Wounds to Bind Chapter 44 – "I know I could have saved a love that night if I'd known what to say. Instead of makin' love, we both made our separate ways."–Poison, Every Rose Has Its Thorn

February 15 – APOV

"Happy birthday!" I greeted Mia with a hug.

"You look spectacular," Mia hugged me back.

"You like?" I did a twirl for her. "I finally picked up some of those fashion tips you and Kate mercilessly throw at me."

"Cocktail? Tonight we're having Lavender Martinis in honor of Mia's birthday." Christian appeared behind Mia. "Great dress," he kissed me on my cheek.

"I think I need to taste test one of those, a mini martini please," I send him off to the bar with the wrapped present I brought for Mia.

"You have to save him tonight," Mia whispered. "I have girlfriends who are circling."

"You don't want to make him miserable first," I whispered back.

"No! I'm expecting a really good present," Mia protested.

Before I could reply, I was greeted and hugged by Kate, Elliot, Grace and Carrick. Christian serves a smart-looking mini martini, garnished with a lavender blossom. He doesn't wander off to refresh anyone's drinks. I bask in the wretched looks I receive from Mia's friends.

XXX

Christian escorted me to the dining room and held my chair for me. I'm proud to seat myself properly, thanks to Cassie lessons. I attempt to moderate my glee because Christian only held my chair. Mia's friends, who waited for him to escort and seat them, are sadly disappointed when he slips into his seat between Elliot and me. I can't wait to tell Cassie about Mia's friends flinging themselves into their chairs in a fit of pique. Those little finishing school girls should know better.

Mia and Kate are seated to the right and left of Carrick. I'm seated to Grace's left and one of Mia's friends is seated to her right. Mia and three girlfriends are on one side of the table, Kate, Elliot, Christian and I are seated on the other. Grace bans work talk during dinner. Kate and Elliot request we don't discuss the wedding. Carrick orders everyone to turn off his or her cell phone. Christian looks a little nervous; he has not perfected the art of small talk. I gave him an encouraging smile.

I memorize the table décor: white table linens with sterling roses in a small oval silver bowl with single silver candlesticks holding candles which match the roses. Silver chargers under white table settings with silver rims. Highly polished silver cutlery and crystal glassware shine in the candlelight.

I memorize this menu for future questioning by Cassie. Ratatouille for starters, herb crusted lamb chops, asparagus ravioli in Alfredo sauce, strawberry spinach salad, and mini baguettes served with herb butter. Christian brought two bottles of Sancerre to drink. When we finally have the entertainment class, I have eight meals and table settings to submit on index cards for class.

Gretchen is serving again…and I almost have Ratatouille in my lap. She's so busy staring at Christian. "Here, let me help you," I retrieve Christian's soup bowl and hand it to him. He smirks. He knows I don't want to wear my dinner. I take my portion before holding the tray steady for Gretchen to serve Grace and two of Mia's friends. Kate retrieved the next tray and helped Gretchen serve the rest of the table.

Grace begins, signaling dinner is served.

"OH MY GOD!" One of Mia's friends examines me. "Now I recognize you! You were the brunette in the Horrible Dates video…the server tripped and spilled beer all over you! I would have been so embarrassed to be on a date and have that happen."

"There's a Horrible Dates video starring me?" I asked Christian.

"It must be footage inside another video. We didn't consider the possibility," Christian apologized. "I'll warn Barney to look for it again."

"It's all right," I assure him. "No harm, no foul."

"No harm?" One of Mia's friends, Lily, sputters. "You were wearing a wool blazer, cashmere sweater, leather purse and boots. I'm sure they were ruined. I hope you made the server replace your clothes, or at least pay to have them cleaned. I would have insisted she be fired in addition to replacing or cleaning my clothes."

"Would you?" I carefully set my spoon down. "I'm a klutz myself. I was thankful the beer mug didn't give me a black eye. The server was upset, the hostess was upset…"

"…Ana was upset because I yelled at the hostess and server," Christian admitted to the surprise of Grace and Carrick. "Yes, I acted like an ass and embarrassed Ana. She left without telling me goodbye. Our date night didn't go well."

"You walked out on a date with Christian?" Lily stared at me like I lost my mind.

"Well…yes. I was soaking wet from cold beer and ice water, I had ice cubes in my boots and my purse was swimming in water. I just wanted to go home and take a hot shower." I shrugged. "Alone."

Christian smirked.

