APOV

I wake up with a splitting headache and a vague memory of predicting it. It's all I can do to roll out of bed and take some Advil before lying back down and closing my eyes. God he was so hot. Did last night really happen? Did he actually offer to stay here and babysit and then stay the entire time? Did I rush him out of here?

My God is he hot! When Kate mentioned going out I was excited, I've been in Seattle for four months now and really haven't gone out much. She did tell me Elliot was bringing his brother and told me why but I was totally unprepared for the God that is Christian Grey. Geez, Kate could have warned me that male perfection personified was going to be coming to our apartment.

I don't think I made too much of a fool of myself. It hurts to think too hard but I replay the night in my head. No, I didn't make a fool of myself. Actually, I remember him almost licking his plate clean and helping me to clean up so dinner went well and the conversation afterwards flowed easily enough.

I've never been on a date and even though I know last night wasn't a date, it felt like one in so many ways. Alone, well, Sophie was sleeping in the next room but we were basically alone, with a man and a glass of wine. I could have killed myself for not having done my laundry and being forced to wear such a shapeless sweater. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, Ana. Men like him do not check out girls like you. Stop playing with your own head.

I felt like I held my own when we were talking, he's clearly used to being in control and being a CEO but after a little while I felt him loosen up a bit. The first time he laughed I felt my heart swell, the lightness of the moment overwhelming me. He was beautiful, his grey eyes crinkled in the corner and his perfectly white teeth on full display, a true panty dropping smile. I found myself wanting him to like me and after I told him about my business and he seemed impressed, I was on cloud nine.

"Ana! Are you awake yet?" Ugh, it is way too early for the Katherine Kavanagh interrogation.

"If I wasn't, I would be now. What time is it?" I'm not actually mad at Kate for barging in here but I did want to keep thinking about Christian uninterrupted.

"It's past noon! I want to hear about your night. I can't believe he stayed with you! Elliot was speechless in the car and when he could finally string a sentence together he just kept repeating how he'd never seen his brother like that. Please, please tell me you kissed him."

I roll my eyes and cover my face with the pillow, the bright light from the now open window too harsh. "Of course we didn't kiss. We had dinner, by the way we need to go shopping, and then I put Sophie to bed and then we sat on the couch and talked until the grandparents showed up."

"Oh my God! He stayed the entire time! Holy shit! I need to tell Elliot, he was sure he'd be gone within an hour. He likes you, Steele. Christian Fucking Grey likes you." She is positively giddy and I am about to puke.

"Kate, he felt bad for me and helped me with Soph. That's it. Men like him do not become interested in women like me. Now let me go back to sleep." I roll over again but she doesn't take the hint. She never does now that I think about it.

"Bull shit. Elliot said that he was pissed he even had to come here for a drink and was even more pissed that my 'roommate' was coming but the second you popped around the door he was all smiles. When I tell you Elliot was surprised, I mean it. He couldn't stop talking about it and I swear he called his mom when I went to the bathroom. He was truly stunned. Did you know he's a freaking billionaire?"

"He probably didn't want to go out and feel like the third wheel once I couldn't go. I'm tired, Kate, I have a headache, goodbye." Billionaire? He's so young, how is that even possible?

"Ugh. You're impossible. It pisses me off that you think you can't land a guy like Grey. You're fucking hot as hell. Shit, Elliot has four guys he wanted to hook you up with. You really need to see yourself the way we do, Ana." She kisses my forehead and skips out of the room before calling over her shoulder, "Oh, and he was fine being the third wheel before he knew you were coming so there goes that theory!"

I'd like to believe that Christian is interested in me, hell, he can even pretend and I'll play along but I know better. He's gorgeous, richer than God and way too smooth for someone like me. Even so, I can't help but acknowledge the electricity that ran between us the three times we touched and I did feel like he was watching me when I was cooking.

Was it really past noon? Grabbing my phone to check the time my heart jumps when I see text from him. When did I get his number? And when did he get mine?

Good morning, Ana. Make sure you take two Advil and drink lots of water today. I'll call you later about an appointment.

-Thanks, dad, Advil already taken. Did we exchange numbers last night?-

His response comes immediately and my pulse picks up, the resulting throbbing in my head unwelcome and annoying.

