A/N: Okay, I am really annoyed. I was re-reading the last chapter and I realized that my last version didn't save that had more about Ana and her mother talking about the baby and some of my typos fixed. I am annoyed, but it is what it is. lol. I'll go back and try to fix the typos later. Just wanted to vent and apologize that Ch 30 isn't the chapter I intended. Now, on to 31 with the hope that it doesn't happen again.

*Ana's POV*

I wake and stretch, Christian's morning wood pressing against my backside as I do. Hmm. I wiggle against it, making it rub against my left asscheek.

"Tease." His voice is rough with sleep, making me smile. He grips my backside and squeezes.

"More like a promise."

"Oh?" His hand finds its way between my legs. "Let me make you wet, then." His fingers find my clit and I find myself grinding my backside into his penis to keep him hard as he plays. His mouth covers any skin it can reach with love bites and I know I'm going to have to wear turtle necks and scarfs the rest of the week, but I find him marking me so fucking sexy that I don't care. By the time he gets me to come, I'm moaning and wiggling all over the place.

He slips his fingers into me."Hmm, someone's wet now." He kisses my ear. "How would you like me today, Anastasia?"

A chill runs through my body, causing me to shiver and my toes to curl, but I still find myself shy when he asks things like that. He knows this and I think he takes joy in the fact that I'm still shy about some things.

He turns me to my back and presses a kiss to my lips. "Tell me, baby. How do you want me."

"However you want."

He shakes his head. "It's not about me this morning. I want to make you feel good." His fingers find my clit again and my eyes roll back in my head. "I know you didn't want me on your side because you would have backed yourself up until I gave you what you wanted." He kisses my nose. "You don't want me on top because you would have tried to pull me onto you. If you wanted to ride me, you would have already climbed on... so tell me, what do you want?"

I'm panting as he talks and plays, my orgasm quickly approaching. When my chin begins to lift, he stops abruptly, making me pout.

"Christian!"

"Tell me how you want me." He teases my clit with his finger.

"Christian, please, I want to come."

"And you will...once you tell me how you want me to fuck you." He continues to slowly circle my clit.

"Oh, please, please... on my hands and knees, okay! Please..."

His finger picks up its pace and I'm a goner, gripping at the sheets as I shatter.

He hums. "Good girl. See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" He pecks me on the lips. "Hands and knees, baby. I need to fuck you now."

I hurry into position, impatient for him to enter me. His dick hits my g-spot so nicely this way. Each thrust sends a jolt of electricity down all four of my limbs.

When he finally enters me, I let out a long, relieved moan. "Oh, yes, Christian. That's what I need." I'm already breathless.

He grips my ass. "Good. Lower your head, sexy. Put your head on the pillow and relax your upper body." I smile and obey, happy that he sounds breathless, too. "Fuck, you're incredible. Your ass...damn." His hands run up and down my spine and grips my backside. "You're all mine, Ana."

I pout. He has yet to do what I crave and it's half the reason I love this position. I whine his name.

"What, baby?" He spanks me and I hum.

"Yes, that." It feels so good.

He uses his other hand on the other side. "That? That's what you want? Fuck, baby, why haven't you told me?"

He spanks me again but I can't answer him. Too close. He thrusts again when his hand comes in contact with my backside and it causes me to come strong and deep, my muscles contracting deliciously around him. When I lose control he's able to keep me against him and he continues through it, giving me another incredible orgasm before he comes, himself.

I roll to my back and stretch. "Mmm...So good, Christian."

He grins beside me. "Good things come to good girls who communicate."

I laugh. "I don't think that's how the saying goes."

He shrugs. "It works in our case. I want you to tell me what you like. I told you from the beginning that we'll explore your likes and dislikes."

I chew on my lip. "But... what if you don't like it?"

He snorts. "Unless it has to do with certain bodily fluids or another person, I doubt it'll be a hard limit for me."

My eyes widen. "Another person? No, no. You're plenty enough for me and I am not about to let another woman have you. No threesomes for us."

"Good to know voyeurism isn't your cup of tea."

I cock an eyebrow at him.

