Anastasia

I hate this gym. Not because it's a bad gym or anything... I just hate gyms in general. Still, I find myself thankful for them at the same time because of the pure testosterone that inhabits the place 24/7. Don't judge me. Just because I enjoy watching a man get all sweaty and grunty doesn't mean I feel the need to do the same. Of course, I really don't have a choice since I signed the contract saying I'd come, but I refuse to do any sort of grunting!

I take a peek out the front glass windows of the building and see the same man in aviator glasses and a suit that I've been seeing all week. He's driving around in the same damn Audi that I am, giving away who's payroll he's on. I don't understand why Christian has a suit following us around, but I can't deny my hurt feelings over it. Obviously, he doesn't trust me with his daughter and it's devastating considering everything that has happened with his daughter... Hell! With us! It's obvious that he no longer wants me alone with her.

I just wish I knew what I did.

"Looking good, Ana! Five more reps with the medicine ball and we'll do our cool down." Sebastian, who happens to be Christian's trainer too, pulls me out of my pity thoughts as I do the last five crunches with the ball.

By the time I get to three, I find myself exhausted and I release the ball and lay pitifully on the padded floor while I pant. This sucks.

"Come on, sweetheart. Only two more."

"I hate this."

He chuckles as I continue to lay, sprawled out like a ragdoll. "Unfortunately, that doesn't matter. Two more, Steele."

"Okay, now I hate you."

"Aw, that's not very nice. Is the little girl going to hit me now?"

I scowl at him. "Nice try. That's not going to work today." Last time he got me worked up, he got me sparring with him. I was terrible at it, but it felt good to let out some aggression. "The only person I want to hit right now is Christian."

"Uh oh! Trouble in paradise?"

My eyes find the parking lot. "You could say that." I let out a sigh and grab the ball, knowing I'll be pissed with myself later if I don't finish these last two reps.

XxXxXx

As soon as Christian made it home, I gave Ellie a hug and booked it back to my place. I don't really want to deal with him right now. Things have been so emotional lately and with the realization that I now have a babysitter, it's just too much.

Unfortunately, he comes looking for me after they eat dinner and I find him knocking hard on my door.

I swing it open. "Yes?"

He steps into my house. "Oh, just let yourself in then." I murmur sarcastically as I shut the door behind him.

"Okay, that's enough. What is going on?"

I play dumb and force myself to look at his handsome face even though doing it makes my chest hurt even more. He doesn't trust me. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid, Anastasia. The last two days you've booked it out of the house without even a goodbye to me." He looks hurt and I beg the feeling of guilt to go away because he hurt me first.

"I figured you'd be happy that I didn't spend anymore time with your daughter."

The jerk actually has the balls to look surprised. He runs a hand through his short hair. "Why would I? Don't you want to spend time with her anymore?"

"Don't you dare! Don't you dare turn it on me and act like I'm the the bad guy here! I love your daughter! You're the bastard who doesn't trust me."

"God damn it, Anastasia!" He grabs my upper arms and holds me firmly even though I try to pull away. "You don't speak to me like that! Stop being so damn disrespectful! I have never called you anything demeaning and I expect the same courtesy!"

Some of my anger deflates when I realize he's right and my shoulders relax. "Okay, fine. You're right. But that doesn't discount the fact that you don't trust me and I can't figure out what I did that was so terrible!"

His hold on my arms relaxes and his hands slide down my arms until he's holding my hands in his. I don't pull away, but I sure as hell don't hold them back. "Where is this coming from, babydoll? Why do you think I don't trust you?"

God damn it. Now, I'm crying. The fact that I'm so hurt and he's not fighting back when I want him to is so frustrating! His tone is soft and patient and he's calling me that pet name and instead of wanting to deck him like I thought I would, I just want to sob.

He pulls me against him when my breath starts to shudder and strokes my hair while he hugs me. I press my head into his chest as let myself cry a little over the pain.

"Sebastian said you were angry. Tell me why. I can't fix it if I don't know why." I feel his lips press against the top of my head and although I don't want to, I find myself relaxing into him.

I turn my head, resting my cheek against his heart. The beat calms me. "You have a suit following me. You didn't used to. I don't know what I did to lose your trust and I'm angry that you think I would do something that would risk Ellie."

