Chapter 2 Temp-ted

APOV

"What the fuck Steele? You had a meeting at 9:40 this morning you have Jose call to tell me that you won't be back in the office until after 2:30 and you're just now talking to me; what did that asshole do to you?"

"Oh, Kate please, stop being so dramatic. He didn't do anything to me, he was receptive and he's mulling over our proposal and will present it to his team. Seriously do you have no faith in your partner at all?"

Kate is such a spoiled little rich girl sometimes, in that she feels entitled to have the world pool at her feet which it does most of the time. Her dislike for Christian stems from her inability to work her Kate magic on him, I can tell he doesn't like aggression in women and her charms were wasted on him. In school I was always somewhat overshadowed by her larger than life personality, guys were near me by proxy and seemed to flock to the gorgeous Kate Kavanaugh – she's always been confident and comfortable in her own skin – it was interesting to say the least to watch as she became unnerved at not getting her way for a change.

"I'm not saying that Ana, don't be so sensitive, it's just that he's a shark and – well…you're Ana. What was the asshole like?"

"Kate please – is that really necessary?" The second it's out of my mouth I regret it…busted.

"You like him! Spill!"

"Like I said, the meeting went well, he was receptive and is mulling over our proposal, we have not scheduled a follow-up meeting. He was impressed by my presentation, and complimented our interactive portals as a great forward thinking tool. He promised to follow up with me personally, it was a very productive and positive experience Kate – you need to relax."

"Fine, whatever - how do you feel about pizza for dinner, maybe that place that makes the square pizzas?" This is going to be so uncomfortable, ah well…

"Well, I'm going to have to take a raincheck."

"Why?"

"I have plans for dinner, as a matter of fact I really need to get ready."

"Really, and with whom are you having dinner?"

"Christian."

"Oh, it's Christian is it?"

"Don't start Kate."

"Fine, but I want details about that meeting, and where the fuck you've been all day Steele."

That's enough for me as I head to my bedroom in search of the perfect date outfit. I decide on a pink off the shoulder midi dress by ASOS and matching suede pink sandals, I have a beautiful clutch that is brown and pink snakeskin. I will wear my hair down with just a little gloss and some mascara. I love the smell of Pink by Victoria's Secret, it's such a pretty smell for an inexpensive brand, it's subtle but memorable. I can't remember the last time I was actually excited about a date.

Hyden always seems to be around to interfere with my male suitors, I have made it clear over and over that I'm not interested in him romantically but I am always polite when he drops by because of his relationship with my dad; he does this under the guise of keeping an eye on his good friend's daughter – yeah right. Hyden Jackson started his tech company Interspace ten years ago at nineteen with two of his college buddies – he's had many successes, and is partially responsible for my dad's foray into cellular standards after he made a killing in a dot com, bailing out at just the right time at Hyden's urging. He has done business with my dad for a number of years, and while I would never have been rude enough to flat out deny an important business partner of my dad's getting to know me, he needs to learn to take a hint.

Hyden sends me flowers on a semi regular basis and pops in to visit Kate and I at work. A couple of months ago after he brought Kate home drunk from a bar he took our staff to for happy hour he's popped up at our home a number of times. I manage to always have something else going on when he's around – he consulted with us for our IT needs initially, but I felt he was giving us a bit too much hands on assistance so we decided to bring on our own guy Jerome Allen and he has been a godsend. He's efficient, competent and all business, Jerome is married and has a son - our systems are secure and he's on top of all of the latest protocols. Hyden is handsome enough but not my type at all and I don't have an interest in him—he tends to lead with his money clip and toys, and it's a total turn off, he lacks the confidence to be himself, whoever that is. He comes off as childish and insecure – I understand socially awkward behavior and tend to gravitate towards it, except in the case of Hyden, the guy gives me the creeps. At some point the dropping in has to end, especially the dropping at our home, he's started doing it more recently and he's turning into a stage four creeper, never knowing when to leave, never knowing not to just show up for that matter. If I have to I will talk to him about it…soon.

I'm deep in thought and I don't hear Kate enter my dressing room –

"Steele, you day dreaming about Prince Charming – how did all of this come about?" Okay, you asked for it Ms. Kavanaugh.

"My meeting with Christian ran long – we had a very detailed discussion about our businesses, and over lunch –" I must admit I did that to get a rise out of her; Kate is seriously too self-absorbed for her own damn good, truthfully I was a bit hurt that she appeared to have zero faith in me this morning – but I get it, she's wondering how on earth this happened.

