APOV

"Christian, what are you doing?" I stretch like a cat and wiggle around but his hand does not let go of my breast no matter how much I move.

"Hmm?"

I grin despite myself and push my butt back against the steel rod lying between my cheeks. His grunt makes me giggle until he grabs the sides of my panties and literally rips them off of my body. Flashes of Jack Hyde doing the same thing less than a week ago assault my mind and I tense and freeze. He realizes immediately what he's done.

"Oh shit, baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't think...I was being playful...I'd never be forceful with you. Shit! Please, baby, I'm sorry."

I turn into him and cover my face with my hands, as quickly as the terror came, it also left. Christian is nothing like Hyde and I'm not afraid of him.

"I'm fine, it startled me, that's all. I'm fine, I promise." And I am fine as long as I purposefully ignore the fear that won't seem to leave me. Kate keeps encouraging me to talk with my old psychologist and Ray has suggested the same thing but I don't want to talk to anyone about what happened. I just want to forget it ever occurred and move on.

He eyes me warily and the rod that was pressed against me earlier is nowhere to be found but the second I reach down and wrap my hand around him through his pajama bottoms, it makes a grand reappearance.

"I really am sorry."

"I know." We're side by side facing each other but when he goes to kiss me I duck my head.

"I haven't brushed my teeth!" He laughs and lifts my chin up, kissing me straight on the mouth.

"I don't care, I just want to kiss you. Promise me you're ok?"

"Yes." And to prove it to him I roll him onto his back and pull his pants off. Damn, the sight of him always shocks me. Huge, hard and so fucking sexy. My panties are shredded and hanging off of one hip so I move to the side and slide what's left of them down my leg before climbing on top of him. All I want is to feel that stretching fullness and if his heavy lidded stare is any indication, that's all he wants as well.

Shyly I lift him in my hand and drag him down my lips like he did the first time positioning him at my entrance, sliding down on him slowly as my body adjusts to his girth. Neither one of us makes any sounds except for his intake of breath. In the silence I can hear our joining, the provocative sound of flesh against soft wet skin.

It hurts; he's big and deep and I'm still sore from the last 36 hours but the pain fades as I slide back up. When I did this in the tub it didn't allow for him to get as deep as he is now and it makes it harder for me to move until I sit straight up and use my legs to slowly rise and fall on him. To be honest I feel kind of stupid with my less than smooth movements but looking down at the man below me, I'm convinced he has no idea that I'm clueless right now.

His hands are resting lightly on my thighs and his eyes are closed, short puffs of air leaving his mouth each time I drop down.

"I can't believe this is happening right now." He groans and then opens his eyes, reaching for the bottom of my t-shirt, lifting it above my head and dropping it on the bed next to us. Immediately his hands fondle my breasts. I stop and give him a quizzical look, what can't he believe?

"You and me, having sex. It's too good to be true." He grins and I smile down at him. I want to reach out and rest my hands on his chest, use it to push off of him but I can't so I lean back, my hands finding leverage on his muscular legs.

"Oh fuck yeah! Fuck that's hot, baby." My head is thrown back as I grind down on him before lifting myself. His right hand glides to the top of my thigh and he extends his thumb so that every time I move, it rubs against my clitoris.

"Oh god! Christian!" He grits his teeth and watches as I impale myself on him, his left hand holding my hip and guiding me until I feel the now familiar tightening in my belly. I scream, a loud high pitched scream and come hard around him, flooding him with my arousal and falling forward as the strength leaves my body.

"That's it baby, feel it," he growls into my ear underneath me, his hands gripping my ass and holding me in place as his hips rise off the bed and pump into me furiously. He groans long and low and I feel him swell and still, his hands squeezing so tightly it's painful. "Ana!" he grunts and then relaxes, holding me until our breathing is slow and steady.

"I want you to drive in with me today," he whispers after a few minutes. I want to go back to sleep, the tender touches of his hands on my back and hair are lulling me to sleep but the mention of work pulls me right out of bliss and back into reality.

"It's my first day back, I'm going to have to stay late and do some extra work."

"Alright, I'll stay with you, we'll go for dinner when you're finished."

Driving into work with Christian sounds wonderful, knowing that he'll be there all day and that I'll have him to myself again tonight is perfect. I'm afraid to be without him. Is that because of what happened or because of what you feel for him?

