Just Breathe, Chapter 2 – Settled in Seattle
Christian's POV
***** Seattle Times *****
Caption: Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, with friend, Anastasia Steele at the WSUV graduation ceremonies.
***** Seattle Times *****
The Sunday Seattle Times publishes the picture of Anastasia and me at the WSUV graduation. The picture is in color; which I don't understand. We look very good standing together. Our clothes coordinate and our coloring compliments one another. My charcoal grey Brioni suit with pearl grey tie shows off my hair and highlights my eyes. The photographer caught the sky blue of Anastasia's eyes and the rose blush of her cheeks and pouty lips. The photographer managed to catch the richness of her hair and the alabaster sheen of her skin. Mia could look at Anastasia's silver grey halter dress and suede pumps and tell me designer names…but they are not as important as the woman wearing them. Since it is the first time I've been photographed with a woman; I am pleased with the picture and am glad I didn't quash it.
I call my communications department and request an extra copy of the paper, a digital copy of the picture and a 5x7 hard copy. I use my mother as an excuse for my requests. Truthfully, I thought the picture, paper and a bottle of Bollinger Grande Année Rosé 1999 would be a nice housewarming gift for Anastasia. The pink of the champagne reminds me of the way she blushes. If Anastasia becomes a visitor at Escala; I will order a case of it to have on hand. Sunset, dancing, champagne, slowly stripping Anastasia, restraining her hands behind her back, dominating her mouth until her lips are swollen, pushing her to her knees to orally worship – my fantasy is interrupted by Elliott's phone call.
He says Mom and Dad passed the paper back and forth between them during Sunday brunch. He said any speculations they have about the picture must have been discussed behind closed doors because they didn't mention it to him. He laughs uncontrollably about the picture in the paper. I'm glad I didn't go to brunch this week.
I hope Mom doesn't discuss the picture with Elena; but it will probably be the main topic when Mom picks Mia up at the airport this week. The picture will cause a slew of emails, phone calls and questions I don't feel like answering right now. I can't blame the situation on anyone but myself. What am I supposed to say about the picture? The answer which makes me most comfortable with my family will distance me from the truth. I deliberately maneuvered Katherine Kavanagh into an introduction with Anastasia Steele. I deliberately put my arm around Anastasia because I wanted to see how good she looked next to me. I set it up, I didn't quash it and I cannot be aggravated by anyone who has questions about it. I manipulated a meeting with Keaton Kavanagh. I manipulated lunch where I sat by Anastasia. I maneuvered myself to the back of the elevator so I could look at that alabaster skin and that soft flowing hair. Now, I intend to use the picture to make Anastasia think about me.
I review Welch's background check on Anastasia. It raises so many questions. Why doesn't a beautiful young woman have a known boyfriend? Never overdrawn at the bank; she has four recent deposits. Two are graduation gifts from parents; the other two are her final paycheck and a small bonus from her previous employers. She will probably spend her last paycheck on plane tickets to visit her mother in Georgia. I need Welch to run her financials. How much is her rent, car insurance, student loans, etc. Until Anastasia receives a regular paycheck, will she eat properly? Will she catch the bus to work because gas and parking will eat away at her bank account? Will she take a second job on weekends to support herself while spending her intern paycheck on student loans? Can she depend on financial support from her mother or father while she gets established?
Welch researched Raymond Steele and Carla Adams while researching Anastasia. I order Welch to conduct comprehensive background checks on Carla's previous husbands, the Rodriguez family and any business acquaintances of Raymond Steele who may be in contact with Anastasia. I don't like surprises; forewarned is forearmed. I Google Anastasia to see if there is information about her online. There are mentions of her making the Dean's List each semester; but there are no pictures to accompany the list. There are a few pictures of her at various WSUV track meets. I find Katherine's Facebook page; where Anastasia is tagged in four years of photos. There are only a few dozen where Anastasia is alone. I save most of them to an AS folder on my laptop. I don't save the ones of her with Katherine, Ethan or José. I find a webpage for Steele Woodworking in Montesano, WA; but it is a static online ad, not a webpage. There are no pictures of Anastasia working in the woodshop.
