ELEVEN
It's Friday and Brenda has just arrived at Christian's penthouse.
Miss Jones was in the kitchen talking to Taylor.
She said hello and continued to her room.
She had spoken with them numerous times.
It wasn't anything serious, just small talk.
She honestly felt a little awkward around them, not because they treated her badly, quite the contrary.
It was mostly awkward for her.
They knew what her real purpose was for being there.
There was no lying to them.
They knew she was Christian's prostitute.
She was also sure that Miss Jones cleaned the playroom, which meant she knew about everything.
It really made Brenda uncomfortable.
She never mentioned it to Christian.
She would have to learn to work through her issues, because she was actually enjoying this arrangement, and had no plans on leaving.
After putting her things in her room, she set out to find Christian.
He was probably in his office.
She wouldn't normally bother him, but she wanted to see him.
The door was open and he was on the phone.
His back was turned.
He was looking out the large window behind his desk.
His office had an amazing view.
The whole penthouse had amazing views.
She walked inside and walked over to where he was standing.
He looked at her and smiled.
And without thinking she hugged him.
She could tell he was caught off guard.
She didn't know what she was thinking.
She decided to leave, because he was obviously busy, and she just made everything awkward with that hug.
She went to her room and walked over to the window.
It looked so dreary outside.
It looked like it was going to rain.
She kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed.
She heard a knock.
"Come in."
Christian strolled in. "Why did you leave?"
"You were busy."
"So, you could have stayed. I like looking at you."
He sat down on the bed.
She flipped over and looked up at him.
"Christian, did me hugging you bother you?"
"It just surprised me, that's all."
She lifted her head and pulled her hair to the side. "Are we friends?"
"Where did that come from?"
"Me. I just want to know. I think we are."
"I think so too. Might even be more than friends."
"Do you mind if I hug you?"
"I didn't mind it, Brenda, but I don't really hug."
"Well, I do."
She sat up and threw her arms around his neck.
She gave him a nice squeeze and released him.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"It was awful. I need a minute to recover."
She pushed him.
He laughed.
"Christian, I'm an affectionate person. I missed you and I'm happy to see you. That's why I hugged you."
"You missed me?"
"Yes, I like hanging out with you. Did you miss me?"
He nodded. "I did."
"Well, act like it. Hug me when you see me."
He ran his finger down the hollow part of her chest. "I'd rather show you later."
"You won't even hug me then."
He laughed. "Brenda, I told you-"
"I know, I know, you aren't into all of that. Maybe we should renegotiate this?"
"You want to add in hugs?"
She smiled. "Yes. Grey, you get to tie me up and use all of your different toys. I just want a little more affection...sometimes. That's all."
With raised brows, he posed a question to her. "Are you going to pay me?"
She fell back onto the bed. "OK, you have a point. You pay me for my time. You pay me to do what you like. You pay me to do a job."
He stood up. "Yes, I do."
"And you keep telling me I'm not a prostitute. I really am."
He was really getting annoyed. "Don't start that shit again."
"But it's the truth, Grey."
He turned to leave but stopped before walking out. "Brenda, I don't have a problem with the hugs."
She smiled. "Ok."
He continued out of the door..…..
It's later on that evening and it is raining really hard.
Christian would normally take her out to dinner, but they decided to stay in.
They are in his dining room eating.
Both casually dressed.
Brenda wore oversized sweats, which was her favorite thing to lounge in.
Christian had on jeans and a t-shirt, which happened to be his favorite thing to lounge in.
"Christian, thank you for agreeing to some hugs. I know that was hard."
"I'll survive."
"I know, but you never lied to me. You told me what to expect from you. I'm just so used to affection."
"Most people are, I'm different. Look, I know it can be difficult dealing with me. I'm different, I know it."
"I don't find you difficult, Christian. I like being around you. Being with you is not a chore."
"Brenda, I know we do a lot of things together, but this is not a normal relationship."
"You are right, it's not. And I'm sorry, because you told me upfront what it was and what it was not. I apologize."
"It's fine. Brenda, I don't even know how to do a normal relationship."
"I'm not trying…to turn this into one."
"I know."
"I think we spend so much time together, things are getting blurred for me. When I'm around you, I want to touch you, outside of sex. I like you, Christian."
"I thought it was more than like. Aren't we still defining it?"
She nodded. "Is this too heavy for you? Or weird?"
"No."
"I really want to respect your boundaries, like you have with the kissing thing."
"Brenda, I'm just not used to certain things, that's all. I honestly don't mind your touch. It just caught me off guard, that's all."
"Are you going to fire me?"
He was confused. "Why would I do that?"
"Because you said you don't want your submissives getting attached, or whatever."
"Are you attached?"
"I like you."
