Chapter 18

CPOV

Being here with Ana and doing something so normal makes me realize how much I do have feelings for her. I just don't know how long I've felt this way. I think I've been caught in her spell since the day she fell into my office. It seems like ages ago it happened but in reality, it's just been weeks.

The kiss we just shared felt like so much more than physical attraction. I remember that morning in the elevator when the kiss was filled with passion. This time it felt different like I'm different. I really want to take her back to the hotel and have her. But that's not what she needs right now. She needs someone to be there for her.

She looks up at me and gives me a sweet smile. "That was nice."

I start to laugh, "Nice, huh? Yeah, it was. Come, let's get back to the hotel. We can have lunch and get some work done before we check up on your father."

We get back to the hotel and order some room service and a bottle of wine. With Taylor here, we don't have to worry about driving and I'm sure Ana could use a drink after all this.

"I'm sorry, Ana. I have to do some work." I would love to spend the whole day with her but since this wasn't planned there's a lot I need to do.

"That's OK. I have a new manuscript I need to read." We both work for a couple of hours. Around 3 pm Ana knocks on the door to the room where I have my makeshift office. "Christian, Ray is back and is awake. I'm going to the hospital to see him. You can stay here if you want and I will have Taylor drop me off."

"Anastasia, I'm coming with you. I want to be here for you and whatever I can do from here I can do from the hospital." She smiles at me and although she doesn't say it I can tell I just made her happy.


APOV

They've moved Ray to a regular room and are keeping him for another day or so under observation. Then, the doctor said, he can go home with visits from a mobile physical therapist. I'm so relieved he isn't as badly hurt as he could have been. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him.

I spend the next few hours visiting Ray in his room while he has a soccer game on TV. Christian has been patiently holed up in the waiting room the entire time.

I send Kate a quick text to let her know the good news.

*Ray is doing OK. He should be released to go home in the next couple of days. I'm going to stay here until then.*

*Glad to hear it. How's Christian? }:-) *

*He's fine. He's been here with me at the hospital.*

*uh huh. Elliot says "hi".*

*Tell Elliot I said hi back. Gotta run. TTYL*

*Laters!*

Ray looks at me. "Hey, Annie. I'm starting to get tired. How about you go and let that man spoil you and I can see you tomorrow."

"Dad, are you kicking me out?" I tease him only half joking.

"Yes. Now go enjoy your evening. I'll see you tomorrow." He waves his hand at me like he's shooing me away.

"OK, Daddy. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too, baby girl."

I walk out to the waiting room to Christian. He looks up at me and smiles. "All good?"

"Yeah, he's tired so he kicked me out. I guess you're not the only bossy one around here." Christian chuckles at my little jab.

"Are you hungry?" Christian asks as we make our way out of the hospital and into the waiting Audi. The whole time Christian has his hand on my lower back and doesn't take it away until we get into the car.

"I am but I'd like to go back to the hotel and change first if that's OK."

"Whatever you want, Miss Steele. Taylor, please take us back to the hotel."

"Yes, Sir," Taylor replies as if Christian is his Sergeant and he pulls out into the traffic driving us back to the hotel.

I freshen up with a quick shower and look to see if Kate packed me anything fancier than jeans. Of course she did. She packed me her black Milly Eva cap-sleeve stretch Cady dress. Thank goodness for Kate's closet or else I'd be up a creek. I also find her black Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong ankle strap sandals. I'll have to thank her when I get back home. I look decent for throwing myself together.

I come out of the bedroom and am greeted by a handsome Christian wearing his signature black jeans and white shirt. "Ana, you look wonderful." He walks over to me and kisses me on the cheek.

I give him a secret smile. "Thank you. You look wonderful too."

He returns my compliment with a smile. "Ready to go?"

"Let's go."

Taylor drops us off at a restaurant called the Dockside Bistro. We get in the front door and all Christian has to do is give his name and we are whisked off to a private dining room. We sit down at the sole table in the room. "Very good for such short notice."

"Well, Anastasia. I am a man of many means." He raises an eyebrow at me and I get the feeling he isn't talking about dinner reservations. My libido is awake now and ready for some fun. I feel my cheeks blush and look down at the menu to try and distract myself.

The waiter comes up to the table. "Good evening. I'm Robert and I'll be taking care of you tonight. May I get you a drink?"

Christian looks at me silently asking what I would like. "You can order the wine, Christian. I know you have good taste."

"We'll have a bottle of the Henri Bourgeois 2011 Sancerre." Christian is so authoritative even while ordering drinks. The waiter goes to retrieve the wine. When he's out of the room, Christian asks "Do you know what you'd like to order?"

"The seared salmon with forbidden rice, roasted red Pepper coulis, and a mushroom vinaigrette sounds good."

"That does sound good. You know this restaurant is known for using food locally sourced."

"Really? That's cool. Now I know why you picked this restaurant."

He gives me his boyish smile, but before he can respond the waiter is at the table for our order. "Ladies first, Anastasia."

"I'll have the seared salmon with the forbidden rice, roasted red pepper coulis, and a mushroom vinaigrette."

The waiter looks at me, "Excellent choice, ma'am. And Sir?"

"I'll have the filet mignon cooked medium with potato cake, haricot verts, and black truffle cognac bordelaise sauce."

"Very good, Sir. May I get you anything else?"

Christian looks at the waiter. "No thank you."


CPOV

Anastasia looks beautiful tonight. I can't stop thinking about our kiss earlier today. I hope it wasn't a one-time thing. "Ana, we need to talk about… us."

Her eyes dart up to mine. I know she was trying to avoid the topic, but we can't anymore. I have to know, it's eating me up inside. Her voice is barely a whisper and hesitantly she asks, "What about us?"

"Anastasia. I want you to be with me. I want you to be my girlfriend."

"But what about the contract and being your submissive?"

"No contract. I want you just as you are. I want to make you happy."

I think she's in shock. "Christian, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll be my girlfriend."

"OK."

"OK?"

"I'll be your girlfriend." We sit there for a few seconds just staring at each other like a couple of idiots. We finish our dinner and the waiter removes the plates from the table.

"Would you like some dessert or coffee?"

She just shakes her head no. I hand my card to the waiter. "What would you like to do, Ana?"

Breathlessly she says, "I'd like to go back to the room with you."

"And what will we do there?"

"You know…"

"Tell me."

She lowers her voice even more so it's just a whisper. "I want you to fuck me."

I am instantly hard. I get my card from the waiter and quickly get up. Taking Anastasia's hand we head out to the car as quickly as we can. Taylor drops us off at the front entrance of the hotel and we practically run to the elevators. We get to the room and I pick her up suddenly, causing Ana to yelp in surprise. I carry her to the bedroom, toss her gently on the bed, and shut the door to the room.