A/N: The jewelry items mentioned below are Cartier Reference # H7000479 and Tiffany Co Product # 60151167
*Ana's POV*
"So what do you think?"
Jesse stands beside me in my office while we look over three options for a book illustration that has just rolled out. It's a romance book that is set in Ireland that has dashes of magic in it. I actually liked the book; the magic was subtle and seemed organic considering it is set in beautiful Ireland, which has magic of its own.
"Is this a test?" I suddenly feel on the spot.
He laughs. "I just want to know what you think."
"You're not going to like what I think." I'm honest. These three options have couples on them, all of which their hair and her long dress are blowing in the wind.
"Try me."
I shrug. "I hate them all."
His shoulders sag as he sighs. "Me, too."
"This cover is way over done. It's set in Ireland for Christ's sake. It should show the beauty of Ireland. The thick greenery and beautiful woods... the nature of Ireland and the magic of the land. A worn path through the woods or a cottage surrounded by foliage.. something. We don't need another good looking couple on the front." I'm a little annoyed that our illustration department didn't come up with something more unique.
His thumb rubs across his bottom lip as he mulls it over. "Yea... yes, I agree. I'll schedule a meeting for you and them after lunch."
Oh? I'm surprised he's including me instead of just telling them himself.
"Okay." I don't know what else to say.
He busies himself with picking up the illustrations from the table. "Ava and I were planning on heading over to Eden this Friday evening for awhile. Since you're interested in meeting her, I was wondering if you and Grey would be there."
"Eden?" I've never heard of it.
He laughs at my confusion. "Yes, Ana. One of Grey's Clubs? I know he owns a lot of things, but surely you hadn't forgotten." He teases me.
"Oh, right. Sorry, brain was still in work mode. Sure! I'd love to meet Ava. I'll talk to Christian." I have no idea what the fuck he's talking about. Christian owns a club?
He gives me a smile. "Great! We'll make it a double date!"
As he leaves my office, I have a seat in my chair and relax back for a second. I'm happy. I think Jesse and Christian could become good friends and it'll be fun to go out for a night and dance. I don't care if I'm pregnant. If Christian is the owner, they can't tell me to take a hike. It never occurred to me that Christian owned other businesses around Seattle, which is ridiculous. Of course he does. I need to have a sit down with him about it.
XxXxXx
Christian worked late tonight, but promised to bring dinner for us home. I sit on the couch with a bag of chips watching 90 Day Fiance, but I'm getting anxious for real food. Chop Chop, Christian.
When I hear the keys in the door, I push myself up and make my way to the door, meeting him just as he opens it.
"Ooh! Gimme, gimme, gimme!" I make grabby hands at the bag of food he's holding. It makes him laugh.
"Nice to see you, too, honey."
I give him a sweet grin and kiss him. "Okay, I kissed you now give me the food!"
I take it from him and hurry into the kitchen to empty its contents and plate the food while he puts his briefcase and coat away.
Opening the containers, I see he got us Italian. Salad, chicken fettuccine alfredo, bread sticks, and cream horns for dessert. I have to keep myself from drooling into our plates.
"Everything look okay?" Christian is behind me, pressing a kiss to the back of my head.
"Wonderful. You couldn't have picked a more perfect pregnancy meal." I grin at him.
"Glad you like it. I'm going to have to do double cardio tomorrow to burn it off."
His comment makes me laugh. "Keep that second set of cardio for me, will you?"
He hums. "Don't worry. I'll always have the energy to have my way with you."
We sit at the island to eat and after I get a few good bites in, I decide to bring up what Jesse said earlier.
"Do you have plans Friday night?"
"You mean besides fucking your brains out?"
"Christian!" I try to admonish him, but his comment makes me laugh. "That's your plan every night."
He nods. "You're not wrong... but this weekend, we need to pack up. What do you have in mind for Friday?"
"Well, Jesse knows I want to meet Ava, so he mentioned that they would be at Eden and we should stop by." I eye him and see that his fork stops halfway to his mouth. He lowers it to his plate.
