Wounds to Bind Chapter 49 – "The course of true love never did run smooth." –Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream
March 16 – APOV
My long week yields two brief emails from Christian versus seventeen from an author who has a bad habit of deleting her emails before completing all the listed tasks. I finally told her to print my emails, and go through them line by line and fix what I sent her. I am disturbed to read a dozen pages before finding something she didn't fix. One of my authors is in limbo. Her written part of the book is done, but her partner is in the midst of a manic-depressive breakdown. She wanted her partner to do the illustrations, so she is hesitant about hiring a new illustrator. Her indecisiveness creates issues for GP because she really likes two of the illustrations which are done. I talk her into passing on the illustrations which are completed in favor of giving two college students a shot at the dustjacket and illustrations. The e-Publishing editor works with me to move my author past this blockade.
Wednesday Hannah and I ran away midafternoon. I took her for tea at Perennial Tea Room for her birthday. We shopped at the antiques store at Pike Place Market until Prescott spotted Elena Lincoln in the area. Prescott pressures us to quit wandering around the store and to check out. I purchased a white wicker dressing screen which will let light in through the window, yet provide a visual block. I can't resist a small white wicker tray for a mini candlescape on the shelves above my desk. Hannah buys a pair of black and white toile pillows for her bedroom. She arranges a down payment on a Hollywood Regency dressing table and chair. After we drop Hannah at her apartment, Prescott and I discuss Elena Lincoln. I suggest Lincoln is either keeping an eye on my old condo or on her Post Alley Esclava. Prescott wonders why the IRS didn't give Lincoln a no contact order for the salons they seized.
Thursday Kate and Elliot invited me to the condo for pizza and wine. I gain four more dresses. I refused anything in a Jolly Rancher color, anything patterned and anything really not appropriate for work. I get a really red fit and flare dress, a carnation pink A-line dress, an ocean blue shirtdress and a royal purple princess dress. Kate and I talk about my classes, her Zumba classes.
Kate gives me a great tour of the condo. She's created a home office in my old room. Her spring wardrobe fits in the closet thanks to the organizational unit. The wall across from the alcove has bookcases and an entertainment armoire. She has a silk velvet chaise lounge for propping her feet up and reading. They finally have a housekeeper who comes in twice a week. She cooks two dinners a week for them, in addition to shopping, laundry, cleaning, and domestic errands.
Prescott has a nuclear meltdown when she sees my weekend schedule. She insists the weekend is a logistics nightmare. She can follow inside and loiter near the wall by my table, but I am required to attend. I must endure tonight's event and have a quiet bath before the wedding dress Olympics tomorrow.
The Social Dining course opens tonight with a charity event dinner. Cassie approves of my plum ensemble, my loose wavy and curly hair and minimal makeup. I explained I cannot attend tomorrow's class because it is wedding dress shopping day for Kate. As my penance for missing the class, I am required to undergo a home visit from Cassie on Monday night.
Cassie bought a table for the Sustainable Seattle Foundation charity fundraiser. We're seated at a round banquet table at the back of the room. We eat the interesting 'green' themed dinner. The theme dovetails nicely with the St. Patrick's Day weekend. The speakers have been a surprise to us, because there was one program at our table. Cassie is livid over it and I'm sure she will have words with the event coordinators.
I'm surprised when I run into Kate in the powder room. She explains Elliot is a supporter of the Sustainable Seattle Foundation. She explains Mia helped coordinate the event and asks me to stop by their table on my way back to mine. I explain I'm here with colleagues but would be pleased to say hello to Elliot and Mia.
We're talking on our way back to Kate's table and I don't notice…but the table is filled with the Kavanagh and Grey family. I get hugs from Elliot, Mia, Carrick and Grace. I get hugs from Eamon, Celeste and Ethan. Mia explains the decadent dessert course – chocolate graham cracker crust, mint-flavored cheesecake with dark chocolate drizzles. I am urged to join them for dessert and I quickly text Cassie I'm at the Greys' table. I wish Christian were here. I would dance with him if he asked. I have loved and hated helping Kate and Elliot with wedding details…but I wish Christian and I had as easy a relationship as they do.
XXX – 3PPOV
Elliot to Christian: Bro, I know you are at therapy – but get here as soon as you can! Ana is here with some group. The cruise director ordered their table to dance with anyone who asks and talk to everyone possible. She's already refused three dance invitations – and not men from our table. Her cruise director is not pleased because she won't dance. Come save the girl!
