Chapter Fifteen

Only as she's heading to Felice's yacht in a dinghy with Taylor at the tiller, does Ana get nervous. Examining her thoughts, it seems to her that she's somehow caught Christian's anxiety, as if it's actually contagious. He stayed true to his word and didn't try and stop her from leaving him behind at the villa, but his fear was evident in his too calm manner as he farewelled her with as passionate a kiss as her healing lip would permit.

Determined not to let fear as a contagion become a habit, Ana consciously pushes aside the sympathetic fear to examine her true feelings. She still doesn't trust Jacque, but he doesn't feel like a threat, not like most men she's encountered in her life. As she thinks about why he seems dangerous, she suddenly has the answer. When she laughs out loud at the revelation, she then has to explain to a confused Taylor, "Oh, just realized why Jacque freaks me out a little. He's like Christian; a maverick. We'll never know what he's likely to do in any given situation."

Taylor's eyes shoot up in surprise and, after a few seconds, he says, "You may be right. In which case, I wouldn't get your hopes up that he and Mr. Grey will ever be friends. Nothing bothers us more in another person than the mirror image of our faults."

As the dinghy gently comes to rest against the yacht, Ana smiles and says, "You're kind of a philosopher bodyguard, aren't you?"

"If you say so, ma'am."

It's Prescott who helps her onboard, and Ana asks, "I'm sorry about this. How are you holding up?"

With a grimace, Prescott says, "Not too bad if we stay anchored. I took some Dramamine, just in case."

"Probably best if we don't talk about it then?"

Offering a weak, grateful smile, Prescott says, "Thank you, ma'am."

Felice greets Ana warmly with a kiss on both cheeks, Jacque with only a handshake, and Ana can't resist saying, "Oh, so you can behave like a gentleman."

With that cheeky grin that is already familiar, Jacque says, "Of course. I've been expelled from all the best schools." Putting an affectionate arm around Felice's shoulders, he adds, "And Flick has threatened to throw me to the sharks if I step out of line this afternoon."

Ana is amazed when Felice blushes at his words. Looking at the two of them it seems impossible that Jacque is being paid to act like this, and she can't help but wonder if there's more to it than that. Felice covers her embarrassment with a suggestion that they immediately have lunch. Gesturing to the artfully set table, she continues, "Andy cooks for me. He's promised something special. Uh, Christian said that you're not allergic to anything?"

"Not so far."

What follows is a delicious meal showcasing regional produce, washed down with a crisp Italian wine, topped by strawberry parfait and accompanied by easy, pleasant conversation. Replete, Ana settles back into her chair and says, "Perfect, thank you."

Even as Felice's staff clears the table, Jacque asks, "How about a swim?" With a nod at the stretch of water between the yacht and the villa, he adds, "This is supposed to be one of the best reefs around here." When both women protest the idea he says, "You don't believe that old wives' tale about having to wait an hour after a meal, do you?"

Ana laughs and says, "My Mom never let me test it, but I do believe the one about giving a meal that size time to digest or I'll regret it."

Felice only says "Exactly," but something in the tone alerts Jacque and his gaze snaps to hers.

Ana feels almost like an intruder when he then puts a hand on Felice's cheek and says, "Bella, you're beautiful, and Ana doesn't care." Without taking his eyes from her, he explains, "This gorgeous woman has scars that she should wear proudly, as a badge of courage. Instead, she hides them, worried that they prove cowardice instead." Finally looking at Ana, he concludes, "I've not told Felice how I know you feel as I do about such marks."

With a trembling sigh, genuinely moved by his apparent sincerity, Ana realizes that perhaps she's misjudged Jacque. She's about to speak when Taylor takes a step closer and cautions, "Ma'am."

Grateful, as always, for the man's concern, she says to Taylor, "Jacque's already seen them." And then she says to Felice, "Christian has scars, too. But it's not something he likes to talk about."

