Chapter 16: My first happy birthday
AKA: A happy kinky birthday to me

And after I spent what felt like an eternity drowning,

you taught me how to breathe.

I was awoken by a kiss.

I opened my eyes to find Anastasia's face above mine, the sun shining around us.

I felt fantastically well-rested. I must have slept for longer than usual.

"Happy birthday," said Anastasia as she stood by my side of the bed.

I smiled at her. Happy birthday, indeed. I didn't usually enjoy celebrating the day the crack whore had given birth to me, but this year I had reasons to rejoice: my Anastasia loved me—and so did the rest of my family.

"Thank you, beautiful," I answered before raising my head to kiss her again.

"I got you breakfast in bed," she informed me, gesturing at the tray on top of my bedside table. Strawberry and chocolate chip pancakes! What was not to love?

"You truly are the best!" I exclaimed as I sat up.

Anastasia sat down on her side of the bed. We had breakfast together, feeding each other pieces of food

"If Kate could see us now…" said Anastasia. "She already thought we were acting sickeningly sweet at the ball. She'd have a field day with this."

"So would my Mum and Mia."

"And my Mum. What is it with the woman in our lives?" she asked, chuckling.

"I wouldn't know. Maybe they're hopeless romantics."

She hummed in agreement.

And maybe I was becoming a hopeless romantic myself.

As soon as we were done eating, we jumped into the shower together and had birthday sex under the cascade of the showerhead. Anastasia had to rush upstairs clad in only a tower afterwards, as all of her clothes were in the Sub room—her old room, as far as I was concerned. As I watched her leave, I assured her I'd have Gail move her clothes to my walk-in closet.

I waited for Anastasia in my living room and was awarded by the sight of her walking down the stairs in a skimpy white dress, all innocence and legs and breasts. With her, she was carrying several packages wrapped in colourful paper.

"What's all this?" I asked her, standing up from the couch to help her.

"Presents, of course."

I didn't know what to say, so I accompanied her silently to the couches, carrying the packages she had given me. We placed the gifts on the coffee table and sat side by side.

"Which one should I open first?" I asked, for once excited about receiving presents.

"This one," she replied as she handed me one of the packages. It looked oddly shaped and I had no idea what it could be. It felt fragile, though, so I opened it carefully and took out the cold object. It was a coffee mug and it had something written on it.

"I survived another meeting that should have been an email," I read out loud and chuckled. "I'm definitely using this one at the office. I love it. I love you," I said before pecking her lips softly.

"I'm glad. I love you, too," she answered with a wide smile. I couldn't get enough of hearing it or saying it.

"Open this one now," she said, giving me a soft package. I was willing to bet there were clothes inside.

Whatever it was didn't appear to be breakable, so I allowed myself to be more enthusiastic when unwrapping my present.

Inside there was a grey piece of clothing. I extended it by the shoulders, finding a sweatshirt with a phrase that read: "I'm a leader, not a follower; unless It's a dark place. Then you're going first."

I laughed and beamed at Anastasia. "I'll wear it on one of our morning runs," I promised her.

"This one too, hopefully," she said as she handed me another malleable gift.

She looked worried all of the sudden.

"I'm sure I'll love it, beautiful," I reassured her.

I unwrapped the package to find a black t-shirt that read 'Genius by birth. Grumpy by choice.' The word 'Grumpy' stood out the most, red and big as it was. Off to one side, there was a dwarf I barely recognised from a Disney movie. He was frowning, standing with his hands behind his back.

I snorted. I couldn't deny it was accurate.

"I'll wear it, but not in public."

Anastasia giggled. "You've got yourself a deal."

She then grabbed a rectangular package.

"I'm not sure if it's appropriate after last night, but I still think it'll be your favourite."

That sounded promising.

I took the present excitedly and unwrapped it in a hurry. Inside, there was a cardboard box with a drawing of a green helicopter and the words 'Solar Chopper' above it. I opened the box and took out the toy and its little solar panel.

I placed it carefully on the coffee table before turning towards Anastasia and kissing her fiercely.