XXX – APOV
"I'm fine, Elliot," I reassure him as he races to my protection. "I know how to deal with rude men." I yell no, stomp on my dance partner's foot and plant the heel of my right hand to his nose. My dance partner let go of my ass. He let out a muffled sob of pain, sinking to the floor, cradling his face. Prescott peels away from the wall when the man hits the floor. "Prescott, do you have EMT training? I believe I broke his nose."
"Dr. T. is coming to the rescue," Prescott pulled me out of the fray and pointed me toward my table.
"Cassie, I'm done for the evening. Thank you for the lesson in how to handle men who can't keep their hands to themselves. If there's a problem with him or with the event organizers…I was defending myself. I don't like being used as entertainment for strangers." I turned to Prescott. "Let's go…and if you tell anyone about tonight…"
Prescott raised her hands in defeat. "I know Taylor believes I have big brass balls sometimes, but I prefer my ovaries where they are, thank you very much. I don't want Mr. Grey hanging them off the rear view mirror of one of his SUVs as a reminder to the rest of the security staff to keep you safe."
My glee at getting out of the charity dinner evaporated the moment I stepped off the elevator. Zap! Zing! Christian makes his way through a lobby of people who attempt to discuss business, obtain an introduction, etc. He's wearing casual black jeans and a grey cashmere sweater. His copper curls are visible several inches above the crowd in the lobby. He heads towards me. I'm immobile, like a deer in headlights.
"Ana," his smile is really tight when he sees me.
Is he unhappy to see me? I wondered. "Christian," I allow him to kiss my cheek. "We're being watched by the universe," I murmured.
"Good, let's see how they like this." Christian pulled me close, pinning one hand behind my back and holding my face with the other. He planted a serious kiss on my lips. "Let that go viral! Do you feel like getting the hell out of here?" He watched my face.
I nodded, I don't care where we go, I'd really like a few more of those kisses, in private, without the universe watching us like a B-rate porn flick.
XXX
"What I want to know is…what the hell are you doing?" Christian took a gulp of his white wine in an effort to calm down.
"No yelling…or I'm leaving," I chided him. "I'm taking classes so I can walk, talk and dance at Kate and Elliot's wedding without falling down and embarrassing myself."
"How's that going for you?" Christian smirked.
"Well, if you want to know the truth – it's stressing the hell out of me." I admit. "I love Kate and I love Elliot, but I wish they had eloped."
"No you don't," Christian argued. "Because if they had, you couldn't do this." He pulled me out of my chair, held my hands to his chest and kissed me. "What do you think about that?"
I threw my arms around his neck, grabbed his hair and pulled his mouth to mine.
XXX – CPOV
I carry her to her bed and we're lost in kissing and touching one another. We're naked and I've given her three orgasms with my fingers and my mouth…but I can't perform.
What the fuck is that? The southern gentleman has been rock hard for her memory for a fucking millennium…why is he shy now!
Ana rolls away from me, laughing…and it's not a fun laugh…it's an I give up laugh.
I'm furious. "WTF!" I snap. "He's been harder than a god damn rock during my wet dreams for the last nine months…and now we're naked and he's fucking shy! What the hell is that about?"
"Wet dreams?" Ana blushes.
"Wet dreams," I confirmed, rubbing my thumb over her bottom lip. "You, every time, every possible position, every possible scenario, every desire…"
She blushes more.
"What?" I asked suspiciously.
"I think it's the dreams are causing performance anxiety. If you are half as good as my wet dreams have been for the last nine months…we'll…" she slid back into my arms.
"Fuck each other to death?" I asked.
"Oh yeah…and then some…" she whispered, pulling my mouth to hers. She kissed me deeply, our tongues dance erotically with one another. "Let me counsel him. Maybe if I talk to him, he'll remember who I am." She pushed me onto my back. "Can I kiss and touch from your chest to your groin?"
"Avoid the scars if you can…but yes, please," my voice was begging and I didn't mean to sound so needy but OH MY GOD…the southern gentleman felt her breasts brush past him on her way down my body. I won't last very long…
XXX
"Ana, let's go take a shower," I suggested.
"Hmm umm," she murmured, slightly shaking her head and falling asleep immediately.
