03.28.21
A nice long chapter to close out the weekend!
CHAPTER TEN - I'm not sleeping with you
CPOV
I worked from home after saying goodbye to Anastasia that morning. In the evening when Elliot came by Escala, Gail prepared quite the feast since I rarely ever entertain. Usually when Mia comes by, she's eager to share new recipes or tricks she's learned and insists on cooking for me. Mom and Dad don't visit much since they prefer that us siblings come out to Bellevue instead.
"You need to give Gail a raise. This fried chicken is the shit, bro." He smacks his lips and takes a swig of his beer.
"You eat like a barbarian." I comment, looking at his oily hands and he laughs. It's one of the reasons why I don't hang out with him in public that much. His mission in life is to annoy and get a rise out of me by deliberately forgetting his manners. Then again, it does make for entertaining shit sometimes.
"Where's the fun if you don't get your hands dirty."
"Whatever, I need advice." I ignore his innuendo and continue on. "I met this girl and I want to get to know her but she's not, you know… she's normal—when she's sober at least." He gives me a look, urging me to continue and I give him a brief synopsis of what transpired the night before.
After he's done laughing his ass off, he claps his hands in jubilee and I try not to laugh or smile at the memories myself. "Bro, this has got to be the single most interesting thing to happen to you since Le Bitchtroll. Infact, I think this tops it. Batmobile? Groupon? Girl is on another level, but look at you popping your vanilla cherries. What's her name?"
"Not telling you that."
"Why? Afraid I'll go seek her out? Or worse, that I've already conquered those lands?" Rolling my eyes at his smug face, I flip the bird.
"I know for a fact you haven't conquered shit. They've been together since highschool. Now I need you to tell me how I can be normal."
He sighs and picks up a napkin to wipe his hands. "Well, for starters; you are normal, Christian... just with a little side of crazy actually no, freaky is the word I'd use."
"Fuck off, Lelliot." I glare at him. "She knows who I am and even if she didn't at first, one google search and she'll figure it out. I need to be careful."
"I'm assuming you've gotten a background check on her? Is there anything suspect?"
"No, she's clean and innocent by the looks of it. Too innocent." And I've got too much baggage.
"Bro, just take the guesswork out of all this and take her to dinner. Mile High or whatever. Talk and get to know her. That's what I'd do."
"You also fuck women on the first date. Most times that's all you do."
"And I save money, unlike someone I know." He chuckles and I roll my eyes at him. "Take it slow. The first date can be a good filter, she's signed an NDA you're golden. Though, if you do decide to fuck her, please DO NOT TIE HER UP, that shit can be freaky. However, she is really chatty so you might wanna gag her."
"You are an asshole." I growl at him and he laughs.
"And you're not? How many times have you said inappropriate shit about the women I date? Don't get all prissy and proper on me now."
"Well, she's not like the women you date." I reply defensively. She's beautiful, innocent and a little quirky. She makes me laugh and her touch doesn't burn and I want her. I want to break every rule I abide by to have her.
"Just take a chance then. It'll either work out or not. There's always going to be risk. What does your therapist say?"
"He thinks I need to evolve and this will be the perfect opportunity to try." I shrug, and take a sip of my drink. "It's all going to come down to trust and that's what concerns me."
"Bro, it's ONE DATE." He leans forward and gives me an incredulous look. "One date. How about we leave the heavy shit off the table for one night. Also, given her recent mess, you might wanna stay away from all this. Unless you're going in for a pity bang but something serious? Nah, you may just end up being rebound material for her."
"She's not like that."
"You seem to be pretty sure of what she's like." He raises an eyebrow.
"Fuck off. I have a feeling she's not like the usual women we meet and we know my instincts are good."
"Okay, suit yourself." He shrugs and reaches for some more chicken. "Good luck with little Miss Batmobile. Let me know how things go in the Batcave." He wiggles his eyebrows.
"You're a crass piece of shit, Elliot."
"A crass piece of shit you can't live without." He gives me a shit eating grin.
In the days that follow my encounter with Anastasia and dinner with Elliot, I resolve to do research and read up on what women are expecting. Flowers, dinners and buying them shit is easy. I've done it for Mom, Mia and my grandmother but to romantically pursue a woman, it has to be more than that.
Paying for sex or going to the club is just so much easier. But surely, I can be more than that?
I can't be that hard, right?
The internet is full of conflicting information. I can't really speak with the women of my family for fear of sending them all into a frenzy. My wedding invitations would be sent out to all our friends and family by week's end.
Gail and Taylor offer advice with equally amused and puzzled expressions. Conversation and letting her lead was the sage wisdom I received from them followed by Gail giggling. Anastasia definitely knew how to lead the conversation, when she was punch drunk that is.
Sober Anastasia was another curious and inhibited creature I endeavored to get to know. She was taciturn and painfully direct when pushed too far or was it perhaps because of the situation we found ourselves in?
Flynn had similar advice to Elliot, albeit in a more reserved and clinical manner. Start with a first date and see how it all goes and most of all, don't be overbearing.
Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm not overbearing at all. I just like things a certain way and that certain way ends up being the right way in the end. People are just too late to realize it in the moment. Honestly, I'm doing them a favor in the first place.
If I ask Ros, she'll probably die of a heart attack and I need her in fighting formation for our deal in Taiwan…. she will just have to do without the gossip.
I had instructed Andrea to make sure all Anastasia's wedding vendors refunded her half of the money which came fairly easy when the Grey name got thrown around. Her makeup artist was hired to do Mom and Mia's makeup for Coping Together, along with her photographer, not that we needed an extra one but I figured why not. We booked her caterer to deliver lunch all week to welcome the SIP employees when they'd move into Grey House and worked on getting settled.
To say that Andrea was thoroughly confused by this request was an understatement but like the good and discreet employee she always was, she got it done in record time, taking care of the refund from additional vendors.
I eagerly waited every evening to read the security reports Sawyer would send me. Finally catching a glimpse of Anastasia made it all seem real again after not getting a chance to see her at all since she remained cooped up indoors at Kavanagh's apartment after that morning. Watching her finally out and about in Pike Place market made me happy.
Happy? It was an interesting notion to say at the least.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that she didn't drink herself into a drunken stupor while out with her friend and came home without a gentleman on her arm. I wonder if she heeded my advice. A part of me wanted to go to the club and 'bump into her' but that would've been coming on too strong. I need to be smart about this.
Precision is key.
My birthday comes and goes. I'm now 29 and when taking stock of my personal life, I realize I haven't progressed at all. The realization is sobering and while I was never one to indulge in the fantasies of settling down or reproducing, there is something to be said for this pang of loneliness that I feel sometimes and just how long do I think I can go on like this. All because I have this one fear of touch that I have, courtesy of my life early on.
Will all my conversations be just about work and commenting on other people's personal life updates?
All that I have in my life is my company, apartment and a strict routine I keep to with occasional bouts of fucking faceless women when the physical need cannot be ignored. That's all until Anastasia came and threw it all for a loop with her rambling, giggling and unsuspecting charm but most of all, her touch.
Was this what the books all talked about? That one person who tilts your axis?
I close my eyes and exhale deeply at lack of resolution. I'm bored— that's it and Miss Steele is the distraction I didn't know I needed.
But she's more than a distraction, she felt like more.
Another thought that plagues me is that I had hoped she'd call me. She had my number and I had hers too, not that she gave it to me but from her background check. It took everything in me to not initiate communication. I only wanted to know if she was feeling better. Any other woman in her position would've been blowing up my phone to the point where I'd have to change my number or pull a restraining order.
Why is the woman driving me mad? I don't do the hearts and flowers shit, life is simpler without it and yet here I am wanting to get caught up in knots, webs and hopefully soon, her legs.
Easy, Grey.
My dick has been on its own journey of discovery. These days, all my fantasies are of Anastasia writhing beneath me in the throes of ecstasy in a completely vanilla scene. I want her unrestrained and uninhibited and most of all, touching me. This is new, all new and sometimes unsettling yet strangely normal.
There's that word I yearn to define myself as; normal.
After slight deliberation, I went the flower delivery route. She had offered up her employment information on her own and hopefully she would remember this, so it wouldn't be that much of an imposition.
I know they've been delivered and now my eyes remain glued to my phone in hopes that she will contact me. It's been fifteen minutes, where is she?
My phone pings a few minutes later and it's an email from Miss Steele. I read it in almost child-like excitement only to immediately frown at her choice of words. She's declining? Do not contact me again?
What the fuck?
Anger flares through me. Who the fuck does she think she is? No, this will not do.
No one says no to me.
Actually, Grey, she said no to you that morning. She sounds like her favorite word is no.
In which case, challenge accepted. If this is her playing hard to get then what she doesn't realize is that i'm a hard man to get rid of.
I always win.
APOV
I didn't hear from Mr. Billionaire after my email so I celebrated my newfound drama free life by stopping at Sephora, stocking up on facemasks and ordering take out for dinner.
Kate shakes her head and pours more wine into her glass. "I can't believe you said no to dinner with Christian Grey."
"He's not Christian Grey to me, he's just the guy who I thought helped me but now we know I was a sideshow that he'll talk about at dinner parties." I mumble, ripping open the facemask and applying it on my face. I lean back and exhale, closing my eyes. Time to relax.
"He doesn't seem like the dinner party kind." Kate snorts.
"Yeah well, I need to stay untangled for a while. This whole mess with José and Gaia is just…" I shake my head. "Ugh… that's what it is and I need to not be distracted."
"Speaking of which, now that we know the fuckers have extended their trip till Wednesday, we need to go to your apartment and get your stuff and hopefully cut up all his clothes and take a shit in all his sneakers, Tiffany Haddish style." She smirks mischievously and wiggles her eyebrows.
I burst into cathartic laughter and nod. "Yeah, I know. Need to toughen up and face this shit head on. No more running."
