APOV
I see Noah's beautiful face and I run towards him. He opens his arms and I jump on him, wrapping my legs around his waist.
I kiss him all over and he says, "Wow! What a welcome! If I would have known that I would be greeted like this, I would leave more often." Noah laughs and kisses me in return.
"Don't you dare Noah! I've missed you so much!"
We kiss each other long and hard. His lips against mine feel like home and I am safe once again. Noah always makes me feel safe. It's what I've been missing since he's been gone.
For whatever reason I find that my heart is in pain and I start to cry.
"Hey Ana, it's ok. I'm here now. I won't leave you anymore. I'm so sorry." He coos as he gently puts me down.
"I want you Noah. Holly is out for the night. Let's go to my room." I say as I pull him by his hand.
"Oh Ana that's just what I need after a long night, day and night of non stop crazy travel." He says as his voice cracks.
"What is it Noah, are you ok? What happened?" I ask with concern. I look in his eyes and he seems sad.
"The connecting flight was pretty scary and...you know what? It doesn't matter, what matters is that I am back with you. Let's go to your room Ana. I need you so much!"
We run to my room and I lock the door, "I'll be right back Noah." I say as I run to the bathroom and 'freshen' up for my boyfriend. When I return I see Noah leaning up against the wall, his pants are down and he's covering his cock and Holy Hell! I am reminded as to why I love him so...I know I'm sounding rather shallow but he is quite a sight to behold!
Noah looks to me, smiles and says, "Say anything you like Ana?"
"No." I reply as I approach him, "But if you remove your hands I'm sure I will see something that I LOVE."
And with those words, our bodies reunite, making up for lost time...but where is my soul?
***Two Hours Later***
My poor Noah, he was so exhausted. He knocked out right after we fooled around. He's lying down and I'm lying on his chest. I look up at him. He's so beautiful, he looks so peaceful, sleeping like a baby.
It felt so good to orgasm with Noah. I really needed it in the worst way.
Yes, why is that? Why the urgency to come with Noah? Feeling a little guilty? Did you need to know that you could still come with Noah. Did you even come with Noah? I think not because when you came you closed your eyes and saw a certain grey eyed hottie hovering above you!
I shake those unwanted thoughts from my head. Sleep I need sleep. We have practice in the morning and I need my rest!
***Weld Boathouse Charles River***
"Ok ladies and gentleman, check the line-ups and get to your boats!" Coach Bowness shouts.
"Grey!" Coach shouts once again.
I turn and see Coach and Christian exchange a few words. Coach smiles and Christian smiles right back. I wonder what's up?
I check the line up and I can see that I'm coxing the 8-boat and Christian is my stroke. I wish Noah was here so he could be my stroke but the flight and time change was too much for him.
"Shit!" I shout out unexpectedly.
"Not happy about me being your stroke Ana?" I turn and see Christian with a huge smile on his face.
"No Christian, it's not that, it's just. We've not practiced together. Well, I mean not on the boat anyway."
"I understand that, Coach Bowness told me that you have an unorthodox way of coxing."
"I do Christian, my calls are unlike any other cox, it's just my way so I hope you can work with me."
"I'd like nothing more than to work with you Anastasia." He purrs.
Oh sweet Jesus, please help me! The way he says 'Anastasia.' Oh Lordy.
"Oh, and Anastasia," Shit, please don't say my name like that! "Thanks for the Advil. I'm sorry about last night...well, in all actuality I'm not sorry but I feel I should apologize for my behavior."
"No worries Christian." I say as I flash back to Christian and his happy trail.
Dammit Steele focus!
"Let's go Team Steele!" I shout as my rowers strip off their shirts, sweats and shorts.
I have Tik, Smills, Sam, and Loopsie as my "Strong Four." They've not let me down. Hopefully Christian can work with them. Gobears, Sonnie and Briggs round out my 8-boat.
"Ok guys, ready positions." I say as I settle in with my call box.
I face forward and take everyone in, my last look will be of my stroke. I look at Christian and my damn eyes deceive me. They go right for the money. Forgive me Lord for staring at his package yet again! Gah!
Focus Steele, focus!
"Ok Christian, here's what we do. My Power calls start out with a 'Power One' and then I jump to increments of five. Are we clear?"
"Ana, there is no such thing as a 'Power One' stroke rate." He says as he positions himself. I'm watching his muscles flex as he grabs his oar.
Damn!
"Listen, there is such thing as a 'Power One' stroke rate when you are in my boat as my stroke seat are we clear!" I say in my commanding cox voice.
"Ok Ana, whatever you say." He responds in an icy manner.
"Good, just think about the power ten stroke rate and kick down nine notches."
"I said 'Ok' Ana."
"I know what you said, but you're over thinking again. Stop it!"