"Ana, I don't think that's a good idea."
My eyebrows knit together. "Why? I thought you and Jesse squashed what was between you."
He nods. "We did."
"Is it because I'm pregnant? I can still dance!"
"I know you can." His eyes meet mine. "Well, do you not want to be seen with me?"
"Don't be silly, Ana."
"Then what is it?"
He sighs and pivots toward me. "Ana... do you know what kind of club Eden is?"
I chew my lip. "No... I didn't even know you owned any clubs until he mentioned it."
"Angel..." He laughs. "It's an alternative lifestyle club."
"A what?"
"BDSM...DD/LG...Doms and Dolls...etcetera. Just to give you a perspective."
My mouth is open in shock. "It's a BDSM club?" Of course it would be.
"It's a little more in depth than that, but yes."
My stomach sours. "How often do you go?" The thought of him surrounded by submissives of his choosing makes me sick. I place my fork down.
"I haven't been since I met Emma there."
"I thought you got Emma from the pedo?"
He rolls his eyes at my choice of words. "She introduced us there."
"I already told Jesse that it sounded good." I wish I didn't.
"Tell him you changed your mind. We're not going."
I scowl at him. "You're going to tell me what to do now? I can't tell him that! I had to lie already and pretend that I knew what he was talking about! I can't embarrass myself in front of my boss."
"You're really going to fight about this? You don't even want to go!"
"I never said I didn't want to go."
"You put your fork down. I know you. You're stomach soured at the thought of it. Just tell him you aren't feeling well."
"But you own it, Christian."
"So?"
"So, I want to see it!"
"What is with you and needing to see things that might upset you? You're pregnant, Ana. I don't want to put any added stress on you. I've been thinking about selling it, anyway."
"Well, I want to see it before you sell it. Morbid curiosity, I guess, Christian... but look how well the last thing turned out. We had a lot of fun! You always tell me that you will explore my curiosity with me... well, call me curious." I don't know why I want to go so bad, but I do.
It's quiet while he stares intently at me. I give him a few seconds.
"Ana... listen. I cannot go back to that world. I won't do to you-"
"I understand and I don't want that, but I want to see what the hypes about. I'm still young! Just because I'm pregnant and engaged doesn't mean I can't still act my age."
"I'll think about it."
I can't hide my look of surprise. I thought he'd get angry and demand that we not go. "That's all I ask."
"Now eat your food."
*Christian's POV*
I really don't understand Anastasia's stubbornness about seeing this club of mine. I have other clubs we could go to that aren't catered to alternative lifestyles, but she's determined to go. Her morbid curiosity and stubbornness mixed with the need to be accepted by her coworkers must be fueling her want.
After some shopping today, I've decided I'll compromise with her. If she doesn't agree to compromise, I can't allow us to go.
I hear the door and look up from my laptop; my girl is making her way in.
"Right on time, angel."
She has her hands on her hips. "You had to pencil in a meeting for us? Really? You couldn't just tell me to come on up?"
I give her a grin. "I wanted it to look official incase this goes a little longer than expected. Come sit." I wave her towards me and she has a seat across from my desk.
"What's on your mind, Christian?"
"Eden."
Her eyebrow cocks. "...and?"
I sigh. "I've thought long and hard about it. I don't really understand your need to go somewhere so outside of your comfort zone...but, I'm not sure even you know why you want to go." I stop and watch her chew her lip. Her silence shows me she doesn't understand it either. "Okay, then, I've decided that if you compromise, we'll go."
"And what if I don't?"
"We won't go."
"I'll go without you."
"The hell you will!" My anger rears up and I practically growl out the sentence. "It isn't safe for you there! You are not taking my child somewhere where he can get hurt. Hell, you aren't taking my fiance there!"
"If it's so dangerous why the fuck do you own it?"
God damn it. "It's not dangerous for people who understand it!"
She puts her hand up to stop me. "Okay, hold on. Let's just breathe. I'm sorry. This compromise... what does it entail?"