"Atta girl. Let's go and do some serious damage."
"Why must everything be a chaotic adventure with you?"
"Because I'm bored, Banana." She pouts and climbs on top of me to cuddle and we both fall into a fit of giggles before she bellows. "LET ME HAVE MY REVENGE FANTASIES. THEY KEEP ME WARM AT NIGHT."
During lunchtime on Tuesday, I finally call Sam who picks up almost immediately. I find that he's moved out and back to Portland. We both apologize to each other dumbly and then realize we have nothing to apologize for but the hurt we feel is there. I wish him well in the future and tell him to reach out if he ever finds himself in Seattle again but I highly doubt he'll be coming back. He's a good guy, I hope he finds a wonderful woman who will restore his faith in love.
Will I ever find someone?
Nope. After this, I've got too many trust issues.
A few hours later, when I walked into the apartment I was supposed to share with my husband, I felt an unbearable wave of sadness. I realized over the course last week that Jose wasn't the love of my life because it didn't hurt like my life was ending. It hurts like being found out that you have an embarrassing secret and now everyone is making fun of you. We were still in the middle of setting up things so the apartment is work in progress. It takes Kate and I a little while, but I load out all my stuff. The furniture I bought along with some decorative pieces I resolve to let go of. Kate already has everything and I'm not sure I want to look at any of this shit anymore. It's all tainted. So all I take are my clothes and books. Even with all my things, it's not like I was really here. Jose was the hoarder in the relationship. He always bought too much stuff.
"Are we really not going to mess up his shit?" Kate asks with a grimace. She's turned the stove on and off a million times to subtly hint at her intended plan.
"No." I reply firmly. "I just want to get out of here and leave this all behind me now."
"You're a good woman, Steele."
I sigh. "I'm a dumb and blind woman, Kavanagh."
"Okay but like the milk has gone bad, can I at least throw that on his bed? They can come home to the welcoming fragrance?" She pleads. I roll my eyes and tell her to hurry up. She claps gleefully and gets to work, all the way saying random shit that sounds like she's casting a hex on them.
After she's done, she throws a protective and comforting arm around me and we lock the door. I drop off my key with the doorman and tell him to give to Jose when he comes back.
This chapter is officially closed.
I wake up Wednesday morning with exhaustion, unable to sleep much the night before but the potential of a new day at work and a job that I'm liking so far helps me get out of the funk I'm in.
I decide to dress up a little today. I wear a black pencil shirt with a plain dark green top, pairing it with some cute kitten heels from Kate's closet while styling my hair and bangs pin straight. Eyeliner on the eyes and some blush to play up the cheeks, I feel sophisticated. No match for the clothes that Christian Grey got me but still not bad. I really need to stop thinking about him.
By 3pm, we're all told to drop what we're doing and get called into the big conference room that barely fits all of us.
I walk in with Hannah, holding on to my laptop trying my best not to laugh at the meme she's just shown me and blanche at the sight of none other than Christian Grey at the front of the room, standing with my boss.
Of course, my past is determined to haunt me but at least he's sexy.
His ice cold glare finds and stares a hole right through me. I guess those white flowers were for my funeral.
"Everyone, thank you for joining us. This won't take long, it's only to inform you that SIP has been acquired by Grey Enterprises and will be rebranded as Grey Publishing. We will be moving into their building by the end of the week. All employees are being retained so you need not worry about your jobs. There will be some reassignments but we will talk about that in the coming days." Mr. Roach announces and I look around the room. Everyone is in a mixture of shock and relief.
All the women around me are literally gawking at Christian like he's a piece of meat. Thankfully he's no longer looking at me but talking with another woman who I suspect is from his company as well.
"Mr. Grey here will like to say a few words." Mr. Roach continues.
Christian steps forward and god dammit, this man is criminally sinful. Just illegal. I will my body to remain a frigid glacier but the moment he opens his mouth to speak, I melt into the Amazon.
DAMN YOU, TRAITOROUS BODY.
"My name is Christian Grey. I welcome you to the Grey Enterprises family and look forward to seeing what Grey Publishing can accomplish with our combined expertise. Should you have any concerns, please relay them to Mr. Roach and my COO, Ms. Roslyn Bailey." He gestures to the woman standing next to him who politely nods towards all of us. "I expect nothing short of excellence from those who I employ. We are a competitive team living in a competitive world. SIP's numbers were staggering before but I refuse to let that be the norm going forward. Starting Monday morning next week, when you walk into Grey House, I expect you to come in with the mindset of someone who is looking to dominate in the industry and not simply exist. I look forward to seeing how you all surprise me."
His face is all business, not even a slight smile as he takes his time looking at every single person throughout the course of his speech, thankfully he skips over me. The tone of his voice feels like just orders being barked while we all murmur our assent and shortly after he walks out with Mr. Roach and Ms. Bailey following him.
