Author's note: Just a short chapter; a breathing space for those of you whom I scared with the previous. Though you should prepare yourself for the fact that I'm not yet done with Jacque and Felice, nor with the idea of exploring just how horribly wrong it could have gone for Ana when she put herself under the influence of a powerful man with deviant desires. But I'll try not to make it too scary, and ask that you remember to trust me. We have, after all, come a long way together. Thank you, for caring.

Chapter Sixteen

It takes Ana a second to realize why Felice and Jacque are looking at her so strangely. She blushes beet red and it's Christian who says, "I'm afraid that Anastasia swept me off my feet. We've only known each other a couple of months." To Ana, he says, "It's already gone, sweetheart. But I don't like a fuss made about it, anyway."

Jacque then suggests, "Ana, your turn, I think? Christian knows enough to show you the ropes."

Grateful for the reprieve, but still very embarrassed, Ana manages only, "Thank you."

As if everyone has discussed it, Felice and Jacque climb the short, fixed step ladder to the deck, leaving the newlyweds alone. Quickly tethering the machines, Christian hoists himself up onto the platform and puts an arm around Ana, saying, "It's all right, baby. I really don't give a shit about my birthday. It's just a date, and not one with pleasant connotations."

Struggling to keep the tears at bay, Ana reveals why she's so upset, "It was while we were apart, wasn't it?"

Christian hesitates long enough that Ana wonders if he's considering lying to her, and then he says, "Yes, baby; eighteenth of June. Please don't cry."

"Can I still buy you a gift?"

"If it will make you feel better, sure."

Her equilibrium returning, Ana smiles and says, "Well, I'll probably also have to make a fuss about it from now on."

With a groan, Christian says, "Okay. But no party, or the deal's off."

Warming to the idea, Ana suggests, "Small party; immediate family and friends only. Don't try and pretend Grace wouldn't have always insisted on that, anyway."

Smiling, Christian says, "Haven't I always maintained that you're far too smart? Okay, small party. But no fucking costumes, or I'm out of there."

Ana laughs, and says, "Fair enough; no costumes. Thank you, Christian. I suppose you know when I was born?"

After kissing her, Christian says, "To the minute, baby. You ready?" At her smiling nod, he bellows for Taylor and says to him, "We're heading out."

"Two beginners, sir?"

With a glance at Ana, Christian says, "Fair point. Would you ask our hostess to fill in for me?"

Taylor disappears from view and only seconds later Felice is descending the steps, saying, "Time for the girls to show 'em how it's done?"

Amused by the sudden fear in Christian's eyes, Ana says, "Absolutely." When Christian's eyes then narrow in warning, she asks Felice, "You've done this before, right?"

"Almost every day since we bought them. It's kind of addictive." Recognizing the source of Ana's concern, Felice says to Christian, "Ana will be fine, and we'll be back within thirty minutes; they'll need recharging by then."

Christian quickly kisses Ana, letting his hand linger on her cheek as he murmurs, "Take care, okay? And make sure your bikini is on tight."

Ana giggles at the memory of him nearly losing his shorts and says, "I promise."

Apparently satisfied, Christian stands and holds his hands out to Ana. Unsure what he has planned, she still doesn't hesitate to accept, and then smiles when he gently lowers her into the water. Felice drops in beside Ana and shows her, by example, how to approach the SeaBob. Once in position, Ana notices that the controls are uncomplicated. After a few instructions from Felice, she waves to Christian and hesitantly sets out. Of course, just like with snorkeling, it doesn't take long to get the hang of it and she's soon enjoying herself very much, moving as one with the machine.

When she sees Felice pointing, she edges closer to hear, "Turtle."

Ana can see the gorgeous creature now and they head in that direction. Intent on following the animal at a respectful distance, Ana forgets all about the dive limit and at first wonders why the water sled stops responding. Silently cursing her carelessness, she follows it to the surface and again gets underway, only to see that Felice is also on the surface and apparently trying to look at her left foot. As she approaches, Felice, in obvious pain, says, "I think something bit me."

Ana investigates to see the black spines sticking out of Felice's foot and says, "I think that's the sea urchins Taylor mentioned. He said it's a mild toxin."

The color rapidly draining from her face, Felice says, "Doesn't feel mild."