"You don't want me to watch while you are being fucked by someone else... or you don't want to watch while I fuck-"

"Stop it! God. That makes my tummy hurt just hearing it." I roll toward him and hold my stomach. My hormonal self is getting teary-eyed just at the thought. "I can't bear it, Christian." I can't imagine what my mother is going through knowing that her husband had been with another woman.

"Oh, angel, no. Don't cry. You never have to worry about that with me. I'll never be with anyone else." He pulls me against him, our faces so close that our noses are touching.

"No wonder my mother is such a mess, Christian. She just wants the pain to go away." I find myself crying harder and I hate that my emotions have gotten the best of me. We just had mind-blowing sex and I'm laying here sobbing like a lunatic. He lets me though and just holds me, caressing my body and kissing my face, through it.

Finally, I settle back down and we lay there for a few minutes, nose to nose. I feel so stupid about crying that I start to giggle.

He pushes himself up on his elbow and stares down at me, looking amused. "Ana?"

His confusion makes me laugh harder and I find myself in a laughing fit. "I am so ridiculous!" I try to explain between giggles. I try hard to stop, but the giggling still comes sporadically.

"Okay, okay. I'm good. Pregnant Ana is done losing her mind."

"You sure?"

I giggle one last time. "Don't ask me that! My stomach is sore from laughing." I finally sit up and lean against the headboard. My eyes find his tent and my eyebrows shoot up.

"You're horny!"

He laughs. "Your giggle makes me hard."

"Is there anything about me that doesn't?"

He pretends to think about it. "Umm... nope!"

He grabs me and yanks me back down the bed, making me squeal, but I don't even get to kiss him before there's a knock on the door.

"Damn it." He pushes off of me and grabs his pajama pants, throwing me the robe from the hanger on the bathroom door.

Christian looks out the peep hole before opening the door. Standing at the door is my mother, looking much better than she did yesterday. Her hair is curled, her make-up done, looking beautiful in a blue fit and flare dress with beige wedges.

"Oh, Mom, you look great!" I pull her in and hug her, so relieved that she's sober and put together. "Come sit and talk to us. We'll order breakfast."

I watch her only look at my bare chested Christian for a beat before she looks around the room and I'm relieved. She's used to men staring at her unabashedly and she's gotten used to doing the same, but considering the situation, she needs to reign it in a bit.

"This room is beautiful." I can't help, but notice her shaking a little. She's having alcohol withdrawal, but she's keeping sober to see me. It makes me smile.

"It is a beautiful room. Christian spoils me." I give him a wink. "If you'll excuse me for a minute, I'm going to hit the little girl's room. Christian, will you order breakfast for us? You know what I like."

He grins as I make my way across the room towards the bathroom. "Even the chocolate milk?"

"Especially the chocolate milk." I answer, looking over my shoulder.

XxXxXx

We make smalltalk throughout breakfast, but as soon as our forks are set on the table, Christian gets down to business.

"So, Carla, have you thought about our offer?" He manages to look all alpha businessman Christian even in pajama pants, with bedhead, and topless. He's sitting up straight in his chair, his back pressed up against the back, his left elbow and forearm resting against the table while his right lays on the arm of the chair, his thumb and middle finger rubbing together. He might have bedhead, but his eyes are sharp and his jaw is hard. It's impossible to ignore this man when he's in this mode.

Her mouth opens and then shuts. Then opens again. He's caught her off guard and she looks a little like a Koi fish. "I am willing to try the therapy thing and maybe AA, but right now, inpatient doesn't feel right. I've always been able to step away from it and I think I can do it again. Doing an outpatient program will keep me on the right road to recovery."

It's more than I thought she would agree to. I was hoping, of course, but I wasn't holding my breath.

I eye my fiance, who stares her down for a moment. His intense stare makes my mom's chin dip and she twiddles her thumbs like a kid in the principal's office. It's entertaining to see her so nervous.

Leaning back further in his chair, he relaxes. "We'll try it your way and see how it goes. If you see you need more help, don't hesitate to reach out."

My mother looks intensely relieved and tucks her hair. "Thank you. I appreciate your help."

