A/N: Thank you all for your kind and generous reviews, your concrit and feedback as well as your ongoing support. I really appreciate it and love hearing from you. Ana and Christian need to talk, you say?...true! Have a wonderful Christmas week and lots of fun with the new chapter. x

Blame it on the Christmas Tree

by

Ava LeBeau

Chapter 5 – My Immaculate Dream

She looked down at her phone, then back at the business card.

Pulling her lower lip between her teeth Anastasia pushed the call button.

One ring and another.

The pad of her trembling thumb hovered over the red button.

"Hello?"

Too late. She wrapped a strand of her hair around her finger.

"Uhm, hi. Christian?"

"Anastasia? How are you?"

"Good, you? Did I wake you or something?" It was still early in the morning.

Christian laughed, "No, not really. Anyway, I'm glad you called."

Ana smiled to herself, sitting curled up in the corner of the couch by the Christmas tree.

"Sorta expected it though," he teased.

"Liar," Anastasia laughed.

"Touché," he replied, laughing with her.

"Anyway, where were we when you decided to leave early yesterday?"

Ana chuckled and rolled her eyes, "Allow me to remind you that it was actually you who decided that cigars and whiskey were more important than talking about a tremendous pile of misunderstandings," she quipped.

"Well, I told you that siblings can be a pain in the ass. Do you have any?"

"No, I don't."

"Lucky you. But E's my older brother. His word is law. And your best friend Kate kicked us out..." You could tell that he was biting back a grin.

Anastasia giggled, "Yeah, right..."

"You could've joined us, you know."

"I don't smoke... Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure."

"Can you please call me Ana?"

"I guess that can be done, Ana."

"Thank you."

"Listen, I was just about to leave for a little walk downtown. Care to join me? I could pick you up if you like..."

Anastasia looked at the mug of steaming tea in her free hand, still snuggled up in her cozy blanket on the couch. She chewed on her lip before she said,

"Yeah, why not."

Half an hour later they were taking a stroll along the waterfront, walking side by side.

"Well, about last night..." Anastasia began, "...I- I think we've got caught up in a bunch of misunderstandings..."

"Mhmm," was his only reply, he had clasped his hands behind his back as they walked.

Anastasia licked her lips before she continued, "...first of all, I... uh... I'm really sorry about Monday. I didn't mean to... to make such a scene, Christian."

Out of the corner of her eye Anastasia could see that he was grinning.

"Well, you really left a lasting impression...," Christian laughed huskily. "I've hardly ever seen Taylor so shaken, the look on his face was priceless..."

"So was yours," Anastasia teased and he laughed again.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, they say, right?"

Ana chuckled, still embarrassed by her outburst, "I'm really sorry."

"To be honest I didn't see it coming. I mean we had a nice chat and everything..."

"You mean until you told me that you stopped by to drop off your … uh... I quote, below standard tree... that you'd've trashed otherwise anyway?"

"Geez...this sounds really bad."

Anastasia let out a laugh.

"But that's what you actually conveyed. Plus, I was under the impression that you're a married man... or taken at least... silly me...," Anastasia picked a piece of lint from the sleeve of her coat.

Both laughed.

"Mia and I... that's a first, really. What made you think that? I mean, her and I are like cat and dog. Everybody knows that..."

"I don't," Anastasia stated, making Christian laugh again.

"Well, you two seemed rather close. She wanted that tree. You got it for her... in a very cocky and high-handed manner. Cost what it may."

"Ana... She was starting to really piss me off with her naggin'. And I was already late for a video call."

"Money talks, hun," Anastasia teased and looked at him, she could see that he was frowning.

"Ana, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... At least I've tried to make it up to you." Christian looked away.

Anastasia chuckled, "With the below standard tree?"

"Yeah." He buried his hands in his pockets, strolling alongside her.

For a while they were walking like this, side by side, neither of them spoke.

"Why did you even lie about the tree, Christian?" Anastasia asked suddenly.

"To save face?" He gave a half shrug.

"What do you mean?" Anastasia furrowed her brow.

"Well... uhm... seeing your reaction I wonder what would've happened if I'd told you that I was planning … planning to give you that tree right from the start?"

