Chapter 10: The Date

APOV

I have an hour until Christian comes to pick me up for our date. Luckily Kate met Elliot earlier this morning so I can be alone to get ready. Christian told me to dress casually so I'm wearing shorts, a tshirt, and my chucks. I'm not sure if we'll be outside or not so I wrangle my hair into a ponytail. I'm trying to stop myself from changing my clothes because I'm so nervous.

I don't wear a lot of makeup but I make sure to use this lip scrub Kate has so my lips are soft and I have my favorite lip balm handy. Just in case we kiss. I hope we kiss. And at that thought my heartbeat starts to accelerate and I have butterflies in my stomach.

At 10:45 I'm so nervous I start pacing around the apartment. I tried to take several deep breaths like I learned in the yoga class Kate and I took over winter break. This is our first time on a date by ourselves since the disaster date.

At 11 exactly the doorbell rings and I let Christian in. If anything he's precise. "Hi." I greet him breathlessly.

"Anastasia, you are beautiful as always." He gives me gives a megawatt smile before he greets me with a kiss on the cheek. My God. I must be blushing because the spot on my cheek where he kissed me is searing. "Are you ready to go?"

I look up at him through my lashes and reply, "yes." My voice is husky with desire betraying my attempt at sounding calm and put together.

He smiles at me, takes my hand, and leads me to his R8. This car is gorgeous, like something James Bond would drive. I'm almost scared to sit in it. When we get in he puts the top down and puts on his aviators. He pulls out into traffic and the sounds of Frank Sinatra come through the car's sound system. He looks over at me and smiles. I smile back and say, "you have interesting taste of music."

"You're not a fan of Old Blue Eyes?" he timidly asks.

"Sinatra is Ray's favorite. When I was little he would let me stand on top of his feet and we would dance around the living room." I love those memories that Ray and I share and it makes me smile.

At that moment Christian reaches over and squeezes my knee. While it feels so normal it makes my insides quiver like never before.

He heads northeast and it's a quick trip but we stop at Grave's Field Heliport. "Christian, why are we here?"

He smiles at me and says slyly, "You'll find out soon enough."

I am so confused. Are we going for a ride in a helicopter? He pulls up to a helipad area and then I see it. It's a helicopter with GEH - Grey Enterprises Holdings on it. "We're going for a helicopter ride?" I've never been in a helicopter before. We get up to it and he helps me into it buckling me in so I can't move.

He gives me a smirk and says, "Perfect." making me blush from my head to my toes. He gets in the pilot seat and looks over at me.

"Where's the pilot?" I ask innocently. He winks at me and says, "You're looking at him, Miss Steele" and gives me his panty melting smile. "This is Charlie Tango. Until recently she was my favorite girl to spend my time with."

He does all the preflight checks and we are in the air. Damn, when I didn't think he could any sexier…

After a little bit in the air he tells me we're going to San Juan Island. It's the perfect day for it. He sets down to land and does so like he's done this a thousand times.

Then I see it.

There's a beautiful picnic area set up with a blanket and even cushions. Taylor stands waiting for us with a basket of food in hand.

As we get out of the helicopter Taylor greets us. "Mr. Grey. Miss Steele."

I don't think I'm supposed to notice but I see him smile when Christian takes my hand. "Hello, Taylor." How does he always happen to be right where he's needed. Christian takes the basket from Taylor.

"Meet us at six, Taylor."

"Yes, Sir."

"We're not flying back?" How will we get home?

"No. I thought I may have a drink or two so I don't want to fly back."

"How do you manage to do this?" He has every little detail planned out.

"I have my ways, Anastasia." He leads me to the blanket so we can sit down. "You know, dating is new to me. It's not something I am familiar with."

"You're doing very well with it so far." I feel like I am in a movie. Like he is my Jake Ryan at the end of Sixteen Candles.

He stares deeply into my eyes with emotion I can't yet determine. "I have a very good muse." He leans forward and places a gentle, chaste kiss on my lips. "Champagne?"

