Chapter 23

APOV

I wake up and Christian is already out of bed. I make my way to the kitchen and see Mrs. Jones. "Good morning, Miss Steele. Can I get you anything?"

"Um, no thanks. Do you know where Christian is?"

"I believe he's in his office meeting with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Welch."

"Thank you." Who is Mr. Welch? I make my way to his office to let him know I'm going to get ready and will be on my way to work. He must be working from home this morning.

I walk up to his office door and before I even have the chance to knock he looks up at me and smiles. "Please excuse me gentleman. I'll be right back." Christian gets up and walks toward me. "Anastasia, good morning. Did you sleep OK?"

"I always sleep well with you. I just wanted to let you know I'm going to get a shower and then stop off at home to change into some fresh clothes."

Some kind of unknown emotion crosses Christian's face. "Christian, do you have something to tell me?"

"Ana, you can't go to work today."

"Why, Christian? I need to go and work." He takes a deep breath and I know what he has to tell me is not good. I'm just not sure by whose standards.

"Your desk is an investigation area for the police." Investigation? What the hell?

"Investigation for what?"

"Ana…"

"Christian, just tell me."

Christian looks at me apprehensively. "There is evidence that Hyde was stalking you. There have been things found at SIP so the building has been closed for investigation."

"Do you mean to tell me that SIP, where I work, is a crime scene?"

He shrugs at me. "More or less."

"More or less? Christian, when were you going to tell me that? How long have you known?"

"I found out last night but you were asleep and I didn't want to disturb you."

"OK, well, I'm going to stop back at my apartment to get some clean clothes."

"You can't do that."

"Why? Don't tell me my apartment is also a crime scene!"

"Not as such, but it is being investigated by security."

"Why, Christian?"

"There was evidence found Hyde was stalking you at the apartment so they are checking it out to make sure everything is OK."

I can't help it. My lip starts to tremble and tears spring to my eyes. Why do I feel like a prisoner here?

"No, baby. It's OK. Don't cry, please. Why don't you take a shower and change? When you're out, we can have breakfast together."

"Christian, in case you haven't noticed I didn't bring anything with me and everything I need is at my apartment. And I can't go there!" I can feel myself getting angrier and more hysterical as we talk.

"Baby… don't get mad." I narrow my eyes at him. In the history of history, the words "don't get mad" have never helped anyone to actually not get mad.

He takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom and over to the walk-in closet. I don't say anything but am definitely confused. He opens the door and I see half of his very large closet is filled with women's clothing, shoes, and accessories.

"Christian, what is this?" Dear god, please don't let this be leftover clothing from one of the fifteen.

"I want you to stay over whenever you want so I got you some clothes to keep here."

"Christian, this is not some clothing. This is more clothing than I own put together."

He gives me a shy smile. "Anything you don't like you can return. It's not a problem. But it should all fit you well. I gave the personal shopper your measurements and information."

I have to admit the clothes are beautiful but they are also very, very expensive. "Christian, I don't feel comfortable with you spending all this money on me."

Now he smirks at me. "Baby, believe me. I can afford it. What I spent here is nothing. It's less than what I earn an hour." What? That's more money than I can comprehend.

He sees the look on my face and smiles. "Don't worry about it, Ana." He leans down and gives me a sweet kiss.

I look at him and narrow my eyes at him once more. "Alright, Grey. You win this time but I will go on record saying I'm not happy about it." I put my hands on my hips to illustrate my disapproval.

"You know, you're cute when you're mad. But right now I have to get back to work."


CPOV

Anastasia looks both adorable and beautiful when she wakes up. And I have to admit I like having her to wake up to. Since she won't be able to go back to her apartment for a few days I plan on taking advantage of it.

I go back to meeting with Welch and Taylor. I plan on keeping Ana with me as much as possible for the next few days but I need to arrange some additional security for her. Hyde may be in custody right now - albeit a little more worse for the wear - but I don't want to take any chances especially when the media finds out who she is and she is my girlfriend. She will be a target for all kinds of nuts.

Welch gives me an update on what he found on Hyde. He had his guys get into Hyde's apartment before the police did. Not only did he have pictures and footage of Ana on his computer at SIP he had twice as much stuff on his computer at home along with detailed personal information on Ana and her family including a journal that lists what she does throughout the day. He followed her around all the time. It makes me sick. There is a separate folder of pictures and videos of Ana and me doing various sexual acts at her apartment. And then I see pictures of Ana… with Jose. So, he was right. She did sleep with him.

I don't know what I want to do first, throw up or beat the shit out of Jose. That fucking little punk took advantage of her. They were out drinking lord knows how much before they did that. We all know her tolerance for alcohol is low. What was she thinking? Why did she allow herself to be with him after what he did the first night I spent with her?

I know I have a past but knowing that someone else has been with Anastasia makes me so enraged I'm not sure I can handle this. I told her we would be nothing if she didn't sign the contract; I basically sent her into that asshole's arms.

"Welch, you need to destroy any and all evidence of Anastasia and Mr. Rodriguez."

"But Sir, with this information it will make the case against Hyde even stronger."

"I don't give a flying fuck if it is the cure to cancer! Get rid of it! All of it! This meeting is over."


I leave my office to go find Anastasia in the shower. I quickly strip off my clothes and get in the shower with her. "Christian…"

Before she even has a chance to say anything else my mouth is on hers, claiming her. My hands are all over her, making her mine. I need her and I need her right now.

"Turn around and put your hands on the wall." She pauses and looks at me confused. "Now Anastasia." She turns and places her hands on the wall. I pull her hips back and spread her legs with mine. Abruptly I slam into her setting a fast pace. "You are mine, Ana. Don't forget that."

She's breathless and panting. "Yes, yours…"

"Always."

"Yes, Christian. Always. I'll always be yours." I take my hands and place them on the shower wall next to her head but I don't stop the punishing movement in her. I reach one of my hands down to her and massage her clit while I spread light kisses and nips down her back. I feel her tighten around me.

"Give it to me, Ana." Then she explodes around me yelling some garbled version of my name and I think the words 'oh my god'. I finish in her just a few moments later and then turn her around so she is facing me and I hold her tight against me. I run my nose down hers and feel much better.

I kiss her again and run my hands through her hair. Once I'm done, she looks at me. "Whoa… Christian, what came over you."

"I just wanted you and I couldn't wait."