Author's Note:
Ana's POV – Friday 22 July 2011
Oh, there are no words, I felt his need to lose himself but I didn't realise how much I needed to as well, how much ceding all control to him had actually helped chase away all my fears and I am completely amazed at how I feel. I have never felt so safe and loved and whole, that's it, I feel whole and I snuggle back into his body with a smile on my face.
Even though he is fast asleep his arm tightens around me and I can't help but think of how strong he is yet how gentle his actions are towards me, how amazing his body is and what he did to me with it, I would take it all again in a heartbeat, again and again. I realise I now have no fear of this room when I was petrified of it when we stood at its door. I hid it with my bravado but now I have no fear of handing control in here to Christian, his ability to love has changed him. Just as the thought flits through my mind, I can feel my body responding and I catch a gasp, it is amazing how in tune his body is because even though he is asleep, his body reacts in response to mine and it is barely seconds before his previously comfortable lap that I am curled into has a ramrod hard addition and his hand is cupping and kneading my breast gently.
A slight wriggle on my behalf and the breath on my neck changes and I feel as he wakes and smiles against my skin, pressing his nether regions cheekily tighter and then the nibbles have me turning in his arms. I don't want them on my body, I need them on my lips, I need to tell him how much I appreciate what he did earlier. However I don't have a chance, he latches onto me like a drowning man and I can feel that all his demons weren't laid to rest and that it will take a lot longer than just one afternoon but at least he looks rested.
I wonder how long we have been in the room, in here it is as if time stands still and quite frankly I don't want to leave, I don't really want to go to the party and be separated from Christian but I have promised Kate and Mia and since they have practically done everything for the wedding, I do owe them this party.
I am on my back without our contact being broken and the satin sheet slides off to the side as Christian dips in deeply, his eyes asking what his busy lips can't and I just nod, I can feel his tension and I am never going to say no to what he's doing. My eyes shut as I savour the feeling but they fly open as I hear the growl and remember his desire to see me as I fall apart for him and only him. Whereas the earlier activity had been all about me, this time I know this is for him and I'm not complaining, there is more than enough in it for me, the smile that creeps across my face breaks our contact and he pulls back a little, the guilt showing but I shake my head whispering, "Keep going, I'm ok. I love you," and the guilt recedes but his demons take a grip again as he reapplies himself.
Shuddering to his release he apologises and rolls onto his back, pulling me onto his chest, crushing me tight until I squeak, "Whatever you're worrying about, don't! I am more than happy, beyond happy and I love you and I want you, yes you" and I poke him gently in the chest as I push myself up, my words tumbling out as I desperately want him to understand. "I want you to be happy and every time you and I are together, I am happy, you always look out for me, what about you let me look out for you too? If I say I am ok, like I just did, please believe me. You aren't fully ok yet but you made sure I was fine."
"I didn't this time, it was all about me," he grinds out against my hair as he hugs me close again and his hands move down until they are on my butt cheeks pulling me into the perfect position and even though I'm already sated, I can feel my response.
"It's ok I went bang," I say, squirming and that's when I feel the chuckle as it rumbles up through his body and then erupts out of him as the most wonderful sound, one that I haven't heard in a while.
"Oh Baby, you're the only person I know that goes "Bang" and it's a wonder to behold but it must have been just a little bang because I missed it entirely….My theory is that you should only be having Big Bangs, so this one's on me," and with that he bodily lifts me up and impales me. The smile never leaving his lips but his eyes softening and then glowing when it's obvious that a big bang is imminent and only after I have ridden it out does he allow himself to let go again and we lie there quietly and calmly revelling in each other and our peace.
Finally, he groans, "Baby, we're going to have to go and get ready, we need to wash up, eat and then be dressed within an hour or so to be on our way, as much as I want to just stay here with you."
"An hour?" and I bolt upright.