It was perfect and thoughtful. It combined my love for flying and ecology. Also, it brought good memories of my childhood with the Greys.

"I love it! I love you, baby!"

I grabbed the toy and assembled it quickly. As soon as I was done, I took it close to the window, where the sun was shining. Anastasia followed me, and we sat on the floor together. It took several seconds, but the helicopter started spinning around in its plastic arm eventually.

"Look at what we can do with a bit of sunlight." It was awe-inspiring.

"I'm glad you like it," Anastasia said with a smile.

"During my first Christmas as a Grey, they gifted me a blue remote-controlled helicopter," I told her, recalling how excited I'd been. "I remember making it fly all around the house."

"Really? I bet you were a cute child. You've grown out to be quite a handsome adult," she flirted.

I hummed. "Do you think so?" I kissed her deeply and passionately. "I love you. Thanks for the gifts, beautiful."

"You forgot the last one," she whispered, flushing in that particular way she did when discussing sex.

"Did I now?" I asked huskily. I liked where this was going. "What could have you blushing so prettily?"

"It's something of yours, actually. It took me a while to find it. I was hoping we could play with it later."

Happy kinky birthday to me.

"Let's see, then."

I stood up and offered Anastasia my hand to help her up. We walked hand in hand back to the coffee table, where my last present was waiting to be opened. I grabbed it before Anastasia could change her mind, curious about what toy she'd chosen for the occasion of my birthday. I opened it slowly, teasingly, and was heavily surprised to find my pussy clamps inside. While we had discussed using them, I'd been expecting a toy she was more familiar with as my gift.

I stared at the clamps for a few seconds, bemused and impressed by her daring. Once I'd got over the surprise, I looked back at Anastasia.

"You want to play?" I asked huskily, wanting to make sure this was what she wanted and not what she wished to give me because it was my birthday. There was no doubt, looking at her face, that she was as turned on as me. She nodded, biting her lip.

Fuck!

"Tell me, Anastasia," I ordered. I needed to be sure. And if we were going to do this, she needed to use her words.

"I really want to play with them, Sir," she answered shyly but with conviction. "I've been dreaming of it for a while now, but there's no one else I would trust. You're the only one who I've ever been willing to try this with."

Holly fucking shit. I felt honoured and special—she wanted me and only me.

"You humble me, baby. I swear I won't let you down."

Just like I'd proposed all those nights ago, I took her not to the playroom, but to my bedroom. I didn't want to overwhelm her.

I placed the toy on my bedside table and turned to look at her. She was flushed, now not out of embarrassment but excitement. Her eyes had darkened and her nipples looked hard as pebbles behind her white dress. She was fidgeting with her hands, nervous, but I trusted she wanted to do this despite it. Still, I took my time as I removed her dress, listening both to what her mouth and her body were saying. While consent had always been a priority for me, it wasn't enough with Anastasia; I didn't want her to regret any experience she had with me. On the other hand, I was all for testing and pushing her limits.

Being a Dom in love was confusing.

The underwear she'd been hiding behind her white dress was as playful as it was sinful. It was 95% see-through, with embroidered blue cherries and pink trim. There was even a small yellow bow between her breasts and a pink one above her mound.

Forget the clamps or the helicopter; she was my favourite present.

Without prompting, she spun around. My eyes travelled from her brunette hair, down her back and slim waist, to her ass.

Well, I'll be damned.

The back of her panties left nothing to the imagination. They had a big heart-shaped opening in the back, partly showing her ass cheeks.

I reached out with my right index finger to trace the pink lacy outline of the heart.

So tempting.

My nymph.

My Goddess.

I dropped down on my knees and bit her right ass cheek softly. Anastasia jumped slightly and gasped. Then, I kissed her left cheek and removed her provocative panties.

"Take off your bra, Kitty," I ordered. A second later, the garment was on the floor next to us. I stood up and instructed her to lie down on the bed.

