A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"I've got something for you." Christian freezes midway through buttoning his shirt and pads across the floor, stopping in front of my spot next to the dresser. "Could you finish getting dressed? You're kind of distracting, and what I want to show you is important."
"I'm distracting? As I recall, you're the one who was distracting me not even thirty minutes ago with your delectable body. Or do you need a reminder?" Following our mutual declarations of love, we ended up in my bedroom where we made love. This time, each touch between us was more meaningful.
"Maybe later.", I counter with a wink. He shrugs his shoulders and goes back to buttoning his shirt as I take in the sexy as hell man who loves me. He loves me, and I love him. We love each other.
"All right. What do you have for me?", he asks as his own eyes roam up and down my body. "Because whatever it is, I'll take it."
"Good." I motion to the top left drawer on the dresser. "This is yours. Well, it will be yours once I get it emptied out."
"And what may I ask is inside this drawer?" He moves past me and places his hand on the handle. "Could it be similar to what's in the top drawer of your nightstand?" His wiggles his brows at me in the most adorable way.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but you won't find a vibrator in there. Go ahead and open it." Following my words, he pulls on the handle and slowly brings his eyes forward. His face falls when he finally sees the contents.
"Socks.", he mutters. "Now that I know what's in here, what are you getting at with the entire "this is yours" thing?"
"I'm going to rearrange some things and move the socks into another drawer, and then I want you to have the empty drawer. You can keep some extra boxers and socks in here for nights that you sleep over. I'm sure you wondering about your shirts and pants. I've got a place for those as well. Follow me." He laughs and trails behind me on the way to the closet. I open the door and point to the empty spot behind my skirts. "I went through my clothes last week and gave some away so now there's room for your shirts, pants, whatever." While he's staring at the space, I worry that I've scared him. This is something that I've been considering as a way to help when he's here. "You don't have to leave anything if you don't want to. It was a suggestion, probably a bad one.", I ramble.
"You're cute when you're flustered. I would very much like to keep extra clothes here. In fact, this is kind of ironic since I was going to ask you the same thing. Would you do me the honor of keeping clothes at my place." I feel like skipping across the country to express my joy at his request.
"Mr. Grey, I would love to.", I reply.
"I was hoping you'd say that." My lips gravitate towards his with a slow burning kiss which I end by pulling away. "When I woke up this morning, I had no idea the day would end like this. It went from the worst day to the best day by saying and hearing those three words."
"I never thought I'd be in love. Love is something I used to laugh off, but it all changed when I met you. I almost told you the other day at the hotel, but I stopped myself because I didn't feel like I was worthy of your love."
"You are. You're more than worthy of it, and I'm not just talking about my love. I'm also talking about the love your family has for you." Despite the smile he's had etched on his face, I can see agony in his eyes. "I know they were in shock when you told them about Elena, but that doesn't change that they love you. Like I said, you're not the one to blame."
"Ana, I've disappointed them in so many ways. I can't even fathom what they were thinking when I told them about the subs. Having your son tell you that he used to enjoy punishing women for pleasure isn't exactly what a parents wants to hear. How do you get past something like that?"
"Love.", I reply. "They might need time to process things, but their love for you won't change."
Waking up with Christian's arms wrapped around me this morning helped get my day off to a better start than the previous days. The only downside, Christian had to leave early so he could go to his place for a change of clothes before a breakfast meeting. He's bringing some clothes over tonight to put in his drawer and in the closet. Afterwards, I'm going to take some clothes to his Escala. Ethan stayed at Max's last night while Kate stayed at Elliot's, meaning I didn't have anyone to join me for breakfast. My solution, stopping by Sugar Bakery and Cafe for breakfast pastries for me and the rest of the office.
"What's in the box?", Daniel asks with his eyes cast on the pastries. He rushes over and looks at the box and then at me. "Whoa. You went to Sugar Bakery and Cafe." With him being the restaurant reviewer for the magazine, I'm anxious about what he has to say about the bakery. I might end up regretting stopping there.
"Uh...yeah. I brought them for everyone.", I reply as I place the box down on top of my desk. "Have you been there?"
"Yes, and they have some of the best food."
"Help yourself." I open the box with relief. "Kate texted me earlier and said that she's decided to take a vacation day, but where's Audrey?"
"Right here.", she answers from behind me. In her hand is a box identical to mine. She giggles when she sees the box on my desk. "Great minds."
"Hey, I'm not going to complain.", Daniel shrugs as he takes a croissant from each box. He's about to take a bite of the one from Audrey's box but stops long enough to give her a kiss. "Thanks babe. Ana, thank you as well.", he says as Olivia arrives.
"Good morning.", she greets us. "Dare I ask what's in the boxes?"
"Both Audrey and Ana picked up pastries." Olivia licks her lips at the contents of the boxes.
"Have all you want.", Audrey says. Olivia seems to be debating whether she wants to take one, but she shakes her head. "You know you want to."
"I do, but I'm trying to eat healthier. They do look good though, and I didn't have breakfast."
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.", I tell her. "You'll be running on empty before noon if you don't eat."
"True. I suppose one of those scones will be ok. They're fat free and have no calories, right?", she jokes, grabbing an almond scone from my box. "This was a nice gesture. Maybe we can start doing things like this more often. We can rotate out who brings what and when."
"I like that idea.", Audrey replies.
"Me too.", I add.
"Same here.", Daniel says. "I'll do everyone a favor and what I bring. You don't want me to cook."
"I'm going to take my oh so healthy scone into my office.", Olivia announces as the rest of us settle at our desks. "Ana, about yesterday." Her voice is now lowered. "I hope things are better."
