I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy characters – those belong to E.L. James.
A/N: Again, thank you for the reviews and love for the story. I know it had been a while since I updated my last chapter, but I was able to get this up quickly because this chapter is key to the story. My goal is get a chapter up weekly, sometimes my time is taken up by real life and I just can't work on my story. Again, all reviews are appreciated!
Contract Negotiations
I can't believe I have a date tonight. I'm having dinner with Christian at six, at his place, but I haven't heard from him yet. Okay, it's only nine am and I'm sure the man has better things to do than text me right away, but I'm anxious. Just seeing him yesterday at the marina is putting all these delicious thoughts of the man in my head. The way he was dressed yesterday, he could have stepped out of some men's fashion magazine with he tousled hair and aviator sunglasses.
This is not like me to go to a stranger's home without someone I know. Who am I kidding? Christian's not a stranger. I mean, I let him kiss me already and I trust him. I don't think it would look very good if someone as high-profile as Christian Grey kidnaps or murders a young woman, so he's a safe bet. But I'm going to let Kate know that I'm meeting him at his place so someone knows. I wonder how it went with Elliot last night? I know they left the boat together, so I wonder if she had a sleepover?
I finally sit up in bed after staring at the ceiling for an hour thinking about Christian Grey. So of course, I'm looking directly at the closet again. I have to move out of here. I'm never going to escape Leila's ghost if I keep looking at it and it's haunting me. This is my dilemma as I don't want to move in with Kate and Ethan but I don't think I can afford an apartment on my own. Or least, I don't think I'll be able to afford anything more unless I give up eating.
Sticking with my usual routine for a Sunday morning, I need to call Ray. I have an urge to reach out to my mother as I haven't spoken to her in weeks. And when we do speak, the conversations aren't very long. It's more like pleasantries instead of an in-depth conversation. She really doesn't ask me much about what's going on my life and I honestly don't want to hear about her fourth husband, Bob. Leila was so much like Mom that I think how many husbands she would have had in her lifetime if she wanted to live.
I pick up my phone and dial Daddy. Since I didn't see him this weekend, I really need to call him. I'm sure he will want me to come down next weekend, but maybe I can convince him to come to Seattle. Ray Steele is not a city man and actually hates coming to Seattle, but he does visit me on occasion to make me happy.
I get his voicemail so he must be out fishing. It is cloudy out today, and if it's raining in Montesano, he is out fishing as he says the fish bite best in the rain.
I keep myself busy today as I can't be idle or the butterflies that are flying around in my stomach will make me sick. I clean my apartment, I go for a run, I get some laundry done, and I finally talk to daddy, which I have tentative plans to visit next weekend. I also look my closet for something to wear tonight. Nothing of Leila's, I decide as I don't want him to recognize any of her stuff that I still have.
I'm in the elevator of Escala, the building that Christian Grey lives in and I only wish I could live in a building like this! Of course, he has the penthouse, but I would be happy with a studio in the basement, but I'm sure that is even out of my price range. I adjust my floral romper that I decided to wear along with my lucky cowboy boots. Kate hates these damn boots and I always get a snide comment when I wear them in the summer, but I'm attached to them and I like how they look with the romper.
The elevator pings to alert me that I've arrived to the "PH", which is in red letters above me and the doors open smoothly. I step out into a foyer area which is decorated with a table with a large floral arrangement and paintings of the Madonna and Child? Such a weird place to hang such paintings. Am I going to his private residence or confession?
Before I knock on the door, it opens and there is gentleman in a suit standing there. He really isn't smiling at me, but his eyes are.
"Good evening Miss Steele. Mr. Grey is waiting for you. Please follow me", and I step through the doorway and I follow the suit.
"Mr. Grey, Miss Steele is here", he announces and I see Christian sitting on a large, white sofa. I'm trying to take in his very large apartment and I'm speechless! I must look like Alice in Wonderland as I never seen such a large apartment. This blows Kate and Ethan's place out of the water and I'm pretty fucking impressed with their place!
"Anastasia, I'm so glad that you're here", and he comes towards me. He is wearing a tight, light blue t-shirt and jeans that are just as tight that I see everything. As usual, his copper hair is all tousled and he smells amazing. He puts his arms around my waist and gives me a kiss on the lips. My only reaction is to kiss him back but he has me so tight in his embrace that I can't move my arms.
"Well, thank you for inviting me over, Mr. Grey", I say breathlessly when he finally removes his lips from my mouth. When he finally releases me, he steps away, almost out of touching distance.
"My pleasure. What can get you to drink? A glass of wine?"
"Water, please".
"Still or sparkling?"
"Oh a choice. I'll go with sparkling".
