Chapter 09

APOV

I wake up with what I think is the worst hangover ever. I really feel like death. And to make matters worse, I'm not 100% sure I remember all of last night. I walk out into the kitchen and it appears I am only the second person awake. Christian is sitting at the table reading the Wall Street Journal and drinking coffee. "Are we the only ones up?" Stupid question but give me a break.

"Yes. I have a feeling they are all feeling pretty bad this morning."

"Was I really drunk last night?" He looks at me and has a small hint of a smile.

"Yes."

"Did I do anything embarrassing?"

"No. In fact, I think you had a pretty good time last night."

"Did you help me to bed?"

"I helped take your shoes off and walked you to your room."

"Why?"

"I didn't want to have to go to the hospital because you fell and broke your neck. I put some Advil and Sprite on the counter for you. There are also some bananas and pretzels. Eat those, they will make you feel better."

"Yes, Sir." He looks at me from the side of his eye and just shakes his head. But, I listen to him, take the Advil and consume the other things he left for me. "Thank you. I'll be right back." I head into the en suite in my room and brush my teeth.

When I'm finished, I realize I need some more Advil. I go out to the kitchen and Christian isn't there. So, I walk down the hall to his room. His door is shut but since it has been just a few moments I knock and open the door.

"Hey, Christian…" Before I have a chance to say anything else, I look up to see I've interrupted him in the middle of jerking off. We make eye contact and finally my senses return, "Oh, my God. I'm sorry!" I quickly shut the door behind me. I lean against the wall to catch my breath. That was so embarrassing, but also so, hot. I don't have any experience sexually with men but even I know he's - big. God, I am more turned on right now that I have ever been.

Before he has a chance to come out of his room, I quickly make my way back to my bathroom. Quietly, so I don't wake Mia, I take a shower to try and get the picture out of my head. I am only finding him attractive because of what I saw; that's it.

CPOV

Shit! Ana just walked in on me jerking off. I knew I shouldn't have done it. I never jerk off; but Ana, I am so attracted to her. I don't just want to fuck her - I don't know what I want. But I want… more. Last night when she was leaning against me in the limo I wanted to hold her all night long. She made me feel calm. I'm sure it's just because I haven't fucked anyone in a while and she was hot last night.

Even with the interruption, I come. I come a lot, more than I have before. After I catch my breath, I go into the bathroom and get in the shower to clean myself off and calm down. Despite all that, I am still a little hard. I take a long scorching hot shower so by the time I am done with the shower and dressed everyone else is awake and in the kitchen.

I join the others in the kitchen. I can't look at Ana but I act as if everything is normal. Everyone wants to go to Santa Monica for the day. The girls want to go to the beach and Elliot, Ethan, and I want to go surfing. Elliot and I haven't been surfing since we were teenagers but we had a lot of fun then. Either way, going to Santa Monica and splitting up for a little means it will buy me more time before I have to talk to Ana. I'm going to have to talk to her at some point but right now I don't know what to say.

I've decided to rent a suite at the Loews in Santa Monica so we have some place to relax and change clothes. We pile all our things into the waiting limo which takes us the half hour drive to the coast. We get to the hotel and check in. The girls head to the suite to change while Ethan, Elliot, and I go find the surf shop before hitting the beach. I am glad for this little reprieve from what happened this morning.

APOV

I'm glad it's just Kate, Mia, and me on the beach. I think I need time to think about what happened this morning. Actually, I'd like to just forget about this morning. A waiter brings us drinks from the bar. I didn't even know they had waiter service on the beach.

We lay on the loungers soaking in the sun talking about the wedding. "This feels so good," I comment aloud. "Kate, just think, in about a week you will be going to Barbados on your honeymoon."

"I know, I can't believe it. I am going to be Mrs. Elliot Grey." I'm not even looking at Kate and I can tell she is swooning.

"So, last night. I sang at karaoke, didn't I?" I still can't believe I got that drunk.

"Yeah, but you were really good." Kate sounds excited as she tells me.

"Seriously, Ana, everyone loved you," Mia says.

"I'm glad I did it in front of strangers who I will never see again." We spend the rest of the afternoon lounging and having drinks. We don't even see the boys once.

In the evening we head back to the suite to get ready for dinner and change. I change into a white cotton sundress with blue embroidery and spaghetti straps. Then I take my hair and put it in a messy top knot. We meet the guys in the hotel lobby. Christian looks gorgeous and I try to sneak peeks at him. The sun has brought out the copper highlights in his hair and his skin is sun-kissed.

We have a great dinner at Hillstone and then head back to Hollywood. I've been avoiding Christian all day since I don't even know what to say to him. When we get back to the house, I start packing my bags preparing to leave tomorrow. After this weekend, my life and job in Seattle will seem boring. But, there is now less than a week until Kate and Elliot get married.