"LUNCH!?"

"Well yes, he had a couple of meetings after ours that he had his PA cancel and asked me to lunch." I say nonchalantly.

"This bastard, only allotted me twenty minutes and you had a meeting and lunch that lasted for five fucking hours?!" Inside I'm snickering my ass off. I shrug off her comment as though spending most of the day with Christian wasn't beyond the realm of my expectation.

"I don't really understand why you're upset, isn't that a good thing for Elite Kate—I mean seriously what is your problem and why are you calling Christian names?"

"So this dinner is about Elite Staffing?"

"No Kate it is not. I am having dinner with Christian because I find him interesting and attractive and I would like to spend time getting to know him, is that a problem for you?"

"I find it distasteful and unprofessional on both your parts."

"Well I'm sorry we will have to agree to disagree Kate."

Doorbell Rings

Saved by the bell, good thing too, Kate is seriously pissing me off.

"That's Christian, there is some homemade soup in the freezer Kate, defrost for five minutes on thirty percent and then nuke on high for two and a half."

I leave my room and answer the door and there he stands. Christian Grey, he looks absolutely edible in a perfectly tailored brown suit with matching shirt and no tie; god help me I feel weak in my knees.

"Ana you look amazing." He says leaning down and kissing my cheek and then handing me a beautiful bouquet of purpleish calla lilies, god he smells like…like my future husband at the ocean mmmm.

"Thank you Christian you look very handsome yourself, please, do come in. These flowers are so pretty, thank you."

"May I get you something to drink?"

"No thanks I'm fine – you have a lovely home Ana." He says, taking in his surroundings.

"Thank you so much. Well have a seat while I find the perfect vase for these pretty flowers." He doesn't sit, instead he walks over and leans against the kitchen counter and watches me pull out my favorite vase. His eyes are on me as I find it under the kitchen counter and fill it with tepid water, the little flower boost packet and finally the flowers. So pretty.

CPOV

I have no idea what the hell to do here. I have a date – Christian Grey has a date. I don't date, except if it's Anastasia Steele, my god that mouth, that skin. Focus Grey.

I picked up flowers, purple ones. I'm hoping she'll like these – the lady behind the counter picked them, what the hell do I know, I've never given a woman flowers – except for my mom and sister that is.

We're going to Canlis for my dad's birthday, I will blow everyone away by having a date; this is something I've never done before. My family is aware of my history and even though I haven't practiced in more than nine months, I haven't met anyone I was interested in seeing socially – I'm twenty seven years old and my family has never seen me with a woman and I've never been on a real date. I think having her come with me for my dad's dinner is a good idea because we won't have to force conversation and I won't spend the evening staring at her like a simpleton.

I'm sitting outside of Ana's townhouse and I cannot wait the extra seven minutes before I ring the doorbell. I felt confident until that moment.

There she is – she looks ah-may-ZING! Relax Grey, you're not a teenaged girl at a Justin Beiber concert.

I lean in to kiss her and she smells like an absolute dream – my god what am I going to do? Give her the flowers idiot.

"Ana you look amazing."

"Thank you Christian, you look very handsome this evening." I grin like a damn fool, inside I'm flying around like Rudolph when the little doe he was crushing on called him cute.

She offers me a drink which I decline and I stand by the breakfast bar while she arranged the flowers in a nice vase.

In the car she sits with her legs crossed at the ankle and leans toward me in order to make polite volume appropriate conversation, I can tell she's a little nervous too – as evidenced by her shy little blush. My god she's exquisite. I reach out and touch her hand and she responds with a warm smile that reaches her eyes.

"We're meeting my family for dinner at Canlis."

"Your family?" She says, her eyes widening in surprise and measured alarm.

"Yes, it's my dad's birthday."

"Oh, Christian, I didn't even buy a card – we should…"

"Not to worry baby, I've got you." I say taking her hand in mine bringing it to my lips and kissing her knuckles. I linger the kiss and rub the back of her hand lightly on my cheek. What the fuck are you doing man! Pull yourself together.

Dinner with my family is nothing like I'd imagined. Well I had nothing to compare it with, but I had the greatest time. We had interesting conversation and Ana stayed engaged with my family—she got along well with Mia, who can be a bit over the top with her enthusiasm, she's invited her to shop already. I of course had to deal with some light hearted ribbing from my brother and sister, which Ana seemed to enjoy very much – she seemed mesmerized when I let out a belly laugh at El's expense, I'm wondering if I come off too serious or stiff.