"Can you make it back? I can get them to come to us, if you need it."

Grabbing the controls of her sled, Felice says, "No, I'm fine. I'm not steering with my feet."

Christian and Jacque are waiting on the swimming platform, both again wearing t-shirts. As the women approach, Christian says to Ana, "Had enough already, babe?"

All it takes is for Jacque to see the look on Felice's face and he says, "Fuck. What's wrong?"

They're already hauling Felice out of the water as Ana explains, "Sea urchin, I think; her left foot."

It takes some doing, but they get Felice onto the deck without aggravating her injury, and Christian says to Jacque, "Taylor is skilled in first aid."

Looking bewildered and afraid, Jacque looks to Felice, who merely nods, her face taut with pain. That's all it takes for Taylor to instruct, "We need a water bath for the foot; hot as she can stand. Also, a disposable razor, tweezers, and quite a bit of white vinegar, if you have it."

It's Felice who says, "I've got a specialized first aid kit that's supposed to help."

With a nod, Taylor says to Jacque, "That'll do. But the hot water first, and a couple of Advil or similar, too." As Jacque moves to obey, Taylor smiles and says to Felice, "We'd already know if you were allergic to the toxin. So I don't think a doctor will be necessary. We'll just get you comfortable and then get those spines out, okay?"

"Thank you."

His brow furrowed in concern, Christian says, "Are you sure we don't need a doctor? Her foot is swelling up."

Looking only at Felice, Taylor says, "Well, that's up to Ms. Dendry. But the proteins that cause the reaction are water-soluble, so you'll begin to feel better almost immediately. The acetic acid will dissolve the spines enough that I can easily remove them, and the razor will get any traces that aren't visible." Smiling again at Felice, he says, "You'll feel much better by this evening. If there's any trace of discomfort in a couple of days, then definitely see a doctor, because it might be infected."

With a weak smile at both of them, Felice says, "I'm okay. No doctor."

When Christian opens his mouth to again protest, Ana slips her hand in his, offering a reassuring pressure as she gently teases, "You know very well that nothing would induce you to bother with a doctor under similar circumstances."

Visibly relaxing, Christian smiles at Ana and says, "And that nothing could keep me from fetching a doctor if it had been you." Then smiling at Felice, he adds, "I'd prefer Jason to an unfamiliar doctor, anyway. He's far more experience than a lot of them. You're in good hands."

Jacque soon returns with the medication and something to wash it down with, followed by one of Felice's crew carrying a tub of hot water. Taylor tests the temperature and positions it where Felice can easily rest her injured foot in the water, as she takes the tablets and sips the drink. Satisfied that she's comfortable, Taylor looks at Ana and Christian to say, "Might as well head back. With your permission, I'd like to stay?"

Felice looks at the couple to say, "Oh, of course. Please. There's no need for you to stay. I'm sorry about this."

Jacque is already standing, to bid them goodbye, but Christian stops him with a gesture as he says, "Unless you're kicking us off, I'd rather stay until I know you're all right."

But Taylor then says, "This is going to take a couple of hours. How about you head back for now and check in later?"

Felice adds, "Please. You're on your honeymoon. I'm already feeling better. Oh, but you're welcome for dinner, if you don't have other plans? Until the burning, stabbing pain I was actually having fun today."

Ana laughs a little at that and says, "Yeah, me too." When her questioning glance at Christian garners only a shrug, she says, "Okay; dinner, but only if Taylor thinks you're up to it."

After friendly but muted farewells, with Christian deigning to shake Jacque's hand, the newlyweds and Prescott are ferried back to the beach, Ana having bothered only to wrap a sarong over her bikini. Of course, she can guess why Christian is quiet on the way back and, when they're alone in the villa, she slides her arms around his waist and says, "I'm fine, and Felice will be fine. Nothing bad happened today, Christian."

Returning her embrace, Christian says, "But it could have."

Reaching a hand up between them to smooth the furrows on his brow, Ana says, "But it didn't. You ignoring me cannot cause disaster, okay?" With a grin, she adds, "The worst that will happen is I'll be incredibly horny when you finally pay attention to me."

Relaxing enough to smile, Christian says, "Funny, it has that effect on me, too. Oh, but it was for a good cause. I found out that there are several attackers, each of them looking out for themselves."