That smart mouth is going to get you in trouble, Ana. I programmed our phones last night when you put Sophie to bed.

-Smooth. Going back to sleep, looking forward to our meeting.-

Lightweight. Me too.

I'd love to banter back and forth with him all day but I quickly realize that makes me appear desperate so I end the communication and close my eyes while I wait for the medicine to take effect. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why isn't he complaining of a hangover? Why does he have to be so freaking good looking?

After another half an hour of day dreaming I drag myself out of bed for good and take a shower before heading to the living room to face the second round with Kate.

"Hey, what's your plan for the day?"

"Ideally I'd read all day long and go to bed early but I need to renew my passport and bring Wanda to Jose. She's been acting up again and I'm hoping he can fix it for free. You?" She's eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "And I'm going to the grocery store."

"I was hoping to have a spa day but I don't want to go by myself. Come on, daddy's treat!" Kate's dad treats her to a lot of things, none of them in person but well substituted in the form of silver plastic. Even I get the advantage of her spoils, this rent free apartment being one of them.

"Tempting and God knows I need another wax but I can't. If Wanda dies, I'm screwed. Plus I haven't seen Jose in weeks and I've put off my passport for almost a month. I can't risk getting a job overseas only to not be able to take it because I've gone for a massage instead of a renewal. Why don't you meet Jose and me for dinner later?"

"Bummer. OK, where and when? Elliot's busy so it'll just be me." Good, as much as I like Elliot, and I do, I don't want to lose the trio of our friendship that has gotten us through four years of college and one year of real life.

"I'll call you when we know. What's Elliot doing?" I'm hoping she doesn't realize my curiosity is a thinly veiled disguise at finding out what Christian is doing.

"His sister is back from Paris so they're having a family dinner. Christian picked her up this morning at the airport." So that explains the early morning text.

Mia. His sisters name is Mia and I am jealous of her and the fact that he's spending the day with her. Get a grip, he's not even interested in you like that! Stop with the self-torture now for God's sake.

"Oh that's sweet. I'll call you later, have fun at the spa!"

I grab my bag and head out to Wanda. She is definitely falling apart, her paint has long lost its luster and she's got as much rust as she's got paint. Every time I get in this car I hope it starts and I am dreading winter when it's that much harder for her to turn over. But, she's my Wanda and I'll take care of her as long as I can. That and I'm not in the position to buy a new car. Or a used car. I sigh with relief when she starts up and silently cheer, 'student loans get paid another month!' as I pull into traffic.

Jose is wiping his hands off on a rag and when he shrugs his shoulders, I know it's not good.

"Ana, she's old. There's not necessarily one thing wrong with her, she's just old. It's time to put her out of her misery. And mine, and yours, and anyone else who has had to ride in her." He's trying to be kind but I still want to bitch slap him.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I know this already, I know I need a new car but I can't do anything about it right now. Story of my life. Things are always just out of my reach and quite frankly, I'm sick of it.

"Where do you want to go for dinner? I want Mexican." He smiles and runs his hand down my arm to comfort me but I know he wants to hug me. Jose is hot and funny and really sweet but he just doesn't do it for me. We've never had 'the conversation' but I know there's more to his side of our friendship to me and although I know he's had his fair share of girlfriends and hook ups, he's never attempted to breach that boundary with me.

"Mexican sounds good, pick a place and I'll call Kate."

I pull her number up and hit call while he decides. Her exuberance is evident over the phone and she answers with a quick, "Hey Ana. Guess what? Elliot asked if I'd come to dinner tonight! At his parents! He wants to introduce me to his family. Oh my god, what do I wear? What if they hate me?" She's screeching but I can't help but get caught up in her excitement. I do my best to calm her down before hanging up and filling in Jose.

"Just me and you tonight, Rodriguez, let's go. I'm hungry and I want an early bed time."

"Gee, sounds fun. I'll drive, I want to actually get there and back." He's laughing as we leave the garage.

I am again woken up by an excited Kate but this time I'm hangover free and eager for information. She got to hang out with Christian last night while I was home by 8 and in bed by 9.

"Morning sunshine, rise and shine, you've got a shower calling your name and brunch in an hour." She's all but singing as she pulls me up to a sitting position.