Ana talked very openly about her family, she has a brother RJ who will be done with high school this year and headed to Georgetown in the fall, he wants to be an attorney—she shared what my background check already revealed about her parents and their lines of work.

We ordered the seven course meal for the table, so there was no sampling of main courses, but we all tried every side dish. The sommelier's selections for the menu were perfect, and although there was no chocolate cake the desserts were enjoyed by all, even me. Truthfully I could have eaten toast and water, sitting next to this enchanting woman was the real treat.

"Chris I can't believe you're indulging in anything other than chocolate cake—alert the press." Fucking Elliot.

"Oh, is that your favorite?" Ana asks, lightly brushing my forearm just above my wrist with her fingertips and looking questioningly into my eyes – she wants to know me – thanks Elliot.

I can tell my mother and Mia are excited, but they somehow managed to contain themselves. My dad was his usual laid back impassive self, I know my dad and he's impressed with Ana, he's a smooth operator though – no wonder he got so lucky with my mom. Elliot is flying solo tonight which is a bit of a surprise, but I don't miss having to meet another flavor of the week. They're usually blonde, sorority ready and part of the country club set, annoying, entitled and in it to win it. Elliot is a very successful businessman in his own right – he owns a construction company and is committed to green alternatives - he's brilliant and focused when it comes to business, but not his dick. I think my mom had just about given up on one of her sons settling down…until tonight that is. The truth of the matter is that before today I had never known a woman that I would be proud to bring home to meet my family, Ana makes me feel so much bigger than I am.

Mia's boyfriend Aaron is a great guy and it's a joy to have him around – my sister is a year younger than Ana and while she's accomplished she made crappy choices in boyfriends in high school – she got it together when she studied in Europe. She came home and decided right away she wanted to open her own restaurant and within a year she did just that – "Breakfast" has been open for about eighteen months now and is a huge success, she's received a number of write ups in the Times and other local publications.

I had owned the commercial space for some time and it was a no brainer when she presented me with her business plan – that was my investment in her dream and Mia did the rest with monies from the trust my grandparents established for her. Breakfast does one thing and one thing only…breakfast and it's open seven days a week, during the hours of six a.m. until three in the afternoon—the Sunday brunch is elaborate and amazing. My favorite is the truly continental breakfast which includes Mia's take on breakfast foods from all seven continents. Mia, like her big brothers is a total workaholic and is only off on Sundays, which she generally spends with Aaron and/or our family. Her hours are crazy and she's up every morning by three and at work by four thirty, she's a machine, I could not be more proud.

Before we leave my mom invites Ana to Bellevue for brunch on Sunday and to my overwhelming delight she accepts. I have never, ever been happier.

We decide to join El, Mia and Aaron for drinks and a little dancing at Serendipity, a buddy of El's owns the place and we're ushered into the VIP section. This is good news to me that after three hours of dinner and chatter, she also isn't ready for the evening to end in spite of the fact that she worked today. Ana sits close to me and rests her hand on my knee after I placed it there ever so casually, I just wanted her to touch me, so badly - she made eye contact with me and smiled in response to the inviting gesture. For the rest of the evening she moved her hand a number of times, but never for long as her hand always found my knee, that knee, she understood my open invitation to touch me and she didn't disappoint. Each time she touched me it sent new shivers up my spine. I responded by running my index finger not-so absentmindedly on the back of her hand and across her delicate fingers.

Ana got up when prompted by Mia and seemed to have a blast dancing. The two of them attracted lots of attention, I kept my eye on Ana and Aaron as always glances lovingly and often at my sister. El, Aaron and I just hang back in VIP – El on the prowl and Aaron and I making sure our girls are chicken hawk free.

"Ana seems like a great girl – were you trying to give us a heart attack."

"Not really a heart attack, but I knew everyone would be surprised."

"Why her?"

"She touches me. Yes, she's beautiful, but that's just the tip of the iceberg – I've never felt drawn to someone like this in my life. I know when I wake up tomorrow she'll be on my mind." Aaron gives me a knowing look and El looks perplexed, then he nods, blinking back tears.

"What's up El?" I ask concerned.

"I've never seen you … happy Chris. I'm happy for you." We toast to my happiness. Elliot decides to go talk to a girl he'd been eyeing all night while Aaron and I go to dance with our girls.