He blows out a puff of air. "Oh, Ana, I don't distrust you. I want to keep you both safe. Elliot shared a video taken of the two of us at her first game that was posted all over the internet. I knew I had to keep both of you safe. Now that you're officially connected to me and everyone knows it, it puts you at risk... and now that I know what that Hyde fucker did to you... and how he kept staring at you at the club the other night... it's more important than ever to keep you safe."

I let out a relieved sob when I realize it was nothing I did and hug him closer. "Oh, Christian, I am so sorry. I was so devastated, thinking I did something wrong."

"I should have told you, but I didn't want to scare you."

I pull away a little so I can look up at him. So damn handsome. It should really be illegal to look that good. "For Ellie's sake I think we should try harder to communicate. I'll try my hardest not to get pissed off at you before we talk if you promise to let me in on things that involve me."

He gives me a soft smile and wipes a tear off my face. "That sounds like a fair compromise."

Christian

*It's done.*

I grin down at my phone as I stand in my home office. Gabriel Luca is the man I hired to watch the girls during the week and while they are at home, I've made it his mission to find the fucker's car so he can attach a GPS tracker to the undercarriage.

*Good work.*

Now I can move ahead with taking Seattle Independent Publishing. The owner, Jerry Roach, is actually in the market to sell so he can retire and considering what's gone on with Anastasia, it's the perfect time for me to swoop in and do what I need to do to weed out the rot in that place. I've never delved into the publishing world yet, so I'm hoping that I can make it profitable. After I have SIP under my control, then I can dive deeper into the predator.

Movement out of the corner of my eye has me looking out my French doors. Through Anastasia's windows I can see her and my daughter bouncing around on the furniture while they hold up sticks. What the fuck are they doing?

Opening the door, I make my way out and down the deck stairs as my eyes remain glued to the windows of the guesthouse. The doors are open and I can hear the girls hollering and yelling.

"Confundo!"

"Expelliamus!" Expeli-what?

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" My daughter screams as I walk in the door, the stick in her hand pointed at the woman with her back to me. I realize now that it's a magical wand.

Anastasia gasps and then collapses on the floor dramatically, her eyes closed.

"Mwahahaha! I killed you! Now you can't wake up without a kiss!" My baby's eyes smile at me. Stinker.

"I think you're getting stories mixed up." Anastasia answers, still pretending to be lifeless on the floor with her eyes closed.

"Nanny Ana! You're ruining the game. You're supposed to be dead! Only true love's kiss can make you alive again!"

"Sorry!" She whispers, bringing her hand to her mouth to lock her lips and pretend to throw away the key before her hand falls lifeless beside her again.

My daughter gives me a shit eating grin and points to her nanny, nodding eagerly. Finally, I throw my hands up and lean down on all fours beside her, trying to be as quiet as I can. At least this is a perfect way to scare the shit out of Anastasia for jumping on my expensive furniture.

Leaning over her, my head lowers and when I press my lips to hers, she gasps against mine. Her eyes fly open in surprise and I pull back a few inches to give her a grin. "You're alive."

"Yay!" Ellie jumps off the couch where she had been standing. "Prince Charming saved you from death!"

Anastasia giggles. "I suppose he did."

"Now that you're alive, I need to talk to you both about something."

"Oh?" Anastasia suddenly looks worried as she pushes herself up to a sitting position. I stand and offer my hand to her to pull her up so we can have a seat on the couch.

"Uh oh. That means Daddy has to leave." Ellie is used to these talks, but this will be the first one since her mother signed her rights away. At least now I don't have to worry about who Ellie is truly being watched by. Anastasia would never dump her on someone else like my ex would.

"You're right. I have to go to California." I have a Grey building there too, that manages all of my California operations. I have another in New York and a fourth in Texas.

"Are you going to go see movie stars?"

I laugh. "I'm not going to go see movie stars. Do you remember me showing you pictures of that big hotel we were building?"

With a giant grin on her face, she comes over and slides onto my lap. "Yea! It was huge! Is it done? I want to see it!"

"It is done, but I'm afraid you can't come this time. I'll take you another time after I'm sure everything is running smoothly."

