Chapter 15

APOV

Christian drives us about a half-hour north to Edmonds. I have no idea what we are doing but so far I have had so much fun that I'm not worried. We head to the marina and I see the signs - Seattle Whale Watching. "I have always wanted to do this! This is so exciting!" I am practically giddy.

He gives me a sweet smile, "Come on. Our boat is ready for us."

"There's no one else here. Don't we have to wait for the other passengers?"

"There are no passengers, Anastasia. It's just us and the crew." I think I am swooning. And to think just a few weeks ago I thought he was an arrogant jerk. We walk up to a boat called the Chillkat.

As we get to the boat, a man comes out to greet us. "Mr. Grey, I'm Captain Pete. Very nice to meet you. We'll head out to the San Juan Islands; we've seen some humpbacks and orcas there for the past few days so the chances are high. Then, on the way back we'll cruise by Smith Island to see some sea lions and seals."

"Sounds great, thank you, Captain." Christian looks at me and squeezes my hand before he leads me onto the boat. We take a seat and immediately smell blueberry muffins.

The naturalist guide smiles at us, "that's the blueberry buckle you smell. It's baked fresh on board." We aren't out on the water for very long before the guide spots some whales. "If you look to your left it looks like there is a pod of orcas on a hunt."

Christian and I move to the left side of the boat for a better look. "Christian, look, there's a baby one!" He wraps his arm around my shoulders and gives me a kiss on my temple. The cruise takes a few hours and we see not only whales but sea lions, otters, and aquatic birds too. When we get back to the marina, Christian doesn't let go of my hand until we get to his car.

"It's almost seven. I should take you back since you have work tomorrow." He drives me back to the Westin where I asked them to hold my luggage for me so I could check out. "Let me carry your bags to your car."

"Oh, I don't have a car, I'll just take a cab."

"I'll drive you home." It's not as much a question as a command.

"Christian, I'm fine taking a cab. You don't have to go out of your way."

"Where do you live?"

"I just moved to the Cornelius Apartments on Blanchard."

"It's not out of my way. It's two minutes from my place. Please, let me."

"OK. I will let you. But I would like to state that I don't need a ride." He laughs at me, steps closer to me with my head in his hand and leans down to give me a sweet kiss.

CPOV

We get to Ana's apartment building and the elevator is out of service for routine maintenance. She tries to argue with me but I carry her bags for her up the steps to the 3rd floor where her apartment is located. It is an old building but was renovated recently. She opens her apartment door and we walk through a narrow hallway to her living room.

"Well, it's not much, but it's home." Ana takes her bags from me and puts them in what I assume is her bedroom. There aren't any other rooms in the apartment. I just stand in her living room looking around. I don't need to walk around for a tour since I can see everything right from where I am standing. "Can I get you something to drink or anything?"

"Sure. I'll have whatever you're having." I really don't want her waiting on me; I should be the one to take care of her. She comes out holding a couple of bottles of water.

"Do you want a glass?" Ana asks me as she sits down on her sofa. Besides a beanbag chair in the corner next to some bookshelves, this is the only place to sit in the room.

"This is perfect, thank you, Ana." I have a seat next to her. "How long have you lived here?"

"I guess it's been a few weeks now. Kate said I could stay in the old apartment but her parents purchased it for her and I know they weren't charging me enough rent as it was. It's a little quiet, though."

"Living alone?"

"Yeah, sometimes I just miss having someone to talk to when I get home."

"I've never paid attention. I am usually in my office working when I am home."

"Really? You don't do anything to relax?"

"I exercise. That's about the extent of it."

"There's a gym in this building but I've never used it. I don't really know anyone in the building so I feel a little weird. The neighbors at the old apartment were really friendly."

"I don't think I know anyone who lives near me. I prefer it that way."

"You really are a private person." Before I can say anything else, her phone rings.

"Sorry, I have to take this… Hello?" Ana looks like she is hearing some bad news. "Really tomorrow? That early? No, that's fine. I'll see you at 6. Thanks, Mary." Ana hangs up and exhales.

"What's the matter?"

"Ugh… my boss has this one writer who is really demanding. He's insisting on meeting with us at 6 tomorrow morning to review his new manuscript. I've read it and it's not his best work. I don't know what my boss is going to tell him."

"I better let you go so you can get some sleep then." I don't want to go but I know it's late and she has to get up for work tomorrow. I start to get up from the sofa before I change my mind.

"I'm sorry. But, I did have a really nice time today." Ana takes my hand as I walk towards her front door.

When I get there, I stop and look at her. "I had the best time today, Ana. Thank you." I feel a sudden jolt of electricity and I think she feels the same. I lean down and kiss her passionately, my hands hold her head close to me. I want to consume her and not let her go. Our kiss grows more and more lascivious. I press her back against the front door unable to get enough of her. I break this kiss with her for just enough time to allow her to catch her breath.

Then I barrage her with kisses on her nose, cheeks, and eyes. Then I kiss her neck. When I get to her earlobe, I nip it a little bit. She cries out a little, "oh, Christian…" I move my hands so I am holding them around her waist and slowly start to inch her dress up.

At that moment, I stop and plant a kiss on the tip of her nose. She looks up at me in shock. "You have to get up early tomorrow and if I don't stop now I won't be able to. Can I call you tomorrow?"

She gives me a sweet smile and looks down as she blushes. "I'd like that. Thank you, Christian, for everything."

"Good night, Anastasia."