Ana's POV – Monday 20th June
I look at Christian gasping as the impact hits me of Jack's words and his face changes from boyish enthusiasm to pure concern and confusion as he rushes towards me, "What's the matter baby, what's happened? Are you in pain? I'm sorry, I was so excited about showing you around, you should be resting."
"No, it's nothing like that. Christian, on Friday Jack said "Ha, he thinks he's so clever with those planes and toys, one day, one will fall out of the sky and that will be the end of him" and it just hit me, we're on your plane, what if he's done something?" and I can feel myself start to shake and struggle to breathe.
"Baby, calm down, breathe, baby, breathe, it's ok." Christian has me in his arms, willing me to calm down, "It's ok, Sawyer overhead that comment on Friday and passed it onto Taylor, the planes have been checked and triple checked, it's ok, we're going to be ok."
And again I am grateful for his overprotectiveness and allow myself to relax, it isn't hard with the warmth of his body, the sound of his heart thumping next to my ear and then I am wholly distracted by his hands. I can't help but relax and grin against his chest and wonder how much longer I can hold my position without squirming.
"Beautiful girl, you know you want to.." Is whispered sinfully against my ear and I loosen my arms and lift them around his neck and his hands reach down under my bottom and he pulls me up capturing my lips and locking to me, turning as he does so. Without a single jolt, I suddenly find myself cradled in his arms and lying on the bed, his hands now under my shirt and gently caressing, soothing, exciting, teasing and then he frustratingly stops and starts talking.
"Do you trust me to look after you for the rest of the week? Will you let me make all the decisions and you just rest? Will you trust me like you've never been able to trust anyone, rely on me to make the right decisions, or at least accept that I am attempting to make the right decision?" He asks with complete sincerity, holding my face in his hands, so that I am looking down and drowning in those grey pools of love.
"You want complete submission? Do you still need that?" I ask in a small voice.
"God Ana, not like that, please don't think like that, you are not a submissive and never will be, I am done with that, please believe me. Oh god…." He stops and he wipes his hand across his eyes and looks at me again, "Please Ana, where did that come from? I love you, I want to do everything for you, I want you to stop worrying and doing things that I understand you do to protect yourself, please let me protect you for a bit so you can concentrate on getting better."
I feel awful at the pain I see in his eyes that my words just caused so I lower my head onto his chest, taking a deep breath as I do so, I struggle with my brain, if there is anyone I can trust, it is Christian yet here I am on the verge of breaking down again because he wants to look after me. Why can't I trust him? I curse Carla mentally, here I am a grown woman no longer able to trust even the most caring person, the only person who has consistently put me first, considered me and simply protected me. His gentle circles on my back finally register and I hear him say "Come back to me Ana, baby, it's ok, I don't need it, I wanted to do it for you but if it's too hard, you don't have to, it's going to be relaxed anyway, there shouldn't be too many decisions to make…. Just do you want to read or do you want to watch a movie…. It's ok, baby, it's ok."
With tears oozing from under my eyelids, despite my determined effort to stop them, I nod my head against his chest and hope that he doesn't give up on me, and then he does his mind reading trick again "Baby, I'm not going anywhere, one day when I've proved it to you often enough and you're ready, you'll trust me, it's ok." And he softly kisses the tears off my cheek and pulls one of his hankies out to give to me and that finally draws a smile.
"You really are an old fuddy duddy, you are the only person I know who uses hankies instead of tissues, seriously, sometimes I think you are an old man." And then a thought strikes me. "When is your birthday?"
Christian goes very still and his eyes flick as a look of uncertainly crosses his face and then he says quietly, "It was last Friday, the 18th" at my gasp, he shrugs his shoulders and says " I don't like celebrating the day the crack whore gave birth to me."
"Oh Christian," I pause horrified that I never thought to ask before and now have missed his birthday and saddened that he hates his birthday so much, "I'm so sorry, what sort of girlfriend am I if I didn't even think to ask about your birthday, there is so much I don't know about you, that I haven't found out, it's all been selfishly about me and …"
He stops me with "Stop that, I don't tell anyone my birthday and I don't celebrate it, it has nothing to do with you being selfish, a less selfish person I've never found, don't do that, you do it too much, this week you are not allowed to put yourself down, not at all. Ok?" and the annoyance in his face tells me that I've hit a raw nerve with him and as much as I feel like a heel, I nod my head.
