Chapter 3:
The hangover that Ana expected was worse than she thought it would be. She woke with a pounding headache, a sour stomach and horrible alcohol morning breath. She untangled herself from the sheets and slowly lifted herself off the bed. She brushed her hair from her face and started for the bathroom but stopped when she saw a gray tie on the floor at the foot of the bed. Her hand shook as she reached for it. She looked at it then turned back to bed to see that someone had slept in her bed. The indentation of the pillow was her proof. Ana's heart was thundering against her chest and her stomach pitched and rolled uncontrollably. Covering her mouth with her hand, she ran to the bathroom and made just in time to wretch uncontrollably into the toilet until there was nothing left to expel. She sat on the cool tile floor with the wadded up tie in her hand. "Oh shit, what have I done?" She said aloud then the tears began to flow.
The sound of her cell phone woke Ana. She couldn't go back to that bed so she drug herself to the living room and passed out on the sofa. She fumbled around for her phone and finally got it answered.
"Ana…you little bitch…are you hung over?" The high shrill voice of her friend blasted through Ana's head and she groaned.
"I really do hate you, Kavanagh." Ana moaned. "I think I got hit by a Mack truck."
"We did pull one off last night." Kate was laughing which made Ana think that her friend was still seven sheets to the wind.
"I should have stayed with you last night." Ana admitted softly.
There was a silence on the phone for a few moments. "Did something happen?" Kate asked lowly.
"Kate, I think I did something horribly stupid and wrong last night. I think I slept with Christian."
"Holy fuck!" Kate exclaimed loudly. "And, what's this shit you think you slept with Fort Knox?"
"I don't know what happened last night." Ana sighed heavily as her heart drew heavy in her chest. "OH, God, Kate…what am I to do? I don't know how he got in here or if we did…well you know…did it."
Kate laughed even though she was horrified. "I'm on my way over, sweetie. Just hold on."
Ana went into the bathroom and stripped down. She turned one way than another to inspect her body. There were no markings on her. Her soft ivory skin was flawless. If Christian had fucked her, she was sure that there would be marks. He liked to bite her neck or leave hickeys on her breasts. She did a half-turn to inspect her ass. There were no handprints. She took a deep breath and let her hand slide between her legs. There were no telltale signs of sexual activity. She sighed in relief. She did not smell like sex. Quickly she took a shower, dressed, and waited for Kate. She was sure that she did not have sex with Christian Grey, but he did sleep beside her. That proof was in the indented pillow and his smell on the sheets. She quickly called housekeeping and asked for a complete new bed citing that the mattress was uncomfortable.
Kate and Ana were silent as a new bed was delivered and sat up in the master bedroom. Kate did not ask any questions but raise her eyebrow in amusement. After maintenance left, Kate turned to Ana. "So, did you fuck Christian Grey?"
"No, I did not…I'm sure."
"And, how are you sure?"
Ana swallowed her tea. "Christian does not fuck softly…as you know. I have no marks on my body. No handprints on my ass or love bites on my neck or breasts." She placed her teacup down on the saucer. "I think he just slept next to me."
"That is so intimate, so unlike him." Kate pursed her lips in thought. "Are you going to tell Hank?"
"I have to. Hank and I are honest with each other." She gave a gentle smile. "He knows all about Christian. I held nothing back."
Kate frowned. "I think you should still go get checked out…just to make sure…and to…well you know."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ana, if he did rape you last night, even if he used a condom…you should just get checked out, get preventative meds for diseases and of course the "morning after" pill."
"Christian is not a rapist, Kate. He doesn't have to…women throw themselves at him all the time." She shivered slightly. "He is just reminding me that he is all powerful. I don't need to go see a doctor." Ana sighed heavily. "I just need to see Hank."
Christian Grey sat at his desk with a happy smile on his face. For the first time in ages, he had a good night's sleep. There had been no nightmares of the pimp, of Elena Lincoln, or the worst nightmare that he suffered from…Ana leaving. He felt like his bank accounts, stellar! He could still smell her on his skin that light fragrance of heather and rain. She always smelled so fresh and innocent. He closed his eyes and went back in time when Ana was his, only his. She was never a sub. She slept beside him and made his life bearable. The darkest day of his life wasn't when his birthmother died, it was when Ana walked out of his life. Now, she was back and the light was shimmering with hope. He had to win her back. He had to show her how much he loved her and wanted her. He had to show her that he was truly willing to change for her. He was on a mission to win back, make love to, and marry Anastasia Rose Steele!
The cell phone ringing brought Christian back from his thoughts. He answered with a sharp "What" He stood when he heard his right-hand man Jason Taylor inform him that Henry "Hank" Castel was on his way to Seattle, able to get a flight out of Kennedy on a private plane. "Shit, Jason, you were to keep him grounded."
"I know sir, but I had no idea he knew a certain New York tycoon well enough to ask for a favor." Taylor explained. "We had him blocked on all major and minor airlines, and of course that storm helped us."
"How long until he is here in Seattle?"
"Just a few hours, Sir." Taylor answered.
"Fuck." Christian breathed. "I need hourly reports on Miss Steele. I have to find a way to speak to her that will not be construed as hostile and threatening."
"Sir, you still have SIP, I mean Grey Publishing. Maybe a job opportunity that makes her job in England seem like child's play."
"No, she won't fall for that. She thought I was interfering in her career when she found out that I bought SIP." Christian said shaking his head. "Just keep on eye on her, Taylor and keep her safe."
"She is still at the Fairmont and Kate is with her now."
"Yeah, just keep me informed." Christian ended the conversation. He only had a few hours before "the fiancé" was in town. He had to find a way to get to Ana without frightening her.
Kate finally persuaded Ana to go see Dr. Lindsey Green. "Just a precaution and for your peace of mind" Kate had said. After the examination, Dr. Green confirmed what Ana already knew. There had been no sexual activity. Ana gave Kate her "I told you so" look, in which Kate just shrugged her shoulders.
"At least you know and can relax." Kate declared as they rode in the hotel's limo to their next destination. "You were not assaulted and you don't have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy or diseases."
"I never had to worry about either of those, Kate. I happen to be birth control and I know Christian Grey better than you do. He would never have unprotected sex without being one hundred percent sure of the woman's health. You forget that Christian is a control freak. He controls everything in his life." Ana looked out the window and watched the buildings go past. "Let's just forget this. I have only a few hours before Hank arrives and I want to spend it with you having fun, not discussing the personality flaws of my ex."
Kate had to laugh. "Agreed. How about some sightseeing like we are clueless visitors to our fair city and then some lunch?"
"Deal. Lead on, McDuff." Ana joked with a big smile on her face. She smiled on the outside, but she was in a near panic on the inside. She had slept next to Christian Grey in the bed that was reserved for her fiancé. She felt as if she had betrayed Hank in some way. She should have known that someone was in her room last night. She should have been sober instead of getting drunk. Fuck, I've been in town less than twenty-four hours and I am shit-faced and beyond confused. What in the hell does that man want now? What more can I give him? He had me once and let me go. I gave him my virginity, my heart, my body and my love and he threw it away. He didn't want my love. He said he didn't deserve my love. But, I know…he didn't think I deserved him. I wasn't enough for him. He needs that life and I do not want it. I want more. I want love. I want it all…the hearts and flowers that he scorns. I want Hank.
"Hey," Kate whispered nudging Ana's arm. "Don't get crazy over this. It's just like you said, Christian being Christian. He made his point."
"Yeah, but what is that point." Ana replied with the feeling of dread draping over her heart.