Chapter 2: Kate's Birthday

APOV

"So, Ana, are you sure you're ok if I stay at Elliot's tonight?" Kate sounds like a giddy school girl. She's never been this 'into' a guy before.

"Of course. I'm sure Jose can take me home." Jose, my best friend since the 5th grade. When my mom left it was like Jose just adopted me. His mom was like the mother I didn't have. She often made dinner for Ray and I and she's the one who taught me how to cook. If it weren't for Mrs. Rodriguez I think my dad and I would have starved. Jose was always different even when we were kids. When he came out to his parents in high school they greeted him with open arms. I've always admired the love they have in that family; and to tell you the truth, I've always been a little jealous too. With my mom gone it doesn't feel like a normal family. Don't get me wrong, I love Ray with all my heart. I mean, he raised another man's child. But it would have been nice to have a mom to talk to about girl things.

"Ana, are you wearing that?" Kate is the sight of perfection. She's got beautiful blonde hair, a great, curvy body, and it seems like she always has a gorgeous tan which is not normal in Washington.

"What? I'm wearing what I always do. There's nothing wrong with jeans and a t-shirt."

"No, there isn't if you're going to the mall or something. This is a party! There will be guys there. Cute guys. Elliot thinks his brother Christian is into you. He said his brother never hangs out with him and he was suddenly interested in coming to the party after he met you yesterday."

Huge ass eye roll. "Kate, you are delirious. I'm sure that's not the case. Plus, he's not my type."

"Not you're type?! He's hot, like melt your panties hot. He's everyone's type." Kate looks at me incredulously as if I just told her that I have two heads or something.

"Kate, first of all, while I admit he's hot, he's way out of my league. And, we have nothing in common. He's super rich and successful; and, well, I'm just me. I'm just little Ana Steele from Montesano who works part-time at a hardware store and has to depend on the charity of her best friend so she can share her apartment practically rent-free."

Kate's lips form a thin line and I can see that glimmer in her eye that she only gets when she's angry. Oh, shit. I've pissed her off on her birthday. "First of all…little Ana Steele from Montesano…" Yup. I definitely pissed her off. "…how many times do I need to tell you that you are gorgeous? Guys fall over for you all the time. You're hot. And, you're even hotter because for some dumb reason you have no idea. And, second, you don't rely on the charity of your best friend. She happens to have a father who feels guilty for not being a good dad so he bought her an apartment. That's not charity. Plus, you're the one who takes care of me. I'd be lost without you. You cook for me. You take care of me when I'm sick and you listen to me blubber when I fall for some dick head and get my heart broken." Kate's eyes start to well with tears. Great. I made her cry on her birthday. Smooth move, Ana.

"Katie bear… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, especially on your birthday." Now I feel like a Class A jerk.

Kate points her finger at me. "Listen here, Steele. You are going to forget about this self-loathing thing you've got going on and you are going to have fun at my party tonight. Capish?"

"Capish. Kate, I'm sor…"

"Nah uh… no apologies. You can make it up to me by getting drunk and hooking up with some hottie tonight. Consider it your birthday present to me." Kate giggles. She knows she'd have a better chance of me giving her a Tiffany necklace as a present. "Now, how to l look?"

"How did you put it? Panty melting hot." Kate just smiles and me and winks. She does look hot. She's wearing a tiny, tight black mini-dress and sky-high heels. On anyone else it would look slutty.

"Good that's the look I was going for." At that Kate turns and walks out of the room.

CPOV

I've already been on two runs today and had a work out with Bastille. I can't get rid of this nervous energy I have. I don't get nervous. I have negotiated the most hostile of take-overs and not even break a sweat. I can't believe I'm nervous over a girl. I haven't gotten nervous over a girl, since, well, ever. I was nervous when I first started my relationship with Elena. But that seems different. I've changed clothes three times and have messed with my hair more today than I have in the past year.

We have to go. I don't want to be late. I get to see… her. Ana Steele. I had Welch run a background check on her. She was raised by her step father. And it looks like her mom has been married a few times. She's an English lit major who came on an academic scholarship and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She must be pretty smart. There is no record of a boyfriend or anything. She must keep a low profile. That's good, I don't want her sleeping around. "Taylor!"

"Yes, Sir." I jump. How does he just sneak up on me like that?

"Shit. You scared the shit out of me." Taylor uncharacteristically smirks at me. "Yeah, yeah. Very funny. Let's get going."

Taylor and I ride the elevator down to the garage in comfortable silence. He's worked for me for almost five years now. He's seen my fucked-up life and I think he would still take a bullet for me. That IS his job though, and I pay him pretty well.

"Taylor, I'll text you when I am ready to leave the party. Let Gail know there may be breakfast for two in the morning." We arrive at exactly 9. I don't do late.