"And that's good because?"

"If they coordinated their assault, they might have a chance. But no one company is strong enough to take me down. I'll still have to put in some hours, until things settle down. But I'm afraid you're still incredibly rich and will remain so for quite some time."

With a shrug, Ana says, "Oh well. This vacation is certainly helping me get used to it. Did I remember to thank you, for making everything so perfect?"

"I'm not sure that have, but I'm glad you're having a good time." With a glance at his watch, Christian then says, "Well, the masseuse will be here in a little over an hour. Shower?"

"Together?"

With a wide grin, Christian says, "Already, baby?"

"Uh, sure, if you want to. But I've hardly seen you today, and I'm just feeling a little needy."

After kissing her, Christian smiles and says, "How about we try something new?" When Ana only raises her eyebrows in question, he suggests, "I'd like to do nothing with you."

Ana almost laughs at the idea, but then says, "You've honestly never done nothing?"

"Not that I can remember. We tried it the other day, but I fell asleep. Even when I was sick or injured as a kid, I'd at the very least do homework."

"Poor Grace."

Christian chuckles and says, "Yeah. She kind of gave up trying to keep me still after a while."

"And where would we do this nothing?"

"Bed?"

Ana finally laughs and says, "Christian, not that I mind, but there's no way we're going to do nothing if we get into bed together."

"Fair point. Suggestions?"

"You really want to do this?"

"Yes, baby. When else will we have this chance?"

"Sofa."

Untying her sarong and tossing it on a nearby chair, Christian's eyes roam over her almost naked body as he says, "Shower, first."

Warm pleasure coursing through her under the caress of his gaze alone, Ana says, "God, Christian, you can't look at me like that if you're not going to follow through."

With a smug grin, Christian says, "Mrs. Grey, you're insatiable."

Untying and removing her bikini top while Christian's fervent stare follows her every move, Ana says, "Only for you, husband."

Shaking his head, Christian says, "Anastasia, you're terrifying."

Knowing that their shower will be delayed, when she sees that he's trembling, Ana smiles and says, "Because I threaten your carefully cultivated control?"

Again shaking his head, even as he reaches to thread his fingers through Ana's hair to bring her to him, Christian says, "Worse; I'm forgetting why I ever needed it in the first place."

As Christian's lips on her neck turn her veins into rivers of pleasure, and his hand roaming over her body brings her skin to life, Ana murmurs, "You said bad things would happen."

She feels Christian's smile against her skin and then he says, "Doesn't seem too bad so far."

Closing her eyes and losing herself to sensation, Ana says, "Mmm, not too bad at all."

Christian draws back from her enough to look at Ana and suggest, "Lady's choice?"

Willing her brain to function, when everything in her is screaming for carnal delights, Ana thinks for a second and then says, "That pretzel position, but with my hands tied?"

Christian's expression leaves no doubt that he approves of the idea and he takes her hand, saying, "Excellent idea, Mrs. Grey."

Ana resists his efforts to lead her to the bedroom, insisting, "No; here, now."

Christian grin widens and he says, "Wow, you really are feeling needy. I'll just shut the curtains."

Tightening her grip on his hand to stop him, Ana says, "Christian, we're on a cliff. No one will see us when we're on the floor."

Ana can see that he's wavering. All it takes is for her to drape the bikini top over her hands and offer them to him, and Christian relents; tying her wrists together with trembling fingers. She wonders what he's up to when he then picks up her sarong. And smiles when he lays it as a protective covering on the carpet. With a self-deprecating shrug, Christian confirms, "For Miss Cynthia. Did you know that, before the invention of condoms, silk kerchiefs were used as prophylactics?"

Wondering why he's nervous, Ana asks only, "Did it work?"

"Seven billion people on the planet; I'd say not too well."

As Ana, with Christian's help, lies down on the sarong, she says, "Darling, I don't think that we can blame silk for that."

Gazing down at Ana, his eyes dark and voice husky with desire, Christian says, "Have I mentioned what it does to me when you call me that?"

Stretching her arms up above her head, eagerly permitting him access to her body, Ana says, "Yes, darling." With those words all else is forgotten and they're again lost to this all-consuming need they have for each other.