"Still," Lily stated, "I would have insisted the server be fired for wrecking my date with Christian and left the restaurant a scathing review."

"It was an accident. She didn't do it on purpose. The place was packed. The server was bumped by a client at another table. The hostess was mortified. I was embarrassed. The waitress couldn't afford to replace or clean anything. She supports herself while she takes classes at UDub. If the restaurant paid for everything, it would have come out of the waitress's pay, which wouldn't have been fair."

"I would have insisted someone compensate me," Lily declared stubbornly.

"The restaurant serves excellent food. They don't deserve a scathing review over an accident. My smart phone was unharmed. The contents of my purse and the purse and boots were replaceable. The sweater and jacket were sent to the cleaners. Everything else, including me, was washable. Standing there yelling at people would not have gotten me out of wet clothes any faster and would not have made any of us feel better." I ate some more of the excellent ratatouille. "It's why I asked Christian and his tech people to take the video off the Internet. No one needed to see beer dripping off me. I was just pleased to be able to sneak out the back of the restaurant without having to cross the crowded dining room while everyone stared at me. Besides, I think acting like a lady and not causing a scene is more important than clothes."

"I would have gone back and finished my date," Lily opined. "It was Christian after all!"

"Perhaps that is why I didn't finish the date. Everyone in the restaurant knew who Christian was, he barely escaped without a paparazzi parade. If I had returned to the table, everyone would have pictures of us leaving. It was too ugly to contemplate. Additionally, Christian forgave me for ditching him. I forgave him for yelling." I catch a smirk from Christian.

"We're both new at this dating stuff. There's bound to be a few rough starts." Christian asserted.

"Let's let Ana eat her soup. I want to open presents some time tonight." Mia encouraged everyone to come to a nightclub on Friday night. It's Flashback Friday with a karaoke machine and vintage 70s, 80s and 90s songs, and signature cocktails and food from those eras."

I asked Mia what a signature drink was from the 70s, 80s and 90s. She digressed into her research…blah, blah, blah…but the final answer was Pina Colada from the 70s to go with the Pina Colada song, Sex on the Beach from the 80s movie Cocktail, and Mudslides and other milkshake drink combinations from the 90s.

One of Mia's friends ask Christian if he plans to attend karaoke night. He apologizes but he has a standing Friday night appointment he cannot miss. One of them snarkily asks if I'm attending. I explain I'll be there after ten. I'm bringing friends and an in-depth knowledge of the lyrics from Bob Seger, The Stones, The Who, The Beatles, The Cars, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith and ZZ Top.

Christian starts singing, "She's got legs," with input from Elliot, and Carrick picks up the song, "She knows how to use them." Needless to say – Mia's excited and her friends are toast. I'm careful not to fidget, cross my legs or press my thighs together under the table. Christian doesn't need to know what I do with my legs.

"How did you learn the lyrics of all of those songs?" Lily's question is more of an ambush than an inquiry.

"From hanging out with old men," I smiled sweetly and sipped my wine.

"Less of the old men comments," Carrick laughs. "You're stomping on the music of my life."

Everyone laughs.

"You and Grace should go. Dad and Laura will be in town. Dad knows all the lyrics from Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. Laura's a walking encyclopedia about songs from movies." I encouraged them.

"I think we'll pass and have an early night," Carrick demurred. "Our flight leaves at six on Saturday for Aspen."

"Aspen again," one of Mia's friends cooed. "I haven't been to Aspen in 18 months."

Christian glares at his plate…waiting for Mia to fall for the bait, but she doesn't. Her friend's suggestion died in thin air. Mia describes food from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Pasta Primavera from the 70s, Potato Skins from the 80s and Pizza Bagels from the 90s. Kate swears lunches with friends in the 90s included salads which featured walnuts, feta cheese and cranberry raisins with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing. Grace says the first time she ate a chicken Caesar salad was in the 90s. Carrick says every business lunch he had in the 90s either had blackened fish or chicken entrees or veggie burgers. The topic of Aspen is long forgotten and Christian visibly relaxes.

We eat cake while Mia opens presents. Mia's birthday cake is triple layer lemon cake with raspberry filling and a vanilla buttercream frosting. It's very yummy. I'm pleased with my choice of gift for her. It is a sterling silver chain bracelet with a heart charm. The charm is engraved with Mia's name. The I is dotted with a black diamond chip.

"OMG!" Mia shrieks. "It's gorgeous!" She gives me a hug, which I affectionately return.

