask her as she places the bowl of salad on the counter top.

"No, thank you. I've got it." She turns back to the opposite counter to cut the bread and I get up to get the wine out of the fridge. I stop in front of the fridge, realizing I've probably just overstepped a boundary.

Anastasia stops cutting the bread and looks over her shoulder at me, her eyebrows knit together.

"I...um...wine?" I ask, rubbing the back of my neck.

She grins and nods towards the fridge. "Go ahead."

I open the fridge and find the six bottles of wine I ordered lined up along the fridge door. I choose the Bollinger, shut the door, and then stop, realizing I have no idea where anything is.

"Corkscrew?"

She smiles at me and wipes her hands on a dish towel before searching through a drawer. She hands it to me and I busy myself with opening the bottle while she finishes with the bread and places it and the lasagna on the counter top in front of our place settings. Once I have removed the cork, I pick up the bottle and realize there are no wine glasses. She's placing the vase of roses on the counter in front of us when she sees my face.

She giggles. "Glasses?"

Her giggle makes my heart jump and I give her a smile. She puts up a finger and turns to retrieve the glasses out of the cabinet.

"Glasses." She states, placing them in front of me.

"Thank you, Miss Steele." I tell her as I pour the wine.

"You're welcome, Mr. Grey."

*Ana's POV*

As we sit down to eat, I watch Christian roll up his sleeves and can't help but think that even his forearms are sexy. I force myself to look at my plate, worried I might salivate too much over the man sitting beside me. I'm trying my hardest to keep my cool, but he's just so damn beautiful and I haven't really dated much in the past. I'm quite the novice.

I spent half the day fretting over what I was going to wear and the other half of the day fretting over the apartment and what to make. I don't know much about him, but I know he's done well for himself and I'm worried that he might feel a little claustrophobic in my tiny apartment. He seems pretty comfortable in it, which relieves me.

Once the salad and lasagna are served and we take our first bite, I decide to make small talk.

"I want to thank you again for everything you've done. I've been tearing through the food like there's no tomorrow." I laugh and shake my head. "I probably shouldn't be admitting that I've been stuffing my face..."

He laughs and shakes his head. "No, no. I'm glad to hear it. I like hearing that you're eating."

I blush at the sincerity in his voice. "Well, thank you. I found out this morning that I got the job at SIP, so everything will be back to normal."

"Then that's something to celebrate." He picks up his wine glass and I follow suit, holding it up. "To new jobs."

"And new friends." I add before clinking my glass with his. I take a sip of the wine and hum.

"Good?" He asks.

I nod and place my glass back down. "Very. Thank you. "

He laughs. "Will you stop thanking me? It really isn't a problem. I can't bear seeing you go hungry, Anastasia."

My heart gives a jolt. He can't bear it? He barely even knows me.

"Why?" I ask, unable to stop myself.

He shrugs. "I just know how it feels."

My arm stills with my fork halfway to my mouth, realizing. "You're adopted...like Mia?"

He sighs and wipes his mouth with the napkin. "Yes, but I don't like to talk about it."

"I understand." I'm now curious where he came from, but I know it isn't any of my business.

"Tell me about your family."

"Um...well, I'm an only child and my birth father, Frank Lambert, died right after I was born. My mother, Carla, lives in Georgia with her fourth husband and Ray, the man I call Dad...husband number two...lives in Montesano."

"Four husbands, huh?"

I shrug. "My mother...she's sort of a hopeless romantic. She's in love with being in love."

"And you?"

"And me?" I look at him and he searches my face.

"A hopeless romantic?"

I snort. "My degree is in English Literature."

He grins at me and nods. "Point taken, Miss Steele."

"My standards are higher than my mother's." I add, looking him straight in the eye, not wanting him to think I'm as flaky as my mother.

"Noted."

I pick at my lasagna with my fork. "How old are you, Christian?"

"Twenty-seven."

I nod. Five years isn't too bad. If Kate can date a thirty-one year old, I'm definitely not going to fret about five measly years.

"And you?"

"Twenty-two."