My girl pouts and it makes me a little said. "How long will you be gone?"

"I'm hoping just two nights, Ellie. Not long."

"Can Ana and I have a pajama party?"

I hear Anastasia giggle. "Yes, if your dad is going to be gone, I'll stay in one of the guest rooms."

"Yes, that's actually what I wanted to speak to you about. Ellie shouldn't stay by herself in the house. I know that you'll be working overtime, but I'll compensate you for it. I know it's short notice, but I'm hoping you don't have any plans in the evening the next few days. I'm planning on leaving tomorrow afternoon."

"Christian, don't be silly. I get paid enough. You don't need to pay me any extra for spending time with my best friend." I love how good she is with my daughter. I love that she doesn't feel like it's a chore to have Ellie around the clock. I don't think it's a job for her anymore. Ellie is beginning to be a natural part of her life... and fuck if Anastasia isn't becoming a natural part of mine. Our relationship is slowly progressing and I've decided to allow it to do what it needs. if it leads to us being together, then so be it. If not, then we'll deal. I will not force anything. I've forced too much with Leila and I don't have it in me to do it anymore. I won't force Anastasia away, but I won't force us together either.

"Daddy! I just got a great idea!"

"What's that, lovebug?"

"You aren't going to be here, but you got a giant bed AND a giant tv! We can stay in your bed!"

"Ellie, I don't think your dad would appreciate us taking over his bed. We can have fun in the guest bedroom. I don't mind sharing the guest bed... as long as you don't snore..."

"I do not snore!" Ellie retorts, giggling.

"You sure?"

"Yes! Do you snore?"

"I don't think so. I'm sure if I do, you'll let me know." Anastasia teases my daughter.

"Yes. I'll wake you up if it gets loud." Her comment makes us both laugh. "But Daddy's room has surround sound. I could turn on tv if you start to snore."

"You two can stay in my room." I concede, enjoying the thought of my girls curled up and warm in my bed while I'm gone.

"Are you sure?" Anastasia looks uncertain. "I can strip the bed before you come home."

I roll my eyes. "Don't be silly. Just do me a favor and spray on some of that body spray before you climb in." I give her a eyebrow wag causing her to snort.

"Trying to mask my smell?"

"Yea, that's it. That's my intent." My sarcasm isn't missed and she gives me a soft smile, her teeth biting into that plump little bottom lip of hers. Fuck.I can't wait to come back and bury my face in the pillow she used while I pump myself to orgasm.

Anastasia

I'm so excited! I talked to Taylor earlier about Christian's day and he let me know that Christian has a thirty minute block scheduled for his lunch at 12:30pm, so I'm surprising him with lunch and Ellie before he heads out to California after work.

I got the authorization from Taylor to pull into one of Christian's three parking spots in the parking garage and when I turn off the ignition, Ellie is squealing behind me, so excited about seeing her dad in the middle of the day.

"Daddy is going to be so excited, Nanny Ana!"

I grin as I slip my seatbelt off. "I know he is. Let's hurry and grab the food so we can see him!" It's 12:22pm, which means we need to bust butt to get across the building and up the slow ass elevator to see him by 12:30.

"Uncle Taylor!" We just hit the lobby of the building and Taylor seems to be waiting for us. Ellie hurries to him and throws her arms around his waist in a hug. "We brought you food, too! Aunt Gail made it!"

"It's got to be good, then, doesn't it?" He gives her a grin and then waves at me. "We'll use Christian's elevator so you're not late."

"I appreciate that." I follow the two of them, Taylor's arm around Ellie's shoulders, and after waving his badge over the sensor, we're shooting straight up the twenty floors without having to wait for it to stop on multiple floors. When the woman's voice in the elevator says we've made it, it's 12:27. Right on time.

I give Andrea a small wave and notice this time she doesn't look as pissed.

"Hello, Ms. Steele. Ms. Eloise." She gives us a nod.

"Hi, Andrea! Is Daddy being nice today?" Ellie sits her chin on the tall desk and gives the PA a smile. I'm surprised when Andrea's face bursts out into a smile, but when you have Ellie talking to you, you don't have any other choice.

"He's been much nicer, lately."