My voice catches in my throat as I cut in, "But Christian, that is so sad. I hate that you hate your birthday. That you imply you don't want to be here…" And again he cuts me off.
"Ana, until you came into my life, there was no reason to celebrate my existence." I think my mouth pops open at the sweetness of the statement but my heart breaks at the sadness in his voice.
"I hated birthday parties and when I finally started talking I compromised with Mom by accepting a birthday party on the day that was the day they adopted me instead of my actual birthday because that was the day my life actually began. Mom accepted that and it is a tradition that has continued."
"Can I at least bake you a chocolate cake when we get to wherever we are going? Are there kitchen facilities where we are going? Are you going to tell me where we are going?" and he laughs at my questions and hugs me tight once more to his chest before he manages to somehow move me to a standing position on the side of the bed, between his legs as he sits, without hurting me.
"Baby, you'll find out soon enough, we'll be starting our descent within the hour." And he still frustratingly doesn't tell me and with the darkness outside, I can't see anything and just have to wait for the surprise, I am accepting surprises more now with Christian, maybe there is hope for me to completely trust him, at some point. "And yes, you can bake me a chocolate cake, we don't need a reason for chocolate cake…. I do believe I am still owed you eating some chocolate cake off my rock hard abs," and he grins at me as I blush remembering the moment I said that and his reaction.
Back in our seats Christian pulls me into his lap and pours a champagne and insists on feeding me from the plate of food that appears at the hands of the extremely attentive stewardess. We chat about the newest acquisition that he and Ros are working on, the Taiwanese shipyard and how that will help his workforce here, how he'll be able to save a number of jobs. It occurs to me that I love the work that Christian is doing, the amount of effort he expends in doing the right thing, for someone that considers himself to have a black heart, he really doesn't see how much good he does to the world and I decide that maybe if I can cede some control to him this week, maybe I can spend that time showing him how good he is.
The thought has me smiling and Christian quirks an eyebrow at me, "Penny for your thoughts, I don't think my last Taiwanese shipyard comment warranted that sort of smile."
"Oh nothing, I was just thinking how gorgeous my boyfriend is and how clever he is and how amazing he is and…." And at this point it's obvious that he doesn't believe a word coming out of my mouth as he lifts his eyebrows with an "oh really!" expression so I exaggeratedly pout and say "Well it's true," and he gives up and just feeds me a chocolate covered strawberry that results in me giggling at him, well it seems we both have work to do this week.
Finally we are on approach to our destination, Christian has my hand in his, his arm around my shoulders, saying we are fine, that the pilot is the best available and that we'll be down soon, trying to calm me, I hate take-offs and landings at the best of times and this one that I can see is between two mountains and is a really steep descent is scaring me beyond my normal level of flying anxiety.
As we land I see the words on the airport hangar and know that we've arrived in Aspen. Now the big suitcases make total sense and I am glad to see that there are two guitar cases in amongst the luggage, I will happily sit and play with Christian, we keep talking about doing it but haven't yet managed with Christian's busy schedule and my injuries. I have a feeling his prowess will make us a great team.
.
Christian's POV – Friday 24th June
We have had a blissful week, as June in Aspen is usually full of outdoor activities and Ana isn't able to do any of them yet, we have just relaxed at home. Her shock at the house and the on-site staff wore off after the first day, her sideways glances at me stopped after I sat her down and calmly announced that my money had to be used for something so that by buying the properties and giving my family and gala night winners somewhere to go, the money was being used and employing people rather than simply sitting in a bank account. I know she doesn't like it so I try to not spend so conspicuously on her, but when we slowly wandered hand in hand around a market for all the world feeling like normal people, she allowed me to buy as much as I wanted knowing that each of the artists was selling their own creations.
It was during one of these little trips on Tuesday that Ana mentioned that she liked to paint as it relaxed her and by the time we were back at the house, sitting on the verandah overlooking the mountain view, there was an easel, a comfortable stool and a range of watercolour, acrylic and oil paints and brushes waiting for her and while she shook her head at me and told me off, the excitement in her eyes belied her words.