Standing, Christian stretches and I find myself staring shamelessly as his muscles lengthen and tighten, his arms going above his head, his triceps showing magnificently. When he finishes, he cocks an eyebrow at me.

"Don't give me that look. I'll look all I want. You're all mine, for all the days of our lives." I look down at my engagement ring. "You put the ring on it, remember? You know what you got yourself into."

He gives me one of his boyish grins that makes my heart go pitter patter before turning to mush. Leaning down, he kisses me. "I love when you show off my ring. Mine." He pecks my lips again and then taps my stomach with his knuckles.

Straightening back up, he excuses himself. "If you'd pardon me ladies, I'm going to shower. I've got work to do and I work better clean."

I giggle at him and he gives me a wink before heading toward our bedroom, closing the door behind him.

"Now that he's gone, how are you doing Ana?"

My eyebrows shoot up, surprised and confused by what she means by that comment.

"What do you mean, Mom? I'm great! Pregnancy is going pretty smooth and work is wonderful."

She smiles. "That's wonderful, sweetheart. So you're having a boy?"

I nod. "Theodore Raymond Grey. Teddy for short."

"Wow. Naming him after Ray, huh?"

I run my hand over my bump and my smile widens. "Yea. Pretty cool, huh? Dad is so excited about it. We've been calling him Teddy but Dad kept referring to him as Tedmond.. It was super cute... but also completely ridiculous." I giggle.

"How is Ray?" As she puts the coffee cup to her lips, I notice that her tremors are starting to settle a little and it makes me feel better about her wanting to stick to an outpatient program. Some good food and strong caffeine has done wonders.

"He's good. He's currently in full baby mode, making furniture and things for the baby."

Mom shakes her head and grins. "He always loved his woodworking."

"He's good at it."

"I have so many regrets, Ana. If there was one moment I could take back it would be cheating on your father. I was so young and stupid. I really hope... well, I really hope the two of you realize just how precious your relationship is. I don't want what happened to us to happen to you."

I frown. "You...you think I would cheat on Christian?"

"No... Being your mother and knowing you... I'm going to guess Christian is all you know..."

I sigh. "What are you getting at, mother?"

"I worry what he'll do to you."

My anger rises. "You don't even know him."

She nods. "I know I don't, but I spent some time this morning looking him up...and it's obvious that he's had his fair share."

"Mother!"

"Just listen to me! He's been all over the world, been photographed with the most exotic, beautiful woman. He's a damn good looking rich man. Anyone can put together that he's had his fair share of women."

"Point?"

"You're a beautiful girl, Anastasia, but soon you'll have a baby who cries non-stop and you'll be sleep deprived and covered in spit-up while he jet sets around the world, rubbing elbows with others who have money and looks like he does. Hell, he doesn't even have to leave Seattle to find that!"

My mouth is on the floor. I cannot believe my mother is telling me this. "You think Christian would cheat."

"I hate to say it, but yes. People do it all the time... and even when they're in love with their spouse. He's captivated by the relationship now because it's still new, you were ripe for the picking and he took it! You all accidentally got pregnant, but it's a huge boost to his ego and you're so fucking lovable I'm sure his parents love you... so he throws a ring on it, feeling like it's fate! But soon, the newness wears off, along with what he took from you and he starts looking for something different. Someone who is more experienced."

My tears well to the surface, my mother not realizing how much of a fear this is for me. I cannot give him what his contracts have and I am in constant worry that he'll need that again. And now a new fear is realized. Christian didn't just sleep with his contracts... of course not. I imagine him finding some sexy thing during one of the many galas and parties that he'd attend, taking no time in ripping her dress off of her and diving in. I'm sick to my stomach and suddenly feel so stupid and inferior. Petite and pale, I could never compare to them.

"Why are you trying to hurt me?" I sniffle.

"Oh, Ana. I'm trying to keep Christian from hurting you. I'm not saying he will, but I want you to think about waiting on that wedding. See how things go first. Don't do what I do. Don't give him all of you. Save some for yourself."

I take a gasping, shuddering breath and stand. "I need you to go. You need to go."