"I thought it would go with your black diamond earrings. Show it to Kate; I mall shopped for her present. You would be proud of me." I tease Kate.

Christian gave Mia a $100,000 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus. "However, you have to donate 100 items out of your closet to Mom's rummage sale the Saturday before Easter."

"We'll help you thin out your closet," Lily offered.

"I don't think so," Christian rebuffed the idea. "I've seen this approach before. You ladies take stuff home to your closets for a week or two. Then you have an 'overnight' with Mia, and bring suitcases stuffed with her clothes which you leave here. It happened every time Mom demanded she do a clear out. I left word with Caroline Acton – you have to show a note signed by Mom verifying you donated 100 articles of clothes."

"I'm pretty sure Mia can forge my signature," Grace chided. "I'll bring you the signed note and you can ask Taylor to deliver it to Caroline. Kate, Elliot tells me you have a full closet at your condo and a full closet at your parents' house. I hope we can depend on you to donate generously." She skipped asking me and I smiled at the condescending smirks thrown at me by Mia's friends.

"You aren't asking about my double-filled closets?" I mused. "I have a pair of nude Chanel peep toes which don't coordinate with a thing in my closet. I bought them to go with this dress, but then I found this great pair of Nine West purple suede pumps and I couldn't resist them." I show them to Grace, and then Kate, and then Mia. "I thought I might wear the Chanel peep toes in the spring, but I've been assembling my spring wardrobe and still don't have the right thing to wear with them."

"I know you hate shopping, Ana," Grace is gracious when she asks for help. "I hoped I could ask for your help to run one of the play areas for children while their moms shop. I'm already planning to press Kate and Mia into service at the dressing rooms."

"I'd love to," I hesitate. "But I promised the Women's Health Center I would work their Spring Fling event. They are working with the Junior Jaycees to put on a bunny breakfast from eight to ten. I read from nine to four. There's other activities, like face painting, egg decorating, cookie decorating and egg hunts for the children."

"That will segue nicely," Grace beams. "Both events are being held at the WSCC."

"No dance lessons that day?" Christian questioned.

"I have an erratic schedule in April and May. I'm lucky there was a space left in the open dance class. I can come and go as I need to get my lessons. They offer lessons on Friday night, and Saturday and Sunday morning." I laughed. "I was hoping to use Dad for dance practice when he comes to town Easter week."

"We can practice tonight, after dinner," Christian offered. "We danced the Foxtrot to Witchcraft the night you met my parents."

"I'd appreciate the help," I murmured at him, to his delight, to Grace's delight, and to the fury of Mia's very-much-ignored friends.

"Elliot and I plan to take lessons," Kate announced. "We picked our first dance song and need to polish our moves with one another."

I sense something is going on because Elliot gives Carrick a subtle shake of his head.

"So, Ana…" one of Mia's friends, Mercedes, asks, "How was your Valentine's Day?"

"The best," I smile. "I received the best present in the world."

Christian looks wary.

"Laura taught Dad how to Skype. I had a ten-minute conversation with him late yesterday afternoon." I say to everyone's surprise. "He wanted my blessing to ask Laura to marry him."

"Really?" Kate is shocked.

"Seriously. He planned to ask last night, but I haven't heard a thing. I'll probably hear about it when they come for the weekend. I swear you will be the first person I tell." I promise Kate.

XXX

I didn't struggle to keep up with Christian, but I wasn't the most graceful. "I told you my dancing was deplorable."

"It's not deplorable, it needs work, but it's not deplorable." Christian paused as the song ended.

"My turn," Lily announced, as she honed in on Christian.

"Sorry, no," Christian held me in front of him. "Ana and I have to dance together at the wedding. With my busy work schedule, we need to practice when we have time. Besides, I've seen you ladies all line up for the First Dance Auction for Coping Together. I know you can dance."

"Thank you for the practice," I babbled. "I don't want to have two-left feet and embarrass myself at Kate and Elliot's wedding."

"You could take off your shoes and stand on my feet," Christian offered, ignoring Lily.

"Tempting, but no, I need to practice with heels." I repeat Cassie's comments.

"Heads up," Carrick called out. "Dancers to your marks," he nods at Elliot and Christian while reaching for Grace's hand. "We're dancing to Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra."

"Ignore them," Christian murmured to me. "You're doing fine."

"Just so you know, the wedding and bitchy judgmental women are the reasons I'm taking lessons." I explain. "They are also the reason I hate shopping."

