A/N: If Christian is the way he is because of abuse and Elena, why is Elena the way she is? What happened to Elena? This story is not about Elena, but Ana meets Elena first and then saves both of them. Different circumstances, different events, but the same couple. Hope you like it.
I hope you like it.
Important: I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy or the characters. They belong to the very talented E.L. James.
Christian POV:
"Shall we?" I ask and she shakes her head while slipping her arm through mine at the same time. She is probably as confused about my behaviour as I am.
The club is usually rather busy, but tonight it is unusually busy. When Anastasia and her friends go to stand behind the crowd at the door, I ask them to follow me and we walk up to the door. No way in hell will Christian Grey stand in a queue… ever.
"Christian, there is a queue waiting. We can't just walk in." Kate says and I point to the sign above the door. Below the big letters of Evolution is printed in small letter 'A division of Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.'
"Of course you own this club." She says sarcastically and I don't think I like her or that I would be spending a lot of time in her company.
As soon as we get to the VIP area, the girls put their things down on the table and turn to go to the dance floor. Jackson, Jose and Elliot follow Kate and Maya, but I stay behind with Anastasia. This is perfect, just the two of us.
"Anastasia, you really do look stunning this evening. I'm glad we ran into you." I say and just like earlier, there is a pretty pink blush on her cheeks. She definitely does not like to receive attention. Before I can stop myself, I'm imagining that pretty pink on her ass and I have to adjust myself again.
"Thank you. It was a nice surprise to see you tonight." She says while I call the waiter.
"Would you like some wine or something else to drink?"
"I would like a strawberry daiquiri please." She says to the waiter and I order a bottle of white wine, a couple of beers and several bottles of water for the table. I'm not sure who is responsible for getting Anastasia home yet and the last thing I want is for the person responsible to be drunk.
We begin talking about her degree and future plans. She has applied at several institutions, but has not heard anything yet. I'm sure my mother can help her if she is not successful. She tells me about her controlling but adorable father, who I don't mention that I've already kind off met, and then about her mother who has been married four times. When she tells me Ray Steele was her mother's second husband after her real father died in a tragic accident, it gives me the opportunity to ask what I've been wondering about for the last two days.
"If Ray Steele is not your birth father, why do you have his name?" I ask and she smiles at me. It is very clear that he means a lot to her.
"Because he is my dad. He is the only father I've ever known and the only one that ever wanted me. I went to live with him when my mother got married to her third husband as I wanted some stability and I was definitely not getting that with her. Ray never complained once and he loves me like I'm his own blood. He gave up a lot for me. First his career in the military and then his home in Montesano in order to ensure that I have a home in Seattle when my studies are complete. Blood relation does not determine family as far as I'm concerned." She finishes and takes a sip of her second drink. She makes me feel relaxed and I've never had a conversation like this with anyone… not even Elena.
"I was adopted at the age of four so I know exactly what you mean. Grace and Carrick adopted first Elliot, then me and lastly Mia, my younger sister. They have never treated us as anything other than their children." I tell her and then look away. What the hell is going on with me? I want this woman as a sub, not as a damn friend. I never disclose any personal information, not even with a NDA in place and I don't even have that.
"What is your sister like? I mean, the two of you is as different as night and day," she waves her hand between me and where Elliot is dancing.
"Mia is… different. On most days she is exhausting and a lot to handle. But she always makes you feel better, even though you are grateful if she leaves. She does everything in excess. She is twenty one and decided that she would like to own her own restaurant. I own The Mile High Club in Seattle and she is the Assistant Manager there in order to see if it is something that she would like to do permanently. It's only been about five months, but she is doing real great and I guess she will come to me one of these days to open her own restaurant. Honestly, it will be a lot less effort to just make her a partner in The Mile High Club than to assist her to start a new restaurant and then try and establish a name for herself." Again, I'm amazed at the level of information that I'm sharing with a complete stranger.
"Elliot seems nice." She says looking at the dance floor where Elliot is grinding with Kate. Since I have nothing nice to say about Kate yet, I go for the next best thing.
