Christian

I find myself slipping into my house at 2:00am. I wasn't supposed to leave LA until this next afternoon, but I couldn't bear to be away any longer. I found myself alone in my cold, lonely hotel room this evening, my heart aching with the thought of sleeping without my lovebug close by. I ended up calling Taylor, asking him to pack himself up while I did the same so we could go home. I paid the pilot twice his normal rate for flying us home so late.

After slipping my shoes off, I creep up quietly to my room, excited to find both my girls asleep in my bed. I place my shoes inside my door and take in the sight of the two of them curled up under the covers in the middle of the large bed while a popcorn bowl sits on the bedside table, the television still on, streaming some sort of kids television show. I make my way to Anastasia's side and find the remote in the bed, turning the television off.

I have a seat on the bed and run a finger down Anastasia's cheek. "Ana... Anastasia..." I whisper, trying to wake her up.

She murmurs something in her sleep before her eyes blink open. "Christian?"

I give her a smile. "Hey, babydoll."

"You're home early."

I nod. "I couldn't stay away any longer."

She gives me a sweet sleepy smile. "That's sweet." Rubbing her eyes, she stretches. "I'll go so you can sleep."

That won't do. "No, stay. The bed is big enough for all of us. I just wanted to let you know I was here so I wouldn't scare you later."

I notice her blinking is getting slower and her eyes are glassy. "Sleep, sweet thing."

She curls back into Ellie and after I slide under the covers, I curl up behind her, wrapping my arm around her waist. My nose finds its way into her hair and I breathe her in, a feeling of calm settling over me. I'm home.

XxXxXx

I feel movement on my left side and I wake, finding Ellie curled up into my side with her head on my shoulder. I slide my arm out and drape it around her, letting her snuggle closer.

"I want to wake up like this every day." She whispers, giving me a grin before her eyes settle on the brunette that is tucked under my other arm, her head resting on my chest.

Me too, lovebug.

"I missed you, so I came home early."

"Good. You should have taken us."

I chuckle at her words and unfortunately, it wakes Anastasia. Her head moves, but she just snuggles deeper, her nose nuzzling into my chest. It's such a natural response for someone more than a friend to do and I find myself deeply satisfied by it. I like that she's comfortable enough to curl into me.

"Good Morning, Nanny Ana!" My girl says happily. It causes Anastasia to jerk her head off of me before she rolls to her back to stretch.

"Morning, Ellie." She yawns. "What time is it?"

"Breakfast time!" Ellie answers. "My tummy is grumbling!"

"Oh, goodness. We better feed it before the tummy monster comes!" Anastasia pushes herself up and climbs out of the bed. My daughter follows her.

"Well, then you better hurry, cause it's really mad!"

I notice that Ms. Steele is wearing yoga pants and even though her ass looks phenomenal, I find myself pouting that she isn't wearing her little cotton shorts. I really wanted to see my marks on her legs again before they disappeared.

I think pool time is in order.

Anastasia

Why the hell did Christian have to mention pool time to Ellie during breakfast? Since it's Saturday I tried to get out of it, saying they needed some Daddy/Daughter time, but both of them both argued with me. So, now I find myself staring at the few suits I have and wondering what the hell I'm going to say to Ellie when she asks me why I'm all bruised up.

I throw on my red one-piece that criss-crosses in front and has a little peekaboo opening at the abdomen. I slip on a pair of jean shorts and a baggy t-shirt to cover up my suit until I get to the pool. The weather is pretty cool and wet today, so we'll be swimming inside today. I don't have the guts to strut my stuff all through the backyard and into the house in nothing but a suit when I'm marked up from the delicious sex we had a week ago. At least the marks are almost gone. More yellow and pink instead of red and purple.

"Where's your swimsuit, Nanny Ana?" Ellie and Christian are already in the pool when I make my way in.

"Yea, Nanny Ana, where's your suit?" Christian teases. "Skinny dipping today?"

I roll my eyes. "Ha Ha!"

"What's skinny dipping, Daddy?"

I snort. "Yea, Daddy, what's skinny dipping?" I turn it around on him.

He gives me a playful scowl. "Skinny dipping is another word for swimming naked."

Ellie's eyes widen and she looks at me. "Don't get naked, Ana! Daddy's a boy!"

"Don't worry, Ellie. Your dad won't get to see any of my girl parts." I pull my t-shirt over my head and throw it on a lounge chair before slipping out of my flip flops and yanking my shorts down my legs.

I make my way to the stairs and find Christian staring at my lower half, a crooked smirk on his face.

Ellie gasps. "Nanny Ana! What happened to your legs?"

I look down at my legs as I slide into the water. "My legs? Um, I think I just worked out too hard." It's a terrible excuse.

"Sebastian did it?" Ellie looks confused and I hear Christian give a low growl. It makes me laugh.

"No, I think it was the weights."

"Well, when I have bruises and cuts, Daddy kisses them and it makes them heal faster. Maybe Daddy should kiss your legs."

Christian nods eagerly behind her. "That's a great idea, Ellie!"

I let out a nervous laugh. "No, no. I'm okay. They're almost healed now."