She placed herself in the middle of my mattress, arms folded behind her head as if she were relaxing on the beach. Her legs were only shoulder-apart, teasing me.

I admired her body as I got rid of my clothes, and then I coaxed her legs further apart and climbed into bed between them, pussy clamps in my hands.

"Do keep your hands where they are," I instructed. "I don't want them in the way. If you misbehave, I'll tie you up."

"I love being tied up, Master," she answered huskily, batting her eyelashes. She was playful and flirty and hot; a heady combination.

With her, sex was fun like it'd never been before.

"Maybe the next time," I proposed. This was a new experience for her—something that used to be a red limit—and I didn't want her to feel overpowered and regret trusting me with this.

I started working on the toy, first loosening the clamps until they were in their most relaxed setting and then lengthening the black leather straps that connected both clamps. I glanced up at Anastasia: she was biting her lower lip and staring at the toy in my hands with want.

I took it as a good sign.

I wrapped one of the leather stripes around the back and outer side of her right thigh.

"Are you sure?" I asked one more time.

"A hundred per cent, Master," she replied with conviction as she glanced up at my face.

Very well.

I attached first the upper clamp and then the lower one, the first one towards the thickest and highest part of her labia and the second one by her entrance.

She gasped each time and the sound went straight to my groin.

"Let me know when you're uncomfortable," I ordered. Slowly and carefully, I began tightening up the upper clamp. I had barely tightened it to a third of its capacity when Anastasia said, "Yellow." Most Subs liked it a bit rougher, but I knew my Kitty wasn't into this for the pain.

We repeated the process with the other clamp. Then, I tightened the leather straps until her pussy was deliciously open for me.

Fuck me.

Then, we went through the same steps on her left thigh.

I looked down at her pussy, open and wet for me.

She was… there were no words.

I'd done this before with Subs in my past, albeit not often. I'd always been glad of the opportunity; I could understand how exposed a woman must feel like this, and how much they must have trusted me to be careful with them, but it was so much more powerful with Anastasia. This was a first for her, and she was still rather new to the lifestyle. Also, she loved and trusted me fully. It was staggering and humbling and empowering.

"All done," I whispered as soon as I could speak again. "You're so beautiful." I looked up at her blue eyes, full of faith in me. "Thank you for this gift," I added and she smiled shyly.

I looked south at her pussy once again. With my index finger, I caressed her clit—so engorged for me—and all the way down to her exposed entrance. Slowly, I slid the finger inside her as far as I could before removing it just as deliberately.

"Close your eyes," I instructed.

It was time to play.

I crawled backwards and lowered myself onto the bed, between her legs.

So open and ready for me.

I took a long lick from her entrance to the top of her clit, appreciating all the manoeuvring space she granted to provide for me. I kissed and licked every centimetre of her pussy before making use of the fact that my hands were free, and sliding two fingers inside her. She was so wet and warm! My digits zeroed on her g-spot immediately as my tongue lavished on her clit and the inside of her labia. She started whimpering and moaning, and when her legs began to shake, I ordered her to come for me.

"Christian!" she screamed as the climax washed over her. I felt a rush of cum coat my hand.

I slid out my fingers carefully, knowing she'd be sensitive, and knelt up again as I wanted for Anastasia to return to the world of the living.

After a minute, she opened her eyes and beamed at me.

"Wow," she whispered. "That was amazing."

"Thank you, my love. Are you up for round two?"

"Yes," she replied immediately.

I spread out my knees. I grabbed my Kitty by her hips and pulled them on top of my lap until her exposed pussy was in front of my hard dick. Then, I guided my member inside her carefully. She felt so good. The view of my dick sliding inside her spread pussy was so hot.

I fucked her at a steady rhythm, not too roughly. One of my hands held her hip while the other caressed her exposed clit.

I couldn't take my eyes away from the spectacle we were making between Anastasia's legs.

"Please, Master," she begged. I was close, but not ready to come yet.

"Hold on, Kitty," I ordered firmly. "I'm nearly there."

This time, she didn't comply with my order. The next time I pounded into her, she came. A few strokes later, I followed her myself.