I let out a breath and try to get a hold of my bearings before stepping out of the almost empty conference room. When I return to my desk, I can see from the corner of my eye that Christian, Mr. Roach and Ms. Bailey are talking in his office. I get back to work, sorting through manuscripts Jack Hyde left that Mr. Roach asked me to look at, trying my best to forget that Christian's even here.
"Miss Steele?" I hear a familiar voice say and I immediately want to die. The peace only lasted a few minutes. Swallowing, I straighten my shoulders and turn to answer.
"Yes, Mr. Grey." I look up at him and I want to melt into a puddle of goo. He's not really smiling but the flash of amusement in his eyes cannot be missed. I am supposed to be angry at him and I am but his face, his god damn face is making this difficult. I want to kiss him and smack him. That cannot be a normal response. I should get myself checked out.
"Join me in the conference room." It's not a request, it's an order.
Great. Just my luck.
Once we're in the conference room that thankfully has frosted glass, he takes a seat and asks me to sit too but I decline, telling him I prefer to remain standing and I do so, at a very healthy distance.
He asks me how I'm doing and I keep my answers polite and short. I don't want to be here. This is all sorts of wrong. He's my boss's boss. He's like a super boss and I don't want to super fuck this up.
"Why did you decline my invitation to dinner?" I can't tell if he's pissed or trying to be seductive. I'm thoroughly confused but my lady parts are only getting one signal. They are ready for take off so that they can land on his dick.
Do not think about his dick, Anastasia. IMAGINE HE'S A EUNUCH.
"Because i'll be busy." I reply evenly suppressing the urge to giggle at my earlier thought.
I got a life too Mr. Billionaire, sure it's not as fancy as yours but still.
"Doing what?" He smirks.
"Moving away from Seattle and this puddle of shit I keep floating in." I mutter petulantly, avoiding eye contact. He chuckles and shakes his head. Sure go ahead and laugh again, after all that's what you do isn't it?
"I refuse to take no for an answer."
I smile disingenuously. 'Well, then I guess you're going to learn a new lesson today."
One must always be open to learning new things, Mr. Grey.
He stands and I reflexively take a step back. I don't know what I do but his sudden movement startles me and the flash of anger in his face vanishes. Relaxing his stance, he puts both hands in his pockets.
"Miss Steele, the only lesson you're going to learn today is that I always win." He says darkly. Who the hell does this man think he is?
I look around the room quickly. Am I being punked? Is this Punk Ana month? Year? Millennium?
"Look, I'll pay you back for the clothes and eventually the food and all that. In fact, what's your venmo, I'll send you the money right now. I got a refund from my wedding vendors so I'm good for it." I offer.
"What the fuck is a venmo?" His jaw tenses. Ah! the life of the out of touch 1%, I think to myself. "I told you, I don't want your money."
"Venmo is an app, look it up." I snap with a scowl. "And I told you, I don't want to have dinner with you. Besides, I'm positive it's against HR policies."
He opens his mouth to speak but then closes it, staying silent for a few moments as his eyes roam over my form. When his eyes come back to my face he smiles.
Does he want to have dinner with me or on me? WHOA, ANA…. you're waaay out of your lane now.
Back it up, Buttercup.
"You want to pay me back? Have dinner with me—"
"But that's—"
"I wasn't done speaking." He growls. "It'll be a business dinner."
"What business could you possibly have to discuss with an assistant of a newly acquired publishing company?"
"Technically I acquired this business a month before you were hired and we met." His face softens and he smirks knowingly, like someone knows he's won the prize. "But that's neither here nor there, this business dinner however is. I will have Taylor pick you up. Be ready."
"No." I blurt out and then gulp, leaning my body back just a little. As much as I want to look away from him, my eyes are locked with his. It's magnetic.
His face goes from hot seductive heartthrob to menacing 'I'm about to kill you' CEO. Oh, fuck… good job, Ana. Maybe you shouldn't have given those flowers away after all.
Taking two steps closer to me, he towers over my body and leans in slightly.
"I will see you at 5:30 on Friday. End of discussion."
"No you won't." I squeak. God, I need to grow a pair of balls that never shrink in the face of fear. I need lessons from Kate.
A slow smile spreads across his lips and he leans in a little more to whisper in my ear.
"Yes, I will Anastasia. I most certainly will." His lips ever so lightly graze my ear, followed by his cheek along mine, causing my body to spiral into complete freefall and before I know it he walks away from me and I stand there like a fool trying to find my footing.
He most certainly will not, he can think he won all he wants. I am not going.
NOPE!
"Just meet him and get it over with." Kate says, loading the dishwasher while I get out the ice-cream.
"It's wrong, Kate."
"Technically, it's not. You both established a relationship—"
"We don't have a relationship."
"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN." She half yells at me. "Now where was I? Yes, you both know each other from a completely different setting so it's technically not an issue. Go find out what the business part of this dinner is about."
"I don't want to." I murmur.
"Well, then think of it as taking care of some business yourself. Confront him about what Elliot said. It's unfair that you don't get to call him out on it, god knows who else he's told."