I pulled her soft, naked, warm body into my arms. The clock reads four o'clock in the morning. I text Taylor and tell him we're in for the night and to reschedule Bastille for Tuesday. He texts back he will wake us at ten. Ana has wedding things to do with Kate today and I have dance practice. Damn, as much as I love watching her sleep, I'd better get some sleep, too. I pull Ana in to spoon and am asleep soon after.
March 17 – APOV
Despite the fact I would love to spend the rest of the day in Christian's arms and his bed, I must get to my condo. Christian won't let me do the walk of shame in my plum dress. I grab the first set of underwear, jeans and sweater I can find in his submissive closet. We're discussing that closet but not right now – I'm so late. Before I'm completely dressed, he brought me juice and ibuprophen.
I need to change for lunch and wedding dress shopping with Kate and Mia. Anders is bringing Kate and Mia to my condo. We have reservations at SkyCity Restaurant for a bridal luncheon with Grace, Grandma Frannie, Celeste and Kate's grandmothers, Meg and Alice. After lunch, we have an appointment at a bridal salon to shop for Kate's wedding dress. Needless to say, I'm required to dress up…Fuckety-fuckety-fuck.
Before I can start getting dressed, Kate and Mia are at my door. Kate borrows my white dress, shoes and purse from the Christmas Gala, but she brought me a sapphire fit and flare dress to wear. She brought the sapphire stud earrings and bracelet I wore for Coping Together, along with purse and shoes. Mia dumps what I need in the purse. I'm glad I have a good dress coat to wear…and am wearing my best pale blue underwear. I hope we're not shopping for bridesmaid dresses, but I'm prepared if we are.
Mia wears an amethyst fit and flare dress which matches the one I am wearing. She fusses with my hair and makeup. I wisely shut my mouth and let her play Barbie. This morning was all energetic sex…and I'm a little sore and tired. All of us have half ponytails. Our hair from ear to ear and forehead to crown is gathered in a ponytail below our crown, with the rest of our hair in long curls and waves around our shoulders.
Kate looks fabulous in my white dress, with pumps and satin handbag. She's definitely got the undergarments (a white satin basque, panties and thigh high stockings) for trying on a dozen wedding gowns. She brought a white wool winter coat with her. Zumba is making her toned and sleek for her wedding.
Anders has a sedan, not an SUV and drives us to the Space Needle. Lunch is alcohol free, per Celeste's orders. Champagne is reserved for the bridal salon. Kate, her mom and her grandmothers occupy one side of the table, with Mia, Grace, Grandma Frannie and me on the other side.
I'm immediately set upon by Grandma Frannie who relates a few of Christian's naughty little boy stories. Kate rolls her eyes, as Christian doesn't star in the stories. He was a willing participant with Elliot. We have a leisurely non-alcoholic lunch for an hour and a half. I enjoy the crab cakes and the crab and shrimp salad. While my mouth is full…I can't make polite social conversation. I memorize everything to complete an index card for Cassie's class. I'm emailing Ros; she seriously underestimated these crab cakes. We've been photographed twice…our lunch is probably Seattle Nooz worthy.
Last night and this morning were incredible. I know I have a dreamy look on my face every time I daydream about Christian today. I know there are pictures us last night. However, no one asks about the rest of the evening. I can't believe they aren't curious. Grace must have threatened them.
Mia pays for everything with a Black AMEX card. She relates she's putting all the wedding charges on it. Issued in Elliot's name, it offers extravagant bonus points for Elliot and Kate to use on their honeymoon. Of course, everyone thinks Elliot is a genius – but I suspect Christian's control issues helped with this situation.
Eight of us arrive at the salon for bridal dress shopping….in a white stretch limo. SERIOUSLY? I feel I'm drowning in conversation, tulle, chiffon, organza, taffeta, satin, silk, pearls, crystals, and lace while snooty saleswomen fawn over Kate. She is so in her princess element today. When she asks for critiques of the first dress; I mutter 'meringue'. She laughed; the skirt was so full she couldn't hold it up by herself to walk in it. The second one would have been appropriate if she had been a Kar-trash-ian. She's poured into it and it shows a whole lotta Kate. Her grandma Alice shrieks and crosses herself like a B-movie heroine faced with evil.