"I need a lock on that door."

She rolls her eyes and continues. "I think Christian was disappointed that you weren't there last night. I could see him look around me to see if you were there so of course I made sure he knew you were out to dinner with a man." She is positively giddy and bouncing on my bed but as her words filter through and get processed I'm not sure if I'm mad at her or elated that it looks like I had a date.

"Why would he care about that Kate?" I'm curious, that's all. I want to know everything down to what he ate and drank. OK, obsessively curious.

"Ummm, because he's got the hots for you. Elliot was all over him last night trying to get information but the only answer he'd give was to his mom who finally broke down and asked who 'This Anastasia girl was'." Her look is expectant and I realize I'm not playing this role very well. Snapping to I roll my eyes and ask her what he said.

"He said, she's Kate's roommate, we spent some time together last night while waiting for a neighbor to pick up the child she was babysitting. It was a nice time but we're not dating."

"OK, so what's the big deal? I told you the same thing, why are you and Elliot being so weird?"

"Because we both see the way you looked at each other before we left and even we could feel the chemistry between you guys. That and the fact that Elliot has not stopped talking about how his brother acted. I'm telling you Ana, his entire family was stunned silent when they heard that he had stayed here with you. Anyway, since you both seem to be stunted in the dating department, we're having brunch together in about an hour so get a move on."

"Who's having brunch?" My heart rate picks up and my eyes go wide. She didn't. One look at her smug face and I can tell, she did.

"My God you're killing me, Steele. You, me, Elliot and Christian." She's getting up to leave but my head is spinning with this information.

"Wait, whose idea was this?"

"Mine. I felt bad after I mentioned that you were out to dinner with someone. He seemed so angry all of the sudden so I mentioned that we tried to do brunch on Sundays and asked him if he and Elliot would like to join us. Ana, he jumped at it so fast his moms eyes almost bugged out of her head."

I take a deep breath and look straight at her. "Kate, we may do some business together in the near future, that's what you're reading into so stop. I'll go to brunch but only because I'm hungry and we did want to start that tradition, not because Christian Grey is going to be there." I'm already half undressed and walking into my bathroom. Yes! I get to see him again in an hour!

As quickly as I can I shave, note to self, schedule your next wax a.s.a.p., and shampoo. I settle on jeans and a white camisole underneath a blue and white striped open front sweater. Casual, yet chic and very brunchy. Is that a word? I grab the jacket he left here on Friday and head out with Kate after a quick application of mascara and lip gloss. I admit it, I absolutely love that he left something here. Love it.

CPOV

Dinner was fucking painful. Fuck, Elliot has a way of just getting to me and fuck me why did he have to be there when I met Anastasia?

Anastasia, Ana, Ms. Steele. Anastasia Rose Steele. I had Welch run a background check on her first thing Saturday morning. I want to know all I can about her and I convince myself that I'd do this anyway since we're thinking of hiring her for a project. Her 'dad' is actually her step father and I'm curious as to why she took his name and opted to live with him instead of her mom. Nothing should surprise me anymore but when I saw that her mother had been married four times I couldn't believe it. Four times in less than 18 years.

Other than that, her background check didn't provide me with much more. She's got a few grand in the bank and her business does seem to be doing well for a startup with no capital and a niche market. She's got one full time employee so I pull their background as well and am impressed that she had the foresight to hire someone who spoke languages she didn't. Smart girl.

I was looking forward to seeing Mia, she's annoying as shit but she's just about the only person I let in my personal space so that says something about my feelings for her. Ana is only a year older but light years more mature.

I actually pissed myself off I thought about her so much. My dreams were haunted as usual and as usual I woke up sweaty and freaked out but mixed in with my regular nightmares were snippets of our time together. I know Elliot is dying to know what happened but I'll be damned if I'm going to give him any information.

He's in rare form before Kate arrives but settles down when the tenacious Ms. Kavanagh knocks on the door. He's a man whore and to bring someone home is a big deal to him and to my parents. I get that. I just don't care. What I do care about is the fact that she's solo so I'm left wondering where the delectable Ms. Steele is. I don't like the idea of her home alone but when Kate informs me, oh so casually, that she's out to dinner with some fucker I'm furious.