I unlock my side drawer and open it, pulling out a Cartier box. I place it in front of her. "If we go, I need you to wear this."
She looks down at the box, her fingertips running over the red wax seal on the white paper. "This looks expensive."
I nod. "Very."
"That makes me nervous."
"It shouldn't."
She rolls her eyes, but looks over the wrapping, trying to figure out how to open it. "It's so beautiful, I don't want to ruin it."
Her comment makes me smile. My family and a couple of my past contracts just tear into it, excited for the gift. Anastasia is enjoying the whole experience. I love that.
Her finger tips work the wax seal, making sure she doesn't break it, before she opens the paper, unfolding it delicately. I patiently wait for her to unwrap it, and slowly the red box shows itself and the white packaging lays flat on the surface.
She opens the top of the red box and lets out a light laugh. "There's another box. This is too fancy for my blood."
I grin. "Get used to it, angel. This leather one keeps it safe."
Reaching in, she pulls out the red, leather box. "Woah, it's heavy." She places it down on the desk in front of the other box and pulls it open. I watch her as her eyes take in the piece on the desk. Her eyes widen and both hands go to her mouth with a gasp.
"This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Her eyes meet mine and I give her a smile.
"It's all yours, baby. You deserve it."
The pads of her index fingers glide over the hundreds of diamonds that rest along the white gold Agrafe necklace. Eight-hundred and nine brilliant-cut diamonds to be exact. It's a thick, brick patterened choker, five layers high with a hook and loop closure.
"Let's try it on." I'm realizing she doesn't know the real meaning behind it yet and I'm partly hoping she never does. I hope she thinks it's just a gift I want her to wear.
I stand and take the thick choker from its box, unclasping it before placing it on her thin neck. "Fuck, you look incredible." She looks beautiful in diamonds. "Come to the bathroom to see."
I escort her to my personal bathroom and she looks shocked. Her fingers come up to graze the necklace. "It looks like...it..." She stops. Her face pales. "You want me to wear a collar?" She twirls on her heel and I suddenly find myself wanting to climb into the shower and close the glass door so she can't kill me.
"It's not a collar, Anastasia. It's just a choker. Just a small reminder that you're taken is all."
"It's the same fucking thing! I'm not a submissive Christian! Get this off of me!" Before she can rip the expensive necklace off herself I hurry to get her out of it. "How could you do that to me?" Her eyes are full of tears as she stomps out of the bathroom. I manage to grab her wrist as she gets to the door and spin her around, trapping her between my arms while my hands rest on beside each of her shoulders.
"You cannot run. We're talking about this!"
"Why would I wear that?"
"Why wouldn't you want to? Men and women are already going to be on the prowl and that necklace will stop some of them. I need all the help I can get." She rolls her eyes again and I give her a warning grunt. I'm sick of the eye rolling.
"I'm pregnant. No one is going to want anything to do with me."
Now I roll my eyes. "That isn't going to deter anyone. Some might even like it."
Her eyes widen and I the corner of my mouth lifts into a crooked grin. "There's a kink for everything, baby."
"But isn't being with you and Jesse enough?"
"Ana, I just need everyone to know you're mine." My arms finally drop to my side, feeling like she's past her need to run.
She scowls at me. "So I have to wear this collar you've dipped in diamonds so everyone will know I'm taken while you go just as you are? That isn't fair."
"Now, that, I never said."
She looks taken aback. "You... you're going to wear something?"
I give her a grin and she bites her bottom lip. "Come with me."
We both have seat back at my desk and I show her my own blue Tiffany box. She picks up the small box and examines it. "No collar for you, then?"
I laugh and take the box from her. "Not around my neck, no." I open the box and pull the narrow Tiffany T 18k white gold band from its place and hand it to her.
"It's pretty. And this... this is supposed to keep the subs from flocking to you?" She hands it back me.
"If I wear it on my left hand, it'll work as well as that choker of yours." I give her a wink and slip it on my ring finger, showing her.
"God, that looks so sexy on you."
I laugh. "Yea? Have a thing for married guys?"