Sawyer calls; Anastasia left her condo for a run. I'm dressed in my running clothes within ten minutes. Taylor thinks I've lost my mind when I yell at him to take me to the park near Pike Place Market. I spot Sawyer running thirty paces behind Anastasia and make Taylor parks half a mile away so I can run toward her and catch her eye.
I blast past her and then turn and yell, "Miss Steele." She stops and bends at the waist to catch her breath. She shakes out her limbs, pulls out her earbuds and then approaches me. Taylor drops back to keep an eye on me, but not listen to our conversation. Sawyer blends into the crowd in the park.
"Mr. Grey…hello." Her breath catches and she looks up at me with those clear blue eyes under those lush eyelashes.
I'm lost for conversation for a minute…I'm drowning in those eyes. "I see you are still running. Are you trying to clear your head before interviews tomorrow?" I inquire.
"Kate's unpacking clothes crates. I thought if I went for a run, I would miss most of the unpacking, sorting, swearing fabric carnage." She laughs. "She's got to pare down, the spare bedroom looks like a clothing, shoe and accessories boutique exploded in there. She called my dad and asked him to spend a weekend with us and build out custom closets in the place." She laughed.
"Do you want to go for coffee to prolong your departure from the condo?" I offer.
"I'm not a coffee person, but the original Starbucks is between here and the condo." She smiles. "I can get tea." She unties her jacket from her waist and I help her slip it on. Her breathing hitches as my knuckles brush against the bare skin at her neck. I reach for her braid and pull it out of the jacket. I could wrap that braid around my hand a few times and pull her into me.
"Join me then," I smile and reach for her hand; forcing the licentious thoughts from my head. It is a pleasant walk to the coffee shop. I learn her preference for English Breakfast Tea. "Someday you should go to the Perennial Tea Room, Anastasia. It's on Post Alley in Pike Place Market. My mom likes it. She also likes the Queen Mary Tea Room. You have to check it out some weekend. Have you tried Lady Grey tea? It's one of my mother's favorites. She has an antique Limoges tea set she used when Mia was much younger and they had tea parties for Mia's birthdays."
"Please call me Ana. When you call me Anastasia…I think Ray's getting ready to give me a lecture." She smiles up at me.
"Ana…please call me…" I pause. No one calls me Christian except my family and Elena. I can't ask her to call me sir or master – not yet anyway. "Call me Grey."
"Grey?" A little V forms between her eyebrows when she frowns. "I guess that's not as formal as Mr. Grey."
"No one calls me by my first name except my family and a few close friends. I'm just used to being called Grey. It is one of the nicer names people call me." I say self-deprecatingly.
Taylor's POV
God this is painful. Grey interviews Miss Steele, instead of really talking to her. Maybe he doesn't know how to talk to a pretty girl like a normal male and not a Dominant. My heart aches at the thought of this beautiful girl becoming one of the sex zombies who have been in and out of his life for the last few years. She plays a valiant game, keeping up with his cryptic answers and nosy questions. It's obvious she doesn't like talking about herself and neither does he. She attempts to deflect his questions by asking him to reiterate what he told her about interviewing. She types questions and answers into her phone for reference later. Finally she exhibits some sense and announces she has to return to the condo. He is clearly disappointed she is leaving; but is at a loss to prolong their conversation. They walk back toward her condo not touching. She asked a question and doesn't understand his answer. She steps off the curb, obviously trying to distance herself from him and barely misses stepping into the path of a group of cyclists.
Before I rescue her; he pulls her back and sinks to the pavement with her in his arms. She looks up at him like he's a knight in shining armor. This is the third time she's fallen into his arms! That stupid fuck! A normal man would claim a kiss for saving her. Instead he shakes his head and helps her to stand. It's one thing not to engage in PDAs because of paparazzi but there are none around. He walks her back to her condo and wishes her well on her interviews tomorrow. The stupid shit doesn't realize she's upset. Fuck, if she goes upstairs this way, her roommate, Katherine Kavanagh, will bust his balls the next time she sees him.
