You could feel the tension radiating off of Christian. His hands were clenched into fists. Ana took one if his hands and unclenched it so she entwines her hand with his. No one spoke as they rode the elevator up. The doors opened and Ryan met them.

"Sir, the security was alerted that someone was trying to use the private elevator. Their code didn't work."

"Sawyer go down and help Taylor get rid of that trash. I want her gone."

He walked over to the bar and fixed a drink. He swirled his glass before throwing it back and slamming the glass down. Ana sat down on the sofa and watched him. He was angry, maybe angry wasn't the right word.

"What do you think she wants?"

"To ask questions about you?"

"Me? Why?"

"For almost six years she was the one that picked the women I contracted with. When I gave that up she lost control of me in a way. She didn't like that. she liked the idea of having some control over me. She's probably also wanting to talk about the papers I had delivered today."

"What paper were those?"

He came and sat down on the coffee table in front of her. "I was hoping to do this without you knowing but I should have known that wasn't going to happen." He took a deep breath. "After I started making money, Elena asked me to partner with her in a salon/spa. I decided to do it but I was a silent partner. She opened a chain of them. The more I got to know you, the more I didn't want my past to taint you, to touch you. So, I started making plans to extract myself from the business."

"Why didn't you tell me the other night when you were telling me what happened to you?"

"I know I should have but I was hoping to do it quietly."

She stood up and went to the row of windows that lined one side of the penthouse. She turned to look at him, with watery eyes.

"Are you going to keep things from me? Is this how being relationship is going to be like? You lying to me? To protect me? Your misguided notion that you are protecting me is absurd. Your lying to me is hurting me. I've told you everything about me but you are still keeping things from me."

"Ana, I have never been in a relationship so I don't know how to do this. You have to be patient with me."

"This is new to me too Christian."

He stood up and walked to her. He gathered her into his arms, pressing her tightly against him. "I guess I need to tell you about the things I own."

The following day Christian was sitting at his desk waiting for Ana to come. She had called that she had gotten off work an hour early and she was bringing him lunch. She was still reeling from last night when she found out what all he owned. He canceled his lunch plans and waited for her. It had been a busy and frustrating morning and he wanted, no needed to see her. It brought him a calmness for her to be near. He had received a text from his mother and Mia reminding him about Sunday. Mia also told him to make sure Ana brought a swimsuit because they were going to hit the pool. A commotion outside drew his attention. Voices were getting louder and he stood to go see what was going on. He was barely walking around the desk when the door burst open. Elena breezed through with Taylor on her heels trying to drag her out. Christian seethes in anger. He nodded to Taylor who left, shutting the door behind him. He looked at Elena.

"Christian …"

"Stop. What the fuck do you think you are doing causing a scene at my office?"

She blanched. "I wanted to talk to you."

"We have nothing to talk about."

"Why did you send me those papers?"

"it should be obvious." He said. "I want out."

"Why all of the sudden? Is it because of her? That gold digger?"

Christian moved so fast she didn't have time to move. He was in her face, anger evident. She blanched and took a step back. She had never seen this kind of anger from him before.

"Don't ever and I mean ever speak bad of her. Better yet, don't even say her name. You know nothing about her."

"We have been friends for years. Why would you want to do this?"

"Friends?" He laughed cynically. "We were never friends. Friends don't hurt each other."

"I didn't hurt you. You wanted what I gave you. What I taught you."

"What you gave him?" Ana shouted. No one heard the door open but there she was with Taylor standing behind her. She walked further into the room. "You gave him nothing. You stole is innocence. You molested him. You taught him to hate himself, that he isn't made to love anyone or be loved in return."

"I did no such thing. You don't even know what you are talking about, your stupid girl." Christian moved toward Elena. He stopped when Ana shook her head."

"How old was he when you seduced him? How old were you?" she asked. "He was just a boy, a teenager. You are his mother's friend. How could you stoop so low? Was he the first? Somehow I don't think he was." She saw Christian flinch. "You think because you showed him that lifestyle and picked out girls for him, that you own him. You should know that no one's own Christian."

He moved to come stand to the right of her. His voice was deadly when he spoke. "It is in your best interest to sign those papers because if you don't, I won't have any other choice but to close them down and liquidate the chain."

"You wouldn't."

"I would and I will. It's in the contract. Have your lawyer look at them?" He said "Get out and don't come back to this office. Send me those papers by messenger."

She stared at him before she turned and stormed out the door. Taylor closed the door behind them. Christian knew he was going to make sure that she left the building and speak with the receptionist that Elena would never be allowed past the front desk. He watched Ana closely trying to gauge her mood. He opened his arms when she walked toward him. He wrapped his arms around and hugged her closely.

"I'm sorry she was here when you arrived."

"It's okay. Taylor warned me she was here plus I could hear you shouting." She said. "Let's not talk about her. I'm starving since I didn't eat breakfast."

"Why didn't you eat?"

"I didn't have time. We were so busy." She said walking to the door. She stepped out and came right back in, carrying a bag. "I brought lunch."