She shakes her head and giggles. "Just you. I can't wait to be married." She pushes out of her chair and comes to my side of the desk so she can have a seat in my lap. The action relieves me because I know the hard part of the argument is over. I watch as she takes my left hand between hers and she runs her palms over my hand, taking in the ring.
"So, you'll wear it?" I ask, hoping my ring calmed her enough to agree.
"If we're compromising, then I have a request, too."
"Oh?" I ask, nuzzling into her neck. I love having her so close. "Tell me."
"If I wear the... um... necklace... that's what I'm going to call it-"
"Which is what it is." I cut in. It is not a collar.
"Right. Then I want you to wear that ring on your finger until it's replaced by a wedding band."
"Like an engagement ring?" I like that.
"Yes."
She looks at me and I press a kiss to her lips. "Deal."
*Ana's POV*
For some reason I am feeling extremely self conscious and nervous about this evening. I'm dressed in a form-fitting off the shoulder black dress that stops two inches below the knee with half sleeves that stop at my elbow. The...necklace... looks great on my naked neck, and it's the reason I chose the off the shoulder dress I did. I'm wearing my black peep-toe stiletto booties so that my feet won't swell as much and my hair is up high to show off the expensive piece on my neck. I have simple teardrop diamond earrings in and a diamond tennis bracelet on my wrist. Nothing I own compares to what's on my neck, so I wanted to keep the other pieces minimal.
I feel confident in my outfit and my smoky make-up and burgundy lipstick, but I still worry I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb. I feel like there is going to be a billboard announcing my newness to this kind of thing. An outsider. Hopefully having Christian with me will make it less obvious. He's definitely seasoned.
I make my way out of the bedroom and find Christian standing in the living room waiting for me.
"Ana." His jaw drops, making me feel even more confident. "You look gorgeous. If you refused to wear my necklace tonight there would have been no way I'd let you go looking like that."
I roll my eyes at his comment. He isn't going to tell me where I can and cannot go. I let it go though, not wanting to ruin the evening. Instead, I look him over. He's in dark wash jeans, a dark blue button down with gray vest and matching gray tie. His sleeves are rolled up exposing his forearms and the steel gray wrist watch and white gold ring that he hasn't taken off since he slid it on yesterday. So fucking sexy.
"Fuck." I breathe out. "I need to go get my bat." I turn on my heel, but he grabs my wrist, pulling me to him while he laughs.
"A bat, Ms. Steele?"
I nod, my hands gripping his pant pockets. "How else am I supposed to beat the women off?"
His head falls back in a laugh. "I'm sure you'll do just fine on your own, angel."
"Do I at least look like I could fit in?" I ask, taking a step back so he can look me over again. I spin.
"Unfortunately. God, everyone is going to want you, Ana. Men and women alike. You're going to be the most beautiful woman there."
I roll my eyes. "You only think that cause you're in love with me."
"I've still got eyes. I've seen my fair share of women-"
I hiss at him.
"-And none of them compare to you."
XxXxXx
There is a beat thumping out of the doors of the club that's situated on the corner of two streets that I've never been down. It's down closer to the seedy part of Seattle that I've never dared to go. It's a black brick building with a line of people waiting to get in, most in leather and black, some dressed in pastels and frilly dresses, a few holding leashes while their companion stands next to them in collars attached.
"I don't think I'm going to fit in Christian." My eyes are wide as Taylor drives past the line of people.
"You better not."
My eyes meet his and his eyebrows are knit together. He looks worried.
"You okay?"
He shrugs. "Ready to get this over with."
I frown. "Are you sure you're not embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Absolutely not. You're the only reason I'm going. I want to show you off."
I smile at his words and he winks at me. When Taylor stops at the curb, Sawyer jumps out from the passenger front and opens my door for me. My heart is thudding in my chest. Everyone has turned to see who is climbing out.
I look over my shoulder at Christian one more time before I slip out. He gives me an encouraging nod and slides closer so he can slip out behind me. Why the fuck did I want to do this?
