Sorry for the looooong over due update. Work has been crazy and I swear I have the worst luck when it comes to electronics. My phone fell on a rain puddle, my laptop got fried, my tablets screen is cracked, and I'm actually borrowing my friends tablet to upload this chapter which had to be rewritten since all the eighth chapters that I had typed no longer exist.

This year has not been kind to me, but still I'm alive and I'm grateful for that. Hope your holidays were great and I'm hoping you gals and pals have a lovely New Year.

I don't own these characters. I'm just having some fun with them.

A/N: Next chapter will have a time jump.

Christian

"Sir I'm sorry to interrupt," the waiter whose name is Josh fidgets with his white apron.

"You've been here nearly four hours," I raise my eyebrows in surprise, which he misinterprets and fidgets even more. I would laugh at his nervousness, but I won't since I know Ana wouldn't appreciate it.

"Not that it's bad or anything," he stutters.

Ana takes pity on the poor boy and begins to conversate with him.

"We must've lost track of time. We sincerely apologize, for the inconvenience..."

"No!" He screeches and begins to fumble again with his apron. "I was just wondering if you would like anything else since I've already cleared your plates." He says shyly towards Ana, who looks at me expectantly.

"What do you recommend?" I ask not bothering to look at the menu.

"We have a variety of sorts. From cheesecake, to ice cream." Josh looks between us and Ana nods.

"I would like the cheesecake please." She asks with a smile and I order the same.

"Christian have we really been here for four hours?" She asks after Josh has left.

Looking at my watch, I see that indeed we have been here for a little over four hours.

"Yeah, I guess we have." I smile towards her and I can see a blush rising on her face.

"So you never did tell me?" She speaks changing the subject as she reaches for her now empty glass of wine.

"Tell you what?" I ask taking a sip of my wine glass.

"Why you do it?" Rolling her eyes she corrects herself, "I know why you do it, but why do you do it. Is it like self gratification?" Tilting her head slightly to the side, I can tell the wine is getting to her. Her blue eyes are brighter, more than usual, and she keeps biting her lower lip. Her hair is now loose in a natural unruly way.

Shrugging I answer her questions the best way I can. "I guess it would be self gratification." Her eyes turn into slits in response to my answer.

"That's what I said, you can't use my words against me." She pouts and I laugh.

"Anastasia, it really is. What more do you want me to say? I like helping those I know I can, because I can. It's simple really." I drink the last of my wine, chuckling when Ana frowns when she looks at her empty wine glass.

"Would you like more wine?" I ask, and I can see she wants to say no, but really wants to say yes.

"Ana we've barely drank one bottle, one more won't hurt. On the plus side Sawyer is here as well as Taylor." I remind her and it seems to have worked.

"Yes please that would be nice." She shyly thanks me.

For a moment I ask myself where has the smart mouth CEO gone. The woman who's sat in front of me, is just that... a woman. Gorgeous as fuck woman, but it's as if she's changed. Somethings different about her and I can't point it out.

"Why are you staring at me that way?" She ask shifting in her seat.

"Sorry wasn't aware I was staring."

"Christian." She stops and takes a deep breath, "That night after the club, when I went home. How did you find me?" For a moment I'm confused. Does she mean how did I find her, or how did I find her?

She sighs and continues, "I know you called Kate and all, but... How was I?" She whispers the last part.

Once again it hits me, this Ana is completely different. She's, dare I say it, vulnerable.

"You were distraught." I speak taking in her doe wide eyes.

"What did I say?" She asks frowning. Fuck what do I tell her? Do I tell her the truth, or just hide it? And if I lie to her will she know I'm lying?

"Ana." I speak closing my eyes for a long second before I turn my sight back to her. I'm hoping she understands.

"Christian did I say... Did I tell you what happened... To me?" She asks once again.

Before I can respond the waiter once again is at our table. And I breath a sigh of relief. Oh he's getting a large tip for that one!

Placing our desert in front of us and once more refilling our wine glasses he smiles and retreats.