Although I want to laugh and make funny faces at Kate, I sit quietly and slowly sip my champagne …which is quite good. At least one of the grandmothers has her glass refilled with each dress Kate models for us. Before it's over, I have a headache. I'm blaming it on stress, not on a lack of sleep, an overindulgence of sex in the bed of a copper-haired demi-god nor the three flutes of champagne. I'm sure the grandmothers will have hangovers.
Kate tried on eight gowns and finally settled on a Vera Wang strapless silk gown which made her look like a goddess. When Grandma Meg questions if it is appropriate to wear at the cathedral, the sales staff pull a dozen lace coat, shrug or jacket options. Kate picked a hooded lace cloak to wear over the strapless gown in the church. She says it's very Game of Thrones and she's crazy about it. She plans to ditch the hooded lace cloak for the reception afterward. She will be a beautiful bride. Mia and I posed with her so the bridal shop could check the dress against the colors of the wedding. I believe they hoped to sell bridesmaid gowns today…but I could be jaded.
One crazy stretch limo ride later…where the three tipsy grandmothers offer sex advice…which is more embarrassing to Celeste and Grace than Kate, Mia or me… I'm behind locked doors at my condo. After two ibuprophen, some ginger ale and a nap, I examine the pictures of Kate's gown. I sincerely doubt a $200 David's Bridal bridesmaid dress is earmarked for my future. Finally, I get the text I've been waiting for…Christian is done for the day and wants me to come to Escala. He promises dinner first and some practice dancing.
XXX
Sometime in the wee, early hours of the morning, I stumble into Christian's bathroom. It's as huge as I remember and smells like him. I'm tender in my nether regions. For vanilla sex…it's been pretty hot and steamy. My favorite position for the night was me on top…touching his chest, kissing him and nuzzling those soft curls in the middle of his chest. We can't seem to touch or kiss or get enough of one another.
I'd break into a Hallelujah chorus…except I can't sing and he's peacefully asleep. I wander back to bed, wearing just his t-shirt and slid in next to him. He pulls me into his arms and buries his nose in my hair. I like this…I really like this cuddling, protective part of our relationship. I don't stop to analyze it…I'm on a mission to get some sleep.
March 18
"God that was fun! How did you get out of class to go to lunch and Hunger Games with us?" Kate is so happy for my company. You would never know I saw her yesterday.
"The instructor is having night class from 7-9," I checked my watch. "Now I know why braids are a huge hit."
Mia laughed. "Did you check out some of those hideous costumes in the movie?"
"Yet another reason not to dye my hair or get facial tattoos," I grimace.
"Well, I for one was glad to have a day where we didn't work on wedding things. Mom's been stressed." Kate announced.
"What's she stressed about," Mia frowned.
"She can't find a dress for the wedding. She wants something to coordinate with the amethyst Ethan's wearing so they don't clash while they are dancing. I must take Grace and Mom and the grandmothers shopping for dresses next Saturday. The gift girls have their dresses and shoes, so I can concentrate on matriarchs."
"That's my cue to be busy," I laughed. "I don't want to watch the fashion games. I don't know much about fashion, but periwinkle would work for both moms. Lavender and mauve for your grandmothers and sky or powder blue for Frannie. Those colors would coordinate with the bridal party."
Mia and Kate stopped and stared at me.
"What?" I frowned.
"What did you do to Ana Steele?" Kate suspiciously demanded. "I've never…never…not in almost five years…never heard you talk about how colors coordinate unless you were discussing paint samples with a Clayton's customer."
"It's not that," Mia added. "You're wearing chocolate jeans with a great cream shirt with a coordinating chocolate boyfriend jacket. Where the hell did you find those cute chocolate leather ankle boots with a matching purse? Plus, the coordinating copper jewelry and your makeup are flawless."
"You can only have lunch with fashionistas so many times before something becomes ingrained," I raspberry them. "You don't like Ana 2.0?"
"I'm dying for Ana 3.0 who likes to shop," Kate hinted.
"Not happening…ever," I declare. "I keep Shawn supplied with lasagna and he shops for me." I'm not about to tell them I rolled out of Christian's bed two hours before meeting them, basked in a hot, luxurious shower with equally hot shower sex. Christian blow dried my hair. He picked the outfit out of the closet of clothes he has for me while I did my minimal makeup. I made sure to dress slowly in my satin cream-colored underwear to torture him. We still haven't discussed that closet of clothes.
