Chapter 10: Unable to stay away
AKA: Old history, the Mile-High Club and New York
I needed to see you.
I needed to feel you.
I want the routine with
you and I want the
madness with you.
I want all of it with you.
I want you here with me.
I e-mailed Ros on Sunday morning, volunteering to take care of our business in New York, and she agreed readily. Unsurprisingly, she preferred to spend time with her partner rather than her parents—who had taken a while to grasp their daughter was gay, and still didn't truly approve. I spent the bare minimum in my home office before waking up Anastasia and fucking her slowly as it rained in the city outside my windows. After breakfast, Anastasia talked me into spending the morning in my TV room, where the brunette seemed determined to put me up to date with pop culture.
Luckily, she liked to chat through the movies; otherwise, I'd have got bored out of my mind halfway through the first one. I asked Anastasia about her mother, Carla, and she shared with me a very detailed timeline of the older woman's hobbies. Even if most of the things Carla had tried weren't up to my tastes, I listened attentively to Anastasia's retelling, learning more about her likes—poetry, baking, classical music, paintball—and dislikes—playing the guitar, ballet, sculpturing, biking, soap carving, painting rocks, and several other unusual hobbies.
Next, she asked me about my job, and I had no qualms about describing my work as a CEO: demanding, exhausting, satisfying, and stimulating. I managed to coax some information out of her about her former job at a hardware job, but she insisted nothing was interesting—or glamorous—about it.
The next thing I knew, we were having lunch and I was talking about learning to play the piano as a child, and how happy it had made Grace, but I quickly changed the topic by listing my favourite songs and comparing them with Anastasia's. She insisted she had no musical ear at all but was fascinated by those who could create music from an instrument.
As we lay in bed, lethargic after our nooner, I asked her a few questions about being a teenage girl living only with her dad. There wasn't much to tell, as she had been a good kid, never sneaking out of the house, drinking alcohol or getting into fights—unlike me. Ray was a tad overprotective but never overbearing, as she had given him no reason to be so. She had only had one brief relationship in High School, and barely any sex at all.
"That changed in college, of course, but Dad doesn't need to know about that," she added. We were both resting on our sides, facing each other and half-covered with my white sheets, as my fingers played with her soft ones.
"How did you end up in the BDSM world?" she asked me after a few seconds of silence.
I stiffened and my hand went still.
Elena wasn't someone I was comfortable talking about, nor of how I had landed into her clutches or how long it had taken me to realise she was a selfish monster.
"You first," I answered, hoping we would get side-tracked with her story. Plus, I was dying of curiosity about how someone like her—shy, introverted, sweet and stubborn—could have ended up as a Sub in a BDSM club.
"If I answer, then you have to answer too." There goes my plan.
I thought about it for a couple of seconds. An eye for an eye… Was it worth it? Just how much was I willing to pay for Anastasia's secret?
"Very well," I agreed unenthusiastically. I was way too curious about everything regarding Anastasia. I could always keep my own story short and to the point.
As my fingers started playing with hers once again, she began talking: "After I finished my... agreement with my friends with benefits, I found some steamy books online in which the couples participated in BDSM." She had already mentioned erotica had led her to the lifestyle.
She swallowed hard, nervous, her eyes going back and forth between my face and our hands.
"Intrigued, I did some research and ended up in a fright." That didn't surprise me. "I couldn't believe some of the stuff people dared to do! And the trust involved in it!" she exclaimed as her eyes met mine, sounding as shocked as she must have felt back then. "I just couldn't wrap my head around it and, as much as it made my lady bits tingle," —she looked away and I snickered— "it intimidated me more."
"I couldn't stop dreaming about it, though," she revealed, her eyes and cheeks getting darker. Her voice grew deeper with desire. "You know: being tied up, the toys, even the spanking." She blushed as her blue eyes tried to meet mine but couldn't. "I freaked myself out. But I was so curious. I needed to learn more," she confessed as she managed to look at me, the hunger for knowledge raw in her voice and her wide-open eyes. "It was over a year later before I was old enough to get into the BDSM club. I wore a yellow band for the first few weeks and about seven months ago I participated in my first scene. It feels like I've been doing this for years."
