Chapter 22: Time Bomb

Author's Note!

I'm glad MOST of you enjoyed the last scene (: It was just for fun! My school's starting tomorrow. So yup. Oh well. And yes, this is the Ana melt down you have been waiting for. Enjoy this! I'll probably start posting once a week from now on. Can I ask if anybody wants to be my sex scene writer? I'm horrid at writing those. PM me if you're interested!

Tick tick tick.

I was like a bomb about to be set off. After so many days of this drama and nonsense, I was pretty much about pushed to the edge. Unfortunately, I was not referring to a pleasurable cliff but rather the end of the world kind of a cliff. There was Christian's betrayal, Ethan's comfort, Kate's intense issue with being unable to leave me alone and so much more. It was all becoming way too overwhelming.

Too overwhelming.

My head was throbbing. I was annoyed and irritated, having allowed the wind to push me from side to side. In fact, given that it was multiple winds from differing directions, it was incredibly difficult for me to even know what I wanted anymore. There was barely a second for me to stop and think about how I felt about things anymore, here I was trying my best to accept and forgive Christian's infidelity and there was Ethan and Kate trying to distract me.

My brain clicked together as I finally realized what had been going on these few days. Kate and Ethan. Kavanaghs. Those Kavanaghs. I highly doubt Ethan had any clue, but surely, Kate was the mastermind behind all this. Kate's main intention was to distract me with Ethan to the point that I would be unable to focus on Christian, leaving our issues unresolved. Then there was Ethan with his confusing words at the mall, with his feel against my skin, everything about it seemed to fall in place.

Everything was meant to keep the distance between Christian and I growing. Kate was trying to push me away from Christian. Unfortunately, I knew full well that Kate only had good intentions for me. Kate's first few boyfriends had cheated on her. I had held her hand and stroked her hair while she cried into my shoulder, she was in so much pain to the point that she vowed never to forgive a man for ever cheating on her.

That was why she had been so insistent on taking me from Christian and guiding me to Ethan. She was trying her best to redirect me to someone she could trust me to, that she knew I would be happy with, that I would never be cheated on. Who else better than her brother? Kate had known him all his life and understood his true nature and character inside out.

But Kate had not understood. How could she have not?! I had told her countless of times that I wanted to be with Christian. That despite his faults and his betrayal, I was not going to run away from the one man that I love. Christian had always only been the man that I love and will only love. I was broken without him, even if being with him wrecked me already.

"What do you want, Mr Kavanagh?" Christian asked sourly, his right hand still placed against my back, mid-guiding me down the stairs.

Ethan clenched his jaw. "Ana."

Christian straightened up and flexed his biceps, his hand slipping down to clasp mine in his own. "Unfortunately, you can't have her."

Ethan did the same, crossing his arms and pushing his chest out. "I'm not backing out of this one, Grey."

Christian smirked, taking a step towards Ethan. "What does that mean, you f***ing asshole?"

"I'm going to stay and fight for her." Ethan stated, flinching at the name calling Christian had started.

Taylor and Sawyer tensed. Sawyer leaped from behind me and jumped out to Ethan's side while Taylor half stepped to Christian's. They were prepared to stop a fight that was about to go down. Christian took another step towards Ethan, his chin tilted up in arrogance. "You may fight," He growled, "but you'll never win her."

"Bastard." Ethan snapped, closing this distance between them further.

"F***er." Kate and Christian spat in unison. Kate peeked out from our apartment. Christian barely gave her any attention, sizing Ethan up as they locked chests. Their chests were pressed against each other as Christian let my hand go. Taylor grabbed Christian by his arms, trying to pull him away from Ethan, who had Sawyer's arms crossed against his chest.

Kate ran towards them and tried to help her brother. That was the final straw. My bomb had not been diffused, instead, it had been building up pressure.

"GET ANA THE F*** OUT OF HERE!" Christian hollered at Sawyer, still engaged in the eye battle he had started with Ethan.

Instead, I strode right past the bullfight and right into Kate. I grabbed her hair and yanked her down, she hit the floor hard and before she could realize what was happening, I pinned her down at her waist. "FU** YOU, KAVANAGH." I barked at her as I slapped her over and over.

The fury had overtaken me and I was heavily pissed. This girl will be the death of me. Kate grabbed my wrists and tried to defend herself, lifting it up high so that I could lose my balance. She succeeded, I fell against her chest, giving her time to flip me over so she could swop positions with me. Her blue eyes searched me, cheeks reddened by my attacks, "WHAT THE F***, ANA?!"

"STOP F***ING MEDDLING IN MY BUSINESS, KATE." I thrashed against her, my thighs flailing as I hit her repeatedly in the ass. "F*** YOU."

Kate balled her fists and in pure defence, slammed it into my jaw. The moment her hand had let go of mine, I delivered one into her boob. "I'M F***ING HELPING, STEELE."