He looks so lost in thought when he suggests we run back to Escala instead of taking the SUV. I can send Ryan for it later. Great. Wonderful. Just when I hoped to spend quality time with Gail upon her return to Escala tonight...we will be serenaded by Pathétique, piano sonata No. 8 in A flat by Beethoven, performed continuously for hours by the very flawed Christian Grey. I wish his personal life was flawless like his piano playing.
Christian's POV
Cynda Howard, my communications department head, messengers over an envelope with the items I ordered from Seattle Times. I copy the digital file to my Blackberry and drop the flash drive in my briefcase for Andrea to return to Communications for their files. I get a bottle of Bollinger out of the wine closet and chill it. I will add the champagne to the Seattle Times envelope and messenger it to the lovely Anastasia with a note of encouragement on her job interviews.
I'm restless and prowl the condo. I need a release. It is too late to sail, too late to fly, too late to glide. I've already run with Taylor. Bastille is not available for a few rounds of golf or kickboxing. Sawyer is assigned to covert surveillance of Anastasia so he can't run with me. I don't feel like hanging out with Elliott, or visiting my family. I would Skype Mia but I don't feel like fielding questions about the picture in the paper. My cell pings. Elena leaves a voicemail asking about the picture in the paper. Her message strongly urges me to interview a new submissive. I'm not interested. I don't forward her emailed information about three potential submissives to Welch to investigate. I email Barney to trash all future emails and phone messages from Elena and purge their electronic existence.
I play the piano while trying to formulate a plan of action regarding Anastasia. I can't walk away from her. I can't get her out of my head. I don't understand why there is no young man in her life right now. However, I'm still pissed off her roommate's brother hugged her on graduation day. She seems comfortable with him. Can she ever be that comfortable with me? Surely she knows nothing of my lifestyle. Can I convince her to become my submissive? Would she be interested or will she run away; refusing to ever see me again? Do I even want a submissive right now? Flynn's British stiff upper lip would crack and break if I told him about the thoughts cruising through my head since meeting Anastasia.
I've had blue-eyed subs before, but not like those blue eyes. Starring into those blue eyes is like looking at the sky when I'm gliding, flying or sailing. My contracts have a 'don't look at me' rule – but I like it when Anastasia looks at me. I liked holding her hand. I liked seeing her hair braided; but I want to be the one to brush and braid it. I liked watching her long legs keeping a steady rhythm while she ran. I would like to run with her, really run with her. I want to watch her ass bounce in running shorts. I want – where is this 'I want' stuff coming from? I'm a Dominant. I don't 'want' – I order my submissives to satisfy my sexual needs and they comply.
I sigh. Maybe I can contain my thoughts while I compose a note to Anastasia and Katherine. After two hours and a dozen shredded drafts, I finally put pen to stationery.
Ladies, good luck in your new home. Seattle is a great place to live. The envelope is for you, Anastasia. Perhaps you will add it to your graduation memorabilia? For both of you, present the enclosed card at Esclava tomorrow, address on back of card. It is good for any salon or spa services you may desire. Good luck on your interviews, Anastasia.
Sincerely, Christian Grey
Taylor sends the champagne and envelope to Anastasia's condo via delivery service. He warns Sawyer I sent a package so he is not to hassle the delivery man for information. My mood has lightened considerably. I heat some of Mrs. Jones' fabulous PastaaQuattro Formaggi with grilled garlic, scallions and diced asparagus. I pour a glass of chilled Sancerre with dinner while I work. Will Puget or SIP realize Anastasia is a treasure and hire her? Until my acquisition of SIP is completed, I cannot influence them to hire her. Part of me wants her to not get an offer from SIP or Puget so I can offer her an internship at GEH; but I have a hard and fast rule about not fucking the staff. Can I ask Anastasia to become my submissive? I know I pushed her away when she looked up at me in the street. I didn't dare kiss her and not because of paparazzi. I didn't dare kiss her because I didn't think I could stop kissing that perfect pouty pink little mouth. If she had smiled at me one more time; if she had bit that lower lip one more time; I would have lost all sense of control and kissed her...and dealt with the fallout.
Sawyer reports the delivery of the champagne and envelope. I hope it makes Anastasia smile. Oh god; I think about her mouth again. I want to dominate that mouth; kiss it until her lips are swollen and tender. I fuck her so hard and hot and fast that she's moaning into my mouth while her blue eyes look up at me from underneath those long lashes – FUCK! Now I have to take another cold shower!