"He's overwhelming, Kate. I feel weird around him. Like I want to…"
Kate looks at me with a sly smile. "Like you want to, what?"
I huff and tell myself to get over it, it's Kate… she never judges.
"Like I want to fuck him but also punch him in the face for looking so fuckable and infuriating."
"GOOD! YES. THIS IS WHAT I WANT FOR YOU." Kate claps. "Finally, some fire up your ass. That's the energy you need to tap into if he tries to steamroll you."
"We know that I suck at confrontation." I remind her.
"How about you learn to unsuck?" Kate gives me a pointed look. "You know I adore you, and you're like a sweet teddy bear but now, you're like the beginnings of a teddy bear on adderall and coke and I am ALL FOR IT."
I open my mouth to say something but give up almost immediately and we both burst out laughing at the entire situation.
By Friday, I have resolved to not go to this whatever business dinner. What is he going to do? Kidnap me? That will just unleash the Kavanagh invasion on his ass. And just to absolutely lock this decision down, I choose my most casual dress for casual Friday. It's why I love summer Fridays, you can relax and while SIP's dress code policy is already pretty lenient, given that we're packing up all our crap, it's technically our last day to really enjoy this freedom. Over the weekend, all our stuff will be moved into Grey House and starting Monday we need to dress super professional. Which means I need to buy more clothes, fancier looking than the ones that I'm usually accustomed to wearing.
I decided on wearing a dark blue polka dot dress that's super casual. When I went to grab my stuff from the apartment with Kate, my carryon was still there. Opening it was bittersweet. I had all this sexy lingerie I'd bought myself and so now, I was just wearing it for myself. Kate said it would make me feel powerful. So while I'm dressed to snooze on the outside, I'm dressed to kill on the inside. It's a nice little secret that only I know of and I feel invincible.
Taping the last box, Claire comes by and reminds me that it's 5:00pm and we need to head over to Fifty's for drinks and a last hurrah as SIP employees. We gather our things and a group of us heads over to the bar that's two blocks away.
I get a beer from the bar and settle. As I listen to some funny stories from Hannah's boss Sharon, everyone suddenly goes quiet and looks over my shoulder alerting me to the fact that someone is standing behind me. I see it's Christian Grey's CPO, Taylor. My lips press into a hard line, tyring to suppress the urge to scream bloody murder.
"Miss Steele, a word?" He says, politely. I give him a tight smile and tell the girls to watch my bag for a moment.
Walking to the front of the bar, Taylor informs me that Mr. Grey is actually waiting for me in the car.
Now I have to do my best not to stomp out and cause a scene.
"I told you we were supposed to have dinner." He barks as soon as I open the door to talk to him. Damn Grey, look at you dressed to kill. He's in a sexy as hell blue suit and I'm doing my best not to appear affected but my insides clench on cue. I shake it off immediately.
"And I told you, NO." I snap and hear a slight cough, looking back to see Taylor trying his best not to laugh.
"Anastasia, so help me god, if you do not get in the car, I will throw you over my shoulder and dump you in the backseat myself." He growls as I move to walk away.
I frown and growl back. "That's kidnapping and there are CCTV cameras here that can be used as evidence."
"I've got the Chief of Police in my pocket." He smiles, sinisterly.
I blanche taking a step back, and tears start to form in my eyes but I look down and blink them away. I suddenly get an idea and straighten my shoulders and find some strength and stare straight at him while addressing his CPO.
"Taylor?"
"Yes, Miss Steele." He replies, taking a small step towards me while Christian's eyes narrow slightly in confusion.
"What gun range do you practice at? I used to go all the time in Portland but ever since I moved to Seattle I've been wondering which one to go to, West Coast in Bellevue looked good from my initial research."
"I agree, I practice there often." He confirms and Christian's face tenses. Aww, pretty boy doesn't like guns.
"You should know Mr. Grey, my father taught me well. Hell, I can fieldstrip a semi-automatic better than I can curl my hair so you should be grateful I'm not carrying today because while you may always win and have the Chief of Police on speed dial… once I take aim, I never miss a shot." Now it's my turn to smile sinisterly. Taylor clears his throat and I look at him for a quick second as he desperately tries to conceal his smile.
Christian on their other hand is looking at me with nostrils flared before closing his eyes for a few seconds.
Good boy, relax yourself.
He scoots a little further down in my direction and speaks softly. "I told you, it's just a business dinner. Once you hear what I have to say, you can make a decision and leave at any time if you want."
I keep my eyes on him and scream at my lady parts to stop being affected while I weigh my options. Is he giving me puppy eyes right now? The nerve of this man.
Fine, I'll let Kate know and she'll sound the alarm if anything weird or suspect happens.
"I need to get my bag." I murmur and turn away before he can say anything. I hate this but at least I've told him I can handle myself. Telling the group that I need to help out Kate with a deadline I bid them my farewell and sulkily walk back and get into the car. I keep my eyes looking out the window. There's a heavy charge in the air, it's simultaneously suffocating and elatory, I can't seem to understand it but I need to get through a meal and hear what he has to say so I can get out.