Astounding. That had been very brave of her.
"You do have a very formed opinion of what you will and won't do, even though you're quite new to this," I commented.
"There were many things I was willing to try, others that scared the bejesus out of me. I explored whatever I wanted to and some things I loved, others I hated, and some I gave a second chance. You know I have a strong mind. I already know what I like," she answered.
It made sense, even if I couldn't fully understand her—even if I couldn't truly put myself in her shoes. She and I had joined the lifestyle under very different circumstances: her, looking for a way to have a good time and make her wildest, kinkiest dreams come true; me: to find structure and discipline; to escape the alcohol and the fights.
"Don't you have anything pending?" I asked. I wanted to be the one to make the rest of her wet dreams come true.
"There are many things I didn't try and don't want to," she replied, the Tiger close to the surface.
Down, girl! I'm not trying to talk you into anything anymore.
"I know that. There are quite a few things I haven't done either. I'm not as deviant as you may think." I smiled slightly at her, and her eyes got lost in my lips for a second. "What I mean is, is there anything you want to try, but haven't dared to?" She blushed furiously. "I'll take that as a yes."
"You already know about the vibrating egg," she answered, reminding me of the talk we'd had in her bed after the graduation ceremony.
"But there's something else. I know you, Anastasia." I caressed her flushed cheek. I knew that dirty mind of hers hid delicious secrets and fantasies. "You can't lie to me. But you can tell me anything, beautiful. I'll be the last one to judge," I promised.
"One of my soft limits... It was a hard one before you." Shy, she looked down at our intertwined fingers. I willed myself to be patient. "I was afraid to try it out, but like with many other things, the curiosity won out," she confessed softly, her timid eyes looking into my excited ones.
I was all for pushing the limits and finding new toys to play with.
"Curiosity is good." I nodded eagerly, hoping she'd tell me what soft limit she was talking about.
"It killed the cat," she answered, raising her eyebrows disapprovingly.
"But satisfaction brought it back," I pointed out.
"Alright, but I don't know if I'm ready for it, and I don't want to be tied up the first time," she warned me.
"We can take your pace, my curious Kitty," I assured her. "We can even try it out in my bedroom if it makes you feel more comfortable." Never had those words left my lips before, but I meant them nonetheless. I liked Anastasia in my bed, in my bedroom, my walls absorbing the sounds of her moans and my name on her sweet lips. And I wanted her to be comfortable as she explored new depths of her sexuality; I wanted her to enjoy herself. I aimed to please her.
She took a deep breath and blurted out, "Genital clamps," blushing like never before and with her eyes focused on our fingers. I smirked.
I could most definitely work with that.
"Those can be rather pleasurable when used right," I whispered.
"Not today, though," she said, squirming slightly. "But someday. Now it's time for you to stop distracting me with adult toys and tell me about how you got into BDSM."
Damn.
I had managed to forget about that.
What should I tell her?
Much like her own eyes had done, mine focused on our now still hands as I gave her the shortest possible version of my story.
"A friend of my mother's seduced me when I was fifteen and introduced me to the lifestyle," I confessed. I had shared this with shrinks before, of course, but it didn't make it any easier to say it out loud.
"You... she... paedophile!" she exclaimed, sounding as if she was ready to go looking for Elena and drag her by the hair to the closest police station.
"Don't worry. She's in jail," I reassured her, my eyes meeting her horrified furious ones.
"Because of what she did to you?"
"No. Well, not directly. I was his submissive for almost three years," I confessed, suddenly sharing more than I had been planning. "When I left for college, I finished our contract." I had had no intentions of returning to Seattle as often as she'd like, wanting to escape my parents with their high expectations and ever-present disappointment.