He smirks at me, "I'd watch that mouth, Miss Steele. It can get you into trouble". He turns around and heads towards his kitchen. His kitchen is huge with commercial-grade appliances, all in stainless steel. There is a large breakfast bar with six stools and pendant lighting that hangs above. The cabinetry is all dark wood with marble countertops. You could easily put three of my kitchens in his one and it looks like a dream to work in.
I step over to the large wall of glass and look out onto the balcony and the view of the Sound in the distance. When I briefly look to my right, I notice a large, black grand piano in corner. I wonder if he plays.
"Do you mind I go onto the balcony?", I ask him as I noticed the door is open.
"Not at all", he answers back, still in the kitchen. He is pulling wrappers and opening containers of food, laying them out on the breakfast bar.
I step out onto the balcony and let the warm air blow my long tresses around me and now I wished that I put it up or at least braided it. I wonder if Christian likes my hair up or down?
I'm at the railing and I can't believe how high up I am! I feel like I'm on top of the world, both physically and figuratively. I don't look down as I'm not a big fan of heights, but I just keep my sights out on the Sound and admire all the little, white dots on the water.
As I close my eyes for a brief moment, I feel Christian behind me, with his hard body up against mine. He encases me in with his arms around mine and he puts his hands on top of mine, on the railing. I can feel him nuzzle in on my neck and his warm breathe on my skin. He feels warm through his t-shirt, which I can feel on my bare back above my romper and I feel his erection on my lower back.
"You smell delicious Anastasia", and he starts to lick and nibble on my neck. The electricity I feel from him is going through my skin, giving me goosebumps. I feel the fire going through my veins as my body warms to the sensual assault on my body.
"Thank you", is all can manage through a breathy release from my lips. I'm so turned on that I can't even manage the words coming out of my mouth.
"You smell like strawberries", he breathes against me. "Big, juicy, strawberries that I want to suck on".
Fuck me! Nobody has talked dirty me like that, and that wasn't even dirty! My nipples are hard and it's not from the wind blowing all around us up on his balcony. That and my panties are soaking wet. I've never been this turned on before.
He spins me around and keeps my hands in a tight, vise-like grip behind my back and starts attacking my mouth with his. I kiss him back with the same energy and passion that he is giving me. He has me so wet from just kissing that I just want to start rubbing myself up against him for some release.
"So fucking sweet", he says and I let his warm breathe wash me over. "Come, let's have dinner", and he gently released my hands so they fall to my side and he grabs one hand and pulls me inside.
"I hope you don't mind sitting at the breakfast bar. I can set the table in the dining area, if you want", and he nods to a very large dining table.
"No, this is fine", I tell him as I pull a stool away from the bar. At each setting, there a creamy red soup in square bowls on top of a square plate and silverware.
"It's creamy, tomato gazpacho", he tells me.
I take slurp of my cold soup and it's delicious. "Did you make this?", I ask him before I take another taste.
He chuckles slightly. "No, I wish I could take credit for it, but I'm not a very good cook. My housekeeper, Mrs. Jones made dinner for us and left it in the fridge. I hope you like everything she's prepared".
I am a bit nervous about having dinner with him, which means I have a nervous stomach, I get through the gazpacho as it's not heavy and really is good.
After the soup, he serves us a steak salad, which is also delicious. He has a bottle of wine on the counter, which he is enjoying, but I'm still afraid to take a glass. He just keeps my sparkling water filled without me asking.
"I've noticed that you don't drink, Anastasia", he says while we are eating.
"I do on occasion, but I like to be with people I'm comfortable with when I drink".
"Are you not comfortable with me? I won't hurt you", and he grabs my hand the lightly rubs his thumb along my knuckles.
I look into his gray eyes and I know that he is telling the truth. "I am. Maybe I'll have one glass of wine. I do have to drive home". He gives me a soft smile and gets up to get a glass from the cupboard and pours me a glass of wine.
After dinner and I still have a half of glass of wine left as I've been taking small sips throughout the meal. "Come", he says and offers his hand to me. "There is something I want to discuss".
I take his hand. "You need help finding a place for those damn pictures of me you bought?". He laughs and then shakes his head.
"Oh no, I already have a place in mind", and his gray eyes twinkle like he has a secret place for them.
He brings me to what appears to be his home office. It's large and has the same floor to ceiling windows like the great room, which is behind a large, wooden desk. He has two large leather, wingback chairs in front of the desk and a large, ergonomic office chair behind the desk. That means he spends a lot time at this desk!