"How was your first week at SIP?"
"Satisfactory." I reply. "Where are we going for dinner? I need to tell my friend where I'll be so she can pick me up."
"There'll be no need for that, I'll have you dropped off."
"I'd rather go back home on my own."
"Why are you so stubborn?"
I look back at him. TURN OFF YOUR SEXY FACE. "I'm independent and I like doing things a certain way. Now location, please." I say firmly.
He half smiles. "Escala."
I frown a little, I've never heard of that restaurant then again, how would I know about the fancy places? I text Kate and her reply is immediate, my eyes almost fall out reading her words.
"Escala is a residential building." I gape at him. "You said this was a business dinner."
"Yes we're having a business dinner at my residence." He replies camly. "You've agreed to it now so you can't back out."
I grit my teeth and, crossing my arms and turning to look out the window again.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"Clearly, not enough." I mutter.
He laughs and it sounds so sexy. Why can't something about him be unsexy? "That smart mouth, Miss Steele."
I roll my eyes. Just scarf down your food and get out of there, Ana.
Driving into the underground garage, we exit the vehicle and I see quite a number of fancy cars parked then I remember, he's a Billionaire. Once we're in the elevator, the feeling remains, a magnetic and charged atmosphere surrounding us. I move further into the corner away from him and silently hope we don't get stuck again. That would be just tragic.
We get to his floor and he leads me into the apartment which is huge and well, huge. Across from foyer is a sitting area with a huge window spanning the length of the room that has a view of Seattle.
"You have a beautiful home." I murmur, looking around.
"I believe that's the nicest thing you've said to me today." He chuckles and I roll my eyes.
"Trust me, I haven't said my worst yet." I mumble under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
He chuckles and walks off to greet someone named Mrs. Taylor who I find out is his housekeeper after introductions.
She looks like a sweet woman, I wonder how she deals with a Godzilla for a boss.
He offers me a glass of champagne and I graciously take it, making it a point to not drink too much at all in his presence. He offers me a tour of the place and I politely decline because I just want to get out of here.
It's getting awkward now given Mrs. Taylor has requested 10 more minutes and since I'm not exactly Chatty Cathy at the moment, it's like a symphony of crickets up in this joint. I'm just staring out the window and absolutely avoiding him.
Truthfully, I'd like to ask about that piano and if he'd play me something because I find it absolutely beautiful but… I'm not here to be personal. I have to stay in my lane and on my game.
I'm not on home turf and I've got no team cheering me on for support. It's really lonely out here on the field.
I sense his presence behind me and it's eerie or maybe I'm just very hyper aware right now. There's a struggle within me of wanting to be close to him but I need to be rational.
"You're not drinking." He observes while coming to stand next to me. He's too close so I nonchalantly take a few steps to the side acting like I want to see more of the view.
"Pacing myself," I reply and opt to distract. "Do you like living here?"
"I do, it's private and the view is beautiful." I look back at him and he's staring straight at me with a look in his eyes that I can't seem to understand except for the fact that it's melting me on the inside. Looking away, I nod and take a sip of the wine to now rid myself from any useless sexual thoughts.
He starts to ask me about my previous employment and I begin to feel at ease a bit since talking about work takes the edge off. Soon Mrs. Taylor tells us that dinner is ready and we take our seats at the dining table. Him at the head of the table while I sit adjacent to him. The dinner menu consists of chicken and mushroom baked risotto with a salad and garlic bread. It smells heavenly and I suddenly feel so hungry and tired from the week. More like, year.
We help ourselves to the food after Mrs. Taylor bids us farewell. Taking the first bite, I immediately giggle as the warmth of it all spreads throughout me.
"What happened?" He asks and I snap back to reality.
"Oh nothing, it's just so good. I've never had Italian food this good. Student budgets aren't really conducive to fine cuisine." I tell him.
He gives me a beautiful and wondrous smile and I find myself awestruck and in limbo, one of wanting to actually enjoy myself and get to know him and the other truth that he's made fun of me and my situation to someone else. Sure it was only his brother but still, it hurts
"Mrs. Taylor will be happy to hear that. Cooking for one gets a little boring for her."
I nod and resolve to remain mostly silent. This is just a business dinner Ana, no need to lose your place.
CPOV
I had been waiting for this night all week. Fuck, it's a god damn miracle my dick is still attached to my body. While I knew sex would be absolutely be off limits just the thought of being in her company was enough to get me through the week. Oh who am I kidding? It was fucking torture especially after the rejection on Monday and our showdown at SIP on Wednesday.
Then this evening, the audacity of this woman going out to a bar with her friends...
To be fair, she did tell you she didn't want to go to dinner, Grey.
Fuck that.
Watching her stomp her fine ass around and scowl made me want to laugh. She's fucking adorable when she's pissed.
