Chapter 3.

Anastasia resisted the urge to look up even though that was what she wanted to do, craving to see the expression that accompanied such a commanding voice. But she was in sub-mode even though this man was not her partner. Inside her mind, there was just one word: wrong, WRONG!

He wasn't her partner and yet, she'd never felt anything like this connection. As an Empath, she could attest Christian Grey was the strongest Dominant she had ever met, hands down. Taking into account she had submitted to quite a few throughout the three divine realms, this was relevant information. And he was a human. The other Doms she knew would be so pissed about this… she couldn't wait to tell them and watch while they lose their shit.

"Are you really here for the interview?"

Damn! She couldn't lie, couldn't betray what she felt. A Dom-Sub connection was based on power and trust, especially trust. Although this moment was more about power. Where the Heaven was her will?

So fucked.

"No, sir."

"It was bold of her to send you here."

What?

He had obviously mistaken her for some girl that shouldn't be sent to his office, and he had a provider. Note to self: look into that, maybe bringing José was the best idea she had had lately. And her luck was back, just when she thought this mortal would kick her ass out on the street.

Remaining in silence, like the good 'little dirty girl' he thought she was, Anastasia dissected the vibes he was emitting. The darkness she felt when closing the door was still there, threatening to corrupt everything else, but it was difficult to identify its nature. It felt like cancer, gnawing at all of his emotions, eating his soul.

Interesting. She was sure this was related to the assignment.

Suddenly, with one knee on the floor, he took a handful of hair and pulled her head back hard enough to make a statement but without hurting her… actually, it hurt a little. She closed her eyes on time, avoiding his stare and enjoying the mix of pain and pleasure.

Fucking wrong.

"Why are you kneeling, little girl? We don't have an agreement."

"I couldn't help it, sir. It was too strong to ignore."

The silent pause that followed made her nervous, along with arousal she could feel his mistrust. She still expected some guard to drag her out of the building.

"What was?"

Ah, this man wanted her to stroke his ego as much as she wanted to stroke his hard-on.

"Your dominant personality, sir. The authority you ooze is overwhelming, my body just reacted. Please, forgive me."

The answer pushed all the right buttons because the wave of sexual desire that hit her was so intense, she couldn't stop the moan escaping her lips. He yanked her hair backward eliciting another moan out of her, which forced a groan out of him.

"You are tempting me, you are tempting me and I didn't give you permission for that."

She knew, none of them did. And she was so turned on... five more minutes of this and the begging slut in her would be in charge, assignment be damned.

"Open your eyes and look at me."

Her eyes obeyed that instant, their gazes met. His were silver flames that burned her soul with its brilliance, capturing her awareness to the exclusion of everything else, robbing her of something precious. His masculine smell mixed with testosterone enveloped her body, more like imprisoned it. She got lost in sensation, it was amazing and it had to stop.

Dear Lords, help!

She was now asking for divine intervention. Something, anything.

Fortunately he was in control, he had obviously trained his self-restrain enough to resist whatever it was they were feeling. Freeing her head he stood up, then walked back to his huge modern dark-wood desk, his fists clenched so tightly that if there had been anything inside them it would have been crushed to pieces.

While admiring the 'I-want-to-have-your babies' back view of him, she wondered about the reaction a human had just triggered from her and panicked. Was it the new body? Probably the horny virginal hormones wanting more than this teasing shit.

Or maybe he wasn't entirely human, an alien with some weird superpower. No, that was nonsense, she could smell his humanity as clearly as her own arousal. By the way, she must be wearing adult diapers because it was taking her wetness like a champion.

Let's hope no strip-tease is required. If the fingernails were indication enough, there could be a freaking forest between her legs.

With great effort, Anastasia stood up. She could move now, the connection had disappeared for some reason, probably because he was fighting it. Probably because it was too strong to be good.

She needed out, a human able to take her will from her body justified an emergency call.

"I apologize again, sir, and for taking so much of your time. Thank you for the… er… interview."

She turned around to get out of there as quickly as possible and discuss this with the King. It was wrong to get her trapped in some bullshit between the realms without enough information. The boy's soul -boy her ass- could burn in Hell for all she cared. Maybe it was the best cure against those shadows she detected inside him.

"Not so fast, Anastasia."

Damn, fuck, shit!

Her apprehensive nature, the one that taught her to lie, was screaming 'run, bitch, run' but she forced her feet to stop. She wasn't a running coward and this human did need help, tons of help. Besides, he was giving her an opening and she was wasting it. With a deep sigh, she turned around.

"What do you want, Christian?"

The change in her demeanor surprised him but not enough to make him lose his authoritative stance. Understandable, this was his office, his clinical gray and white kingdom.