Blushing at being the center of attention, Felice can't quite meet Ana's eyes and says only, "I'll think about it." Gathering her strength with a deep breath, she squares her shoulders and says, "In the meantime, how would you like a tour?"

Relieved not to have offended her host, Ana manages a smile and says, "Yes, please."

After a tour of the six berth, luxury yacht with Ana making appropriate and sincere expressions of awe, they return to the deck and Felice says, "Did Jacque tell you that he plays guitar?"

Delighted to see that Jacque appears ill at ease for the first time since she's met him, Ana laughs and says, "No, he did not."

Jacque smiles indulgently at Felice and then says, "I'll play if you then swim."

When Ana giggles, he looks at her in question and she says, "Sorry. It's just…Christian does that, too."

Looking only at Felice, Jacque asks, "And does it work?"

Ana laughs again and says, "Unfortunately, yes." With a rueful smile at Felice, she adds, "Sorry, but it does."

Smiling at Jacque, Felice says, "Yes, it does."

Beaming his victory, Jacque kisses Felice's cheek and says, "I'll be right back."

When he's disappeared below deck, Felice quietly says, "He doesn't love me."

Wondering how the woman could know she was wondering exactly that, Ana says, "Uh, he seems to care about you a great deal."

With a smile, Felice says, "Oh, that much is true. But our first meeting he explained that I would come to believe that he loves me, but I should remember it isn't true." With a shrug, she adds, "He thinks such warnings make it easier to say goodbye."

"And does it?"

Her smile now somehow expressing sorrow, Felice says, "I'll know when he says goodbye, won't I?"

"I thought at first…he seemed a little too interested in Christian and I. And we need to be careful about the press."

Felice chuckles and says, "He was probably shopping." At Ana's obvious confusion, she explains, "When he's with me, I have all of his attention. But, on his own time, he's probably on the lookout for his next client; unhappy ex-wives."

"I'm on my honeymoon."

"I don't imagine he knew that right away." With a gesture to Ana's lip, Felice adds, "And…."

A hand reaching, unbidden, to cover the cut, Ana says, "That was an accident."

Clearly disbelieving, Felice says, "If you say so."

Catching on that Felice and possibly Jacque suspect Christian is a wife beater, Ana actually laughs, then says, "Sorry, but you're so far wrong it's almost funny."

Determined that her new friend should not think badly of her husband, Ana explains why Christian was dreaming of a shark pursuing his wife. Felice at first looks surprised, and then glances towards the living quarters when she smiles and says, "That certainly does sound like him." And then she looks at Ana to add, "I'm sorry about that. He never seems to mean any harm, and he's well-versed in etiquette…"

With a grin, Ana interrupts with, "But he mostly ignores the rules? Christian is the same. But he would never intentionally cause me harm. If anything, it's his overprotectiveness that's going to cause a problem in our marriage. He simply cannot endure the thought of me being in any danger."

Apparently satisfied this time, Felice sounds sincere when she says, "I'm glad."

The topic having apparently been dealt with, they're quiet for a few seconds and then Ana says, "Is he only fetching a guitar? Because he's been gone a long time."

"I imagine he's giving us time to chat." A little louder, Felice adds, "We're done, Jacque."

Jacque immediately emerges from the stairwell, acoustic guitar in hand, as he says, "I suppose you think you're clever?"

Felice looks up at him to accept his tender kiss, then says, "Yes. Can we have Asturias?"

Jacque laughs lightly as he sits down opposite the women and then says, "Without even warming up? I'm not a magician, darling." After tinkering with the guitar for a while, he begins to play. Ana doesn't know the name of the tune, but it's achingly familiar and she wonders if Christian has ever played the same piece on piano. The second is unfamiliar, but just as beautiful, and she feels sleep gently pulling at her. Glancing at Felice, she sees the same symptom in the woman's half-lidded eyes and blissful smile.

Someone is kissing her. When Ana then recalls her surroundings, she jolts awake, to find that the culprit is none other than Christian; now dressed in t-shirt and shorts and holding a bottle of beer. He grins at her and murmurs, "Hey, baby. I leave you alone for an hour or so and you're sleeping with other people?"