In Massachusetts, though, I'd found myself without structure once again and tempted by the sweetness of self-destruction. "I found it difficult to cope without the lifestyle, though, so I found a BDSM club near campus that would accept members eighteen and older. I decided to train as a Dom," I added, skipping the months with Mistresses Louisa, Tanya and Amanda. She probably didn't want to hear about the other older women I had slept with, even if by then I had been an adult.
"It was then that I realised what she had done to me was wrong. She had been rather abusing and... just a bad Dom altogether. A Dom is supposed to see to the wellbeing of their submissive in exchange for their trust. I trusted her, even though I shouldn't have," I continued, probably using those words for the first time ever. I had always been too embarrassed to express to my shrinks how foolish I had been. I prided myself for being good at reading people, as well as self-sufficient and independent, but my behaviour with Elena had been the opposite of that. "I was a horny teenager that needed an outlet and control in his life. You see, before she prohibited me to, I used to drink myself into oblivion and get into fights at school. She kept me away from the alcohol, but also from my family and my peers."
And that was enough about me and my darkness. No need to scare away Anastasia.
"Anyway, a few years after I opened my company, I had my security team investigate her. She had sworn she had never had sex with a minor before me and that I had been the only exception. I didn't trust her word anymore. I needed to make sure she wasn't predating on any children."
I paused, remembering the horrors my security team had found. I wished I had investigated her years earlier.
"It turned out she had been lying to me. I took my findings to the police anonymously. When the cops broke into her house, they found her in the basement with a kid tied up and badly beaten."
"Good Lord," she whispered, horrified.
"She had had many victims and had participated in some fraudulent activities. She's got so much time in jail she's likely to die before her sentence is over," I reassured the both of us. She couldn't hurt anyone anymore.
"Good. I hope she dies in jail. Did she..."
"What?"
She swallowed, her eyes travelling over the room before focusing on my upper chest.
"Did she burn you?" she whispered.
That wasn't something I was willing to talk about.
"No. She wasn't that much of an animal. My scars are way older. Let's leave it at that, Anastasia," I answered firmly. "I have some work to do," I excused myself as I started to climb out of bed, needing to escape her questions, but she wouldn't let me.
"No!" she exclaimed passionately as she held onto my arm. I let her keep me in bed, my instincts being upside-down whenever it came to her. Was she the exception to every rule? "I'm sorry I asked. I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't shut me out," she begged anguished. "Watch a movie with me. Please." She looked at me with unshed tears and the saddest blue eyes I'd ever seen. How could any human possibly say no to that face?
I gave her a small smile, hoping to keep her tears at bay.
"Alright. But if you're as sore as you claim to be, you need to get dressed or I won't be able to keep my hands off of you," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
It was hard to let her go that Sunday night. I'd be missing her, not only as a Sub but also as a bed companion who kept away the nightmares and as a smart entertaining woman—as a good friend. I was a very possessive person—albeit mostly of objects, like my helicopter or my catamaran, and my achievements, like my company—yet I found myself feeling possessive of Anastasia too; I didn't want to let her go and share her with the word. I was a man used to getting what he wanted, no matter how much work it took, and just because I knew Anastasia wasn't a toy to own didn't make it any easier to let her go.
'A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled,' Carnegie had said, and I was barely entitled to Anastasia's company on the weekends. Although I would be seeing her again Tuesday morning, on our flight to the East coast.
So, after driving her home and making out in the car like a couple of teenagers, I let her climb out of the car and walk to her new apartment.
'I love you,' thought a part of me as I watched her step into her home,
but the rest of me played deaf.
'Ignorance is bliss,' they say,
yet never before had I been in favour of obliviousness.
I played some classical music on the short drive back to Escala, yet the trip seemed unbearably silent. Even if Anastasia and I were more likely to enjoy the quiet than talk in the car, I could feel her absence.
I kept myself distracted with work once I'd arrived back home, and didn't go to bed until midnight. Unexpectedly, it was the alarm that woke me the next morning, at 6:30. Even without Anastasia by my side, I hadn't woken up because of a nightmare. Nonetheless, my night hadn't been dreamless or pleasant, yet I couldn't remember the details of my bitter dreams.