We had a rough patch this morning when coordinating our schedules. He understood about spending time with Kate and Mia because he could work while I was with them. However, dinner tonight at Canlis irked him. I told him I had to go, it is part of the classes I'm taking. He explained paparazzi pay the staff for good tips on who is present. He said after our Friday night kiss went viral…people will recognize me. He claims I'll be bothered by my class or the paparazzi about where he is. I agreed to Christian getting reservations to Canlis and taking me to class. He said he would explain we're having dinner with one another. Cassie is allowed to observe and critique all she wants. I suspect…and I don't say it…Cassie will be over the moon about my publicly socializing with Christian.
XXX – CPOV
While Ana was gone with Kate and Mia, I worked. I researched a pending purchase of a company which produces variable-speed generators and fixed-speed generators for the nacelles of a wind turbine. GEH will keep those two divisions, but will sell off the other sections which are money pits for the company. I research a Brazilian company which is building a prototype of a generator which will power two homes at one time. They are testing a small generator for vehicular power as well as larger generator for residential power. If those generators can be manufactured in bulk, they could be used for FEMA or the Red Cross in catastrophic situations. If GEH could manufacture them, we could obtain a tremendous tax break by donating two dozen units to the northwest regional offices of FEMA and Red Cross.
Before I knew it, Ana was back from her girl time and I take great delight in peeling her out of her clothes and carrying her to my bed. We have three hours to spend in my bed before dressing for dinner. Three hours of Ana's soft alabaster skin, her silky hair and her pouty pink lips and her perfect breasts and those long, luscious legs and her arms wrapped around me…it's not enough. These few hours we've been together will never be enough…I want…more. I need the perfect time and place to tell her I want more.
We have time for a short nap. Ana races upstairs to the closet and finds an emerald green dinner dress. She stresses about fixing her hair. She creates a messy updo. I can't wait to make it into a swirl of curls around her shoulders. She stresses about how to introduce me. I suggest stud muffin or hunka burning luv is inappropriate. Boyfriend is high school. We settle on significant other.
Damn...I don't object to a candlelit dinner where I can hold Ana's hand in public…but I really wanted to have dinner and lots of sex with Ana tonight. So before the sex part happens, we must be seen in public together and I will be a gentleman. These classes are important to her. As long as she doesn't turn into Kate or Mia or any of Mia's friends…I'm all for her being comfortable in her skin. Especially when that skin is so responsive in my bed. I'd better think about something else, or this will be embarrassing.
We're seated next to the fireplace at Canlis. Ana's class is speechless about her dinner date. Ana was right, her instructor was pleased to let her have dinner with me. I order for us: prawns and Canlis signature salad for first and second course. Third course is filet mignon with twice-baked potatoes. I order crème Brulée for dessert. The sommelier suggests an excellent bottle of wine. I taste and approve the wine, but he recommends Ana taste it also. She declares it is liquid ambrosia, which makes the sommelier gallantly compliment her. She blushes, but only has eyes for me…as it should be. We have a lovely dinner and talk about the author launch in Las Vegas at the end of the month. Ana asks if it is possible for us to factor in some leisure time while we are there. I assure her I will ask Mia to build a private itinerary for us.
At the end of the evening, I escort Ana back to her class where she bids everyone goodnight and I shake hands with Cassandra Collins again. I escort Ana to the R8 and suggest we go back to Escala. The dessert at dinner was wonderful but Ana is all the dessert I will ever need. She makes me swear we will be asleep by midnight, or she won't go back to Escala with me. I kiss her knuckles and promise I will try to wear her out before midnight.
At Escala, I ask her to dress in lingerie from the closet upstairs. She doesn't make a face, but she's quiet. Yes, I know, we must discuss that room. Does she think I keep the closet stocked for one night stands so they don't do the walk of shame? I sit at the piano, in black satin sleep pants and waffle-weave grey satin robe, playing Claire de Lune and Suite Bergamasque. I am speechless when Ana arrives at the bottom of the stairs wearing a gown and peignoir of the thinnest pink satin. I turn on dancing music and we dance around the room. The lights are doused and we watch the skyline and dance. Eventually I carry her to my bed, kicking the door closed.
Ana asks if she can please touch me, she wants to take my clothes off. I love when her soft little hands caress my shoulders as she slips my robe off. She gracefully kneels…when the hell did she learn to do that? She unties my pajama pants and slides them off me, cupping my ass as she does…it makes me harder than I've been in a while.
