Chapter Nine

Finally ready for the wedding, Ana turns to Christian, not even realizing that she's asking his approval until he says, "Perfect." Moving close enough to trail a finger along the slightly immodest "V" of her cleavage, spreading heat through her body, he adds, "Though this is a little distracting."

An echo of pleasure left in the wake of his touch, Ana's legs are trembling slightly as she rather breathlessly reminds him, "Hey, you bought it. And we need to go."

Taking a step back, for both their sakes, Christian spreads his arms wide and glances down, saying, "What about me?"

Smiling, Ana says, "Christian, I've seen you in a tux before. Though that is one of my favorite looks on you."

Gesturing that she should precede him out the door, Christian comments, "I thought my gray suit and tie was your favorite?"

Her equilibrium further threatened by memories, Ana groans and says, "Just the tie, actually. And you need to stop doing that. Today is about Jacque and Felice."

Christian chuckles and says, "Fair enough. Though I don't recall ever wearing just the tie. Maybe we'll try that tonight."

Another groan and Ana asks, "Are you going to torture me all evening?"

"Depends."

"On?"

Smiling at his own cleverness, Christian promises, "If you're a good girl, I'll also torture you all night." When she suddenly spins on her heel and returns to the bedroom, he asks, "Ana?"

Not turning, Ana says, "With you in this mood, I'll need a spare pair of panties."

Eventually on their way to the mariner, with Taylor driving, Christian asks, "Do you think we're the only guests?"

"Could be. They're both orphans and have no siblings. Jacque never knew his family. Felice, for obvious reasons, doesn't want much to do with her in-laws, and her few friends have been very cool since she announced the engagement."

"Fuckers. They're okay with paying him for sex, but they don't approve of her marrying him?"

"Perhaps they don't want a reminder of their indiscretion." With a grin, Ana proposes, "Or maybe they're just sore that he's off the market."

"And do you think she's proceeding without a pre-nup?"

Smiling, Ana says, "She wanted to. But Jacque insisted on it; stubbornly refusing to go through with the marriage until she agreed. Maybe I should have done that?"

"If you'd been a sub, or an escort, maybe I'd have let you."

"You paid your subs?"

"Not actually. But they were financially supported for the duration of the contract, and permitted to keep any items I'd bought them in the interim."

Noting his sudden unease, Ana asks, "You're still uncomfortable talking about them?"

With a shrug, Christian says, "Just not something I'm particularly proud of. I used them and they got so little in return; not even really much of my time. I'm amazed any of them lasted more than a month."

It's the first time Christian has expressed such particular regret about that part of his life, so Ana carefully chooses her words before saying, "They were all consenting adults. No one forced them to do anything, least of all you. Even part of the Christian Grey package is pretty damn good. I'd have settled for that."

Unable to conceal his shock, Christian asks, "You'd have subbed for me?"

With a nervous nod at an idea that she's barely been brave enough to consider, Ana remembers they're not alone and quietly reveals, "Uh, huh. If it was the only way I could be with you, and we hadn't fucked up with that beating; yes, I'd have cooked your weekend meals and washed your butt plugs for you." With a grin, she adds, "I'd have been terrible at it, but I'd have done it."

His grin confirming that he's joking, Christian says, "Well, fuck, Ana. If you'd just told me this before we got married, I could have saved a lot of time and money."

Slipping an arm through his, Ana leans on his shoulder and says, "I dunno; it seems to be working out okay so far."

Christian kisses her temple and says, "So-so. I love you, Anastasia."

Ana sighs her pleasure and says, "You don't always call me that anymore."

"No. I'm sorry; not sure why."

Resting one hand over his heart, Ana says, "Not a complaint, darling. Hearing it only every now and then means it has so much more power when you say it, especially in that tone of voice. I like that it's special."

"You're special."

"And you're very mushy today, Mr. Grey."

"I guess it's the wedding. Something about billionaire abuse survivor and her gigolo finding true love seems to defy all the odds."

"I think anyone finding true love defies the odds. We're very lucky."

Taylor is parking the car, forestalling further comment. Christian exits and offers Ana his hand to assist. She almost gracefully manages to get herself and the champagne-colored chiffon evening gown out of the car, but hasn't taken a step before his firm grip stops her. Bending to bestow a tender kiss on the back of her hand, Christian says, "Yes, I am."

Felice's stunning yacht "butin de guerre" is appropriately decorated for the evening wedding; every suitable surface supporting fairy lights and multi-hued flower garlands. As they'd suspected, Ana and Christian are the only guests. Despite this break with tradition, the civic ceremony is quite moving, Ana managing to keep her emotions in check enough not to cry. They festoon the happy couple with petals, and even Felice's permanent staff join in the congratulations. The chef outdoes himself with a splendid meal. Replete, Ana takes a sip of champagne and begs Jacque, "Tell me how you proposed."