"Come dance with me." I get up and hold my hand out to her which she immediately takes. When our hands touch, the spark is there again, but neither of us pulls away. She is moving closer to me and just before I lose control, the song change and snap me out of… whatever that was. With a slight shake of my head, I kiss her gently on the cheek and lead her to the dance floor. This is so not me. I don't date, flirt, have nice dinners or dance with a woman. I don't want a girlfriend, I want a new sub. I need a new sub. What is this girl doing to me?
Ana POV:
As he walks in front of me towards the dance floor, I run my fingers over my cheek. It's still tingling from the light kiss he gave me. Not to mention the feeling of having my hand in his. I couldn't keep him out of my mind before tonight so I'm not sure what the hell I'll do now.
When we reach the dance floor, he pulls me to stand in front of him, like Elliot did with Kate. They seemed to have hit it off and it's good to see a smile on her face again. I'm aware of all the stares directed in our direction. I don't mind the men looking at me or Kate, but when my eyes meet Kate's, I can see that she too is not impressed with the women practically panting for Christian and Elliot. I know that neither of us has a reason to be jealous, but it is still considered rude to stare. It's not like the two of them are here by themselves.
After the third song I relax and give myself over to the music. I feel his hands on my hips. The spark is so much more intense with this touch than the ones I've felt previously, probably due to the dimmed lightning and music. I'm tempted to turn around and look into his eyes, but I decide against it and instead move back a bit to be closer to him. His grip tightens on my hips and I let my head fall back to rest on his shoulder. I don't know what it is about Christian Grey, but I feel relaxed and safe in his presence. I'm careful to keep my butt away from his crotch and instead put my hands over his.
In the blink of an eye I'm left alone on the dance floor, along with a shocked Kate and only a short "I'm sorry, I have to go," from Christian. I try to follow them to the VIP section, but instead of going there to sit down, they leave through the front door. I turn around and look wide eyed at Kate. I have no idea what the hell just happened. Her shocked expression soon changes to pissed and that is one Kate not to be messed with.
"That was fucking rude," she screams over the music and I nod with my eyes on the door in case he came back, but nothing.
I've suddenly lost my desire to dance and by the livid look on Kate's face, so has she. We tell the rest to excuse as and head back to the VIP section. Kate signals for the waiter and he comes over immediately.
"Two tequila's please," she says as she takes out a twenty to hand it to him.
"Miss, Mr. Grey said to send the bill for your group to him." Now that was totally the wrong thing to say to two girls currently pissed off at the suddenly absent Mr. Grey.
"You know what, make that six tequilas please," Kate smiles, impressed by my change in attitude. When the waiter is out of hearing distance I lean forward, "We might as well get drunk now that the rude bastard ruined our night. Paying to make me feel better is the least he can do."
"Do you have any idea what the hell happened?" she asks and I shrug.
"We had a nice chat and then we danced. It was magical really. The electricity flowing between us was just… amazing. I've never felt that with anyone. One minute we were dancing and the next he was gone. I have no idea why, but for some reason I think it has something to do with me." I say as the waiter returns with six tequilas and two strawberry daiquiris. At my raised eyebrows, he bends forward.
"I thought you ladies might need something else as well," he whispers with a wink and Kate hands him the twenty as a tip.
Two hours later we are drunk and neither of us thought this through as we will need to go home and we came in my car since I'm normally the sober one. Since we have no ride and the rest already left just after midnight, we decide that we might as well drink some more.
"You know Kate, when I met Christian last week I thought… wow. I've never seen anyone so good looking, but he also seems cold and detached at times. Earlier we actually had a nice, relaxing conversation and everything was fine until he suddenly had to leave… dragging Elliot along with him. To think that I've wasted five days thinking about that ass." I say as I drink the bottle of water the waiter brought me that I definitely did not ask for. I would prefer another shot, but what the hell, I might as well drink the water.
"You didn't tell me you met Christian Grey last weekend, Steele. I mean, anyone else, fine, but this is Christian Grey we are talking about… ass or not, he's definitely not just a guy." There it is again, the feeling like I'm missing something.