After we'd both come down from our highs, I pulled out of Anastasia and placed her back on the bed carefully.

"Are you all right?" I asked her.

"Yes," she muttered and nodded tiredly.

"I'm going to remove the clamps now, Anastasia. I want you to take a deep breath. Good. Now relax your body as you exhale slowly, baby."

We repeated the process with each clamp. She hissed and flinched every time I removed them, as the blood started to flow once again, but didn't complain about the pain.

I caressed her softly, mindful of the tenderness of her flesh, and said, "You were amazing, Kitty, but you did come without my permission. And you know what happens when you break the rules."

"I am sorry, Sir," she said softly, and from her tone of voice and small pout, it was clear she meant it. "I didn't mean to come. I know you need to punish me, though."

"That I do." But how was I supposed to when she looked at me like that? I stroked my chin. "What should I do with you?"

A spanking didn't seem appropriate. If I kept it light and sensual, it would give the wrong message, but I didn't want to punish her roughly after the fantastic gift she'd given me. I had been wanting to use the pussy clamps on her ever since we'd spoken about them, and she'd just made my dreams come true. After what we'd just done, rather than punish her, I wanted to fulfil one of her fantasies.

Now, that was a good idea.

"Wait right here," I said as I jumped out of the bed.

I put back on my underwear and jeans quickly and then hurried to my home office, where I fetched the playroom's keys—speaking of them, how had Anastasia managed to get her hands on the clamps, when the door was always locked?

I rushed upstairs, went into the playroom and grabbed the toy I had in mind from its corresponding drawer. Just as quickly, I locked the door and returned to my bedroom. Anastasia was still waiting for me in my bed. She looked at the object in my hands with a questioning look.

"It's a remote-controlled vibrating egg," I explained as I showed her the pink toy.

She gaped and gasped in realisation.

The day she'd graduated, after we'd celebrated the occasion with sex, I had coaxed her into telling me three fantasies. One of them—inspired by a book, of course—had been about wearing a vibrating egg as I turned it on and off with the remote control, keeping her on edge.

Well, maybe being kept on edge for hours as I controlled the vibrator wasn't what she'd had in mind, but this was supposed to be a punishment. It seemed perfectly apt after she'd come without my permission. Also, maybe it would teach her some patience.

She was a good sport and spread her legs for me. I slid in the egg without much resistance, as she was drenched. I cleaned her up with a wet towel before telling her to put her clothes back on.

We spent the next few hours enjoying our time together as I took delight in making her squirm. As we played a few games of poker, I turned on and off the toy every couple of minutes, teasing her without taking the pleasure too far. I increased the intensity as she prepared mac and cheese—when she wasn't close to the fire—but turned it off during lunch so she wouldn't be too distracted to eat. I began teasing her again as we relaxed on the couch and watched TV, and then, while we played Uno, I increased the length of the periods in which I kept the egg vibrating—she was so distracted I decimated her in the game.

"How did you get the pussy clamps from the playroom?" I asked her as she picked four cards from the pile.

It was hard to tell if she was blushing, or if the healthy colour in her cheeks was due to the persistence of the egg.

"Oh... Umm. When I came here on Thursday to hide your presents so you wouldn't see me arriving with them, I tried to open the playroom but you keep the door locked." She gave me a reproving look. It would seem that ensuring my family didn't stumble upon the red room of debauchery had been detrimental to my Kitty's plans. "I had to ask Gail for the keys," she grumbled, twitching at her words—the egg wasn't vibrating at the moment, so I doubted that was the cause.

I chuckled at her embarrassment.

"Well, I appreciate it. That was quite some birthday gift."

She smiled shyly, pleased with herself.

Anastasia had been flushed since she'd seen the pink vibrating egg, and the fidgeting had been increasing constantly throughout the day. This was a dozen times more intense for her that the Kegel balls, but here we were in the privacy of my penthouse, and this was supposed to be a punishment. She was a good sport and didn't complain as I delighted in her discomfort, but eventually, the need became too much for me too.