"OK. If my apartment is secure now, Kate and I should probably get back to living there. I'm sure Elliot needs a break at this point." He rolls me onto my back slipping out of me and looks at me like I'm crazy.

"No. Absolutely not. For one, he's still out there and until he's caught, you're not staying there alone. Two, I don't care what Elliot needs, your safety is far more important and three," he nuzzles my neck, "I finally just got you in my bed, there is no way I'm sleeping away from you."

"Good morning Ms. Steele, eggs benedict and wheat toast?"

"Good morning, Gail. Please call me Ana. Anything you've made is fine but you don't need to cook for me." She tuts and places a plate in front of me at the breakfast bar.

"I'm just happy to have someone to take care of besides Mr. Grey. Oh! Good morning, Mr. Grey, orange juice or tomato juice this morning?"

Christian looks unbelievable in his tailored black suit and skinny black tie. He makes perfection look effortless.

"Orange please." He takes a piece of toast off my plate and waves it in the air asking, "Care to explain the lipstick on my mirror?"

"It's time you saw the good in yourself. So every day I will remind you of something good about you and you will repeat it back to me. We can start now." He balks, looks around to see where Gail is and eyes me suspiciously. "Come on, Christian, it can't be that hard to say something nice about yourself." But for him, it is, the internal debate going on saddens me while I wait patiently, unwilling to let him continue like this. Finally he kisses me and repeats this morning's affirmation as quickly as he can.

"I make you feel safe." I'm thrilled, even though the words are mine, they're the first words he's said about himself that weren't cutting or harsh. Instead of dwelling on it I choose to continue as if it's no big deal in a bid to ease his discomfort.

"Yes, you do. Thank you." I lean over and give him a peck on the cheek, unable to resist kissing him looking so shy and unsure of himself. "You look like you're out for blood today." He grins and takes a bite of his eggs.

"I'm always out for blood, baby. Have lunch with me, one o'clock in my office. We can order in." His eyebrows rise up and down suggestively and I swat at him.

"Are you joking? Not in the office! God, Christian, I'd rather nobody knows our business and I refuse to become the office cliché." His eyes drop from mine to his plate. "What? What are you not telling me?"

"I'm not not telling you anything, I'm letting you know now that there were a lot of questions raised after we attended the Seahawks event a few weeks ago but since you were hired as an outside consultant for GEH, the inquiries were easily answered and never went any further. However, there have been a few random pictures taken of us leaving for lunch on occasion and a few more of us arriving at Club Review on Friday."

"OK, where are you going with this?"

"Well, someone also took a few pictures of us dancing and then a few at the Mariners game on Saturday."

"And?"

"Well, the PR office has been slammed with news organizations and media outlets wanting to know who you are and what we are, so much so that there are a few press reps camped outside of Escala and a few more outside of GEH." I'm confused.

"Why would they care who I am?" He shakes his head at my ignorance and pulls my lip from between my teeth, a nervous habit that I'd never noticed until Christian came along and pointed it out to me.

"Because you're being seen with me and no one has ever been photographed with me before. It's also evident from the dance club photos that I'm not gay, something that has been assumed about me in the media." I blurt out a laugh, the idea of Christian being gay is ludacris, hilarious even.

"How stupid!"

"Yes, it is but it's also a security issue. If you decide to leave the building for any reason, you have to have Ryan with you and I'd prefer it if you took Prescott as well. I don't care if all you're doing is going for coffee, you absolutely cannot be alone anymore. In fact, I'll hire you an assistant to get your coffee and lunch so you don't have to leave at all."

The seriousness of his tone alarms me and I wonder if I'm reading this entire situation incorrectly.

"Maybe I'm not understanding. They want to know who I am and they've learned my name. They'll get a few pictures at some point and then go away. Why the need for two security officers and your very obvious concern?" Dread snakes around me.

"Because, Ana. If you're in my life and I'm willing to go on record saying that you are, then you're clearly very important to me. If you're important to me, you're worth money not only to the paparazzi but to potential criminals as well." He leaves the word 'kidnappers' off, an omission I appreciate. Suddenly, the increase in my security detail doesn't seem so strange. "With the press following you, your whereabouts will always be public knowledge so we have to be that much more careful."

Correctly reading my concern Christian continues quickly, "The good news is that everyone will know you have security and that you're well protected. Ana, listen to me, you are safe, if I didn't think Ryan and Prescott could protect you I wouldn't let you leave the apartment."

I believe him.