She walked to the table in front of the windows and started unpacking. She set out two sandwiches, chips and a box containing what he hoped was one of her desserts. He went to his little fridge and took out to sodas. He pulled out her chair first and then he sat.

"I got chicken salad, is that okay?"

"It's fine. Where did you get them from?"

"Gail. I called and asked her if she could make them for us. I didn't feel right asking her but she said not to worry. It was her job." Christian hid his smile behind a bite. She had problems asking for help or for someone to do something for her. "If I had time I would have went home and made them myself." She saw him smiling. "What?"

"I loved that you called it home."

She scoffed. "Well it is my home, our home."

"It is, yes." He said. "What are you doing after this?"

"I'm going to the grandparents."

"Any particular reason."

"Not really. Just to check on them and to take them some muffins I baked for them."

"Muffins? Where are they?"

"Jason said I could leave them in the security office." She saw his smile disappear. "Don't worry. I brought you one. I brought the guys in security some too. Oh and Andrea."

"You are spoiling us." He said polishing off his sandwich. "What kind did you bring me?"

"Bran." She laughed at his frown. "Just joking. It's banana nut. It's a new recipe I tried."

"I'm sure it's good. Everything you make is good."

"We'll see. Your mom called me to remind me about Sunday."

"I haven't heard from her. Did she tell you what time to be there?"

"She said around two. She has to do her rounds at the hospital in the morning." She said picking up trash. "I need to get going."

He stood up and waited while she threw away the trash. He pulled her in for a kiss. He heard her moan and deepened the kiss. Her hands went to his hair and tugged. He pulled back and smiled. He like seeing her all flustered.

"Dinner at home or out?"

"At home. I thought we could watch a movie afterward."

"I should be home around six."

"I'll see you then."

She kissed him again and then left. He stared at the door after she had left. He sighed and went back to work. He couldn't wait for six to get home.

The rest of the week went in a blur without a single word from Elena. She hasn't mailed the papers back or even set foot at GEH. It was a normal week for Ana and a busy week for Christian. He tried to be home by six every night but on Thursday he didn't make it home until ten. He found her asleep in his office. He smiled when he realized she was waiting for him. He left her there and went in search of his dinner he knew she would put away for him. Finding nothing in the microwave, he went to the fridge and found a plate with a note on it.

Didn't think you would want something heavy for dinner so I made you a sandwich. If your reading this I must have fallen asleep. Wake me when you see this. love A.

He wasn't going to wake her until he was finished and ready to go to bed. He knew she had to get up early. When he was don't he went to his office and gently picker her up. She opened sleepy eyes at him.

"Hi."

"Hi baby."

"You are just getting home."

"About thirty minutes ago. I ate and had some things to do before I went to bed."

She curled into him. "I'm sorry I fell asleep."

"It's okay. I know you are tired."

In the bedroom he saw she had turned down the blankets. He laid her down and covered her. He went to the bathroom and changed before sliding into the bed. He was about to reach for her when she moved toward him. She laid her head on his shoulder with her hand in his heart. He laid his hand on hers after making sure she was covered.

"Love you." she whispered.

"Love you too."

"Christian." Ana yelled from the closet.

He winced as he came out of the bathroom. He leaned against the door and saw her. She was staring at the clothes in the closet.

"You called me."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What is this?"

"A swimsuit."

She rolled her eyes, which she knew he didn't like. "You call this a swimsuit."

He narrowed eyes back at her. "Don't roll your eyes at me. Yes, it is a swimsuit. We are going to a barbecue and we are going swimming."

"I told you I don't wear this stuff."

"I know you did but I don't understand why. You have an amazing body."

"I told you that I have scars and I don't like to show them."

"I know but you can hardly see them. I have some too and I didn't like to show them either. My family won't say anything. You don't have to wear if you don't want to." He stepped further into the closet and drew something out from his side. "I bought this one in case you didn't want to wear the others."

She stared and the one piece that was navy and white. It was low cut in the front and covered the usual in the back. It was a plain and she really didn't like it.

"You pick the one you want to wear. No pressure."

Ana found Christian in the kitchen getting the salads out of the fridge. He set them on the counter and went to the pantry to grab a bag. He came out and stopped in his tracks. He swallowed hard.

"Wow, you look beautiful."

She blushed. She wore a summer dress that was short and hugged her figure. She carried a bag with her.

"I decided which one I wanted to wear but I will change there. If that is okay."

"It's fine." He said putting the bowls in the bag. "Are we taking the dessert you made last night?"

"Yes. It's a new recipe I'm trying out; I want to know what everyone thinks before I start making it for the bakery."

"You are always coming up with different ideas for sweets."

"I have too. It gets boring otherwise."

"I gave Taylor and Gail the afternoon off."

"That's good."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Grace opened the door before they even put the car in park. She was smiling when they walked up. Ana reached her first.

"Ana dear is so good to see you. How are you doing? You look lovely dear."

Ana hugged her back. "I'm fine thank you. How are you?"

"Good. Christian."

"Mom." He said hugging her. "How are you?"

"I'm good. I'm happy that all my family is here. Let's go inside."

They followed her inside and straight to the kitchen where they found her mother mixing a pitcher of what looked like lemonade. She looked up when she heard footsteps. She smiled and rushed forward.

