Ana POV
I wake up early and shower before I pack an overnight bag and head downstairs to meet Kate. I always try to travel light but it never works so I decide to take a small suitcase and pack a light denim shirt for tomorrow and a pair of white jeans. I also decide to borrow Kate's plum dress incase we go anywhere that requires me to dress up a little more than casual. I do have my own dresses but this one of Kate's is my favourite and all my dresses are for partying, not restaurants. I have no idea what we are going to do today so I dress casual in skinny jeans, an oversized grey knit sweater and dark grey Converse. I throw my makeup bag and a pair of black heels into my suitcase too along with some sleep shorts and a tank top from Victoria's Secret. Checking that I have everything I need, I head down the stairs to meet Kate who is already in the kitchen waiting for me.
"Am I late?"
"No don't worry I didn't take as long getting everything together as I expected. Do you have anything in mind for us to do today after I'm done with the interview?"
"I was thinking maybe just walking around Hyde Park? And stopping at my favourite shop of course because it isn't far away."
"I don't understand why you spend so much money on underwear Ana really I mean it's not like you have a boyfriend to see it…or have you met someone?"
"It just makes me feel better when it matches! And I don't know yet, we'll see."
"Hmm, we better get going or we'll miss the train, I want to go to Starbucks first."
We head out of the house and Kate runs through the questions she has for the interview as we walk.
"Oh my God Kate! You can't ask the man if he's gay!"
"Why not? He hasn't been photographed with any women and there is no mention of him dating anyone."
"He's not gay."
"How do you know?"
"I erm…I just didn't get that vibe from him when we were in the meeting."
"Well I'm still going to ask the question anyway, it might knock him off his high horse for once he seems like such an ass"
"Kate you haven't met him…"
"And you have for what, an hour?" She cuts me off, "Ana I'm telling you there is something about him that doesn't seem right to me."
With that she pulls out her phone and frowns.
"What?"
"Nothing, come on lets check the timetable before we get coffee."
The train is on time so I head over to Starbucks to get in line and order for us both. Ever since that text Kate got she has been acting a little strangely. I ignore it and blame it on nerves because Christian doesn't have the best reputation in the world but she'll meet him and change her mind I'm sure. I hand Kate's coffee to her and we head to the platform just as the train is pulling in.
"Where are we?" I ask, expecting to be in a coach further back and having to walk to the other end of the platform.
"First Class," she says icily.
"Kate are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just a little nervous, sorry Ana." She flashes a quick smile.
We find our seats and not long after I sit down I get a text from Christian.
"Safe travels Miss Steele. I look forward to seeing you soon. Christian."
"Oh my."
"Ana what is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Christian, I mean Mr Grey just sent me a text," I say as I pass my phone to her.
"Wow Grey, subtle."
"You knew?!"
"I knew something was going on between you," she winks at me and I decide to finally fill her in on everything that happened last week.
"Ana he likes you!"
"Why me? He's the CEO of a huge company and I'm just, me."
"Well I know he cares about you or he wouldn't have convinced us to stay overnight and paid for this upgrade, he's thought of everything."
"You're reading into this too much Kate."
"We'll see Ana, we'll see."
The rest of the journey goes by so quickly that I don't realise that we have arrived at Kings Cross Station until Kate gently pokes me and tells me to move so we can get our luggage. We head outside to try and find a taxi but just as Kate is about to call for one, I spot Taylor.
"Miss Steele nice to see you again. Miss Kavanagh," he nods to us and puts our bags in the trunk before opening the door for us to get in.
"See, he thought of everything," Kate whispers to me as we pull out of the parking bay and onto the busy street. I zone out and look out of the window and all the streets passing by and realise that I recognise the area that we are in.
"I know where we're going, it's the same place as last time."
Taylor pulls up outside the hotel and opens the door for us once again; we go to the front desk to check in as our bags are taken up to the room for us. We head up in the elevator and don't stop until we reach the penthouse, he is so over the top. When we reach the room I see why he chose it for us. The suite has two bedrooms and a small living area but the view is amazing, it overlooks one of the most beautiful parts of Kensington. I am abruptly pulled out of my daydream by Kate calling me.
"Ana there's a note for you!"
"Coming!"
I walk over to the table and see a bouquet of white roses with a card between them.
"Ana, I hope you like the flowers and don't feel that I am being too forward. I would like for you and Miss Kavanagh to accompany my brother and I for dinner tonight. We will pick you up at 7pm. Christian."
"Kate we have plans tonight!"
"His brother? Well I better get going so I'm not late to the meeting but you know what this means don't you?"
"What?"