"YOU'RE NOT." I insisted, throwing her off me with all my strength and sitting on her, scratching her hard at her neck. She screamed in pain and reached up to slap me once more. The pain reeled through my system.

"I'M HELPING YOU REALIZE THAT CHRISTIAN'S A DICK AND ETHAN'S YOUR BLOODY PRINCE." Kate hollered at me, her nails digging into my wrists as she caught them once more.

"YOU'RE WRONG." I tried to seize my wrists again. "YOU'RE WRONG." She tightened her grip, digging into my skin. I screamed and pulled them. "CHRISTIAN MAY BE A DICK BUT HE'S MY PRINCE."

"BREAK THEM UP, DAMMIT." Came Christian's exasperated shout. I had turned to stare at the four men who had just stood there idly, watching the fight that they had not anticipated. What was it with men and cat fights?!

Just then, Kate's fingers locked around my ponytail and yanked. I screamed in pain, about to give it to her once more but strong arms gripped me from under my arms and lifted me off Kavanagh. Kate leaped to her feet and launched herself at me, right into the steady and firm arms of Taylor who had locked her wrists behind her back in one swift movement.

"Get her downstairs." Christian said calmly.

"GET THE F*** OFF ME, SAWYER." I barked, trying to make his job more difficult as I anchored myself to the floor with my sneakers.

Not even flinching, Sawyer tossed me over his shoulder. My head landed against his padded chest and my legs dripped over the other side. "Dammit, Ana." Sawyer muttered to me, "Please stay still, I don't want to drop you."

"You better not." I growled into his face as I turned to glare at him. My lips grazed against his stubby chin on accident as he took the steps two by two. Sawyer stiffened, taking the steps quicker but as if trying to check what had brushed against him, he tilted his head towards me. Bad timing it really was and horrible angle, Sawyer's lips were the ones to brush against mine this time round.

We both tensed at the same time and losing his grip, I felt my entire torso slip off Sawyer. I let out an ear-piercing scream. Just before I could hit the ground, Sawyer's firm arms caught me again, swinging me into his chest, I had my nose nuzzled into his chest.

Sawyer then opened the car and placed me into the passenger seat. I observed as he raced to the other side, got in and kicked start the engine. "I am f***ing screwed." He muttered under his breath.

"We're not waiting?" I whispered.

Sawyer shook his head, "Taylor's driving Mr Grey. Besides, I think he'd want a word with both Kavanaghs."

"Sawyer, about th-"

"Luke." He corrected me. Then he turned to face me, his eyes scanned me and lingered on my probably bruising cheek. "We need to get you fixed up, anyway."

I flushed. "Luke." I liked the way it rolled off my tongue.

"And well, that was barely a kiss." He tried to blow it off. "You would know if I was kissing you, Ana."

Whether from the bruising or not, I felt my cheeks heat up and I looked away quickly. What was that supposed to mean?! Sawyer pulled up at Escala with a chuckle, parking in Christian's assigned bay. He had a spring in his steps as he retrieved me and ushered me into the elevator. Sawyer pressed the codes and then stepped out of the elevator.

"Luke!" I called, just as the lift doors were about to close shut. With a wicked grin, he stepped in between the closing doors, the doors sliding back open.

I almost regretted doing so. "Yes, Ana?"

"You…" I tried to find the words. "You don't have to ride in the staff elevator," I swept the floor with my eyes. "Just… ride with me."

It was just a ride up. I never understood why the staff and the clients had to ride in two separate elevators. Sawyer let himself in and stood by me as we watched the doors close upon us. The lift carriage began to move and I felt slightly uncomfortable. It was awkward as Sawyer and I rode, there was not even any random lift music to distract me. Even with Sawyer, the sexual tension was high.

Treacherous body.

Sawyer cleared his throat and I realized that we had arrived at the pent house. Blushing, I made my way out of the elevator and into the living room.

"Oh, Ana!' Gail cried. "What happened to you?"

Casting my eyes downward, I tried my best to avoid the question. "Alright, sit down." She scolded. "I'll get the first aid kit." Gail vanished and I strode towards the couch. Sawyer lingered by my side, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

When Gail had returned, Sawyer stretched his arm out to collect the kit from Gail, smiling at her as he did. "I'll do it. Why don't you help make Ana some early dinner?"

"That's so kind of you, Sawyer." Gail gushed. "Will Chinese do, Ana?"

I gave her a nod, which sent her away and observed nervously as Sawyer got to his knees very slowly in front of me. Biting my lip, I tried not to squeal as his fingers made contact with my jaw. Sawyer's eyes were green, a dark forest green, concentrated as he pressed a gauze against my inflamed jaw. As he did, there was a chilling and yet tingling sensation that spread through, partially from the anesthetic.

He let out a low whistle. "Kate really packs a punch."

I nodded and tried to relax, giggling a little. "Yeah, but she barely got half as many blows on me as I did to her."

