I wake up on Christian's chest, watching it rise and fall with every breath. He's sound asleep and for the first time in a while, he looks peaceful and relaxed. It tugs at my heart and I could gaze at him all day. Cautiously, I reach across and touch his chest hair, careful not to wake him, and run my finger up and down his sternum. He murmurs something unintelligible and I freeze, afraid I've woken him but just like that, he falls back asleep. I sigh softly and continue my caress, gently running over his scars as my throat constricts.
"They're cigarette burns. I was abused when I was little." Oh, Fifty. Who could do this to a child? I cover my mouth with the back of my hand and force myself not to cry. Tentatively, I plant a kiss on one of his scars and check to make sure he's still asleep. He frowns but doesn't move. I plant another soft kiss on his chest and he frowns as if an unpleasant thought just entered his mind. Soon, he opens his eyes and blinks in the soft light, before falling on me and smiling softly.
"Good morning", he remarks sleepily.
"Good morning", I reply. God, he's beautiful.
"Sleep well?", I ask.
"I always sleep well with you", he grins and before I know it, he kisses me tenderly and eases me on my back.
"You're becoming very aggressive, Miss Steele", Christian smirks at me as I lie on his chest.
"You're one to talk, Mr. Grey", I smirk back.
"Are you scolding me, Miss Steele?"
"Never, Mr. Grey", I lie smoothly. "What are you gonna do about it?"
"I could do a million things to you, Miss Steele, but unfortunately we don't have the time to go through them all at the moment." Oh my...
"You could always spank me again", I whisper and his brows shoot up in surprise.
"Is that a request, Miss Steele?", he asks amused.
"Always, Mr. Grey."
"You are, as ever challenging, Miss Steele, but I recall you have work today with your boss", he says the last word in displeasure.
"I could call in sick", I say quietly.
"And miss an honest day's work?"
"Have you ever called in sick?"
"Only on my birthday a few years ago." Whoa, his birthday.
"When is your birthday?"
"June 18", he shrugs. Oh, so soon.
"When were you gonna tell me about your birthday?", I scold him gently.
"My arrival into the world isn't something I feel like celebrating."
"Why?" As I ask this, he looks slightly uncomfortable. Oh no...
"My birth mother died on my birthday", he regards me coolly, indicating that he doesn't wanna talk about it. Oh, Fifty...
"I'm sorry", I say quietly.
"It's in the past", he mumbles.
"Does that mean we can't celebrate it?"
"Do you want to?"
"Of course I do. I feel like celebrating."
"We could in a different way", he responds seductively. And just like that, our discussion is over.
We're in the shower together and I'm secretly regretting meeting up with Jack.
"What is it?", Christian asks as he washes my hair and my shoulders tense.
"I wish I could stay in", I confess.
"Is it because of Jack?", he inquires suddenly.
"Of course not", I remark, although deep down I wonder if it's true. Why do I unexpectedly feel so nervous around him? He's my boss for God's sake.
"Has he tried anything?"
"Christian!"
"I'm just asking, baby. If he does, you let me know."
"Christian..."
"I mean it, Ana. One wrong move and he's out." Jeez, he's so possessive.
"Yes, sir", I say, rolling my eyes.
"I can tell when you're rolling your eyes at me, Miss Steele."
"Lucky for me, I can't stay for my punishment. Can I wash you?"
"Only my hair. You have to get to work."
"Okay", I remark quietly before grabbing the shampoo and squirting some in my hands. I rub them together vigorously until they lather and motion for Christian to lower his head. He grins like a little schoolboy and I gently start massaging his scalp.
"Did your submissives ever wash your hair?", I inquire.
"No, they never had the chance", he responds and I smile at the thought.
"Have you ever been washed before?"
"Only from my birth mother before she died. Grace taught me how to do it myself sometime after I was adopted."
"Because she couldn't touch you?"
"She respected my boundaries. The only time she touched me was the time I had that nightmare. Since then, she hasn't touched me since."