XX
Jack Hyde enjoyed his morning coffee and a cigarette on the balcony of his condo. His phone app pinged a notification about Christian Grey. The Seattle Times published a picture of Christian Grey with a brunette beauty, Anastasia Steele, at the WSUV graduation. There was no overt display of affection in the picture. Grey had his arm around her shoulder. He researched the photographer from the Seattle Times. The photographer's gallery at Seattle Times contained a few shots of Christian Grey; but this one with the girl was a money shot. Seattle Times printed the picture in color to make sure everyone saw it. He could guarantee the picture just netted them thousands of hits on their website.
The picture accompanied an article about the graduation ceremonies. He clipped the article and picture to add to the hard copy file he had on Grey. The girl was not mentioned in the article. Why did the girl's name sound familiar? He knew from past research Grey never had his picture taken with a woman. Pictures and information before Grey earned his first million were difficult to find. Pictures and adequate information after Grey earned his first million were sketchy at best. He was sure Grey's PR team at GEH squashed the most interesting articles and pictures.
The article said Grey spoke and distributed diplomas to the graduates at the WSUV graduation. It included a link to the WSUV student magazine. He clicked on the link and read the article. The pictures were new ones – not publicity stills used before. He printed the article and the pictures. He researched the name of the writer on the article, Katherine Kavanagh. As the valedictorian of WSUV graduating class, she was on the stage with Grey at graduation along with the university president and other dignitaries. She was a curvaceous blonde beauty with lively green eyes. She was definitely fuckable, but as the daughter of Kavanagh Media, she was off limits. Katherine Kavanagh's Facebook page interested him: a link to the Grey article in the student magazine; graduation pictures of Kate and the brunette, who she called Ana; posts about trying to write the valedictorian's speech; graduation dinner at the Heathman Hotel in Portland with her family, roommate and her father and "business associate" of her father's. It would be very convenient if "the business associate" was Grey and if there were candid shots. Posts about the impending move to Seattle. They were moving to a condo around Pike Place Market near him, but also near Escala where Grey lived. Posts about interviews for internships – FUCK – that was it!
He went to his desk and pulled out the file on intern interviews. Yes; he remembered correctly. Miss Anastasia Steele was interviewing tomorrow afternoon at SIP for a position as his intern. The correct amount of pressure on Elizabeth would guarantee he could pick Anastasia Steele over the other four young women interviewing. He intended to watch her carefully and determine if there was something between her and Grey he could use to his advantage. He searched Katherine Kavanagh's Facebook page and saved every possible shot of Anastasia Steele.
He researched Anastasia Steele online and found almost nothing about her. She was listed on the WSUV Dean's List in a few published articles. There were a few pictures of her with the track and field team. WSUV's website listed her as graduating Summa Cum Laude and included a small picture of her. Clayton's Hardware, Portland, posted pictures of their staff with names on the business's website. Montesano was listed as her home town; so he researched her last name with Montesano and got a hit on her father's business. The website was a static ad – no picture of Anastasia. Steele Woodworking explained Anastasia's previous job at Clayton Hardware.
Other than interviewing and hiring Anastasia Steele; he needed to formulate how to use her to fuck with Christian Grey. It gave him great pleasure to burn cigarette holes in the extra picture of Grey he printed from the interview site. Anastasia Steele was one possession Jack Hyde would not lose to Christian Grey. He was not just a managing editor at SIP. He was not just a book reader. He was a man with a photographic memory. "Nothing is ever lost to us as long as we have memories." He had memories of anger and loss when Carrick and Grace Grey adopted Christian; leaving Jack standing in the shadow of poverty at a foster home in Detroit.
He didn't know what made his dick the hardest: the thought of fucking Steele or the thought of fucking with Grey. Whatever made him hard; he needed relief. He didn't have time to troll the streets or bars until he found a hooker who resembled Steele. With enough good wine and liquid ecstasy in her; Elizabeth would let him have rough sex with her. Between porn movies, Elizabeth in a garter belt, stockings and stilettos, and half an ED pill after six p.m. and the other half at midnight, Jack was guaranteed several hard fucks between now and time to go to work. If Elizabeth couldn't walk well, or if it was difficult for her to sit tomorrow…it might make him hard enough to fuck her mouth at lunchtime tomorrow.