One of the walls is just floor to ceiling bookshelves with drawers and many of the shelves are filled with books. Most of them have titles with "Financial", "Global", and "Economic" referenced. He doesn't have any knickknacks, but doesn't seem like a guy that would. I also notice that there aren't any personal pictures, but a couple of large black and white photos of sailboats. I notice they are pictures of The Grace.
"These are beautiful", as I admire the pictures on the wall. "Are you sailing in these pictures?"
"Yes, along with my deckhand Mac. I wanted professional pictures of the boat since I would like to expand into ship building". Hmm, now I remember what he told me yesterday about having his sailboat designed and built by the best. "Have a seat, Anastasia", and waves his hand towards the chairs in front of his desk. He is leaning against his desk with his arms crossed against his chest.
I sit in the chair closest to him and I'm so nervous, I feel like I'm going to throw up the lovely dinner we just ate together. We both just stare at each other and I feel like I'm in the principal's office, but I'm not sure what my offense is. He finally runs his hands through his hair and lets out a sigh.
"I've never been in this situation before Anastasia, so you will have to forgive me. I like you, very much and I would have never pursued you like this, but I feel like there is something between us. Like a connection. I don't know, I'm just so drawn to you and it's not because you're Leila's sister. In fact, I feel more attracted to you than I ever did with her".
Oh my! More attracted to me than Leila? Is that even possible? "Okay", is all can manage because I don't know what to say. I mean, yes I'm attracted to him as well, more than I've felt for any other man, including Ethan.
"Here's the thing", he continues. "I don't do girlfriends or conventional relationships", and he air quotes "conventional relationships". "What I had with Leila and every other woman I've been with sexually with has been a contractual, sexual relationship".
What? I cock my head because now I'm confused. Did he say contractual, sexual relationship? Was Leila..a prostitute?
"What a minute. Are you into prostitutes? Was Leila one?" I gasp and put my hands up to my mouth. "Christian", I whisper, "I would never", and he stops me before I can finish.
"Anastasia, no, I don't do prostitutes! I'm a dominant and I contract submissives".
Jeez, what the fuck! A dominant? "Explain", because now I'm intrigued, scared of what he's into, and grateful it's not prostitution.
"I like control, in all things in my life. I need to control those that I have a sexual relationship with, so that is why I don't have a girlfriend or why you never see me out with women. I also like to fuck, fuck hard. Being a dominant lets me have control and lets me fuck the way I want to fuck".
"So you want to control me and fuck me, hard?" I barely choke out the question because I'm just baffled by this conversation.
"Very much. But more importantly, I want you to want me to control you".
I shake my head because I'm confused by what he wants. "I still don't understand. How would this work?"
He shrugs his shoulders. "Simple. We would have a contract that outlines the rules and our soft and hard limits". Rules? Limits? A fucking contract? This sounds like the most absurd thing ever and this is what Leila probably signed up with him.
"Was Leila your submissive?", I ask him.
He nods his head, "Yes".
"Did she break your rules? Is that why it ended?"
"No, she wanted to be more than a submissive, more like a girlfriend and I didn't want that, so I ended it with her".
Ah, dawn breaks over Marblehead for me and this explains her letter in a whole new light for me. "So, this explains the pleasure you gave her with the sex, but I still don't understand the pain".
He smirks and I see the twinkle in his eyes. The same twinkle from Friday night when he was so passionate about how GEH came to be.
"See, pleasure and pain are two sides of the same coin. You really can't have one without the other. As my submissive, you would need to abide by my rules. If you break one of the rules, you will be punished. The pain, which can also be pleasurable".
"What kind of punishment would you give me?", I ask hesitantly as I don't ever want to be punished. I mean, I was never punished as a child except for few time outs and grounding, but nothing physical.
"Well, those would be outlined in the soft and hard limits, but I wouldn't do anything that you couldn't handle".
"Handle? I've never been punished before so I don't know my limits".
"Well, have you ever been spanked?"
"Um, no".
"Ever?", and he has the most confused look on his face.
"Um, no".
He picks up a some papers that are on his desk next to him and he hands them to me. I take them, hesitantly as this must be the contract that he keeps referring to. Do I even want to look at these? I don't think this is the type of relationship I want to have with him, but I'm so curious about what this is all about.
"Before I review this", I look up at him. "Did Leila have a contract with you?"
"Yes".
"Same rules?"
"Yes, but limits were to her specific needs but I don't want to discuss those with you", he says to me.
"That's okay, I don't think I want to know", and I just shake my head because that would be too much information about my dead sister.
I read the contract without saying a word or look up at Christian. There are eight rules I need to abide by as his submissive.