His eyebrows knit together. "Young." He states, thinking. "And Kate?"

I grin. "Same."

"Cradle robber." He murmurs under his breath, making me laugh.

"Elliot seems to have this free-spirited, green soul that's good for Kate. He makes her laugh...she needs that." ...And Elliot isn't the oldest she's ever been with...

"And my soul?"

I look at him. "What do you mean?"

"What do you think my soul is like?"

I search his face, not knowing how to answer. "You seem like a serious soul." When he gives me a questioning look, I continue. "You're obviously driven, considering you're in your twenties and own your own company and you consider yourself a type of caregiver, caring for the people around you. You didn't even know me, Christian, but you went out of your way to make sure I was okay. The well-being of others is important to you. If I had to guess, I would imagine that the benefits you give your employees are some of the best around."

A smirk forms on his face and he looks down at his almost empty plate. "I offer free healthcare to all my employees."

I giggle. "That's incredible, Christian." I look down at his empty plate. "Ready for dessert?"

His tongue slips out of his mouth and runs along his bottom. Oh, god. "Please."

I force my eyes off of his incredible mouth and stand, taking our plates to the sink and place the rest of the food on the stove. I open the freezer and pull out the Ben and Jerry's vanilla ice cream along with a bunch of toppings. With my hands full, I make my way back to the counter and place them in front of Christian.

"A bit plain, isn't it?" He asks, teasing.

"Ah, too quickly are you disregarding the potential for something so great." I tell him, pulling out a couple bowls and spoons. "You see, it starts out as plain vanilla..." I explain, dipping some ice cream into his bowl, "but the choice is yours on how you spice it up." I wave my hand over all of the toppings. "You aren't stuck with the same ole thing every single time."

He's smirking up at me and I giggle. "May I?"

He nods. "You may."

"I call this the Ana special." I tell him, first adding hot fudge, then picking up the whipped cream can and shaking it, adding extra whipped cream. I take the chocolate shavings out of their container and sprinkle them on and then add strawberry syrup. I realize I forgot the the cherries and put my finger up while I grab them out of the fridge.

"There we go...and one cherry, from me to you." I tell him plopping it on top.

He gives me a roguish grin. "Ana's cherry, huh? Lucky me."

Oh. My. God. I know my face must be crimson, but I do my best to ignore his cheeky comment and hand him his spoon. "Your spoon, Christian."

"Thank you, Anastasia." He takes the spoon and places it in his bowl, but I see he waits while I make mine.

Once mine is made and I've settled into my seat, he raises his spoon with a scoop of ice cream on it. "Cheers."

I clink my spoon with his. "Cheers."

XxXxXx

I hand Christian his jacket. "This was fun."

He smiles. "It was."

I reach for the handle on the door and open it, allowing him an exit. "Have a-ETHAN?"

Kates brother, my friend, Ethan is standing at the door soaking wet. "What's going on? Come in."

He makes his way in with his hands in his hoodie pocket and I hear him sniffle. I loop my hand into the crook of his arm and steer him toward the couch.

"You're soaked! What happened? Take that off." I tell him, pulling at his hoodie. He's going to freeze.

He helps me pull his hoodie off and then his t-shirt. I grab the throw off the back of my futon and wrap it around his arms. "Have a seat. Let me throw these in the dryer."

He makes his way towards my bed and I point a finger at him. "Freeze! Your pants are soaked! Couch!"

He runs his fingers through his wet, shaggy, blonde hair and plops down on my white futon. I throw his wet tops in the dryer and start it before grabbing the kettle and putting it on the stove to boil. I make my way back over to him and have a seat next to him, tucking my feet under me.

"Now tell me what happened."

His hand goes to my leg, playing the the bottom hem of my dress. "I came home early from my hiking trip since the weather has been so bad and found Rosie and Jose in bed together."

I gasp. "No!" Rosie has been Ethan's girlfriend for six months. She moved in with him just over a month ago, when her parents kicked her out. "Oh, Ethan. I'm so sorry." I slide closer to him and wrap my arms around his arm, squeezing it. "What'd she say?"