"Don't be intimidated by Mia's friends. Don't hang back, controlling your reactions. It's not just tonight, but I never dance with any of them, ever." Christian revealed. "Women like them are the reason I asked Kate to have ushers at the wedding."

"So dance more, have fun…" I start to say.

"Ignore the critics," Christian finished. "Look, you realized you have to dance in front of 300 people. You're doing what you need to do to feel comfortable around a cluster of strangers."

"That's very calm and Zen of you." I observed.

"Every skill takes practice and time, Ana. I didn't learn to fly Charlie Tango in one month or learn to soar in one month. Give yourself time. You have three and a half more months to practice." Christian and I glided across the floor. It's amazing.

"About that. Twenty weeks-ish. I'm taking lessons on public speaking also. I don't want to be embarrassed when I give my Maid of Honor speech at Kate's wedding." I admit.

"Just remember, conversation. Your steps have been perfect when you aren't obsessing about them." Christian advised. "You are attending Elliot and Kate's wedding, not Dancing with the Stars."

"Celeste hired a video crew and not one, but three video photographers." I grouse.

"One lesson I learned…it's counterproductive to be shy and stay off the dance floor. You dance less and don't improve as quickly. I'm impressed with your efforts tonight." Christian complimented me.

"Thank you, but I know I have shortcomings. I'm working on it," I admitted.

"Me too, Ana. Did you get my Valentine's gift?" He tries to be nonchalant.

"Hearts and flowers…yes. But the hearts have to go back, Christian. I don't want diamond earrings from you," I stress.

"I know," he smirked. "They are gold and cubic zirconia. Really good cubic zirconia, but CZ nonetheless."

"Swear they are CZ," I insist.

"Taylor suggested I bring the receipt with me. I'll show it to you if you want." Christian offered.

"Thank you then, they are very pretty, I will enjoy wearing them," I smiled. "I really liked the truffles and the rose. I made you a lasagna. I brought it tonight for you. It's in a cooler in the car, along with Kate and Elliot's lasagna and one for your parents. I actually gave him the one for me, but I have time to make another over the long weekend.

All I want is your heart, Anastasia." Christian proclaimed.

I lowered my eyes. It hurt to look at his beautiful face.

"Ana, this isn't the time or place for this talk. There are too many prying eyes and listening ears. I want to talk to you about us. I feel if we don't make time to talk…we'll let one another slip away…and we'll regret it." Christian whispered to me.

"Yes, we need to talk. But not here, not tonight, not with everyone watching us." I blush at the beaming smiles on Grace and Carrick's face.

XXX

"Wednesday night date nights aren't working for me," Christian drove me home in his R8.

"So, you'd rather not date me?" I know my voice is small. I'm withdrawing into myself to keep from being hurt.

"God, no…" Christian exploded. "That's not what I meant. I meant…I mean…I need you to compromise on your schedule a bit. Maybe a workout date with breakfast on Monday if I'm in town, maybe coffee and a sandwich before I go to therapy on Friday night. Maybe pizza and a movie on a Saturday night if you aren't exhausted from classes and Kate. Let me provide transportation for the Sunday night dinners. I know I've got a lot of out of town business trips coming up, and I'll Skype whenever it is possible…but this once a week real date stuff isn't working."

"Oh," I murmur. "I thought you decided you didn't want to date anymore."

He pulled over to the side of the road and undid my seat belt. He pulled me onto his lap, crushed me against his chest and attacked my mouth. He finally quit kissing me senseless when the lights of a vehicle flashed behind us and his phone began ringing. With a sigh of regret, he moved me off his lap and back into my seat. "I am trying to behave myself…so please quit biting that lip." Christian warned. His cell phone rang again. "We're fine – we had an emergency kissing situation, but it's handled now." He shook his head and hung up. "Taylor wanted to make sure you weren't being mauled without permission."

"A little late for that," I laughed, fastening my seatbelt. "So are we figuring this out, or are we dancing around the topic?"

"I want you in my life and in my bed," Christian announced.

"I'm not ready for your bed…I am ready to talk and to work this out." I sighed.

"What do you want to know?" Christian guided the car back onto the road.

"Do you know where Elizabeth Morgan is? Do you know what she's up to? Do you know where Lauren Hudson is? Do you know what she's up to? Do you know where Lauren's friend Olivia Blandino is and what she's up to?" I inquired. "I only ask because I felt like I was being watched when I shopped for Mia's gift. Prescott followed me, but I felt like someone else was watching."