"Easy Baby, you could go looking like you do right now and you'd still be the most gorgeous person in the room,"
"Ummm, and very naked…. So I don't think so," I say with an edge of panic in my voice even as that magnificent chuckle makes a return and calms me as he rises and helps me into the fluffiest robe I have ever seen, before throwing one on himself.
With both of us decent enough to leave the room, Christian grabs a tray of rolls from the fridge as we pass through and forgetting in my rush, I don't hide the limp and he grabs my arm, concern all over his face. He suddenly thrusts the tray into my hands and at my confused look, lifts me into his arms saying contritely, "I'm sorry, you're limping, I wasn't careful enough in there."
I nod and with a sarcastic tone state, "Oh yes, it's entirely your fault, uh huh. It's. All. Your. Fault," and I raise my eyebrows at him. "Seriously, I wouldn't pass up a thing you did in there and the limp isn't from today it's from the last few days and the impossible heels I have been wearing."
I see him struggling with my sarcasm and his concern and then he finally just says, "Ok, eat before I lock you up here and we don't go anywhere until our wedding day so that you are feeling ok for the wedding and the honeymoon. What are you going to wear so that I can get it for you from the closet? High heels are out."
"Whatever you think, you know where we're going, what's appropriate and just make it something that I can wear with the Snoopy Converse," and I see a small smile creep across his face as he walks away, he remembers the night at the gala when I first wore them, as do I, some fireworks I'll never forget.
Having scoffed our rolls, a quick shower with disappointingly no shenanigans and that chuckle again when I pout but a point at his watch and I am reaching for the towel and drying my hair as quickly as possible. When Christian puts out his hand indicating for him to take the brush I smile and hand it over while reaching for my makeup and when he puts his hand out for that, a fit of giggles swamps me and he says playfully putting his hand on his hip, "Ok, which one is it, Lady GreyGrey or Crystal Chiming Balls?"
"I still think you'd make an amazing drag queen so Crystal Chiming Balls," I giggle out and a strange contemplative look flashes across his face before he shakes his head and joins in the laughter.
"Well, let's see if I can speed this process up, we have to leave in fifteen minutes and we're not dressed yet, hold still," and I watch amazed as he applies the makeup better than I've ever applied it and I am done before I'd normally have finished one eye.
"Now all I want to do is wipe all that off because you don't need a scrap of it," he says as he lays the softest butterfly kiss on my lip and I melt against him, why did we agree to go out…..
Taylor's POV – Saturday 23 July 2011
I wonder how much life would be easier if I didn't work for the Boss, it wouldn't be anywhere near as exciting but the level of excitement of these last few weeks… well, I could do without it and I have another week before the wedding before we go gallivanting overseas and goodness knows what we will encounter over there.
Last night the Boss and Ana emerged from that room looking refreshed and while I have no doubt he'll ever do anything to hurt her again, I can't say I wasn't worried the whole time they were in there. From the look on their faces though, I don't think I have to worry any more, in fact, I really don't want to think about it, suffice to say, neither of them looked like they wanted to be at the parties and I know where they'd rather have been.
I was amused to see Ana in pants and Converse and I have no doubt that the Boss had something to say in that, no skirts for easy access by any miscreants, no skirt shots if Ana was to become messy, something that I can't imagine and apparently from the conversation, high heels have been causing her to limp so I can imagine that she will be in flat shoes for the longest time until she is completely healed. I could see the Boss struggling not to carry her and I can't help but internally smile at the changes in the man.
The tension in the vehicle rose exponentially as we pulled into the parking lot for the Mile High Club, despite all the planning and all the rules, since Elliot and Kate were in charge, anything could happen. Ana was holding onto the Boss's hand so hard that her knuckles were white and it was only when he lifted her hand up to kiss it that she apologised and loosened the grip and he made a show of flexing his hand with a chuckle before pulling her into an embrace that had me jumping out to leave them some privacy.
