Chapter 20: Love Bites

Author's Note!

Hello readers! Sorry for the long wait. I was busy completing my truckload of homework and readying for school. In addition, I was bumming about thinking about storylines and all. Here is your long awaited chapter.

Please do leave me some reviews, naughty or nice, and favourite this if you deem it favourite-able. (: ENJOY.

Looking in the mirror, I ensured that the love bite was concealed properly with sufficient make-up. Today, I was going to let my hair down to further hide it from the public eye. I caught Christian watching me as he did up his tie, making use of the mirror himself. Benefitting from the mirror, I stuck my tongue out at him.

Christian laughed as he tightened his tie. "Oh come on, Ana."

"Oh come on, Ana." I mocked him, putting my hands on my hip.

His lips twitched as he tried to resist smiling. "Love bites are a sign of love, you should be glad that I managed one that beautifully."

I did not know anything about love bites, just that they would stay for quite some time. But the one he had left me was a delicate crescent shaped moon, it looked almost like a tattoo. "You're insane." I said simply.

"Why are you so angry?" He frowned, fastening his cuff links.

"You're off marking me like a hormonal teenage boy. I'm not some business you can acquire." I hissed, buttoning up my blouse.

Angrily, I turned to face Christian. "Well, Mr Grey, have a good day while I bury Kate!"

Kate had called last night to ask if we could meet today. She had wanted to apologize personally for being such a tattle tale and felt that it was only because she felt I needed my parents at a point like this. Whatever excuses she was throwing out, I wanted to take a piece of paper and draw the lines out for her so she knew exactly where not to cross. Kate was getting on my nerves.

As I strode past Christian, I gasped as he grabbed my wrist and tugged me back into him. He used a low and husky voice, "Ms Steele, I have a proposition for you."

I was momentarily taken aback by his tone and could only nod for him to go on. Christian's lips brushed the tip of my ear and I shuddered. "I've got an important meeting today with highest of authorities."

"So?"

He chuckled and added seductively, "I'll let you leave me one and we'll call it quits."

I was breathless. "One what?"

Christian's smooth hands caressed my waist and moved down to my hip bones. "A love bite."

Instantly, I swiveled on my feet to size him up. "What?"

He looked amused. Smirking, he nodded at me slowly. "You can leave me a love bite anywhere you want and we're even, no more tantrum about me giving you one."

Hm, that sounds fair. My inner goddess was now putting on lipstick and preparing to mark him as our man.

"I..." I swallowed. "I don't know how to give one."

His eyes widened with shock and then he smiled at me sweetly. "I should have known. No worries, I'll guide you. Just pick a spot."

He had marked me so high up that anybody who was a five feet near me would have known it was a love bite. I wanted to do the same to him. Yet, his stupid collar and tie left me little space. I pointed to the small space under his jaw and just above his collar, "here."

His lips pulled up playfully. "Alright," and he pulled me into him so I was pressed up against his chest. "Kiss me there, at the spot you want."

I went on my tiptoes and put my lips against the spot. Christian's breath deepened. "Open your mouth." I did as I was told and my tongue sweeped across his skin, he tasted slightly salty but very yummy. He let out a stifled moan.

I did that for another couple of minutes. "Good, now nibble on it, baby." Nibble? That I had loads of experience in. Baring my teeth, I gently grazed his skin. Christian groaned and he placed his hands at my ass, rubbing me in encouragement.

Then, I bit down on him with my front and bottom teeth, pulling his skin away from him and massaging it very slowly. I could feel him moaning from the vibrations in his chest and I put more effort into it, spreading out the area I was covering.

My calve muscles began to ache and I slid down his chest a little. Just in time, Christian's strong arms lifted me from the floor and I wrapped my thighs around him. "Suck, Ana. Suck me hard." He sounded animalistic, hungry for me to do this.