When we leave Escala in the SUV I notice a few photographers at the garage entrance but the windows are tinted and we fly past them even though they're yelling at the car and snapping pictures of it.

"So no coffee stops on the way in then, huh?" Christian looks at me with mock pity and hits a number on his phone.

"Andrea, have Jacqueline run out to Starbucks to get Ms. Steele a venti misto with skim. We'll be there in 10 minutes. Have you heard from Washington Mutual yet? Good, we'll touch base as soon as I arrive."

He ends the call and looks at me smugly, "There. All set."

"Good morning Ms. Steele, Mr. Grey. Your coffee, welcome back." Andrea hands me my coffee and smiles warmly at both of us.

"Good morning, Andrea, thank you, I'm glad to be back." I look around her to see Jacqueline and wave at her, "Thank you for the coffee, it's nice to meet you!" She gives me a half smile and sits at the computer.

"Give me two minutes, Andrea, I want the senior loan officer on the phone and I want Mr. Whalen from legal in my office when I get back."

The heat of his large hand covers my lower back and somehow, even though a current runs down my legs when he touches me, I manage to walk to my office without falling.

"I'll see you for lunch?"

I take a deep breath and let it out for dramatic effect. "Only if you promise to behave, I don't want to be known as the office slut." He lunges at me and shuts the door behind him, pulling me close and speaking directly against my mouth.

"If anyone dared to say that about you, they'd be out on their ass so quickly their heads would spin." He kisses me gently and fingers the ends of my hair, "I mean it, if anyone gives you a hard time, you let me know and I'll take care of it."

Once Christian leaves I settle in, happy to be working again after last week's ordeal. I noticed a few more photographers at the garage entrance to GEH but nothing that seemed out of control. Why anyone cares about who I am is beyond me but they clearly do since the minute I start up my computer the top story on my Yahoo home screen is a picture of Christian and I walking into the club on Friday night, hand in hand and laughing. OK, so maybe that dress was a bit much.

My stomach drops to the floor, this is so not what I expected to happen. My finger hesitates to click on the icon but curiosity gets the better of me and the article pulls up, another picture of him and me at the Mariners game and yet another of us dancing play out in a slideshow across my screen.

=====================AMERICA'S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR GETS NAILED DOWN==========
=========================...by none other than one of his employees!=================

Seems that while we were all fighting over which team Christian Grey played for, someone was busy getting him to go up to bat! Sources confirmed over the weekend that Billionaire Mr. Sex on Legs himself was indeed dating Ms. Anastasia Steele, a recent graduate of WSU and owner of Steele Translations. Our source claims that the couple met on a blind date set up by Mr. Grey's older brother a few weeks ago and that the two have been inseparable ever since. Hearts are breaking from coast to coast this morning as Mr. Christian Grey himself released a rare statement late last night confirming the reports.

"Anastasia Steele and I are in a committed relationship. Our private life is just that, private."

Committed relationship. I read it three more times and print it out to show Christian though I'm sure he's already been made aware of the article. It's just before 9am, I may be able to catch him before he heads into his first of many meetings of the day.

"Hi Jacqueline, is Mr. Grey available?" Her perfectly blond hair flips back past her shoulders, her brown eyes coolly meeting mine.

"No, he's in a meeting with legal and then he's got people waiting for him in the conference room." Ooookay. I glance around for Andrea only to realize that she's probably in the office with him. Jacqueline turns back to her computer, a twisted little smile playing on her lips.

Message received bitch. You're jealous. You should be, he's something to be jealous over. I'm going to have to watch this one; I only hope she's not a sign of what working here is going to be like now. I stand still for a few seconds debating on the merits of stapling the Yahoo article to her forehead but Andrea's reappearance saves her bitchy little face.

"Oh! Ms. Steele, I hope you weren't kept waiting. Jacqueline I know I've told you that Mr. Grey's instructions are to interrupt whatever he's doing for Ms. Steele." Jacqueline looks like she's just swallowed a toad and I give that twisted little smile right back to her.

"I was only waiting a few seconds, no worries. I just need a minute of his time." I walk to his office with purpose and enter without knocking. He rises from his desk and walks towards me, a surprised smile on his beautiful face. Only when he's reaching out for me do I see the man sitting in front of his desk. Oh, shit.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, fine, I didn't realize you had someone in here, I'll see you at lunch. I'm sorry to have interrupted."