Mortified that she fell asleep while Jacque was entertaining them, Ana's gaze darts to where she saw him last, only to see that he's waking, too. A quick check on Felice shows her to be in a similar state, and she's looking at Christian with something like fear in her eyes. Christian plops down next to Ana as he explains, "I'm sorry to break up the slumber party. But I find Anastasia irresistible when she's sleeping."

Still embarrassed, Ana is blushing slightly when she says to Felice, "What were we saying about etiquette? I believe you've already spoken with my indecorous husband?"

Well and truly awake, Felice says, "Of course. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to welcome you, Christian."

With a casual shrug, Christian says, "It's the Caribbean sun; I think we've napped every day since we got here, though I did wonder if I'd boarded the Mary Celeste." Nodding a perfunctory greeting to Jacque, he then asks, "Is it for decoration?"

Realizing that he's speaking of the guitar, Jacque again picks it up and asks Felice, "One more? And then you owe me a swim."

After another nervous glance at Christian, Felice says, "Perhaps one more."

As the soft music wafts over them, Christian hands Ana her drink and then rests an arm around her shoulders while he sips his beer and listens. When Jacque is finished, he asks, "Recuerdos de la Alhambra?" At Jacque's nod, he lifts his beer in toast and says, "Nicely done. You've been?"

"Yes. A few years ago. You?"

"I have; not yet with Ana. You can well understand his grief." At Ana's confusion, Christian explains, "It's a now derelict but still beautiful palace in Spain. Legend has it that the Moorish king, on being forced out of his home, wept real tears. You'll know why when you see it." Putting aside the remains of his drink, Christian then says, "There was some talk of a swim? I've been chained to my computer all day."

Jacque puts aside the guitar and enthusiastically says, "Finally. And we can get out the SeaBobs, though we'll have to fight over them, as there are only two."

Christian looks at Taylor, who says, "Handheld propulsion device. They're the standard model; only a few horsepower and currently restricted to around eight feet dive depth. If you try for deeper or let go of the controls, they rise gently to the surface. So long as it doesn't get crowded in the cove, and you stay out of the shallows, it should be okay."

Impressed, Ana exclaims, "How do you know all that?"

Christian hauls Ana to her feet, grabbing the canvas bag containing their gear, as he says, "I pay him to."

Felice is on her feet and says, "Uh, you're welcome to use a guest room to change?"

Ana is about to say that it's not necessary, given that she thought to wear her bikini under her clothes. But Christian taps her hand twice where it rests in his, so she remains quiet as he says, "Thank you, Felice. That's thoughtful. Lead the way."

They have to walk through the living area and Christian appreciably whistles, then says, "Nice. Mahogany?"

It's Jacque who says, "And teak. Do you have a boat?"

"Nothing like this. I've a forty-seven foot cat." With a grin, Christian says, "Though she'd give this old lady a run for her money." Of Felice, he asks, "A gift from your ex? I noticed the name."

"Uh, yes. I guess you could say that."

"I'm surprised you didn't get rid of anything the fucker had ever touched."

Horrified at his impropriety, Ana exclaims, "Christian!"

Felice, however, finally seems to relax and says, "Well, that would include me, wouldn't it? So I settled for selling anything that brought back bad memories. I'd never been onboard before the divorce, so I decided to keep it." With a glorious smile, she adds, "Besides, it's beautiful."

Also smiling, Christian corrects, "She's beautiful; boats are always female."

Felice smiles at Jacque and says, "So I've been told. I'm learning."

Jacque nods, a silent communication with Felice, and then says, "Time for a swim, I think."

Felice also nods, just once, and says, "Yes." With a wave of her arm, she gestures down the small corridor and continues, "Any room you wish. Make yourselves at home. We'll see you on deck when you're ready."