"Elizabeth," he chuckled at her intake of breath. "It's Sunday and I'm bored, bored, bored. Come play with me unless you want the videotape of our last encounter to land on You Porn." He listened to her protests and chuckled again. "Stop wasting time, Elizabeth. Dress, garter belt, stockings and stilettos. No other underwear. Get your fine ass over here in twenty minutes. You will strip; give me a lap dance, and suck my cock first because you dared to argue with me. Bring clothes for work tomorrow because you won't have time to go home and get ready. I intend to fuck you as many times as possible between this afternoon and dawn tomorrow morning."
XXXXX
Monday after Graduation
Christian's POV
After my workout with Claude in my private gym at Grey House, Roz and I have an impromptu Monday morning meeting with Mergers and Acquisitions. I give them the preliminary information about SIP. Grey House has publishing needs. SIP can handle our in-house publishing much easier than finding and vetting printers willing to sign NDAs and publish for us. I tell myself I want SIP to make things easier for Grey House; but I know I want SIP; especially if they offer Anastasia an internship. I would have reason to inspect SIP and possibly see the alluring Anastasia in person; rather than pictures. Roz instructs the M&A team to begin the acquisition process; Welch researches SIP financials and past financial history; Barney hacks their server to check for weak spots. He hacks SIPs internal email. He hacks every possible personal email of SIP employees. Roz and I converse about Kavanagh Media acquiring a podcast. Is there money to be made in purchasing stock in the company? Barney suggests additional checks on other available podcast companies to see if any have a high profile and a low threshold of organization and development. I task him with research about this area of technology.
At the end of our meeting, Sawyer informs me Miss K. and Miss S. have gone to Esclava for beauty treatments. He emails a few candid shots of them exiting the condo and getting into Katherine's Mercedes. His next report will include pictures from inside the salon if possible.
Cynda requested a quick meeting in Communications. They received a lot of calls regarding the Seattle Times WSUV picture. I tell Cynda the young lady is Anastasia Steele, the roommate of Katherine Kavanagh, daughter of Kavanagh Media, who was the valedictorian at WSUV's graduation ceremony. Christian Grey and Grey Enterprises Holdings have no comment; as usual.
The rest of my day is busy with weekly updates from department heads. Andrea is a strict taskmaster today; keeping everyone on schedule. Every department head has worked for me long enough to know that they get fifteen minutes to concisely report the status of concluded, pending and future tasks and projects. I check emails and have a working lunch at my desk. My desert is a picture of Anastasia with a sleek figure eight chignon. I give Taylor marching orders not to allow anyone into my office for the rest of the day unless it is Roz, Barney, Welch or Andrea. I apply myself to spreadsheets and reports while waiting...impatiently...for pictures of Anastasia Steele.
Wow…I'm blown away by the pictures of Anastasia departing for her interviews. She wears a spring linen dress with a chocolate leather belt and chocolate boyfriend jacket. Her briefcase purse and pumps are cognac leather. She wears small gold hoops, a gold watch and a slim gold bangle bracelet. She is dressed to impress and I hope she does.
Sawyer emails me two pictures of Anastasia coming out of Puget and SIP. I wonder if that is her calm, but preoccupied face. She is not happy like she was the day of graduation. I'm worried the interviews did not go well. She had to test at Puget, like I expected. Perhaps the preoccupation is about how she tested. The SIP after pictures might be preoccupation about how she handled the interview. He reports she is enroute to the condo.
It is late when we return to Escala. Mrs. Jones prepares a dinner tray which Taylor delivers to my home office. I tell him I plan to work until late and I'm not to be disturbed by anyone except family. He asks if that includes Mrs. Lincoln. I quickly remind him – Elena Lincoln is not family. His face was impassive, but I caught a reflection of a grin in the window when he exited my office. I eat the excellent meal Mrs. Jones prepared and settle down to read reports and spreadsheets.