"Ana... please don't be mad-"

I put my hand up to shut her up. "We'll talk later. For now, I need you to go. I need to navigate this."

*Christian's POV*

I can't read Carla well enough to know if this outpatient stuff is really going to work for her. All we can do is wait and see. I know I'll need to keep a close eye on her when she's around. I know Ana wants to think that her mother doesn't affect her like she used to, but it's very obvious that she still has a tight hold over her daughter. I doubt that Carla even realizes how her feelings and actions affect Anastasia. It's obvious she feels abandoned by Ana, even though Ana just wanted to get out of their abusive situation. I can't imagine that either one of them realize that Carla was abusing and using her, but that's what it was and I can't continue to let that happen. She won't be calling my fiance sobbing every time she picks up a bottle.

Seeing Carla today sober and put together was a breath of fresh air compared to last night. She looks so much younger and prettier when she isn't nursing her vodka. Standing next to Ana today, she looked more like her sister than her mother. I know that she had Ana young, but I'm not sure their age difference.

I plan on taking Ana to Tybee Island today so I can spend some time with her at the beach. I think the sand and saltwater is what we need to cleanse the rest of the bullshit away from the last couple of months. If Ana and her mother are doing well this morning, I might be forced to share the experience with both of them and I don't know how I feel about that. I won't tell Carla to fuck off if they're bonding, but I don't want to share Ana. Not today.

I pull up my laptop and make quick work with sorting through my emails, ignoring the ones that aren't emergent. They can wait.

The one I need to see is from one of our attorneys, Alexei Mizrahi, but there isn't any. He told us last week that they would be setting the date for Emma's bail hearing soon and that once he knew when, he'd tell us. Emma has spent some extra time in the hospital while they worked with her. She obviously has deeper seeded issues than we realize. I wish I could have seen signs back when I first met her, but honestly, even thinking about it now, there were none. She seemed like the normal run of the mill submissive... if there is such a thing. She was eager to get started, but when you hang money, sex, pain and pleasure in front of a submissive, all of them are.

I hated that she had to be the one that got the brunt of most of my anger though. I was turning into more of a sadist than anything, my frustration over not getting the high that I usually get with domination becoming almost too much to bear. I didn't know why my interests were changing and I didn't want them to change. It was an inconvenience to change and I wanted to fuck when and how I wanted to without all the feelings and intimacy going into it.

Elliot catching us was one of the best things to ever happen to me. It caused me to reevaluate my life and see that I needed more than that life was giving me. I couldn't be one of those dominants that gave love and affection. It wasn't something I could bear. But still, I didn't want the cold heartless fucking I once had.

Obviously, fate knew what I needed better than I did, considering everything lined up perfectly after I walked away from it. Affection and intimacy are no longer hard for me. At least, not with my Anastasia. I feel intense guilt for what I put Emma through, but now that she's come after the love of my life, I can't bother to care. I'll plow through anyone that dares to hurt her.

I yank my tablet out of my briefcase and pull up the business plan for the CarShare Application group I spoke with on the plane yesterday. They'd been dragging their feet because they weren't pulling the numbers that they were hoping to pull before we sat down together. Their numbers aren't horrible, but their marketing team is. They're marketing to intercity singles without vehicles, which is smart, but what would be smarter is offering the carshare opportunity to colleges and universities. If we had a dedicated spot for our vehicles on campus, college aged students would have access to vehicles 24/7. Only a small percentage of students living in dorms have their own cars. I make notes using my stylus to run it through my own marketing team.

I move on from there, looking over and signing off some building permits, work releases, and approvals for other ventures. I make another note about looking into other automotive ventures considering that buying in bulk can drastically cut costs for new vehicles. Possibly a car rental at our new airline?

My eyes catch the time and I realize it's been hours. Fuck. Once I'm in my zone I get tunnel vision.

Where is my Ana?

Standing, I stretch and leave the bedroom in search of my blue eyed beauty. After a few steps, I still. Everything is quiet and the room is empty. Confused, I make my way deeper into the room and notice the curtain to the balcony door blowing slightly. I make my way over and find my girl curled up in a lounger, her back to me.

"Ana?" I say her name so I don't startle her.