"Are you sure?" Ellie gives me a skeptical look.

"Maybe later." Christian answers, the look in his eye making me shiver in my spot.

XxXxXx

"Ellie, while Anastasia and I do a few laps, why don't you go get your pajamas on? I'll get your towel." He pushes himself out of the pool to help his tired daughter. She had a full day of lessons and playing and the girl is looking exhausted.

"Ohhh, okay." She whines. She doesn't want the fun to end and I find it adorable. I push myself up on the side of the pool and let my legs dangle in the water while he wraps her in her towel.

"Go get your pajamas on and find a good book. I want you to read it to me."

She smiles up at him, happy that he wants to read with her. He opens the door for her and watches as she disappears down the hall and up the stairs. Shutting the door, he locks it.

Fuck. Why would he lock it?

I wet my lips, which feel extremely dry, and watch him make his way back to the pool, giving me a wink before diving in. He makes a few laps back and forth and I relax a little and get a little annoyed with myself when I realize I feel a little disappointed.

His form pops up in front of me and he run his hands up his face and through his hair to clear it of water. God damn he's sexy. My stomach twists anxiously as he grins up at me and then reaches to push my thighs apart.

I really should tell him to stop, but I don't really want to. I know he's going to kiss my thighs like he said earlier and I find myself anxious to feel his lips on my thighs again.

I watch as he leans in and presses soft kisses to my left thigh. I lean back on my hands with a sigh as he begins to kiss my right side. Suddenly I feel him nip and I startle, the moan coming out of my mouth betraying me. I don't want him to know how much he affects me. I want to be able to keep as cool as he does.

When I feel him start to suck on the skin of my thigh my back bows and my toes curl in the water. "Shit, Christian." It's a whisper but it seems so loud being surrounded by concrete.

He hums and lets my skin go with a pop before turning his head so he can do the same to the opposite thigh.

My head falls back and I allow myself to enjoy it. He obviously wants me to. I can feel my nipples tighten as he nibbles and sucks on my sensitive skin.

"Fuck, you're beautiful." He mumbles the words against my thigh and even his stubble against my thigh has my center screaming.

I'm already panting and all he's done is give me a couple of hickys. I force my head forward and give him a smile. My eyes are hooded and hazy and when he yanks me closer to the edge and nuzzles his face into my fabric covered center, I actually moan out and press myself into him.

He gives me a grin and hooks a finger into the fabric between my legs and pulls it to the side. A part of me feels self-conscious about him staring at my most intimate spot somewhere with such great lighting, but he's worked me up enough that I don't care.

"So. Fucking. Perfect."

My drunk smile is still on my face as he leans in and I sigh at the feel of his lips on me.

The handle on the door wiggles and we both startle.

There's a bang.

"Daddy! The door's locked!" Ellies voice is muffled on the other side. We both jump to and I right my swimsuit and throw on my shorts to hide the new marks while Christian unlocks the door with his scrunched up towel in front of his waist.

"Sorry, lovebug. Must have done that on accident."

"Are you coming to read or what?" She's annoyed that her daddy is taking so long.

"Yes, I'm coming. I'm right behind you. I just have to change first."

When she turns and disappears, he lets out a sigh. "I am so sorry."

I giggle. "Don't be. Kids interrupt sometimes."

He yanks me to him and my hands automatically go to his chest, but this time I have the confidence to run my hands down his muscled chest and abdomen.

"I owe you one, Anastasia."

I grin and bite my lip, liking the sound of that. "Yea. You do. Now, if you'd excuse me," I pull away from him so I can grab my shirt, "I'll be on my way. I have a date with Vivian."

He looks confused and a little pissed. "Who the fuck is Vivian?"

Giggling, I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss his lips. "Stow the jealousy, Grey. She's just my vibrator."

His pissed off look turns into one of entertainment. "Vivian the vibrator. Definitely jealous of her."

"Yea, yea..." I turn to head toward the door and he smacks my backside playfully as we exit the pool area.

"Maybe one day we'll use it together." His hands rub up and down my thighs as he follows me up the stairs.

"Maybe." I retort, but secretly hoping we'll get to.

"You'll think of me while you're with Vivian." He stops me at the back door, holding my hand. It's a demand.

"How could I not?" I grin up at him and, feeling strong and confident, I reach out and squeeze the giant tent he has in his swim shorts, making him suck in air through his teeth. "Think of me." I give him a wink before turning on my heel and heading out the door towards my house. Towards Vivian.

XxXxXx

It's so peaceful out on the Sound in the evening. The sun is beginning to set and it's just beautiful. I know that I can only take so many pictures of the water before I need to go in search of new things to capture, but I love it here. Eventually, when I have to move, I'm going to miss this spot. Christian's part of the Sound is so much more peaceful than the public areas. It's in its own little nook and the only traffic is the big beautiful boats that drive by, occasionally oohing and aahing at the giant house tucked away, hidden from most. I've even seen a couple people take pictures of it with their phones while I'm down here and it's entertaining to me that I live in it every day and that they are making use of the place I consider beautiful enough to take pictures of.