"Christ Ana the race hasn't even started, will you give me a damn break!"
"Fine! Ready positions rowers!" I shout
We wait for the horn and we're off!
"Power one!" I shout as Christian keeps the pace slow but even.
Stacie's crew has a small lead and I can tell that they immediately went for a high stroke rate. I love when they do that, they always come out hard and fast and right when you should give it your all, when you think you have nothing left to give, that's when you dig deep.
I take no prisoners as a cox! I ride my team hard and fast, I expect my team to leave everything out on the water! If at least one person doesn't throw up, then I'm not doing my job!
Wow, look at Christian's arms ripple as they row, hot diggity dog does he look good!
"Ana, wake up!" Christian shouts. "I need to pick up my stroke rate!"
Holy crap! Where the hell did I go?
"Power ten, now!" I shout.
I feel like I'm in a Star Wars movie as our boat goes into 'warp speed!' The high that you get from feeling a boat glide, more like 'fly' across the water is addicting! You feel the wind against you! It's awesome!
I'm watching my team and they are all in sync. They look marvelous! I look to Christian and I can see that he's over thinking again, dammit!
He keeps hanging at the catch!
CPOV
Focus on your stroke rate Grey! Quit looking at her in that cute little white uni. Yes, she looks amazing but you have a job to do and you can't let her down!
I hope I didn't make too much of an ass of myself last night!
Shit!
I can't drink like that! It's too dangerous for me, I let my guard down. I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about! I always let my guard down with the Firecracker.
She my addiction, my drug and I need a fix of her so bad. Look at that face, that long neck, the rise and fall of her soft breasts...Oh Christ! No! Not now 'Big Guy!'
"Christian, focus! You're hanging at the catch!"
Christ! Right now I'd give anything for the 'Big Guy' to be hanging and not saluting! Shit!
I focus and will the 'Big Guy' to go down, which thankfully, he does! I keep my focus, keep my mind clear, I'm rowing, even stroke rate. Keep everyone in sync. We've got this!
The next thing I know, I hear the horn and I noticed that we won by more than two boat lengths! That's pretty amazing! Our races are usually much closer than that.
I see a few of my team members hurling their guts out. I guess Ana wouldn't be doing her job if at least one person didn't hurl. To this day, I've not thrown up! I pride myself on that!
Ana is smiling and before you know it we are back at the dock when I hear Sam say, "Let's do it! We've been waiting for this!"
Ana is horrified, the fear coming back as Sam lifts her out of the boat.
I quickly jump out and say, "NO!"
Everyone freezes, I guess I shouted with a little too much fervor. Fuck it! It did the job! I walk calmly to Sam and take Ana from his arms. "I'm the Stroke, I'll carry Ana."
"Uh sure, no problem Christian." Sam says as we all walk to the water.
"Thank you Christian, I'm still a little scared." She whispers.
"Shhhh, it's ok. I'm right here if you need me ok? Now brace yourself, I'm going to throw you in. Are you ready?" I ask.
"Ready as I'll ever be Christian, just please stay near...just in case"
Ana takes a deep breath and you can hear everyone say, "Dunk her! Dunk her! Throw her in Christian!"
It really is fun for them but they have no clue how fucked up it really is for Ana. I'm tempted to just walk away with her in my arms and keep walking until I get to my place and have my way with her.
Since I can't do that, I say, "Of course I'll stay near. Here goes sweetheart!" And I toss her in ready to retrieve her if needed.
Ana's tiny body makes a huge splash and the entire team breaks out in applause. Ana pops her head up and says, "The water feels great! I think I'll go for a swim!"
And with those words, Ana is off and swimming. I can't be more proud of her as I watch her swim from the dock.
"Grey." I hear someone say and I turn to see who is calling me.
Fuck! He's back!
"Shepherd." I say and try not to sound annoyed.
That fucker has what I want, he has what should be mine!
"I saw the end of your race. You guys did great." The Golden Boy says, though I noticed he lacked his usual charm and enthusiasm.
"Thanks," I say, "It was a tough race."
"No it wasn't, you smoked the other two 8-boats."
We both look away from each other and watch as Ana returns.
Come to me Ana, come to me!
APOV
As I approach the dock I see someone standing next to Christian. It's Noah! He made it! I mentioned that I was racing this morning but I told him not to worry if he missed it. He needed his rest.
I jump on the dock and run towards Noah. I launch myself at him, I don't care that I'm wet or that I'm getting him wet.
"Noah!" I shout as I kiss him. "I'm so glad you made it! Did you catch the end of the race?"
"Hey baby, I did! You were perfect and look at you? You're swimming now! That's amazing! I can't believe it!"
"Well, I didn't do it on my own. Christian helped me."
Noah's eyes look to Christian and suddenly I the feel tension in the air.
