Authors Note: This chapter commences when Christian told Ethan to leave the change room at Saks. It allowed me to describe and give you an insight into Christian's thoughts.

How Many Shades of Grey Was That?

Christian's POV:

After basically telling Ethan to get the fuck out of here, Ana stormed into the change room, alone! This is definitely not what I had in mind or wanted today, especially after having to endure a couple of unexpected hurdles at my business meeting. Which is the reason I was late to meet Ana, giving the fucker a chance to get his claws into what is mine!. My unplanned and undesired lateness meant that Ethan had an opportunity to be with Ana. I was informed about his appearance at the end of my meeting and didn't loiter at my New York subsidiary office. Fuck the business pleasantries, these guys had made these past few days' hell and I wasn't going to waste another single second with them.

I had intended to lavish and indulge Ana this afternoon. I wanted her to try on numerous ball gowns for the purpose of purchasing several and matching shoes. Due to my family and business status there are various 'A' list events I have to attend, and I want Ana to be by my side. Therefore, ball gowns are a necessity. Afterwards, then there was lingerie, work clothes, casual clothes, dresses and anything else that we could think of that she could use or want. Ana is so beautiful and should be better dressed. The one item I don't want her to be with me to purchase is jewellery. I intend to buy pieces as our relationship progresses. I know that she isn't going to be comfortable with the prices of these clothes, so she definitely won't be comfortable with the price tag that comes with Cartier. Today nothing was to be too much. It would have been the perfect start to our three and a half days together. If I get my way, which normally I do, this will be the first of many.

Instead, I am standing outside the locked change room, yelling at Ana to open the door. I want to pound the fucker, Ethan, to a pulp! What the fuck did he think he was doing? Coincidence my ass… I have already emailed Barney and Welch to investigate how on earth Kavanagh knew Ana was here at Saks, and on the third level. We do know that Ethan didn't follow her. I have Sawyer watching Ana, but I also have another security guy keeping a discreet distance, just in case, while we are in New York. He has confirmed that no one was following them. Ana was driven to Saks and then entered through a private entrance and private elevator. Somehow Ethan knew where she was… some different source? There is something we are missing. Something we are yet to learn... but we will.

"Anastasia… open this door!" I yell outside the change room. I desperately try to resist the urge to knock the door down. The world is full of ironies. I have never fallen in love with a woman, besides my mother and sister, and now that I have, it is with the one woman who won't comply with one word I say. She is the least compliant person I have ever met.

"No. We have a tight schedule remember? I need to try on these dresses, not engage in the pre-teenage behavior." Oh, I will give you pre-teen behavior Miss Steele.

"AAGHHH... fuck!" As much as I attempt to stifle my laughter, I can't hold it in. There is something about Ana swearing that seems... naive and sweet. I am not sure what it is. Maybe it is the tension of this scene.

"Am I so humorous?" Ana hisses.

"When you swear... you are a little." Ana scoffs even more agitated. Okay, time to change the topic. "What is wrong?" I ensure my voice is soft and caring.

"I am stuck in this dress. I can't get it off." Oh, Miss Steele, I have a solution for you!

"Open the door... I will help you." Just the thought of helping Ana take off that little black dress that makes her hotter than hell. Damn my imagination right now is enough to make my pants too small.

"No. I am too mad at you!"

"Mad? I am the one that should be mad! You are my girlfriend and I find you wearing that dress for Ethan?" The mere thought of Ethan, Ana and that dress is enough to change my mood in a nano-second.

"Christian… Grow up! I explained what happened! There is no way that Ethan and I running into each other wasn't a coincidence. He couldn't have known that I was coming here. In addition, Sawyer would have know if I were being followed."

"More like stalked," I argue back.

"I am not being stalked! You are deranged." I am about to refute her comments by the undeniable probability that Ethan couldn't have just turned up when I hear a hard thump and Ana call out in obvious pain.

"Ana... are you okay?" Worry fills me when she doesn't respond immediately. I quickly analyze the door, trying to determine if I can open it from the outside.

"No. I just hurt myself." Ana replies finally opening the door, ever so slightly. I relief fills me. She doesn't look injured but is definitely in a predicament. How on earth she got that dress twisted is beyond me.

"That's quite a tangle you have gotten yourself into. I prefer to be the one to tie you up!" I grin, knowing I have got to Ana, as she is forced to look away. I quickly assess that the padded bench behind her is a perfect size to lay her across. I want to fuck her until she screams, and there would be no one to hear her in the privacy of this exclusive change area.