I love dancing with Ana, I can tell she feels comfortable with me – I don't hesitate to hold her close to me god she smells amazing. She turns around and leans against me, I throw caution to the wind and place my hands on her hips, she feels so good through this material, whatever it is, I love holding her near me. We decide to sit and have another drink and chat a little. VIP is less noisy and I want Ana all to myself for a few moments before everyone else gets tired.

I don't want to waste an opportunity so while we're sitting alone in VIP I lean in for a kiss which she returns – I lightly lick her lips for entry and to my delight she parts her lips, I hold her face in my hands and deepen our first real kiss. Truth is I've never really kissed before, and I can't believe I'm doing this in public. My interactions with women have been sexual, but not at all intimate. I never wanted to give any one of them the wrong impression. I want to kiss Ana and this is better than I ever could have imagined.

We stop to catch our breath and I whisper "you taste even better than I imagined." Her blush is immediate. She cocks her head to the side and smiles.

"You leave me speechless Christian, that doesn't happen too often." I reach out and stroke her warm cheek.

"Well I have a lot to say to you, but I don't want to scare you away Ana" leaning forward I kiss her cheek and whisper "I would miss you if you ran away." I have no idea who this guy is, I don't know why I'm being so open about my feelings for this woman I've known for less than twenty-four hours, I just know my heart is so full and I feel as if it's now or…it's now. I can't lose her playing it cool, what the hell does playing it cool mean anyway, sounds like an adolescent preoccupation to me.

"I wouldn't get very far in these heels now would I? She says placing a comforting kiss near my mouth. She's right here with me in this us thing she feels it too.

We leave the club and share more kisses on the ride to her house, I don't want to let her go. I can't help myself I nibble on that delicious bottom lip and she lets out a tiny moan – fuck!

"Ana I would like to be with you, I'm not involved with anyone else romantically and I would like to be in a relationship with you, I want you to understand I meant it when I said I was drawn to you, it wasn't a line – and I just want you to know I'm not some playboy interested in a casual fling." I can't believe that came from me, but that's it I'm laying all my cards out there. Well not all of them, I haven't said I can't even describe my feeling for her.

"Christian, honestly I have never felt like this before, I would like to be with you too." She says tearing up.

"Baby what's wrong?" I say kissing her face before the tears can fall.

"I'm afraid. I don't have a lot of experience with dating, and I'm a little concerned that you might find me boring over time, and I honestly…I…I know that I would really miss you if that happened Christian." She is breathless after this admission. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me."

"Ana, I have mastered the art of being in control of my emotions and before tonight I would not have imagined in my wildest dreams actually saying the things I've just said to you, I don't do vulnerable. I normally abhor public displays of affection, I have never been on a date before tonight Ana and I have never brought a woman to meet my family." She seems stunned by my admissions.

"I promise I will explain whatever you want to know about my past – just know that I am not gay nor am I am secreting some woman away somewhere and oh, and what is the other tabloid favorite, I'm not a virgin." She smiles a crooked little smile and doesn't make eye contact, I'm not sure what that's about, but it's bashful and cute.

"Thank you for sharing that with me Christian, I'm also single and not dating anyone – I've gone on a number of first dates, but never really felt a connection with anyone. In college I was all about school and my life now revolves around my business – my personal life is almost non-existent."

"I'd like to see you tomorrow…um…today; and since I don't think could wait until dinner, would you like to go to lunch and maybe take a walk?"

"I would love to."

"Great, I will pick you up at 11:00?"

"Sounds good to me."

I walk Ana into her house and after a long and lingering kiss goodnight I take my leave and head home where my lukewarm shower and my palm await me.

APOV

I feel like I'm walking on air.

Christian walked me to my door – he stepped inside briefly and kissed me goodnight. Kissing Christian is like nothing I've ever experienced before, I never knew that kissing alone could make me…well want more than kissing. It was unnerving at first because it's never happened to me before. I'm feeling a yearning like nothing I've felt before – I miss him already and I can't wait for lunch tomorrow. I love how he solidifies seeing me again before we part – that makes two times now, I love his sense of urgency.

Lunch tomorrow and brunch on Sunday at the Grey's home. I'm grinning like an idiot and staring at my flowers, when I receive his text.

I had a wonderful time tonight, I will be counting the hours until I see you at lunch tomorrow – C

My heart skips a beat, and I respond right away – and although I should feel scared I just don't care, Christian Grey is my boyfriend and he's amazing.

