Christian's POV
"Miss Steele, please don't look", Taylor addresses Ana as she approaches. She gapes at the car and I step in to make sure she's alright.
"Who did this?", she asks, horrified.
"I think it might be Leila", I respond simply.
"What? How could she have done this?"
"I don't know. She shouldn't have been able to get in the garage", I reply then turn my attention to Taylor.
"I'm taking Ana to my boat. Don't call me unless it's safe."
"Yes, sir. I'll check the CCTV and see if I can spot Miss Williams."
"Good", I nod and gently lead Ana back to the car. I open her door for her to enter but she stands motionless.
"Ana, get in the car", I order as calmly as I can.
"Did the others have them?", she asks and for a moment I wonder what she's talking about.
"Your Submissives. Did they all have an Audi?" I let out a deep sigh and run my hair through my hair.
"Yes. They were called the Submissive Special", I respond coolly and Ana looks visibly hurt as I do. Shit. How do I explain this to her?
"Get in the car and I'll explain on the way", I persuade gently and after a beat, she does as she's told. Fighting to contain my temper, I close her door and walk around the car before entering myself. I motion for Ana to put on her seatbelt and ease the car in reverse.
"Spill the beans, Grey. Why didn't you tell me about this?", she questions once we leave the garage. Sighing heavily, I put her out of her misery.
"Whenever my Submissives behaved, I gave them a new car as a reward. I told you that if you please me, that I'll reward you. I gave Leila one when we started out so she must've recognized yours."
"So it wasn't a gift?"
"What do you mean?"
"My graduation. It wasn't a genuine gift?" I shrug because I can't think of what to say. I hear Ana scoff in response.
"Ana", I say gently as I reach for her hand. "I was trying to give you something special for your graduation, and I was hoping that you would accept it because of that deathtrap you called a car."
"But I wasn't your Submissive then." Always on point.
"I know. But I was trying to make your day more memorable and figured that was the best solution. At least at that time I was considered your boyfriend", I smirk, hoping to lighten the mood.
"But what about me being different? Why get me what all the other women had?" Shit.
"I was hoping you would be my Submissive. I wasn't expecting this to happen, though."
"Christian, this is exactly what I mean. You say I'm different but you still treat me the same. How am I supposed to feel after all of this? I'm trying to understand you, I really am, but you always leave me in the dark when it comes to this, so how am I supposed to trust you?"
"Ana, you can always trust me. I'm still trying to understand this myself. You're the first real relationship I've ever had." And it's better than I'd imagined.
"But what about Mrs. Robinson? Would you do this for her?" What?
"Ana, that's different. I was Elena's Submissive but I didn't have to elaborate that with gifts to her. She never accepted it."
"Then why me? I don't care about your money. I just want you." Her words catch me off-guard and I glance at her to see if she means it.
"I know", I whisper. "It's one of the things I love about you. Just give me time, Ana. I meant it when I said that I never wanted to try again."
"I know", she says quietly and gently grasps my hand. "I just need some time, too."
"We'll figure this out. I'm not willing to give up."
"Neither am I. I'll try to be more considerate. I've never been in a real relationship before, either."
"Another first?", I grin and I'm rewarded with a shy smile.
"Yes. Another first", she responds and instinctively bites her bottom lip in return.
"You're biting your lip", I remark.
"What are you gonna do about it?" As she asks this, a thought enters my mind.
"Do I deserve to be punished?", I ask boldly and her brows furrow in response.
"You want me to restrain you?"
"If I remember correctly, I believe I enjoyed it."
"But I could touch you...", she begins but can't find the words to say. I feel the darkness closing in and take a deep breath to calm my erratic heart.
"Don't stray from the lines. It's all about trust." She opens her mouth to say something but instead takes my hand and kisses each knuckle in turn.
"Okay", she finally says and I'm momentarily surprised by her response.
"Okay", I retort simply because I can't think of anything else to say. Miss Steele, what am I gonna do with you?