A moment of awkward silence ensued.

"You did?" She looked at him.

"Maybe..." He was staring straight ahead.

Anastasia's mind was racing. Back at the tree farm he had barely acknowledged her presence. He could hardly have planned all this right from the start...?

"That sounds kinda creepy." Anastasia blurted out, her forehead creased with confusion.

"Guess, I've talked myself into a corner now, hm?" Christian's voice sounded stern and he stopped, his eyes darting to her.

"Listen, Ana, I was embarrassed by Mia's behavior. I wanted to set that straight. You got the tree in the end. And your friend Noah got double the price. Win-win situation, I'd like to think."

"I see." Anastasia tried to study his features, they weren't giving away if he was honest with her.

"Do you believe me?"

He held her searching gaze for a moment, his cheeks looking flushed.

"Mhh, yes," Anastasia nodded. "Yes."

She really did.

"Well, do you still like it?"

"What?"

"The tree."

"I love it. Thank you again, Christian," Anastasia smiled softly.

"My pleasure."

Side-glancing at her as they walked, he said, "Can I ask you something, Ana?"

"Of course."

"Were you trying to leave yesterday without saying goodbye?"

Anastasia felt a tingling sensation creeping up the back of her neck.

"Er, what? No, not at all. You- you were gone and I... was tired... and..."

"Well, you had me wondering if you wanted to get away from me."

"No," Anastasia's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I didn't mean to...," she looked at him, "It's just..."

This was difficult.

"I was kinda overwhelmed by everything. The party. Meeting you and your sister. To find out that you're not married."

Your speech at SIP and you being my boss's bosses' boss, Anastasia added in her thoughts.

"That really bothered you..."

"What?"

"Me being married..."

"It did. Big time." Her cheeks turned pink.

"Why's that?" Christian sized her up.

"Well, isn't that pretty obvious?" She shrugged.

"I mean, I first see you at the tree farm, with her... you're buying her this... this tree. The tree that I liked so much. You buy it, acting like a complete jerk."

Anastasia bit her lip, continued,

"Then you show up at my house, giving me that tree. I bump into you at the mall. Sheer coincidence, you insist. You drive me home... tell me you'd like to meet me again. I ..."

"You could've asked," he said coolly.

"I guess, I could've, yes..." She avoided his stare.

"But you didn't, Ana."

"Exactly. Is that... is that a problem? And what are you trying to insinuate here, Christian?"

Anastasia was confused, suddenly feeling defensive, she had had every right to be skeptical. Her lower lip trembled.

"Nothing, really. It's just that I'd rather you told me your concerns, Ana," all the while he'd sounded nothing but calm and collected, his expression was relaxed, "... and all I'm trying here it to understand-"

Anastasia asked herself if she was overreacting and wanted to make it right.

"Well, I-I didn't think it appropriate to inquire about your marital status. Is that enough of an answer, Christian? I don't usually... I'm not used to..."

"I'd like to think of it as you coming straight to the point, Ana."

"Well then, what's your point, Christian?"

"Just saying."

"No, are you implying here that I am not being frank with you?"

Anastasia stopped and looked at him, an eyebrow arched. He raised his hands in an attempt to calm her, his eyes wide.

"No, not at all, you just had me wondering."

"I barely knew you. I still barely know you. I have every right to..." Anastasia bit her lip.

What had she gotten herself into?

She had dreamed of a nice walk, hoping to get to know him better but now they were in the middle of what seemed like a struggle to be right.

Christian remained silent, still looking calm.

He stopped at the railing, resting his forearms on it and stared out onto the sound for a moment, a line had appeared between his brows. Anastasia stood beside him, one hand on the railing, looking up at him,

"Did you know that you can be quite intimidating, Christian?"

Anastasia's heart was pounding in her chest and she hoped that her voice wouldn't tremble, "Just an observation... I mean, no more banter? That was quick."

She studied his features, his jaw had tightened up as her words left her lips.

After a moment, he mumbled, "I've been told so before, yes. I'm sorry, Ana, I didn't mean to scare you or anything."