I do not hear from Sawyer again until he follows Katherine and Anastasia to the airport. He finds out her flight number, itinerary and flight times. I'm not happy she is flying the red-eye to Savannah to see her mother. Flight time of seven and a half hours; layover of one hour. She will be exhausted if she does not sleep on the plane. If she sleeps, will she be safe? How safe is she when she transfers planes? He sends pictures of her, dressed like a college student, carrying a rucksack with a laptop and a few days of clothes and toiletries. Sawyer can't follow any closer because of the damned TSA rules. I wish I had a reason to put her on my jet and fly her to Georgia. Taylor arranged a private security company to keep tabs on her in Georgia.
XXXXX
Wednesday after Graduation
Christian's POV
"Mr. Grey," Taylor interrupted my thoughts. "The security company watching Miss Steele reports the family went to the Savannah Harbor Country Club tonight. They celebrated Miss Steele's new job. She's been offered an internship at Seattle Independent Publishers, starting next Monday morning as an assistant to one of the editors. Security reports Miss Steele will arrive back in Seattle late Friday evening."
"Was it just a family event?" I ask casually, but my head is not casual about this at all.
"Just Miss Steele and her parents. They are a good looking couple, and it's obvious they dote on one another. He is on crutches from his accident. Despite urging from her mother and various introductions to club members, Miss Steele didn't dance and only sipped one glass of champagne. She wore the grey dress from graduation. Security reports her mom plans to take her clothes shopping tomorrow. They sent candid photos from following her today." Taylor handed me a flash drive before leaving my office.
When Taylor left, I spent an hour looking at Anastasia's pictures. There are half a dozen shots of her lounging at the beach wearing a modest cobalt blue tankini swimsuit with a tropical-print sarong cover-up. I'm pleased at her modesty; but I'm pissed the Georgia security team saw her swimming and sunbathing. The next dozen pictures are taken when Anastasia grocery shops with her mother. She wears a mint green shirt, dark wash skinny jeans and Converse! In two of the pictures, Anastasia's face appears calm while Carla appears to be lecturing her. The next dozen pictures are from dinner with her mother and stepfather. The halter dress is lovely, but she's sporting a just-been-fucked braid which gives me wicked thoughts. She is lovely in her graduation dress at dinner. I remember her hand in mine; I remember the current that passed between us. I remember her blue eyes, peeking up at me through her long lashes; her soft voice calling me sir. I remember the feel of her skin in my hands when she fell against me in the elevator. I remember how she blushes. I remember her long wavy hair at graduation, touching her back, watching the bounce of that chiffon skirt around those long legs. Thinking about Anastasia scrambled my brain. My cock dances in my pants, telling me he is gaga over a petite blue-eyed beauty.
XXXXX
Thursday after Graduation
Christian's POV
When I reach Escala, Mrs. Jones has a dinner tray prepared for me. I tell her I'm working in the office until late. While I eat her marvelous cooking; I view the pictures Savannah security sent Taylor of Anastasia shopping with her mother. The look on Anastasia's face as Carla leads them to the mall entrance is priceless. They stand by the directory and discuss the almost two dozen clothing stores for women. In the first store Carla selects separates to give Anastasia different looks for work. Navy tweed, plaid and pinstripe pencil skirts; and short-sleeve navy, crimson and white silk shirts. Anastasia leaves with a large shopping bag and what appears to be a V-frown on her forehead. At the second store; Carla selects a navy column dress and a navy summer-weight short-sleeve sweater dress. They stop for lunch at a trendy little indoor 'sidewalk' café for salads and mango sweet tea. Anastasia's manners are lovely. She waits for her mother to begin, and takes small bites in order to answer her mother's never ending prattle of questions.
After lunch they resume shopping. I'll bet Carla could shop Mia under the table if she had adequate funds. At the next store Carla convinces Anastasia to try on three dresses, but only the modest botanical print dress with cap sleeves, ruched bodice and flouncy skirt makes the cut. Carla selects a red boyfriend jacket with navy slacks; navy and sapphire short-sleeve scoop neck silk tops and a crimson lace shell top. At the next store; Carla buys navy polka dot pumps with matching purse; crimson pumps with matching hobo bag; and apple green purse, pumps and accessories. Apple green? There is a video of Carla showing how great the apple green accessories go with the navy column dress. I almost laugh aloud at the expression on Anastasia's face. Anastasia seems to be relieved when they leave the mall.
