Chapter 4:

Ana's POV

Hannah Reed, my more than efficient PA is yelling at someone that they could not walk into my office. I have to give the woman credit, she can be a ball-buster even though she is petite and looks like she doesn't weigh 100 pounds dripping wet. I get up from my desk as my office door is flung open. Hannah is standing there, her eyes a flamed in anger with her hands on her hips.

"I am sorry for interrupting, however, there is a most difficult person here asking to see you. He does not have an appointment."

Hannah looks all soft and dewy, however, if one read her background report one would know that she is a highly decorated Army soldier and served two tours in the Middle East. "Is the intruder still alive? I don't see any blood." I joke with her. She is my gatekeeper and takes that job very seriously.

"I had him escorted to Conference Room A."

"Who is it?" I really don't want to meet with anyone today. I am tired and all I can think about is my bathtub and my sweet jasmine oil that I love.

"Mr. Christian Grey."

Time stands still as my brain went blank. I had actually forgotten about him. I've been so busy that I hardly have time to eat a decent meal. "Ask Bejing to meet with him first. Let's see how she deals with a difficult person such as Christian Grey."

Hannah gave her trade-mark harrumph and rolled her eyes. "Are you sure? Bejing will put him in a neck hold if he mouths her."

I only smile. "I know." I return to my desk chair and slip my shoes back on as I pick up the phone and dial. "I'll be there in a bit. I want to confirm my range time." Hannah stares at me letting me know that is part of her job. "Hannah, send Bejing in to deal with Mr. Grey, have paramedics on call, and tell Ross that I will need to see him before I leave this evening."

"I will have Trista ready for your departure." Hannah said in her ever efficient way.

"Thanks, Hannah." I smile at her as I dial the extension to the gun range. "Yeah, this is Steele calling to confirm my 4 pm appointment. Yes, thank you. See you then." I then walk out into the outer office to fine Ross, my former FBI partner who is now my lead Senior Detective. He left the agency for better pay, shorter hours, and the best benefits that a business could offer. He cost me a pretty penny, but he's worth every damn dime! "Ross, the Callipher case? Any leads?"

Ross nodded his head and motioned me to follow him into his office. As the door shuts, I hear the very loud voice of Christian Grey and then nothing. He must have mouthed off to Bejing.

After twenty minutes running through the Callipher case, an extortion case involving a rich man and his very young ex-mistress I make way to Conference Room A. I open the door to find Grey sitting at the very large table. He is very quiet with a glass of water before him. Bejing is standing at the window staring out over the city. This is not a good sign. When Bejing is too calm, she is the most dangerous of creatures.

"I do apologize for the wait. I had another meeting to attend." Bejing turns to greet me with a nod and then quietly leaves the room. Christian stands and stares at me. "You really do need to call and make an appointment, Mr. Grey."

"That woman is a menace to society. She threaten me. I should have her arrested." He bellows as his face turns red.

"Mr. Grey, Bejing Li is a much respected member of my staff and a world-class martial arts expert. She is highly professional unless provoked. Did you provoke my employee?" I cross my arms and wait for his answer. I wait for a few more seconds and am a bit disappointed that he didn't do his goldfish impersonation. "Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Grey?"

"I want to hire you to overhaul security at GEH."

"You could have discussed that with Ms. Li. She is thoroughly vetted and more than capable of to provide you with information about our services."

I want you to do this job exclusively." Christian replied. I start to protest, but he raises his hand to stop me. "Only you, Miss Steele."

"First, Mr. Grey, never put your hand up in my face or you will risk a broken wrist. Second, my team works with me on every account. These people are highly trained and I would trust them with my life, most of them have had my life in their hands. I only hire the very best of the very best."

"So do I, that's why I am here."

"Third," I continue. "You will never disrespect a member of my team with your temper tantrums. I heard you even though I was in a meeting down the hall. My firm will walk and you will lose your half a million deposit." I try not to smile, but the look on his face. "Yes, Mr. Grey, the fee for my services is one million dollars, half paid up front as a security deposit. If you agree, I will have legal write up the contracts and we can sign on the dotted line tomorrow." He stands there just staring at me. I finally look away then turn for the door. "Let me know, Grey, but don't take too long to decide, I don't waste my precious time on anyone. Now, excuse me, I have another appointment."

"I agree to your terms." He yells, then softens his voice. "I want to hire Steele Securities Experts. Where do I sign?"

"Legal will currier the contract to you this afternoon before five. Read it, have your legal beagles take a go at it, then call my assistant, Ms. Reed for an 8 o'clock appointment in my office to sign the papers. If you are nice to Ms. Reed, I will arrange for us to have breakfast after we sign on the dotted lines and you have transferred the funds into SSE's account." I look up at him. "Good day, Mr. Grey."

"Ms. Steele, one more thing…" He stammers and his face is turning a slight pink. I think he is blushing. "Will you have dinner with me sometime?"