"Do you still feel the darkness when I touch you?"
"Sometimes but I try to ignore it. I told you, it's getting easier over time. I just never thought it would happen."
"I'm sorry if it's too much for you", I say quietly as I finish with my task.
"Don't be. It's okay. I think I'm starting to like being touched. Especially by you", he smiles and I can tell that he means it. I smile shyly in return and lean up to kiss him on the lips.
I decide on a silk gray blouse and dark skirt, complete with a pair of matching heels and dark pantyhose. Yeah, that'll do.
"You look lovely", Christian remarks as he sits on the bed. I blush at his compliment and put my hair up in a ponytail.
"You don't look so bad yourself", I retort. He's wearing his dark suit pants and his white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and tucked into his pants. He looks hot.
"One of these days you'll learn to take a compliment", he says before standing from the bed and wrapping his arms around my waist. We stare at each other in the oversize mirror, blue eyes to gray and he kisses below my ear and I stifle my moan at his touch.
"Don't ever leave me", he says softly as he kisses my hair.
"I never will", I respond kindly, and he gives me his shy smile; my favorite smile in the world.
"Never?", he asks in a tone as if he's not telling me something.
"Of course", I say, furrowing my brows. What does he want?
"I mean it, Ana. Don't ever leave me."
"I never will, Christian. You have my word." When will he realize this? I said I'd never will.
"What time do you have to go in?", he suddenly asks, changing the subject.
"Um, Jack said to be in by ten."
"Do you want me to drive you, Miss Steele?"
"That would be great, Mr. Grey", I smile and kiss him sweetly.
"Finish getting ready. I'll call Taylor and we can leave in five."
A few minutes later, we pull up outside a building I don't recognize and Taylor steps out to open my door for me.
"Thank you, Taylor", I say sweetly.
"My pleasure, Miss Steele", he smiles kindly as I give Christian a quick kiss on the lips.
"Laters, baby", I remark and after a final kiss, head inside to find Jack. I quickly scan the room and soon find Jack talking with some people. He looks up and sees me standing in the doorway before motioning for me to join him.
"Ana. I was worried you weren't coming in", he remarks as I approach him. His comment confuses me; I'm five minutes early.
"Hi, Jack. I didn't wanna be late", I remark professionally.
"Settling in okay with Christian?", he inquires as someone offers to take my coat.
"Um, yes, thank you. I faxed over those manuscripts to Liz like you wanted."
"Good. Any word yet?"
"It was too early for me to get a response, but she said that I might hear by her by tonight."
"Good. Looks like you're moving up. I'm proud of you, Ana", he says with a smile that doesn't match his eyes. I blush at his compliment and follow him in the room as the book expo begins. Now I really wish I had stayed in with Christian.
Almost three hours later, we finally head out and I immediately start getting a call on my phone.
"Your boyfriend?", Jack remarks disapprovingly—I think.
"Um, no. It's a number I don't recognize." Who could be calling me at this time?
"Take it. I have to make a few calls myself", Jack says, distracted, and I answer my phone once he's out of earshot.
"Ana Steele", I say.
"Ana, glad I could reach you", an achingly familiar voice responds.
"It's Elena", she continues. "I was hoping to speak with you." Assumption confirmed.
"I'm really not interested in talking with you", I respond coldly.
"Ana, I know we've had our differences but I'm more than willing to let bygones be bygones."
"I'm glad to hear it." Not really.
"Ana, I don't blame you for hating me, honestly, but if you let me talk with you , I might be able to tell you more about Christian." I thought Christian talked with her already?
"Why would I want to talk with you, Elena?"
"Ana, please just hear me out."
"What makes you think I'd ever be interested in anything you have to say?"
"There's something you need to know about Christian."
"I know enough."
"That's not what I meant."
"Elena, I'm already well aware and I don't need you to tell me what I know."
