A/N:

When Anastasia's co-workers trick her into a surprising mistletoe kiss with someone she hasn't seen in months, she never expected the confusion that would follow. With secrets revealed and unexpected connections made, hearts are at risk of being broken. Can they unravel traditional views and discover the true meaning of love?


What Love Gave Us

by

Ava LeBeau

One

One thing's for sure, there were only three things in life that truly mattered to Christian Grey: Work, shitloads of money and fast cars. Or was it a handful of platinum blonde models at his beck and call instead of the cars?

The roaring sound of a sports car's revving engine dragged her out of her thoughts.

And while Anastasia wasn't so sure about his top three priorities anymore she was more than sure about the fact that said man, the infamous Christian Grey, was walking straight towards her, looking like he'd just wrapped up a fashion shooting for Vogue or maybe Cosmo, making the sidewalk his catwalk.

Sadly, and probably much to his dismay, there was no one there to applaud his every move, to worship this self-declared God's gift to women.

But sure as hell, that haughty expression was firmly in place as was that pout that screamed I'm fucking demanding and beyond hard to please.

Actually, Anastasia almost lay at his feet, not worshiping the presumptuous man, though, knowing full well that she wouldn't succeed anyway. And so she had no intention to even try. Don't give him any ideas, right?

Cursing under her breath and well on her knees, Anastasia scrambled in a sudden hurry to gather up the groceries that were strewn all over the sidewalk that led to Kate's parents' house.

"I want to know what you're wearing… right now," the younger Grey brother said, obviously talking on the phone as he came closer, "Send me pics."

When Christian noticed Anastasia his upper lip curled with a hint of what she thought must be disgust. He was raising a fleeting hand in silent greeting, not deigning a word yet he made sure to kick one of the oranges, that were rolling around on the ground, towards her with the toe cap of his shoe, gracing her with nothing but a quick side-glance that was making her blood boil.

Anastasia let out a low growl and rolled her eyes, "Well, thank you, Christian."

Could this man be any more annoying and condescending? Oh, yes, he could.

"Not a big fan of the shoes, sweetie, but let me take you out to dinner tonight," his voice came again while Anastasia stuffed a handful of limes into the other bag, the one that hadn't burst on her way to Kate's house.

"I know," he said to whomever he was talking to, "and you love it. And my dick."

Anastasia rolled her eyes again.

Could he be more full of himself? Surely, it was one of his constant conquests that he was trying to impress. Or was it sheer contempt, misogyny even?

Not that she really cared, after all everybody maintained that Christian Grey was an outright asshole and as it was plain to see she was sure that they were right.

"Have you been to the gym today?... Good, I have plans for tonight and don't want you to be too exhausted," even his laughter was beyond annoying, all gravelly and husky and yes, kind of sexy. She watched him as he made his way up the driveway to the Kavanagh's mansion.

"No, I'm tied down with business downtown. So, how about I'm gonna pick you up at your place around seven, baby? Dinner at Subarashii. You know, you can always order the sea urchin sashimi. Low in calories but loads of protein. And don't wear those shoes tonight, you hear?"

Anastasia bobbed up and followed him to the house.

"Laters, baby, " she heard him say, causing her to roll her eyes for the third time today thanks to Christian Grey and his cocky airs and graces.


"Hi, Ana," Kate hugged her friend, taking hold of one of the shopping bags.

"Look who's just arrived," she nodded towards Elliot's younger brother.

"Christian," both her and Anastasia said in unison.

Ana managed a wry grin and a small nod, not overly fond to practically bump into him again in the middle of the entrance hall of Kate's parents' house.

"Come on, guys, take the groceries to the kitchen, please," Kate shoved the remaining bags into Elliot's and Christian's hands, smiling sweetly.

She sure had found the key with the Grey brothers, with all men to be more precise, a talent that Anastasia was absolutely lacking. This was probably a genetic thing, she mused, but then again, her mother was just like Kate, in some ways at least.

Drawing her lower lip between her teeth, Ana folded her arms in front of her chest, watching the men leave for the kitchen while Kate followed them.


Kate had assigned the tasks for the brothers, told them to rearrange the furniture on the patio and stock up the bar outside before she'd retreated to the kitchen with Ana to prepare several batches of cookies.

And while Kate's workspace looked like something from a homestory in some glitzy interior design magazine, Ana's part of the countertop was a hot mess with chocolate chips and flour everywhere. Literally everywhere.

"Whoa, what's going on in here, ladies?" Elliot chuckled as he sauntered into the kitchen, glancing at both his girlfriend and her best friend, his gaze finally coming to rest on Ana's breasts.

Right behind him was Christian, leaning in the doorway, his face stoic, arms crossed in front of his broad chest. He'd rolled up his sleeves, exposing tanned, muscular forearms.

Was there anything about this man that wasn't exquisitely shaped?

And what was this Hot Guy pose all about? A performance for her and Kate? Or was this just the dominant habit of what you could without doubt call an alpha male arrogantly asserting his authority in the most nonchalant ways?

"Gosh, Elliot, stop staring at Ana's boobs!"

"Yeah, stop it, E," Ana snapped.

Watching the scene unfold in front of him, a grin tugged at one corner of Christian's mouth. You could tell that he was biting back a proper laugh.

"What? I'm not staring at her boobs, pumpkin. You… uhm… have a little something there," Elliot sure was an expert at talking Kate off the ledge by merely capturing her lips in a hungry kiss.

Meanwhile, Ana looked down her front, aghast to find that her breasts were powdered with a liberal dusting of flour which contrasted nicely on her dark shirt. The younger Grey brother was still leaning against the doorframe, his long legs leisurely crossed at the ankles. It was undeniable that he was beyond amused by the whole situation.

"Gosh," she gasped, her eyes darting to Christian who'd stepped closer, his dusky gaze pointedly fixed on her cleavage just like his brother's had been before. The cheek of him!

"My eyes are up here, Christian," Ana said pointedly, half-heartedly calling upon his good manners while she frantically rubbed at her left boob, only to make it worse.

"I know," he stated the obvious, his voice calm and his face impassive.

When their eyes met Anastasia felt a sudden heat rising up the back of her neck, surely, her cheeks were crimson by now.

"You should wear an apron the next time you're attempting to play the perfect housewife, Anastasia," his voice was annoyingly nonchalant as he brushed past her to swiftly dampen a kitchen towel, handing it to her when he turned to face her again. Yet, when their hands touched, only for a split second, Christian flinched slightly and backed away. Anastasia searched his gaze, unsure what to make of it.

"An apron? That how you like your women best, hm?"

"Slaving away in the kitchen wearing an apron? Hell, yeah, I kinda dig that…," now his voice was heavy with sarcasm, his eyes flickering.

Anastasia was glowering at him. That fucking guy.

"Hate to disappoint you, Ana, no more playing house for today… I really gotta go. I've got more important things to do than fooling around with food. And you..."

"Like going out having sea urchin sashimi?" Anastasia tilted her head a little, the way Christian was absently rubbing the spot where their hands had just touched didn't go unnoticed.

"Sea urchin? Ugh, it's horrible," Kate, who'd only just slipped out of Elliot's embrace, scrunched up her nose.

"Maybe," Christian said, his inquisitive gaze boring into Anastasia for a moment.

"I'll see you tomorrow, guys," he said as he turned to leave.

"And don't forget to wear a white outfit, Christian," Kate was quick to remind him, "it's a—

"White Summer party theme," Christian cut in, sounding utterly bored.

"I know, Kate," he said, stalking out of the spacious kitchen without turning back to her.


A/N: I hope you enjoy the new story and look forward to hearing from you. x