"I didn't know that you knew him?" Surely she would have said something earlier.
"Anastasia Rose Steele, Christian Grey is the only 28-year old billionaire living in Seattle. No one knows him but everyone at least knows of him. He is just the most eligible bachelor on the West Coast. Where the hell have you been living?" She says but I'm too shocked to answer, "You heard right, Steele… Billionaire… that's like very, very rich and he is also very, very single… even though I thought that he was gay. The way he looked at you tonight proved that he is definitely not gay." She goes on, but I barely hear a word she is saying.
I feel like such a big idiot. What the fuck was I thinking? I knew he was way out of my league, but I did not realise just how much out of my league he is. What a damn fool. Everybody knew who he was but me. He had enough time to tell me, but he led me on without telling me who he really was. I actually thought he liked me as much as I liked him. The spark between us could have been all in my head. Oh damn, I need to get another drink.
"You seem pissed, Ana. Pity you don't have his number, you could totally tell him to fuck off in your condition and have no consequences or regrets." She says looking rather wicked and I know just what a bitch Kate Kavanagh can be when she wants to.
That's when I notice that she is pointing to the chair next to me. It seems someone was in such a hurry to get out of here, that he forgot his jacket. I take the jacket and try to resist the urge to bury my nose in it to breathe in his scent, but fail miserably. There is just something irresistible about that man and it is most certainly not his money. His eyes, his smile, his just fucked hair, his scent… all irresistible, all hot and all permanently burned into my brain.
"Ana. Ana! You are pissed, remember? See if there is a business card in there with his number on it. Then phone him and tell him he was rude before you put the phone down in his ear." She shouts at me and I reach into the jacket pocket to pull out his wallet. I look at Kate and she nods so I open it to find his business card. This is just perfect. I carefully remove one card and put the wallet back where I found it before placing the jacket carefully across my lap like it is made out of glass. Could I be any more pathetic? When I pick up my phone however, I notice that it is almost three in the morning and a quick glance across the club confirms that the time is indeed correct. There is less than thirty people left, leaving the club practically empty.
"Kate, it's almost three in the morning and the club is already empty. I think we should just go." She nods and we take our belongings, along with Christian's jacket and head out. Between the two of us, I seem to be the best option to drive so I get behind the wheel. When I turn into the road, Kate punch in his number from the business card and hands the phone to me.
"Come on, Steele. Tomorrow you won't be able to get away with it as you won't be drunk. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you cannot miss it. Just hit dial." She pushes the phone into my hand and when I take it, I see that she already pressed dial and the damn thing is already ringing.
"Kate, it's three in the morning. He is going to be severely pissed." I try to get out of it, but she is not having it.
Christian POV:
As we dance, I keep seeing every fucker around us looking at what I want and I see red. Can they not see she is clearly here with me? As she starts to relax after a couple of songs, I just can't help myself and I put my hands on her hips. My imagination is seeing me flip her over and fucking her in this barely-there dress and I have to blink to get the picture out of my head. We start to dance together and I'm instinctively moving closer to her, gripping harder onto her hips. When she puts her head on my shoulder, I breathe in her scent and it goes straight to my dick, which is luckily not touching her. Surely this cannot be normal. Why does Elena have to be such a bitch about Anastasia? She is the one I need to talk to, not Flynn. She understands my needs and what I need from Anastasia, is her naked and willing to be whipped and fucked, not hearts and flowers with flirting and dancing. When she puts her hands on top of mine, I lose it. My erection is close to painful and I want nothing more than to fuck Ms. Steele hard and fast. Well, maybe hard, but definitely not fast. My breathing speeds up and my blood feels like it's been replaced with fire. I'm so turned on right now that I can't think. I stop myself just as I'm about to kiss the soft skin in her neck. I close my eyes, hold my breath and decide that I have to get the fuck out of here immediately. I let go of Anastasia like she is on fire and reach for Elliot's hand.
"I'm sorry, I have to go," I shout over my shoulder, already on my way out.