Jacque laughs lightly and says, "We told you."

"Felice told me. I want to hear your version."

Gazing lovingly at his new wife, Jacque says, "A little while after we said goodbye to you, our time together was drawing to a close. Flick had been…off, all day. I didn't think much of it, because I was also depressed about maybe never seeing her again."

Felice interrupts, "You didn't tell me that."

Smiling and lifting her hand to his lips, Jacque then says, "I'm glad that I hid it well. When she said that we needed to talk, and then produced legal papers, I was irrationally terrified that she was about to terminate the contract early. So I couldn't immediately process what I was reading and hearing."

Felice smilingly interjects, "You asked me to repeat what I'd just said."

Also smiling, Jacque says, "Which was that you were giving me half of your considerable wealth and asking me to stay."

Turning her beatific gaze on Ana and Christian, Felice reiterates, "He refused, but knelt down to offer a counter proposal."

Beaming at the happy couple, Christian says, "So, you're unemployed, Jacque?"

Jacque laughs and says, "I guess so, though I have some money saved. Oh, and I've a business proposition for you…to discuss another time."

Intrigued but wary, Christian merely nods and lifts his glass, saying, "Welcome to Seattle. Will you look for a place right away, or live on this monstrosity for a while?"

With perhaps partly sincere umbrage, Felice says, "I'd take it as a personal favor if you didn't refer to my home like that. And, yes, we're looking. Jacque is a city boy, but I'd prefer something further out of town, so it could take a while."

After a lovely evening of conversation and music, Ana notices the signs that Felice has had enough. Approaching Christian, where he is discussing something with Jacque, she gently puts a hand on his shoulder. Looking up at her touch, he smiles and asks, "Time to go?"

Grateful that he's perceptive and amenable, Ana nods, even as she gestures to Jacque that Felice has one of her headaches. After almost tearful farewells, eased by the fact that the newlyweds will now practically be neighbors, Ana and Christian head back to Escala. Once in the car, he asks, "What was that code you have with Pretorius?"

With a quiet smile, Ana asks, "Jealous?"

Also smiling, Christian shakes his head and says, "Curious…mostly."

Thinking that, not so long ago, an angry demand for answers would have been his response to her having a secret with another man, Ana doesn't hesitate to explain, "It's not something Felice likes to discuss, but she has persistent symptoms from when her first husband hit her with a hammer. She often gets headaches and tires very easily. When they decided to settle here, Jacque asked me to keep an eye out for it, as the symptoms get worse when Felice ignores them."

Christian nods and says, "Post-concussion syndrome. Though I've never heard of symptoms persisting for so long."

From the front seat, Taylor says only, "I have."

Staring their driver for a second, Christian says, "Yes, I suppose so." To Ana, he continues, "I had it for a while when I was young; one of those risk-taking activities I told you about. Grace was beside herself, because I could have easily died before she found out about the concussion. It made me finally begin to accept that my actions had an effect on other people; good or bad. Before that it was just a constant struggle to be…normal, I guess."

Ana nods and says, "You mentioned once that you didn't feel like you fit in with your adoptive family?"

"Yes. I…it seemed like no matter what I did, how hard I tried, it was never good enough."

Surprised, Ana says, "That doesn't sound like Grace or Carrick."

Christian smiles and says, "It wasn't. Any activity I showed an interest in, they encouraged and supported me. Every milestone I achieved, they congratulated and rewarded me." A hint of the smile lingering, he continues, "And only now can I imagine their delight the first time I refused to eat something. Even if I hadn't been practically starving when they found me, there's no way I would have dared not empty my plate. I was terrified that any hint of rebellion would make them get rid of me. So I pushed myself, excelled at everything I could, all the while waiting for a hand on my shoulder and the news that I would be returned to my old life."

Her heart breaking for him, and hoping to lighten the mood, Ana asks, "What food?"

Christian grimaces and says, "Fava beans. Still can't stand them. I think it's the texture."

Ana smiles at his expression and says, "Me, neither. It feels like they're choking me. What made you feel not good enough? You said something once about feeling less than perfect?"

After considering a moment, Christian nods and says, "Yes. Imagine what a state I was in when they found me; skinny, beaten, filthy…putrid really, my hair long and unkempt. For so long I'd been told that I was shit – often literally – until I finally accepted that as my truth. Now imagine if they'd put nice, clean clothes over all that and treated me with kindness. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I think so. No matter what happened, no matter how much they loved you, underneath you still felt like that dirty little boy?"