"Ana dear."

Ana smile was as big. "Grandma, how are you?"

"I'm fine." She turned to Christian. "How are you Christian?"

"I'm fine grandma. I see who's on-top now."

"Oh hush now." She said hitting his shoulder. "What did you make Ana?"

"I made a cucumber salad and a bacon, avocado pasta salad. Put the bowls in the fridge Christian. Where is everyone?"

"Outside."

They left them in the kitchen and went outside. As soon as they stepped outside they were greeted by everyone. When it came to Elliott's turn, Ana still a little wary, stepped behind Christian. He had apologized but he made her nervous.

"Ana, Christian. How are you both?"

"We're good. You?"

"Busy with work." He said. "Did you bring any cupcakes?"

Ana scowled at him. "No I brought something else."

Elliott laughed at the look on her face and looked at his brother, who was looking at her like she was the breath he needed. Maybe she was just the breath he indeed needed. He couldn't be happier for his brother. Grace came out and announced that dinner was ready.

The food had been set up buffet-style and everyone got what they wanted and sat down. Ana looked around the table and saw for the first what it meant to have a family. Something she never had, something she always wanted but seemed out of reach. As if reading her mind, Christian reached under the table and squeezed her hand. He leaned in and kissed her. She looked up and found Grace and grandma watching them. They're smiles made her smile.

Carrick asked each one of his sons how business was doing. Elliott told him that he won the bid for the new recreation building that the city wanted built and the he was going to be building some houses in a new subdivision that was being built near the water. People that bought there were going to be able to pick which builder they wanted to build their home. It had submitted three different models and floor plans. Christian listened to Ana ask him questions about remodeling a home. She told him that she liked older homes. He made a mental note to have his realtor start looking for homes that they could move to. Something that was theirs and theirs alone. Mia was telling Ana they needed to go shopping together and wrinkled her nose. Grandma laughed and told Mia she didn't like to shop. Ana blushed. The conversation resumed everyone continued eating. The dishes were cleared when everyone and now they just sat around waiting for their food to go down before they went in the pool. Grandma came out carrying the tray that Ana had brought and Grace came out carrying the desserts Mia had made, which included chocolate cake. Ana heard Christian groan. She laughed.

"Ana what's in the tray?" Elliott asked.

"I made brownie cookies and cheesecake brownie. They're new recipes I'm trying. If their good, I'll make them for the bakery."

"That's right. You work in a bakery." Mia's friend Simone said in a condescending tone.

Christian's head snapped around to look at Simone, giving her one of his looks that could freeze water. He was about to say something when Ana spoke up.

"I do and I'm the head baker."

"Everything she bakes is amazing." Theo said.

"We should talk Ana. I've had an idea that I think could be beneficial to both of us." Mia said.

"Don't tell us it is one of your harebrained idea's." Elliott asked.

"No it isn't. I think it is a very good idea and I think Ana will agree with me. We could meet after you get out of work sometime in the next few weeks. Now let's go swimming."

Ana bit her lip as she slipped her dress back on. She was nervous but she knew that Christian wanted this. She also knew that it didn't bother him that she had scars, they both had them. Inside and out. She came out of the bathroom, walked down the hall staring at the pictures on the wall. She stopped at a picture of all three of the Grey children. Christian was in the middle and he was smiling. He was probably fourteen or fifteen and had that unruly hair even then. Then she remembered that this was taken around the same time the bitch had sunk her claws into him. She frowned.

"That was before." She jumped and turned to look at him. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you but I could tell what you were thinking."

"Sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry." He said. "I'm the one that is sorry. That it is part of my past."

"You are not to blame and you know it. But you look very handsome in this picture. I love your smile."

"It was rare for me to smile back then." He shrugged. "I thought you were changing."

"I was. I did."

"Well then let's go out to the pool."

Mia and her friends were out in the pool and so was Elliott. The others were on the patio talking. He held her hand as she walked beside him. They got to the lounge chairs and Christian peeled off his shirt. He already had changed into his trunks. Ana put the bag down and took out two towels that she had brought with her and set them down. He stepped to her and started to take her dress of off her. He sucked in a breath when he saw she was wearing the bikini, the strapless black one.

"I don't think this is a good idea." He whispered.

She arched a brow. "Why not?"

"I don't think I want anyone to see you in this."

"They are your family."

"Doesn't matter."

She laughed. "Let's go into the water and they won't see me for long."

They stepped into the pool and he took her to the far end of the pool where he pressed her into the wall. He turned to look at Elliott and saw the look on his face and smirked. His brother was jealous. He also noticed that Mia's friends were also staring. He turned his attention backed to Ana, who had dunked her head in the water. She came up wrapping her arms around his neck.

"The water feels amazing."

"You feel amazing." He said running his hands up and down her back drawing her closer. He bent his head to kiss her. He heard Elliott yell to get a room and then he heard his grandma say that he better put a ring on it first. That made Ana bust out laughing.

"She does know we sleep in the same room." Ana giggled. "Well they shouldn't be looking over here anyway."

He kissed her again as the water lapped around them, blocking out everyone else.