"Morgan is working as an HR person for a temporary staffing chain. Hudson and Blandino are working for her. She gives them good assignments. They are all working 40-60 hours a week. Taylor has people watching them. Hyde is in jail at SPD for the drunk driving charge. I'm waiting for SPD to charge him with the attempted murder of Ros and me, fifty counts of invasion of privacy, a dozen different cybercrimes and 28 counts of sexual assault against his interns."

I gasped. "Are you serious?"

"As a heartbeat, baby," Christian declared. "Now, ask me about Mrs. Lincoln."

"How is Mrs. Lincoln lately?" I don't care, really, but it is better if I know.

"No Mrs. Robinson comments?" Christian sounded surprised.

"Calling the assholes in my life by any other name gives them power they don't deserve." I explained.

"Ah…I understand. John and I had that conversation also. I haven't called Ella a crack whore in months." Christian sighed. "The SPD does not know when they will arrest Mrs. Lincoln again."

"How are you sleeping?" I will be polite.

"Better than I was, not as good as I did when I was with you," Christian answered. "I might have a night terror once or twice a week now, thanks to the therapy. How are you sleeping?"

"Alone," I answered. I will not tell him I have wet dreams of him.

"Is your security working out?" Christian asked.

"If they aren't asking you to approve my schedule, then yes they are." I tease.

"Is there a reason you don't want me to know your schedule – other than you don't trust me to not interfere?" Christian's casual question raises a few hairs on my neck.

"I don't know Ros's security people. I have to put my trust in their ability to keep people from bothering me. I have things to do. If they get in the way, they will be gone." I threaten. "I'm not trying to be bitchy, but I need my freedom, Christian."

"My research said one count of insider trading is usually a six-month jail sentence and a $75K fine for first timers. I'm praying for more than one count. Please tell me you're not waiting until Hyde and Lincoln are in prison before you are with me." Christian kept his eyes on the road.

"No…I've waited for the congestion around you to clear…but it's not to happen. You will always have paparazzi and crazies circling. I'm working on accepting that." My voice is a lot calmer than I thought it would be.

"It's just a pretty face baby…" he pulled my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"It's more than that," I disagreed. "It will always be more than that. So, Aspen this weekend. You've been spending a lot of time in Aspen."

"Both John Flynn and Sela Koch, my touch therapist, require I spend as much time with family as possible. I know Elliot told you about the flag football game at Thanksgiving. The touch therapy has not been easy…but I need to do this or I will not be able to function at Elliot's wedding." Christian explained. "We're here," he pulled into the parking at my condo. "So, when do I get to see you again?"

"Can you have dinner before your appointment on Friday?" I suggested. "I can go to work early and be off work at five."

"There's a little diner halfway between my appointment and yours. We can meet there by 5:30 for a quick dinner." Christian suggested.

"How do you know about the place?" I asked suspiciously. "Are you having me followed?"

"I know about the place because they have great Rueben sandwiches. Taylor recommended them. We've had sandwiches there a couple times. I like their hot beef sandwiches too. No, I'm not having you followed. Ros keeps track of your protection unit. Taylor checked out her security company and approved them. Are you sure you can't come to Aspen?" Christian's question seems like a topic changer.

"Thank you for asking but Dad is coming to town and I need to do my taxes." I refuse. "Email me the address for the diner. I'll meet you there."

Christian walked me to my condo and came in, closing the door. "I feel funny kissing you goodnight in the hall." He held my hands behind my back and pulled me against his hard body. He kissed me, nibbling on my bottom lip, giving me a goodnight kiss which melted my panties, before kissing my forehead goodnight. "I won't leave until I hear the door lock. Laters, baby," he smirked, and pulled the door closed behind him.

February 17 – CPOV

I'm wearing a hoody and sunglasses when I meet Ana at the little mom & pop diner. She looks fabulous in grey slacks which accent her ass, a white silk shirt with a black boyfriend jacket. She's wearing low-heeled pumps, and her hair is in a low chignon. I put an audio jammer on the table and she smiles. I take off my sunglasses but keep the hoody up and keep my back to the room.

She ordered the Reuben Cobb Salad…which I thought was odd until I saw it. It was a bed of greens with strips of minced sauerkraut, grilled diced onion, cubes of pastrami, Swiss cheese cubes, boiled egg wedges, and rye bread croutons served with Thousand Island dressing. I ordered the Reuben Melt which was double-portion pastrami with sauerkraut between a well-grilled Swiss cheese sandwich, served with hearty onion rings.