Thus, we lay down on the couch with me on top of her and I turned on the egg on its maximum potency, slid my hand under her panties and played with her clit until she came. Before she could come down from her high, I'd removed her panties and the toy. I fucked her hard and fast on the couch and then bent over the back of a sofa, giving us both relief.

I wished I could spend the rest of my birthday making love to Anastasia on every available surface, but Mia had organised for me a party at our parents' home. After the scare I'd given them less than twenty-four hours ago, I couldn't very well ditch them.

Thus, we went our separate ways to get dressed. I pouted rather pathetically as Anastasia climbed up the stairs. I'd ask Gail to move my girl's clothes to my room first thing on Monday.

Anastasia and I met up in the living room ten minutes later. She looked gorgeous in tight black pants and a red blouse. It was a good thing I had thought ahead and asked my personal shopper to get Anastasia some less skimpy clothes when it'd become clear she'd be spending more time with my family.

When her eyes roamed my body clad in sacks and a white shirt, the look she gave me was disapproving.

"You're going to your birthday party, not the office," she said with a frown. "Don't you have something less… CEO?" she asked as she gestured at my chest.

What was wrong with my shirt?

The confusion must have been clear on my face, for she sighed as she reached for my hand. She led us back to my bedroom and into my walk-in closet. She rummaged through my shirts, which were mostly white, black, grey and blue, before coming across three button-downs hidden towards the back and coloured green, pink and red respectively.

"This is much better," she said as she took out the forest green one.

"I think Mia got it for me before leaving for Paris," I recalled. "I'm not sure I've worn it yet."

Anastasia gave me a heavily disapproving look, and I half expected her to threaten me with a spanking.

Who would have thought I was into bossy wanna-be part-time Subs?

I knew there would be no point in complaining, so I took off my white shirt and replaced it with the green one.

I must admit it suited me.

I drove us to my parents' house in my R8 as Anastasia told me about her second week at the publishing house—not that we hadn't kept in touch through emails—and I spoke about my meeting with Ros at WSU.

"Stay there," I ordered after I'd parked the car in the driveway. I got out of my R8 and hurried towards Anastasia's door. I opened it for her and helped her climb out of the car. When I turned around, Grace had already opened the front door and was waiting for us with an anxious smile.

"Happy birthday, darling. I'm so glad you're still with us."

For the first time ever, I initiated the hug. I hated seeing the worry and sadness on my mother's face.

Carrick showed up then, and I exchanged a shorter hug with him.

Maybe I could get used to this.

After Anastasia had greeted my parents too, we walked into the living room, where a sudden, spontaneous, and deafening round of applause greeted us. I was surprised to find a small crowd. Not only my siblings were present, but also Kate, Ethan, my grandparents, Dr and Mrs Flynn, Ros and Gwen, Andrea, Mac, Bastille and even Mia's friend Lily and her mother.

My mum's domestic help appeared at my side with a tray of champagne as the clapping died down.

"Thank you, everyone. Looks like I'll need one of these," I said and grabbed two drinks. I handed a glass to my smiling girl.

I raised my glass to the rest of the room and the guests approached me to wish me a happy birthday.

Mia was in front of the line. She hugged me tightly and muttered, "Happy Birthday," against my chest. "Make sure not to scare us half to death on the next one."

"I promise."

During the next several minutes, the rest of the guests took turns to offer me their good wishes and express their relief at my health and survival. Anastasia never left my side. After I'd greeted and thanked everyone, my sister ambushed us again.

"How did you like your gifts?" she asked me before looking at Anastasia. "Did you get pictures?"

Why would she want pictures?

"He loved them, and I haven't had a chance yet," Anastasia replied. "The t-shirt may be tricky, though." Mia pouted.

I raised an eyebrow, silently asking for an explanation.

"She's the one who found it," said Anastasia. "Kate and I approved right away."