"You aren't interrupting. Anastasia Steele, GEH's head of legal counsel, Burt Whalen." Mr. Whalen extends his hand as he walks towards me. He's ancient, I'd guess close to 80 but one look in his eyes and I can tell he's sharp as a tack.

"A pleasure. I hear we'll be working together soon on the Chinese deal." I have no idea when or if I'm actually dealing with him directly but I nod my head and smile anyway.

"I look forward to it. I'll leave you two to your business."

"No no, I'm leaving. Mr. Grey, I'll make my way down to audit now. The courier will leave in an hour with the executed contract for Washington Mutual, we can head over to the bank shortly after." Christian nods and opens the door but as soon as the lawyers feet cross the threshold he shuts it and pins me against it. I can only hope that that bitch Jacqueline heard my head when it hit.

"Couldn't wait another minute, Ms. Steele? Hmmm?" His hands are on my butt as his nose runs along mine seductively but I just grin and kiss him chastely.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about this?" I raise my eyebrows and hand him the printout which he barely glances at before handing it back.

"There are about a hundred similar articles. Idiots reported you as an employee, damn assholes can't even do their jobs right. My PR team will clear that up by mid-morning. By the way, I've hired someone for your office security during the week. Missy shouldn't be there alone and on the days you're there, I'd prefer it if there were three CPO's with you."

"Thank you. I'm more interested in what this means." I point to his statement. "A committed relationship?" He beams at me.

"Yes. Aren't we?"

"Well I don't know, we've never discussed it." He flattens his hands against the sides of my face and pushes his fingers into my hair.

"I want you, only you. And I can't bear the thought of you with anyone else. I assumed that after the other night we were together. I'd like to call you my girlfriend." Someone bring a mop, I'm a puddle in this man's hands.

"OK. Boyfriend." He looks delighted and kisses me, biting my lip between his teeth.

"I want everyone to know that you are mine, Anastasia. When you walk down these halls or down the street I want everyone to know that you belong to me and that I belong to you."

Internally I fight myself, the idea of 'belonging' to someone is a foreign concept to me but I flip it around onto him. Do I feel a sense of ownership over him? Do I want people to know that he belongs to me, that he's mine? Yes, I do. Standing on my tippy toes I return his affection, nipping his lip between my teeth before kissing him softly.

"I'll see you at one."

CPOV

I squint to see the mirrored words better and my heart does a little flip when I read them.

'You make me feel safe'

Of all the things Ana could have said to me, this is the one that means the most. I know the feeling of being alone, rejected and afraid. I know it well enough that I'm still dealing with nightmares from it 25 years later. To be able to bring her some peace and security, well, there's nothing better. I capture a picture of her writing with my phone and get ready for what's sure to be a bitch of a day but between her words and that hot wake up call, I'm feeling pretty good.

She takes the added security much better than I had anticipated and even though I've geared myself up for a fight about how she's getting into GEH, she offers no resistance to driving in with me. Sex must make her more agreeable, duly noted.

Once she's settled in Andrea gives me my daily schedule while the head of GEH's legal counsel pulls his papers together. I was out a lot last week so there's quite a bit that needs to be made up this week. I'm a bit put out when she reminds me about a dinner I have on Wednesday, I was hoping to watch Ana teach her Pilates class and then find a way to incorporate some fucking in at the studio.

Andrea stays so that she can pull the necessary documents Burt Whalen needs for my retraction on Elena's loans, by noon today she'll know how bad things can get when she doesn't do as she's told.

"It's cut and dry, really. You've proven through electronic corrospondance that she was to provide you with certain documents and reports, none of which were done on time. I checked in with Tony a few minutes ago, nothing came over from her over the weekend either. We'll need to go into Washington Mutual to sign the docs there, get them notarized and then your business relationship is severed."

"Great, when can we do that?" I'm anxious to get his over with. It will give me such enormous pleasure to nail her coffin shut. I had lost any gracious feelings I had towards Elena years ago but after her little stunt with Anastasia at the gala, I want her to suffer.

"They'll meet with you whenever it's convenient but I realize you've got another matter to attend to. After lunch perhaps?"

"I'd prefer to do it in the next hour if we can."

Just then my sweet Anastasia walks in, her navy shift dress covering up the sensual curves I now know lie underneath. I know that Burt has read the papers by the way his eyebrows raise and I can't say I'm not pleased. I want everyone to know that she's mine which is why I released a press statement on my personal life for the first time ever. The use of 'our private life' was intentional, using our expresses even further how united we are.