I obliged and sucked. Hard. Christian's hands pushed my back into him and tilted his chin up so I had a better angle. I opened my eyes to watch him as I kept on sucking, he had his eyes closed shut, clearly enjoying his punishment. There was a tingling feeling against my tongue, the suction my mouth had created was strong and I moved a little, alternating between sucking and nibbling.

"Oh, Ana." He groaned in pleasure.

It was only then that his hard-on bumped into my groin. The feeling was intensifying as I was wearing a short skirt and it felt amazing against my lace lingerie. I relished in how I could turn Christian on and sucked harder, Christian's throat was vibrating with every moan that escaped from him.

There was a knock on the door. Christian's eyes flashed open and I stopped kissing him. We both turned to face the door. "Mr Grey, we have to leave now." Taylor's voice was urgent.

Christian gently placed me back on my feet. He looked frustrated. "The things you do to me." He grumbled, and we both stared down at his hard-on. It was slightly visible in his tight pants. "But we have no time for you to take care of it." He whined.

I smiled at him. "Sorry."

"Isn't this whole thing about you getting your revenge?" He shook his head at me in disbelief. "Well, let's take a look at your art work shall we." Christian stepped towards the mirror and before he could even lift his chin, he gasped.

I peeked from the side. It was very visible indeed. There were splotches of a dark red about a finger's length across his upper neck, it was nothing like the delicate one he gave me. "Why's mine not pretty like yours?" I whined.

Christian faced me and pursed his lips. "It takes skill. It's your first time. Besides, I think you've done a pretty good job." Quite the contrary, it looked like a mess. He was going to go to work like this.

There was another knock at the door.

"I'm coming." He shouted, and pulled me into his side as he both walked out of the room.

"Mr G-" Taylor lost his words as his eyes made contact with Christian's mark.

My inner goddess cheered for me.

Sawyer's eyes bulged and Gail giggled at the sight. Christian was going to learn how love bites made women feel in public.

"Yes, we'll make it in time." Christian told Taylor. "Sawyer," Christian called.

"Yes sir?"

"Watch yourself today." He snapped at him, his cool fingers found my jaw and he closed his lips around mine.

Forcing my mouth open, his tongue entered my mouth and found its mate. They fenced as he deepened the kiss, bringing himself deeper into my mouth. I was moaning into his mouth when he pulled back to wink at me. I knew exactly why he had done that when he looked up to glare at Sawyer.

"Ms Steele, I'll get the car." Sawyer was flustered and embarrassed.

"Don't take it too hard, Sawyer. He's being a little edgy with everything going on." I reassured the man as he started driving.

Sawyer shrugged. "It's alright, Ms Steele."

"I pity Taylor some times," Sawyer was opening up to me. "Mr Grey is so hard to handle."

"I agree!" I pretty much squealed, taking comfort that I was not the only one who felt Christian was too hard on Taylor all the time.

"You're perfect for me, Ms Steele." Sawyer flashed a broad smile at me.

I flushed under his gaze and subconsciously tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear lobe. "Only when in comparison to the freak show that is Christian and Taylor."

Sawyer focused on the road but shook his head at me. "In comparison to everybody I've worked for, Ms Steele."

"Ana." I corrected him.

"Ana." He repeated, like a child learning alphabets for the very first time. "But I won't call you by that if Mr Grey is around."

Sawyer was a bright man. "Yeah, he feels threatened by you actually."

He chortled, smacking his thigh lightly. "I've noticed." There was a moment of silence, then he tilted his gaze to meet mine that had been trained on him. "So, Ana, what was with the hickey this morning?"

It was my turn to laugh and my blush deepened further. "Punishment." I said, matter-of-factly.

"You do know he's meeting our senator this morning, right?" Sawyer tested. My jaw hit the ground and I stared at him in disbelief.

Christian had allowed me to leave a love bite on his neck when he was going to meet the senator? That was bloody inappropriate and unprofessional! Oh hell, what would the senator think of me?