"You lot believe you're funny," I said with a fake frown. I had a hard time keeping my face straight around those two, though—especially when imagining how excited they must have been when they'd found the t-shirt—so I smiled fondly at them and put an arm around each girl, shaking my head in pretended exasperation.

The rest of the evening was enjoyable. I made my rounds with an arm wrapped around my Anastasia. My grandparents were pleased to see her again. She charmed my guests, but particularly Ros and Gwen—who she hadn't met yet, as they'd had a previous engagement the night of the charity ball. I feared for my peace of mind; nothing good could come out of Ros and Anastasia befriending and potentiating each other. It was bad enough that my second-in-command and Elliot had become good friends.

It was different, being surrounded by family and friends on my birthday. I usually begrudgingly agreed to dinner with my parents, siblings and grandparents, and left as soon as socially acceptable. I'd always felt like I'd been drowning as they attempted to celebrate the day I'd been born into a neglectful and aggressive environment; as they showed me their love, which I'd always assumed to be conditional and fragile.

The night before had brought a sudden albeit pleasant realisation: my family loved me and cared for me, always and no matter what. Anastasia had taught me I could love someone despite all their flaws—because God knew that even if I adored her, she could drive me insane at times—and that I could be loved unconditionally, despite my gruffness and absence. With her by my side, even being surrounded by this crowd, I could breathe.

Dinner was served buffet-style, followed by chocolate cake: my favourite. As the guests started to leave and only Elliot, Mia, Kate, Ethan, Anastasia, my parents and I remained, my sister managed to get her hands on a bottle of Carrick's special lemon martini. My father usually guarded those zealously, but it was my birthday and Mia was already twenty-one, so he spoiled her and didn't complain. Instead, he and my mother encouraged us to sleep over, wished us goodnight and went to bed.

The original plan had been to spend the night at Escala and return to have lunch on Sunday to celebrate Father's Day, but Anastasia and I were enjoying ourselves and I wasn't sober enough to drive, so I texted Taylor to let him know we'd be staying the night at Bellevue and request him to bring over the next morning a change of clothes and my father's gift.

Soon thereafter, Elliot brought out a bottle of Vodka. Alcohol was running freely, but Submissive or not I still didn't feel comfortable with Anastasia getting drunk, so I kept an eye on her consumption—as much as mine—and prevented her from getting more than tipsy.

Half an hour after my parents had gone to bed, Elliot produced a present for me. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he insisted I opened it right away. It didn't take a genius to figure out there was a prank awaiting me.

Knowing there was no point in resisting and that it'd be less painful for me if I acceded without kicking up a fuss, I complied, albeit warily.

The first thing to come out of the bag was a pair of black furry handcuffs. Even if I had been expecting something embarrassing—or maybe because I had been expecting something embarrassing, but didn't think using handcuffs during sex was shameful or reprehensible—the gift disconcerted me and my poker face: my eyes widened in surprise and amusement. I forced myself not to look at Anastasia, least we exchanged a knowing look and we burst out laughing.

"There's more!" exclaimed Elliot happily. If only my brother knew what kind of handcuffs I had at home.

I forced myself to relax my face before taking out a lacy and luxurious black blindfold, very different and girlier than the ones I had at home.

Lastly, I took out a small black box. On the front, there was the naked torso of a woman using nipple clamps adorned with cutesy transparent butterflies. The brand was written in white at the top of the box: Bad Kitty.

I snorted and showed it to Anastasia.

It took her a couple of seconds to identify the origin of my amusement, but when she did, she turned to look at me wide-eyed and flushed. The instant our eyes met we burst out laughing. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed our four companions were looking at us confused. As far as my siblings knew, I had just lost my virginity. Katherine may have recently found out Anastasia actually had an active sexual life, but as far as she knew, her roommate was too shy to be into anything remotely kinky.

Anastasia bent slightly, clutching her stomach, and that only set me off further. It took us a few minutes to calm down.

After several seconds of bemused silence, my brother asked, "What the hell was all that about?"

If he'd honestly been expecting an answer, he would be severely disappointed. His imagination couldn't be worse than reality anyway.