On entering a guest room with Christian, somehow Ana isn't even a little surprised when she's in his arms almost as the door closes. When he finally ends the kiss, he huskily murmurs, "I missed you."

Pleasure flooding through her at his touch, Ana can feel his erection between them and says, "Evidently."

Christian walks her back the short distance to the double bed and lifts her t-shirt. Ana automatically lifts her arms to help him. However, he doesn't remove her snug shirt, instead stopping it level with her mouth as he says, "Open."

Realizing what he's up to, Ana says "Christian, please, I don't want to fuck right now," even as her body arches towards him in carnal need.

One side of his mouth tilted in a knowing grin, Christian says, "I think you do, baby. If you stop arguing, it'll be quick. If you let me gag you, it'll be quiet. And…" Fishing in his pocket for a second and then revealing a condom, he adds, "It'll be clean."

Most of her concerns taken care of, and her body fast taking over the decision-making, Ana opens her mouth and bites down on the material. Christian smiles his gratitude and says "Good girl," then pushes her back onto the bed. Still with a slight smile on his face, he lowers his shorts to reveal that he's wearing nothing beneath them. Panting slightly with need for him, Ana ardently watches as he rolls on the condom. Christian's voice is hoarse with desire when he then asks, "What will you do if you need me to stop?"

Having received no instruction this time, Ana has to think for a second and then flexes her restricted arms so that the backs of her hands tap twice on the bed. With a grin, Christian removes her shorts and bikini bottoms, then drops to his knees before her. Only seconds after his mouth touches her, Ana is near orgasm and almost every muscle is tensed in anticipation when Christian suddenly stands with her legs hooked over his shoulders, his hands clasping her hips, lifting Ana's lower back off the bed. When she yelps in surprise through the gag, he laughs and enters her at the same time, saying, "One of the positions that had to wait until my ankle improved."

Ana understands why he's been keen to try this when every thrust of Christian's hips sends hot pleasure exploding through her body, so that only moments later she climaxes, the gag not sufficient to completely stifle her cry. She's still reeling from the intense experience when Christian finds his own release, his fingers digging into Ana's tender flesh for few seconds. When he then opens his eyes and smiles at her, Ana knows that, in this moment, there is nothing she wouldn't do for him.

Their bodies still joined, Christian leans forward, bending Ana's hips so that her knees edge towards her torso as he says, "Next time like this, I think." Reaching one hand to remove her gag, Christian deftly removes the t-shirt and flings it aside. But then he tenderly touches a fingertip to her lip and says, "Fuck, I'm sorry, baby. It broke open again."

Touching the tip of her tongue to the site, Ana tastes the blood and says, "And will probably continue to do so, if we don't leave it alone."

Christian chuckles and says, "True." And then he caresses her cheek as he declares, "I love you."

"I love you, too. But I'm not a pretzel, darling."

With another laugh, Christian immediately releases her as he also exists her body, saying, "Sorry, babe. You know how mushy I get right after fucking."

Ana sits "Christian Grey, I don't think you'll ever be mushy. But you certainly are affectionate this afternoon. I like it. Your work all done?"

"Yes, but we'll talk about that later. It's rude to keep our hosts waiting."

"But it's okay to fuck in their guest room?"

Christian grins and says, "Well, Felice did say to make ourselves at home."

Ana giggles as she gets ready, saying, "True, though I'm not sure this is what she meant. Do you like her?"

With a nod, Christian says, "You're right. She's sweet. Though I still don't trust Pretorius." At Ana's smile, he asks, "What?"

Knowing by now that he'll just pursue it until she tells him, Ana says, "He's like you."

Visibly shocked by the suggestion, Christian snarls, "The fuck he is." When Ana says nothing, and continues applying sunscreen, he asks, "How so?"

"He follows his own rules."

When Christian silently accepts the bottle of lotion, pouting as he ponders her words, Ana tries to keep from smiling at his discomfort. They're about to leave when she remembers and says, "Oh, Felice has some scars and is a little shy about them."