I climb out and feel like I'm in one of those nightmares where you're naked and everyone is staring. I actually look down to make sure that I am covered. As Christian slips out and stands tall, his shoulders back and his chin raised an inch, I notice chins fall in the crowd.
His arm slips around my back and holds my waist. "Anastasia, come."
My feet begin to move on their own and I feel completely intimidated by the man beside me. I can feel the dominance dripping off of him. His eyes stay straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the crowd and he ushers me straight to the front door.
"Mr. Grey..." The bouncer gives him a nod and moves the rope so we can cut past the line, Sawyer sticking close behind us. He opens the solid steel door for us and I'm immediately surrounded in darkness, fog, and the deep bass from the song Lick by Joi. It smells strongly of leather and I wonder if they pump the smell through the air filtering system.
I blink a few times trying to get used to the dim lighting and see that the lighting around the club is all shades of red and gold, the only spotlights sitting around the wall lighting up people on small stages. There's a female in red leather lingerie and bunny ears dancing in a small black jail cell, a male in a black leather mask and nothing else except a cage around his penis is sitting in a metal chair while a woman in a black leather one peice with sky high boots holds a riding crop in her hand that she keeps beating him with. Yet another stage shows a woman in a pastel babydoll dress riding on a sybian while others watch with their hands between their legs. Another shows a woman tied down and bent over while a man wearing black briefs and leather straps across his body hits her with a whip. She's actually bleeding.
I have to look down. This is way past my comfort zone. My stomach is in knots. No wonder Christian didn't want me to come. I look up at him and see his gaze surveying the crowd. He looks completely at ease being around this and it's a hard pill to swallow. I can't figure out how he can go from this world to mine so quickly. He must feel my gaze cause he looks down at me.
"Still with me, angel?" He asks in my ear.
I shrug. I don't know.
"Do you understand now why I didn't want you to see this?"
I give him a nod, even though I am still glad I came. I need to comprehend where he came from. There was no way I could have known if not seeing it myself.
I continue to look around as he pushes through people to get to our VIP section. There is a large red couch and coffee table and a high top table with chairs. I begin to have a seat on the red couch, but when I see a woman eating out another woman on the couch next to ours, I steer towards the chairs. I can't imagine the amount of body fluid those couches have seen. I hear Christian chuckle behind me as he pulls my chair out for me and helps me climb up.
He slides into one beside me and leans in to kiss me. I can't help but look down to his groin and I catch him rolling his eyes at me.
"You don't have to worry about me getting stiff here, angel. Only for you and only behind closed doors. This public shit never got me going."
"But you said you met others here."
He shakes his head. "I already told you we met up here. I didn't like meeting them the first time at my home. I'm too private for that."
Looking over the dance floor I see people in furry animal costumes, people dressed as babies with pacifiers clinging or being held by their partners, leather as far as the eye can see, people dancing with blow-up dolls, and even a woman pulling a man around by his penis. I hadn't realized just how many people were actually hiding their kink and/or lifestyle.
A small smile forms on my face. "It's pretty neat that all these people can come here and feel comfortable being who they truly are." I admit to Christian.
He looks shocked at first, but then gives me a warm grin. "Do you realize just how special you are, Anastasia? To be so open-minded and accepting of everyone... that's such a unique quality, angel." He kisses me hard. "I'm the luckiest man alive."
The waitress takes our drink orders. I am boring with my bottle of water and Christian gets bourbon on rocks. We sit in comfortable silence while his upper arm rests against the back of my chair, his hand massaging the back of my neck above the choker. I see him scowl at random people who look our way and I know his hand is there to claim me, but it doesn't bother me. Seeing how free everyone is here makes me want to be claimed by him so no one else tries anything.
"There they are." Christian nods in the opposite direction and I turn to see Jesse coming through in a dark gray sweater and black leather pants, a beautiful brunette with dark brown eyes on his arm. She's wearing a tight burgundy dress that stops mid-thigh and shows off her assets beautifully. I feel so out of my element. If this club is full of women that look like that, Christian has had plenty to choose from... and yet, he chose me. I can't help but feel a little cocky.
