A/N: I've created a Pinterest board for the story. The link is on my bio page. As always, thanks for reading. Enjoy!
A POV
"Are you really not going to tell me what you and Christian talked about during your game of pool?", Kate asks for the hundredth time since we arrived home and the millionth time since we left Garage. I fall back on the sofa and shake my head. "I'll tell you what Elliot and I talked about."
"I'm certain I already know what the two of you talked about. You started word fucking almost as soon as you met."
"Word fucking?", she giggles before taking a sip of her bottled water.
"When you're basically fucking each other with your words.", I answer. "Do you and Elliot plan on seeing each other again?"
"We're going out next week. The guy is incredibly sexy and knows how to get my body temp rising, but he also has a great sense of humor and listens. I didn't feel like I was having a one sided conversation."
"I'm glad you hit it off." The smile on my best friend's face makes it difficult to not give in to her plea to hear what was discussed between Christian and me. "I'll tell you about my pool game but don't make a big deal out of it. We made a wager. If he won, I had to have dinner with him. I didn't know at first what I wanted if I won, but I decided once the game was over."
"Ah, so that means you won.", Kate smirks. "Did you tell him to leave you alone?" I get up and head to the kitchen for something to drink. "OMG! Ana, you can't leave me on the edge like this." I pour a glass of apple juice and head back into the living room. "You told him to stay away, didn't you?"
"No.", I sigh. "I had a moment of weakness and said we could have coffee at a time and place of my choosing." Kate sets her bottle down and rushes over to me, pulling me into a hug even though I'm holding my glass. "This is why I didn't want to tell you. You're making it into a bigger deal than it is. We're having coffee. That's it."
"Considering you were saying the other day you weren't interested, I'd say coffee is progress in your warming to him. It's ok to admit you might be interested."
"Honestly, I don't know what I'm wanting. I initially wanted nothing to do with Christian Grey, but I'm starting to wonder. One thing is for certain. I'm still going to be the woman who refuses to let the guy control her life."
"As you should.", Kate says as we sit back down. "Do you know when and where you want to have coffee?"
"I was kind of thinking going ahead and getting it out of the way by doing it tomorrow. That, however, would make me seem too eager."
"Not necessarily. You could tell him you want to go ahead and get the coffee date out of the way."
"It's not a date. It's a coffee meeting.", I murmur. I stand and start heading to my bedroom. "I'm going to bed."
"Translation, you're either going to call or text Christian.", she giggles.
"Hello.", I hear Christian say, but I don't say anything back. "Ana, I see it's your number so why don't you say something?"
"I'm sorry. I accidentally dialed your number." I'm lying through my teeth. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"You're not.", he laughs. "You said you accidentally dialed my number, yet I wonder if you meant to call me."
"It was an accident.", I growl. "But since I've got you on the phone, I'd like to discuss our coffee meeting. Would tomorrow at the Starbucks on Pike Street be good for you? If not, we can do it another time."
"Tomorrow works for me. What time?"
"How about ten? Again, if it doesn't work, we can schedule another time.", I say.
"Ten is good.", he answers.
"All right then. I'll see you at ten." I end the call and wonder if I should've waited until another time. Like I told Kate though, I can go ahead and get the thing out of the way. Yes, that's exactly why I want tomorrow. It's not at all because I find myself becoming more curious about him. Keep telling yourself that.
I told Christian ten, and I make sure it's exactly ten when I walk through the door of the Starbucks. His eyes meet mine the second I see him. I slowly walk towards him and even smile.
"You look very nice.", he says, looking at my outfit which consists of skinny jeans and a red knit sweater.
"Thanks. Do you know what you want?", I ask.
"I definitely know what I want." His eyes darken as he closes the distance between us. It's clear he's not referring to the kind of drink he wants. I step back and get in line to order.
"Good because I'm going to have a venti latte macchiato."
"Hmm. I saw that's a new drink on the menu, and I'll all about trying new things.", Christian grins. "I'll have the same." The barista rings up the orders, and Christian starts pulling out his wallet.
"I've got it." He acts as if he wants to say something but stays silent.
"This is pretty good.", Christian says after taking a drink of his macchiato. "I usually get the dark roast." I pick up my cup and try the drink while he studies my every move.
"Why are you watching me like that?"
"I'm sorry. It's a habit that I have when something or in this case someone interests me."
"You say that, yet you really don't know me.", I murmur, folding my napkin. "Sure you know my phone number and where I work in addition to the fact that I'm a damn good pool player."