Once Burt leaves I make my declaration official and I, Christian Grey, am now someone's boyfriend. Never in my life have I thought that I'd be in a relationship and I certainly never used the word boyfriend in the same sentence as my name. But here I am, totally devoted to the brunette down the hall.

"Ms. Perkins what is your relationship with Lawrence James?"

It's times like these that I appreciate Ros's inability to be subtle. Straight to the point, you've got to respect that. I've chosen to stay quiet for now, reading her reaction and gauging how much of what she says is true is very important to me.

Her too big for her face blue eyes open even larger and she slumps back in her seat. Well, she'll never win an Oscar that's for sure.

"I, I don't know what you mean." The visible pulse in her neck begins to speed up as does mine. I'm pissed.

"Are you aware that he is under investigation by the SEC for allegations that he's running a Ponzi Scheme that has cost his investors upwards of four billion dollars?" Judging by her reaction, she is. Her whole body slumps further and shakes as her eyes immediately water.

"Larry? No! He's a great business man, he'd never steal from anyone! There has to be a mistake!"

I lean forward and steeple my hands together before speaking. I hate liars.

"Ms. Perkins, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Mr. James? And more to the point did you ever launder money for him using GEH?"

Awareness lights up her face and she covers it with her hands and sobs, explaining that she's been having an affair with him for almost nine months. My expression must be one of disgust because she covers her face again in shame and doesn't meet my eyes while she blabbers on about not telling her husband and begging us to keep this quiet. A home wrecker and a criminal. I hate liars. I hate cheats. I hate disloyalty. In short, Agnes Perkins has just sealed her dismissal.

"Did he ask you to do him any favors? Show him any accounts? Ask sensitive questions about your job here?" Ros is firing questions at her as fast as she can when I put my hand up.

"Ms. Perkins you may have had nothing to do with the crimes Mr. James is being accused of but I can't have you working here until we know for sure and until a thourough audit is completed on every account you've ever had access to. Your indiscretion with regards to your personal life is going to cost you more than your job though." I stand, furious that her lack of control has brought my company into the middle of a criminal investigation.

"As of this moment you are no longer an employee at Grey Enterprises. Greta will escort you to your desk so that you can clear your personal belongings. Your name has been handed over to the SEC investigator, you should lawyer up. If we find any inconsistencies on your accounts, know that I will come after you with the sole purpose of making you an example. Do not fuck with me or my company. Now get out."

"Mr. Grey, I have a Carla Adams on hold for you. She's called three times, insists that you know her."

What the fuck does she want?

"Put her through in one minute and then interrupt in two." As an afterthought I add, "And do not put her through to Ms. Steele's office."

"Grey."

"Oh, hello, Christian! I'm sorry to bother you at your office but I wanted to check in on Anastasia, her phone doesn't seem to be working or something."

"Carla you haven't called her phone. You know how I know? I watch her check it hourly to see if you have and I watch, hourly, as she fights the sting of your rejection. So, cut the bull shit, what do you want?"

"What? Of course I've called! Look, you and I have gotten off on the wrong foot, I don't know what Anastasia has said about me but I'd like to start over. If you and my daughter are going to be dating, then I feel it's important that we get to know each other a bit." Ah, so she's seen the news and no doubt knows my net worth.

"I'm all set, thanks. Let me ask you a question, when was the last time you saw Anastasia?"

She stammers, the answer is a glaring spotlight on the inadequacies of her mothering but she knows I know the answer already, a lie would be pointless.

"When she was 19."

"And how did you get here?"

Silence.

"I'll wait."

"She bought me a plane ticket and put me up in a hotel for two nights." Sadness floods me as I picture a 19 year old Ana working part time at a hardware store, struggling to put herself through school and still somehow saving enough to fly her mom out to visit her in a vain attempt to have the relationship she wants so badly.

"And before that?"

"The morning that she moved back to Washington. What is your point with all of this, Christian? Anastasia's always been a bit of an attention seeker so I'm not sure what you've been told but I was a damn good mother to her!"

"Attention seeker? Your daughter is so stuck on your rejection that she assumes it in people even though they love her. She can't understand why anyone would want to be around her so the idea of her being an attention seeker is fucking crazy. Was she seeking attention when that asshole you married knocked her tooth out? Or how about when he broke her nose? Attention seeking then? Or was that you?"