Clearly not wanting to know the answer to Elliot's question, my sister suggested we play 'Never Have I Ever.' It sounded like an awful idea, but she was too bossy and Mia to say no to—namely, she had my brother and me, and maybe even Ethan, wrapped around her little finger—so I ended up agreeing, under the condition the vodka was extremely diluted with the lemon juice and strawberry puree. Anastasia really couldn't hold her alcohol, and I didn't want my sunshine to end my birthday with her head in the toilet. Elliot, oddly enough, accepted without complaint. Maybe his wish to extricate some secrets from me was greater than his desire to get everyone drunk.

Before anyone else could, Katherine took the floor: "Never have I ever joined the Mile High Club," she stated.

She took a sip herself and smirked when Anastasia and I followed her. She must have known, or at least suspected, what Anastasia and I had been up to on the flight to and from Savanah. Elliot, too, had to drink, and he did so while looking at me impressed and surprised.

In the past, I had not once introduced a girl to my family and so they'd had no reason to suspect I was getting laid. Thus, I'd never had a chance to tease Elliot. I had always been amused by how he'd thought that he was the sex God of the family, but I'd kept my mirth a secret.

Maybe it was the lemon martini talking, but this was fun.

Mia and Ethan, unlike us, didn't touch their glasses but rather looked at us with disgust. My sister was probably regretting suggesting the game. What had she been expecting, with Elliot and Kate playing? Maybe she hadn't known better, as Elliot obviously didn't tease her about her sex life—which had better been non-existent.

Next, it was Elliot's turn. He said, "Never have I ever watched 'Keeping up with the Kardashians.'"

What was that?

Mia and Kate took a drink, and then it was Anastasia's turn.

"Never have I ever really liked a song by Justin Bieber," she said, and Mia sipped her drink.

"Never have I ever lied in this game," I claimed, yet nobody drank. Hmm. I found it hard to believe they were being honest.

"Never have I ever been kicked out of a bar," stated Mia next.

Elliot, Ethan and I took a drink.

Finally, it was Ethan's turn and he said, "Never have I ever stalked an ex's boyfriend or girlfriend on social media." My sister and Katherine had a drink.

Then, it was Kate's turn again: "Never have I ever been in love with my teacher in college." Nobody drank.

While the blonde had been chaste this round, my brother was not. He said, "Never have I ever used sex toys during sex."

Anastasia looked at me questioningly, ready to follow my lead. You lie, I lie. And honestly, I was a bit tired of lying. I wasn't about to go around telling my family I had a room reserved just for sex and that I loved dominating women in bed. But now that they knew I was straight and sexually active, what was the harm in them thinking those fluffy handcuffs Elliot had given me weren't the first ones I'd ever owned? It's not as if their thoughts would eventually jump to pussy clamps and vibrating eggs.

So I shrugged at Anastasia's unspoken question. You drink, I drink.

We lifted our glasses and took a drink together. Elliot nearly choked on his Vodka.

"Eww!" exclaimed Mia. "Don't you start, Elliot! There are some things I don't need to know about my brothers."

"Well, there are things I need to know about mine," he answered mischievously. Elliot and Kate shared an impish look and I hoped I wouldn't come to regret my honesty.

Not being one to take the upcoming danger lying down, Anastasia stated, "Never have I ever had a pregnancy scare." Katherine showed Anastasia the middle finger before taking a sip. My brother also had a drink, to no one's surprise.

"Never have I ever spied on my neighbours," I continued, knowing Elliot would be forced to drink.

Mia and Ethan also stayed clear from discussing our sex life, but then it was Kate's turn again.

"Never have I or my partner ever used handcuffs while in bed," she said, and there was no sense in lying, so Anastasia and I had a drink. Much to my utter and eternal disgust and horror, so did my sister—as well as Elliot, Kate and Ethan. The Kavanagh siblings looked as horrified as mine. Anastasia snorted next to me. She was probably rejoicing at the fact that she was an only child.