I miss you already – A XOXO

"Wooow Steele." I hear from behind me. Why is she awake?

"Seriously Kate, what is your problem with Christian? This cannot be because he made you wait for a meeting, please tell me what it's about?"

"It's just sad watching you whore yourself this way, rumor has it he's gay he's probably just using you as a beard."

"Why are you so hateful Kate; you are standing here quoting rumors about a man you know nothing about. Do you not want to see me happy? I just had a wonderful evening with an incredible, intelligent, gorgeous, attentive gentleman who made me feel as if I was the only woman on earth. He has not given me any reason to think negatively of him in any way, this was the best date I have ever had. He has the most down to earth family and – "

"Family!? You met his family?"

"Yes Kate I did, the dinner tonight was a celebration of his dad's birthday – afterwards we went for drinks at Serendipity with his brother, sister and her boyfriend. He doted on me and we spent as much time as we could just talking about everything under the sun. I know I'm not as experienced as some, but I know genuine interest when I see it. He topped the evening off with asking me for lunch tomorrow after his mom invited me for brunch at their home on Sunday—so I guess they're in on the master plan too." I know I'm twisting the knife deeply, but she's crossed the line and I don't deserve her calling me a whore especially since she fucked her way through half of the Stanford undergrad and had quite the nasty reputation, and she hasn't slowed down much since we moved to Seattle. Her reputation was so bad that I had a few uncomfortable moments by proxy simply because I was her roommate and BFF, but I never judged her. I love Kate, but this is bullshit.

"I…I didn't mean…" She says sobbing.

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU MEANT KATE! – You don't get to take your anger and frustrations out on me. If you don't have anything good to say about Christian then don't say a fucking thing! If you can't be happy for me…well…well that's too damn bad, I'm going to bed now I want to be refreshed and rested for my date tomorrow with Christian…but you may call him Mr. Grey. Oh and I guess you were too far away to see that tent he pitched in his pants while kissing me…yeah, not gay and well endowed."

I turn on my heels and leave, knowing our relationship could possibly be damaged beyond repair.

Seven hours earlier

Doorbell rings

KPOV

Who the hell is that? I haven't heard from Kevin since he said he would drop by with some calamine lotion and soup – yeah that was four days ago. Now Ana is out for the evening with the asshole billionaire, my guess is he takes her to some out of the way spot where he can't be seen, screws her in the back of his car and drops her off never to be heard from again.

"Ladies, ladies…good lord Kate what happened to your face?"

"I have the chickenpox Hyden – what are you doing here, and without calling no less?"

"I thought I'd come by – bring a little Chinese for my two favorite girls."

"Well your favorite girl is out this evening…"

"She and Jose hanging out huh, where'd they go?" He says with a laugh, but his desperation is not even thinly veiled.

"No actually she's on a date with Christian Grey." I say this just to watch his face pale and he doesn't disappoint.

"A date? – how did that happen, wait…the Christian Grey?"

"One in the same. She met with him this morning because I came down with the chickenpox and couldn't make the meeting I spent months groveling to get. And it looks like they hit it off, go figure. Did you get any General Tso shrimp or sweet and sour chicken? I'm starving."

"Yeah, yeah I got both – where did they go?" What are you going to do moron, go and sit outside the restaurant, or better yet, join them for dinner?

"On a date Hyden I have no idea where they went. He came in gave her a kiss on the cheek and those flowers over there. After she put them in a vase they left. You know—date stuff"

"Why didn't you ask?"

"Why do you care?—you know as well as I do it's never going to happen with her, she's been very up front with you. You've been trying for almost two years and she won't even go out with you after the one date she promised her dad she would go on. You need to move on Hyden. I saw how they looked at each other – you don't stand a chance, Ana's cookie is on lock down and the cookie jar is sealed shut, who knows…maybe Grey is the cookie monster." I say with a giggle, I notice something in his expression, not sure whether it's hurt, anger or a combination of the two, so I try and lighten to mood.

"Let's make some drinks." Screw it, might as well get tipsy.

"What? Yeah sure."

HPOV

Ana is beautiful, more beautiful than the photos in Ray's office. Ray had given his blessing for me to ask her out – why not I was the one that gave him heads up he needed to get out of what would have been a disastrous decision stay in with the dot com thing when a friend of mine gave me the scoop – he avoided any FTC involvement because I'm smarter than the government and his sale couldn't be traced back to him having any connection with insider trading. He owed me big time so he encouraged me to date his daughter after I told him I wanted to meet her.

