A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
A POV
"This is my first time here, yet I already love it.", I say as Christian and I sit at our corner table in Patty's Eggnest. "My eggs are delicious. I'd ask how your food is, but you've barely touched it." Christian looks up and sighs. "Even though we're still getting to know things about each other I sense something is either on your mind or bothering you." He takes a slow sip of his coffee. "I want my boyfriend to be open with me."
"I'm not trying to be a downer. I've been trying to think of a way to tell you some information.", he murmurs. "I might as well go ahead and just tell you. Rawlings Motors is a car dealership here in Seattle. It had been a successful business but started having some problems. Tom Rawlings, the man who started it, is a very nice man who wants to see things turn around, and that's why he sold it to me. He'll continue to run the day to day operations while I remain behind the scenes. One way we think we can get things back on track is through advertising, specifically advertising with the help of Nelson Advertising."
"As in where I work?", I ask.
"Yes." I start getting the sense there's more to the story. "Nelson Advertising has a great reputation. I've already spoken with Mr. Nelson who's eager to help. He's going to spend the weekend deciding who should handle the account."
"I don't want it.", I state point blank. "Donovan only wanted me to do his advertising because he wanted to sleep with me. If I were chosen for Rawlings Motors, it could look like I got it only because I'm dating you. I want to get work based on my experience and what I have to bring to the table."
"I understand and respect that which is why I went ahead and told Mr. Nelson that I'm dating you." I take the last bite of my breakfast and push my plate aside. "I wanted to go ahead and inform him in case he was leaning towards giving you the job and so there would be no conflict of interest." A small part of me is upset that my personal life was brought up in my work life, but I also get why Christian told Mr. Nelson.
"I hope you can help turn the dealership around, but I'm kind of shocked that you'd want to get into the auto business."
"I like investing in different projects.", he shrugs although I'm not entirely convinced. "I already wanted to help, but my decision was even more concrete when I learned more about Mr. Rawlings. He lost his eighteen year old son to a drunk driver. Afterwards, he stopped caring about work. He's now realized his son would want him to continue making Rawlings Motors a great place."
"That's terrible about his son. I can't even imagine the pain he felt from the loss.", I say softly as the waitress refills Christian's coffee. The smile she gives him doesn't escape me. That smile doesn't stay when she pours me coffee in my cup.
"Do you need anything else?", she asks Christian.
"No thanks.", he answers. She smiles once again at him before sauntering over to another table.
"It's a good thing I didn't want anything else.", I sigh. "I can't believe she was able to pour the coffee since she had her eyes glued to you."
"You're not jealous, are you?"
"Of course not." I look towards the front of the restaurant where a tv is playing. I almost vomit in my mouth at the image I see on the screen, Samual Donovan. He's bearing that cocky grin in a commercial for his car dealership. "Ugh. I'm going to be sick."
"Don't worry about him.", Christian mumbles. "It's being handled."
"What's being handled?"
"Maybe we should finish this conversation somewhere else." Not wanting to cause a scene, I nod.
"Kate's not home so we can talk in here.", I say when we step inside my living room. We settle on the sofa, and Christian wraps his arm around my shoulder. His close proximity is making it difficult to remember what we were going to talk about.
"I assume she's coming with Elliot tonight." The Bellevue Botanical Society's annual fundraiser is being held tonight, and I'm going with Christian. It'll be our first event as an official couple.
"Yeah." I shift my body, making him drop his arm. "Tell me what you meat when you said not to worry about Donovan and that it's being handled." He rolls his head back on his shoulders.
"The initial reason for buying Rawlings Motors was because I wanted to use it as a way to destroy Samual Donovan. I wanted and still want the fucker to pay for what you did to you." I shake my head in disbelief.
"I agree that Samual Donovan is a fucker, but I want to forget about him and move forward. Your little plan is going to make that difficult. He doesn't seem like the type of guy who'll sit back and watch someone run his business into the ground."
"I don't expect him to be nice and accepting of it", Christian scoffs. "I want him to suffer."
"I want him to leave me alone, but if he finds out about my relationship with you..." The prospect of having Donovan come after me or Christian is upsetting. I attempt to look away to hide my tears, but Christian gently places his hand on the side of my face. "Maybe you can forget about your plan."
"It's already in motion.", he whispers. "You're afraid of him coming after you."
"And you. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"It won't just like nothing will happen to you. Ana, I'm going to make sure you're safe. You have my word." I can hear the sincerity in his voice and see it in his eyes. His strong feelings for me are also evident.