He chuckled in return, "Yeah, I know. I watched."

"Did you enjoy it?" His fingers cradled my jaw and I was about to hit them away when I was made aware that he was only applying cream onto it.

Sawyer's chuckle continued, his eyes transfixed upon his handiwork. "Quite a fair bit, to be honest." I smacked him on his waist playfully. "What!" He squeaked in defense, "I was only worried when she got on top of you."

This kind of care should be way past the amount he would have signed for in his contract. Finally, he was done with my jaw and released it gently. It felt much better, with the gel and cream on it and his expert fingers that had rubbed it in so well.

Green on blue, his eyes caught hold of mine. His fingers slipped under mine, wrenching them from pressing into the material of the couch. My inner goddess squealed in excitement. His hands were warm in mine. Dropping his gaze, Sawyer looked at them and then placed my left palm upon his lap.

The gauze touched my wrist once more, this time, I let out a hiss as the antiseptic seeped into my blood stream. "Looks like she scratched you good." Sawyer sighed, covering the entire length of my wrist. When he put the gauze down on the table, it had come up red with my own blood.

"Don't worry about it," Sawyer cooed, "It's just a little close to important arteries, that's all." I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed, applying the same cream on it. "Do you want band aids?"

Before I could answer, he fished one out and opened it. "Let me just catch the big one and I'll leave the little ones to be." I swallowed and could only nod. With overwhelming tenderness, Sawyer gently soothed it over my inner wrist.

My eyes could barely leave him as he did the other. Had Sawyer always been this… gentle? I searched my memories to find one, any, but came up with none. So this was not his normal behaviour. It could not be. My body was not used to it, flaming up with every brush of his fingers and desperately trying to ignore his close proximity. Especially the fact that he was in between my legs kept me flushing with warmth.

To my surprise, Sawyer's fingers brushed against my collarbone. "She got you there." It sent waves of… what? Pleasure? I gulped. How could I feel this way about Sawyer? What was I feeling? What was this?

"I've got this." My head jerked up to find Christian entering the room, Taylor trailing behind him.

"Of course, Mr Grey." Sawyer got up and retreated to standing beside Taylor, shooting me a playful wink.

So he was aware of what he was doing! Was he?

Instead of getting on his knees and in between my thighs like Sawyer had done, Christian merely just sat by my side and studied my upper chest. I tried to control my breathing, watching as Sawyer began muttering things into Taylor's ear. Taylor smiled and nodded.

What were they saying?

"Ana, does it hurt?" Christian asked sweetly as he waved the antiseptic across my chest, spreading the coolness, which met with the sharp pain I felt. I winced. Christian tutted. "Teaches you to never get into a fight."

I pouted a little as he began applying the cream, his fingers lingering longer than they should be along my collarbones. "Not everyone has a personal trainer like you, Christian."

Christian laughed with a teasing edge, "Claude's open to take you too, Ana. You know that."

I thought it through for a second. "I may take you on that." Another thought crossed my mind. "Or Lu-" Oh shit. "Sawyer, could teach me."

Christian capped the medication and narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me. "Teach you what?"

"He's…" I felt uncomfortable under his questioning gaze. "Good at martial arts and self defense. He could teach me that."

"Who can?"

Before I could realize it was a trap, I said, "Luke."

Christian pursed his lips. Shit. "Sawyer," He said with great emphasis, "is too busy to teach you anything."

"Right, Sawyer." If only the world could end right now.

Christian's unhappiness was dripping from every inch of him, "Ana, I'd like to see you in my office now." Turning on his heel, he strode into the room and left the door ajar.

I rose from my seat and threw Sawyer an anxious glance. "Sorry." He mouthed at me and I shrugged it away. I lifted my finger and dragged it across my neck, signifying to him that I was about to die a very horrific death. Taylor looked exceptionally confused at what was going on.

Sawyer shook his index finger at me and gestured for me to come to him.

What did he want? I made my way to him slowly, my brain trying desperately to think of what Christian wanted to say and what Sawyer was about to do. When I had reached my destination, Sawyer's lips danced up into a playful smirk and he leaned close into my ear.

His breath tickled me and I giggled a little, to which he laughed quietly. "Ana," He said, "You'll probably end up having sex in there."

The color rose into my cheeks as I remained in that position, frozen and stunned at what he had just said. Taylor, having heard what he had said, punched Sawyer in the gut. Sawyer winced but kept on smiling sneakily at me. The whole world knew about Christian and his sexcapades, I swear.

"ANASTASIA ROSE STEELE." My name was barked from the room that was now behind me. Christian was not a patient man.

Sawyer placed both his hands on my shoulders and shook me, trying to unfreeze me and awake me from my state. "Come on. You took down Kate, you can take him down too." He whispered at me.

That was true. I swallowed once more before shuffling towards the office. My heart was a tha-dump tha-dump as I dragged my feet, knowing that I could have been walking towards the gallows for all I cared.