"How the fuck do you know that?"

"Uh, Jacque mentioned them, referring to them as battle scars. I got the impression that she rarely shows them to anyone but him."

"And he's seen mine."

"Yes, but he didn't actually mention it even to her, and I told them you don't like to talk about it."

Christian gently kisses her and says, "Except with you. I love you, Anastasia."

Ana puts her arms up over his shoulders, reveling in the feel of his hands roaming over her back as she says, "Perhaps you are a little mushy, after all. I love you, Christian. Thank you, for being okay with this. I've had a lovely time, and I wasn't sure that was possible without you."

"And I'm not too crazy about you having a good time without me, but not enough to stop you from doing it. Come on. I'll fight you for one of the SeaBobs."

"Oh, you've used one?"

With a boyish grin, Christian says, "No, but it sounds like fun."

They're soon ready and meet the other couple on deck. Felice is chatting with Jacque, wearing a modest one-piece swimsuit, and Ana figures that the battered woman didn't get brave enough to show her scars after all. But, when Felice turns, they can clearly see a couple of small, round scars on her chest; younger than Christian's, these are still slightly red and puckered. Ana can practically feel Christian's sudden unease, so she takes his hand. As they approach, Ana steadfastly looks at Felice's eyes, so as not to make the woman uncomfortable. But it's all for naught, because Christian stops in front of Felice and stares at the scars as he says, "Motherfucker! Tell me he's never getting out?"

Suddenly threatening violence, Jacque moves to intervene. But Felice stops him with a hand on his arm and says, "He got six years. That was almost two years ago."

Lifting his gaze to her eyes, Christian's tone is softer when he says, "Then please tell me you were smart enough to get something on him?"

Felice smiles and says, "Well, let's just say that the unfortunate disparity between the penalties for domestic violence and insurance fraud worked in my favor. I couldn't actually prove the fraud, but I'd gathered enough to convince him that I could."

Christian grins and says, "Clever girl." And then he tilts his head to the side and looks at Jacque to ask, "Still want to punch me?"

Visibly relaxing and unclenching his fists, Jacque forces a smile and warns, "Not this time."

Clearly unafraid, Christian nods towards the bright yellow SeaBobs, now tethered in the water at the rear of the boat, and says, "Why don't you show me how these work?"

After a glance at Felice, receiving a nod in reply, Jacque grins and says, "Love to."

When they're out of earshot, Ana says, "I'm sorry about that, but we've already discussed his lack of decorum."

Eyeing the two men as Jacque explains the controls to Christian, Felice shrugs and says, "It's okay; kind of refreshing, actually. After ten years of silence, I'm glad to finally have a voice. It's just taking some getting used to." She looks at Ana then and smiles as she continues, "Jacque is helping enormously."

"So, how long have you two…I'm sorry, I don't even know what the correct term is."

Still smiling slightly, Felice says, "Been together? Three weeks of a month-long contract. You want to know how it works?"

"Uh, only if you want to tell me. I am a little curious. How does he not end up in trouble with the law?"

"He may, if he continues. But I don't imagine it's a lifetime career. And I don't know much about his background, other than he's of Italian, French and Spanish heritage, and studied music. What I do know is that he asks for a credit card to cover expenses for the duration of the contract. We agreed on a figure that suits both of us. He also gave me an account number. When the contract expires, I'm to put an amount of money into the account that reflects how satisfied I am with his services."

Trying to wrap her head around the entire concept, Ana says, "But…what if people put nothing in it?"

With a knowing smile, Felice says, "I sincerely doubt that's ever happened. Personally, I'm considering twenty five thousand dollars, and I'm going to ask to see him again."

"He does that?"

Her voice strained, Felice says, "I don't know."

Worried about crossing a line, Ana hesitates a moment before saying, "You're in love with him."

Felice glances to where the men have apparently finished with the preliminaries and heads towards them as she says, "They do love their toys."