I laugh. "I'm sure having long-term childcare probably helps a little."

Her eyebrow quirks. "Sure, Ms. Steele. That's the reason."

"What-" I begin to ask what that is supposed to mean, but I hear a loud knock and look to see Ellie knocking on her father's door.

Th door swings open. "Is that the lunch I..." His voice wanders off as he stares at his smiling girl in front of him.

"Yes, Daddy! We brought lunch. Surprise!"

"Oh, lovebug! You brought me lunch?" Leaning down, he picks her up and swings her around, making her giggle. "This is the best surprise!"

I'm sure my face is going to split in two with how big my smile is. I love surprising Christian and I'm excited for the two of them.

His eyes find me as he squeezes his daughter to him. "Anastasia."

I giggle. "Christian."

"You've got food?"

Now, I'm laughing. "Yes."

He waves me towards him. "Then come on in. We'll lunch."

I reach in the bag I'm carrying and hand Taylor his before stepping into Christian's office, allowing him to close the door behind him.

XxXxXx

Ellie spent the whole thirty minutes of Christian's lunch talking up a storm and it's been so sweet for me to see the two of them conversing so easily while I sit back and try to blend into the couch. Daddy/Daughter one-on-one time is so important and I'm feeling pretty good about being able to help with that.

Christian's computer goes off and he groans. "I have a teleconference in five minutes."

I nod. "Ellie, kiss your daddy. He's got to go back to work." I stand and collect our containers so I can place them back in the bag.

"I love you, Daddy! Have fun in California."

"I'll try, lovebug. You going to miss me?"

"Duh!"

Christian lets out one of his laughs that warms you like melted chocolate and I find my toes curling in my shoes. Daddy Christian has my ovaries screaming.

"I'm going to miss you, too." He gives her a kiss on her forehead. "You know who else is going to miss you? Uncle Taylor. He's going, too. You better go tell him goodbye." He turns her and pats her butt to get her moving. I watch as she hurries to the door and yanks it open, disappearing towards the left down the hall.

"Thank you."

I turn and give Christian a smile. "You're very welcome."

"I'm going to miss you, too, you know."

I grin. "Is that right?"

He nods. "That's right."

"Yea, I would miss me, too."

He lets out a grunt and yanks me to him. "You're going to miss me, too."

I lick my lips and pretend to think about it. He smells delicious and his arms feel so warm around me. What I want to do is snuggle in deeper and squeeze him until he can't breathe, but I resist. "I suppose so. I can't deny I'm going to enjoy that giant bed and tv while you're gone though." I notice my arms have found their way around him without my permission and my hands are pressed against his shoulder blades.

He cocks an eyebrow at me. "Ms. Steele, you don't need me to be gone to enjoy my bed."

My head falls back in a laugh. "Such a flirt, Mr. Grey."

He shrugs. "It's easy with you. But seriously, thank you for bringing Ellie to see me. My heart was aching at the thought of leaving here without seeing her."

"You're very welcome, but no need to thank me. I'm glad I could help. You be careful while you're there. Have a safe flight and call so Ellie can talk to you."

His computer pings again. "Fuck, I'm late." He surprises me and leans in and gives me a soft peck to the lips. "I'll see you in a few days. Keep both my girls safe." My heart always leaps when he calls me his girl.

I clear my throat and step away as he releases me. "I will. The next couple days will be over before you know it."

I turn and grab my bag and by the time I turn back around, he's already sitting in his chair, shoving his ear pods in his ears. Ellie is standing in the doorway and he blows her a kiss. Hurrying over to her, I pull the door closed so he can have some privacy. I don't want Ellie's voice to interrupt his meeting.

With her hand in mine, we make our way back down the regular elevators to the Nanny Mobile.

"Daddy was so excited!" Ellie smiles up at me while we're in the elevator.

I grin. "He was! He was so happy to see you."

"You, too!"

I snort. "He was happy for the food I brought."

"No, he was happy to see you, Nanny Ana! He gave you a kiss!"

Her comment has me gasping. "You were spying on us!"

She giggles. "I didn't mean to!"

Teaser?

Up Next: Ellie gets to wake up with Daddy and Nanny Ana.