Reese slammed her car door and trudged up the driveway to the Melrose listing. She was aggravated with Christian. Here he was once again, doing her job and setting up appointments outside of her schedule because it worked for him. Control freak.

Reese rang the doorbell and stood on the concrete patio fidgeting with her hair and clothes as she waited to be let in; she could hear laughter along with the tinny doorbell sound echoing in the foyer. Christian swung open the door and slowly sized her up.

"Ms. Sutherlin," he smiled wickedly, "Perfect timing."

Reese cut her eyes at him before acknowledging his guest that accompanied him in the large doorway. She was tall and elegant, one of pristine regal beauty with her sharp features.

"Hi, Reese Sutherlin," she said extending her hand, "You must be Mrs. Lincoln," she said brushing past Christian.

"You look ravishing," he whispered, as she passed him.

"Elena is fine dear," she said doing a once over of Reese's appearance as she took her hand, "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Well, can't really say no to Mr. Grey," she laughed uncomfortably.

"Indeed, you can't," she said pursing her lips together.

"Right," Reese's voice trailed, "So shall, I take you on a tour of this grand Mansion?" she said placing her purse on the foyer table.

"No," she said sharply, "Mr. Grey has already taken care of that."

"But I thought—"

"I'm here to talk about the auction," her voice more upbeat, "Christian told me about the masquerade event that you plan on throwing and I—"

"Actually," Reese interrupted, with a shaky voice, "the masquerade event was all Mr. Grey's idea. I'm just along for the ride," she said averting her eyes from Elena's uncomfortable stare. She must have been stunned that Reese cut her off.

"Well," Elena swallowed hard, "I hadn't heard that version," she said turning her attention towards Christian.

"It was a collaborative effort," he said firmly, "Ms. Sutherlin had the idea of a twilight event, I merely just added the element of mystery and seduction," he said flashing an intense stare at Reese.

"I see," Elena said softly, still staring in Christian's direction. The longing gaze made Reese uncomfortable.

"So, what kind of items were you interested in auctioning off?" she said breaking the awkward silence, "I have a couple of clients interested in auctioning off anything from a 3-night stay at their summer beach houses to a day on their private yacht."

"Right," Elena stammered, as she broke her concentration from Christian, "I was thinking of auctioning an all expense 2-week vacation off the coast of Crete," the words were like a gentle whisper.

"Crete?" Reese raised her brow.

"Greece," Christian said firmly.

"Oh," Reese said surprised, "that would be great. I've been having trouble procuring enough items, so I really appreciate the trip giveaway," she nodded humbly.

"Well, Christian said you would be most appreciative."

"Oh," she said glaring at Christian, "Well Mr. Grey—"

"Christian," Elena interrupted, "It was nice seeing you again. Thanks for making the time, it's always a pleasure," she smiled slyly, "Raina, it was nice meeting you."

"It's Reese," she said graciously.

"Yes, of course," she said eerily as she brushed passed Reese. She moved in closely to Christian, whispering something in his ear before heading to the front door.

"Okay am I missing something," Reese said as soon as she heard the door close behind Elena, "I thought you called me here to show a house, not talk about auction items. That could have been an email," she said while heading to the kitchen sink to wash her hands.

"Elena is an old friend of mine. She got into town this morning," he said following her into the kitchen, "When I told her about the event to help market the sale for the house, she was interested and insisted on meeting you."

"What is she an old friend or an old lover," Reese said drying her hands, "because the way she was looking at you was not just friendly," she teased.

"At one time, she was more than a friend."

"So, a lover," Reese said placing her hands on her hips.

"A teacher," he said firmly.

"A teacher" she mocked, "And what did you learn? How to cheat on your wife?"

"How to fuck," he said roughly.

"O-oh," Reese stuttered, "h—how did that—"

"We had a unique relationship. I was fifteen and troubled," he said moving closer to her, "her teachings were therapeutic."

"I didn't know sexual abuse was therapeutic," she griped.

"There was no abuse, I was a willing participant," his eyes searched hers for openness, "what about you? Are you going to be a willing participant?"

"Is that why you called me here," she said backing away from him slowly, "so that your sex teacher can get a look at me…so you can get her approval?" her voice shrieked.

"I'm not her sub anymore. I am a dominant and yes on occasion I like her input on my chosen submissive," he smirked.

"I'm not your submissive Christian!" she exclaimed, "I don't want any parts of your lifestyle."

"But you do," he grinned, "Yesterday, at your apartment I caught a glimpse of your open laptop on the kitchen counter. I don't suppose you were researching those images for work now, were you?" his brow raised.

"Actually," she cleared her throat, "you are work for me. I was just trying to explore and learn a little bit about your world so that I can understand you."

"And tell me Ms. Sutherlin," he said grabbing her arm and pulling her into him, "what did you learn?"

For that brief moment as they stared at each other, they seemed to share one breath. Reese's heart rate instantly spiked, it was something about being this close to him that gave her an adrenaline rush. His aura was intense. A smile swept across his face as he studied her face. He could feel her melting in his embrace.

"Christian," she said pulling away from him, "I can't do this with you right now. I have to go."

Reese hesitantly squeezed by Christian as if she wanted to be stopped. He grabbed her arm once again pulling her to him once more but this time his lips brushed against hers. Not innocently, like a tease. It was passionate and demanding. His tongue parted her lips deeply and she welcomed the intrusion. His hand rested below her ears and his thumbs caressed her cheeks; She sank into his embrace, yielding to his tongue and she massaged it with hers.

Reese was completely unprepared for his roaming hands to lift her up and put her on the kitchen island. She was lost in the moment. His breath quickened and so did hers as he began nuzzling her neck and trailing kisses on her collarbone. She tried pushing him away but all she could let out were soft moans as her body became limp. His fingers tiptoed up her leg to her inner thighs beneath her form-fitted dress and he lightly slipped his fingers under her panties between her folds.

"Submit to me," he whispered in between kisses.

"Christian, please," she moaned, "I have to go."

"Stay," he whispered, thrusting his finger roughly inside of her.

Naomi calling….

Reese's phone vibrated loudly in her purse, prompting her to snap back to reality.

"Christian!" she exclaimed in between moans, "I have to go."

Christian slowed his thrust down before pulling his glistening finger out of her gushing pussy.

"Fine," he said slightly annoyed, licking his finger, "I'll make you submit to me another time."