"They're much better. Christian and I had a long conversation that got our feelings out in the open. We're now closer than ever."
"I knew they would be. I've got an assignment for you. Let me get the information from my office." She goes into her office and returns moments later with a piece of paper. "The Seattle Film Festival is in two weeks, and I'd like for you to cover it. It'll showcase both local and international filmmakers. This is a list of the films that are going to be shown." I take the paper from her and scan the list. "The next big screenwriter or director could be on there."
"Several of these films sound interesting. I can't wait to get started. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now then, I'm going to take my scone and get to work." She holds up the pastry and goes to her office.
"Fuck Elliot, put it right there. Yes right there." I drop my keys on the floor outside the apartment as Kate's voice drifts from the other side of the door. I'm almost afraid of what I'm going to find when I open the door. Not wanting to see naked bodies, I tap on the door.
"Kate, it's me.", I mutter. "Is it safe to come in?"
"Why wouldn't it be?", she scoffs while unlocking and opening the door for me.
Treading cautiously inside, I relax when I see Elliot hanging a large frame on the wall across from the sofa. Kate's standing next to the sofa with her head tilted as if she's making sure the frame is even. I notice the photo in the frame is of a young boy and girl. I'm not positive, but they resemble Kate and Ethan.
"I thought the two of you might be having sex."
"I wish.", Elliot snickers. "But I happily agreed to hang this for Kate."
"It's me and Ethan.", she says. "My mom found it the other day and had a copy made, one for me and one for Ethan." I move closer to the photo and see Kate and Ethan playing in sand. "We were having a sand castle building contest."
"Who won?", I ask.
"Well, we asked a group of people who were near us. Half of them said me while the other half said Ethan. It ended up being a tie. How was work? Did you miss me?"
"I missed you so much that I couldn't get any work done. I spent the entire day staring at your empty desk and wishing you were there. It wasn't just me either. The entire office missed you, even Olivia."
"You almost had me convinced until you said Olivia.", she giggles.
"Work was good. I'm going to be doing an article on the Seattle Film Festival. It's still two weeks away, but I've already started doing research. And how was your day off?"
"It was great. My mom and I went shopping and then Elliot joined us for lunch. I even did some work on my own article."
"Have you heard from Ethan?"
"I talked to him earlier. Louise Sorenson called and asked if he would like to start work today. Ethan, of course, said yes. He's going to be observing for the first week or so."
I start to sit down on the sofa, but I stop when I hear someone at the door. Looking into the peep-hole, I feel heat between my legs. It's Christian.
"Hi." He grabs my hips and pulls me towards him, crashing his lips on to mine. In the corner of my eye, I see Kate and Elliot watching, but I don't care.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but we're as afraid of seeing you two have sex as you were of us.", Kate sighs. Christian and I reluctantly break apart. "What's in the bag?" I almost forgot that he was going to bring extra clothes over.
"Extra clothes. Ana gave me a drawer and some spaces in her closet.", Christian answers proudly.
"How come I haven't got a drawer or a spot in your closet?", Elliot asks Kate.
"Because I've got way too many clothes. I might be able to make enough room so you can have half of a drawer. Would that work?"
"It's a start."
"Christian and I are going to take his things into my room." I grab his hand and start pulling him before he gets a says otherwise. Once inside, he drops the bag on the bed and kisses me again. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. I'll put my clothes away in a few minutes, but first, I need to tell you something."
"Could it be that you love for me?", I ask, moving my lips down his neck.
"That's one of them.", he laughs. "But the other is important." I halt my seduction and nod for him to tell me. "The Seattle Nooz site posted another article this afternoon on us. This one is different from the other since this one...reveals your name." I knew it was only a matter of time before the press got more information on our relationship.
"Not that I'm upset, but how did they find out?"
"I'm not sure. It says, "Grey's new love has been identified as Anastasia Steele, a columnist at Seattle Magazine."
"They know where I work? So now it's possible that they're going to show up at my office."
"I would say it's highly possible." I fall back on to the bed and close my eyes. "I'm going to take care of things Ana. I don't want you to worry about this, and I don't want it to affect us. We're in love, and I don't care who knows it."
"Me either. It was going to happen anyway so might get it out. When you say you're going to take care of things, what do you mean?" He takes off his jacket and sit down next to me.
"I'm going to find out exactly how the site found out your name. Someone must have tipped them off."
"Like Elena.", I murmur.
"I wouldn't put it past her especially given the timing, but it's possible someone else could have done it. You told me that Bryant saw the other article about us. He wasn't too happy when we last saw him." Christian has a valid point. Bryant could be hoping the pressure of being in the press gets to me, thus making me end things with Christian.
"He could have. Another name that pops up is Rachel. She hates me and has this asinine theory that I'm still hung up on Bryant and want him back."
"You and I both know that's not true. You're madly and deeply in love with me.", he smirks as he encloses me in his arms. "Another thing I'm going to do is assign a security detail for you."
"I appreciate you wanting to look after me, but I don't need security. I'm capable of taking care of myself."
"Ana, please. I would feel better knowing that you're safe. The guy would keep a reasonable distance and be out of your way. Do this for me, for us." He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout and stares at me with his hypnotic gray eyes.
"Fine.", I agree. "You've got yourself a deal Mr. Grey."
"Thank you baby. I'm going to hang my clothes up now." He stands up and opens his bag.
"I've got some hangers."
"One more thing.", he says.
"I'm almost afraid to ask but what is it?"
"I love you."