Prescott and Taylor are strategically placed between us and the few people who wander in. Most of the customers called in orders to pick up on their way home. We both shut off our phones and pinky swear not to talk about work or the wedding. I set one of John's dice on the table – it has 26 sides, each with a letter of the alphabet on it. I explain John suggested we use it for conversation starters. I shake and roll the dice – landing on R. I explain our topic of conversation with be R things– not R-rated things. I start.

"Elliot and I bought rubber-band guns at one of the craft booths at a school fair. We had a great time with them, until Elliot misfired his gun and the rubber-band got my Dad in the ear. He was furious. He pulled the car over, took the guns away, and we never saw them again. He had this big red welt on his ear for days. It was my lesson on how parents could be angry with you without physically abusing you."

"My R story is Christmas when I was eight. Dad wanted a router, and I wanted to get him one. Mom made me give him a Popsicle stick picture frame which I made in one of the afterschool clubs she ran. He made it into a Christmas ornament. Grandpa Steele took me to see Santa a few days before Christmas. When Santa asked what I wanted, I told him he didn't have to bring me anything if he brought a router for my Daddy. I had stopped believing in Santa by then, but Mom wanted one more picture of me with Santa. I realize it was ruse to have the afternoon to wrap presents or something. Grandpa Steele heard the conversation, bought the router and wrapped it in Santa paper. It was tagged to my Dad from Santa. There was a present from Santa for me too…wrapped in the same paper. It was the first ten books of the Nancy Drew series. I think I still have them at Dad's house."

"That's a sweet story," I murmured, my left hand reaching for her left hand. We both needed our right hands to eat. I smile when she dips her fork in her dressing and then spears a piece of cheese, pastrami and some greens. I sip my coffee and eat an onion ring before wrangling my sandwich.

"They were good people, Dad loved them a lot. Another R story is about Dad and his raised bed vegetable garden the first summer we moved to Montesano. Dad captured and returned the neighbor's escaped rabbits. They raised them for meat, not pets. He spent the night rabbit-proofing the garden. He donated a large bowl of nibbled green tops and veggies to the rabbits, and then replanted the garden with items he could harvest before the growing season was over." She shrugged. "I only just remembered it when you referred to my salad as rabbit food." Ana creates another of those stacked bites – a dip of salad dressing, a bit of egg, a bit of onion, a bit of sauerkraut and greens.

"You eat, and I will tell you an R story." I tell her the story of reading to my mother on Valentine's Day when I was in kindergarten. When I finish, she smiles and we don't talk. We concentrate on our food. She eats all the toppings and half of the greens. She swears she's stuffed but steals my last onion ring and grins at me. Taylor pays for us and I put my sunglasses back on and hold my girl's hand when I walk her to Prescott's SUV. I gave her a kiss on the right cheek for story one, one on the left cheek for story two, and a chaste but lingering kiss on her perfect pouty lips before she went her way and I went mine.

XXX

"Mom, thank you for coming. I need your help." I removed my shirt and sat on the massage table. "I've been enrolled in a traumatic touch therapy treatment. Tonight my therapist, Sela, is massaging my back. I need you to put these two-inch adhesive bandage squares over the scars. That way she won't touch them while she massages."

"Christian," Mom gasped.

"I promised Elliot I would stand up for him at the wedding. I need to do this so I can shake hands with guests and dance with a partner without touch issues. Ana is learning to dance properly so she doesn't embarrass herself at the wedding. I'm doing this." I hand Mom the bandages. "You may stay and watch the massage and talk to me." I took her hand. "I want this Mom. You saved me when I was four, help me save myself now."

XXX – APOV

Damn, Prescott warned me to get moving so we would be at Cassie's business on time. Christian and I had a great dinner. We were too busy trying to talk, and hold hands, and eat. I'm here, with a whopping five minutes to shed my coat, catch my breath and take a seat. I know I will hear about my 'inelegant' arrival. This week we are working on Eloquent Elocution with voice analyzation. Tonight is clarity, diction, intonation, projection, conversation and preventing profanities. Tomorrow is conversing with strangers, eye contact, the art of introductions and conversation etiquette. Sunday we concentrate on business communications. Monday, if we desire, Cassie will work with us on business etiquette from how to arrange offices, how to clear our desktops to showcase our professionalism, our business cards, presentations and appropriate etiquette at workshops and conferences.