"We are definitely having a Victoria's Secret shopping spree when I get back!"
"Deal. Good luck! I love you!"
"Love you too Ana! See you later."
Christian POV
I am more nervous than I have ever been for any interview and it isn't Miss Kavanagh that is the cause of these nerves, it's Ana. I know how close her and Ana are and I am scared that if I give her the wrong impression she will stop me and Anastasia from being together. Being together? Grow some balls Grey, you'll never be a couple. I hear the elevator ping which makes me look round because it isn't time for the meeting yet.
"Hey little bro!"
"Lelliot! Long time no see, did you get bored of Seattle?"
"Nah I just thought I should come over a little before Christmas so I can see what London has to offer before family time."
"You mean prey on some poor girl for a one night stand and then never speak to her again?"
"Okay Mr Romantic I understand that you're jealous because my good looks take all the female attention away from you."
"Whatever, you have to leave I have a meeting soon but I do have plans for us tonight."
"Oh no," he groans, "Are you trying to set me up?"
"I met someone recently who is an intern at the publishing company that I just bought, she is in the city with her friend and I thought it was only polite that the one person she knows here should take her out to dinner."
"This friend better be hot I mean, this girl must be something if you're actually making an effort for once."
Luckily I don't have the chance to reply to that because the elevator doors open and Taylor announces the arrival of Miss Kavanagh. She walks straight over to me and shakes my hand firmly.
"Mr Grey, it's nice to finally meet you. Firstly I would like to thank you for everything you have done for Ana and I and we accept your invitation to dinner tonight."
"So you're my date for tonight?" Elliot steps out from the bathroom where he was hiding.
"I erm, you're Mr Grey's brother?"
"Elliot Grey, the one and only,"
She stares at him and I see something in Elliot's eyes that I think is a little more than lust but maybe I'm mistaken.
"Elliot you have to leave, some of us have work to do."
"Sure thing little bro, laters."
I walk round to my desk and gesture for Miss Kavanagh to take a seat opposite me. The interview doesn't take long but I am thankful when it's over. I answered the questions as fully as I could but some were too personal for my liking. I look at my watch and see that I still have five hours before I can see Anastasia again. I log on to the company's Twitter account and see that someone followed Anastasia's personal account; I decide to take a quick look. An hour later I have read her most recent tweets and found a handful of selfies that she posted but most of her tweets are about books or places that she wants to visit. I try to distract myself with work for another couple of hours before I head home where Elliot is probably pigging out and watching TV.
*6:30pm*
We are about to leave the apartment to go and pick up Anastasia and Kate and even Elliot seemed a little nervous as we set off to the hotel. We decided that for privacy we would pick them up in separate cars but I think Elliot only agreed because he gets to try out my new Audi Spyder. Taylor pulls up outside the entrance to the hotel and goes to the reception desk to have them call the girls down. I look at my hands as I anxiously wait to see my Anastasia again. I see Taylor at the top of the steps and let myself out of the car to greet Anastasia but I almost fall out of the car as I catch sight of her. My memories and dreams of her don't do her any justice. She is wearing a tight, fitted plum colour dress, simple black heels, her hair is in loose curls and she is wearing subtle makeup but she doesn't need it. Out of the corner of my eye I see Kate practically throw herself into Elliot's arms as he greets her. Anastasia is a little slower making her way down the steps and I am so impatient that I walk forwards to meet her.
"Anastasia, you look beautiful."
She looks at her feet and blushes, "Thank you, you look good too."
I take her hand and guide her into the car. She slides over to the other side but never lets go of my hand. We head to one of the quieter restaurants just out of the centre of the city but I booked a private room anyway incase there are any paparazzi lurking around. Even though this was supposed to be a double date I only have eyes for Ana and Elliot is completely focused on Kate. They only make it through two courses before deciding to call it a night because they both suddenly became very 'tired'. That left Ana and I alone for the first time in a week and the second we were alone the atmosphere in the room definitely shifted.
"How are you Anastasia?"
"I'm okay, I am a little tired though I've been working on a lot lately."
"Really? Like what?"
"Well I haven't told anyone yet but I was thinking of moving out to Seattle once I graduate. You remember I told you about my parents living out there? I miss them and Seattle has some great opportunities for publishing."
"So you'll be leaving soon?" I ask and try to keep any hint of emotion from my voice.
"Not that I'm not grateful for everything your company has done for me with my internship but, yes. I'm sorry Christian."
"I can't believe it! After everything I have done for you and you're going to leave my company without warning?"
"Christian you know I would never…" she starts but I cut her off.
"Relax Ana, I'm joking. I think it's wonderful that you're thinking about your next career move."