"I'm here." She answers, her voice sounding pensive. She doesn't bother to turn so I have a seat next to her and rub her back.

"What's on your mind, angel?" My eyes catch her half opened laptop beside us and I see my face. Reaching over her, I open her screen a little further and see multiple pictures of myself with different women. "What is this? What's going on?"

She smacks the laptop shut. "Don't. I can't look at it anymore."

"Why are you looking at it in the first place?" Why would she do this to herself?

"I don't know why it never occurred to me that you had women before me. Outside of the contracts, I mean."

By the way she says it, I can tell she doesn't mean dates. "Why does it matter?"

She sniffles, but doesn't answer me. I know she's been crying but her face is hidden by the thick bathrobe.

"I need you to turn toward me." When she does, my breath leaves me. Her eyes are so bloodshot and swollen, her face splotchy from crying. Her nose is bright red and her lip is bleeding and raw from chewing it too hard.

I breathe out her name. "What happened to you?"

"I can't be enough for you."

"What?" A shiver runs through me even though it's so hot and humid that my t-shirt is sticking to my back.

"Where is this coming from? Where'd you get such a ridiculous-" I stop. "Your mother!" It clicks. "What the fuck did that bitch say to you?" I stand, spinning, looking for my phone. "Where is my fucking phone? I'll level this bitch." I stomp back into the suite, through the living area, straight to the bedroom where I left it on the desk next to my other electronics.

I quickly find her name and wait for her to pick up. She doesn't. It goes to voice-mail.

"Carla!" I growl into the phone. "You and I are going to talk. You either come to me or I come find you. You will not take what is mine." I hit the end call button and slam my phone down on the desk. Gripping my hair, I turn, needing to go back to Ana, but find her standing at the entryway to our bedroom.

"My Ana." My hands fall to my sides. I take a couple of strides and hold her face between my hands. I look her over one more time before I press a kiss to her chapped, broken lips. "I need you to talk to me. I need to know what happened...what she said. I need to know so I can fix this."

"I can't compare to those other women, Christian. They're tall and toned...tan... exotic and posh. I'm pale and petite and...bland."

The way she speaks about herself makes me angry.

"Don't you dare talk about yourself like that! I won't have it, Anastasia. You are gorgeous, angel. You take my breath away." My hands run down her arms and I grip her hips. "When I first saw you... my whole world stopped. You stood next to Kate who was dressed to perfection, but she still paled in comparison to you. My whole body went into overdrive seeing you stand there in your cute little jeans that showed off that ass of yours. You always say your body reacts to me so easily, but can you see how mine does, too? I get charged up just having you in the same building. I spend all day at work itching to get to you. When we're in the same room, my body is in constant overdrive. Can't you see that? Feel that?" I pull the tie on her robe and push it off her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet. I run my hands down the center of her body, circling her bump, before reaching around to pull her to me, my fingers digging into her bare backside. "I have never responded to anyone like I have with you. I have never had the urges with anyone that I have with you. I ache for a connection. Just the touch of your hand, a caress to the small of your back... I've never cared for that before. Now I can't imagine living without it."

She's watching me with tearfilled eyes and I don't know what else I can say... what else I can do to show her. She just stares up at me while I knead her backside. Taking a chance, I decide to try to show her the only way I know how.

Crouching down, I use my right arm to pick her up under the swell of her ass, my left gripping her thigh to hold her steady. I lay her against the sheets and I pull off my t-shirt, keeping my eyes locked with hers, hoping that they'll tell me if she's uncomfortable. I unzip my jeans and when I push them down my legs, I see her hips wiggle. That's all the validation I need.

I climb onto the bed and spread her legs, dipping down to kiss her center. She tastes salty and sweet, a mix of both of us, and my tongue comes out to lap at her. I hear her moan and her legs bend and open for me, allowing me full access to her.

I take my time, giving her what she wants, showing her how I feel about her. I take her over the edge over and over again until her body has gone slack.

"Christian, Christian... please." She lets out a sob and it gets my attention. "I need you."