The slight feeling of discomfort and confusion couldn't be compared to how I usually felt after a nightmare, though, so I counted it as a win. Sleeping next to my guardian angel had been much more effective, but I could appreciate the miracle of Anastasia's influence on dreams even when she wasn't next to me.
Bottom-line, I liked it better when I woke up next to a Goddess, but c'est la vie.
My morning was productive, spent mostly by myself and my computer, but I had to spend the afternoon in meeting upon meeting. No sooner had I returned to my office at around four, than I noticed I'd received an email from Anastasia.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Interviews
Date: May 30, 2011, 16:06
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
My interviews went well today.
The guys from Little, Brown had a poker face that could rival yours, but I truly charmed the employers from TWCS and SIP. Between you and me, the editor from the latter unsettled me, although he didn't do anything untoward.
How was your day?
Ana
I began reading the email with a smile, happy for her. Her comment regarding my poker face amused me, and I wasn't surprised to hear she had charmed most of her interviewers. My Kitty was a natural at putting others at ease and making them fall for her sweet smile and sincere words.
I finished reading the email with a frown, though, the words 'unsettled' and 'untoward' seeming to come out of the screen.
I gave myself free rein for a minute or two, writing a cutting email about how she wasn't allowed to take a job at SIP and requesting the name of the bastard that had dared to make her uncomfortable.
Once I was done, I knew very well I couldn't send it unless I wanted to start a fight of epic proportions with Anastasia. The both of us were likely to end up saying things we'd come to regret. Also, while I wasn't afraid of her leaving me anymore—that is, not over something like this—chances were she wouldn't allow me to fly her to Georgia the following day, and that was unacceptable.
Thus, I took a deep breath, erased what I'd written, and took several minutes to compose a reply that wouldn't piss off my tiger.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: My day
Date: May 30, 2011, 16:15
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
I'm glad your interviews went well. You should always trust your instincts, baby. If you feel something was off with the SIP's editor, then you're probably right. You shouldn't accept a job there. Luckily, it was TWCS the one you were aiming for. I'm proud of you.
My morning was lonely and my bed, cold. My afternoon was boring.
I can't wait to join the mile-high club with you tomorrow ;)
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
There. Never had I written a more amicable email before. I deserved a fucking sandwich, or better yet, a pile of Anastasia's pancakes.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Cold bed
Date: May 30, 2011, 16:19
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
I appreciate your restraint when it came to SIP. It's not my first option, but if SIP is the only one to offer me a job, I will have to take it. Should this happen, I promise to keep my eyes open and you on speed dial.
My bed was very cold, too.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning, as well. I've missed your company and other parts of you.
I need to go. Kate and I have more unpacking to do.
See you soon,
Ana
Insatiable Submissive
The first sentence made me smile. The rest, not so much.
I wondered how SIP was doing financially. If I had to buy a fucking publishing company to keep Anastasia safe, I would.
Reading about how she missed me and was looking forwards to seeing me again calmed me down slightly, and her comment about missing 'other parts of me' made me snort. The words—albeit not the sentiments behind them—were very unlike her, and I wondered if she was blushing behind her screen or if writing such things didn't embarrass her.
Her signature made me chuckle and shake my head.
She was something else.
I decided to tease her back before going back to work.
If only I could spend the next few hours exchanging emails with Anastasia. She was much more entertaining than your usual businessperson.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: May 30, 2011, 16:21
To: Anastasia Steele
Call me tonight if you want me to take care of you. If not, I'll make you see stars tomorrow.