"Yes please." He opens the bottle with ease and pours it into the flutes. I smile when I see it's pink.

"It's a vintage Bollinger Grand Rosé. My favorite." He hands me one of the flutes and takes the other in his hand. "To us, Anastasia." I think I am swooning. He then begins to empty the picnic basket and lays out a spread of exquisitely arranged foods - hummus with warm pita, bruschetta, melon wrapped in prosciutto, sliced apples with brie, stuffed dates, and the reddest strawberries I have ever seen. Just then he looks to me as if he's seeking my approval, like a lost little boy. My heart swells and aches for him at the same time.

"This all looks so wonderful, Christian." And with that he gives me a smile filled with pure joy. As we eat we talk about all kinds of things: places he's traveled to; my favorite books; our favorite movies; and so much more. I didn't realize how much we have in common. He is telling me how Mia slipped into speaking perfect French without realizing it last weekend at their dinner and it wasn't until Christian told her in French what she had done. He laughs at the memory and it's obvious how much he cares for her.

"You speak French?" I ask. I always wished I had learned a different language. "Yes. It was a requirement of my mother that we all study at least one language and one musical instrument. Speaking French was very helpful the times I was in Paris."

"You've been to Paris more than once?" I'm amazed at how many places he's been to. "Is Paris your favorite place?" I ask.

"I like Paris for the culture and the museums. I like Rome for its history and I like Hawaii for its natural beauty. What about you, Anastasia? Where is your favorite place?"

"Well, I've never left the lower 48. But if I could I would go to London." I say this almost wistfully as it was always just a dream.

"Why London and not Paris? I would have thought you'd like Paris for the romance."

"I want to go to Paris, don't get me wrong but I think London is where my heart is. Just to see where my favorite authors like Hardy, Austen, and the Bronte sisters lived and wrote would be a dream come true. I've always wanted to see what inspired them to write such beautiful, romantic, and sad stories." Christian looks into my eyes again and I still can't place the emotion I am seeing in him. Just then he kisses me and it is even more passionate and tender than the kisses before. It's almost as if his life depends on it.

The kiss gets deeper and filled with desire. Our mouths are intertwined and our hands are on each other's body like we have never touched anyone before. He places his hand on my breast and I can feel my nipple harden at his touch. I know he can feel it through my thin bra and top as he moans into my mouth but doesn't stop kissing me. He's laying on top of me between my legs and I can feel his hardness just there and it floods me with lust. Automatically I tilt my pelvis up to him to get the friction that I need so much. His kiss deepens and gets more urgent. I have my hands in his hair and I tug as he moans in my mouth. I have never wanted anyone like I want him right now. Just then he stops and pushes himself up his eyes are sparkling and I can see the want for me that he has. "Ana, I need to stop or I will lose control." He is panting and puts his forehead against mine.

"So lose control." I quietly urge him. My desire for him is so great that I can feel an ache between my legs.

He gives me a sweet, chaste kiss. "Not here. I want your first time - or first time - to be special. Come. Let's take a walk." He reaches his hand out to me to help me up and I take it. We start walking and he puts his arm around my shoulder.

"Anastasia, you are a siren. Do you know how much sensuality you exude? I honestly don't know how you've been able to have so much control to never give into that."

I look down and with barely a whisper I say, "I've never wanted to with anyone before. I've only ever just kissed someone." At that confession Christian smiles and pulls me closer.

"It's almost time to go. Are you ready? Taylor should have the car ready."

"Car? Don't we need to take a ferry?" Christian gives me a genuine laugh.

"Ana, sometimes it's good to be me."

We're in the back of the SUV and Christian hasn't let go of my hand. I look up and he's staring at me suddenly making me shy. "What?"

"Be mine and mine only, Ana. Be my girlfriend." He looks at me with such sincerity that once again my heart melts.

I feel like there was more meaning in his question but I ignore that. "Yes. I'll be yours and yours only."