I drag Elliot out towards the car and neither of us says a word before I'm on the I-5 heading… fuck knows where as I'm out of Portland already.
"Christian Travelyn Grey, stop this fucking car right now!" Elliot shouts and that brings me back to where we are. I pull over, stop the car and bang my head on the steering wheel. "Would you mind explaining why the fuck I'm in this car with you when I could be in bed… with Kate?"
"I don't know what the hell to do. I just couldn't stay there. I had to leave." I say with my eyes closed and my head against the steering wheel.
"I could work out that part for myself. Mind telling me why?" he asks and I do feel like I owe him an explanation after behaving so rudely.
"Anastasia. Anastasia Steele. She has been driving me fucking crazy since I met her last weekend at Esclava. I don't know how to get her out of my fucking head, but I can't have a relationship with her. I'm no fucking good for her. I can't have her and I can't stand the thought of someone else having her. I want her, but I don't want to ruin her life. How fucked up is that?" I say before I can stop myself. When I lift my head, Elliot is staring at me with wide eyes.
"Holy fuck! That was not at all what I was expecting." He runs his hand through his hair and let his head fall against the headrest. "So… when I asked you to come with me, you planned on seeing her?" Busted.
"Yes, I'm sorry." I say defeated and put my head back against the steering wheel.
"Fuck, Bro. Don't apologize. It's a nice change to see you like this. You are infatuated with Ana. This is soooo cool. Now, first we are going back to Portland to sleep at the hotel. Then, tomorrow morning you are giving me Ana's number, which I know you already have, in order for me to call Kate and take her for breakfast to apologize. If luck is on my side, she can join Ana in Seattle this weekend and I can take her out as Ana apparently already have plans for Saturday."
"Okay," is my only response as I turn around to go to the Heathman. I'm suddenly very tired and could do with some sleep.
"I think Ana is pissed at you though. Damn, I would be pissed if I didn't think that she could be good for you and that you might actually be falling for this girl." Elliot goes on as we drive back.
"I'm not falling for this girl, Elliot." I scowl at him, but he seems oblivious.
"Yeah, yeah… and I'm a virgin. You, my dear brother, can fight this all you like, but this girl… this beautiful girl from Portland… is going to change your life. Just you wait and see." I'm listening to all he is saying, but it can't... she can't… I don't want my life to change. I just want this damn girl out of my head.
After a couple of drinks in our hotel suite, I get into bed and take my phone to see where Anastasia is. I know I should leave her alone, but I just can't. I'm surprised to see that she is still at the club. I phone the manager and I'm told that Anastasia and Kate have been drinking shots since we left. I ask that water is sent to their table and that he call me if there is any sign of trouble. Naturally I also instruct that all men, with the exception of Jose and Jackson, are refused access to the VIP area.
With all instructions given, I try to fall asleep, but it's useless. I'm imagining coming home to find Anastasia there, going to bed with her, having dinner alone with her and I turn to bury my face in my pillow… and scream. Anastasia Steele is driving me insane and I can't stop it. I can't stop thinking about her and I can't stop having these visions of what life could be like with her. Could I be a normal person and have a normal relationship with this girl?
Who the fuck am I kidding? I'm Christian fucking Grey. I don't do hearts and flowers! After yet another mental slap, or more like a mental punch, I finally close my eyes and fall asleep.
I'm woken by the ringing of my phone and immediately answer it when I see that it is almost three in the morning. A call at this hour can only mean trouble. Just as I answer, Elliot peeks into my room.
"Kate, it's three in the morning. He is going to be severely pissed." I keep quiet and look to Elliot who mouths 'Everything okay?' Before I can change my mind, I put my phone on speaker and wave for Elliot to come in. I put my finger over my mouth to tell him to keep his mouth shut.
"Anastasia?" I ask and hear a giggle at the other end of the phone. What came next left both of us staring at the phone. Elliot is speechless and I'm seething.
"Christian Grey… I would just like to say…" Ana starts, sounding drunk, when Kate interrupts, "Ana, you missed the turn. Turn around."
"Oh crap!" another fit of giggles from both of them, "Christian, please hold on for one moment."