Ana follows, to see that the SeaBobs are something like the front end of a Jet Ski. Christian is cautiously testing the controls, making a few false starts. And then he grins at Jacque and says, "Okay, I got it."

Gesturing to the almost flat expanse of perfect, blue water before them, Jacque says, "After you."

Still grinning, Christian takes off across the water. Only seconds later he's released the controls to grab at his disappearing shorts, as the SeaBob comes to a rest on the surface nearby. Ana isn't quick enough to stifle her giggle at the sight of Christian struggling to correct his aquatic wardrobe malfunction. Meanwhile, Jacque, a lazy grin on his face, says, "Oh, yeah; you need to make sure your clothing is snug before you wrap the throttle on."

Recovering his machine, Christian growls, "Thanks for telling me."

Breathing a sigh of relief that Christian is taking it so well, Ana laughs and says, "They're both as bad as each other, aren't they?"

Smiling fondly as the men both take off across the bay, Felice says, "Yes, both boys." To Ana, she suggest, "They'll be a while. Want to wait in the water?"

Taylor interjects, "There's a small chance of collision."

Not wanting to make his life difficult, Ana suggests, "How about we stay near the boat?"

After a moment, Taylor nods and says, "Thank you, ma'am."

Somehow Ana isn't surprised to find that Felice is graceful diving and swimming. As they both surface, their hair flattened by the seawater, a large scar is now visible on the older woman's head. Ana's brain is telling her to not stare, but she's not quite quick enough obeying and Felice explains, "Claw hammer. I was in a coma for three days and woke in the hospital under police guard."

Feeling suddenly ill, Ana is too shocked to speak for a few seconds and then says, "Well, at least he took you to the hospital."

Floating on her back, her face turned to the sun, Felice monotones, "He didn't. One of his bodyguards finally had enough. They were a witness against him in the trial, too."

Finally understanding something, Ana says, "That's why you don't have protection."

"Yes. Difficult to trust an institution that helped keep me prisoner all those years. He even had them fetch me back when I ran away. The police wouldn't listen to me."

Still sick to her stomach at the thought of what Felice has endured, Ana is grateful for the show of trust and says, "Even with your injuries?"

"The injuries weren't too bad in the early years, and…it's complicated."

A chill in her veins at the thought of sharing so much, Ana says, "Complicated because you like some pain, but not a lot?"

Finally looking at Ana, Felice says only, "Yes." With a glance up at Taylor, vigilant but discreet onboard, Felice swims closer and says, "Be careful, Ana."

Appalled at the comparison, Ana says, "He's not like that."

Proving that she understands they're talking about Christian, Felice glances to where the men are visible in the distance and says, "I hope not." Shaking her head, as if to rid herself of thoughts, she then suggests, "Race you around the boat?"

Glad of the subject change, Ana summons Taylor and says, "Once around the boat. Count us in?"

With a grin and a nod, Taylor waits until they're ready and then solemnly announces the race. Felice wins, but only just, and only because Ana is momentarily distracted by the sight of the yacht's name, recalling Christian's reference to it earlier. Gasping, the women climb onto the small swimming platform at the stern and Ana says, "Of course, I let you win."

"Of course."

They sit on the edge of the platform, dangling their feet in the water as they catch their breath, and then Ana says, "So, what does the name mean? It's French, right?"

Felice smiles and says, "Spoils of war. Jacque thinks it's a terrible name."

"Why? Seems quite apt."

"I think his concern is that, if we're ever in real trouble, the coastguard would need to speak French, or we'll waste precious seconds spelling out 'butin de guerre'."

Ana laughs and says, "He may have a point."

"Nevertheless, the name stands."

"Because you earned it?"

"Yes."

Ana is still trying to think of a subject that they can discuss without once again threatening the contents of her stomach when they see the men returning. Christian is sporting that boyish, carefree smile that she doesn't see often enough. As they slow and approach, he says, "Baby, we have to get some of these."

Laughing at his excitement, Ana says, "Sure. When's your birthday?"