The whole club had been booked for us so there would be no paparazzi, no other guests, no-one to be a threat, the elevators had been locked to ensure that none other than the one elevator could reach this floor and the security details at the bottom of this elevator were to ensure only documented guests would be allowed, Sawyer and another were stationed at the top of the elevator as a final control and I was wired into everyone.
It was suspiciously quiet when we made our way out of the elevator, Ana flanked by the Boss and Prescott, a female CPO that has been added to the team to ensure that protection is available to Ana in all circumstances and what better way to join the team than on a hen's party night.
We walked down the hallway towards the rooms and as we reached the top of the stairs, Ana stopped and gasped, turning to the Boss with tears starting in her eyes and he squeezed her hand and smiled down at her.
"Oh, that is so beautiful, over the top, but beautiful" and she walked forward, "oh look at all those balloons, that must have been a lot of hard work," which is a bit of an understatement as there were so many pink balloons that they were filling the entire foyer and coming up the stairs, we as security had to check all the balloons, all the space and ensure that all access was limited to that area as it was impossible to see through them.
Pushing through them, pink balloons bouncing everywhere and Ana giggling as she through them, we were finally past them all, the Boss had his hand on Ana's back, effectively keeping her moving forward and then as we rounded the corner, even I heard the gasp from the Boss and wondered how well received Kate's big plan would be.
Standing as a band across the door to the two function rooms were the entire crew of The Thunder from Down Under, the Australian dance troupe, normally performing in Las Vegas but lined up now looking all sorts of oiled and ready for a show and blocking our way. The Boss's hand pulled Ana close to him and I swear I thought he was going to turn around and march her back out but when that giggle bubbled out of her, he relaxed enough to just squeeze her and look down at her, trying not to look jealous.
It still amazes me every time I see it and this time was no different, Ana turned within his arms, placed both her hands on his chest and leaned up and kissed him lightly and in a quiet whisper she said, "I love you and only you," and then her voice dropped even further but I still heard it, "and your body is better than any of theirs, and you're mine" and at that point his chuckle sounded and his body relaxed, her skill is amazing.
The troupe having been obviously warned all broke into smiles as we restarted walking towards them and then they appeared to be galvanised into a moving mass of bodies as all the members of the hen's party including Mia, Kate, Gail, Grace and even Grace's mother appeared clapping and surrounding Ana, dragging her away from the Boss. His reluctance amusing to all especially when the doors shut behind the ladies and it was obvious that the last place he wanted Ana to be was with a mass of writhing perfect male bodies. Personally, I was hoping that Gail didn't enjoy the show too much either although the thought of her turned on and ready, had me surreptiously adjusting myself and then turning my attention to the whooping baboon that Elliot had morphed into before our eyes.
Elliot was standing there with a t-shirt pulled over his shirt that said "I'm the best man, that's all you need to know" and I wondered whether we'd be able to keep him under control to ensure the Boss's temper and sanity.
The plan for the evening that I'd approved I felt confident wouldn't upset the Boss, it had been a feat to have the Boss cede control to me but not doing so meant cancelling or having him worry about this when the past week has been more than enough to age him ten years. In the end it was a very simple affair of some games of poker, a whiskey tasting that went surprisingly well, I think the worry about what was going on in the other room had the Boss tasting more whiskey than intended and resulted in a very relaxed and amusing karaoke session. Apparently Ray is quite the singer and with Carrick managed to belt out a number of classics but they were both outdone by the Boss and his grandfather dueting in a manner that may well find its way into the wedding performances. Watching Elliot was the most interesting, he once again morphed but this time from a baboon into a brother totally proud of his sibling, obviously happy at what was happening before him. The lack of scantily clad women in the end didn't damage his good mood and it meant that the Boss enjoyed his dinner and his time with the few male friends he actually has.
