A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Do you know when the article will run?", Kathy Anderson, the lead organizer of the Downtown Seattle Book Fair asks while I'm finishing up my coverage of the event.
"The week after next.", I answer, placing my notes in my bag. "If you'd like, I can email the final copy once it's completed.
"I would appreciate that very much and look forward to reading it. The rain was a slight hinderance, but we had a really good turn out." She walks with me to the front entrance of the Washington State Convention Center where the fair was held. "As soon as I leave here, I'll be going home to get things ready for next year."
"Hopefully I'll be here then as well."
The day's steady downpour has slowed for the moment as I make my way to my car which is luckily parked on the front row. Once I'm inside, I grab my phone to check for any calls or messages that I may have gotten while I was inside. I have a missed call from my mom and a text message from Christian. I make the decision to call my mom back before leaving the parking lot.
"Ana, how are you?", she asks after answering.
"I'm good Mom. I just got done covering a book fair for work and had my phone on silent How are you doing?"
"Considering that I've been taking care of Bob while he's been sick, I'm ok."
"What's wrong with Bob?", I ask in concern.
"He's just had a cold, but men act like babies when they get sick." I roll my eyes at her comment since she's always at Bob's beck and call even when he's healthy. "Other than work, what have you been up to?"
"Oh you know, this and that."
"Hmm. You sound different, a good different. Ana, is there a guy?" Damn those Spidey senses of hers!
"Yes. I've met someone. His name is Christian, and we're still in the early stages." Resting my head on the back of the seat, I feel a full scale Cara Adams interrogation on the horizon. I can't make out what's being said, but I can hear her talking to someone on the other end.
"Sweetheart, I hate to do this, but Bob wants some soup. Would it be ok if I call you back later?" Thank goodness for Bob wanting soup!
"It's all right. I hope Bob feels better soon."
"I'll give him your get well wishes. Bye." Needing a bright spot, I finally open the text message from Christian.
*I hope you're having a wonderful day and look forward to seeing you later.*
*I just read your message and will certainly have a much better day now thanks to it*, I text back. I'm about to turn the ignition and head home when the phone rings. Even better than getting a text from Christian is getting a phone call from him.
"Hey.", he says cheerfully, a far contrast from his tone when he first arrived at my apartment last night. "Is the book fair over?"
"Hello to you too, and yes, I'm going to be on my way home in a few minutes. What time do you want to have dinner?"
"What time is good for you?"
"I asked you first.", I reply with a giggle. I catch my reflection in the rearview mirror and like the woman staring at me. She's truly happy and content with the direction her life has taken her.
"Baby, any time is good for me. How about I pick you up at six?"
"Six works for me. I'll see you then."
The first thing I notice when I arrive at the apartment is the tall, dark-haired guy sitting on the sofa with a glass of water in his hand and his eyes on the tv. The absence of Kate and Ethan worry me that something has happened. What if this guy did something to them and is now resting before resuming his violent rampage. I talked to one too many mystery authors today. Not wanting to take a chance, I reach for the ceramic vase on the table by the door. I tip toe across the floor but stop when it creaks underneath my feet. Fuck! Of course, that tiny sound is what turns his attention from the news program.
"Hello.", he says with a mega watt smile. My grasp on the vase tightens as I debate on what to say to the friendly intruder.
"Uh...hi.", I stammer. "If you don't mind my asking, where are Kate and Ethan?"
"Kate went to the store with Elliot, and Ethan's in the bathroom. Oh, sorry. I'm Max Chambers." I smile and shake the hand offered to me. "You must be Ana."
"I am. It's nice to meet you Max." The sound of the bathroom door sends both sets of eyes to Ethan who moves into the living room. "There you are."
"Hey. Max and I stopped by here after our lunch so I could change clothes before we head to the movies."
"Have you seen him eat pasta?", Max laughs. "We went to Cafe Lago for lunch, and he dropped marinara sauce on his shirt in two different spots."
"I couldn't help it. I was nervous.", Ethan says as he and Max look at each other.
"How many times do I have to tell you there's no need to be nervous around me. Just be yourself."
"I can actually say that I'm being myself for the first time. Ana, how was the book fair?"
"It was great. I was able to get a lot of information for my article.", I answer.
"I would have loved to have been there.", Max tells me. "Reading is my passion. If I could read for a living, I would, but I'm stuck working at a boring brokerage firm."
"Babe, I thought you picked up the whipped cream.", Elliot sighs after opening the door. His face is red at the realization that he's not alone. "What's up." Kate closes the door behind them and takes the grocery bag which Elliot's holding.
"Ana, I see you've met Max.", Kate grins.
"Yeah. I'm going to get something to drink. Does anyone want anything?", I ask, but Ethan and Max shake their heads. "Kate, do you want me to take the groceries into the kitchen for you?"
"I've got it. Ethan, Max, we'll be back." She grabs Elliot's hand and leads him to the kitchen where I get a bottle of grape juice. "Max seems nice, huh?"
"From what I can see, yeah. I suppose you're going to fish for as many details with them as you do with my relationship with Christian.", I tease.
"Speaking of my brother, Kate told me about his jealous rampage which I learned today caused Ethan to come out. I think you're his first actual girlfriend, meaning all of this is new to him, but that doesn't justify his actions."
