Reese moved through the crowd with practiced ease, navigating the sea of guests toward the makeshift stage set up for the auction. The buzz of conversation fell to a murmur as she climbed onto the platform, the attention of every guest now squarely focused on her. She clutched the index cards tightly, each one holding the name of a winner, each one ready to change the course of someone's night. The crowd's eager anticipation was palpable, except for one face—Christian Grey. His gaze wasn't filled with the same anticipation or curiosity as the others; instead, his eyes were fixed on her with a burning intensity that she found both distracting and challenging. She met his gaze head-on, refusing to be the first to look away. He smirked, a faint amusement playing on his lips, clearly enjoying the silent battle of wills.
"Good evening, everyone," Reese began, her voice steady as she tore her gaze away from Christian and addressed the crowd. She cleared her throat, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "I hope everyone is having a wonderful time tonight." She offered a nervous smile, feeling the weight of so many eyes upon her. "I have the winners of tonight's giveaway items, generously donated by some of you fabulous people," she continued, her voice gaining confidence as she spoke. "The winner of the Spa and Serenity yacht day trip is... Nadine Fischer!"
A wave of cheers and applause filled the room as Nadine beamed, waving to the crowd. Reese smiled, trying to absorb some of the positive energy emanating from the audience.
"Congratulations, Nadine!" Reese said warmly. "Now, moving on to the next item—a three-day weekend in Malibu." She paused, her eyes scanning the index cards. Her fingers fumbled slightly as she searched for the right card. "And the winner is... Collin Haynes," she announced. Her voice faltered slightly as the name left her lips.
For a moment, Reese stood frozen, her ex-fiancé's name echoing in her mind like a haunting refrain. She hadn't told Collin about the event; in fact, she hadn't spoken to him in two years. The mere thought of him being here sent a chill down her spine. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for his familiar face. Instead, she found Naomi, whose expression mirrored her confusion. Naomi shrugged, clearly as bewildered as Reese.
"Congratulations, Collin," Reese managed to say, her voice laced with a nervous chuckle. "Please come up and claim your prize." She scanned the crowd once more, but there was no sign of him. "Well, moving along," she continued, clearing her throat to regain her composure, "the next item is a private jet tour to wine country, generously donated by... actually, I'm not sure who donated this," she added with a raised brow, eliciting a few chuckles from the audience.
The crowd cheered enthusiastically at the mention of the private jet tour.
"The winner of this item is... Miranda Sosa!" Reese announced with renewed enthusiasm. "Congratulations, Miranda!" She glanced over at her colleagues, who were clapping and cheering. "And now, the final giveaway item of the night. This is the one everyone has been waiting for—the envy of all items tonight. An all-expense-paid two-week vacation for two off the coast of Crete!"
The room buzzed with excitement, the energy reaching a fever pitch. Grins spread across the faces of the attendees, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
"The winner of this amazing vacation is..." Reese paused for dramatic effect, "Christian Grey."
The enthusiasm in her voice evaporated the moment she read his name. She looked up and found Christian's eyes already locked on hers. He stood there, that infuriatingly familiar smirk on his face, clearly enjoying the moment.
For a few seconds, the room seemed to hold its breath as Reese and Christian stared each other down. His smile widened as he watched her, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He subtly motioned with his hand, prompting her to continue.
Clearing her throat, Reese forced herself to look away. "Ahem, sorry about that," she said, trying to regain her composure. "This concludes our giveaways for the evening. Please continue to enjoy the party and take a good look around this beautiful house, which will be on the market in two days!" She offered a shy smile and quickly stepped off the stage, eager to disappear into the crowd.
The music resumed, filling the room with a lively beat that some guests instinctively began to move to, while others resumed their conversations. Christian, however, had his sights set on Reese. As she made her way over to her colleagues, she could feel his presence behind her like a shadow.
"Naomi, can I talk to you for a second?" Reese said, cutting into her friend's conversation with Vincent.
"Sure," Naomi replied, sensing the urgency in Reese's tone. She excused herself and stepped aside with Reese. "What's going on?"
"Collin is here," Reese blurted out, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"I don't know," Naomi replied, taking a sip of her smoky cocktail. "I guess he could be considering he bid on a prize, but I haven't seen him."
