APOV

Another week has flown by. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I was shocked Christian invited Luke and I to join him at his parent's house. I know I'm a guest and I care greatly for him, but I thought he would like to spend it solely with his family. But he stated it wouldn't be a holiday without me. Luke and I are still learning Krav Maga but I'm progressing faster than he is which astonishes Marcus and Christian. He once sat in on a lesson and praised me greatly. We haven't talked about the time we almost kissed in the gym, but I know it's because he's still working on his insecurities and his self-consciousness. I feel the worry too because I'm afraid if Christian and I start dating, he might change his mind. It's not that he's not an uncaring person, far from it. But with the luck I have had in the past, it would be in my cards to develop strong feelings for a man for him to grow bored. Besides, do I even deserve his selfless, compassionate love? One half of me says no, but the other half is screaming yes. We're still very affectionate with each other and very comfortable so I can't complain. At night after he has fallen asleep, I kiss his supple lips. I know I shouldn't kiss him without him knowing but his lips tempt me enough during the day. There's even times that when I dream of him, it feels like he's actually kissing me as well, leaving me to wake with a grin on my face. My feelings for him grow day by day.

I open my eyes to the sight of the sun coming in over Seattle's horizon. Even though the scene is peaceful, a wave of nervousness washes over me. I have a job interview today. Christian even told me the man interviewing me knows I'm mute so I just hope I don't blow it by doing something dumb. I'm not sure what the interview is specifically for but I'm willing to take anything. Even though the interview's at one in the afternoon, Christian took the day off to spend time with me and to accompany me to the interview. Christian's arms tighten around me and pull me closer into his chest. He nuzzles into my neck and my worry suddenly disappears.

"I felt your uneasiness," he murmurs against my neck before kissing it. I grin as my hands sprawl across his shirtless back, up his arms, and into his hair, which I just learned is a favorite spot of his to get attention to. He groans before I place a kiss on his shoulder. He pulls back from me and strokes my face with his hand. "After we have breakfast what would you like to do since we've got time to kill?"

"Play the piano," I mouth and feel my cheeks heat. If only I could come clean with my feelings, it would be fine to kiss him right now like I want to.

"Sounds like a great idea to me baby." He kisses my nose and I kiss his other shoulder before he rises off the bed followed by me. He stretches and I admire his body dressed in only pajama pants. I suddenly get a dirty thought and I head out of the room before he can see my face.

After we have eaten, played, and red I change into my light gray pants suit with a dark blue dress shirt underneath my jacket. When I come out of my room, Christian scans me over.

"Beautiful," he grins before kissing my temple and lacing his fingers in with mine. We jump into the elevator and slide into the Spyder. Before we pull out onto the street, Christian picks up my hand and kisses it multiple times. My face heats as we smile at each other. Within a few minutes we've pulled up outside a building called Seattle Independent Publishing. "Baby I know you're nervous but please don't be. I know you're smart and clever so if he doesn't take you, he's a dumb ass." We chuckle before we head into the sleek building. Hand in hand we step up to the receptionist's desk.

"Welcome to Seattle Independent Publishing Mr. Grey and Ms. Steele. Please have a seat in our lounge," the woman says with kindness. We sit and I end up playing with my shirttails. Before long the receptionist calls me to follow her. Before I rise, Christian brings his mouth close to my ear.

"You won't need it but good luck," he whispers, causing me to shiver and kisses me just below my ear. I follow the woman back until we stop at a door. She knocks and ushers me in. She shuts the door behind me and I come face to face with lively light blue eyes.

"Welcome to SIP Ana, my name is Jack Hyde but please call me Jack," he states with eagerness. He's a little taller than myself and has light brown hair. He's about Christian's age. "Please come take a seat." I do while he sits across from me behind his desk. "Now Mr. Grey told me you're mute, which is fine. However I can't read lips very well so when you speak, please talk a little slower."

"Okay." He opens a folder and begins to scan over it. I notice a picture frame with him standing next to a man with dark tanned skin with slicked-back black hair. On the man's hip is a blonde girl about two years old.

"That is my husband José and our daughter Elena."

"You have a nice looking family."

"Thank you. Okay let's get this interview on the road!"

Well over an hour later after many questions and what seemed like tests I feel very accomplished.

"Alright Ana I think you would make an excellent commissioning editor assistant. So basically you'll be my assistant. Here is the contract stating your starting wage and all those lovely details. I just need your signature. You may begin the Monday after Thanksgiving. Congratulations and I look forward to working with you," he says with confidence. I'm still trying to figure out what all he said.

"You mean I'm going to be an assistant?"

"Yes of course. What job did you think you were being interviewed for?"

"Maintenance or something. I figured since I didn't have a college degree, I would be starting out small and be bagging groceries."

"Oh shoot no honey! Well I saw how you're enrolled at WSU for this upcoming semester. But from how you've tested on everything, I know you'll be perfect for the job."

"Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome. Have a great rest of the day and Thanksgiving."

"You two!" I open the door and about jump into Christian's arms.

"I take it you got the job," he asks as he pulls back from me. I nod. "Congratulations baby." He nuzzles into my neck before kissing it. I shiver against him but too soon we separate and head outside. "What would you like to do now? See a movie? Go for a drive?" His excitement matches mine and I almost feel like jumping up and down from where I stand. But I think of something instead.

"Can we go to a flower shop please?"

"Sure baby." Within a few minutes we walk out with a dozen red roses and lilacs for Gail. "Now where would you like to go?"

"Wisest Cemetery in Montesano."