I'm half tempted to trace her phone and show up at the restaurant but Taylor talks me down, assuring me that an action like that would only freak her out. We do however trace her number to a restaurant downtown and I stare at my phone every five minutes until it shows her back in her apartment. Is he there? Is he kissing her? Touching her? Fucking her? Fuck! The thought of someone touching her is more than I can handle and I indulge in a few glasses of bourbon to take the edge off.

It helped enough that I could sit at the table and eat but the sullen silence my family is accustomed to with me returned. I had hit my limit on family time after having to explain who Anastasia was to my mother but then Kate threw me a bone.

"We have brunch on Sundays together at Americanas. You and Elliot should join us tomorrow, I'm sure Ana wouldn't mind."

Elliot is eying me, waiting for me to shoot her down but I surprise everyone when I ask her what time.

"11 am. Does that time work for you both?" She's smiling but I know that look, she may as well be screaming, 'I've got the upper hand'. I want to like her for my brother's sake and for Ana's but the truth is, I can't stand her. But if kissing her ass will get me into Anastasias good graces, then bend over baby.

"I'll be there." I'm eager to leave now, the promise of seeing her again in 14 hours too enticing for me to ignore. I want to be home and alone with my thoughts. And my dick. Visions of me fucking a naked and begging Ana on her kitchen counter are becoming more and more vivid and I just want to go home and play this little fantasy out.

God, when was the last time I had sex? I think back to my last sub, Kate, ironically, and count the months. Fuck, no wonder my minds in the gutter so much, it's been four months since I've been in my playroom.

I take another cold shower to avoid jerking off again but in the end I lose the battle and succumb to my memory of Ana's perfect little body in that black dress bent over the back of the couch.

She flits through my dreams again and I seriously consider starting on the sleeping pills Dr. Flynn prescribed over two years ago. Four hours of broken sleep a night is catching up to me. I need to see Flynn again, it's been over two weeks and the nightmares are getting worse only because I'm having a harder and harder time waking from them. I give up any hope of rest at five and play my piano, the haunting melody of Claire de Lune flows off of the tips of my fingers and an hour later I'm ready to put the night behind me and face the day.

Taylor and I set off on our 6am morning run but I want to do more than the usual five miles so I push for two more, picking up my pace as I go. Thank fuck I found him, he's serious about my safety and doesn't rely soley on his gun but also keeps his body in top shape. I can appreciate that.

I've showered and shaved and am doing some work in my office to kill time before I can head off to see Ana again. It's only 8:30 and I'm just about pacing waiting for 11am to roll around. What has this girl done to me?

Finally, fucking finally Elliot rings that he's out front and I head down. I've given Taylor the rest of the day off, I want to try and be normal and I highly doubt someone is going to be a threat to me at Americanas. Right now, the only threat I feel is for my sanity since Ms. Steele seems to have stolen it.

"C, I don't know what this girl did to you the other night but I'm a little freaked out." He's driving but I can see the side glances he's giving me and it's pissing me off.

"Fuck off, Elliot." I growl, there is no need for him to know anything about my interest in Ana.

"Alright, alright. I've just never seen you so…animated. It's great, don't get me wrong, it's just thrown me off that's all." He's trying to be a good brother so I back down. I owe him that, the guys always been good to me even though I've been nothing but a schmuck to him for years.

I'm all nerves when we park the car and walk in a few minutes early. Get a fucking grip you pussy! She's a 22 year old girl for Christ's sake. Yea, with long curly brown hair and green eyes that make me lose all train of thought.

"Kate's always late so let's get a table and some drinks while we wait." We're led to a semi private table on the patio. It's mid-May and while I'm comfortable, I do worry that Ana might get chilly. Softy.

We've only just gotten the four mimosas we ordered when I feel her. Feel her, not see her. There's a crackle in the air around me and I'm drawn to look up and there she is in fitted jeans and a tight white camisole. Fuck me she's even prettier today than she was Friday night. When she spots us her face lights up and I swear I almost choke on my drink when she turns that smile on me. You are so screwed, Grey.

"Hi guys!" Kate is louder than necessary but I don't really care, I'm just waiting to hear Ana's sweet voice.