We pull up outside the pier on The Sound and anxiety blooms in my chest. Am I willing to do this again? The last time I was punished was when she wanted to teach me a lesson for selling her car without her permission. I smirk at the memory. Yes, that was nice.
"Is that your boat?", Ana asks once we exit the car and approach the nearest vessel.
"Yes. It's called The Grace."
"After your mom?"
"You sound surprised."
"I thought you didn't care about your family."
"I don't, but this was from my yard in Seattle. The name sounded like the right fit."
"Are you ever gonna love your family?"
"It's hard being a perfect son in a perfect family", I shrug and offer her my hand to help her on the boat. She accepts and climbs over the edge. I quickly follow and pull my phone out of my pocket.
"Hey, Ed. I'm taking The Grace for a while. Can you come and mind the sails?"
"Sure thing, Mr. Grey. I'm on my way", he replies and I hang up.
"How long are we gonna be out?", Ana asks as I take her shawl.
"Until I know it's safe. Taylor'll call me when he can." I set her shawl on a chair and remove my jacket before doing the same.
"Do you like it?"
"Christian, it's beautiful", she replies breathlessly.
"Like you", I remark before pulling her in and kissing her, hard. My tongue teases hers and I'm soon greeted with a small moan emanating from her throat. When we pull away, we're both panting hard.
"Ed'll be here soon. He can take it from there."
"Doesn't he need your help?"
"Not tonight. Let's get you to bed."
"Do you have a restraint?"
"I'll see what I can do", I smirk and offer her my hand. Fortunately, she accepts. I lead her to the bedroom below deck and close the door before locking it in place. I undo my bowtie and hand it Ana.
"Use this. I'm all yours", I remark, quietly ignoring the darkness.
"Christian, we don't have to do this."
"It's fine. It's all about trust." As I tell her this, she takes a moment to process what I've said. Finally, she cups my face and pull my lips down to meet hers, tenderly kissing me as she does. My hand moves to the base of her spine and I push her against my growing erection. She faintly gasps in return and I can't hide my grin.
"Lie down", she whispers and after a moment, I do as I'm told. I watch in amazement as she eases the zipper and pulls her dress down to the floor, letting it pool at her feet. She then removes her panties and heels and climbs astride me on the bed.
"Are you sure about this?", she asks tentatively.
"I'm all yours", I reassure her and taking her cue, she undoes my pants and I lift my hips, making it easier for her to take them off. She slowly pulls my boxers down and stares in wonder at my growing erection. She licks her lips and carefully places my clothes on the ground, before reaching for the buttons on my shirt. I hold my breath as she concentrates hard on her task and soon she pulls my shirt open, revealing the still intact outline of the road-map. She motions for me to sit up and I oblige, allowing her easier access to remove my shirt. She folds it nicely and places it on the pile on the floor. She then takes my tie and tells me to put my wrists by the rail. I do as I'm told. She concentrates hard and ties my wrists in place, reminding me of when I visited her in her apartment. She gently pulls on the restraint to make sure it's secure, and in-turn looks quite pleased with herself.
"You okay?"
"Whenever I'm with you", I reply and she smiles in response. She reaches down for my trousers and smirks as she finds a condom in the back pocket. She rips the packet with her teeth and pinches the tip before slowly sliding it on my length. I exhale sharply as she sits upright and looks at me for direction.
"It's whatever you want to do", I tell her and soon, she sits on my lap, grasps my member, and unhurriedly slides down my length, gasping as she does.
She's so fucking tight.
Once she adjusts, she kisses me sweetly and teases my tongue with the tip of her own. I groan in accordance and soon, she starts a steady pace and rides me, taking her time and holding the bed as she does.
"Ana", I groan and her head falls back as she takes me, closing her eyes and moaning in advance. I hear her whimper and I know she's close.
"Come for me, baby. Don't be afraid to come." After a few more thrusts, she calls out an incomprehensible version of my name and sags on top of me before I find my own release. We're both breathing heavily as Ana lies on top of me, careful not to touch the forbidden areas, and tenderly places a kiss on my chest. The darkness constricts but I ignore it, instead enjoying the feel of her.