The moment class is over, I have my clothes binder in my hands and race for Prescott's SUV. She drives carefully as I strip out of my work clothes and pull on the 90s vintage dress Shawn bought for me for tonight. The dress is red, V-neck with rhinestones and guaranteed to tart up any woman. He picked red bow tie heels to go with it. I wanted to pass on the red-press on nails and the red lipstick (they reminded me too much of Mrs. Lincoln) but Shawn insisted. The minute we're at the club, Shawn works his magic on my hair – and I am teased and sprayed into big hair in record time.

"I feel ridiculous in this dress," I told Shawn.

"Ana, ridiculous is not the word I would use to describe how you look." Shawn and Harley wolf whistle. Shawn gives me rhinestone earrings – huge drop things he swears he bought for a drag queen costume party. NO SHIT. He checks the press on nails and lipstick and pronounces me ready to go. "There are firemen present...and I'd bet the fire engine red dress will gather you as much attention as you want."

XXX – CPOV

"I have the CCTV from the club in real time, if you want to see it," Taylor offered. "Miss Steele just arrived with Stanton and Harrison. Sawyer tells me the rest of her friends arrived around nine with Kate and Elliot."

Stanton claims the first dance. Ana wears a retro red dress with big fucking rhinestones accenting the V between her breasts and collarbone. It's as short as the damned skirt from Georgia and she's wearing come fuck me red heels. Her hair is retro-styled big hair – teased, sprayed and huge! Those huge rhinestone earrings must weigh a pound! It's obvious Mia and Kate dressed her for the night. She's looking a lot hot and too slutty! I'm glad she's not up on stage singing, and then I remember our first Saturday morning. My baby can't sing. "That dress needs burnt," I inform Taylor. "She's doing really well on the dance floor. She's not so uncoordinated."

"Indeed, sir," Taylor noted. "She was able to converse more easily at dinner Wednesday night. She was holding her own against Miss Mia's catty friends."

"Yes, she was," I said admiringly. I stared at the screen. "Who is singing? She looks familiar."

"Ray Steele's new lady, Laura Dennison. I think Steele has a type also. She's a younger version of Miss Steele's mother. Hazel eyes instead of blue." Taylor answered. Laura sings Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac. The CCTV of the crowd shows Ana dancing with Ray. Great…a three-day weekend when I might have been able to take Ana to Aspen…and she has family in town. Crap. I'd bail on Aspen, except it is an assignment by Sela and Mom knows it.

Laura Dennison is replaced by José Rodriguez who sings Here I Go Again by Whitesnake. He announces it's the closest song he can find to I Walk Alone by Green Day from 2004. Ana is dancing with…fuck me …Harley Harrison. I am majorly pissed now. The fucking photographer is visiting Seattle… and Ana… this weekend. "We'd better be headed to the club," I warn Taylor who nods.

"ETA in less than ten boss," Taylor announces.

"Who is singing?" I rewind the CCTV tape. I recognize the receptionist from GP, Claire. She's got a Queen Latifah voice. She's singing lead on It's Raining Men and her backup singers are Ana, Kate, Mia, three of Ana coworkers, plus Harrison and his boyfriend. The ladies all wear SHORT vintage dresses with heels and big hair. They look like a fucking cast shot from some 80s sleazy soap opera.

Stanton and Harrison look like they are dressed as extras from Miami Vice. Stanton wears white pants, a black shirt and a black and white striped jacket – sleeves pushed up mid-forearm, with Ray-Bans. Harrison wears black pants, a black and white patterned shirt and a white jacket with the sleeves pushed up also. He also wears Ray-Bans.

"We're there," Taylor announced. "I parked at the private entrance and told Sawyer you're coming in."

I get to the dance floor and Mia's singing I Need a Hero to a group of firefighters from the insignias on their shirts. Fuck, Ana and Kate are her backup singers. All I can see is Ana's long legs getting admiring looks from those fuckers…and that fucking photographer. When the song is over. I nod at Sawyer who storms the stage, picks Mia up, throwing her over his shoulder. Mia is buzzed and struggles in Sawyer's lockdown.

"Knock it off!" Sawyer swats her on the ass, handing me the microphone on his way past. "She bit me! I want hazard pay!"