"I'm sure it's safe to say that wasn't one of his brightest moments. I honestly believe that he is truly sorry and like the rest of us wants to move forward."
"Kate told me about her threat to use her martial arts on him." He tilts his head in Kate's direction and winks at her. "I'm going to try my best to stay on her good side."
"If you know what's good for you, you will.", she giggles. "I'm cooking dinner tonight. Ethan and Max have plans, but do you and Christian want to join us?"
"Thanks for the offer, but we're going out. He's picking me up at six."
"Ana, your beau is here!", Kate shouts from the living room. The title she's given him makes me feel warm. Christian and Elliot are having a discussion when I step into the room, but Christian stops mid sentence and walks over to me.
"You look more beautiful every time I see you.", he says as his eyes take in the light blue sundress that I'm wearing.
"Cheesey.", Elliot coughs, feeling Kate's glare. "I had a little something in my throat. So, where are the two of you having dinner?"
"I made reservations at Mistral Kitchen.", Christian replies. "Ana, is that ok with you?"
"I've never been there, but I've only heard good things about it."
"It's one of the best restaurants in the city. I've been going there for years."
"Man, I love that place.", Elliot sighs. "Their scallops are out of this world. I'd give anything to have some of those right now, but Kate is cooking dinner for us."
"I'm making stuffed chicken.", Kate adds. "Ana really likes it, don't you Ana?" Although Kate's cooked many dishes, I can't recall a time where she's made that particular dish, but I feel the need to go along.
"Yes!", I exclaim. "It's scrumptious. I really like how the chicken is stuffed with um..."
"Provolone cheese.", Kate completes my sentence.
"I couldn't recall the exact name of the cheese. Elliot, you're in for a treat."
"We should be going so we make our reservations.", Christian says while placing his hand on the small of my back. "Elliot, Kate, I hope the two of you have a wonderful dinner."
"Thanks.", Elliot laughs.
"Here are your short ribs.", Greta, our waitress says as she places Christian's plate in front of him. She reaches for the remaining plate on her serving tray and sets it down in front of me. "And here's your pork loin."
"Thank you.", I say before she leaves us to our dinner. "This looks delicious. Would you like a taste?"
"A taste of what Miss Steele?", Christian smirks. I almost get choked on the squash that I've just put in my mouth. "Are you ok?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Some of the things you say have a way of making my body tingle in certain spots.", I reply, blushing at my own words. I lower my head and resume eating, but his eyes stay on me.
"Perhaps you'd like a taste of what I have to offer."
"Now you're doing it on purpose." He shrugs and laughs in amusement. "You want me to say it, don't you? You want me to tell you that I get wet just looking at you. And you want me to tell you about how I think about having your throbbing cock push into me, going deeper and harder with every thrust as our bodies glisten with sweat." His fork clatters against his plate as he's rendered speechless. He licks his lips while casting his darkened eyes on me until something behind me breaks his daze.
"Fuck.", he mumbles.
"Eventually we will.", I giggle, but I realize he's not referring to my verbal seduction. A blonde woman who appears to be in her late forties is soon standing beside our table.
"Christian.", she purrs through her crimson red covered mouth.
"Hello Elena."
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your dinner companion?" I raise a brow at him and turn to her.
"Hi. I'm Anastasia Steele.", I greet her.
"Anastasia, such a lovely name. I'm Elena Lincoln."
"Elena is a friend of my mother's.", Christian murmurs as he takes a drink of his wine.
"Actually, I'm a friend of the entire family, not just Grace's. Christian and I are also business associates."
"It's a chain of salons by the name of Esclava. I'm more of a silent partner in it."
"You should stop by sometime and get the house treatment. You would love it." I'm not sure why, but Christian doesn't appear to be happy with Elena's presence at our table. "Anastasia, have you had the opportunity to see Christian's penthouse yet?"
"Not yet.", I answer.
"Christian, what is wrong with you. You really need to give her a tour of your place. Make sure you show her every room."
"Elena, I don't mean to be rude, but Ana and I are in the middle of our date.", he tells her.
"I'll let you get back to your date. It was nice meeting you Anastasia. Christian, I'll see you around.", she says, strutting away.
"I don't think I can eat another bite. What about you? Are you ready? For some reason, he's a hurry to leave.
"Sure."
When we get outside, Christian opens the R8's passenger door for me, but I remain glued to the concrete. He stands back and waits for me to get it in. Nothing.
"Ana, what are you waiting on?", he asks.
"I'm not getting in the car until you tell me what in the hell has gotten into you."
"Now is not the time to start acting like a petulant child. Get in the car." My hands go to my hips as I push past him and start walking away from the car. "What the fuck!"
"I'm walking home.", I snap.
"Do you honestly think I'm going to let you walk home?"
"Ah, go back to the third word you said. It contains the word honest. I'll get in the car if you're honest and tell me what's really going on."
"Fine.", he sighs.
Finally in the car, I watch him stare intently at the road ahead. I'm anticipating his explanation for what happened, but he's silent. I clear my throat to send him a hint of my frustration.
"Please tell me why you did a complete one-eighty when Elena showed up."
"The friend of my mom's who got me involved in the BDSM lifestyle was...Elena."