"KIDDING!" Sawyer burst out into uncontrollable laughter as we stopped at a red light.

"SAWYER!" I barked and began hitting him all over, I was surprised that he was that firm and muscular. Christian sure knew how to pick them.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist." He was still recovering from his little prank.

Putting on a stern look, I stared him down. " I'm telling Mr Grey."

I watched in satisfaction as Sawyer's mouth popped open. "Please forgive me, Ms Steele. It was bad judgment on my part." Fear seemed to have shaken his body and he threw me worrisome glances back and forth from watching the road as I pretended to consider it.

He looked like Hermione in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when she had been petrified. I could not resist any longer, "KIDDING!" I yelled and erupted into my own fit of laughter.

Sawyer narrowed his eyes. "That was hilarious."

"Awwwww, are you angry?" I cooed, poking Sawyer playfully in the cheek. He ignored me. "Sawyer?" His gaze was fixed on the road, completely forgetting my existence.

My inner goddess smirked, Serves you right.

"Don't be mad, Sa-"

"KIDDING!" He played at me again, beginning to giggle and I could not help but laugh along with him. "Okay, truce." He declared. "I don't want to risk your life any further."

"Truce." I agreed, folding my arms in proof that I was going to be an angel for the rest of the car ride.

Sawyer and I had spent the rest of the ride flinging sneaky glances back and forth, sticking out our tongues at each other and jabbing the other's sides. When I had reached the mall Kate and I had arranged to meet, I realized there were many messages in my blackberry.

From: Christian Grey

To: Anastasia Steele

Date: 16th September 9.11AM

Subject: Branding is for animals

Ms Steele, I hope you are satisfied with your branding on my neck. Keep safe while you're with Kate and please, sensor anything remotely offensive that comes out of that tyrant. (Please do tell her I said that, it's high time she officially replaces her middle name with 'Tyrant') I will call you right after my meeting.

Yours, (as you already know)

Christian Grey

CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

From: Christian Grey

To: Anastasia Steele

Date: 16th September 9.20AM

Subject: Troubling Bodyguards

I take from your lack of reply that you are busied with your BODYGUARD. I would like to fervently remind you that he is your BODYGUARD and not your boyfriend, as that position in your life is already occupied. I do wish you would reply and give me your well wishes before I enter the meeting room as there is a lot riding on my shoulders.

Christian Grey

Nervous CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

From: Christian Grey

To: Anastasia Steele

Date: 16th September 9.30AM

Subject: Sawyer Sucks

Anastasia Steele, I am absolutely not happy with your absence in replies. This is Christian Trevelyan-Grey, if you recall? I am on the verge of sending Taylor out in search of Sawyer and yourself. On the verge, Ana. Rest assured that a hickey is not the punishment you will receive when I get my hands on you.

Christian Grey

Furious and Jealous CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

"I'll park the car, Ana." Sawyer told me, pulling to a halt at the main entrance. "Then I'll come find you."

I gave him a nod, "Check Zara, Kate can spend a millennium in that shop."

Letting myself out, I quickly typed a reply and hit send before the CIA got involved.

From: Anastasia Steele

To: Christian Grey

Date: 16th September 9.50AM

Subject: Nothing to worry about

Dearest Mr Grey,

I solemnly assure you that Sawyer has been nothing more than good company on our ride to the mall. If it's anything, you should be giving him a bonus on keeping me busy while you're busy. I'd wish you luck, but let's be honest with ourselves, you don't need it. I saw the E-Entertainment last night, you were featured in their top 10 richest bachelors, mind you. In which case, I should be the insecure one. How is your meeting, anyway? Any attractive young brunettes catching your eye?

Anastasia Steele

On-Paid-Leave Assistant to Jack Hyde

That reminded me. I had been away from work for far too long and if I wanted to keep my job as assistant, I had better start going back. Yet, I was silently thankful to Christian, having to deal with Jack Hyde was incredibly devastating. My blackberry buzzed.