1. Obedience
2. Sleep
3. Food
4. Clothes
5. Exercise
6. Personal Hygiene/Beauty
7. Personal Safety
8. Personal Qualities
Failure to comply with any of the above will result in immediate punishment, the nature of which shall be determined by the Dominant.
I know some people have mantras or, rules, that they live by. Klein and I have touched upon that in our sessions as it can help some people stay focused in their lives. In a way, I have my own rules like don't go home with strangers, I don't walk alone in the dark, and I don't drink unless I'm with someone I know. I have those rules because I don't want be attacked again, so it's a way of keeping my guard up. However, giving another person a set of "rules" so you can be with them is just weird!
After reading the contract, I don't look at Christian and I run my fingertips on the pages of the contract that is sitting my lap, like they words are in Braille and I'm reading them again blindly.
"What are you thinking?", he whispers.
"Well", I swallow the large lump in my throat because this pains me little to tell him my thoughts. "I have a problem with your rules, specifically the first one. I also don't want to be punished for not following your rules", I say softly.
"Let's talk about it", he says. "Forget about the punishments for now. Why do you specifically have a problem with obedience?"
"Jeez, dogs are suppose to be obedient! I mean, I understand that you may want me to do something that you ask of me, but sexual activity deemed fit and pleasurable by the dominant? I don't want to be humiliated!" Now that I've said that aloud, I'm appalled by this rule.
"Anastasia, I would never do anything to you to humiliate you. A big component of the D/s relationship is trust. You would have to put complete trust in me that I won't debase or humiliate you, or have you do something you are not comfortable with".
I shake my head still in confusion. "But why? I mean, I trust you, but why do you need this?"
He runs he hands through his hair again, completely exasperated by my questions. "Because, I need control. It's the only way I can function. I need you to act a certain way, a way that pleases me". He looks down while he grinds his jaw and then looks back at me. "Wait right here", he says to me and stalks out of his study. Where did he go?
I look through the other rules while he is gone.
Sleep - I won't have a problem with that rule.
Food - we will need to talk about that one! Not that I'm a big snacker, but I still don't want anyone telling me what and how often I need to eat!
Clothes - I'm not sure how I feel about taking clothes in exchange for sex. This would explain all the designer clothes Leila had as I know she wouldn't have been able to afford some of the dresses and shoes she had. This would kind of make me feel like a prostitute.
Exercise - I exercise now and I don't have the money for a personal trainer, so he will just have to accept my current workout.
Personal Hygiene/Beauty - Shaved and waxed? At all times? I don't know about the waxing. From what I hear, it hurts! Again, something that would cost money that I don't have. But I have a feeling that these services would be paid for and it brings me back to the whole "feeling like a prostitute".
Personal Safety - No brainer as this is part of my personal mantra.
Personal Qualities - Another no brainer, except misbehaving when not in the presence of the dominant. If he's not there, how will he know?
Just then, Christian is back in his study and he has one of hands behind his back and he comes and kneels down in front of me. He takes the contract and puts it on his desk behind him. "If you trust me Anastasia, then you will let do something to you. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. Okay?"
I nod because I've already told him that I trust him, and I do. From behind is back, he produces an airline mask. "Sit on your hands", he commands. I lift my butt and put my hands underneath so I'm sitting on them. "Good girl", he whispers and then slips the mask over my eyes. I can't see anything and it seems that my breathing is getting heavier. Am I turned on by this?
He starts to kiss me along my jaw line, and though I have an eye mask on, I still close my eyes as it feels so good. His kisses move down along my neck and I feel the trail of fire he leaves on my skin. My nipples are hard and I'm moist between my legs again.
He starts to unbutton my romper and they are all undone as the buttons only go to my waist. As he does each button, his kisses trail down my chest and through the valley of my breasts. He moves the material down my arms so I'm just in my bra above my waist.
He pops each of breast from my bra so they are trussed up. "So beautiful", he whispers and I try my best to stifle a moan. He starts to kiss my right breasts and finally takes my nipple in his mouth. As he starts to nip and suck and he pinches my left one and I finally let the moans escape. I just can't hold it back.
This is the most amazing thing I'm feeling and that incredible feeling is building up inside of me. It feels so good and starting to rumble through my body. As my moans get louder, his bites and pinches become harder so that they are painful. And the harder it does it to me, my moans become louder because the pleasure is intense. His words come to my mind, "pleasure and pain are two sides of the same coin".
"Oh baby, you're so responsive. You like that, don't you?", he breathes and continues by switching breasts. "I'm going to make you come like this", and as soon as he says that, I feel it. I start to rock back and forth slightly to get some friction between my legs, but the feeling so intense that I finally scream and I'm not even sure what I'm saying.