The little gun speech did give me pause for a bit though. That made me go from wanting to spank her, kiss her, fuck her and now, I want to spank her again.
She's barely talking. I thought she was on her way to opening up when I asked about her previous job but then after complimenting the food she just shut down. She, blushed, giggled and smiled like a little child that it tug at my fucking ice cold heart but now it's only been me trying to make conversation. She's hesitant to answer any questions about her personal life and doesn't ask me anything at all.
Well, well, Grey, I wonder who else is like that? I usually hate it when people ask me personal shit but I find myself wanting to tell her all sorts of useless crap about myself.
I want back and forth, I want to hear the different inflections of her voice and her giggle but she's just not responding at all and will barely even look at me. What the hell? Why is she being like this?
Then the realization dawns on me.
Fuck, it's like I'm talking to a sub. An errant one at that.
"You're barely eating, I thought you said you liked the food."
"I do, my appetite just seems to have evaporated." She hasn't even had half of the wine I poured her the first time around and I'm already close to finishing my second glass.
"Anastasia, is there something wrong?"
"Nope." She says tightly. "Can we just discuss the business you mentioned?"
"Not until you tell me what's wrong."
She pinches the bridge of her nose and exhales. "There's nothing wrong Mr. Grey, can we please just discuss the business you mentioned so I can make a decision if there is one to be made and call it night. I'm kind of tired, it's been a long… week, year… everything really, so please, just do us both a favor and get to the point."
Ros would like her. I, however, want to take her across my knee and spank her for being impertinent.
Hey, you're the one who wanted back and forth. Well, beggars don't get to be choosers so suck it up.
"I would prefer it if you finished your food before we talk."
Her head slowly cranes towards me and yep, she's furious now.
"This may be a business dinner but you are certainly not the boss of me. I told you, politely that I am not hungry right now."
APOV
This man wants me to die of high blood pressure. That's what he wants. He wants to wind me up and set me on fire while he watches for his own entertainment. Is this how he amuses himself?
Maybe I should just confront him, this business dinner be damned. I need to just say my shit and move on.
But I'm a scaredy cat now, I internally whine and decide to take a sip of my wine. Hah! Whine and wine. Anyway, it tastes really good. I should ask him what kind it is but I'm trying not to communicate more than I have to.
"I remember you having quite the appetite." He takes a sip of his drink, keeping his eyes on me. Why are you so damn good looking. I literally have to bite my tongue to not smile.
"Well, I had a heavy lunch this afternoon, so I'm not that hungry." I lie. Fuck, this food is incredible but I also just really want to get out of here. See, if this were a restaurant, I could take it to go but since I'm at his place, I can't exactly be like, hey, can I take home the leftovers for later? That's so lame.
"Is that so? What did you eat?" He asks.
THINK... THINK... THINK!
"Pizza." I blurt out.
He looks at me knowingly. "You're a terrible liar."
I rub my face and try to calm myself because god dammit he is pissing me off and I am at my wits end with his useless back and forth.
"Can you PLEASE just tell me what this business is about?" I snap angrily.
Putting his glass down, he leans back in his chair and smirks. "I have a proposition for you."
I hate his voice and what it's doing to me. This is unfair and most of all inappropriate. Ignoring the aching between my thighs, I gather my wits and hold my high to answer him. Who the hell does he think I am?
"I'm not sleeping with you, Christian. I'm not that kind of girl."
I could never trust someone like you anyway.
CPOV
"First of all, Anastasia. We've technically, already slept together." I chuckle. "My proposition is more about getting revenge, that's if you're interested of course."
She swallows and looks away, fixing her hair a little. It's been fun watching her squirm all evening in addition to her sulking. I suddenly wish she would have gotten drunk, she's too inhibited and unsure of herself.
"Oh, uh… okay. I, um—I'm listening."
"Before I indulge in the scheming of revenge I had thought up, I'm curious to know why you think I would want to fuck you?" There, that should get more of a rise out of her.
Her face tenses and I can tell she's offended. Time to party. It's not like she's carrying anyway.
"Isn't that your M.O.? Wine, dine and in some cases pay women to let you fuck them?"
"No, I don't wine and dine them, I just get straight to the fucking." I smirk and her face pales a fraction before her lips press into a hard line though I'd really like to see then wrapped around my now hard co—
"Well, then good for you I guess. I'm happy to know I won't be a free lay for you. Hell, I wouldn't even let you… do any of that." She waves her hand around. "Even if you did pay me."
I laugh freely. "Is that so?"
Well, that's another first. A woman not wanting me to fuck her for free or money.
Her eyes narrow at me and brows furrow into a cute v formation. Raising my hands to illustrate defeat, I laugh again. "I was just teasing Anastasia. Honestly, you need to lighten up a little."