"Mr. Grey, your next appointment is here." Andrea buzzes in, always reliable.

"Carla, call your daughter, ask her how she's feeling, tell her that you're thinking about her. Fly the fuck up here and see her. Until then, don't call me again."

Slamming the receiver down feels good, cathartic even. The last thing I want is for Ana to have to deal with her but I know that a call, just one call from her mom will make her feel better and if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes. I shoot my girl a quick text on my way to the bank just needing any kind of connection with her.

-Hey baby. Heading out to a meeting, want coffee on my way back in?-

Yes! That sounds great, thank you! Ros wants one too.

-Ros? Are you meeting with her?-

Yes, coordinating schedules for the face to face with the Chinese.

-See you for lunch then, 1pm, tell Andrea what you want and order me the same.-

One o'clock cannot come soon enough.

"Mr. Grey I'm sorry to learn that you're terminating your loan guarantee with us but I have to ask, has Mrs. Lincoln been made aware of the rescinding of her loan and line of credit? I'll be sending someone over there on Wednesday afternoon to collect and because of the delicate nature of the visit, information is always appreciated."

"Wednesday? Why Wednesday? Why not today? Now even?"

"Your contractual obligation with Washington Mutual has a 48 hour waiting period clause on any loan modifications at which point Mrs. Lincoln has the opportunity to either have the loans rewritten or paid off. I assumed your legal counsel would have informed you of that."

I turn to Burt, eyes burning, rage just under the surface and he blanches. I do not like being made to look like a fool and I do not like surprises. Burt takes the papers from the bankers hands and reads them quickly, scanning the entire page in less than a minute before pinching his nose and shaking his head.

"He's right. Upon her being made aware of the loan modification, she has 48 hours to get another loan or to pay off the one being modified. I will send a courier with a certified letter today but she'll still have until Wednesday afternoon to figure something out."

Instead of responding I stand, shake the man's hand and walk out, getting in the SUV and leaving Burt to find a ride back himself. I wanted Elena Lincoln cut in half today and I do not like not getting my way. When my phone rings I assume it's Burt but I see that it's Ana and I'm immediately grinning like an idiot.

"Hey, baby, what's up?"

"Hi. I'm sorry to bother you but I'm going to order lunch and I don't know what you want."

"One, you should never apologize to me, you never bother me, your interuptions are the highlights of my day. Two, like I said, I want what you want, as long as there is no cilantro in it."

"Ugh, that stuff is vile. OK, I was thinking chicken marsala over rice." She could tell me we're eating cheese sandwiches and I'd be happy so long as she was there with me.

"Sounds great, I'll be back in 15 minutes, just have to stop for your coffee first." This little act of running an errand for her makes me ridiculously happy. I like being in her life for the little things.

"Well aren't you just the best boyfriend there ever was?"

APOV

Christian is light hearted and chatty during lunch. I know he's had a tough morning, word spread like wildfire on this floor with the firing of Agnes Perkins and quickly wound it's way down until even the receptionist knew. The big news wasn't that someone got fired, it was that Christian Grey did it himself, something usually reserved only for high level executives. Between her firing and our newly revealed relationship, the entire GEH building is buzzing with gossip and speculation.

Other than a few longer than normal glances in my direction from a few of the female employees and an obvious jealous streak in Jacqueline, my day has been pretty normal. I've avoided the internet at all costs, my assumption is that now that they know who I am and Christian has gone on record saying that we're together that the interest in me will die down eventually. I figure I'll wait it out.

My mom called shortly after ten this morning and as much as I've been waiting for her to call, I just couldn't answer it. Logically I know that she's incapable of being what she should be for me, what I need, but logic has very little room in the relationship between a mother and daughter. It's been one week since I was attacked and she has called twice, the first time being when Christian hung up on her and again today. Ray, however, has called every day and I know he's also called Christian and even Taylor to check up on any developments.

"Ray sent over the name of the dojo and the instructor he's chosen, you'll start classes again on Wednesday after Pilates. Ryan will take you to and from both studios for now but I've got some good news. Sawyer said that he's got maybe one week left before he can return to his duties."

"Oh that's fantastic! I'm so glad he's recovering so quickly." I like Ryan but after what Sawyer and I went through and the sacrifice he made for me, I'll always feel connected to him in a different way. "I wonder if Heather has anything to do with his quick recovery, she went over there on Saturday and Kate said she talked to her yesterday and she was bringing him dinner."