I laugh, when I see Ana completely enjoying her cheesecake and has placed her previous question on the backburner for now.

"I don't know about you," she says smiling, while holding her fork between her thumb and index finger. "But this is the best cheesecake, I've ever tasted." She moans and groans once again as the taste hits her tastebuds.

My eyesight has zoomed in on her lips as they wrap around the tip of her fork, but when I see the swipe of her tongue on her top lip, licking off any remains, I feel my cock twitch in response.

"What?" Her voice breaks my trance on her lips.

Suddenly feeling my mouth dry I take a drink of wine before I answer, "Nothing." She eyed me curiously for a brief second before her sight caught my untouched slice of cheesecake.

"You don't like it?"

Closing my eyes for a quick second, I decided to tell her, "Ana... I have an... Idea. You may not like it, but... Please hear me out?"

"What is it?"

"I want to have SIP..." She scoffs before I finish my sentence.

"Christian, do you really think I want your company in exchange for a dinner? I've told you once and I'll say it once more, 'I'm not that type of business woman.'" She grits through her teeth.

I don't know what just happened but I'm completely turned on. Fuck me!

"That's not what I fucken ment." I answer back, and close my eyes when I see her roll her own. I have to mentally count to ten so I don't lose my temper.

"As I said before, I don't know shit about the publishing world. And I thought you'd appreciate this business plan, because you know what SIP is all about. You know what is needed for the publishing company to blossom and remain doing so." I shrug as I continue, "I rather have the company be in best of hands than good hands." She eyes me skeptically as she ponders over what I just said. But if I'm one hundred percent honest, I believe SIP would be great with her there rather than with anyone I could ever hire.

Turning my attention back to my untouched slice of cheesecake I take a spoonful in my mouth.

"Why?" I stop mid chew and look at her as she speaks. "Why do you think I'd be the best for SIP?"

For a second I'm taken back by her question, but then I remember what she confessed to me.

"Ana," I speak as I dab the corner or my mouth with my napkin. "I may not know you on a personal level. But what I do know, is you are a hardworking business woman. You take no shit from no one. You believe in people's good work. You're a hardass when need be, but you're still good hearted nonetheless." I smirk when her eyes widen in disbelief. "I'm good at reading people Ana. That is my specialty especially when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. You don't have to accept my proposition any time soon. Take your time. I'll even have my lawyer write up an agreement, if you'd like." I stop to give her a moment to absorb all I've said.

"Christian, I honestly don't know what to say." She furrows her eyebrows as she looks at me intently. "I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so."

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

"Why the fuck not?" I blurt out irritated.

"Christian, for crying out loud don't pout, the look doesn't suit you." She glares at me. To be honest I wasn't aware I was doing so.

"If this is what you want, fine I'll do it." She sighs deeply and it brings a smile to my face. "But, you do realize we will be working with each other for a while. So what ever has happened between is in the past and that's where it will stay." And just like that my smile is gone.

Fuck, I honestly didn't see this all the way through. I actually want to be around Ana, but do I want to be around her in a business relationship or do I want more? Why the fuck would she give me this ultimatum. She knows I want her to have SIP, hell I've been constantly repeating myself for the past hour. But I also want her. I want her with me, next to me, over, under, you name it I want it.

"Christian?" She calls my name after I've remain silent for a while.

"Shhh, I'm thinking." I sush her as I come up with the perfect solution.

"You have yourself a deal, Ms. Steele."

I smile as I extend my hand out to shake hers.

Ignoring the current that runs through my body when our hands meet, I smile at my plans.

Firstly, she will be running SIP, which means she will remain in close proximity to GEH for the next three months, while the ownership of the company changes from my hands to hers.

Secondly, we have to remain professional towards one another per her request, but it does give me a better opportunity to get to know her better.

And thirdly, I will have unlimited access to her. Of course it would have to involve SIP in some way or another, but I'll think of something when the time comes.

"Pleasure doing business with you Mr. Grey." She speaks giving my hand a firm handshake.

The pleasure will soon be all mine Anastasia.