Chapter 5
I straightened my back and tilted my head up as I increased my pace to appear more confident to the man behind me. But the building fear and nerves were already starting to raise again. I took a deep breath and attempted to swallow the large lump of anxiety that has formed inside of me. What on earth is he doing here? I have asked myself this question as soon as I saw him approaching me, but when I actually got an answer from him I nearly lost my balance. He was my... client? I closed my eyes briefly and exhaled in a rush. This is not happening. But it is, and you better suck it up, and somehow get rid of him before he finds out more of your secrets. My subconscious is staring at me with big wide eyes stamping her foot. I want to yell at her but I know that she is right.
I take a right and make my way to the restaurant. The sound of footsteps right behind me indicate that he is following me, I try not to let my fears get the better of me but it's hard. What else does he know about me? How did he even know about this? Did he tell anyone? Oh god did he tell Kate? Million questions start to bombard me from every direction. I feel a sharp and unwelcome shiver travelling down my back I don't like this feeling and I for sure don't want to be here with him. Why me? I have the sudden urge to just burst into tears but I will not let myself loose control like that. After all I am doing quite well, I refused to take his arm and made him follow me instead. I feel a slight smile forming on my face and I instantly start to feel better.
I come to a halt and face a young handsome man standing behind a desk just before the restaurant. I smile at him and he beams back at me. His cheeky smile is genuine and I like him instantly.
''Table for two?'' He asks kindly.
With my smile still in place I answer ''I made a reservation.'' He takes out a diary and starts flicking through the pages.
''Under which name, Miss?''
''Anastasia Steele.'' I reply simply.
He finally looks up. ''Right this way.'' And both me and Christian follow him. Even though I have not been looking at him at all or spoken to him I can feel his eyes stabbing holes in my back. He is so close to me I have to bite my lip to stifle a moan. What has gotten into me?
The restaurant is busy, just as I expected and right now it's a good thing. Usually when meeting with clients I prefer when we can have some peace and quiet as we discuss our arrangement and the payment. But today I welcome the loud chatter of customers around me after all this means that there will be no awkward silence moments and I can busy myself in listening in to some of the conversations going on around me.
''Here we are, is this okay for you two?'' The waiter asks, first making eye contact with me and then with Christian.
I nod and smile again ''This is perfect thank you very much.''
He returns my smile but his is more sincere then mine. ''Glad you like it, call me over when you two are ready to order.''
When he leaves us alone I walk over to the table and take a sit. Christian does the same and to avoid his stare I quickly look down at my linked hands. It will all be fine as long as I don't look into his eyes... maybe eventually he will leave if I don't say anything. I allow my mind to linger onto that uplifting thought as that is the only thing I can master to do right now. But I can't resist much longer and so I gaze at him from beneath my lashes as he sits right opposite me. I witness him running his fingers through his copper hair once or twice. It appears so soft and I have a sudden urge to run my own fingers through his copper waves. The thought comes unwanted into my mind and I feel myself blush. God dammit! I hear the rain hitting the windows and it's a constant soothing sound. Right now its the only soothing thing I hear besides the quite tune of Adele in the background.
''Are you going to say anything?'' He asks after several minutes of silence and I can hear a hint of a smile in his voice which makes me look up properly. Oh my God... it's then that I take the full impact of his breathtaking face. His eyes gray, and they appear darker then before just as dark as clouds before a storm. They make me feel exposed again and the thought scares me. I inhale a long breath and my nostrils fill with his intoxicating familiar sent and it makes me ache... ache for him. Stop it! My stomach knots and I just want to leave I have nothing to say to him but he obviously thinks I do. His gaze is penetrating and it does not leave mine not even when the waiter comes back to take our order. But everything is a blur and all I seem to see and hear is his eyes and his controlled breathing. The moment so powerful it almost feels... intimate.
He sighs ''Well...'' he pauses ''You seem to have a lot of things to say to me in the lobby and now... nothing and all I seem to hear is conversations around me. Perhaps we should move this meeting somewhere else Miss Steele.''
I frown. ''There will be no need for that Christian.'' I speak! And even my own voice seems to sound alien to me.
''Then are you going to say anything?'' he prompts and dazzles me with his boyish grin.
I force a smile attempting to make it look just as fake as I want it to look and I think I succeed by the sudden frown on Grey's face. Good, I'm not so out of control as I thought. ''Maybe I should start with asking what the hell is going on?'' I begin.
His smile fades but his gray gaze holds mine. I feel spellbound- unable to look away. ''That's no way to speak to a client, is it Miss Steele?'' The cheeky sod!
I roll my eyes ''Perhaps I want to know more about you before we proceed to the issue at hand.'' I really just want to know what you know about me Mr Grey and then you can be out of my hair.
His luscious lips lift up into a half smile. Jesus how could I not stare at that mouth. Wow... I gasp without even thinking about it.''I see you like to observe and gather information before you invest.'' His smile changes and it now looks secretive and amused. What the hell is he thinking! A smile speaks a thousand words but his smiles say nothing, absolutely nothing to me. ''Miss Steele knows business''
''What is that supposed to mean?'' I snap feeling myself losing the battle of keeping my emotions in tacked.
''Nothing really... it's just an observation it tells me a lot about you.'' he murmurs simply. Why can't you just tell me things straight up rather then being so mysterious!
''Like what.'' I sound irritated but it's the truth.
''You like to know what you get yourself into.''
''Don't you think everyone likes to know what they get themselves into.'' I point out.
He leans slightly forward and I sink further into my chair. Why do I find him so... What's the word... Beautiful...Yes, but that's not it... Gorgeous... Again yes but it's a no again... intimidating... yes! That's it! But why? My face flames.
''Yes that is true Anastasia, but you especially do.''