"Yes, Sir."

I get to the door to Elliot's condo and I can hear the loud dance music. Maybe this is a mistake. This is for every intent and purpose a college party. Maybe I should just go. I'm being stupid. I can't make a college coed a sub anyway. And I'm sure as Hell that Little Miss English Literature major isn't interested in the BDSM scene. I go to turn away but it's too late. Elliot opens the door and sees me.

"What's the matter, bro? Party already too much fun for you?" Elliot just laughs at me. I swear, if he wasn't my brother I'd punch him.

"Please. There's no way your party can be too much fun, dick face." My brother is a good guy. I know my parents are proud of him, unlike me. He's the opposite of me. The Yin to my Yang. He's good and a good person. He cares about people and lives life to the fullest. Sometimes too much, but that's just my opinion.

"Good because Ana is here. And she is looking good." Did I mention he's also an asshole? I should smack that smirk right off his face. Even if he is right.

I try to go for nonchalant. "Ana? Who's Ana?" He's not buying it. He gives me that shit-eating grin he gets.

"Whatever, dude. We can play your game if you want. Are you going to stand out here all night?" Elliot holds the door open for me to walk in. There are so many people here. And it already reeks of alcohol and cheap cologne. But I look across the room and see… her. God, I forgot how beautiful she is. She's wearing jeans and a t-shirt and talking to that Jose guy. She should be wearing silk so there's nothing rough against that beautiful alabaster skin. I think I'm staring. I should look away. Just then she looks at me and our eyes lock. I think I see her take in a breath. Maybe she feels the same way. Maybe I can somehow make this work. Who knows, just because she keeps a low dating profile doesn't mean she wouldn't be open to being my sub. I mean, isn't that what college is about? Experimenting sexually?

"Hi Christian!" Kate giggles. She's obviously drunk and hanging all over my brother. If she doesn't slow down the only action he'll see tonight is holding her hair while she pukes. "You remember Ana." Kate is snickering and tries to slyly wink at Elliot.

"Of course. Hello, Anastasia. You look well." That sounded normal, right? I didn't give anything away. I shake her hand and the feeling is there again. I just want to fuck her right here. She must feel it too. The way she is looking at me - her eyes are boring into my sole. . . She's biting her lip. How did I not notice her lips before? Shit, I'm getting a massive hard on.

"Um, hi. It's Ana by the way. No one calls me Anastasia except for when I am in trouble." Ana looks unsure of herself. She shrinks a little when she talks to me. Maybe she would make a good submissive.

APOV

Oh my God. He is gorgeous. He took my breath away just by looking at me. I want him to kiss me and I've never felt this way about a guy before. But, I can't. I don't want to get hurt again. Matt broke my heart and I'm still not over it. Plus, I'm not his type. What would a rich, beautiful, successful CEO want with me? Did I mention beautiful? I have to break this spell. "Kate, I'm going to get some water. Do you want some?"

"I've got all that I want and need right here!" She hiccups and then grabs Elliot's package. I can't believe she just did that.

"Annie, honey. What is taking you so long? You owe me a dance, you hot mamacita!" Ah, Jose to my rescue. Thank God.

"OK, let's go." I grab Jose's hand but he doesn't move. He's staring at Christian. He is practically drooling. This is not going to be good. But maybe he is gay. Kate said he told her in the interview he wasn't gay and seemed pissed but Elliot said that Christian's never had a girlfriend. Maybe he's still in the closet.

"Well, hello handsome. Pleased to meet you. My rude best friend Annie has failed to introduce us." Christian looks at Jose strangely then he looks over to me and smiles.

"Oh, um, Jose, this is Elliot's brother Christian. So, that dance?" I must be beet red. I can feel my blush. They shake hands but they are both looking at me. "Are we going to dance or stand around here all night?"

I lead Jose away by his arm. He's still looking back at Christian. "By Christian! The pleasure was all mine!" Huge ass eye roll again. I think I need new friends.

"Annie! I think he likes you!" Jose almost looks giddy. I have to shut this down now before he embarrasses me like he did at Senior Prom.

"Jose, I think you're more his type." I try to say as indifferently as possible.

"Oh, no, baby. He is not gay. I can tell you that. And he was staring at you like you were a steak and he hasn't eaten in months!" Nothing EVER gets past Jose.

"Jose, you're wrong and I'm tired of talking about Mr. Moneybags. Let's just have fun." Jose rolls his eyes at me.

"Annie, Matt was months ago. You need to get over that scumbag. He didn't deserve you. And the perfect distraction is standing across the room."

"Jose, I don't need a distraction. What I need is a fun night with my best friends." Jose looks at me sweetly. He's the only person that understands me.