She rises gracefully, taking my clothes and laying them on a chair. She strips off her robe, leaving the thin satin gown clinging to her curves. When she comes back to me, she holds my hands to her face, kissing my palms before turning her pouty mouth to me. I kiss her senseless, slip the gown from her body and push her down onto the bed. I had planned to make slow, sweet love to my beautiful girl. However, she grabs me and her body urges me to choose deep, hot and fast sex, not once, or twice, but we're finally sated after three times of desperate, needy, urgent lovemaking. We've blown past the midnight hour…and we don't regret it at all.
Uhm, sleeping with Ana is the best. I go over my to-do list in my head: sleep, shower, shower sex, dress, breakfast and a goodbye kiss, but I'm out of town again until late Friday afternoon. I wish her job were a little more flexible so she could travel with me. We need to negotiate our schedules. I have to remember to ask her to Skype with me each night...
March 19 – 3PPOV
********Seattle Nooz********
After Friday night's kiss at the Sustainable Seattle charity event when viral…after Christian Grey took Anastasia Steele to Escala…after Anastasia Steele attended lunch with the Grey and Kavanagh matriarchs…
Christian Grey was spotted with Anastasia Steele at Canlis last evening. The couple held hands intermittently while eating dinner. While the couple was seated near the romantic fireplace… there was no bended knee or flashy diamonds involved during dinner. Miss Steele is a Copy Editor for Grey Publishing and the ex-roommate of Katherine Kavanagh, fiancée of Elliot Grey. Swoon...
********Seattle Nooz********
Elena was pissed when she read the Seattle Nooz article about Christian. She needed a way to fuck with Anastasia which would aggravate Christian also…but what and how? Sitting at a Starbucks, she accessed their WIFI and researched ways to fuck with Anastasia…until she had three possible scenarios. First, she found Anastasia's work email address. She requested information from every committee and event for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, using Anastasia's work email for the reply.
Second, Elena called Caroline Acton's phone number and identified herself as Andrea, Mr. Grey's personal assistant. She explained Mr. Grey's girlfriend, Anastasia Steele, needed appropriate clothes for six red carpet events with Mr. Grey in the next two months. She asked to have two dozen possible outfits with lingerie and accessories delivered to Miss Steele at Grey Annex today.
Elena's final phone call was to Cartier's. Again, she identified herself as Andrea, Mr. Grey's personal assistant. She explained Mr. Grey wanted to buy Miss Steele an appropriate jewelry wardrobe and noted the six red-carpet events in the next two months. She explained Miss Steele required a trunk show of high end event jewelry at Grey Annex. Neiman Marcus would conduct a trunk show of evening wear and accessories during Miss Steele's lunch hour today. Miss Steele needed jewelry to coordinate with her ensembles from Neiman Marcus. Whatever Miss Steele selected would be billed to Mr. Grey at Grey House.
XXX – APOV
Work was hell. Everyone either saw that damned article online or in the paper. The Sustainable Seattle kiss went viral. Dinner at Canlis was photographed and included in the society pages. I tell Hannah and Prescott to keep everyone out of my office unless they have an appointment. Claire is disappointed at my bare fingers. I ask Claire to share the news: I'm not discussing Christian. We are NOT engaged. I trust she will share with Emily and Amber first.
Kate emailed "whoo hoo!" Elliot commented: "Everyone wants to know when you're getting engaged." Mia posted a heart emoji with the Canlis link on her Facebook page. Christian texted: "We've been outed." Mom's email complimented my dress and shoes, but suggested my hair needed more polish for such a posh place as Canlis. She is also thrilled beyond words … Sheesh. Dad related he told Mom my love life was something I didn't discuss with him…so she should question me, not him.
Prior to lunch, all hell broke loose. "They aren't on your schedule," Hannah panicked.
"Who isn't on my schedule?" I wonder where Prescott is.
"The personal shoppers," Hannah's frantic and exasperated. "You didn't tell me; they aren't on the schedule."
"Shawn and Harley?" I frowned.
"Is that their names?" Hannah takes notes.
"Well, it's more of a joke, than their titles," I smiled.
"Shall I bring them up? Are you trying on clothes and jewelry in your office, or do you want a conference room?" Hannah's checking the availability of a small conference room.
