Chapter 23: Let the Games Begin

APOV

I feel sick in my stomach. I'm in over my head here. I'm trying not to be hurt at what Carrick suggested but I can't help it. I know he's just trying to protect Christian. I allowed myself to forget where I am and who I'm with. For as long I live people, people who don't even know me, will assume I'm with Christian because of his bank account. If we have children they will think I got pregnant entrap him. I don't know if I can handle this life. I just want to be married to Christian, just him.

We get back to Escala and Christian tells me needs to speak with Taylor. I decide to take a bath. Maybe it will help me to relax. Christian kisses me tenderly before he heads to his office and I head to our room.

As I am filling up the immense marble bath I look around the room. None of it is me; none of it is mine. Here I am pouring bath oil that probably costs more than I have ever spent on one item except for my car and I think about what Elena said last night. She's right. I don't have anything to bring into this relationship. Maybe she's also right that I won't be able to satisfy him. Not just sexually, but at some point plain old Anastasia won't be enough. He deserves someone who can match him in all aspects, someone who belongs at those fancy dinners and on those magazines. And at those thoughts I start to weep.

CPOV

"Taylor, I need Welch on the line. Also, please contact my lawyers and have them start the process of gifting all Esclava salons to Elena Lincoln. I don't want anymore ties to her."

"Yes, Sir." Taylor turns on his heels to go to his office to call Welch. While I'm waiting I call Andrea.

"Mr. Grey?"

"Andrea, I apologize for intruding on your weekend but I need you to take care of something urgently." As I talk to her I flip through the pictures on my phone.

"Absolutely."

"I need you to contact PR and have them put out a press release that Anastasia Steele and I have become engaged. Date for the wedding is not yet determined. I will send you a picture they can use with it." I pick one of us on The Grace.

I can tell Andrea is surprised at the news. Although I haven't hidden Ana I have pretty much kept our relationship under wraps so she has no idea I was even seeing anyone. I'm pretty sure she thought I was gay. "Yes, Sir. Consider it done." I know I can trust Andrea to get the job done and remain professional.

Just as I end the call with Andrea, Taylor knocks on my door. "Sir, I have Welch the line."

"Thank you Taylor. I need you in on this call too."

"Welch, I need you to comb the guest list from my parents' party last night. Someone there leaked my engagement to the tabloids and I am not happy."

"Of course. How deep do you want me to go? Is there anyone I shouldn't look into?"

"No. Go as deep as you can on everyone. I doubt anyone in my immediate family would have done it but look anyway."

I hang up the phone. "Taylor, thank you for taking care of this on your time off." I normally wouldn't have thanked Taylor for doing his job but Ana told me I should be nicer and more grateful to my staff. It amazes me at what that tiny woman with the brilliant blue eyes can make me do.

I go into our bedroom in search of Ana. She said she was OK about what happened with my father but I know she was lying. I hear the bath running and head into the bathroom. The lights are off but I can see her. She's crying and it breaks my heart because I know it's as a result of me.

"Baby, no, don't cry. What's wrong?" I go up to hear and hold face. Her eyes are even more luminescent when she cries.

"Christian, what if they are all right? What if I can't keep you happy? What if you wake up one day and you realize you've had enough of this and want your old life back? What if everyone thinks I am some kind of leech who is only into your money?" I undress and motion for Ana to move up so I can sit in the bath behind her.

I move her hair to one side and start to run her neck shoulders. "First of all, I never even knew what happiness was until i met you. And second, I don't need nor want my old life back. I haven't been in the play room for months and I couldn't care less about it. Furthermore, I was the one who had to chase after you. And if I recall I had my work cut out for me." I kiss her head and hear her giggle. That is the best sound on earth.

"We know you aren't into my money and that's all that matters. Anyone else can go fuck themselves. Got it? So no more of these negative thoughts. OK?"

"OK. But can we still run away and elope?"

"Baby, I would marry you any way, at any time, and any where. But this wedding is about us and I want you to have your dream wedding. Plus, I want to see you walk down the aisle to me in a white gown looking ethereal."

"OK. For you I will. Do you think six months is enough time to plan?" She really is innocent and it's so endearing.

"Sweetheart, I would bet my money that my mom will have it half way completed by next week. And, I don't think I can wait six months until you are my wife."

"How long can you wait?"

"I can give you two months. How is that?"

"OK. That means I have two months to practice writing Mrs. Christian Grey."

"I like the sound of that." I turn her so she is facing me. I kiss her fervently. Her hands are in my hair and this kiss turns from sweet and loving to needy with desire.

My hands run down her back and over her body. My lust taking control. Ana moves to straddle me and she whispers into my ear, "Make love to me, Christian. Please?"

"Baby, you don't have to ask me twice." And like that I take her, the air chilling our wet skin as she rides me. I thrust into her with such vigor that water is splashing over the sides. By the time we have finished, the water is cold. I pick her up, wrap her in a towel, and carry her to the bed where we make love again and again.