"Just help me out of this black dress."

"As you wish Anastasia" I unzip the dress and help Anastasia out of it. Every time I see her naked, I have to marvel at her perfection. I steal the opportunity to take hold of Ana and pull her close to me. I don't want to fight anymore, but she is too stubborn to just forget the previous scene and to strong willed to be intimated. Rather I use another one of my well-crafted skills and I place soft kisses her neck, already knowing the effect it will have on her.

"Christian stop! I am mad at you... the way you acted with Ethan... how dare you?"

"How dare I? Excuse me Ana, but if you are so determined to believe that was a coincidence, then your GPA should be cut in half!" While I know that I am borderline rude, she needs to wake up to herself!

"Christian Trevelyan-Grey. Shut up." My head spins. Shut up? I don't think anyone has said that to me since I was... before I was adopted.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Shut up! Do you need a definition?" For the first time, it isn't which my hand that is twitching to spank Ana, and boy does she deserve it after that comment.

"Anastasia, while this relationship thing is new to me and you are not my sub, I won't be spoken to like that! Ethan turning up here was planned... he is into you.. big time."

"I know that Ethan is interested in me!" Huh? She does then why all this disagreement?

"You do?"

"Of course I do, but the key fact is that I don't want him. I want you. You are the only person I have wanted. Why do you get it? I don't care what Ethan says or does … I don't want him. I only want you, Christian. I wouldn't have given myself to you unless I knew that you were the one I wanted." I didn't think it would be possible but the love and adoration I feel for Ana multiplies, to the point that it almost hurts. She is right. She has given herself to me when there were others that wanted her. I have never slept with anyone, never made love to anyone, or brought them New York with me, introduced a girl to my parents... Ana is the one I want. I have fallen so deep in love with her, that I would never be able to stop and I don't want to. That is why that fucker pissed me off so much. She is mine and I won't have anyone getting to her. Even though Ana is aware of Ethan's infatuation and not interested in him, I haven't finished dealing with the little prick

"Do you mean that?" I need to hear it again. Ana steps forwards and kisses me. I savor the moment.

"Yes. Christian, you know that I love you." Ana reminds me. I may need reminding forever, but there is something I know already. One thing I know that will never change. I want Ana... forever.

"Then marry me!" My heart starts to pound hard, anxious at Ana's response. She looks at me mystified. Before I am able to catch Ana, she stumbles and falls back on the padded bench.

"Excuse me?"

"Marry me!"

"No." My lips form a hard line at her simple response. I don't know what I expected, but I feel pain. Hurt. I am hurt.

"Why not? You said you loved me" I question shaking my head in confusion.

"You really need me to spell it out for you?" I narrow my eyes, at Ana tone. "My gosh.. how can someone be so brilliant at business but so ignorant and dense at relationships?"

"Enlighten me then Anastasia."

"The thing is I shouldn't need to. To anyone that whole scene ..." Ana stops and talks deeps breathes. Usually, I would have taken this matter in hand through the use of my red room, but that just isn't an option available to me right now. "Everything you have said since you walked into this change room and you're choice of words in front of the personal shopper, a complete stranger, and the way you just treated me. Then you top it off, you propose marriage in the worst possible way? If you could even call it that!" I cock my head to the side. Sure it wasn't the most romantic proposal but I did clearly articulate the words.. ' marry me!' I definitely contained the crucial part of a marriage proposal.

"Christian we have known each other for five minutes, ten seconds of which we have been together. We are still trying to get to know each other. This is the first relationship I have had and the first you have had outside the 'lifestyle'. While I am willing to play, I am not submissive and you have to adjust to that fact. That is something you need to prove, you still need to adjust."

"Anastasia, I have adjusted... I haven't needed to take you into the red..."

"Christian, that is something else we need to deal with. I retract the use of the adjust, ... 'balance.' You, no, WE need to find a balance between what you and I want in a relationship. Which means you need to take me back into the red room while you learn to be in a healthy relationship. Christian, you need relationship guidance and we have a lot to discuss."

"Okay.. understood; however, let discuss later. Right now, we should get back to the original plans of buying you some clothes that are worthy of being on you." I breathe a sigh of relief, hoping that, that is all over. I confess that I was the biggest ass and forced Sawyer to be also, but I am also getting the most major hard on, watching Ana stand there naked, all moody and strong willed.

"No to clothes. I only agreed to a dress, shoes and if need be underwear to accommodate the dress, but that is it. Also, keep in mind, I only agreed to those because it's your parents ball." Ana argues standing firm.