Christian Grey
CEO and Insatiable Dominant
I was disappointed, albeit not surprised, when she didn't call me that night. I knew she'd cave in eventually: for starters, she was mostly a goody-two-shoes, and while she liked crossing the line sometimes, it was usually over something minor like her outfit, so I doubted she'd touch herself without calling me first. Secondly, she seemed to be in the habit of masturbating before bed most nights; it had been something she'd claimed she couldn't live without when discussing the contract. Thus, it was only a matter of time before she succumbed to phone sex. Probably not until she'd returned from Savanah, though…
I woke up particularly early the next morning, my alarm clock waking me up from a disturbing albeit not graphic dream. I had been walking around a large abandoned mansion, all the rooms empty and grey, looking and searching for something or someone I couldn't find. Loneliness settled in my heart until I remembered the reason my alarm had gone off so early: Anastasia and I would be catching a plane soon, meaning we'd spend the next several hours by ourselves. I tried to focus on the near future instead of how I'd be forced to leave her in Georgia, continuing my trip to New York.
I went through my usual morning routine quickly, and half an hour later Taylor was stopping the car in front of Anastasia's apartment. I'd texted her when we were a block away, so she walked out of the door the moment she could see us. I watched as she locked the door and walked half-asleep towards the car. Taylor opened the door for her and she climbed in, sitting next to me. We kissed hello automatically, the show of affection somehow coming naturally to us even if it wasn't something either of us had experienced with anyone before. It was new and partly disconcerting, but mostly pleasant, so I chose not to dwell on it. I'd deal with it when I had to—that is to say, on Thursday with Finn… if I was back home by then.
"Good morning," muttered Anastasia, adorably sleepy.
"Good morning, sunshine. You didn't call me last night."
"Too tired. Too embarrassing," she answered, eyes squinting at the morning light. I chuckled at her incomplete sentences.
"You'll succumb to phone sex eventually."
"Not while in Georgia," she whispered, warily glancing at Taylor with the corner of her eye.
"Don't mind Taylor. He's discreet." And he had heard worse.
She gave me an unimpressed look before settling more comfortably on her seat. She didn't fall asleep on the ride, as I'd assumed she would, but she spent the trip silently looking out the window absentmindedly.
She perked up slightly once the airport came into view, looking more and more alert as we got closer to my private jet. Even through her tiredness it was clear she was excited about the flight, and I wondered what she was looking forward to exactly.
No sooner had Taylor parked than Anastasia was climbing out of the car, not waiting for me to open her door. And to think she had been half-asleep a couple of minutes earlier. I chuckled at her childlike eagerness and took her hand. I guided her up the stairs and into my private jet, where I introduced her to the pilot, Stephan, and his First Officer, Jill Beighley.
Anastasia looked around the plane fascinatedly, and I recalled this was her first time on a private jet. I wondered what she thought of it, with its pale maple wood walls and cream leather couches. I always found it warm and comfortable, more similar to my parent's home than my own.
I barely paid attention as Stephan assured us there would be no turbulence and he introduced us to the flight attendant. I realized Anastasia was giving the woman an unhappy look, leading me to pay more attention to the flight attendant. I noticed she was brunette and quite voluptuous, which made Anastasia's reaction amusing rather than worrisome. After the lengths I had gone through to procure Anastasia's company, it was ridiculous and laughable she was feeling jealousy. Additionally, I was satisfied to notice my Kitty seemed to share my possessive streak.
Done with the pleasantries and ready to get into the air, I grabbed Anastasia's hand and guided her to one of the plush leather seats towards the back.
We buckled up and, as the plane taxied out of the runway, Anastasia grabbed my hand tightly.
"You don't like flying," I realised, not expecting this after the excitement she had shown upon getting into the plane.
"It's only take-offs and landings what I hate," she answered curtly, nerves transparent in her voice.
There wasn't much I could do to distract her before we could unfasten our seatbelts, so I let her be. She relaxed once the plane started to level up, eventually weakening her hold on my hand but not releasing it.
As soon as we were allowed to unfasten our seatbelts, I asked her, "Would you like to get more comfortable? There's a nice bedroom with a bed on the back."
Any lingering anxiousness evaporated immediately as she turned to look at me with desire in her eyes.
"Alright," she whispered huskily, standing up to follow my lead.
The bedroom matched the cabin of the plane. It was spacious and had a comfortable bed in the middle of it: a bed that was yet to be christened.