Once I come down my orgasm high, I feel him moving up my neck and then jawline with his kisses while I'm panting. He finally stops and then removes the eyemask.
"See Anastasia", and I open my eyes and his dark, gray eyes are right in front me. "If you trust me to be your dominant I can bring you both pleasure and pain. From what I just heard, I think you enjoyed yourself very much. I can take you places and make you feel things you've never experienced before".
"I think that was the most intense orgasm I've had", I breathe out finally as I'm still panting. Jeez Steele, maybe you need obedience t if you are acting like a dog!
He kindly tucks my breasts back into my bra and buttons up my romper so that I am no longer exposed. I keep my thighs closed tights against each other as I still feel like I need some sort of friction between my legs.
"So", he stands back up and leans against the desk. "Do you have any further questions about obedience " Smug bastard! He distracted me with his mind blowing orgasm so I wouldn't question it further.
"No", I whisper.
"Do you want to discuss the other rules?", he asks.
"Well, the food rule will be a problem", I tell him.
"And why is that? It's important that you eat a healthy diet".
"Do I seem fat to you? I would rather have control of what I put in body since you will control everything else about my body", I hiss at him.
The bastard just smirks at me. "No Anastasia, I don't think you're fat but certain foods are not good for the body and changes Ph balance. But we can revise it if need be".
"Clothes. I don't like the idea of you buying clothes for me. I know that you bought them for Leila and I am assuming that you bought her the designer labels that she had in her closet".
"Yes, I did buy Leila clothes and yes I can afford to buy you the same expensive, designer clothes as well. Why is that a problem?"
"I feel like the clothes will be in exchange for sexual favors. I mean, you might as well leave money for me on the nightstand after you are done fucking me".
"Anastasia, our arrangement is nothing like prostitution. Please get that out of your head!", and he is getting angry at me. "Part of my job as a Dom is to take care of you and if I want gift you with clothes, then you will just accept that. That is what a submissive is suppose to do".
"Fine", I concede. He provide me with all the expensive clothes he wants, doesn't mean I have to wear them!
"I work out now a couple times a week. Mostly running but on occasion Kate and I take a yoga class together. It's more her thing than mine. Shouldn't that fulfill your exercise requirement?", and I cock my head to the side.
"As long as you do four hours of exercise a week, then I'm fine with it. But I would prefer that you met with a personal trainer. In fact, you would be meeting with my personal trainer, Claude. He's an ex-Olympian kickboxer".
"Why four hours a week? I don't think I can afford your ex-Olympian trainer. I'm sure he's expensive".
"You will need your stamina when you are with me, that is why you need to work out four hours, if not more. Anastasia, please don't be concerned about the cost of hiring a trainer or any other goods or services outlined in the contract. Again, as long as you're my submissive, I will take care of you". Jeez, simple as that!
"So then I guess you will take care of all my waxing and other hygiene maintenance appointments? And the last two are not a problem", I say softly because now I'm just exhausted about reviewing rules and regulations so I can intimate with this beautiful man in front of me. He just nods his head at me.
"Well, Mr. Grey, it's getting late and I have work in the morning", and I stand up from the leather chair.
"You don't want to discuss soft and hard limits?", he asks.
"Um, I'm not sure if we're there yet. I haven't agreed to your rules yet, so I don't see the need to discuss limits yet".
He raises an eyebrow at me. "Fair point, Miss Steele. So will consider my proposition?", he asks.
"Yes, but I'm really not sure about it. I mean, I'm very attracted to you and you gave me an amazing orgasm here tonight, but I don't think I can be bound to a contract".
He puts his hands on my arms and pulls me closer to him. He starts to rub my arms and I feel the goosebumps again while he is touching me. "Please Anastasia, think about it. I very much want to be with you. Read it through over the next few days. Do some research and may be we can meet this week to discuss it further and I can answer any questions. Okay?", and puts his finger under my chin so I can look into his pleading, gray eyes.
"Okay", I whisper. "I'll think about it".
He walks me out to the foyer and waits with me with the elevator is being summoned up to retrieve me.
"I'm should be free Tuesday night. Would you like to meet for dinner?", he asks quietly.
I turn to face him. "I can't Tuesday night as I have an appointment".
He shakes his head. "I'll call you. Maybe we can meet Wednesday, but I have to check my schedule for work", and just then the elevator pings and the doors open.
"Thank you Mr. Grey for a lovely dinner. You have a beautiful home", and lean up and give him a soft kiss on the lips.
"My pleasure Anastasia", he breathes. I turn away from him and step into the elevator and I give him a soft smile as the door close between us.
A/N: I am referencing the same contract that is in the original book, but just did an outline of it for this story.