From: Christian Grey

To: Anastasia Steele

Date: 16th September 9.51AM

Subject: YOU'RE ALIVE!

I was distracted with the thought of you with Sawyer the entire time. A bonus you say? No. As you have watched from E-Entertainment, I clearly lack the funds to do so.

PS. You've given my colleagues somewhere else to look at besides my face.

Christian Grey

CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings WITH AN ACTUAL GIRLFRIEND, Inc.

Arms came around me and squeezed as Kate Kavanagh made her grand appearance. "ANA!" She screamed excitedly, holding me so close to her that I could barely breathe.

"Kate!" I returned the joy.

"Oh Ana, I thought I'd never be able to see you with Mr. Money Bags keeping you locked up in your tower!"

Right on cue, she crosses the line. "Kate, we need to talk."

Letting go of me, Kate looked taken aback as she calmed down and waited. "Look, Christian's not some enemy that you're out to destroy. It's really tough on me already to try and work things out with him and you're making things much worse and unbearable."

She crossed her arms, "It's because I don't want you to give in so easily, he's only going to make the same mistake again if you let him walk away easily."

"Kate, I'm already giving him a hard time." I pointed out.

She threw me a condescending look. "Steele, you don't know hot to give anybody a hard time."

"What am I supposed to do?" I questioned, crossing my arms as well defensively.

"Break something? Scream at him? Make him beg and grovel?" Her eyes rolled up into her head as she read out her list.

"Breaking I've not done, but the other two I have." What would I break anyway?

Kate seemed slightly impressed, "Fine. But I still think you're letting him off too lightly."

"You turned his mom, my mom and Ray against him, Kate."

She considered that for a moment and shrugged, then smiled. "Alright, now that seems fair. Are we cool?" She held out open arms and beamed at me.

"Only if you promise to stop harassing my boyfriend."

"Deal."

"Okay." We hugged for a long while.

When she pulled away from me, the very words she uttered were, "Zara is having a sale." Which effectively ended out angst moods and kicked start our shopping spree.

An hour or two later, Kate had landed us in Victoria Secret. Sawyer and I stood awkwardly by the changing rooms as Kate buzzed in and out of it. She was excited about using them with Elliott, no doubt. I took this opportunity to reply Christian, which I had completely forgotten through the craziness that was Kate.

From: Anastasia Steele

To: Christian Grey

Date: 16th September 12.10AM

Subject: Slipped my mine

Sorry for the late reply, I was busy spending money while you were busied with earning it. You're sarcasm knows no bounds, Mr Grey. Not to worry, I assure you that Sawyer would look just as ravishing in my Cartier matching diamond set as I will.

PS. That's a good thing. I wouldn't want anyone gazing into your beautiful face.

Love,

Anastasia Steele

Assistant to Jack Hyde

"Definitely, thank you." Kate rewarded the sales assistant with a gorgeous grin as she checked out the items.

I stumbled over in awe. "You're buying half the store."

Kate had gotten her hands on anything remotely sexy. There were lace lingerie, silk ones, thongs in so many different shades and colours that I had never seen. "Ana, you have no idea how easily they…" She blushed a wild red "tear." I flushed alongside her, clearly aware of what she was referring to. Seems to me like the Grey brothers both shared similar behaviour in the treatment of beautiful lingerie.

I caught sight of the total bill and smacked her on her arm, "KATE!" I hissed.

She brushed it off casually, "Elliott insists."

The sales assistant was finally done individually wrapping each and every set, placing them in multiple pink Victoria Secret bags. My gaze flickered from Sawyer to Kate and then I, how were we going to carry this? We were all fully loaded, with every inch of Sawyer's arms, shoulders and fingers accounted for. Kate and I did not have it as bad, but our loads were too heavy for us to handle already.

"I'll get it." A familiar low voice stepped in between Kate and I, reaching for the bags sitting on the counter.