"Sit."

Accepting her fate she sunk into one of the white leather chairs, meeting his stare with a defiant one of her own. That little display of weakness might have given him the wrong idea. She was anything but weak, that wasn't the reason she enjoyed submitting in the bedroom.

"You seem well trained and I'm looking for a partner."

Straight to the point, she liked it.

"I'm not sure, you saw what happened."

"What happened?"

For some reason, she wanted to see his reaction to the truth.

"Your Alpha and my Beta decided to get out and play without our consent, it could be dangerous." She knew her Beta was a needy slut, but come on, that was just too much.

"I felt it, at the end we were in control."

"I guess I could have safe-worded to stop it but I didn't want to. Definitively dangerous, who knows what kind of darkness can my Beta summon from your heart."

A flicker of undefinable expression crossed his face, she would've missed it if she weren't paying attention.

What was that?

Her shields were down and yet she couldn't feel anything except curiosity and distrust in his aura. That was not what just altered his sexy-as-heaven features. Anastasia cursed inwardly, he was able to bend her soul, to block her radar. What else?

She knew a worthy challenge when she saw it and she wasn't a sentinel to turn her back on one. Well, maybe five minutes ago she was, not now. What's the worst that could happen? Go to Hell? She knew the boss there and that was exactly what was waiting for her at home.

They stared at each other for a while, not weighing the pros and cons but deciding if being reckless was something they dared to be.

"I still think we were in control."

He wanted this to happen. She wanted this to happen. Were both of them that fucked up?

Don't come off as desperate. Whatever you do, don't come off as desperate.

She shrugged. "Okay. I don't do long terms, though."

He raised his eyebrows at that.

"That's not safe."

"Not in my case. I know how to take care of myself."

His irritation gave her satisfaction. And she could see the wheels turning in his head, wondering, wondering... but what?

"How many?"

"How many what?"

"Doms."

Anastasia straightened the ugly brown skirt.

"Five." Hundred. Half-truth, half-lie, the best foundation for any relationship. "What about you? How many?"

"That's a personal question I won't answer."

"Why not? I just did."

"Because you don't need to know."

Asshole. He was making clear who had the big hand there. She wouldn't take that shit, a submissive was an equal partner even though gave up her or his will. Note to self: Important thing to fix soon... more like right now.

"I'm still a virgin."

Stunned with surprise, his jaw fell open.

"I don't tolerate lies."

His tone was menacing but she didn't feel threatened. Shaking her head she let the news sink in. "I'm not lying. That's why I might have to visit a friend first… you know… to rectify the situation."

"NO!"

Clearly affected, he stood up abruptly, his eyes closed, looking to be counting to ten. What a sight, she couldn't avoid a small smile. Protectiveness, possessiveness, and sexual need; all wrapped in one mouth-watering creature, offered to her in this clinical altar in exchange for her virginal blood.

Yes! Just ask for it, dummy, it's a gift sent from a God above to you.

"I mean… no need. I can take care of it."

Shaking her head again, she too got up.

"Sorry... no."

"Why?" There was some desperation.

"I want my first time with someone that treats me like a real partner, you know… equally. Not like a pet or a toy."

His gray eyes were bleak as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked torn, frustrated. Then, realization hit him, he gasped and threw himself back in his chair with a grin. It didn't last much but was enough to lighten her spirit and make her feel oddly happy.

"Fifteen."

Anastasia sat crossing her legs, businesslike. His stare was now on her knees, his gray eyes cool but amused by the symbolism of her gesture.

"I guess you are experienced enough. You will do."

He frowned, then gave her another grin, then frowned again because he wanted her right there and right now and he didn't like it. She could relate.

"No complains so far."

Conceited man! She liked it, too.

"Okay, then your domineering Alpha can play with my virginal Beta. We can talk about the details later, maybe over a drink?"

Or two. What about the whole bottle?

Straightening his back he deepened his frown. "How have you managed to stay a virgin submitting to five men?"

She smiled, sweetly, aspiring to give him a diabetic coma.

"Ah, well, there are always so many possibilities and… who said they were all men?"

Anastasia walked slowly and stood in front of him, offering her hand to his shocked face.

"We have a deal, Mr. Grey."

Cat-like, he raised from his chair taking her hand and pressing his lips to it. She shuddered. The kiss felt like an old promise, one that was already made but never fulfilled. It was unnerving, the whole meeting had been.

"More like a date… Anastasia."

Holy shit! The way he had said her name sent tremors of awareness rippling through her body. She lifted her shields just in case, this man was super-sex on long legs. It was doubtful her diaper-like panties were still dry.

My bittersweet Lords! Why are you making me this?