"Anastasia, do you have any idea how much you are making my palm twitch and how arousing you are right now?" A whisper seductively in her ear, and I draw her closer to me and run my hands over her naked back.

"I have a fair idea, and it is going to get even more twitchy. Christian, thank you for your help with the black dress. Please wait outside in the sitting area and I will let you know when I have finished. I will attempt to keep the bill as low as as possible."

"Excuse me?" I uncharacteristically ask for Ana to clarify what she somehow I was mistaken.

"You. Room. Waiting." Ana emphasizes each word. Regardless of the look I give her, she doesn't ease up. I am not sure if I want to know why I can't intimidate her, or why I don't want to anymore, "Me, here alone. Trying on these overpriced clothes. I will choose one, a pair of shoes and then underwear."

"Ana.."

"Christian... go... I get the idea of what I am supposed to wear. A floor length over-priced gown and too-high heels. I am capable of choosing my own clothes." I could care less what Ana selects to wear. She could wear a sack and still be the most beautiful and only woman I would want next to me.

"I will be outside, waiting." I only walk out knowing that if I don't, our disagreement will just be prolonged. Although I almost reconsider when I get a quick glance at the lingerie, the personal shopper is about to take into Ana's change room. Damn... What I wouldn't give up to watch Ana try those on.

I walk over to Taylor and I tell him to readjust the plans I had made for the weekend. My original plans are not suitable and I want to leave New York tonight instead of Saturday morning now. There is just one thing I need to do now.

"Taylor, while you make the necessary changes to the internal, watch over Miss Steele. Contact Sawyer should Ana finish prior to me returning. Sawyer, you are with me." I move quickly to complete my task. I don't want Ana to know that I left the sitting room and grow suspicious, and for the life of me I have no idea how long it takes a female to select formal clothing.

"Sir, Taylor has just informed me that Miss Steele is almost finished. He saw the personal shopper take away a number of dresses from the change room."

"Takes these items to the car and meet us at the front. We will meet you there." I am glad I had him follow me. I was going to complete this task alone but if I had then Ana would have inquired what I purchased and I have no plans of letting her know until tonight.

I re-enter the change room just in time to meet Ana as she walks into the sitting room of the change room. Shit, she probably saw me enter. The personal shopper also exits holding a dress bag, a show box, and a lingerie bag. If I hadn't pissed off Ana so much earlier, I would ask to see the items. I need to know the color and cut of the dress in order to purchase either a pair of earrings or necklace to go with it.

"Did you manage to get everything you need?" I inquire.

"Yes. Where did you go?" My lips form a straight line having hoped that she hadn't seen me re-enter.

"That is for me to know and for you to find out?" I utter smoothly into Ana's ear. I take hold of her hand and gently tug at it. "Are you still mad at me? I don't want to fight. This is our first trip away together and I want it to be memorable because we enjoyed being together, not because all we did was argue."

"Mad? I am more aggravated by your behavior… Christian I understand and accept that you are overbearing and a control freak. You know that I can stand on my own two feet and don't want to be treated as a sub, but you still need to accept that. If you want us to work then, you need to trust me. Time to embrace and man up to the twenty-first-century boy-girl relationship!"

"I do trust you; it is just that I trust all the other fuckers out there that want you! I know that you think I am not trying, but I am. More than I ever have. It is just that I have some natural tendencies that..." I stop talking, preventing myself from digging myself into a deeper hole. Fuck, I run my hand through my hair so hard that I actually manage to pull some hairs out. Maybe Ana is right. I need guidance. The problem is that the one person I could ask about this is Elliot. Fuck, what a nightmare that could turn out to be!

"Do you want to go home to Seattle?" I offer but pray Ana says no.

"No. If we go home early, Kate will just interrogate me endlessly as to why we are home already. She has been texting me several times a day and asking me how we are going. Though I think Elliot has been commandeered her phone in the evening!" Ana shrugs.

"Have you texted Kate already today?"

"Yes. I told her I was coming to Saks. Kate has been telling me what type of dresses to try on" That's it! That is the missing piece of the puzzle. "Why are you looking like that?"

"Anastasia, I believe Kate, without realizing it, told Ethan where you were. That is how he managed to bump into you."

"Oh my gosh, are we back on this topic again? Ethan isn't a stalker. I am going to download a dictionary onto your blackberry at this rate... you have some vocabulary issues!"

"If you don't believe me, then phone Kate." I challenge.