"I'd like to know more about you. Tell me about yourself and not something I can easily find out." He actually sounds like he really wants to get to know me and not just physically.
"I'm an only child to two parents who I love more than anything. My dad has a landscaping business that allows him to enjoy the outdoors. He loves gardening and fishing. My mom works as the accountant for my dad's work. I like all kinds of music which I sing along to although I don't have a great singing voice. Another thing I like is reading. I love being able to get lost inside of a book, forgetting whatever troubles might be going on in real life. Boring life, right?"
"Not at all. It sounds like you have a great life, and there's nothing boring about you. What about relationships? I'm sure you've had lots of guys falling at your feet." I set my cup down and giggle.
"Um...nope. I've had one serious boyfriend.", I reply.
"Did he do something to make you leery towards dating?"
"If you're asking if he broke my heart, the answer is no. We dated for three years and were happy until that happiness started dwindling. We both changed and realized we weren't meant to be together. I decided afterwards that I should focus on myself." I clasp my hands together and shift forward in my seat. "It's only fair that you tell me about yourself."
"You mean other than get hard every time I see you?", he teases. "You've met my parents and siblings. I'm fortunate to have them." He pauses and clears his throat. "I like golfing and flying. I also enjoy watching old tv shows. The Three Stooges is one of my favorites."
"I wouldn't have guessed that.", I say. "What about your dating life?" The clicking of heels interrupts the conversation. Christian and I turn to see Leila, the girl I saw at the gym, standing next to our table.
"Christian, hi.", she purrs. She turns to me and grins slightly. "Oh hello. It's you."
"It's me.", I mutter. Christian furrows his brows in confusion. "We met at the gym the other day."
"We sure did. I feel bad that I introduced myself, but I didn't get your name."
"I'm Ana."
"Well, Ana, it's nice to officially meet you." She shifts her attention to Christian. "I heard your trip was cancelled. Does this mean I'm going to see you tonight?"
"I'm afraid not. I had an unexpected development in one of my fiber optic deals so I've got some calls to make and emails to send."
"Ok then.", Leila sighs in defeat. "I'm meeting my mom to get our hair done. Call me. Ana, it was nice to see you again." The pissy look on your face says othewise.
"You too.", I tell her.
"Bye.", Christian says. She struts away, leaving the air thick with tension. "Her mother and stepfather are friends with my parents."
"You don't have to explain although she did make a comment at the gym in regards to a certain part of your anatomy. She overheard Kate, Julia, and I talking about the flowers you sent. She then said her friend had a small thing with me, and that wasn't the only small thing." It takes Christian a few seconds to realize what I'm talking about, but his eyes widen once he finally understands. "I sensed from the tone of her voice that she was actually the friend."
"We did have a thing, but it's over now. That wasn't the only lie she told. You felt the outline of my cock when we were at the hospital. Did it feel little to you?" I feel my face redden and wish I had gotten a cold drink instead. "You're getting flustered."
"I'm not. They must have turned the heat up in here. I get the feeling Leila still has feelings for you."
"She does, but I don't feel the same about her. Ana, I've been honest with you from the start which is why I'm going to tell you something. I've had my share of flings, yet I've never had a real relationship. My work is one reason. I built my company from the ground up and take great pride in it. I work long hours to ensure the company runs like a well oiled machine, and that leaves me with little free time."
"A lot of free time is what you don't have today.", I nod. "We should say goodbye now so you can get to the calls and emails you mentioned to Leila. I don't want to take away time that's vital to getting your fiber optics deal fixed."
"I lied about that. There wasn't an unexpected development in a fiber optics deal. I used that as an excuse to not accompany Leila to her stepfather's birthday party. You, Ana, have made me second guess myself so many times since that night I first laid eyes on you."
"Really?", I scoff.
"Yes. Really. Another reason why I haven't had a relationship is because I've never met a woman who I've liked enough. That is until you came along. You bewitch me. I understand you're on your no dating journey, but I'd like for you to reconsider." Is it possible that Christian truly wants more than sex? He certainly sounds convincing. I had my mind made up that I wasn't going to fall for him. Too late!
"I'm not a woman who lets a guy run her life. I'm my own person and can make my own decisions.", I state.
"And I don't want to change that. I don't want to change anything about you. We can give it a trial run."
"Like going to dinner and the movies?"
"Yep. Will you do the trial run with me?", he asks.
"All right. We can give it a trial run."