A/N: Hello all! I am back from my vacation and the next few chapters may be a bit slow coming out but I wanted to get this out as several of you have expressed concern about Christian pursuing Ana and still planning on a scene with Alice Porter. Real quick, I want to assure everyone that Christian knows who he wants. Remember, he is not good at working through his emotions. At this point during his development, he is not sure what to make of his feelings for Ana and he really views his relationship with Alice as a business deal, a contract to be fulfilled, which is why he has agreed to the scene in the first place. That being said, I do try to avoid at least *some* tropes* in my writing, so any "Ana catches Christian cheating" story lines are NOT to be found in this story. Just bare with me and I promise all will become clear in the next few chapters.
Anastasia Steele was officially stressed out. It was graduation day. Her mother was not going to be there. Ray was on his way. Christian Sex-on-Legs Grey was going to be addressing her graduating class and he wanted to "show her something" after graduation. Her roommate Kate was already the picture of glamour and was insisting on helping Ana with her clothes and make up, much to Ana's chagrin.
"You want to look good for the billionaire, don't you?" She teased holding Ana's chin while she brushed on some overly pink blush. Ana felt ridiculous, but her roommate's happiness was infectious "And believe me, if he's anything like his brother in the sack, you want him." She winked and Ana mock gasped at her friend's behavior.
"So are you and Elliot…" Ana began, questioning, changing the subject off her and what she may or may not want Christian Grey to do to her. Kate flushed and her grin intensified.
"He's taking me out again tonight, after graduation. She announced. "He is so wild. He wouldn't tell me where we were going but he told me to bring my swim suit- can you imagine?" She pranced into her closet and came back holding up a golden suit that was little more than 3 triangles of fabric held together by some strings. "I figured I'd wear this and see if I get his motor running, what do you think?" She grinned again and Ana smiled back, knowing Kate would look stunning in anything she chose to wear. A familiar stab of jealousy hit her at the thought, but she pushed it away. She was happy for Kate.
"It sounds like you two are going to have a lot of fun." Ana did her best to sound enthused, but her mind was too preoccupied with thinking about those beautiful yet troubled grey eyes, and those sensual lips, the lips she just wanted to feel touching her all over. Christian had refused to kiss her once, told her to stay away from him, and now it was like he couldn't wait to see her again, he was so mercurial, so hard to read, but Ana was obsessed. She knew she wanted to make love to him, to give him her virginity, despite only having just met him. There was something about him that made her feel like no one else ever had before, he made her feel whole. Kate grinned enthusiastically back at her and winked. It was as if Ana's roommate could read her thoughts.
"Oh Ana, I think you'll be having a lot of fun too….and I expect a full report when you come home….there!" She finished with the lipstick and turned Ana toward the mirror. She was made up, her hair styled with gentle curls, her eyes highlighted with a light lavender eye shadow that matched the slinky purple dress Kate had allowed her to borrow. She looked…grown up, she supposed. She liked it. She wondered if Christian would like it too.
"You're going to knock him dead!" Kate grinned manically at her in the mirror. Ana poked her tongue out at her friend. If she was going to be knocking anyone dead she first had to make it through graduation. She could only hope that the heels Kate was making her wear were sturdy and that she wouldn't lose her balance and go sprawling off of the stage when she went to retrieve her diploma.
Christian Grey was nervous.
He was in the air, in his trusty Charlie Tango, heading back to Escala after several, very eventful days in Portland. Anastasia Steele was sitting next to him, and he felt a strange rush of exhilaration from that fact.
The look of awe and wonder on Anastasia's face when Christian took her up in his helicopter was unrivaled in its beauty. He'd strapped her in and needed to tamp down the erection that had threatened to make itself known just from the little puffs of air she exhaled as he secured her. He'd told himself and her that this was the most practical and efficient way for them to get back to Seattle, but in truth he'd wanted to show off. He felt like a school boy, but this sort of thing was part of his appeal, he was certain of it, and he wanted to be as appealing to Miss Anastasia Steele as possible.
The graduation ceremony had gone off without a hitch. He'd given his speech, they'd applauded, the students walked, he shook hands. It was all very mechanical. He'd managed a quick wink at Anastasia when she walked to get her diploma, but the girl had been so nervous he worried she might trip and fall in her heels, the way she'd fallen into his office when they'd first met.
The after party had been…more interesting. He met the man who raised Anastasia in person; Raymond Steele, he seemed a good man, if a little wary of Christian's not-so-veiled interest in Anastasia. He'd had to deal with his brother Elliot's amorous nature; the man could barely keep his hands off Anastasia's roommate at the after party. Elliot and Kate had excused themselves rather early, and Christian could guess what they'd be up to by now. Ray Steele had invited them out for a late lunch and a look at Anastasia told him he would be remiss to refuse the offer.
After that he couldn't wait to get the girl back to his helicopter and to his apartment. His brain was railing against the entire proposition. He still had Alice, at least for one more weekend, and Anastasia might not be ready to see what his desires held, but he couldn't wait any more. Something about this girl was driving him crazy and making him reckless.
And now, watching her marvel as he flew them back to Escala was turning into the highlight of his day. It was enough to push away his worry and anxiety over what he wanted to show her at his apartment. That was, at least until they arrived.