We slip off our chairs to greet them and Jesse surprises me by hugging me to him. "Looking good, Ana. You make pregnancy look easy." I roll my eyes at his compliment as he releases me and greets Christian.
"Ava, this is Christian Grey and Ana Steele. Grey... Ana... this is the love of my life Ava O'Shea...soon to be Ward."
His introduction makes us laugh.
"Nice to finally meet you, Ava. This man is obsessed with you."
She rolls her eyes. "I know. It gets irritating sometimes." I giggle at her admission. "He talks about you a lot, too. I almost came to GP to meet you myself, but he stowed my jealousy when he said you were pregnant and marrying the owner."
"Oh gosh. You don't have anything to worry about there. I'm as obsessed with Christian as Jesse is with you."
I look at Christian, who is beside me and he gives me a knowing glance. "See! I wasn't the only one."
I roll my eyes. "Yes, but she didn't come rolling in like a damn baboon throwing her weight around."
Jesse and Ava laugh as Christian smacks my ass playfully.
It isn't long before we make our way out towards the dance floor in front of our VIP section. Ava and I are having the time of our lives dancing, our hands clasped in each other's, while Christian and Jesse dance up against us. It's easier to feel at ease in our own little bubble and the rest of the club seems to melt away. It isn't until I feel Christian disappear behind me that I'm yanked back to the present.
I turn and see him talking to another man wearing a black polo with the club named embroidered on his breast pocket. It must be the manager. He looks over his shoulder, points to Jesse, and waves him over. Well that's odd. Ava and I both give each other a quizzical look.
"I need to hit the restroom!"
Ava nods and points to herself. "Me, too."
I grab the crook of Sawyer's elbow and he leans down so I can tell him. I use his big body to our advantage and let him push through the crowds of people while I follow behind him, holding Ava's hand as I tug her along so we don't get separated.
I see a line in the bathroom and my shoulders drop. Just great. Sawyer continues to steer us in another direction though and reaches into his pocket. A black card emerges and he waves it on a censor. The door reads 'VIP'.
He enters with us and I see a large lounge with gold wallpaper and burgundy seating. Across the way are six other doors and the one open shows a toilet and sink inside.
"Oh, thank God." I sigh out and hurry over to one of the open doors to relieve myself. As I sit, my legs feel so heavy and my feet feel too big for my shoes. We haven't even been here for two hours and I feel like I could go home and lay for hours.
Begrudgingly, I stand and shimmy my dress down my swollen legs. Where's Christian when I need him? I'm sure he could sweep me off my feet and duck out a side door so we could go home. I pout as I wash my hands and make myself clean up my makeup a little before I step back out.
Ava is waiting for me on one of the couches and smiles and stands when she sees me.
"God, I hope I look as good as you when I'm further along."
I laugh. "I feel like a hippopotamus. Wait... further? Are you pregnant?"
She gives me a smile that lights up her whole face. "I just found out this morning. I'm going to tell Jesse this weekend."
"That's Incredible, Ava! Congratulations!" I hug her.
When I release her, she shakes her head. "Jesse is already so possessive. God, It's going to be a miserable nine months."
We laugh together as we follow Sawyer back out to the VIP section.
An arm slips around me and I look to my side, expecting it to be Christian, but a large white bald man has me in his grip. I yell for Sawyer but before he can even turn around, the man turns us and we come face-to-face with a very pissed Jesse.
His fist comes up and hits the man hard in the face, effectively sending him to the floor as Sawyer's arm comes around me.
"Don't touch what doesn't belong to you, asshole."
Sawyer sweeps Ava and me away and towards VIP, leaving Jesse to finish what he started.
Christian is standing, talking to a blonde woman wearing a black long-sleeved romper. Jewels seem to be dripping off of every body part. By her bad botox she looks like she has to be in her fifties. Who is she? I don't like how lit up her face is while she talks to him.
When I make my way closer, her eyes go from him to me and I can't help the cold look I give her.