He sighs and his head drops back against the futon. "She's been sleeping with him for a month."

"What a bitch."

He lets out a pathetic laugh and nods.

"I like this dress..." He mentions, looking down at the hem he's playing with.

I roll my eyes. "Don't try to change the subject."

"I don't want to talk about it, Stasia. I told her she had two days to get her stuff and get out. Do you mind if I stay a couple nights?"

"Of course, I don't mind. Are you hungry? I made lasagna."

He gives me a true, Ethan smile.

"With sour cream?" I ask, knowing.

"You know just how to make a bloke feel better."

I giggle and pat his knee before I get up to fetch his dinner. I warm his lasagna in the microwave, adding a dollop of sour cream on top, and by the time I'm done, the kettle whistles. I pour us both a cup of hot water and place a tea bag in his, leaving mine on the side while I place everything on the tray. I add a couple pieces of Italian bread on the tray next to his lasagna and carry it over. Once it's on the coffee table, I dip my Twinings English Breakfast Tea in quickly before yanking it back out.

"You know you're wasting our favorite tea by doing that?" Ethan states, grabbing my tea bag off my saucer and dunking it in his cup.

I wrinkle my nose. We might share a love for the same tea, but our tastes are still very different.

I hold up my cup and wait for him to stir in his sugar. "To new beginnings."

He grins and I notice his hair has fallen in his face. He really needs a haircut. I reach up and brush the hair off his forehead before we clink our cups together.

I sit back, enjoying my tea while he takes his first bite of lasagna.

He groans. "I love your lasagna." He states with a full mouth.

There's a throat being cleared behind us and I almost jump out of my skin. Turning quickly, I see Christian still standing at the door. I set my cup on the coffee table and hand Ethan the TV remote. "Knock yourself out."

I make my way to Christian. "Christian...I didn't know you were still here."

He shrugs. "We didn't really say goodbye."

I smile up at him. "I guess we didn't. Are you sure you don't want to take some lasagna home? I have plenty."

"No she doesn't!" Ethan calls from the couch.

"You hush!" I warn, before turning back to Christian. "That's Ethan...Kate's brother. Just ignore him."

Christian's eyebrows knit together, but he nods.

"So, lasagna?"

"Yea, why not."

I grin. "Great!"

I make my way towards the kitchen and pull out a Rubbermaid container, cutting Christian off a big chunk.

"You know, I like mine with Parmesan." His voice is soft in my ear, his breath warm on my neck, and his arm tightens around my waist. As quick as he's there, he's gone. I look back to find him leaning against the opposite counter, his arms folded across his chest, looking nonchalant.

I'm breathless from the sudden attack on my senses, so I nod instead of reply. I make my way to the fridge, putting all my energy into keeping my now jello-legs from making me fall. The last thing I want is for him to have to catch me again. I find the Parmesan and make my way back towards the container, sprinkling on a fair amount before closing the lid.

"All set, Mr. Grey."

"Thank you, Miss Steele." He passes the counter and stops by the open jar of cherries, reaching in and grabbing one. He pops it into his mouth and winks. "Ana's cherry."

My breath catches in my throat, causing me to cough. Cocky and domineering.

He keeps his smug grin on his face as we make our way to the door and I want to kick him in the backside for it.

Once we make it to the door, he takes my hand and pulls me closer to him, gripping my waist. My hands find his arms and I look up at him. Is he really going to do what I think he is?

His eyes dance around my face, his eyes darkening. Kiss me! Just do it! What are you waiting for? He leans in slowly and I hold my breath, waiting. His lips miss mine and end up against my ear.

"Sweet dreams, Anastasia." He says quietly, his baritone voice resonating through my ear canal, making me shiver. I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to keep my senses and when I open them, he's staring down at me, grinning.

I clear my throat. "Good-Goodnight Christian."

He squeezes my waist and releases me, letting himself out. I lean up against the back of the door and let out a deep sigh.

"What the hell was that about?" Ethan asks from the couch.

"Just shut up and eat your lasagna."