"I love you", she says quietly.
"I love you, too", I remark and I sense her grin on my chest.
"The lines are smudged", she retorts and I wonder idly what she's talking about.
"The road-map", she clarifies.
"Do you want to wash it off?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Just don't stray from the lines", I say and she kisses me again.
"Okay." She pulls out of me and removes the condom before knotting it and tossing it in the trashcan. She quickly unties me and rubs my wrists in an effort to bring them life.
"Let's go take a shower", I order and chastely kiss her before climbing off the bed and pulling her to her feet. We enter the nearby bathroom and I turn on the faucet, making sure the temperature is just right. Ana holds me close and I have to fight my erratic heartrate.
"Are you okay?", she asks once the water is hot enough.
"I'm fine, Miss Steele. Do you want to enter first?"
"If you wish, Mr. Grey", she smiles and enters the shower, quickly followed by me. I watch as she takes a washcloth from a cabinet and lathers it with soap, looking up at me for direction.
"Go ahead", I respond a little hoarsely and taking the hint, she begins to wash the lipstick from my chest. I close my eyes as she gently rubs the marks. My breathing shallows at every move she makes. Finally, she finishes and gives me a tender kiss, causing me to open my eyes in response. She then looks down at my chest and I sense tears are welling in her eyes.
"Are these burns?", she asks and I can hear the trembling in her voice.
"Go on, it's over."
"Please tell me", she pleads and I struggle with what to say.
"They're cigarette burns. I was abused when I was little." She puts her hand to her mouth and I faintly hear her gasp at my revelation.
"Did your mother do that to you?"
"No. One of her lovers did. He was abusive and an alcoholic", I explain and silently Ana starts crying.
"Hey", I gently coax her and she looks up at me with pain in her eyes.
"It's in the past. It's over."
"What else did he do?"
"He abused us. He used to throw me around and beat the shit out of me. He did the same to my mother."
"Oh no", she exclaims.
"Don't worry about it. It's over."
"Is that why you can't bear to be touched?", she asks abruptly and I notice the tears starting to fall down her cheeks.
"Yes. The only time I was touched was when I had a nightmare the first night after my adoption."
"Is that what the nightmares are about?"
"Yes. I tried not to cry but I couldn't help myself. Grace and Carrick came to comfort me and I ended up sleeping in their bed for the night. After that, I didn't talk for two years." I close my eyes as I realize my confession. I gaze at Ana and she starts sobbing uncontrollably, causing me to hold her close and let her weep. Ana, please don't cry.
"I'm so sorry", she whimpers and I stroke her hair in an effort to calm her down.
"I've never told anyone that", I declare. "Not even Elena."
"Why?"
"Grace respected my privacy. She only knew bits and pieces about what happened."
"Another first?"
"Another first", I smile and gently wipe the tears from her eyes. She sniffs and looks up at me.
"I know how difficult it is for you to open to me and...tell me these things", she starts. "But I can't thank you enough."
"Anything to make you happy", I say because it's the truth. I never wanted to open up about my life to anyone, but I'm more than happy that I did it for Ana. My Ana. My love.
"Anything?", she says quietly and gives me a carnal look.
"Oh, Ana", I breathe and pull her in gently, losing myself to the woman I love.
Ana's sleeping soundly beside me and I recount all that has just occurred.
I brought her upon The Grace, another first to add to the list. She restrained me, we made love, I took her in the shower and told her what happened when I was younger.
When was the last time I ever talked with a woman apart from Elena?
Never.
I smile at the thought.
Careful not to wake Ana, I pull out a pair of shorts from the dresser and pick up my cell and dial Taylor.
"Mr. Grey", he answers after two rings.
"Taylor", I begin, careful to keep my voice low. "Is Ana's Beetle still at the dealership?"
"It should be, sir. Marcus is taking up a lot of time to repair it."
"Would he be willing to resell it?"
"I think so."
"Good. Tell him to finish it up and send it to my apartment when he's finished. I would like to give it back to Miss Steele."