Gail told me about the girls side of things and I am glad that Ana's wishes had been largely listened to as well. Kate and Mia having fun with the dance troupe while Ana enjoyed the spectacle but keeping her hands very much to herself, the entertainment being a huge success especially as the compliment to the men's whiskey tasting, the girls had started off with a champagne tasting. The Boss's grandmother being the first in her cups and enjoying the revue, dancing enthusiastically and apparently not keeping her hands to herself.
Things became a little messy when the dance troupe "helped" the ladies with the "Mould a man" game they played. Where each lady was given a piece of modelling clay and a card with a body part written on it and they had to make the body part and then put it all together at the end. The obvious body part that was "randomly" picked for Ana, according to Gail had her in fits of giggles and bright red with embarrassment but like the trooper she is, she completed the task creating a monster, which again, according to Gail was representative of me and she didn't want to think if it was representative of the Boss but if so…. Ana was a lucky girl. I made sure to show her last night when we finally made it home, exactly how much of a lucky girl she herself is so that she isn't thinking of the Boss who IS hung like a horse.
The girls then had dinner, no doubt to soak up the alcohol a little and then continued with a dessert activity, making chocolates and again, the forms were predictable for a hens party and much hilarity ensued while watching Grace "enjoying" her chocolate, a fact that had both Kate and Ana slightly gobsmacked before they joined in enjoying their own shapes.
The dance troupe then escorted the ladies into the main function room where the men had already moved to sit at the bar and then with a final bow and twirl of their naked asses, left much to the Boss's relief, his eyes taking in Ana's slightly glassy eyed but happy face as she saw him and the look of contentment on both their faces as he pulled her into an embrace, I think, stopped everyone for a second.
The beautiful moment was broken however when Kate and Elliot jumped on the stage and told them to get their tongues out of each other's throats as they had something important for them. Ana turned in the Boss's arms so that she could see and his arm steadied her, it was obvious the earlier alcohol was having an effect so he signalled for a glass of water and pulled her effectively onto his lap as he leaned against the bar stool, I'd give him top marks for his moves, his own alcohol consumption having loosened him but he was still 100% in control.
Having ensured that Ana was comfortable and all eyes were on them, Kate and Elliot thanked everyone for coming and thanked Ana and the Boss for allowing them to put on the evening and that they hoped that both would enjoy the final act of the night at which point they signalled Ray. Ray then proceeded to clap the Boss on the shoulder and shake his hand before pulling Ana into a hug, the Boss allowing her the hug without any reluctance but pulling her back as soon as Ray released her, like a second away from her was too much and Ray bounded up to the stage and disappeared behind the curtain.
The curiosity on Ana's face was obvious but the joy and shock was something to behold as Ray returned with the performer, she turned to the Boss with an awed whisper, "Did you know?"
His shake of his head and the similarly awed slow smile as he rose and pulled Ana along with him to the stage was quite something to behold, the Boss lost for words and happy, unbelievable.
"Hello Darlin', congratulations," was the slow drawl to Ana as he kissed her on the cheek, followed by "G'day Mate. Congratulations," to the Boss as he shook his hand.
Ana stood there with her hand on her cheek, "It's Keith Urban,… here…" and she shook her head as if to clear her mind and looked at the Boss who was smiling indulgently at her as Keith chuckled.
"I hear you can play a few of my songs, will you both do me the honour of joining me in one of the later sets?" And her shy nodding had Ray wiping tears from his eyes, having heard him say how it had been Keith Urban songs that had gotten Ana through her hard times, I couldn't think of a more wonderful collaboration and there may or may not have been some dust in my eyes.
The evening finished with almost an hour of Keith Urban, there was a lump in everyone's throat when with Keith on backing guitar, the Boss sang "You're my better half" to Ana and with everyone there knowing how much he's changed, there couldn't be a more appropriate song however when they both sang, "Making memories of Us", there wasn't a dry eye in the house. For me, having been there the first time they sang the song, I can't but wonder at how much things have changed since then but simply for the better for all of us.