"Do, sweetheart, though you're certainly helping to alter that believe. Elliot was an orphan, yes, but he didn't have any of my issues. So, from where I stood, everything seemed to come so easily to him. And Mia…despite all the pretty things in that house, I didn't really understand the concept of true beauty until I saw her as a baby. Everything else paled in comparison. And you've met my parents. How the hell can anyone compete with them? Carrick, though his presence terrified me in the early days, soon became a constant source of strength in my life; an unfaltering example of what I could never hope to achieve. And I still sometimes fancy that Grace is more than human. She seems almost too good to be real."

Ana smiles and says, "She certainly does live up to her name." Nervous of the answer, she hesitates before asking, "But this is changing now? You said that I'm helping?"

Lifting her face to his with a gentle hand on her chin, Christian kisses her and says, "Yes, baby. Only you can. Though everyone who cares for me has made a difference."

Not willing to let that one slide, Ana cautiously corrects him, "They don't care for you, Christian."

After a deep sigh, Christian slowly nods once and says, "Everyone who loves me." One eyebrow raised and a quiet smile on his lips, he asks, "Satisfied?"

Leaning against him, offering them both comfort, Ana says, "I will be when you really believe it. Thank you, for explaining all that. It sort of makes sense, even though I can't really relate to what you felt back then. But how did…you're so good at everything. How could you achieve so much when you never felt worthy of success?"

She feels rather than sees Christian's shrug, and then he says, "Exactly because nothing ever felt like enough. I didn't require trophies, diplomas, or other ostentatious measures of success. But I almost viscerally needed to do well at anything I tried; couldn't put a task aside until I'd mastered it. Plus my compulsions required…require, perfection in all things. Also, there was the lingering fear of poverty driving me on. I don't know what would have stopped me if you hadn't come along."

Finally at ease, Ana says, "Darling, you haven't stopped. You've barely slowed down."

Christian chuckles and says, "Well, when you've being going at breakneck pace for years, slowing down feels like stopping."

Suddenly weary, Ana only smiles at that and then says, "I think maybe I've got the perfect nickname for you."

His tone mildly threatening, Christian says only, "Oh?"

Lifting her head to gaze lovingly at him, Ana reveals, "Cuddly Christian."

Erupting in laughter, echoed by a derisive snort from Taylor, Christian then says, "I don't think so, baby."

Supremely confident of both the accuracy of her statement, and his understandable resistance to the idea, Ana maintains, "It's who you were meant to be. I catch a glimpse of him every now and then."

Her love for him only grows when Christian silently considers her words, slowly nodding as he then says, "Perhaps. Certainly you bring that out in me." With a grin, he adds, "Though nowadays I'm quite partial to 'bastard' as a term of endearment."

With all that she feels for him in her voice and her eyes, Ana tenderly reaffirms, "Bastard."

Christian is already awake and in his office when Ana wakes the next morning. Confident that he can now tolerate a different kind of play, she manages to sneak up on him and cover his eyes, even as she says, "Guess who?"

He startles, but his quick reflexes keep him from overreacting, and Ana feels his eyes crinkle with humor when he asks, "Angie?"

Too shocked at his temerity even to be angry, Ana exclaims, "No, it's fucking not."

"Patricia?"

Ana knows that he's playing, but she can't stop that unpleasant feeling of jealousy rising within her as she pouts, "Not her, either."

Christian appears to give it some thought and says, "Oh, I know; Mandy?"

It's too much. Ana drops her hands from his eyes and makes to storm off, saying, "Fuck you, Grey."

Of course, Ana hasn't taken a step before Christian hauls her onto his lap and kisses her well enough to make up for his teasing. Somewhat appeased, she protests, "That wasn't nice. I was just playing."

Unrepentant, Christian grins and says, "So was I. I'm just better at it than you are."

His playful mood dispelling any lingering resentment, Ana laughs and says, "Yes, I guess you won that round." Having resisted the urge to look at what was so engrossing that he could be surprised, she asks, "Why are you working this early, and on a Saturday? More problems?"

Swiveling Ana on his lap so she can see the computer screen, Christian explains, "No, baby; not more than on an average day, anyway. Pretorius sent me the details of that business proposal. Oh, and I'm going to throw a party for them; sort of let everyone who matters know that they have my support. It won't stop the rumors that will undoubtedly follow them from the east coast, but it might keep people from giving them a hard time."

Ana leans back to kiss him and says, "I think that's a wonderful idea. Thank you, Christian." Returning her attention to the screen, to see what is to her meaningless charts and graphs, she asks, "So what's this proposal; any good?"