"Never have I ever used a blindfold on myself or my partner," affirmed Elliot. I didn't consider it more unusual than the handcuffs, but apparently, my brother did. While I wasn't ashamed to take a drink with Anastasia and Katherine, the other three didn't follow us.

It was satisfying to beat my brother at his own game.

Not that he looked disappointed rather than delighted by my revelation. Oh well, I was sure that once the novelty wore off, jealousy would take over—and last longer.

"Never have I ever experimented to see my sexual orientation," said Anastasia, and Kate drank again.

Not wanting to be dull, I said, "Never have I ever said 'I love you' just to get laid."

Katherine and Elliot took yet another drink—they'd have a hangover in the morning. Ethan, too, had a drink, much to my and my brother's displeasure. He better watch himself around our baby sister.

"Never have I ever entered into Facebook while drunk," said Ethan quickly and the only ones not to drink were Anastasia and me.

"Never have I ever cheated on a test," continued Mia, making only my brother drink.

Next, Kate looked at us expectantly before claiming she had never used a vibrator while she was with someone else in bed. I was surprised to see Anastasia decided to be honest and take a drink. Naturally, I didn't leave her alone and took a sip myself. Elliot and Kate beamed wickedly, while Mia begged them to stop, hiding her face between her arms.

She was never going to propose we play this game again.

Following the handcuffs and blindfold, Elliot inquired about the nipple clamps. No one could believe their eyes when we were the only ones to drink.

While I found it funny Elliot had been trying to shock me by gifting me toys he'd never used before, Anastasia didn't share my amusement. She was upset with the attention our sex life was receiving. She looked at me with anguished eyes.

No game was funny if they made my sunshine cry.

I stood up and stated, "I think it's high time Anastasia and I went to bed," as I offered my girl a hand.

She took it gladly as Kate and Elliot sneakered like a couple of assholes. I gave them my best glare and they stopped immediately. I wrapped an arm around Anastasia and guided her upstairs, to my bedroom.

"Hey," I whispered as soon as I'd closed my bedroom door behind us. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. Shit. "Don't cry, beautiful," I begged as I brushed away a couple of tears that had found their way to her cheek.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm being stupid. It's just…"

"Don't say that. You couldn't possibly be stupid. You know they're just jealous, right?" I asked as I led her to the bed. "All this time they've thought we were celibate, while they were having the time of their lives in their beds, and now they know we were actually being more adventurous than them."

"You're probably right. I'm not ashamed or anything. It's just that… many times during the last several months I considered opening up to Kate, but I didn't know how to. Now I'm not so sure it's such a good idea."

I didn't find myself liking Katherine very much at the moment, but I knew she was a good friend of Anastasia's and that my girl had been relieved when she hadn't had to lie to her flatmate about her lack of virginity anymore.

"Kate may not be like us, but she's clearly not one to shy away from sex talks. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to hear whatever you want to share, although I'd appreciate it if you were as discreet about us as possible."

She snorted. "Don't worry Christian. I can barely talk about sex with you; I can't picture myself oversharing with her."

I shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "She's your best friend. It's not the same."

"You're my best friend," she stated firmly, grabbing my head in her hands and staring into my eyes. She had said it before, but I'd never been anyone's best friend, and it was hard to believe. "I can't picture my future without you in it, and that terrifies me." I was shocked by her candour as much as her words, but also by the fact I couldn't imagine my own future without her either. I had never thought I'd find someone with whom I wanted to share my life, and while I had known Anastasia for a short time, I didn't know what I'd do if she left me. "I love you, and I trust you with my body and my secrets more than I have trusted anyone else. In a matter of weeks, you have become someone so dear to me. I know I can tell you anything and everything."

"I love you Anastasia Steele, more than I could ever express with words, and more than I thought I could ever love anyone. I am never ever letting you go," I promised.

And to myself I thought, someday I'm going to make you my wife.

This one was harder to write from Christian's POV than Ana's, but once I fihured it out, it was a lot of fun.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember you can find the acompaning pictured in my Pinterest account, JustValeP.

Until the next time!