My phone beeped. "Just a minute," I pause Hannah's questions while answering Prescott's call. "What's up?"
"I though you hated shopping," Prescott complained.
'I do hate shopping, which is why Shawn Stanton shops for me." I explained. "OR, I shop Amazon."
"It's not Shawn," Prescott announced. "Two women from Neiman Marcus, a Caroline Acton and Rachelle Rogers, report they are to meet with you at lunch. Mathias Herriot from Cartier's is present also. They all have phone orders from Mr. Grey. The ladies have a rolling rack of evening gowns and three rolling footlockers of lingerie and accessories. The man has a rolling footlocker of jewelry."
"Prescott, you'd better call Taylor and inquire about today's invasion. Because if I call Mr. Grey – I will plant a verbal knee in his junk." I warned her.
Thirty minutes later Prescott appears at my office. "Mr. Grey didn't do this. Neiman Marcus and Cartier were pranked by fake orders this morning. Someone claiming to be Andrea, Mr. Grey's P.A. ordered evening gowns and jewels to be delivered to you this morning. Andrea and Mr. Grey discussed the situation. She smoothed it over with them. However, they passed a paparazzi gauntlet to bring items into the building. Of course they told the press how thrilled they were because Mr. Grey had chosen their companies to help dress Miss Steele. Mr. Grey said he'll have Barney try to keep it out of the press."
FMTT, I shook my head. "Hannah, lunch please for all of us…plus Claire and Mr. Loeder if they are available. Let's try to develop protocols so we can handle situations like this." I hand her my debit card. "If it gets any weirder here today, I'll be working at home."
XXX
Tonight is my home inspection. I sigh, SERIOUSLY? At least the closet organizers are in place and I'm using them properly. Please don't let Cassie bring the Seattle Nooz article and request an autograph.
"I approve of your fall/winter wardrobe capsule. You might want another pair of boots, not to wear to work, but to wear in snow and bad weather. Did you develop a spring/summer capsule?" Cassie asked.
"I have pictures and a partial list of ensembles. I've been buying spring items. I need to create a list of casual summer items I need." I handed over my spring/summer binder with pictures. "It's stored in the closet in the office." I took her to see my spring/summer wardrobe.
"Sixty pieces should be adequate for a six-month work wardrobe if you count clothes, not shoes, not accessories. Plan another twenty pieces for a summer casual wardrobe. Stick to blue hues, powerful pinks and clear reds. Pastels would wash you out. You can probably carry off beige with your skin tone. I approve of your choice of natural fabrics, but rayon is popular for spring and summer." Cassie talks, I take notes.
"I don't like the way rayon feels on my skin, or how it needs ironing, or it seems to shrink very time I wash it." I explained.
She handed me the yellow tulip dress and the green tulip dress. "I'm not sure about colors. Please model these." She continued to go through the closet while I changed into the dresses. She approved of the emerald green color, but not the shape of the dresses. She said the Channel peep toes could exchange with the nude heels when I wear the emerald pencil skirt and shirt, but she recommends donating them instead.
She weeded a white short-sleeve silk shirt from the closet. "The fabric near the buttons is shiny, which means it's been worn a lot. Donate the tulip dresses and this shirt to charity. You have a good start with your photo cards, shuffle them around to get the fullest list of combinations possible." Tonight's lesson is light, basic, natural makeup. She observes my dressing table on the wall between the closet and the bathroom. "You need to move your dressing table closer to the window," Cassie recommended.
"Thank you for your suggestion, but no. I don't sit in my underwear at the dressing table or get dressed in front of open drapes." God knows I don't want someone with a telephoto lens taking pictures of me in my underwear!
Cassie marked a list of personal appliances I should have – including a magnifying, I'm gonna be a star, mirror with natural lighting. She says I need sable makeup brushes and good concealer. She throws my $1.98 concealer in the trash. She approves of the white wicker 12x12 tray holding my selection of designer perfume samples, bottle of my regular scent and scant makeup supplies. She notes the expiration dates on everything and I'm saved since I bought almost all of it new for taking her class.
I remember Kate putting makeup on me the night we went drinking …come to think of it…Christian must have washed my face…because I don't remember leaving makeup on his pillow. All the things that cunning Dominant learned…and I struggle to learn to walk in high heels. FMTT.
