Chapter four

Ana POV

"Ana, would you like to change into something more... comfortable?" Christian asked me, noting that I was still wearing my wedding dress if I could call it that. In reality, ours had been a civil marriage ceremony.

The sound of his baritone voice stirred something in me that I couldn't simply ignore. Just the thought of Christian Grey undressing me sent delicious shivers down my spine. My inner goddess was sending me mixed signals. She was clearly smitten by my new husband. On the other hand, she was also frowning, disaproving of me. I should be missing Jose. What kind of woman even thinks of jumping into the bed of another man's while her beloved rots in prison?

I looked at my new husband through my lashes. I think of the ratty nightgown on the bottom of my suitcase, embarrassed at the thought of him seeing me in that.

He smoothly moved to the dresser and opened a drawer. "Here. I hope one of these fits you well," he said pulling out of the drawer an assortment of satiny clothing. They're so soft and beautiful, hard to believe they're sleepwear. "I'll be back in a little while," he went on with a tiny wink. "Please don't feel nervous. I want you to feel right at home. And while we will sleep in the same bed, I promise you I will not touch you without your consent first."

He exited the room to give me privacy, and I'm blown away by his gallant behavior. I felt like a princess in a palace. I glide to the bathroom to take a shower, it's been forever since I've taken one. The bathroom was surreal, it was at least three times as big as any bathroom I'd ever seen, and it was well stocked with everything I could possibly need. I carefully took off my beautiful dress and placed it on a chair, careful not to get it wrinkled and then eagerly step under the shower-head and scream. In my haste, I failed to realize the water was steaming hot.

Next thing I knew, Christian was pulling me out of the water and straight into his arms. I was shaken and gasping for breath.

"Sh...it's okay," he cradled my head soothingly. "I should have stayed and made sure you were safe," he shook his head, angry at himself.

Through tears, I explained that back home hot water NEVER comes out of the faucet. I continue to shiver in his arms, very much conscious of my nakedness. "Oh, no! you getting wet!"

He laughed good-naturedly, not worried about his suit getting wet at all. "Don't worry, sweetheart," he kissed the top of my head and turned to grab a towel. I hold my breath when at last his gaze traveled up and down my body. "Where does it hurt?" he openly examined my body with utmost concern.

I shook my head no, I was fine.

He reached to touch my shoulder. "Your skin is a little red here," he mumbled while grazing the skin softly with his fingertips. His touch sent a million little shivers down my spine. Most reluctantly, he pulled away to reach for a bottle from the medicine cabinet. Actually, the cabinet was more like a large storage closet. "This is aloe, it's wonderful for both burns and sunburns. It should help," he carefully rubbed a bit of the creamy lotion onto my sore shoulder.

"It's nothing," I said weakly even though I felt as if my knees are about to buckle from under me.

"How's that feel?" His concern for me is so touching. I don't think anybody has ever touched me so tenderly over an injury so minor. Not even Jose.

"I like it...my skin feels good."

"We'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, we'll call the doctor."

I choke a laugh. A doctor? For this mild redness on my skin?

He cocked his head. "What's so funny?"

"Hmm," I hesitated. "Back home we only go to to the doctor for emergencies...really bad ones, you know?" I smiled at him. Somehow, that's not exactly how I want to say it but my English was failing me at the moment.

"Here," he mumbled, looking away respectfully as he wraps the towel around me. Knowing that he wants me 'in that way' makes me self-conscious, especially because I was well aware of his erection. "Is there anything else you need? I should have asked you earlier." He turned away, and I smiled to myself as he adjusted himself.

"I'm fine, thank you," I smile shyly.

The look in his eyes when he turned around to face me would make any woman with a pulse blush. He was staring at my shoulder as if he wanted to press his lips to my skin more than anything in the world. I had to admit, I'd never felt so wanted and cared for in my entire life. For a moment, I imagined what it would be like if the circumstances were different. If I'd never slept with Jose...If I'd never gotten pregnant. If I wasn't carrying around so much baggage...then this moment would be the perfect moment, worthy of a riveting romance novel, wouldn't it?

It was crazy. Or maybe I'm the crazy one. Here I was living the life most of my girlfriends back home would die for and yet...

I studied him as he focused on taking care of me. "Does it sting when I touch you?" He asked, feather touching my shoulder with the back of his hand. I closed my eyes for a moment, getting a little carried away in this little fantasy of mine where it was just the two of us and nothing else mattered.

"No," I breathe. For a moment there I thought he was about to kiss me but then, he turned and walked away. I held my breath. Half-way out the bedroom door, he turned to face me.

"I'll be in the next room if you need me, just knock." The next room was connected to the master with a side door.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding the second he closed the door behind him, only to open it again two seconds later, startling me. "Silly of me. Are you still showering? I can get the water perfect temperature for you."

I smiled in response. "Yes, that would be nice."

He was at my side quicker than seemed possible. He smiled back briefly, adjusting the shower knob to the right temperature. He then waited a few seconds before checking the water temperature. "Right now the water is lukewarm. Not too hot or too cold," he says, inviting me to put out my hand and check for myself. He peered at me expectantly.

"This is nice," I say shyly. Not wanting to waste any water (water is precious commodity), I wanted to hurry and get in the shower but I'm hesitant to drop the towel in front of him even though he's already seen me naked.

He immediately understood my dilemma and exited the room, closing the door behind him. I then stepped under the shower and lather my hair in shampoo. The shampoo was very sudsy, it felt heavenly. Next, I applied a small amount of conditioner. Since I don't see a soap bar, I have no choice but to use the shampoo to wash the rest of my body. I feel guilty using too much of the product and try to make do with the smallest amount possible.

When I came out of the bathroom, dressed in a silky nightgown that hangs right above the knee, I found Christian already in bed reading on his phone. He was wearing a white t-shirt, which outlined his shoulders to perfection, and a pair of light blue pajama pants. I recall what he said about us not having sex and wonder if it's even possible considering we're sleeping in the same bed.

Christian POV

I want Ana to trust me, trust is fundamental in a good relationship (or so I heard). I motioned for her to the other side of the bed, and put an army of pillows between us to show her that I mean what I said earlier. At first, she was a little shy clad in her silky lingerie but my actions make her laugh. She climbed in bed with a smile and pulled the covers up to her chin.

"You must be so tired," I said, stretching in a comical way to look at her over the mountain of pillows. She chuckled, rewarding me with the most perfect carefree smile ever. She looked gorgeous lying next to me with her damp hair sprawled out on the pillow. I put away my phone, reaching for the bed-lamp to turn off the light.

"Goodnight...Christian," she mumbled, turning to her bedside lamp to turn off her light.

My heart flipped, I felt like a clueless schoolboy, enamored with the sound of my name on her lips.

"Goodnight, Ana."

For a long time, I lay perfectly still in the darkness of the room. How I long to reach for her. God, this is going to be a lot harder than I thought, sleeping next to her every night like this. What was I thinking? I tossed and turn all night, thinking of nothing but the feel of her velvety soft skin, and the image of her naked body burned in my mind.