I watched amazed over the next few days as Ana lost herself in her painting and her body relaxed and she didn't even notice when I snuck off to the office to work for a couple of hours, knowing that she was doing exactly what she wanted to do and wouldn't miss me.
We have continued this all week, Ana painting in the afternoon after going for a quick wander in the morning. The Food and Wine classic was a particular favourite as we tried the wines and specialty foods from around the world, taking note of the top chefs so as to use them in future if possible. I loved giving Ana the opportunity to taste things she'd never tasted and watching her delight at being able to join in cooking demonstrations with ingredients she'd only ever heard about but never dreamed of tasting, was reward enough.
Today, as the sun was setting, I was missing her and asked Mrs Bentley to collect all the ingredients for a surprise and gave the Bentley's the rest of the day off, I sauntered out to stand in her view until she giggled and put down her brush saying "While the view is that much better now …." And I didn't let her finish, my grin matching hers as I pulled her up off the stool into an embrace.
"Are you thirsty babe? I am going to make you something inside.." and her quick nod has me picking her up, except for our morning walk, I have been carrying her everywhere and she is letting me. I love it.
Carrying her in, I make my way to the kitchen, somewhere Ana is way more comfortable than myself but this time I am determined to deliver on my promise. With a flourish I turn on the stovetop to heat sugar and water to make a sugar syrup, Ana stares at me like I am doing something wrong, "What babe?" I ask, "Do you think I can't even boil water?"
Her blush gives her away and I swoop around to rub my nose along hers and then she screams out, "Quick it's boiling over"
"Well, ok, you distracted me," I say as I rescue the pan and she giggles.
"Would you like me to cut up these lemons for you," She asks all sweetness but I'm thinking it might be the wisest option given my lack of prowess in the kitchen, although I don't know about Ana and knives. Unlike other parts of her life, Ana isn't clumsy in the kitchen and before I can blink all the lemons are cut, ready for me and figuring out the contraption to squeeze them.
I take great pleasure in squeezing all the lemon juice from the lemons and with another proud flourish pour the syrup, lemon juice, extra icy water and ice in a jug and pour it over ice in our tall glasses, raising mine in a toast to the beautiful girl sitting opposite me.
"The perfect lemonade, thank you Christian, I hadn't realised how thirsty I was." She licks her lips and smiles shyly at me.
"Baby, I've been thirsty too but I am hungry and thirsty for something else," and I start advancing around the bench, her eyes widen and I see it there in her eyes too, while I can see some trepidation, her teeth find her lip and I growl, "I want to bite that, I know how delicious it is and I need to taste you now," and her mouth pops open and she lifts her arms up as I reach her and I can taste the tang of lemon on her lips countering her sweetness.
I barely feel the cast as she wraps her legs around me and it bumps my behind, all I can taste is her sweetness, all I can smell is her innocent scent, all I can feel is her heat as she presses against me and all I can hear is her moan as she gives herself to me.
I manoeuvre myself around so that I am sitting on the stool, nuzzling her hair, I nip her earlobe and continue down her throat as she closes her eyes and arches her throat giving me access. "Baby, open your eyes, I need to see you, I need to see you enjoy every second," and the colour rises in her cheeks and her delectable breasts rise and fall as she tries to calm her breathing, I know my hands and their movements are heightening the sensations chasing themselves through her body and this time I won't be able to stop, relaxed Ana is even more beautiful than I've ever seen..
I thank my lucky stars that today was bright and sunny and that after our walk and swim she changed into a lovely cotton strappy summer dress, it sits mid-thigh and so as she leans back to give me access, she slides forward and I am pressed right where I want to be. As I involuntarily twitch, her eyes impossibly widen further and I can't control the smirk, "Yes baby, you do it to me, you're all I think about and every part of me loves every part of you, will you trust me baby?"