"I'm sorry, but I seem to have lost my sense of humor at the altar." She mutters and gets up roughly, pushing back the chair. "Thank you for dinner but I'm not in the mood to be ridiculed any further or concoct whatever revenge plot you have. I just want to move on with my life." She grabs her bag and turns to walk towards the elevators but stops midway and turns around. "Oh and by the way, maybe you want to make sure that idiot brother of yours isn't going around town relaying the hilarious story of how his brother got stuck in an elevator with a looney tunes bride who got ditched at her own wedding. HOW ABOUT MAKING HIM SIGN A MOTHERFUCKING NDA." Her voice roars towards the end of her rant.
My jaw drops. I'm so fucking turned on right now. No wonder she hates my guts and has been trying to avoid me.
Fucking hell, I'm going to murder Elliot.
Wait, how the fuck did she meet him?
She's making a beeline for the exit again but I catch up to her, blocking the panel to call for the elevator.
"Move!" She says thickly. "Please."
"How did you even meet Elliot?"
"He didn't tell you?" her voice breaks and she looks at me with teary eyes—Good job making her cry you asshole. "He hooked up with my friend Kate and then proceeded to share the story of how his poor brother took pity on a crazy bride because he felt sorry for her, implying that she probably deserved what happened to her since she was a piece of work. He's lucky Kate didn't murder him."
Yep, definitely going to kill Elliot and bury him at his own construction site. Fucker is cockblocking me without even being here.
Make this right, Grey.
"I did not tell Elliot your name or that you were bat shit crazy, I just said you were entertaining and I may have told him about the batmobile." I chortle. She doesn't laugh but stands with her arms crossed, looking to the floor.
"Please just leave me alone. I want you all to leave me the fuck alone."
"You work in my building now, I can't." I smirk, she's refusing to look at me but I can play this game all night, so I get comfortable leaning with my back against the wall. I'll wear her down. I always win.
She huffs and opens her bag to take out her phone and wipes a tear that's falling off her right cheek.
"Who are you calling?"
"911."
I snatch the phone from her hand and she screeches at me, jumping up and reaching to take it back from my hand as I laugh but I'm a whole foot taller than her.
Sucks to be you, shortcake.
"I swear to God, I will kick you in the balls. Give me my phone back." Her voice is dripping with murderous rage and her face is red with anger but all I can do is continue to laugh because she looks so fucking adorable. "Fine, it's your funeral." She warns and gets into her fighting stance.
Pocketing her phone and before she can even move, I grab both her wrists and spin her around so that her back is flush against my front. "Relax, Anastasia."
Her body follows my command and her breathing shallows. I lean in and she allows me to nuzzle her neck. Her shampoo smells of fall and apples, her perfume is light and floral mixed in with the scent of something completely unique to her. I can't wait to taste you. We stand, locked in this intimate embrace for a few moments and it feels achingly familiar and beautifully right. I feel a sense of déja vu.
My lips graze against the skin of her neck. "You're quite a trip, Miss Steele."
"And you're annoying, Mr. Grey." She doesn't laugh but I can hear the smile in her voice as she relaxes more into my embrace and moans a little. That sound is heaven sent.
Turning her around, I keep my hold on her wrists within my grasp and hold them behind her back while she faces me.
"I missed you." I whisper against her lips.
"B-but, you don't even know me, I mean… that doesn't make sense."
"Admit it, you thought about me too, baby."
"No I didn't." She blurts out. "I had no reason to."
"Then why have you been squirming since you stepped into my car, I bet if I checked, I'd find you drenched." She opens her mouth to say something but her effort falters. "All you have to say is stop, and I will."
I walk her back slowly to land against the wall. Her eyes remained locked with mine without saying a word.
"I'm going to release your hands but I have issues with people touching my chest or my upper back but anywhere else is fine. I'm choosing to trust you with this information and that you won't abuse it."
She nods wordlessly and I slowly let go of her wrists and she brings them to her sides while I move in closer and pin her body with my hips.
"Do you want me to stop?"
"I told you I'm not sleeping with you." Her tone lacks the conviction she had from before and I smile, keep telling yourself that baby.
I bring my hand down to her hip then bend a little to lift her dress to find her panties. Her breath catches in her throat but she still hasn't stopped me. "Who says we're going to be sleeping?"
I find the promised land and her body bows a little to my touch and she stutters in her response. "T-this is a bad idea."
"Then stop me, baby. Just say the word." I whisper.
She closes her eyes and tries her best not to moan when I run two fingers along her slit that's completely wet and begging for attention. Before I can say another word to coax her she pulls my face close and kisses me, jumping up to wrap her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.
We fight for dominance in our kiss and it's a heady struggle. Her scent and touch is overwhelming in the best way and I'm despearte enough to fuck her against the wall right now but I can't.
I want to fuck her in my bed and take my time savoring her till she blacks out.
A/N: A lot of you were right about Elliot and our lovebirds are obviously, constantly lost in translation! - Leave me a review and let me know what you think!
So, remember when I said this story would end in 15 chapters? Yeah, my mind went a little haywire and I'll be adding a few more but no angst, just a little drama and a lot of humor. If anything, blame CaskettAlways2009, she made me do it. It's allll her fault.