Getting to know her was better than my image of her, she's a real sweetheart, a very nice girl who has no idea how pretty and sexy she is. It's a plus that she hasn't given it up to a bunch of losers, I know she doesn't sleep around and I've dreamed about claiming that ass for years now. She belongs to me and until now I've not had any competition; Christian Grey, an aloof smug bastard who rules the roost here in Seattle, he's clean cut and self-made, a billionaire – Maybe I was wrong about Ana, maybe my measly millions weren't enough for her.

She gave me the bullshit song and dance about just being friends, but I know that's just her wanting me to try harder to win her over, persistence. Her dad has told me over and over not to give up—she's been worth the wait. Sure I've banged everything with a pulse since that time, but I have needs, none of those skanks compare to her, she would be my greatest accomplishment – I compare them to her, all of them and none measure up. I have so much time invested in her, I deserve her. I have worked hard to keep losers at bay, I threatened one guy with physical violence if he called her again after their one date – she wasn't interested anyway, so his not calling her made it easy. I've put up with her obnoxious BFF and her gay buddy for months on end…users. I've even tolerated the know it all IT guy she insisted on hiring against my advice.

KPOV

Hyden and I are about four margaritas in and three sheets to the wind. We watched one of those Furious movies on TV and played music.

I have never been particularly attracted to Hyden and I don't know if it was the alcohol or our sadness at the day's events but somehow we began kissing that quickly turned into heavy petting – and before I knew it we were in my room having sex. I cannot believe I'm having sex with Hyden Jackson.

Hyden's dick is huge, and he's so attentive — he ate my pussy until I literally creamed, he made me come and didn't stop until I came again - I've had two orgasms already and he hasn't stopped, he's pretty quiet, somehow I expected he'd be a bit more vocal - his eyes are closed so tight like he's concentrating on not coming too soon but in spite of that I feel him pulsing and stretching inside of me – it feels so good—he's not a big kisser but he's definitely a tit man mine are going to be covered in hickies tomorrow.

"Oh, Hyden I'm coming again, oh my god—don't stop."

"Yes, mmmm me too, I'm coming…Ah…oooohhh ANA!" What the fuck!?

"Get the fuck off of me." I scream at him as he finishes – he doesn't even realize what he did.

"What's wrong with you, why are you screaming at me? I thought you wanted this too." He says oblivious to what he just did and said.

"I guess the main thing that's wrong with me is I'm not Ana Hyden – because that's what you just called me!" I yell, snatching the bedsheet around me – suddenly painfully aware of my nakedness on more than one level.

"Were you thinking of Ana the entire time or just when you came you fucking bastard?"

"What are you talking about Kate?" He says getting up from the bed looking for his clothes.

"You called me Ana you fucking asshole!"

"Oh get over it Kate, I was drunk! You knew how I felt about Ana when you opened your legs."

"I thought you had accepted it Hyden – did you really imagine you were licking, sucking and fucking Ana you sick twisted son of a bitch? You fucking used me!" He's dressed now and he looks at me – a darkness clouds his eyes.

"So what if I did Kate? – I'm sure it's not the first time or the twentieth that some guy wished he was with someone special – but settled for you."

"Get out! Get the FUCK out!"

"Whatever Kate, you wanted it and you enjoyed it, what difference does it make who I was thinking about – if I were you I would keep this little incident to myself – you wouldn't want to upset your biggest client now would you? Don't be a silly slut for once, you'll be back on your knees and back in no time." he says slamming my bedroom door as I dissolve into tears.

HPOV

It's after two in the morning when the Audi SUV pulls up. After a moment he gets out and opens her door—so the slut didn't make this up to get under my skin, it's Grey, Mr. Most Eligible himself. She looks good tonight, she's holding his hand, walking close to him, and she's smiling. It's interesting, she allowed him to pick her up at home – she insisted on meeting me for our date. It took me months to get inside dragging the drunken bitch with me, yet he's picking her up and dropping her at home.

I guess millions in my portfolio wasn't enough for Ray's little girl. I wonder just how he'll feel about this little development, he better get her ass in line or there will be hell to pay. I'm not deterred because I know what she needs and it's not Grey, he's a flash in the pan, I will crush him if he tries to take what belongs to me. She owes me! He didn't stay very long, but the bastard is practically skipping as he leaves her house, he hops in the back of the truck and off they go. I see the light go on in Ana's room after about fifteen minutes and decide to call it a night.