Ana and Kate crack up laughing…and exit out the back of the stage to avoid interacting with their groupies in front. Taylor and I plan to leave, Sawyer will take Mia to Escala to recover from her hangover. I can't wait to throw her hungover ass on the plane to Aspen. She can explain her stupidity to our parents. I will be the hero for rescuing my drunk sister from a potentially bad situation. Maybe if Mom and Dad nag at her… she'll grow up. My plan to put her in Grey Annex to keep an eye on Ana isn't panning out…not if Ana's here in a short disco dress, showing off her legs to the universe.

Everyone starts chanting "sing, sing, sing," at me. What the hell – I go up on stage. I page through the songs and land on Is This Love by Whitesnake. I hit the music play button when I see Ana and Kate wandering back to their table. Three of Mia's friends are at the table and I don't want to look over there and have them think I'm singing to them.

Is this love that I'm feeling,
Is this the love, that I've been searching for...
Is this love or am I dreaming,
Is this the love, that I've been searching for...

I have my eyes on the lyrics the entire time, and exercise control to not watch Ana while I sing. Elliot is slack-jawed. Kate is equally stunned. Ray Steele and his new lady positioned themselves on the dance floor to watch me while they dance.

A woman calls out, requesting I sing Whitesnake's Slow and Easy. I look in her direction and it's one of Mia's friends from her birthday party. Shut this down, Grey!

"Thanks for the applause, but no more songs from me. Kate, Elliot – wheels up at six!" I hand the mike off to the MC who tries to keep the crowd enthusiastic about singing, dancing and drinking. I don't look back as I exit out the back of the stage – following Taylor who clears a path to the SUV.

I'll play nice with the family like Sela ordered…but I will pack a lot of work. Since I don't have Bastille this weekend to work off aggressions …it's time to eviscerate someone's company…or maybe two or three of them. I want to grab Ana, toss her over my shoulder and smack her ass like Sawyer did with Mia. I'd like to lock her in the bedroom of the plane…whoa, Grey…you don't touch until you have permission. Fuck…I want her now! Her dress is short enough that all I have to do is destroy her panties and I can wrap those long legs and red heels around me…

I groan and hit my head against the back of the seat. Nope…that pain is not relieving the pain I feel as my cock threatens to burst from my pants. I should have talked to her…fuck it…I text her.

Christian text to Ana: That dress needs to be burnt.

Ana to Christian: One scowl from you and it would have burst into flames… it is fire-engine red.

Christian to Ana: Don't make me come back and do a fireman lift to remove your hot little body from the club. That dress might not cover your ass when I throw you over my shoulder.

Ana to Christian: RED. Stow your twitchy palm…I don't want to be embarrassed in front of my Dad. We're out of here at midnight so Elliot and Kate will be on time in the morning. I have class first thing, so I won't be dancing the night away.

Christian to Ana: GROAN! Please don't talk about dancing the night away…unless it's with me…and unless some of it is in the dark, under the sheets.

Ana to Christian: You're killing me with your thinly veiled innuendos…

Christian to Ana: You want some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation baby?

Ana to Christian: Bring the defibrillator…you're making my heart pound.

Christian to Ana: Damn…we're at Escala. I have to deal with Mia and get some sleep before we take off tomorrow.

Ana to Christian: Be kind…you're her favorite big brother. Safe travels…and you know where I am…you can always Skype me this weekend. Sweet dreams…

Sweet dreams? I'll be dreaming about her … and the dress…and those long legs…and those 'fuck me' red heels. I want her in that red dress…crotch-less red panties…no bra…red satin mask…red leather handcuffs…oh god, I'm going to combust thinking about those legs wrapped around my ass.

XXX – 3PPOV

"You bit me!" Sawyer hissed at Mia when he dumped her in the SUV.

"I couldn't help it," Mia hiccupped. "Your ass looks so fine, I couldn't resist."

"That wasn't my ass you bit," Sawyer protested.

"I'll make it up to you…I'll give you love bites on your neck." Mia offered.

"Mia…you are with Ethan. I work for your brother. Please take this in the spirit that it's intended…I'm not going to touch you. Not now, not ever. You're flying to Aspen this weekend. Ethan volunteered to work at the hospital. Maybe you need to step back and work on your issues with one another." Sawyer started the SUV and headed toward Escala. He didn't know why he was lecturing her to work on her issues. Ana and Grey were working on theirs…and not making much headway in the dating game with one another. "That was your only pass, Mia. You misbehave inappropriately toward me again…I'll tell your brother and resign."