Christian turned to look at her, his mouth was set in a hard line, "I know that I can come off as rather ruthless. You know, in my field of work I have to be ruthless because failure is not an option when it comes to what i do. So, I suppose it... it rubs off on my private conversations sometimes. Please don't get mad with me, Ana," he lowered his head, still leaning against the railing. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

Anastasia nodded quietly.

Maybe he was right and she was probably supposed to be mad at him or something, but somehow she just couldn't.

Christian was very direct, staggeringly so, and, she had to admit, not always in a good way. But then again, Anastasia hadn't expected him to be any different. He was ruthless for good reason and it had probably earned him the life that he was leading.

Anastasia was not sure if she should be afraid of him, wary at least, or if all this was only a facade to hide what was behind that cold demeanor, a man who was intent to stop world's hunger.

At times, she had to admit, he had been harsh and straightforward with her while she had always appreciated harmony and consensus. But also, she had to give him that, he had never been aggressive towards her in any way so far.

Anastasia glanced at him again, having folded her arms in front of her chest, bouncing on her toes.

"Are you cold? Come, I'll buy you a tea or something."

She nodded, it was cold outside indeed.

The moment Anastasia and Christian entered the coffee shop the fragrant smell of cinnamon, fresh bakes and Arabica warmly enveloped them.

"Tea or coffee?" He asked and looked at her, poised to go to the counter.

"Tea, please," Anastasia's lips curved into a smile while she moved along to take a closer look at the pastries on display under glass cloches, arranged on a counter made of dark wood.

"Black tea and a double shot espresso," she could hear Christian say.

"For here or to go?" The barista asked and Christian looked at Ana for clarification.

"To go," she mouthed and smiled at him.

"Well then," he gestured at the cookie jar, that Anastasia had been zeroing in on, with his thumb, "to go and one of these, please."

The barista nodded and got Ana one of the cookies.

Smiling, Anastasia walked over to him as he stood there, patiently waiting for their order to be ready.

"Want a bite?" She held out the cookie to him but he only lifted his hand and shook his head no.

"Not much of a sweet tooth?" she asked, taking a bite herself, grinning as she chewed.

"Only if it's -"

"-chocolate cake..."

"You remembered," Christian said, the corners of his mouth turned up.

"Mhmm," she took another bite, a smile ghosting across her features when he held her gaze longer than she'd hoped for.

Christian handed Ana her cup when their order was ready, draining his own in one quick gulp.

Leaving a generous tip on the counter, he moved to steer Anastasia back outside.

Out front, she could feel his hand on her elbow, gently pulling her to him.

"Christian, wha-?"

She turned to face him, was surprised when he reached up to cup her cheek, guiding her face to his.

Anastasia looked up at him, her cheeks rosy and her eyes wide.

"What are you doing?" She furrowed her brow, her heart was pounding in her chest with him standing so close to her.

"Doin' what's right, I think," Christian's voice sounded husky and his gaze darted to her lips.

Anastasia wondered if he was giving her an out. An out she didn't want.

"You do?" Anastasia whispered and let out a soft sigh, before she knew what was happening his lips captured hers and her lashes fluttered shut.

Christian's lips brushed against hers, softly, gently, setting off a swirl of butterflies inside the pit of her stomach, sending the most delectable shiver down her spine.

Anastasia's immaculate dream, now vivid and live, was overridden by reality. And reality was so much better than all of her dreams.

Her free hand caressed the side of his neck, Christian's lips tasted like spearmint with a hint of the espresso that he had just had.

When he tried to pull away a wonky sound of protest rose in her chest. She nipped his lower lip gently, unwilling for this to end.

Anastasia's tongue brushed against his upper lip, urging him to reciprocate which he gladly did. A wave of happiness rushed through her.

Reluctantly she pulled away, her heart was throbbing with joy.

Anastasia looked up at him, smiling, her thumb caressing his stubbly jaw.

"I have an announcement to make," she whispered, her whole face lit up.

"What's that?" Christian smiled, still holding her close.

"I've never… never been kissed like this before," with her cheeks flushing even more, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed his lips again.