"Has he ever mentioned why he does what he does?"
"What do you mean?" Where's she going at with this?
"Please, just come to dinner with me and we can talk then. Are you coming to his birthday party?"
"I was hoping to."
"We could meet before then and I'll answer any questions you might have."
"Elena, I'm not really too interested in talking with you and nothing you say can make me change my mind."
"Ana..."
"Good day, Elena", I reply before hanging up. God, why won't that woman leave us alone?
"Everything okay?", Jack asks and I jump. How long has he been standing there?
"Fine. Wrong number", I lie and put the phone back in my purse. Jack furrows his brows but thankfully says nothing.
"You wanna go get a drink? I could take you back to Christian's when you're done."
"It's fine, Jack. Christian's picking me up." And I suggest you keep your distance.
"It'll be quick. I promise", he retorts, hoping, I'm assuming, that I'll agree.
"Sure. But just one, please." If Christian comes, at least I'll be safe.
"Good", he grins and motions for me to follow him across the street.
We're at a bar I've never heard of before and Jack hands me a beer.
"Everything going okay with you and Christian?", he asks as he takes a drink.
"Um, yeah we're doing fine." Why am I telling him this? It's none of his business.
"You two seem to be doing okay with your relationship, then."
"We are. It's complicated but I've never been happier", I confess because it's the truth.
"What do you mean by complicated?", Jack asks suddenly as he orders another beer. When did he finish the last one?
"Oh, um, it's just that we've been moving so fast that I'm not sure of the kind of future we're gonna have."
"What do you mean?"
"Um, we're just reaching new territory is all. I just feel like we have a lot to learn about each other. But, we're doing fine; honest."
"I see. Any regrets with where this is going?" What?
"What do you mean?"
"Ana, I heard that you started working for him a while back and the next thing you know, you're already dating your boss. Don't you think that's a little too forward for your first internship? I even heard you got fired because of it." How does he know that?
"Um, I'll admit it was sudden but I feel like we've come a long way since then."
"Is that so?", he grins and I stare down at the floor.
"I should go and wait for Christian. Thanks for the drink", I reply and quickly head out to get some fresh air. I look up and down the streets, silently willing Christian to hurry up. I then turn around to see Jack standing directly behind me. When did he get out?
"Is there something you need, Jack?", I ask as he steps a little closer.
"I would think you would've learned that by now", he slurs. Holy cow, he's drunk.
"Jack, I need to wait for Christian."
"Ana, Ana, Ana. You really don't know what he's capable of, do you?" I know he'll kill you if you step any closer.
"Jack, please", I say as he reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear. Don't fucking touch me.
"You know, I always liked you the first time I saw you for that interview we had for SIP. I challenged Liz to hire you since you were inexperienced and the next thing I know, she's calling you for the job. If anything, I'm the reason you're there at all."
"I'm sure you are", I lie, hoping he doesn't notice. Where are you, Christian?
"And yet you had to be with that cockblocker, Christian Grey. Don't you realize he'll leave you when you don't give him what he wants?"
"What are you talking about? I already give him what he wants."
"And yet here you are, with me instead of him. Looks like after all this time, I finally got the upper hand." Fuck you, Jack.
"Jack..."
"Plus", he whispers as he leans in my ear. "I can make you come, like nobody else can. Not him. Not anyone. Choose me, and you'll forget you ever met him. Nobody wants to be with a son of a bitch." I open my mouth to speak but before I can respond, he suddenly takes my head in his hands and before I know it, leans down and kisses me hard. I struggle to get out of his grasp and in a vain attempt to get him away, I bite down hard on his bottom lip and knee him in the crotch before pushing him to the ground.
"You stupid bitch!", he shouts as he holds himself in pain and I suddenly hear a car pull up behind me and turn to see Christian leaping out of the car. Oh, thank God. He's here.
"Get the fuck away from her, you asshole!", he shouts and soon Taylor joins him as well.