"Hi, angel. Everything okay?" Christian's arm wraps around me.
I look up at him and give him a nod and a smile. "Baby was just pushing on my bladder."
His smile widens. "Using it as a trampoline, huh?" His hand runs over my large bump and I hear the woman suck in a breath and then cough, choking.
It catches Christian's attention and it seems like he forgot she was there. Good.
"Anastasia, This is Elena Lincoln. Elena, this is my fiance, Anastasia... and this," he rubs my stomach, "is little Theodore Raymond Grey." My whole body fills with dread as the name finally clicks.
Well, if it isn't the pedo herself.
"Nice to meet you, Anastasia." She gives me a fake sweet smile. I just give her a nod back.
I notice Jesse is back and he leans into Christian's other ear, telling him something. I'm sure it has to do with the bald man. Christian's eyebrow quirks and then he squeezes Jesse's shoulder. Jesse points to the stairs across the way and then disappears.
I look up the stairs only to be startled when Christian's words and breath hit my ear. "Don't even think about going up those stairs, Anastasia." My eyebrows shoot up as he presses a kiss to my temple.
"Marriage and a baby... wow, Christian, you don't waste any time, do you?"
He gives the pedo a smile. "No need to. Anastasia is my life and we're ready to start a family."
"For a second, I thought you were already married." She reaches for his left hand, but he withdraws it and holds it out for her to see.
"I wish we were. If we had it my way, we'd be." He gives me a wink and I smile at him. So impatient.
"Are you done being angry with me, darling? I hate having to stay away from family functions. Can't we move past this? I would love to spend more time with you and get to know Anastasia and the baby. Little baby boy. How special." Her hand goes up to her chest. My stomach sours at the thought of her around my child.
"Keep your hands off my child, Elena." Christian practically growls out the sentence. I'm startled by his comment, but the blonde looks like she's been slapped.
"Christian! What is that supposed to mean? You act like I'm some kind of monster!" She has the audacity to look shocked by his comment.
"Well, what would you call a grown woman who seduces and fucks fifteen year olds?" I ask, stepping between her and Christian. "What would you call a woman who beats the shit out of a child and uses the cover of BDSM to make it sound consensual. BDSM is meant for consenting adults who trust one another. What you are is an abusive monster. You had sex with a child, you beat a child, and you demeaned him until he felt like he was too damaged to be part of his family."
"Who the fuck do you think you are?!? You have no idea what you're talking about! It wasn't like that between us! Christian was mature for his age! Christian... Tell her!"
Christian grips my bare shoulders and rubs them. "Ana is right. I was too young. You manipulated me."
"Christian!" Her eyes are full of tears. "How can you say that? I thought we had something special!"
I want to break her fake nose.
"I was just one of multiple, Elena. I did my research."
"Wha...what?"
"I know there are more." His arms wrap around the front of my chest and I hold onto his arms, trying to give him added strength and comfort. "If you ever try to reach out to my family again or I hear that you have another, I will turn everything over to the authorities. The only reason why I'm not now is because what is done is done and we need to mend and move on. I'm selling all of these clubs and walking away, but I will continue to keep someone on your tail, Elena. I'd watch myself very carefully if I were you." He releases his hold on me and turns me. "Let's go home, Ana. I'm over this place and you look exhausted."
"Please."
I'm glad we came, not only so I could see an old side of Christian, but for him, as well. He got to face his abuser head on and left with his dignity.
When we're back in the SUV and pulling away, I tell Christian how proud I am of him. My dominant fiance actually blushes at my words, but tries to play it off by distracting me.
"Let me see your feet, Ana. We need to get you out of those shoes."
I'm annoyed that he tries to brush off my compliment so quickly, but I'm relieved when he finally pries my shoes off my swollen feet.
"Let me take care of you tonight, angel." He's pleading. "Let me run you a bath and dress you in something soft and silky for bed...Then you can eat oreos in bed while I rub your feet and legs."
I giggle. "If there is milk to go with the cookies, I'm in."