I am seeing red and the speechlessness is because I'm trying to control my temper before I go over there to kill them myself. These two women have no sense of self preservation, that much is clear.
"Fuck, Steele. Maybe you should slow down?" Kate suggests while still laughing.
"Kate, I'm trying to have a conversation here." I hear Ana's voice and then she's talking to me again, "Christian Grey, I would just like to tell you that you are quite possibly the rudest man I've ever met." Well honey, you haven't seen the worst of it yet. What you just unleashed is so much worse than you can imagine.
"Anastasia? Are you driving after drinking all those shots?" She is way too drunk to figure out that I know what she has been drinking after I left.
"Well, Kate is too drunk to drive and we want to go home." She explains as it should be obvious to me. I look at the door where Elliot just left and he is already back busy putting on jeans and a t-shirt.
"Kate is too drunk to drive?" This woman will send me to an early grave, of that I'm absolutely certain. Her poor father, I suddenly feel so sorry for him.
"Yep, she had an extra shot so we thought it would be better if I drive. Hold on, I need to turn here and I'm in the wrong lane," thank God it is three in the morning and the streets will be practically empty.
"Anastasia?" I say into the phone as I pull on jeans and a shirt myself. "Anastasia?" I ask again and nod to Elliot when our shoes are on. There are voices on the other side of the phone and they sound like they are trying to figure out where they are. When I get to the elevator I try again, now tired, pissed and worried. "Anastasia!"
"Geez, no need to shout. We are just a little lost." She tells me what I already figured out before she starts laughing with Kate.
"Anastasia, pull over, lock your doors and wait where you are. We will be right there." I tell her and why I expected a polite 'Yes, Sir' I don't know, but I certainly did not expect what came out of her beautiful mouth next.
"You know what, Grey? Go fuck yourself. Money obviously cannot buy manners. We don't need you to get us home, we know where we live and are capable of getting ourselves there, thank you very much. I will courier your jacket that you left at the club in your haste to get out of there, to your office. I saw there is an address on your business card. I didn't phone you to ask for help getting home, I phoned to tell you that you are rude. Also, don't give me orders, I don't even take orders from my father and I will sure as shit not take them from you. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Grey." And then the phone goes dead.
I look at Elliot who heard the entire conversation and even his eyes are wide. No one, in my entire life, has ever spoken to me with such… such… disrespect. Just who the hell does this woman think she is? If I didn't need my phone to track the stubborn, disrespectful woman, I would throw it against a fucking wall. But I take a deep breath and open the app to track her phone.
"This woman will not change my life; she will end my life at this rate." I say mostly to myself and even if Elliot heard it, he is way too pissed himself to comment.
As we pull away from the hotel, I pick up her signal. It doesn't take long to get to them and we pull up behind them where they are parked next to the road with their phones in their hands. As we walk towards the car, the windows are open and both of them are speaking at the same time. I lift my hand to tell Elliot to stop on the other side of the car.
"Ana, let me look at the map on your phone, my phone is very blurry. I think it's broken." Kate says and I can tell her that her phone is blurry because she is drunk.
"Kate, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it seems my phone is broken too. The map is very unclear." And then they giggle, as if this is even remotely funny.
I walk over to Ana's window and get down to look at Ana.
"Why the fuck are you driving if you're drunk?"
Instead of getting yelled at like I expected, I get slapped. Not for the first time tonight, I'm shocked speechless. I mean… Anastasia just slapped me… Christian Grey… across my face… hard. I hear Elliot's "Oh fuck! That did not just happen," followed by Kate's "Way to go, Steele."
Anastasia takes advantage of my shocked state and push me away from the door and proceeds to get out. She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips and Kate is standing on the other side next to Elliot.
"Christian Grey! Are you fucking insane? You scared the crap out of me and almost gave me a heart attack." She screams at me and all I see is her… bend over my knee and my hand ensuring that her disrespectful, perfect ass is a pretty shade of red. I pull myself together and walk to stand in front of her.
A/N: Please, please review and let me know what you think.