"OK, Annie. Have it your way." Jose and I are having fun. We're laughing and dancing and having a great time. I've really missed having him around. I'm glad Kate and I moved to Seattle. Now I'll have my two best friends close by.

Throughout the night Jose plies me with drink after drink telling me to loosen up and have some fun. I need a break. I'm beat. "Jose. I really need some water. I'll be right back." He doesn't answer me and just waves. I get to Elliot's fridge for a bottle of water and I can feel him before I even hear him. It's that electricity.

"Are you having a good time, Ana?" Christian is looking at me. Right into my eyes. Jesus, his eyes are gorgeous.

"Um, yeah. You?" Play it cool, Ana. You're not interested. You aren't going to get your heart broken again, especially by some billionaire play boy. It's only looks. It's only looks. I'll just make that my mantra until I believe it.

Christian gives me this smile that I think, in fact, melts my panties. Oh. My. God. Even his teeth are perfect. It's only looks. It's only looks… Steele. Snap out of it. He can have any woman he wants and you have nothing in common. He's the type of guy that will sleep with a girl and then never call her again.

"I am, Anastasia." Christian's voice is low and husky. I try to swallow but there is a lump in my throat. He won't stop looking at me. I am standing here with the refrigerator door open and I swear I have a fever. Maybe I'm coming down with something.

"It's Ana. Just, Ana." He smiles at me again. Ok. I need to get out of this. I am not a throw away girl. I have to find Jose. I look over Christian's shoulder and scan the room for Jose. Shit. That little mother fucker. He's making out with someone. Christian's eyes follow my gaze over to Jose.

"Looks like your friend is having a good time too." His stare is intense. I feel like I am shaking. I need to get out of here. Oh, good. Here comes Jose to save me. Thank you!

"Annie! I met someone! Isn't he cute?"

"Um, yeah, Jose. Listen, I'm ready to go home. Can you drop me off at my apartment? I'm not feeling well." That may be a little fib but I know Jose wouldn't leave me sick at a party. Plus, I'm not feeling normal per se.

Jose looks down and looks a little guilty. "Annie. That's why I came over. He wants me to go to his place and I REALLY like him. Do you mind getting a ride from someone else? Please?" Shit. He knows I won't say no to him. He broke up with Derrick a few months ago and he has been lonely. I can't be a jerk to him.

"Um, yeah. That's cool. I'll find a way home." I smile up at him. Seriously, I don't know how I am going to get home. I doubt I can get a cab at this hour.

"Are you in the city? I can take you home. I was just about to leave anyway." Christian shrugs at me. This is not going well. I need to remind myself to kill Jose tomorrow.

"Yes, she is! That's perfect!" Jose quickly blurts out. He's looking between the two of us. Oh, I am definitely going to kill him. "Now that's solved. See you later baby doll! And don't stay up too late!"

It's just a ride, right? It's nothing more. I'm just going to go into a car with this gorgeous man so he can take me to my apartment where no one is.

"Well, Ana. Are you ready to go?" Christian takes his phone out as he asks me. This is probably his move to get into girls' beds. Who am I kidding? I'm sure he has a long line of willing victims.

"Are you sure you haven't had too much to drink yourself? It wouldn't be safe for you to get behind the wheel." Ah, saved by the law.

"Anastasia, my driver is waiting outside as we speak. There are no worries about your or my safety." He says to me softly with a small smile. He looks sincere. What's my mantra?

"Oh, um, cool." I am such an idiot! Cool? Cool? What am I a 15 year old?!

Christian opens the door to a beautiful black Audi SUV. He makes sure I have my seat belt on before he climbs in himself. Oh, I see. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He'll be all nice to me until he leaves in the morning without so much as a note. I know his type.

"Taylor, take us to Miss Steele's apartment." Christian barks an order at the driver. Does he treat everyone like this?

Taylor looks in the rear view mirror at Christian and pauses for a moment like he's trying to think of what to say. "Sir, uh, I need Miss Steele's address." Christian looks up in the mirror at Taylor and smirks.

"Oh, right. Anastasia, can you give Taylor your address?" That was strange. Something about the exchange between Christian and his driver was off. So, not only is he a gorgeous man-whore he's also a weirdo.

As we are pulling up to my apartment building, Christian takes my hand. There it is. That electricity. It's probably just hormones or pheromones or something.

"Ana. Would you like to go out for coffee or something tomorrow?" He looks nervous. It's as if he's never asked a girl out for coffee. He's probably never had to.

I need to get out of here and fast. I jump out of the car as fast as I can. "No thanks! I don't like coffee. Thanks for the ride!" And, I slam the door shut and run up the steps to my apartment.

Smooth, Steele. Really smooth.