Oh shit! I've not really had a chance to tell Noah about this, it wasn't like I was keeping it a secret. I tried to tell him during our single phone call and last night there really wasn't time and then this morning we had our race.
"Well." Noah says with an air of annoyance, "Thanks for helping my girlfriend out Grey. Please, let me pay you for your time and trouble."
Noah takes out his wallet and I see a mound of bills, holy shit! He never carries around such a large amount of money. What the hell is going on here?
CPOV
"Hey baby, I did! You were perfect and look at you? You're swimming now! That's amazing! I can't believe it!" Noah's voice changes now. He's returned to his cheerful sounding self but there's something there, something...different.
"Well, I didn't do it on my own. Christian helped me." Ana says rather quietly.
That's right Ana, tell him the truth!
Noah's looks to me and his eyes turn cold. That's right, it was me. I helped her when you couldn't. I can't help but revel in my victory, tiny as it is but it's all I got!
"Well." Noah says clearly upset with Ana's revelation, "Thanks for helping my girlfriend out Grey. Please, let me pay you for your time and trouble."
Well, well, well, seems like The Golden Boy wants to play. What an ass, offering to try to pay me for my 'time and trouble' that I spent with Ana!
What a fucker!
Maybe he's not all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns! It would be much easier if he stayed this way, an insecure over protective boyfriend.
If Ana were mine I would never do that! I would let her be her own person and I would not be insecure like this guy. I would give her all the freedom she needs! Somehow Ana doesn't seem like to the type to just do as she is told. She is very spirited and wouldn't take crap from anyone!
I can already tell that Ana is horrified at Noah's offer as well, but then something happens. She changes from the confident person before me to someone slightly insecure.
Why is that?
Does she think I should be paid for what I did?
Bull shit!
I need to get that ugly thought out of her head right now! Sorry Noah but I'm going in for the kill. I hope Ana can forgive me!
"Really Noah, you're going to offer me money for spending time with Ana? Honestly that's not necessary. Ana is wonderful company and I enjoyed every minute we spent together...trust me."
Ana is uncomfortable and starts shifting her feet.
"Christian, Noah is right. It didn't occur to me that I should have been paying you for your help. Please forgive me and please take the money."
That fucker is attempting to hand me a wad of what looks like hundred-dollar bills and what's more, he's taking away Ana's self-confidence at the same time. Making her think that I want to be paid for spending time with her.
Ok Noah, you want to go there, let's do it!
"I tell you what. How about we do this, you take that money that you planned on giving to me and donate it to Ana' favorite charity.
"Come on Grey just take it." Noah pleads.
Sorry guy, you're going down for this one and then you'll have to deal with the fall out. Ana won't like this at all!
"No thanks Shepherd." I say as I back up, preparing to walk away. "Like I said, a favorite charity of Ana's choice and we are good. Later."
I turn and walk away. Each step I take more painful than the other, as I leave the woman who I care for so deeply, with the man that she claims to love.
Fuck!
APOV
I'm hurt and embarrassed at the same time. Why would Noah offer Christian money to help me? He didn't do it for the money. I know he didn't but still, a tiny part of me wonders if he should have been reimbursed for his time and trouble.
Noah takes my hand I follow him silently, confused with my thoughts. I want to talk to Noah about this but not right now, it isn't a good time. Though I'm not sure if there will ever be a good time to discuss this. I've never felt uncomfortable speaking to Noah about anything, he's changed...or have I?
I don't know, he just seems different.
"Noah, why did you offer money to Christian? What he did, he did out of the goodness of his heart."
"Ana, I really am sorry. I'm making you doubt yourself aren't I? Believe when I say that wasn't my intent. I just think he's after more than just a friendship with you Ana. I liked the guy in the beginning but now when he looks at you I see it. He wants you Ana. You know that don't you?"
Oh shit! It's out now and I have to talk to him. We need to be honest if we want this work.
"Noah, I do know that."
"You do?"
"Yes, he told me so." I say quietly. "But I don't want him Noah, I want you. I love you Noah. You know that don't you?"
"Ana, let's sit." He surveys the area to make sure we are alone and we sit at the dock, our feet dipping in the water. I'm still in my white uni and I'm still wet. Noah is wearing a tank and some swim trunks. Perhaps I'll show him what I can do and he can join me in the water.
Noah takes a deep breath and say, "Ana please forgive me but, outside of practice and competition, I would prefer if you didn't see Christian."
Whoa, where did that come from.
"Noah, I only saw Christian when we went swimming and then we'd grab a bit to eat afterwards is all." I say quietly.
Noah takes another deep breath and asks, "Did you kiss him?"
A/N
And therein lies the question! What will Ana say and do?
Laters Baby!
Rosie :D