I need her to trust me now like she's never trusted anyone before and I can't breathe while I wait for her to respond, her eyes don't pool with tears as I expected instead, an excited glint shines as she slowly nods her head, nervously swallows and somehow presses herself against me tighter so that I can feel her heat and I almost explode. I know I am going to have to summon all my control and then some, if I am going to make this, her first experience, what it should be.
"Oh baby," I exhale with reverence, awed that she is willing to trust me and bend my head as I slip the straps off her shoulders, taking one of those beautiful nipples in my mouth, one hand holding her in place while the other slides the other strap down, holding her arms in place while giving me the access that I spend my meetings dreaming about.
With a suckle and a pop, I finish the ministrations on one and as I move my attention to the other, I gently run my hand up her thigh, lightly brushing across her as I reposition her, I feel her hand on my back, urging, pushing me against her breast as she arches her back. Her breath is short sharp alternations between release and inhalation, I need to see her and release her, coming back to her mouth, she shrugs out of her straps and with a movement borne of need pulls my head to hers and moans against me.
"Baby, I want you so badly, but we are not doing this here, hold for me, can you do that?" she nods and I stand, testing that my legs won't give way, her naked breasts against my chest, my hands squeezing those cute buttocks as I hold her, her legs around my waist and my brain drifting somewhere in the stratosphere, I take the stairs carefully, very carefully, making sure not to jolt her in anyway and carry her to our room.
"Oh Christian, it's beautiful," she breathes as she takes in the candles and flowers around the room and she turns to me again and this time there are tears in her eyes but even I know they are happy ones, "You do hearts and flowers beautifully because you have a beautiful heart, I love you Christian, I really do, I wish you would love you too." I hold her, unable to move, drowning in those dark blue pools so deep that there is no end to them, I don't want a life raft, I just want to throw myself there at her mercy and it's her mouth on mine that brings me back. Gentle, insistent and pure love and while I want to hold her forever, I gently lay her on the bed, sliding her dress off as I do.
"No you are beautiful, look at you." I say, now free with hands and body to worship the one person who can see through me, sees more than there is to see and loves me for me.
"Wait, I want to undress you too," Ana says so I help her sit back up and with trembling hands she works on my shirt buttons and then simply tugs on my shorts with frustration and leans back with a giggle when she pulls down my boxers at the same time and is nearly hit by a ramrod solid appendage leaping to attention.
Happy that I am adequately naked, Ana allows me to help her lie back down again, her beautiful mahogany hair fanned out behind her, a smile playing on her lips and her hands in my hair. I start from the top again, I am spoilt for choice but as soon as she wriggles I stop and look at her, frowning and she whimpers, "I'm sorry, please don't stop," and I can't help but grin against her belly and continue south, little nips, interspaced with kisses, my fingers working their way down just before my lips until I reach the apex and then I look up at her as I gently tease, lightly dipping and twirling my fingers, spreading the moisture, feeling her nub hardening as I pay her attention with my fingers, all the time desperate to be buried deep within her.
"Baby, you can call stop anytime you want and we stop, are you ok? You know it's going to hurt some and I don't know if your injuries are going to make this impossible. I desperately want to make love to you, show you how much I treasure you but I'm ok if we have to stop….." her frustrated groan is enough for me.
I gently untie and remove her now saturated silk panties and shuffle myself down, holding her hips down with my left arm while my mouth now joins in the party started by my fingers and I hear Ana's breathing become laboured and then she says, "Not just me, I want us together this time, I can't do two lots," and I know she is right so I pull back and reach for my shorts pocket.
I watch Ana's eyes flick with uncertainty as I roll the condom down, "It's ok, baby, it will fit, you were made for me, I'll take it slow, do you trust me?" There's no way I am continuing if there is any doubt, again the nod of the head and I inhale deeply, kissing up her inner thighs and she trembles as I make my way back to her core, licking, sucking, touching, all my sensations amplified by her moans and the pressure of her hands in my hair and then as I feel her tremble, I need to be in her, neither of us will last at this pace.
Gently spreading her legs, I place the head at her entrance, and as I am about to enter that hot dripping core, the core that has been waiting for me for what seems like months, as her moans intensify, and she arches her back to push against me, despite my control in taking it slow, she suddenly screams.
"STOP, Stop Christian, Stop! Someone's filming us"