"You bastard! But that means I won't get to see you any more," she says and looks at me with such sad eyes. I am about to reply when she continues,
"Better make tonight count then," and with that launches herself at me, straddling me.
"Anastasia how much have you had to drink tonight? I thought we only had a couple of glasses of wine with dinner?"
"Kate and I did a few shots at the hotel, to settle our nerves."
I snap back into reality and remember that she is straddling me and her dress has begun to ride up her thighs.
"Anastasia"
"Christian shush."
And with that her hands gently cup my face and she brings her face closer to mine to kiss me. I respond and take control of the kiss and what started as a soft, slow kiss quickly turned into a passionate on with her hands fisting my hair, pulling me closer and her grinding against me. I have to stop this.
"Anastasia stop. You've had too much to drink. Let's get you back to the hotel."
I take her hand and she obediently follows me to the car where, instead of moving across to her side like earlier, she curls up in my lap and buries herself against my chest. I wait for the inevitable darkness to wash over me, but it doesn't. I gently stroke her hair as her breathing becomes deeper and as much as I would love to watch her sleep, we have arrived at the hotel. I pick her up and carry her into through the lobby and to the elevator. I look through her purse to find the hotel keycard to let us into the room. I expect to find my brother and Kate there but I am met by silence. I carry Ana over to her bed and put the duvet over her before quickly texting Elliot to tell him to let Kate know that Ana is safe and we are at the hotel together. I take off my jacket and shoes and get into bed next to Ana to reply to some emails I didn't get round to earlier that day. After a couple of hours she begins to wake up and she looks up at me with sleepy, confused eyes.
"Hello beautiful"
Ana POV
Oh my God I can't believe that happened! Christian has just filled me in on the events of the past couple of hours and I am never drinking again. I didn't realise that I had actually drank that much but after a nap to sleep a little bit of the alcohol off I am definitely feeling better. Waking up next to him was a bit of a shock but once I got over my initial embarrassment it was actually a pleasant feeling.
"I should probably get going then now that I know you're okay."
"No, stay. Kate probably won't be back until the morning and I don't want to be here by myself."
"Okay. You want to tell me more about your plans to move?"
"Why are you so interested?"
"My brother currently lives in Seattle and I'm not sure about my family moving out there but my sister wants to. I was considering expanding my business over there too. New York is my goal but Seattle is a starting point and it always helps if you know at least one person in a new city."
We spend the next few hours talking about anything and everything and I find myself laughing and enjoying myself more than I ever have on any date. I check my phone when I hear a notification and realise what time it is.
"Shit it's almost 5am you must have a busy day tomorrow I'm sorry I kept you awake so long Christian."
"Don't apologise Ana, I had fun," he says and a hint of confusion crosses his face briefly before he smiles again.
"I can sleep on the sofa if you want?"
"No it's okay I'll just go to the bathroom to change."
I walk into the bathroom and look in the mirror to check my appearance which surprisingly isn't too bad. I peel off the dress I've been wearing all night and look around then I realise that my pyjamas are still in my bedroom, with Christian. I could take the sensible option and cover myself with the dress but I am wearing black lace matching bra and panties that I bought earlier and I don't know when I will get the chance to show them off again. I walk into the room with the intention of getting my pyjamas but when Christian looks up and meets my gaze I freeze in the doorway. There is a hunger in his eyes that I've never seen before and it is hot.
"Anastasia what are you doing?" he asks in a voice which is so low he practically growls at me.
"I…I forgot to take a change of clothes in there with me," I stutter.
I feel his eyes on me as I walk across the room then make yet another irresponsible decision, I climb back into bed.
"Oh Ana," is the last thing I hear before he is on top of me, kissing me. After the moment of shock passes, I respond to his kiss, our mouths moving in perfect sync as if we've done this a million times before. I feel him growing hard against me so I move my hips up to be as close to him as possible, to feel him as much as possible. All too soon the moment is over and he rolls off me and back to his side of the bed again.
"Anastasia I want this, dear God I want this, but I want to do it my way. It's been a long night, you should sleep."
"I'm so confused."
"Me too baby, me too."
I pull the duvet up around my shoulders and fall into a deep sleep. What are you hiding Grey? What's your secret?
A/N: What do you guys think of the story so far? I'm trying to stay as true to the books as possible but adding my own twist. This chapter is set before Christmas but the next update (Valentine's Day) will be in present time with a short flashback of what happened between September and now. Also, I started watching Once Upon A Time and Jamie is as hot and adorable as ever! As always please review/favourite/follow/spread the word and enjoy! Becca x