Baby, come be mine. I will hire a personal shopper to create a work wardrobe and a casual wardrobe for you, with pictures of different ensembles and accessories. You will never waste time choosing what to wear. You will never waste a beautiful afternoon at the mall; entertaining losers who watch you while you shop. I will buy you matching silk lingerie. I will buy you stockings, garter belts and skyscraper heels you can model for me. I'll bet your ass looks so fine in thongs or lacy boyshorts.
XXXXX
Friday after Graduation
Christian's POV
We're working late, Roz and I, along with a team from Mergers and Acquisitions, to finalize the acquisition documents for SIP. Andrea ordered dinner for all of us. We'll be a few more hours. While they are at the conference table in my office preparing the preliminary offer, I stare at my laptop. They think I'm reviewing spreadsheets. I'm staring at covert pictures of Anastasia taken by the security team following her. She went to lunch with her mother at the country club and watched her mother play tennis this afternoon. They were met for an early dinner at a local steakhouse by her stepfather. The Savannah security team terminated their surveillance when her mother dropped her at the airport minutes ago. Anastasia is flying red-eye again on her return trip, but because of the time change; she'll arrive at Sea-Tac around six o'clock in the morning. It doesn't improve my disposition to worry about her and her travel arrangements. This time she carries a small duffle bag which holds the clothes purchased by Carla.
I can't concentrate anymore. Roz and the team think I'm bored with them when I sigh. They start working harder and faster on the preliminary paperwork. My cock clamors for attention again. I shift in my chair to relieve the pressure in my pants. Roz pauses in her discussion with the M&A team to shoot me a quizzical look. I just shake my head no. What I'm thinking about has nothing to do with spreadsheets…and a whole lot to do with fantasizing about Anastasia bound in my playroom. I'll bet her brunette hair and pale skin will look outstanding against the red silk sheets of my playroom bed. I need red silk bondage ties to match the sheets, and a red silk blindfold and a red silk flogger.
I text Sawyer with confirmation of Anastasia's flight information. Sawyer texts Miss Kavanagh is currently grocery shopping. Having heard the conversation during graduation lunch; he predicts Miss Steele will be making lasagna this weekend. The thought of her cooking for Ethan Kavanagh pisses me off! Katherine only left the condo this week to take loads of clothes and accessories to the Career Closet. Sawyer explains it is a Seattle charity which provides work clothes for impoverished young women who need wardrobes for interviews or new jobs. I wonder how much of Kavanagh's wardrobe migrated to Anastasia's closet.
Andrea tries not to interrupt my work but her work is constantly interrupted by phone calls from Elena demanding to talk to me. I tell her to send the current call through and then deny Elena access until I tell her otherwise. Elena has my approval for Anastasia and Katherine's morning at Esclava and wants to know who they are. I explain Katherine is the daughter of Keaton Kavanagh of Kavanagh Media who just gave me excellent background information on a new company to acquire. The spa day was a diversion to get her and her roommate out of the way so Keaton and I could talk business. I explain I'm in the midst of mergers and acquisitions; I will not be available for lunches, dinners, meetings or anything else for at least a few months until paperwork is signed on new ventures.
I have a reminder email from Mia; I promised to come to brunch this Sunday to see her. I have a reminder email from Mom: I have a reminder email from Dad; and I have a reminder email from Elliott. These people need to get a life and quit meddling in mine! I will remember the Keaton Kavanagh excuse if mom asks about the WSUV picture. Additionally; if Elena questions my mother – we're both giving the same story.
I sigh when I terminate Elena's call. I put Anastasia and my family out of my mind and settle down to read Barney's reports on podcasts, wind turbine technology and drones.
A/N:
Thank you for the reviews and viewers; thank you for the messages and questions; thank you for the favorites and follows!
I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy or the characters. They belong to E. L. James. My story is the interpretation of my thoughts about how the characters could have, should have, would have acted.