There is a big sailboat that comes gliding by in the wind and I do my best to take a picture of the dark blue and white boat while my hair whips around me and tries to get in the way.

"Do you know how positively stunning you are?"

I startle at his voice, but turn with a smile. "You always know how to make a girl feel good."

He gives me a salacious grin and I can feel my cheeks heat. Fortunately, he can't tell because they're already rosy from the cool wind this evening.

"Is that the camera you used to take my pictures with?" He eyes the camera in my hands.

"Yes. I found it at Goodwill for a steal."

"Goodwill?"

I grin and nod, enjoying his surprise. "Don't knock it til you try it. That's where I get a lot of my second hand books."

He gives a nod. "Ah. Mind if I see the camera?"

"Um, sure." I place the camera in his outstretched hand and silently pray that it doesn't slip out of his hand and crash into a million pieces on the rock below us.

Giving me a polite smile, he looks through what I've taken.

"You've been busy."

I shrug. "Well, you know. It's something I enjoy. I always worry I could have gotten a better picture if I stop, so I tend to take more than I probably should." I look down and tuck my hair behind my ear. I feel shy and self-conscious. Is he judging me? I worry what he thinks about my crazy amount of pictures and the lack of good ones spread out between all the bad.

I hear a click and my eyes shoot up. Christian has helped himself to my camera and unfortunately, he's pointing it at me. Another click.

"Christian!" I giggle at the man with the playful grin behind the lens.

"Just capturing the beauty of the Sound, love."

I shake my head. "You really are a menace. I don't want pictures of me!" He keeps clicking away, ignoring my annoyance.

"Come here." He offers me his hand and I take a few steps forward, taking his soft, strong hand. He pulls me closer to him and wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. "Smile."

I giggle as my head rests against his upper chest. "Are we taking selfies now?"

"Yes."

Figuring this is the best excuse to squeeze him tight, I wrap my arms around him and hold him, allowing myself to breathe in the sexy smell of Christian. Expensive cologne, bergamot body wash, and Christian. I might need another round with Vivian.

He takes a step back and I regretfully let him go, doing my best to try to keep the pout off my face. Before I can even tell his warmth is gone, his lips are over mine and I find myself leaning into him quickly this time. His mouth is my new obsession and there's no need to fight him on it. I'll take it any chance I can. I vaguely hear the click, but I don't care. He can take as many pictures as he likes as long as he keeps kissing me like this.

When we finally pull away, he kisses my lips once more. "These are for me only."

I grin. "Your private collection, huh?"

"That's right. I don't want you to hit it big and try to sell your beautiful face to the public."

I roll my eyes. "No one wants that anyway."

"You're wrong, but keep believing it." He looks around. "It's getting dark. We should head back."

Shaking my head, I take my camera from him. "I love getting the night's sky and the Sound. It's actually clear tonight so the stars should be out."

His eyebrow quirks. "You can get the stars with this camera?"

"Yes! I mean, it isn't the greatest or anything, but I can manipulate the settings enough to get a good picture. One day when I have a better one I'll come back and get better shots. Until then, this is perfect."

He steps up to me and runs the pad of his thumb over my eyebrow ridge, smoothing the scowl I didn't realize I had. He frowns. "I hadn't meant to offend you, babydoll."

I step back so I can take a deep cleansing breath. The man's commanding presence has me putty in his hands and I just need a little separation to think clearly.

"You didn't offend me, Christian. You're used to the best of the best and I love that you and Ellie can have the best of everything. You both deserve every second of it. Ellie deserves the world." Why the hell am I getting choked up? Ellie will always be my soft spot now.

"You are a remarkable human being, Anastasia. You deserve the world, just like Ellie does."

I shake my head. "But I don't need it. I need very little. Ellie is one of those things... and so are you." I turn away from him as I murmur that last part, embarrassed that I actually admitted it out loud, but wanting him to know how precious he truly is. I aim the camera where I want it and take a few pictures.

His strong arms wrap around me and his forehead rests on my shoulder. He doesn't say anything and that's absolutely fine with me. I know he's taken what I said to heart and I find myself turning my head to press a kiss to his temple every so often while I continue to take pictures.

When I finally finish, I let out a deep sigh.

"Let me walk you back to your door, Ms. Steele."

"Such a gentleman."

We make our way back up the rocky beach and climb the wooden steps to the large lush lawn at the edge of his property. He has an arm draped around my waist and I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning like an idiot. I am stupidly hoping this causes a shift in our relationship, but I don't want to get my hopes up. If I do, I might be crushed and it might hurt Ellie.

When we make it back to my door, he leans in and gives me a long, soft kiss while his hand cups my cheek. "Good night, Ana."

My heart leaps. He called me Ana. Not Ms. Steele, not even Anastasia. No professionalism. Just Ana. I love being just Ana.

"Good night, Christian. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."

He grins. "Looking forward to it." With a wink, he turns and strides back towards the large house and I can't help, but watch him as he goes. Tonight has been so sweet and I know it's one I'll never forget.

Teaser? Just Ask.

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