"It is. He wants to open a Mixed Martial Arts gym downtown. There're a few others making a half-hearted attempt at it. But there's room for more, and he really knows his stuff. I'd say this is exactly why he's been saving his pennies. Did you know he's an Ultimate Fighting champion? And he's already attracted interest from other experts; a former Olympic wrestler for one. I'm not only keen to invest, but may join."

"You're tired of Claude?"

"Not at all. But he only knows kickboxing, which is distance fighting. I'm sure you can guess why I never went in for any sport that involved grappling or other close fighting techniques. Now that I can tolerate being touched, it's time to expand my skills."

Worried that he perceives some threat she's overlooked, Ana asks, "Because?"

As if it's obvious, Christian says, "Because I like to excel."

Glad that he's so at ease with a personality trait that is at least in part a symptom of the abuse he suffered as a child, Ana smiles and says, "Yes, you do. Can I come, too?"

Immediately wary, Christian says, "When Bastille thinks you're ready, sure. But you've just started classes, Ana. I've been doing this for years. I'd prefer you stayed with private lessons, for now. It's too easy for an instructor to miss something in a larger class."

His concern for her the one trait that never seems to diminish, Ana sighs and says, "Okay, but only because you didn't actually make it an order, and I enjoy classes with Claude." Smiling at the memory, she says, "Funny that I met him before meeting you. He doesn't remember, of course."

Suddenly anything but at ease, Christian demands, "What?"

Again sighing, praying for calm, Ana says, "This is usually where I reassure you that I haven't done anything wrong. How about we try something different this morning?"

Christian glowers at her for a few seconds. His face suddenly transforming with a radiant smile, he says, "You're right. I'm sorry. I'd love to hear how Claude could fail to remember meeting someone as unforgettable as you. But I trust you and can live without knowing."

It's so much more than she was expecting and Ana gapes at him for a moment before saying, "I just meant that you don't need to be jealous. I've only ever been attracted to you." Shaking her head slightly at his generous display of trust, she explains, "We didn't actually speak. The day I met you, he was coming out of your office, saying something about golf. He looked right at me and smiled. That's it."

Christian smiles and says, "Stupid fucker. He didn't even hit on you?"

Catching his sudden good humor, Ana shakes her head and smilingly says, "Not a word. I'm not sure he even really saw me."

Suddenly serious, Christian says, "But I did."

Her body heating up in reaction to his sudden ardor, Ana agrees, "Yes, you did." Having recognized her answering passion, Christian is untying the sash at her waist when she reminds him, "Driving lesson."

Standing, with Ana in his arms, Christian carries her towards the chaise lounge as he says, "Don't worry, baby. I'll make the knots good and tight."

Her groin tightening almost painfully in response to this promise, Ana knows she's only minutes away from her first orgasm for the day. She groans and says, "It's not fair that you can do that to me so easily."

Whipping the sash from her waist, the silk hissing as he does so, Christian says, "Not fair? Baby, I've been hard since you covered my eyes."

Having been on his lap this entire time, Ana giggles and says, "Well, that's true." When he suddenly stands and walks away from her, she asks, "Christian?"

Smiling, even as his motions explain his purpose, Christian says, "Just shutting the door, baby. And I kind of like it that you forgot."

Realizing that, just for a moment, there had been literally no thought in her mind other than her lover and what he was about to do to her, Ana shakes her head a little and says, "What have you done to me?"

Kneeling beside her, gently unveiling her naked body with a casual caress, Christian's eyes are alight with passion as he says, "Do you know what the Pope asked Michelangelo, on seeing the sculptor's exquisite portrayal of David?"

Already almost lost in sensation, Ana gulps at the power of her feelings for Christian and says, "Nope. What?"

"How do you know what to cut away?" When Ana smiles, Christian continues, "You've guessed; Michelangelo replied, 'It's simple. I just remove everything that doesn't look like David."

Author's Note: I take it, from your gentle nagging, that this one was a little late? Sorry about that. I was nursing my mother through minor surgery. If you've ever tried to make someone obey you, when they have at one time wiped your ass, you'll know why I didn't have time for writing. She's now well enough to drive and I'm back at my desk. Do keep up the nagging, if I'm taking too long. It has no hope in hell of making me go any faster, but it makes me feel loved;-)

I think this one is winding down, unless you have a burning question about how a kinky billionaire and former virginal student mesh two very different lives together? Thanks to AriadneInNaxos for wondering about Christian's feeling of "wrongness", in relation to his adoptive family. I'll address cra8tiveink's question next chapter. As always, thoughts, comments, questions or concerns all welcome and, thank you, for reading.