"You really like me, huh?", I ask.
"I do."
"I really like you too."
C POV
"Don't be nervous.", I tell Ana when we arrive at Bellevue Botanica Garden. I thank Taylor who drove us here, and then I place my hand in Ana's as we walk towards the entrance. "You're the most beautiful person here."
"We haven't even gone inside yet so how can you know that?"
"I just do." Ana's wearing a floor length black evening gown that has lace at the upper top of the front as well as an open back. Her hair is pulled up into a bun. Whether she's wearing it up or down, she always looks amazing. I, myself, am wearing a black tux.
"Thank you. You look good too.", she smiles.
An attendant opens the door for us, and we step inside the building's visitor center which is already full of people. The lighting is dim while soft violin music plays. We follow the crowd through the main room and outside to the rock garden. Small lights shine along the walking path, allowing us to see the small wildflowers.
"I see my parents." I guide Ana over to where my mom and dad are standing. They're deep in conversation and don't notice Ana and I until I clear my throat.
"Christian, Ana, I'm so glad you're here.", my mom says. She hugs me and then Ana. "The two of you look great."
"Thank you.", Ana replies. "Speaking of looking great, the garden looks incredible."
"I've been telling her that ever since we got here.", my dad laughs. "Grace put a lot of time into making this night memorable."
"It shows, Mom.", I say. My mom grins although I feel like it's more because Ana's here with me.
"I'm not going to be one of those moms who embarrass their kids, but I've got to say it's nice seeing the two of you together." Luckily Elliot and Kate's arrival stops my mom from saying anything else about Ana and I. "Ah, my other son has arrived with his beautiful date."
"Good evening all.", Elliot says as he holds Kate's hand. My brother's never been one to shy away from the dating scene, but I see something different when he's with Kate. I see that he's really serious about her. "Mom, Dad, I'd like for you to meet Kate Kavanagh, my girlfriend." My mom practically jumps out of her heels with excitement.
"It's nice to meet you.", my dad tells Kate.
"Very nice.", my mom adds. "Carrick, both of our sons have girlfriends. This is a day we need to mark on the calender. Now if only we can get Mia to find her prince charming."
"Good luck with that.", I snort. "Mia's too picky, and the guy has to go through an extensive interview process by two of the toughest guys around."
"Us.", Elliot laughs, motioning between the two of us. "Where is our darling sister?"
"She's here somewhere.", my dad answers. He looks around the garden. "She was talking to a young man but is now heading towards us." Mia smiles and waves at various people before joining us.
"Hi.", she says with her bubbly personality shining brightly.
"Who was the young man dad saw you talking to?", Elliot asks. Mia cranes her neck at the direction she came from.
"That's just Nathaniel. We went to high school together." She narrows her eyes at Elliot. "And no, I'm not dating him so don't start with the questioning."
"I've got other guests to greet, but I want all of you to have a great time. The other gardens are open and just as stunning as this one.", my mom says before she and my dad leave us.
"I'm going to take Mom's advice and look around some more. Ciao." My sister bounces away as Elliot kisses Kate.
"Elliot, we're in public.", she giggles.
"Your point is?", he smirks. "Fine. I'll behave or try to at least. Let's go and see what kind of appetizers are passed around." He pulls her towards a waiter holding a tray.
"Then there were two.", Ana says. I was worried earlier in the day when I told her about my plan for Donovan. Even though she was upset and scared, she seems to be ok now.
"Yes there were.", I nod and wink. "We should probably go and explore the rest of the place. I'd also like for everyone to see how stunning my girlfriend is."
"Is it weird for you being here tonight with me?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"It's the first time people are seeing us as a couple.", she replies.
"The answer is no. It's not weird at all. If anything, it's nice." I glance ahead and see Richard and Elena Lincoln who are standing in front of Ana and I before I can steer us away.
"Christian, hello.", Richard says.
"Hello.", I reply.
"Richard and Elena Lincoln, this is Anastasia Steele, my girlfriend." Ana's eyes sparkle at the word girlfriend.
"Ah, Anastasia, it's nice to meet you.", Richard tells Ana. I've never had an issue with him, but Elena is another story. She's always acted like she's better than anyone and often walks around with her nose in the air.
"It's nice to meet you too, and please call me Ana.", Ana replies.
"Ana, Grace mentioned Christian was seeing someone. It really is nice to meet that someone.", Elena says with a fake smile. She turns back to me. "Christian, Leila's around here somewhere. I do hope you say hello to her."