"Well, if she gets in the way of him doing his job effectively once he returns, she'll have to go."

"Christian! The man got stabbed for me. I'm pretty sure he's proven his professional abilities. Plus, Heather's not a clingy girl, she'll allow him to do his job. And geesh, you can't tell people when they can and can't be in a relationship!"

He rises from where he was sitting cross legged at the low coffee table in the sitting area and sits behind me, moving my hair to one side of my neck and lightly kissing the newly exposed skin.

"I can and I will tell whomever works for me, especially the ones in charge of keeping you safe, that if their personal lives affect their professional obligations that they need to adjust said personal lives." He sucks my ear lobe gently while his fingers stroke my arms slowly leaving little burn trails in their wake.

"Christian, I told you, not in the office." But damn does it feel good. I shift to relieve the awakened pulse between my legs and he chuckles against my shoulder.

"You want it, I want it, I own the company, there's a lock on the door. I don't see the problem." The longer he sits this close the lower my resolve is so I rise and turn to him, willing myself to look past his smoldering grey eyes and to focus on the enormous pile of papers waiting for me on my desk.

"Alright," he begins, his hands travelling up the back of my legs, "I'll let you get back to your office but I want a little recompense first."

"Recompense? You're not injured!"

"Sure I am, I'll have blue balls the rest of the day." I'm laughing and enjoying the banter until he tugs on the waist of my lace panties and begins to pull them down.

"Christian!"

"Shhh, just relax. Just a little taste, just to hold me over until we can leave here." The soft whisper of his words coupled with the soft whisper of his touch turn me on so much that I want to tell him to forget I said anything to begin with but as usual, no words will form or come out.

When my panties are at my knees he lifts the hem of my dress and pushes his face against my pubic bone, inhaling before licking up my slit with one long swipe. Oh god that feels good. I want to open my legs wider but my panties won't allow it.

"Damn you taste good, baby." He licks again, slow and lightly. "Just a few more." After three more traces of his tongue he removes my underwear and puts my dress back in place. I'm dizzy and so ready to finish what he started but that sly little grin of his pulls me out of my lust induced fog and I watch with embarrassment when he lifts the black lace to his nose, inhales deeply and then shoves them in the breast pocket of his shirt.

"Oh my god, what are you doing?" He just pats his pocket and stands gracefully, adjusting the tented front of his pants.

"I told you, taking my recompense." When he shrugs on his suit jacket I get weak in the knees at the sight of those strong muscled arms and blush furiously when he pats his chest where I know my panties now hide.

"You're going to go into meetings with them...in...in your shirt pocket? You can't!"

"Your panties in my pocket and your juice on my tongue. I can't think of a better way to work."

His phone rings then and we automatically look down to where it lies on the table. A pit forms in my stomach when I see who's calling. Elena Lincoln.

"I need to take this, Ana. It's business."

"Of course. Tell her I said die, I mean hi." He gives me a small chuckle and reaches for me as I lean up to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll see you at 7 for dinner." I hate, HATE that he's still talking to her. I thought that after our conversations that he finally saw her for what she was and that he'd closed the door on their relationship but I see that I was wrong.

Leaving the GEH offices with Christian begins a frenzy of activity both in the building and on the sidewalk out front. We're going through the private garage entrance but the crowd that surges towards the SUV as we exit the building is larger than the one from this morning and more aggressive. Taylor is stiff but competent and the car pushes slowly through the flashing cameras and shouting voices until we're driving on the street.

Only then do I realize that Christian has pulled me as close against him as possible, his large hand holding my face to his chest. The entire experience is so surreal that I don't even know if I'm afraid. In my entire life I never imagined this kind of attention being directed towards me. I revert back to my mantra from this morning, 'eventually they will not care' and give Christian a quick kiss on his cheek.

"I'm fine."

He studies my face and I do my best to appear nonchalant until I feel the tension leave his body and he laughs.

"Welcome to my world, baby."

This time when we enter the Mile High Club we're greeted by a male host who acknowledges both of us as we make our way to the same table we sat at last time.

"Did you order ahead already?" I ask when the wine is poured before I'm even handed a menu. His lips lift at the corner and he leans in conspiratorially.

"Of course, I'm not wasting one minute of time that we could be fucking. I figure I just saved us at least six minutes." Oh my.