"I am honored, Mr. Grey, but I don't date clients." I give him a tender smile. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have an appointment that I can't be late for. Good day, Mr. Grey."

After an hour at the shooting range, I return to find my adorable daughter sitting in my chair behind my desk being twirled about by Hannah. To hear Trista laugh is a gift from heaven. I smile as she goes around once more then notices me in the door way.

"Mama!" She exclaims as she jumps from the twirling chair. She takes two steps and falls on the floor in a fit of giggles. I run to her and quickly sweep her up into my arms. She is still laughing so I know she isn't hurt.

"Hello, my little monkey." I give her a kiss and a hug. "You ready to go home?"

"Home." She points toward the door. Yeah, she wants to go home and try to talk me into letting her have ice cream before dinner. "Home, Mama."

"Hannah, has …" I don't even get to finish before Hannah nods her head.

"He called and politely asked for an 8 am meeting in the morning." Her smile grew. "And, I have Derrick Snell as your CPO for this evening."

"Good. Thank you, Hannah for taking such good care of me and Trista."

"It's my pleasure and my job." Hannah blows a kiss to Trista and laughs as Trista returns a kiss with her little girl hands. With my daughter on my hip and my briefcase in my hand, I make for the elevator. It's been a long day for both of us since I had to be here by six this morning for an overseas call. All I wanted to do was go home, have a meal with my baby girl, give her bath, read her a bedtime story and watch her go to sleep. Unless I fall asleep in the rocking chair in her room, I plan on a long hot soak in the tub then make my way into slumber-land.

Christian's POV

I went home after my legal staff went through the contract and told me it was legit. As I sit in my study, I am brooding because she turned me down cold! Oh, she was polite, but it is still a rejection. The first woman I ever ask out on a date and she turns me down. This isn't happening to me! Women throw themselves at me every day. I get love letters from woman that I don't even know promising me everything and anything if I would accept their love. And, this woman … this woman has the nerve to refuse me! This does not happen to the Golden Boy of Seattle. There must be something wrong with that woman, dreadfully wrong!

I am wound up tight like one of wind-up toys. I might explode at any second. I need a drink… a big drink! I go to the small built in bar that is in the corner of my office and find a bottle of my finest scotch. I'm about to pour myself a big drink, when I hear my buffoon of an older brother in my living room. He is yelling for me in his adolescent way. I roll my eyes knowing that he is walking through my house with his dirty boots on.

"Christian? Come out, come out wherever you are … I know you are here. I talked to Taylor." His voice is growing closer.

"In my office, dumb-ass." I bellow back at him. Where else would I be? He stands before me smiling like the idiot that he is. "So, little brother, are you ready for some fun tonight?"

"What is tonight?" I watch as his smile fades and he looks like I took away his favorite toy.

"Christian, tonight is the bachelor party for our cousin, Trent. Remember Trent Trevelyn, Uncle Samuel's boy…. Mom's nephew. God, Chris, did you forget that we are both in the wedding in three weeks?"

"Shit, yeah, I did forget." I roll my eyes and try to come up with a damn good excuse to blow off this family event that my mother insist that I participate in. I never wanted to be a groomsman, hell, I don't even want to go to some over-planned society wedding. My evening would be full of society matrons trying to pawn off their socially acceptable daughters onto me. The last thing I needed was an over-privileged brat as a wife. I would rather have electric shock treatments on my dick! I shiver in just the thought of the hordes of girls in too much makeup, and over fragranced! I sit down and pour myself another drink. "So, I assume strippers, lap dances, and bad booze."

"Actually, it is exotic dancers, private dance and the best liquor that "The Finer Pleasures", a fine gentlemen's club offers. We have a private room with our own servers, bar, food, and a poker tournament. The buy in is a thousand dollars and all proceeds go to Coping Together….Mom's idea." Elliot bypassed the expensive liquor that I have and gets a beer from the mini-fridge. "I was hoping to catch a ride with you. You know, being the safety conscious guru that you are…I know you wouldn't want me drinking and driving."

"Yeah, and I suppose that you'll want to stay the night also." My older brother gives me his best smile, showing off his pearly whites. Yeah, he just wants breakfast in the morning made by my cook and house manager, Mrs. Jones. He isn't fooling me any, the mooch! "I just got home, let me clean up and we can get going. How long do we have to stay at these things?"

"Hopefully long enough for you to get a lapdance and maybe a blowjob!"

"Idiot."

"What? It's just a suggestion. You need to relax, bro. You are going to blow a gasket one of these days." Elliot drained his beer and threw his empty can into the trash. He smiled, so proud of himself. I shake my head at him and stand up. Elliot is a great guy, down to earth and honest. He is everything that I will never be. He is a playboy now, but when he settles down, he will be a faithful and loving spouse. He will have children and be the apple of Mom and Dad's eyes. My spot in the family will diminish even more. With that dismal thought, I leave Elliot to his own devices and go clean up so I can get this evening over with.