I helped Anastasia out of her sweatshirt and top, my eyes immediately seeking her breasts. She was wearing a lacy grey bra. Unlike most of the pieces she had worn before, this one wasn't translucent, but it still looked amazing on her.
"Do you like it, Sir? It matches your eyes."
Indeed. How unexpected.
"It looks perfect on you. I want to see the rest. Undress."
She complied quickly, removing everything from the waist down except the matching grey lacy panties.
Taking the initiative, she spun for me, showing off her beautiful body without a pinch of embarrassment.
She was… perfect.
Beautiful. Sexy. Brave. Daring. Kind. Smart. Mischievous.
Mine.
I undressed quickly, needing to feel her skin against mine, and ordered her to climb into bed. She complied immediately and I lay on top of her.
I devoured her mouth until we ran out of air, but I couldn't possibly get away from her skin. I traced her neck with my lips as she panted underneath me.
I wanted to make her moan and whine.
I wanted to hear her come undone for me.
I needed it right then and every day.
"Tell me, Kitty. Why didn't you call me last night?" Why did she deprive me of her voice and her moans?
"I don't think I can have phone sex, Master. It's embarrassing."
"Embarrassing? There's nothing embarrassing about what you and I do, Kitty. Never," I swore. I had to show her.
"Now, I want you to listen to my voice and do as I say. Touch your breast." I pressed my right palm against the back of her left hand and guided it to her left breast. "Fondle it. Imagine it's my hand playing with it."
She closed her eyes and sighed. She squirmed slightly—I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been lying on top of her—as I guided her hand, applying the exact amount of pressure that I knew would give her the greatest pleasure. She accompanied me, an active participant in our lovemaking.
I lowered my head to her right breast, taking her free nipple in my mouth. She whimpered. I loved making her lose control.
I let go of her hand, but having caught on to what I was doing, she kept fondling her breast as I travelled south. I caressed her belly and my fingers trailed her soft skin from one hip to the other. Her hips raised slightly, begging me to go lower, and how could I not comply when she was being so obedient and responsive? I enjoyed making her squirm a few more seconds before cupping her mound. Slowly, enjoying every moment, I parted her lips and teased her pussy, staying away from her clit and entrance.
I wondered if she teased herself while masturbating, or if she went straight for the prize. Taking into account how much of an effort she had to make to be patient when I took my time with foreplay, I was willing to bet she wasn't one to tease herself.
I knew better than to ask her, despite my curiosity. I was trying to talk her into phone sex with me, not away from it.
Which reminded me…
"Remember how you touched yourself for me a little over a week ago? How you let me watch you?" I asked, lifting my head to look at her and rubbing her clit.
"Yes, Sir," she whimpered.
"That's what I want you to do when you call for phone sex. That's what I'll think about as I touch myself. Will you be a good Kitty and call me once we're back in Seattle?"
"Yes, Master, I promise."
"Good girl," I whispered before pushing away her hand from her breast with my nose and taking her left nipple in my mouth. I thrust two fingers inside her pussy, immediately finding her g-spot and rubbing it. When her moans and hips let me know she was close to orgasm, I replaced my fingers with my dick. I needed to feel her come around me.
My hands and lips wouldn't leave her body. My left palm caressed her chest and belly while my mouth kissed every centimetre of her skin I could reach: her full breasts, her sternum, her tempting neck, and her beautiful face. My right hand, still wet with her juices, sneaked in between her ass cheeks.
"Come for me, baby," I whispered, pushing my wet index finger inside her tight ass.
"Christian," she shouted as she came for the first time.
I didn't stop fucking or touching her, though, driving out her orgasm and leading her onto the next one.
"I'm close," I grunted after a few minutes. "I need you to come again, sweetheart."
She mumbled some nonsense that sounded like an agreement.
"Come on, Kitty. Scream my name!"
She complied spectacularly, shouting, "Christian!" as she arched her neck and convulsed around me. I came with her, screaming, "Anastasia!"