I exhale a breath I wasn't even aware I was holding. ''But you Mr Grey'' I emphasise ''don't like to give away much do you?'' I smirk, knowing dam well that I am right.
He looks unsurprised by my question as if he was expecting it.''Well neither do you Miss Steele.'' he states. Does he think he's clever?
''In this business I can't say a lot.''
''Very well'' He glances down and so do I out of curiosity and see a chocolate muffin on his plate and on mine too. When did the waiter bring that? Did he even speak to the waiter? Did I seriously miss that? Even my subconscious is rolling her eyes at me.
I raise my eyebrows ''You ordered without asking me?''
His eyes return to mine and blink up at me ''Yes.'' That's it? No further explanation.
''Why?'' I narrow my eyes at him bravely.
''Because I can Anastasia.'' I bite my lip at the sound of his low voice purring my full name. It sounds unfamiliar as no one called me that since... no don't you dare go there especially not now! Focus! He looks down at his muffin and starts peeling the paper off. ''Why don't you start eating your muffin instead of staring.'' His smug smile is back. He is beginning to get on my nervous.I pick up my muffin and instead of throwing it in his face like he deserves I place it rather harshly on his plate. When he finally looks up I smile politely at him but I get nothing back, just a straight face with nothing written on it.
''Miss Steele?''
''Yes?''
''Get that muffin of my plate and I suggest you eat it like I said.''
I snort ''You can take that muffin and stuff it up your arse.'' Take that you annoyingly beautiful bastard!
He licks his lips and places his muffin down. His face suddenly turns cold and impassive and I for sure do not like the look of that. I swallow loudly. ''Do not play games or you will see the wrong side of me and anyway if we were to play games we would obey my rules''
I sigh deeply feeling completely powerless. ''You sound like a control freak.''
''I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele.'' The humour is back in his voice but his face appears distant from emotions. What does that mean? This man is confusing I conclude, but I still feel my heartbeat quickening. Ana! Stay in control! The more I think about keeping focus and determined to get what I want the further I get from my target. The thought makes me feel uneasy.
''Whatever.'' I roll my eyes and wave my hand with disinterest towards his direction. I look around and watch other people eating and chatting away. Everyone looks at ease and involved in conversation with the people they are with. Some appear to argue and some laugh and chat loudly with friends, family or partners. When I eventually look back towards him I find a mysterious and sexy as hell smile and I fail to miss the muffin being back in place on my plate.
I scowl and open my mouth to speak but I am cut off. ''Eat.''
''No'' I nearly shout but manage to stop myself when I remember that we are in a public place.
''I haven't ordered us anything heavy to eat it's just a muffin and a coffee not a main course dinner so eat it.'' he stops briefly ''And stop attempting to grab hold of control of this conversation when I want to say something.''
Anger rises but the unmissable spark of attraction is still there even when I tried everything to brush it off. ''Stop telling me what to do!'' I snatch. His left hand lifts up to cup his chin and his long index finger starts trailing along his velvety looking lips. I think his trying to suppress a smile.
''Are you going to keep being difficult?''
I start tapping my fingers on the table ''That depends, are you going to continue being unreasonable?'' I argue.
He frowns and his eyebrows rise. I surprised him, well that's a first. ''Me unreasonable?''
I want to laugh. ''Yes.''
He chuckles looking clearly amused ''You know Anastasia. There is always purpose for my actions.''
''Well then what is your purpose of dragging me here?'' I don't dare to miss the opportunity to argue back.
He inhales a long breathe in. ''You still haven't eaten your muffin.''
''Oh my God!'' I take a massive bite out of the muffin in the most unladylike fashion possible and when I eventually swallow I continue. ''Happy?''
He grins, showing a row of perfectly lined rows of white teeth and I melt. ''Very... see you can do what you are told.''
''I am my own boss.'' I inform him.
His grin is still there ''You have potential and I would like to discuss a proposition with you.''
I shake my head in disbelief. I cannot believe he is negotiating here, this is situation that I should start discussing not him and the fact that he turned the tables is making me mad. And what makes me madder is that my stomach is still full of butterflies and my heart is thumping louder and louder. This has not gone the way I planned and I am for sure not going to allow myself to be in such a vulnerable position. I am putting an end to this.
''I hav-''
I cut him off. ''Okay Mr Grey, I think this meeting or whatever this even is should not continue and I think I should leave.'' His mouth pops open to speak but I continue. ''Do not contact me again and do not dare speak of this and of what I do after all you did sign the confidentiality agreement with Liv that you saw to arrange this... appointment or whatever. So this 'you not saying a word 'is all sorted.'' I stand up but so does he. ''I am leaving now.'' I turn on my heel and start to leave.
But I feel him following me. Just leave me alone! The sudden adrenaline rush is so high I feel like my heart is about to fall out of my mouth. I focus on controlling my breathing but it's no use I am failing miserably especially when he is behind me obviously the cause of me being all over the place.
''Anastasia don't you dare walk out on me again.''
I laugh under my breath at that ridiculous command and start running towards the spinning doors. I don't bother with an umbrella even when it is pouring down with rain outside and when I get outside in an instant my hair is stuck to my face and the rain is stabbing at my bear back. I spot a taxi and make my way towards it without a second thought. I need to leave this hotel and the controlling man with it. I jump into a taxi and when I give the taxi driver my instruction to just drive away I spin my head round and see the most magnificent dominant looking male soaked from head to toe throwing his arms up in despair as he watches me get further and further away from him. I look ahead of me again and sigh with relief. I cannot believe I actually stayed with him for that long but even after I left the feeling of desire and need is still within me and I hate myself for it.
I just really need to get home.
Thank you for reading this chapter :D I hope you all liked it xxx