He'd worked out the plan in his head. He would first have her sign the NDA. It was already drawn up, as was the contract- complete with her personal information. He did not expect to have her sign the contract that night, but he would introduce her to it, gauge her response. If he was correct, she already had a natural inclination towards submission, he would tease her and coax her fantasies out of her. He was sure she had many stored away in that pretty little head of hers. He wanted to make her fantasies come true and show her how good the act of total submission could feel. He would tell her about the euphoria that could be found in letting one's self go completely, in depending entirely upon another.
She might balk at first, he was prepared for that. But he would be gentle and persuasive. He would tell her there were pleasures she'd never dreamt of and he could show her, if she'd let him, if she'd trust him to keep her safe, if…. The if's were the part he didn't like, he had no control over her reaction- and that scared the hell out of him.
Ana stared blankly at the non-disclosure agreement in front of her. Christian had shrugged in embarrassment when he handed it to her and insisted that his lawyer demanded it. She wondered idly if this was standard procedure for most billionaires, and was struck not for the first time at just how different Christian Grey's world was from hers, she barely had $100 in her bank account and she'd just flown in a private helicopter to one of the most luxurious apartments she'd ever seen. She signed the NDA, and wondered briefly what hidden embarrassment he was worried about her disclosing. She was pretty sure they would have sex tonight, he'd been giving her heated looks the entire helicopter ride. Kate had been right, he wanted her, and whether it was because of the hair and make up, the dress, or her, she didnt really care. She did wonder just what kind of thigns he didnt want her disclosing that she would get to see tonight. Did he have a weird-shaped penis or something? Would she even know if his penis was weird? She blushed at the thought. He smiled at her, bemused. He had been watching her again. She flushed deeper.
"What are you thinking about, Miss Steele?" His voice was low, warm, and seductive. She bit her lower lip, and his eyes darkened. She looked up at him from where she sat at the breakfast nook. The electricity between them was palpable. Ana felt something strange deep within her, a kind of burning desire that made her squirm in her seat.
"Are you…going to make love to me, now?" She asked, shyly. He frowned at her, then smiled, a sad, sort-of wistful smile. She arched an eyebrow. Did she just shove her entire foot in her mouth? Had she misread this entire situation? Oh God, what If he really was gay and he wanted her to sign the NDA before he came out to her.
"I don't make love to anybody, Miss Steele." He admitted softly, and Ana's confusion grew. Did he have some kind of….problem? Didn't they make pills for that? No, that didn't make any sense.
"I don't understand." She felt so lost.
"I fuck, Miss Steele. I fuck well, and I fuck hard." Christian's eyes were blazing at her and she had to swallow the excess saliva that had inexplicably begun to pool in her mouth.
"I….see." She responded, rather lamely. Did she see? She still didn't really understand. Did he want her? She wanted him. But she was scared. He fucked hard? What if he hurt her? She knew the first time could be painful, especially if your partner wasn't careful. He was into rough sex? Could she handle that? Did she even want to? Suddenly she felt all her hopes and fantasies come crashing down, and it left her feeling sick. She was a love-sick fool and she shouldn't be here.
Christian must have seen the crestfallen look on her face for he stood from his chair at the breakfast nook in alarm
"Are you alright, Miss Steele?" He was right next to her now, arm supporting her around her shoulder. "You looked like you were going to faint.
"I-I'm fine." Ana attempted to reassure him, though her voice was a little shaky. Her insides were twisting, though whether it was from nerves or the sudden rise of heat coming from deep within her belly, she was not sure.
Christian was standing right behind her now, his hands still on her shoulders, massaging gently. He lifted one hand to stroke a piece of her hair back behind her ear.
"I assure you, Miss Steele. It is quite pleasurable, for both parties…" He murmured somewhere next to her ear, and Ana felt woozy from the heat in his voice. He smelled so good, and his hands felt good on her shoulders. She swallowed, making her decision. She wanted him.
"Okay...Are you…going to fuck me now?" She asked, breathless.
"Not yet," She heard a smile in his tone, "There are things we must discuss, first."
Things? Ana thought. What things? She tilted her head to the side so she could look up at him.
"Uh…okay?" She replied lamely, and he smirked at her, amused.
"Okay, indeed, Miss Steele."
"Ana, please." She corrected. If he said Miss Steele one more time she felt like she was going to come undone right then and there.
Christian moved from behind her and returned to his seat next to her at the breakfast bar. From a messenger bag in the seat next to him he produced a manila envelope. And set it on the counter, sliding it towards her. More paperwork? She thought, flabbergasted. Was everything paperwork with super-wealthy types?
"Inside this envelope is a contract of sorts," Christian began, slowly. His eyes were dark slate-grey and he was staring at her intently. "It details the parameters of the kind of relationship I want. With you."
"Relationship?" Ana grasped on the bit of his sentence she understood. Was he saying he wanted a relationship with her?
"Of sorts, yes." Christian confirmed, running a hand through his hair and looking away from her, almost as if he were embarrassed. "I am explaining this poorly. I usually don't have to do this part" He confessed.
"You want a relationship…with me?" Ana guessed. He shook his head, almost sadly, watching her face. She felt so confused. He didn't usually fo this part? What part was he talking about, exactly? Why did he look so hesitant? She already wanted to sleep with him, at least she thought she did. This was getting a bit excessive
"I don't do relationships, Ana." He continued. "At least not like the kind you've had before."
At her blank look he continued.
"I don't want to be your boyfriend." He stated, suddenly very assertive and business-like in his demeanor, his eyes hard and looking at her intently.
"I want to be your Dom."