We alternated a couple of naps in between more sex during the rest of the flight to Savanah, not getting dressed until the pilot announced we were half an hour away from our first stop and would be needing to return to our seats soon. Anastasia was mortified when she realized Taylor and the flight attendant had probably heard us fuck each other's brains out for hours.
Anastasia seemed to enjoy the landing as much as the take-off. I hated letting her walk away and into the Hilton Head International Airport, and while she had seemed sad to leave me behind, it was clear she was excited to meet her mother and bask in the sun.
I was going to miss her.
The next two hours of the flight, I joined Taylor in the main area of the plane and worked from my computer. All too soon we were landing on Newark Liberty International Airport, several States away from my girl.
As soon as Taylor and I were on a rental car, I emailed Anastasia.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: New York
Date: May, 31, 2011 16:22
To: Anastasia Steele
Anastasia
I've made it to New York safely.
I'll be very busy today, but let me know if you need anything.
Enjoy yourself. But not too much.
Laters,
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
It only took her a few minutes to answer.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: RE:New York
Date: May 31, 2011, 16:26
To: Christian Grey
Christian
I'm glad to hear you're okay.
Don't overwork yourself.
Ana.
XOX
It was already five by the time we made it to my company's office in Manhattan. The people in charge had known to expect me, though, and I spent the next hour and a half making sure everything looked as good in person as it had through emails and phone calls. Luckily, everything seemed to be in order, so at 6:30 we agreed to leave for the day and go back to business the next morning.
After leaving the office I opted to do something I rarely did: shopping. I walked down Broadway, stopping at every damn gift shop and odd store. I wanted to get something for Anastasia, but not the usual 'I Love NY' t-shirt. Taylor looked as stoic as always through most of the walk, but I caught him giving me equally amused and confused looks. What was the big deal? Couldn't I buy something for Anastasia instead of having my personal shopper do it for me?
Taylor may have been the first one to realise I was in love with Anastasia.
After half an hour of hunting, I came across some limited-edition sneakers with a book pattern on them that I knew Anastasia would adore. Among some of my old text messages, I found Anastasia's shoe size. Satisfied with my purchase, Taylor and I walked back to the car. Halfway there though, we came across a street vendor selling all kinds of sweatshirts and joggers. I would have walked right past him if the caricature-like eyes of a kitten hadn't made me do a double-take. Indeed, there was a grey sweatshirt with the face and front paws of a cat drawn in it. It even had ears protruding from the hood.
A kitten for my Kitty.
It was perfect.
Half an hour later we were back at my apartment in Manhattan, but I had to leave soon thereafter for dinner. I didn't wish to socialise, but it was part of the job description, so I met the Heads of Departments from the New York branch in some fancy restaurant and spent the next few hours talking about work over dinner.
Wednesday morning, I woke up with the sun, shaken from a nightmare I couldn't remember. I decided to go for a run on Central Park, determined to enjoy the view, even if the company was lacking. After having run with Anastasia on Saturday morning, being by myself seemed… not exactly lonely, but bland.
I emailed Anastasia on my way to the office, even if I knew she was probably sleeping and wouldn't reply for a while.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Morning
Date: June 1, 2011, 07:02
To: Anastasia Steele
Good Morning, my sunshine
I hope you had fun yesterday with your mother. My day was more hectic than usual, but today promises to be more tranquil.
Go enjoy the sun while I slave away in the office.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I spent the next few hours in the office, which was brimming with people now that it wasn't after-hours. Halfway through the morning, while I was in a rather unimportant meeting, Anastasia answered my email.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Morning
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:15
To: Christian Grey
Hello, Handsome
Good Morning, indeed. I slept like the dead last night. You and the beach on the same day are enough to knock a girl out.
I have to go get ready. Mum wants to take me shopping. *Insert eye roll here.*
Am I allowed to roll my eyes at my mother? If not, forget I did it.
Your sunshine
I snickered.
She had been good about not rolling her eyes so far.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Sleeping Beauty
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:20
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Sleeping Beauty
It's about time you woke up.