"Hi Elliot. Christian." She looks down shyly and we stand, good mannered boys that we are.

"Good morning Ana. Kate." I lean over and kiss Ana's cheek and then quickly kiss Kate's while Elliot does the same. There's that zing again, I didn't imagine it. I've sat next to Elliot knowing that Kate would sit next to him leaving the other seat for Ana which just so happens to be next to me.

"You left this Friday night." I know baby, I planned it that way so you'd have to think of me and see me again. Her fingers graze mine when I take it from her and once again I'm hard.

She smells so good. I have to have her.

"Thank you." I smile. She smiles back. My world is calm and peaceful and quiet.

They sit and we toast to the day with our drinks, her tiny fingers closing around the stem of her glass unaware of my vision of those same fingers wrapped around my now hard dick.

"How was your family night?" she asks me directly. Elliot and Kate are busy reading the menu. I already know what I want and it includes Ana, a bottle of syrup and some privacy.

"Nice, my sister has been studying cookery in Paris and is home now. She's a lot to take in but it was good to catch up and spend some time with her." Elliot is open mouthed listening to me. I swear I'll punch him in the throat if he starts in on me right now.

"That sounds wonderful, living in Paris and learning how to really cook. I'd love that!"

Baby, if you want to do that, I'll buy a flat there and you can enroll in Le Cordon Bleu and cook to your heart's desire. Anything you want, all you need to do is tell me.

"How was your dinner? Kate mentioned you had a date." Inwardly I cringe but I have to know. It's been eating at me since she first mentioned it and I can't go another minute without knowing what she did last night with that fucker. I try for casual indifference but I'm way too amped to pull it off.

"A date? God no. Our friend Jose worked on my car so I treated him to dinner last night." She grimaced at the word date, surely that's a good sign. Just a friendly dinner then. With a guy I don't know. I'm slightly mollified but not nearly enough. I don't want her going out with guys unless it's me. Maybe Elliot but even him I'm not sure about.

"What's wrong with your car?" Elliot asks after the waitress takes our order, her mere presence annoying me as she gapes open mouthed at me. Yeah, it's just a face. Now scram.

She sighs heavily and I see Kate roll her eyes. It infuriates me but doesn't make me want to spank her, I reserve that for pretty brown haired girls. Like Ana.

"Nothing really. Wanda's old and she's at the end of the line, that's all. I'm attached so Jose is keeping her alive as best he can but I think I'm going to have to start looking for a new car soon. I'm planning to visit my dad in Montesano soon so if Wanda can hold off until then, I'll get something with him." I can buy you a car baby, anything you want. In fact, let's leave here and we'll go pick something out for you right now. You'd look hot in red.

The conversation is easy with Elliot there to buffer Kate. She's definitely chosen the correct field for herself. I can't imagine a more annoying journalist out there. I'll need her to sign an NDA if she's going to be in our family but I know bringing that up will piss off my brother so I think I'll sit on it and bring it up when Ms. Steele isn't here to see the fall out.

Halfway through her pancakes Ana offers me a bite and I can't resist the idea of her feeding me so I accept and she giggles when a drop of syrup drips on my chin. I'm grinning like an ass but damn that giggle does something to me and when she wipes it off with her finger and then sucks said finger clean I just about come in my pants. She's not even trying and she's the sexiest woman I've ever met.

"Delicious. Want some omelet?" she nods yes and I bring my fork up to her mouth and watch her close her lips around it. Shit I want to be that fork right now. I'm grateful that my brother and his girlfriend aren't paying attention especially as I adjust the tent I've pitched in my khakis.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" she asks and my mind stutters as I try to pull myself out of this fog and remember.

"I know I have a conference call with Taiwan at 7pm and I'll need an hour to prepare for it with my team but other than that, nothing. What are you doing?" I'm hopeful her answer is the same as my brain is racing to come up with something we can do together. Fuck! What do people do on the weekends when they're not working or beating the shit of submissives?

"Grocery shopping!" she laughs. "I can't believe all I had to offer you was potatoes! We didn't even have decent wine!" She's blushing and my cock is angry at me, desperately trying to get next to her.