A second later, I'm hovering over her, pressing my lips to hers. Her leg wraps around my waist and she pulls my hips closer to her. Pivoting a little, I slip into her easily and she pulls away from my lips, her breath shuddering.

"How can this not be enough? Can't you feel it? Feel us! It's never been like this before. Only you, Ana." My lips find her neck where I start to nibble and suck, feeling so relieved when she practically purrs below me. The sounds she makes when I touch her neck are so fucking erotic, I swear I could blow a load without a touch from her.

"One more time for me, Ana." I coax. I can feel her getting closer, her body sucking and swallowing me in deeper everytime I pull away from her.

"I can't." She whimpers and I know she's almost to her limit. But not yet.

"Yes, you can. Your body wants it. Just once more. Feel me, Ana. Concentrate on me. On every inch in and every inch out. Stretching you...filling you. So deep. Fuck, you feel so good. You're tightening, baby. You're right there..." I pick up my speed and her body bows, her center gripping me like a vice. "That's it. That's perfect... fuck!" I come like a damn freight train and I feel like a damn fish spasming on top of her uncontrollably. "God damn it. I think I'm blind."

My forehead rests against hers as I blink a few times. Finally her beautiful blue eyes come into view. They're still swollen, red, and bloodshot, but they're still my favorite shade in the world. They're smiling up at me, the haunted look gone. The blue is so clear, I feel like I can see forever.

"I want to take you to Maldives for our pre-honeymoon."

"What?"

Unable to hold myself up any longer, I roll off of her and pull her to me. "I want to take you somewhere you can see just what I see when I look into your eyes. Nothing but crystal blue. Just you and me. No people, no security. You and me on a private island. Soon. Before you can't fly anymore. A couple weeks... maybe three depending on when we go."

Her eyes widen. "Christian, we have to work."

"We'll find a way. We'll work remotely... part time. We need this break from the world."

Both of her palms reach up and rest against my chest, pressed against my heart. "My sweet Christian." She sighs. "I can't deny you."

"Why would you want to?"

"For my own sanity. I have this heavy feeling in my chest like I know I'm going to end up shattered by you one day, but I can't wrap my head around it. Every day I get to wake up to you and be with you... becoming your wife even for a short time will be worth the pain I might find myself in later."

My heart aches at her words. "I'd never hurt you, Ana. I'll never be unfaithful. I don't know how else I can show you or explain to you...don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do. And I don't doubt that you believe it deep down to your soul. I believe everything you tell me is true, but it only takes a second for something to change. You'll be out with people like you while I'm at home with Teddy, looking exhausted and unkempt... and it'll just happen."

I swallow back my tears. "You think I have it in me to be intimate with another woman while my wife is at home taking care of my son? You really think I'm capable of that?"

Sighing, she frowns. "Logically, no, but feeling happy and free with no worries-"

"No. Even when I can't be with you physically, my mind always is. I don't have any plans on going to anything unless you're on my arm. If you can't, then it'll be Mia or my mother and my phone will be glued to my hand so I can be connected to you. It'll never be fun to leave you or Teddy behind."

"You don't think you'll ever miss the simplicity of it?"

"No, because loving you is easier. Being with you is natural. Your mother is filling your head with shit. She's projecting her fears from her own life onto you."

Finally, she nods. "Yes, I suppose you're right. She got into my head."

I grin, relieved that she's thinking logically again. "Face it, Ana. You ruined me for other women. You can't get rid of me that easy. I'll never get my fill of you. I'll be chasing you naked across the house when we're eighty, trying to grab some ass."

My comment makes her laugh out loud. "I wouldn't put that past you."

I press a kiss to the bridge of her nose. "Let me deal with your mother."

She gives me a worried glance. "You'll still help her, won't you?"

"Yes. If that's what you want."

She smiles. "Yes."

"Now, what I want is for you to get your sexy ass in the shower so we can eat and laze in cabana."

"A cabana? At the beach?" She sits up and gives me a smile.

I nod. "At Tybee."

She launches herself off the bed, heading toward the bathroom. "My Christian wet on the beach in nothing but swim shorts? I've died and gone to heaven!"

I chuckle. Wait until we get to Maldives.