Chapter 20

CPOV

Ana and I lie in her bed, finally, both of us feeling satisfied and exhausted. We're on our sides with nothing on us but the thin sheet. I don't think Anastasia is more beautiful than right after she has an orgasm. Her eyes are larger and the blue sparkling, her cheeks are rosy and flushed, and her lips are full and soft. I take my finger and rub it over her lips, neither of us says anything.

Suddenly we hear someone yell her name. "Ana! What the fuck?" It's Jose. How the fuck did he get in here? I quickly jump out of the bed and put on my boxers. Even quicker, Ana puts a robe on and goes to confront him in the living room. I decide to give her some time with him but listen in just in case she needs me.

"So, you're with him now?" Jose's voice drips with contempt. "I thought you didn't know what you wanted."

"Jose, what are you doing here?"

"I heard about Ray and wanted to make sure you're OK. Obviously, I was mistaken."

"Jose, please…"

"Does he know I was the last one to fuck you? The last one to have my mouth and hands all over you?"

"Jose, don't be crude."

"Crude? I'm being crude? I come in and find you practically fucking someone you barely know. I've known you for four years. We share a past."

"I was drunk when we slept together and you know that. It only happened once."

"Why? Why did you choose him and not me? Tell me, Ana. Tell me the truth!"

I start to get ready to run out there but what she says next stops me in my tracks.

Quietly she tells him, "Because, Jose. I'm in love with him."

"What? You can't be serious. You've known him for what, a couple of months?"

"Jose…"

"Is it his money? Is that it? Because you know, fucking a virgin is going to get old for him and then where will you be?"

I hear her gasp and I make my way out there. I try to reign in my temper and am finding it difficult. "Get out of here and leave Anastasia alone. Now! Before I make you wish you never even uttered her name."

He goes to walk out of the apartment, turns around, and says, "Well, Ana. I guess he can tell his goons where they can find me." With that, he leaves and slams the door.

"How did he get in?"

"He had the spare key in case of emergencies." She starts to cry and I hold her to me. This is the closest I've ever held anyone. And it feels right, it feels like home.

I hold her and try to soothe her and calm her down. "Baby, do you want me to start you a bath?"

"No, I just want you to hold me." I scoop her up and carry her to her bed. I lie down next to her and kiss her forehead. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly to me. I know I should be fuming about that asshole coming in here like that but instead the entire time I think about what I overheard her say to Jose - she loves me?


APOV

I wake up with the alarm going off. I feel hungover even though I didn't drink anything. That was such a cluster fuck last night.

Christian opens his eyes and gives me a big smile. He looks so young like that. "Good morning, beautiful."

I smile back at him, "Good morning to you, handsome." He hugs me close and smells my hair.

"Ana, are you sure you have to go to work?"

"As much as I'd like to stay in bed with you, I haven't been there for a couple of days."

"If you must. Can I drop you off at work and pick you up? I want to spend time with you. And, don't think I've forgotten about that death trap you drive."

"What? Wanda is a classic. But yes, you can drop me off and pick me up." We shower, get dressed and head out. Christian drops me off at the front doors of SIP and gives me a sweet kiss. "You do know I'm seeing you after work, right?" I tease Christian.

"I know and it's going to be such a long wait." I give him a kiss on the cheek and make my way in.

"Ana, how's your dad?" Claire excitedly asks me.

"He's going to make a full recovery. Thanks for asking! I better get to work after missing the past couple of days."

I get to my desk and before I even have a chance to turn on my computer, Jack is yelling for me. "Ana! I need you to get me a coffee. Now!"

"Yes, Jack." Geez. Who peed in his corn flakes this morning? I go and get his coffee as quickly as I can.

I bring Jack his coffee. He doesn't even look at me. "Get to work. You have a lot to catch up on."

Feeling slightly affronted, I go back to my desk and turn on my computer. I see I have an email from Christian which immediately cheers me up.


To: asteele

From: cgrey

RE: Time Machine

Dear Anastasia,

I do believe this may be a very long day for me indeed. I wish I had a time machine so I could speed time up. Until then…

Christian Grey

CEO & Lonely Boyfriend, Grey Enterprises Holdings


Did he just say boyfriend? The very idea of that makes me swoon. I didn't have time to process what we are and what happened over the past couple of days. It's been a whirlwind to say the least. I take a second to think about what to reply.


To: cgrey

From: asteele

RE: Hurry up!

Dear Christian,

To say the past few days have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. But the outcome has been worth it. Today will be a very long day indeed. Until then, think of me.

Ax

Ana Steele

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor

Seattle Independent Publishing


To: asteele

From: cgrey

RE: Don't tempt me

Anastasia,

I'm afraid if I think of you anymore I won't be able to leave the shelter of my desk. Unless, that is, you would like to meet me for lunch at my office.

Christian Grey

CEO & Boyfriend with tight pants, Grey Enterprises


To: cgrey

From: asteele

RE: Now I need…

Dear Christian,

Now I need to change my panties. I'll anxiously be awaiting the end of the day.

Ax

Ana Steele

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor

Seattle Independent Publishing


To: asteele

From: cgrey

RE: WHAT?

Miss Steele,

You just made me spit coffee all over my laptop. You've been very naughty. Until laters...

Christian Grey

CEO who needs a new laptop AND new pants, Grey Enterprises


This has been the longest day ever and Jack's mood got increasingly worse. I don't know what I got into him. At 5:30 I head out the front doors and feel my mood alleviate. Christian gets out of the Audi and holds the door open for me. As soon as he sees me, he has this huge grin on his face.

"Why, Miss Steele. It's good to see you this evening."

"It's good to see you too, Mr. Grey." He gives me a kiss on the cheek as I get into the SUV.