"They were damn good potatoes! I was hoping for leftovers to bring home but I couldn't stop eating them!" I'm smiling at her, just happy to be next to her. I glance over at Elliot and he is once again gaping at me but quickly shuts his mouth and takes a bite of his eggs. Kate is thankfully oblivious.

"Well thank you, I'll make sure to make some for you next time you babysit with me." I hope she's serious, I would do just about anything for a repeat of that night. "Anyway, I'm grocery shopping and then I'm taking a Pilates class at four."

I can't help but rake over her body, the open fronted cardigan hiding the majority of her delectable torso but I can see enough to know that she's in great shape. An idea takes shape and I jump at it.

"If you make me those potatoes for lunch, I'll go grocery shopping with you." Elliot is almost passed out at this point and I actually want to laugh and punch him at the same time. Yes brother, I am flirting. I know you thought I was gay but, surprise! I'm not. In fact, I have a whole room dedicated to fucking women and I do so, regularly. Or at least, I used to and I plan on starting it back up again just as soon as I can convince Ms. Steele here to drop her panties and bend over.

"Deal. We'll walk back to the apartment and take Wanda to the store. You're going to love her."

Wanda? Who the fuck is Wanda? Oh right, the car. Whatever makes you happy, baby.

I throw a hundred on the table and stand, Ana following suit and it pleases me beyond anything that she is leaving here with me. I notice no less than three guys check her out as we're leaving and I find myself throwing icy glares at them. I want to grab her hand but I can't do that, she's not mine yet. The walk back to her apartment was quick and she ran up to get the shopping bags while I called Taylor about getting a security detail for Ana. Unbeknownst to her of course.

She grins as we walk to, what the fuck is this? Fuck no. I am not getting in that thing and neither is she. Abosfuckinglutely not.

"No. Just, no. This is a deathtrap. You cannot drive this, Ana!" I'm standing on the sidewalk and she's walked to the driver's side, her hand on the door. That Jose fucker let her drive this home? If he wasn't already number one on my shit list, he would be now.

"Get in, Christian. Wanda just needs a bit of new paint."

"Right. And a new engine, new doors, a new roof, some new seats and about 30 years back. No. You can't drive this thing anymore. Forget grocery shopping, we're going to get you a car." I whip out my phone to call Taylor but she stops me, clearly annoyed and not at all taking me seriously as she stomps over, her breasts bouncing with each step.

"Are you serious? Firstly, car dealers are closed on Sundays; secondly, I don't have the money for a new car and thirdly, fuck off! I love this car!" She's mad and standing a foot in front of me, her eyes alight with fire, her brows forming an adorable V in frustration. Oh, I like her like this.

"Ana, firstly, I can get any dealer in Seattle to open for me in five minutes. Secondly, I've got the money for any car you want and thirdly, you can love this car all you want, it's a death trap." I'm not backing down on this. Her safety has quickly become priority number one to me and I realize with some shock that I'd put her safety above sleeping with her. Interesting.

She's staring at me, defiant and fierce and I want nothing more than to pull her against me like a savage and kiss her until her lips are swollen. Fuck! There goes my dick again. I need to try a new tactic, this is not working with her. CEO Christian holds no sway on little Anastasia Rose Steele.

"Christian Grey. I do not want you to throw your power around to open car dealerships and I certainly don't want you buying me a car. I had a hard time letting you buy brunch! If you're so afraid of Wanda, then we can take Kate's car to the store but know this, I love this car and if you insult her again, I will not make you potatoes."

Shit. She's hot and serious. Please, Ana, let me fuck you. Just once, that's all it will take to reel you in and then I can get my fill of you.

"Fine. What's Kate's car? I'd hate to miss out on lunch." I'm grinning and so is she, the argument shelved for now but she will not be driving this car much longer. If I have to get Taylor to steal it in the middle of the night I will. I've already worked out how to get her a new car, now I just need to keep the peace until I can put my plan in motion.

"It's a BMW, one year old. Does that satisfy you, sir?" FUCK! She had to say sir? Damn it, there is no way I can hide this fucking hard on now. Thankfully I've got my suit jacket slung over my shoulder from brunch so I pull it down in front and let her lead the way while I adjust myself to be a little less obvious.