"We'll be sure to.", Ana answers for me, getting a disapproving glare from Elena. "Christian, why don't we get something to drink?" Ana sets her hand on my elbow as we walk away from the Lincolns. "I don't think Elena likes me."
"She doesn't know you.", I say.
"True, but she's Leila's mother, and Leila still has feelings for you which means Elena is naturally going to dislike me."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it."
A POV
"Are you having a nice time?", Christian asks while I'm drinking the last of my champagne.
"I'm having a wonderful time." I stand from the chair I've been occupying. "I'm going to go to the ladies room." Christian starts to stand. "I'm a big girl and don't have to have you hold my hand." He leans in closer to me.
"Baby, I'd like to do more than hold your hand in the ladies room." My legs almost turn to jello.
"Noted." I manage to compose myself and go in the search of the ladies. I end up lost, and when I turn around, I accidentally bump into a tall, brown haired guy. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok. You seem lost. Can I help?" I don't answer. "I assure you I'm not going to try anything." He sounds ok. Plus there are too many witnesses around.
"I was just looking for the ladies room.", I shrug.
"Go straight ahead and take a right."
"Thanks." I follow his directions and sure enough end up at the ladies room. The room is empty when I close the stall door behind me.
Once I'm finished, I step out of the stall and wash my hands. I'm applying another layer of lipstick when the door opens. Leila saunters in and goes to one of the other sinks. Her mother said she was here, yet this is the first time I've seen her.
"Ana, my mother said you were here with Christian."
"Yes." I go back to my makeup, feeling her eyes burning through me.
"He's going to get bored with you. You know that right?", she asks. "Right now Christian sees you almost like a new toy. It's new and interesting, but that won't last. He'll soon get tired and want something else." I place my lipstick back into my purse and turn to face her. "I'm only trying to help you."
"How kind of you.", I mutter, rolling my eyes. "I know you and Christian once had a thing which he ended. I also know you still want him."
"Yes, I do, and I'm going to eventually get him back because we belong together. He'll get whatever it is out of his system, and he'll come back to me."
"Does he know this?" She laughs in response.
"Deep down he does. I wouldn't doubt that he pictures me when he fucks you." I'm doing my best not to let her get to me. She cocks her head. "Wait a second. You haven't had sex?"
"That's none of your business."
"Oh my.", she says. "Darling, he's definitely going to get tired of you."
"Has it occured to you that Christian sees what he and I have as something real and full of possibilties? You just can't stand that he wanted an actual relationship with me and not you." She glares at me as I go to the door. "Enjoy your evening."
"I was wondering if you had fallen in.", Christian chuckles when I return.
"No. I would've been back sooner, but I had a small encounter in the ladies room with Leila. She's apparently finished acting nice and is now showing her claws." He rubs the back of my neck.
"I'm sorry. I'll have a word with her and let her know that she needs to stop."
"It's ok.", I murmur. The good mood I was in has diminished thanks to Leila. In the corner of my eye I see Christian sighing.
"It's clearly not ok.", he says, standing and holding his hand out. "Let's go somewhere so we can talk." I take his hand and let him lead us to the back corner of the rock garden.
"Does it bother you that we haven't slept together yet?"
"Is that what this is about? What exactly did Leila say?", he asks, gritting his teeth.
"That you'd get tired of me since we aren't sleeping together. She also said you'd eventually going back to her."
"She's out of her damn mind. Ana, I'm going to be honest by telling you that I want to explore every inch of your beautiful body. I've wanted that from the moment I first saw you. However, I'm ok with us taking things slow."
We talk some more and then find our way back to our table. I see Leila standing several feet away from us. She halfway smiles but refrains from walking over which is smart considering how both Christian and I are feeling. The guy who told me where to find the restroom walks by us.
"Did you find the ladies room ok?", he asks me.
"I did. Thank you again for your help." The guy looks at Christian briefly. "I couldn't find the ladies room until he told me where to go."
"Sawyer, thank you for helping my girlfriend.", Christian says to the guy. I look back and forth between them.
"You know each other?"
"Yes.", Christian answers with a clear of the throat. "I wasn't planning on introducing you to him until later tonight or tomorrow, but since you've already met, I might as well get it over with. Luke Sawyer's family has been friends with mine for several years. He's a nice guy who I trust with my life. I trust him so much that I hired him a few months ago to be part of my security team. He's now been promoted."
"As what?", I ask.
"Your security."