You're not allowed to roll your eyes. It's rude. My palm is twitching.
I'm glad you're my sunshine. My Sub. My friend.
Can I help you into your bra? Maybe your shorts?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Yours
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:23
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir
I've seen you roll your eyes at your mother.
I'm glad you're my sunshine, Dom and friend, too. Very much so.
And I'd rather you helped me out of my clothes.
Your Ana
Roll my eyes at my mother? I hadn't, had I?
My sunshine indeed. New York seemed grey without her, even with the sun coming in through the office's large windows.
I wished she was there with me, and not just to help her out of her clothes.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Rudeness
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:25
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Kitty
I'll be sure to apologise to my mother the next time I talk to her.
I'd rather help you out of your clothes, too.
Your Christian
CEO & Eye roller, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Panting
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:26
To: Christian Grey
Slowly...
Maybe I shouldn't have started this in the middle of a meeting.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Groaning
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:27
To: Anastasia Steele
Wish I was there.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Moaning
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:27
To: Christian Grey
So do I...
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Moaning
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:28
To: Christian Grey
Gotta go.
Laters, baby.
Seriously?
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Plagiarism
Date: June 1, 2011, 10:28
To: Anastasia Steele
You stole my line.
And left me hanging.
Enjoy your time with your mother.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
It wasn't until Taylor was driving me to the factory at an industrial park in Brooklyn that Anastasia replied.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Who are you to cry thief?
Date: June 1, 2011, 11:42
To: Christian Grey
Sir, I think you'll find it was Elliot's line originally.
Hanging how?
Your Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Unfinished Business
Date: June 1, 2011, 11:44
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
You're back. You left so suddenly—just when things were getting interesting.
Elliot's not very original. He must've stolen that line from someone.
Shouldn't you be spending your time with your mother?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Unfinished business?
Date: June 1, 2011, 11:45
To: Christian Grey
My mother's taking a bathroom break.
Getting interesting? How?
Your Kitty
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Unfinished Business - Definitely
Date: June 1, 2011, 11:47
To: Anastasia Steele
Are you being deliberately obtuse? I think you'd just asked me to get you naked.
And I was looking forward to doing just that.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Smart girl
Date: June 1, 2011, 11:49
To: Christian Grey
I would never be unwittingly obtuse, Mr Grey.
Surely you've worked that out by now ;)
I wish you were here. Without you, there's no one to help me out of my clothes.
Or save me from shopping.
Mum's here. Gotta go.
Laters, handsome©
Your Ana
XOXO
P.S. We're on Google
I wished I was there too.
We arrived at the electronics plant then, and I was caught in such a whirlwind of activities I didn't get to answer Anastasia's email immediately.
It wasn't until hours later, when we were driving back to the apartment, that I opened my emails app again.
What had she meant when she'd written we were on Google?
I searched 'Christian Grey and Anastasia.' Anastasia's name was probably a mystery to Google, but it mattered not, for the first image that showed up was clearly of her and me at her graduation ceremony. We looked great together, standing side by side in our Sunday best. Suddenly, I was eager to take her to the Copping Together Ball.
I saved the picture and set it as my background before emailing her back.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: An unmatched pair
Date: June 1, 2011, 16:32
To: Anastasia Steele
Anastasia
We are on Google, indeed, and looking hot. I have a new cell phone background.
What are you up to this evening?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
God, how I missed her.
My business in New York was done, and I didn't want to return to Seattle all by myself. Remaining in Manhattan till Friday didn't seem like a better idea.
I read Anastasia's email again.
'I wish you were here,' she had written.
Had she meant it?
Probably.
Hopefully.
"Taylor, we're flying to Savanah," I informed him as I got ready to email my assistant. "I'll have Andrea make all the necessary arrangements."
And he's off to meet Ana (and Carla). I hope you're enjoying this fic. I'm thankful for all of your reviews :D
Remember you can find the acompaning pictures to this fic in mi pinterest, justvalepff
Until Wednesday!