I smile against his lips and give his leg a squeeze, surprising him.

"You are so efficient with your time management; remind me to thank you later." Those greys glaze over with salaciousness. Mission accomplished. He throws me off enough, it's nice to return the favor.

When the jumbo shrimp cocktails are brought to the table we review our day and even though I can see the line of tension in Christian's jaw, he barely touches on the Agnes Perkins issue. I want so badly to ask him about the reasons why Elena is calling him but I wait for him to offer me the information first. He doesn't even mention her name so I choose, begrudgingly, to let it go.

Dinner is seamless, as the appetizer is whisked away by one waitress, the salad is gently placed in front of us by another one. When dinner does arrive, a delicious and delicate Veracruz style red snapper over black forbidden rice I lean back and shake my head.

"What? Do you want something different?" He's already taken a bite but makes to waive the waiter over.

"No, this is perfect, that's what surprised me. You always seem to know what I want and I'm not just talking about food."

"Ana, I endeavor to always meet your needs and therefore, I need to know them. Satisfying you, in all things, is my mission in life. Now eat up, I want to get you in my bed."

The minute we step into the eleveator at Escala the energy around us changes and charges through me, heating my blood more than it already was. The ride from the restaurant to the apartment building was spent on Christians lap, kissing him and panting into his mouth while his fingers slid in and out of my sex, occasionally finding my throbbing clit and tapping it until I was ready to scream in sexual agony.

Before we've reached the second floor he's fisting my hair and pulling my dress up to my waist.

"What if someone come in?" I almost don't care at this point, I'm so desperate to have him inside me.

"Private elevator. Only goes to the penthouse. Give me your mouth, baby." He grunts out and kisses me so roughly that my head snaps back, only his hand in my hair protecting me from hitting the wall. I feel the silky hardness of his cock on my thigh as he reaches down and hooks the back of my knees into the crook of his arms.

"What about your bed?" I breath as he lines himself up, the last word pushed out with a lungful of air when he impales me.

"Oh fuck! I can't wait." His hands are flat against the wall behind me, only the strength of his arms is holding me up, wide and totally at his mercy but he shows little tenderness, plowing into me with purpose and determination. "I've wanted to be inside of you all day, Anastasia. All fucking day I waited for this."

I answer by gripping his hair and pulling his face back to kiss him and he thrusts faster and harder, my head hitting the wall of the elevator until he holds his forehead against mine, my moans drowned out by Christian's grunts.

"Eyes open, baby, I can feel you about to come and I want to see you." He's so close our eyelashes are almost touching and I stare right into his eyes just like he's commanded of me. "Ana" he grunts as he fills me with his semen, the heat of it shooting into me setting me off into a whirlwind of my own release.

I don't cry out, I don't close my eyes. This position allows for no leverage so all I can do is feel myself clench and pulse around him as he stills and his eyes roll towards the back of his head. Slumping forward he catches my legs in his hands, placing my feet down onto the ground and pulling my dress down before he lifts his head from my shoulder.

"Unfuckingbelievable." Is all he says as he zips himself back up and hits the start button on the wall. Huh? When did he stop it?

"When did you stop the elevator?" I'm still trembling and squeezing my legs together in a failing attempt to keep the remnants of his orgasm inside of me. It's useless though and when the door pings open I begin to walk with purpose towards the bathroom. Christian grabs my hand and spins me around to him, kissing me and reaching between my legs.

"I told you I'd fuck you in that elevator one day. Mmm, I like this, your cum mixed with my cum running down your pretty little legs. Hurry and shower, I'm not nearly finished with you."

And he's not. I did manage to take a shower by myself but the minute he comes out of the bathroom, all steamy from his shower and dripping water on the floor he pulls me to the edge of the bed and after bringing me to climax with his mouth, he follows it up with a tender, slow, sweet love making session in which his eyes never leave mine.

His actions over the last few weeks and especially over the last week communicate so much to me but it's these moments, where it can only be me and him that speak the loudest. Christian uses these private moments and the joining of our bodies to convey just how he feels. The words will come, I've no doubt of that and for now, this, this is enough.

Authors note: Pictures are up on pinterest. FSSAS/fifty-shades-slow-and-steady/ These are not pictures you want kids or coworkers to see so open in private. And thank you to everyone who takes the time to review, I so appreciate that you're invested in this story! A special thank you to lillian121 for pointing a lot of you here.