"Did you invite him?" Reese pressed, her eyes narrowing.
"No, why would I do that?" Naomi looked genuinely puzzled. "The last time I talked to him, he said he wasn't interested in seeing the house, especially because you wouldn't call him directly, so I have no idea why he'd be here."
"Right," Reese muttered, her mind racing. "Well, I guess I'll take a look around, see if I run into him."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Naomi asked, leaning in closer. "I mean, do you really want to reopen old wounds right now?"
"I'm not looking to have a heart-to-heart about our past," Reese snapped, frustration creeping into her voice. "I just want to know why he's here."
"Okay," Naomi replied, her tone softening. "But I still think you should avoid him."
Reese nodded but was already scanning the room, her eyes searching every corner for a glimpse of Collin. She wasn't sure what she'd say if she did find him—she just needed to know why he was here.
"Ms. Sutherlin," a deep, familiar voice rumbled from behind her, sending a shiver down her spine. "Is everything alright?"
Reese turned around sharply to find Christian standing there, his expression as enigmatic as ever. "Yes," she said, straightening her posture. "Everything's fine. Do you need something?"
"Well," Christian's voice trailed off, a devilish smile playing on his lips.
"What is it, Christian?" she asked, crossing her arms defensively. "Did your buyer bail?"
"No," he replied coolly, his gaze unwavering. "He'll be here. Eventually."
"Then what do you want?" she demanded, her patience wearing thin.
"Will you come with me?" he asked, extending his hand. "I have something to show you."
"I'm kind of busy, Christian," she scoffed. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm hosting an event."
"This will only take a minute," he insisted, his hand still outstretched.
Reese hesitated but finally sighed in resignation. "Fine," she muttered, taking his hand.
Christian led her through the crowd, his grip firm yet gentle as he guided her out of the main house and across the expansive lawn to the guest house, which was dark and unused for the evening's events. They were completely alone.
"Christian, what are we doing here?" Reese asked as he closed the door behind them, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution.
"I want to talk to you," he said, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her heart race.
"About what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to mask the effect he had on her.
"About you accompanying me to Crete," he said, stepping closer.
"Christian—" she began, but he cut her off.
"You don't have to answer right now," he murmured, his voice low and persuasive. "Just hear me out."
"I'm listening," she whispered, finding herself unable to look away from his mesmerizing eyes.
"Reese," he continued, his tone soft but firm, "I have every intention on changing your mind about me. Just imagine it—swimming in Elafonisi Beach, taking a private dip at Seitan Limania. We'd be alone, completely undisturbed... Maybe I can finally make you mine."
"Christian," she sighed, feeling the familiar pull of his words. "We've been over this."
"Have we?" he challenged, pulling her into his embrace, his hands sliding up her back.
"Yes," she breathed, her words barely audible as their faces drew closer, "I have no interest in being punished sexually whether for your enjoyment or pleasure."
"You've awaken something in me," he said, his voice husky.
"I'm not interested," she whispered, her breath mingling with his.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked, his lips brushing hers ever so lightly.
"Yes," she replied, though her voice betrayed her lack of conviction.
"Why do you lie to yourself?" he murmured, his lips hovering over hers.
Reese swallowed hard, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. She wanted him, that much was undeniable. His hands moved to cup her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks gently.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice a soft rumble. "What are you thinking about?"
"I—" she stammered, caught between her desire and her better judgment.
"Say it," he urged, his gaze searching hers.
"I think we should get back," she managed to say, her voice faint. "People might start wondering where we are."
"Let them wonder," he said, leaning in and planting a soft, lingering kiss on her lips.
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as his kisses deepened. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, every kiss sending a wave of longing through her. But she knew she couldn't give in—not now, not here. She pulled away, breathless.
"Christian," she said, stepping back, "we shouldn't."
"Fine," he said after a moment, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I'll leave you alone... for now." A sly smile curved his lips. "But this isn't over, Reese."
Reese turned away, her mind racing, her heart still pounding from their encounter. She needed to regain control—of the situation, of herself. She needed to get back to the event, back to reality.