"Fine, I will" Ana scoffs as she pulls out her phone and even puts it on the loud speaker. I don't know which one of us looks more arrogant since both of us expect to be proven right.

Kate: Hey Steele, need more fashion advice?

Ana: Not right now. I need to ask you something and I need an honest answer!

Kate: Okay... shoot.

Ana: After I spoke to you this morning, or during anytime today, have you spoken to Ethan?

Kate: Yeah, I talked to him earlier. He went over to New York yesterday to see some friends and our parents. I think he is missing his friends and our mother over there, not so much our dad.

Ana: Did you happen mention that I was going to Saks today?

Kate: You know, he did ask if I had heard from you, and I think I did tell him you were shopping today at Saks. Why?

Ana and I look each other. Kate is obviously unaware of Ethan's interest or actions.

Ana: I just happened to run into him that is all.

Kate: In Saks... at the girls section? You can't be serious? My brother?

Ana: Yes... but doesn't matter. I will see you either Sunday evening or Monday.

Kate: Okay Steele.

Ana disconnects the call and sighs. "Alright, say it. Once more you were right." I look at Ana but refrain from saying anything. I knew I was right from the second I heard that Ethan had turned up here.

"Anastasia, forget it. Let's just enjoy the next three days... " I stop as I look down and at my watch. "... nine hours, twenty-eight minutes and thirty seconds. Before we know it, we will be back in Seattle."

"Alright."

"Which dress and color did you chose?"

"To quote the most mercurial man that I have ever met 'That is for me to know and for you to find out' though I am afraid the bill is rather high." Ana looks embarrassed, but I could care less.

"Good... now let's get out of here."

# # # #

I stop pacing and turn around when I hear the click of Ana's shoes. I remember thinking Grace was an angel when I first saw her when I was four, and the same feeling radiates through me when I see Ana, walk out. She looks angelic in the pale pink cocktail dress and shoes that I picked out for her while she was in the change room.

"Anastasia, you look beautiful."

"Thank have excellent taste!"

"I have something for you." I pull the out the box from my pocket and pass it Ana, who hesitantly takes it from me.

"Christian, no. I meant what I said about your marriage proposal." I smile and shake my head at the same time. This I am already aware of.

"Just open it" Ana opens the box and looks at me a little confused.

"Its beautiful... but it must have cost..."

"Trust me. I can afford... Give me your wrist. I want to wear it always!." I delicately put the platinum diamond watch on Ana's wrist.

"Christian... it's too much!"

"Anastasia, this watch isn't even close to you being as beautiful as you are! And it's significant to me."

"How?"

"I want you to wear this watch every day as a reminder. I know that my marriage proposal came out on the fifth field and was premature... but I meant what I said, I want to marry you! This watch not only will tell you the time and that will remind you to give me 'time'. Give us both time."

"Okay.. time. " I run my knuckles over Ana's jaw and kiss her tenderly at first, but then commence to possess her with my mouth. She is mine... but now I have to work at actually making her mine... legally. I notice Taylor standing in the doorway, letting me know we have to go.

"Are you ready? I have made plans for us to eat. We need to go or we might not make our booking."

"Okay. Where are we going?"

"Come, and I will show you" I grin.

I don't let go of Ana's hand until we are almost at our destination. After Ethan's arrival and knowledge that he is in New York for the weekend, I modified our weekend plans, bringing them forward and changing our destination.

"Christian, why are heading the airport?" Ana looks at me confused.

"There is a small Asian fast food restaurant at the departure gate that I want to try" Ana looks at me confused, as I maintain my CEO straight-faced expression. "Just kidding... come we are here." I hop out of the car first and then help Ana. I smile as I escort her to the VIP customs and immigration section of the airport.

"Christian, why are we headed towards immigration?"

"You will need this!" I grin passing her passport that I organized. I had SIP management ask Ana to sign a heap of forms and one of them was the form for a passport. Thank gosh, she was in a hurry and didn't focus on the content of this form.

"A passport? I don't have a passport!"

"Yes, you do... I will explain later, but we need to hurry. We have to make our flight schedule."

Either Ana is excited or shocked, but she doesn't say anything else until we are on the GEH jet and in the air.

"Mr Grey and Miss Steele, I will have your dinner for you both in ten minutes" Natalia, our hostess informs us.

"So is this our dinner plans? Dinner in your jet?" Ana looks confused.

"I never said we had dinner plans. I said I made a booking for us to eat... I just omitted that I meant breakfast."

"Where are we going?"

"You already know."