I have gotten a lot of feedback from the last chapter. Pretty much, some people hate Ana, while others understand where she is coming from. It is interesting how everyone responds to a situation differently. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it all (the good, the bad and the ugly/really bad). But I do appreciate the good the most lol
Things were a little uncomfortable when Kate and Elliot returned to the living room. Ana groaned inwardly as she realized what they must have been doing in Kate's bedroom. Jeez, they are like rabbits! Confirming her suspicions, Kate had been throwing her strange glances and then looking away whenever Ana returned her stare.
"Sorry guys, but I'm beat. I think that I'm going to crash on the couch and then tomorrow go shopping for some new bedroom stuff."
Elliot shook his head slightly, looking amused at her words. "It's cute how you think Christian is going to let you stay here after what happened. I'm almost convinced that Kate should move out, too, and it wasn't even her room that was destroyed."
Ana shrugged, but the man had a point. "I swear," he continued, as he stood up. "It's like you're new here or something."
She had not thought about how that would go over with Christian, though she was just as adamant as ever about not going back to Escala. If her stalker found out that she had moved to Christian's place they might start leaving messages for her there instead and that would be harder for her to cover up.
A half hour later, she had just about dozed off when she heard a knock at the door. Startled, she rose slowly from the couch, preparing herself to come face to face with her intruder. Thankfully, Sawyer had heard it, too, and was on his feet in an instant.
He cautiously opened the door and was visibly relieved when he saw that it was only Christian. Ana ran into his arms and he grabbed her and kissed her hair. "Everything is going to be fine, Ana. Leila is still at the hospital, so we can rule her out as a suspect. What we need to do now is get you back to Escala where you will be safe."
Ana pulled back a little and glared at him. "Christian, we have talked about this and it's not going to happen. I am staying here and that is final. I have already planned on going shopping for new bedding and stuff tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about saving the day this time."
The look Christian gave her was pure death. "You are coming with me now, Anastasia. This is about your safety, if you care to remember our little agreement." Damn it! She had forgotten about his stipulation regarding her safety. Trying hard to regain the upper hand in the conversation, she knew that she was going to have to say something compelling in order to get him to let her stay.
"This is not about my safety, Christian; you just want me back in your apartment. But given the circumstances, I'll make a deal with you. Sawyer can stay here until things get sorted out." Ana glanced at Sawyer and caught his surprised expression. The two of them had been through a lot and Ana knew that if any other notes or pictures showed up he would be the only one she would have a chance at keeping quiet.
Christian gave her a long, hard look before glaring at Sawyer. "Ana, let's talk outside." He did not even give her a chance to object before he grabbed her by the arm and led her out. He waited until they were away from earshot before he continued in a quiet voice.
"Ana, is there something going on between you and Luke?" he asked, his voice strained.
Ana jumped at his accusation because it was completely unexpected. "Of course not, Christian, he is a member of your staff. Besides, we are getting married. Why would you even ask that?"
Christian was still for a few minutes before he exhaled. "You're sure? I would rather find out now than later, Ana." He gave her a look that said so much and yet, nothing at all. What the hell is going on?
Suddenly, Ana understood what was going on. Maybe someone had sent Christian photos of Sawyer and I. Ana contemplated the issue, but came up short because they had never hung out together outside of work. There was no way anyone could misrepresent the relationship between her and Sawyer.
When she looked back at Christian's face she remembered that she had not answered his question. "Jesus, Christian, I am sure. I am not even close enough to him to call him by his first name for crying out loud!" There, that seemed to have him stumped. "Besides, he is not really my type, you know?"
She had meant that last part as a joke, but it had caused Christian to stiffen once again, although this time he gave her a slight nod. "Well, then, I am glad we have that settled," he said, although he looked anything but glad.
Ana regarded him curiously for a moment, but he scowled at her. "Okay Christian, if that is settled I really need to get back to sleep. I have to go to work tomorrow and I know that you do, too."
With a curt nod, he escorted her back into the apartment. After briefing Sawyer on the situation he left without saying goodbye. God, he could be in a foul mood sometimes.
Morning came all too soon and Ana rushed to get ready for work. She was slightly surprised that Christian hadn't put up more of a fight about her going in today, but he had been very allusive after he questioned her about having an affair with Sawyer.
The drive to work was amusing, as she had anticipated. Once again, she drove her Hyundai and a security guy followed her in a car worth five times what her ride cost. No, the irony was not lost on her.
As she walked to the building she saw that Christian was waiting for her outside. He had his back to her and he was talking on the phone, so she slowed down her pace so she could drool at the sight of his body.
It had seemed like forever since they had had sex in her bed, but really it had only been a matter of hours. When she reached him, she grabbed his butt through his jeans. Startled by her unexpected touch, Christian had jumped ten feet in the air.
He hung up the phone without saying goodbye, which made Ana all the more curious about who he was talking to, but she pushed the thought aside.
"Hey, good looking!" She smiled up at him, as innocently as she could. His expression instantly changed from one of irritation to skepticism. At least that means his attitude is moving in the right direction.
"What? If I can't sexually harass you here, where else am I going to do it, boss?" Christian let out a bark of a laugh and Ana felt a little better. Everything was going to be okay.
"I love it when you are sex starved, Ana. It makes for a good morning," he said, leering at her with those god-awful sexy eyes. The tone of his voice made her head spin.
Hooking his arm in hers, she walked with him through the doors of his company. "Oh, um…we are still engaged, right?" Her question made Christian laugh once more. "Yes, Ana we are still engaged. As a matter of fact, I had been doing some thinking about that last night…"
She looked at him, expecting him to finish his thought, but he shook his head. "I have a surprise for you, something I think you will like, but you will have to wait until tonight to find out what it is."
This man oozed mystery. Fine, she could wait it out, but not for too long. "Okay, but it better be pretty cool because I am really excited now."
He smirked at her; of course it was going to be out of this world. He was Christian Grey, CEO of the universe, wasn't he? "Only one catch, you have to come back to Escala to get it." His eyes were twinkling as he delivered the catch.
Ana thought it over. "Fine, but I will leave before morning and I will remind you that kidnapping is still a crime in Washington State, Mr. Grey."
"You are forgetting something else, Ana: possession is nine-tenths of the law."