"Christian, don't", I beg. He's going to kill him; I know it.
"What the fuck did he do to you?", he yells as Jack attempts to stand to his feet.
"Looks like the hero cares about you after all", he sneers when he stands and before I know it, Christian punches him in the face and Jack staggers back as blood drips from his face.
"You're done at SIP, Hyde. You hear me? Done!", Christian yells as Jack tries to stop the bleeding in its tracks.
"Fuck you, Christian. You can keep the whore. She won't work another day at SIP for the rest of her life", Jack retorts and before Christian can strike again, I pull him with all my might and Taylor motions for us to get in the car. Christian barely moves and I try to pull him again.
"Christian, please", I beg and after one final glare at Jack, we enter the car and Taylor drives off.
"Back to my place. We're going back to Seattle", he orders to Taylor.
"Right away, sir", Taylor replies and starts to speed up.
"Did he hurt you?", Christian asks immediately as he starts looking me over.
"I'm fine", I say as the tears start to fall. Even when he's angry, I'm so happy to see him.
"Ana, don't cry. Please", Christian says gently as he holds me in his arms. After a few minutes, I feel him pull out his phone and dial someone before speaking.
"Roach, I want Hyde out. He attacked my girlfriend and I want him out of SIP...Yes and cancel his flight plans so he can't return home...That's fine. Let me know how it goes", he says before quickly hanging up.
"I thought your pitch with SIP hadn't been finished yet."
"It's not but after telling Mr. Roach about Jack, I told him to keep an eye out. I was hoping to keep you safe", he shrugs apologetically.
"I'm sorry", I repeat over and over as Christian holds me closer.
"Shh, it's okay. You're safe. Just tell me what he did." I wipe my nose with the back of my hand and take a deep breath before I tell him.
"We finished with the expo and I got a call from Elena asking to meet up."
"What?"
"I told her I wasn't interested and Jack asked if we could get a drink. I knew you were on your way and could be there if I needed you, and..." Shit, what am I supposed to say next?
"Tell me, Ana", Christian urges, trying hard to keep his tempter under control.
"He kissed me and I...bit him." I feel Christian tense beneath me and worry that I've said too much. Please don't be mad. Please.
"You bit him?", Christian asks after a while and for a second I think he's amused.
"And kneed him in the crotch. That's why he was lying on the sidewalk when you showed up", I say, suddenly feeling guilty. I've never hit anyone in my life and it was on my own boss. How did I not see this coming?
"Fuck", he whispers and I continue to wipe away my tears.
"Oh, Ana, don't cry. I'm not mad at you."
"I should've listened to you. He's never tried this before and I tried turning down his drink offer, but since you were coming..."
"Hush, it's okay. I'm here. I've got you", he says softly as he kisses my hair and I hug him even tighter, careful not to touch the forbidden areas.
"When I saw him, I thought...", Christian says quietly.
"Shh, I'm fine. When will you realize I'm a lot stronger than I look?"
"That you are", he smiles wistfully before giving me a tender kiss on the lips.
"Don't ever leave me", he whispers.
"I promise I won't. When will you realize that I'm never leaving no matter what?"
"Even if I gave you a key?", he asks suddenly. What?
"Are you asking me to move in with you?"
"Mm-hmm", he nods. Is he serious?
"Are you sure?", I stutter.
"Yes. I want to see you all the time. That way I can protect you."
"Christian, I don't..." Shit, how do I answer to that?
"You can think about it if you want. I know it's a little sudden."
"Just a little bit", I whisper and he chuckles in response. He kisses me again and I melt against his mouth.
"Are you sure you're okay? If something happened to you..."
"Nothing's gonna happen to me. I've got you", I smile shyly and he does the same. I rest my head against his chest, grateful that he came when he did. As he holds me, I think back to his request. He's seriously asking me to move in with him? We haven't known each other for long and he's asking me to move in! Fuck, what am I supposed to say to Kate?