"Your lip glosses are adequate. You might look for tinted lip balms to keep your lips moisturized during the winter and summer. If you continue to be in the media with Mr. Grey, your personal grooming has to be impeccable. When you consider hiring a personal assistant, I can help you. I have questionnaires and contacts."
Cassie tests me on the skills I acquired during her makeup and hair class. When I exhibit the ability to create a decent smoky eye, we go on to hair. She swears I can wear light and fresh makeup for the next decade. Cassie's impressed with the three-drawer white wicker container holding my hair accessories, brush and comb. "I will teach you three quick hairstyles, with braids, which are very in right now."
Before Cassie leaves, I have mastered the braid headband. I have mastered the bun wrapped with a braid and the braided bun. Part of me is rebellious…I like ponytails. I won't wear them around Cassie. Once I'm not a client, I won't care if my picture is taken with a ponytail or not. I seriously consider cutting off my hair. There has to be something positive about a wash and wear hair style.
I'm stressed, Cassie only approves of four of the dozen hairstyles I've selected. She recommends I concentrate on this task, and on completing my spring/summer capsule. I should find a dozen hairstyles on the internet and download them with directions. She wants me to practice one hairstyle a week until I can master each one in under ten minutes. What she does not know is I won't pick a style with more than five steps. She wants me to research bridal hairstyles and have an idea of what I would like to wear. I explain that has to wait until we buy bridesmaid dresses.
We talk about the wedding, I ask Cassie to preview the bridesmaid gown pictures. I need recommendations about what to buy. She weeds four of my dozen pictures and numbers the rest in order of what she feels is appropriate to my body size. She goes to my spring closet and names off half a dozen outfits which would be acceptable to wear to wedding planning meetings or dinners with the families. I am a dutiful student…I take notes.
"My menu for Friday night, March 23. I'm making my signature dish: lasagna." I handed the menu to Cassie. I handed her an invitation for critiquing also. "Let's discuss Friday night…"
"You hated this round of classes, didn't you?" Cassie casually asks.
"I've appreciated the various social scenarios I might encounter. However, when it came to defending myself, I relied on techniques taught me by my father. Plus, while I needed Friday night to teach me about small talk with a crowd of people, I will not dance with strangers again. Especially since I've been outed as being with Christian."
"I appreciated you having dinner with Mr. Grey last night. I could not have offered a better example about the importance of social dining to this group." Cassie thanked me. "I noticed neither of you reacted to the pictures being taken of you."
I don't explain about using audio/visual jammers. "We will be spending a lot of time in the public eye, especially between now and the wedding. Let's discuss the April and May dance classes." I paused. "Mary arranged for me to see her every other week from now on. My calendar explodes as the wedding approaches. I want to lighten my schedule to make time for Christian." As it is, I have about a thirty-minute window before he Skypes me.
XXX – CPOV
Once our Skype is connected, we get the elephant out of the room first. "We were punked?" Ana repeated after my explanation. "We were punked by Elena Lincoln?"
"Welch insists it must have been Elena. Andrea knows my account information at Neiman Marcus and Cartier but she wouldn't do this. Elena would do it because she's pissed we're in the news. I fixed it with both stores and we have a code now. Unless they get a call from a man…me…who has the code…they don't send anyone anywhere with anything. I reminded them of their NDAs. They aren't supposed to discuss my business with the world." I explain.
"So this won't happen in the future?" Ana asked.
"I hope not," I promise. "But to be on the safe side, security is increasing their protocols about deliveries to either you or me."
"Sounds like a plan," Ana consented.
We have a great conversation after that – no business, no wedding, no therapy and no family. I suggest we play a game of "I wish you were here because…" I will roll the alphabet dice and whatever letter I get, I say something. She will take either the before or after letter for her response. I roll and get an A.
"I wish you were here because I'd spend the night adoring you," I sigh.
"I wish you were here because I'd spend the night brushing against you," she teased.
I roll and get an O. "I wish you were here because I'd spend the night ogling you," I declared.
"I wish you were here because I'd spend the night necking with you," she blushed.
I roll and get an E. "I wish you were here because I'd spend the night eye-fucking you," I smirk.
"I thought you were doing that already," Ana's wearing a flirty little satin sleep shirt and matching panties…and she's laying on her bed in my favorite reading pose.
God, it will be a long week until I'm back in her arms.