He corrected her. "More than like."
"I don't know what I feel. I know, I'd miss you if you were to ever leave my life."
"Brenda, if I haven't told you, your honesty is refreshing. And I'd miss you too."
"So, are you going to fire me or not?"
He smiled. "You don't listen. Absolutely not."
They finished dinner and headed down to the playroom…
Fridays in the playroom were always hard.
Fun but hard.
Christian was normally extra intense on Friday's.
Brenda would always be extremely tired when they were done.
That Friday was no different.
She decided to bathe afterwards, instead of shower.
She wanted to relax for a while.
She filled the tub, got in, leaned back, and closed her eyes…..
"Brenda."
She opened her eyes.
The water was cold now.
She sat up. "What time is it?"
"It's late."
"I must have fallen asleep."
"Yeah, you did."
"I guess, I was tired."
He turned on the hot water.
He grabbed the soap and washcloth.
Brenda was too tired to object, she just let him do what he wanted.
She was exhausted.
After washing her, he helped her out of the tub.
He dried her off, rubbed her body down in moisturizer, and helped her into her pajamas.
She got into bed.
He sat down on the side of the bed.
She stretched. "Thanks."
"Get some sleep. Goodnight."
She sat up and hugged him, "Goodnight."
He tensed up briefly, but then relaxed.
He got up and left.
She flipped on her side and looked out the window.
It wasn't an act, which she never suspected anyway.
He really was uncomfortable.
How can a man be that intense sexually, but be awkward when it comes to a simple hug?
He said that he had an awful childhood.
He never went into great detail.
She never asked.
She saw the marks on his chest.
She never asked what happened.
She guess he would tell her if he wanted her to know, but she also knew he was an open book.
If she asked, he would tell her.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to know.
She had said it a million times, but she had never met anyone like him in her life.
She thought Sonny was complicated.
He was just secretive.
Christian was complicated.
There were so many layers to him…..
Brenda and Christian are having breakfast at a restaurant near his home.
If it was nice out, they rarely stayed in.
He was always taking her places and buying her things.
The watch on her wrist, the earrings in her ear, the necklace around her neck.
If he wasn't showering her with things, he was introducing her to new experiences.
"Thank you again for bathing me last night."
"I enjoyed it."
She laughed. "I never had anyone to bathe me before, not since I was able to bathe myself."
"I've never bathed anyone."
"A first for us both."
"I like feeling the curves of your body. What a gorgeous body it is."
"You were even gentle."
"I can be gentle, Brenda."
"Really, because I can't tell."
"Have I hurt you?"
"No, you are just intense."
"If it is ever too much for you, just say the word."
She nodded. "You were extra intense last night. Stressful week?"
"No more than ordinary. Maybe I just... missed you? You hug...I-"
She giggled. "Don't say it. I know."
"Are you ready for our trip to Aspen?"
"I actually am. I'm looking forward to it. You think we'll get sick of each other? We have spent a lot of time together, but with breaks. This is different."
"I guess we won't know until afterwards."
She nodded and finished off her omelet. "What are we doing today?"
"Whatever we want to do."
Christian ended up taking her shopping and then he took her flying again.
This time she wasn't scared.
She trusted him completely.
After they finished flying, they went wine tasting.
She had never been wine tasting.
It was so much fun.
Some people got really drunk.
Even Brenda got a little tipsy.
It was definitely a fun experience, one that she would have no problem doing again.
After they left the wine tasting, they stopped by a park.
They just walked and talked.
It was a great way to wrap up their day out….
Brenda and Christian have just made it
home.
Brenda went into her room to drop off the things Christian bought her.
She walked in and there was a rack of clothes waiting on her.
It was obvious they were for Aspen.
Christian walked in.
"Christian, you don't have to keep buying me things. You already pay me very well. I sometimes think I should be paying you.'
He laughed, closed the door, and sat down in one of the chairs. "I like buying you things. I know you feel uncomfortable, but don't. It makes me happy."
"It still feels strange."
"I like doing it. Now, let's have a mini fashion show."
She turned. "You are going to watch me try on all of these clothes?"
"Unless, you would rather I not."
"No, I'm fine with it. Christian, you bathed me last night, you can watch me try on clothes."
She spent the next hour trying on clothes.
They fit her perfectly.
Christian's shopper was amazing and Brenda loved her taste.
She had seriously elevated Brenda's style.
Christian watched her try on everything.
"You look great in everything. I told her to pull a lot for you, and you could keep whatever you liked. I'll tell her we are keeping it all."
"Christian, they are all designer items. That's expensive."
"I can afford it."
She just stood there staring at the clothes, shoes, lingerie, and whatever else was in those boxes. "Thank you just doesn't seem…like it's enough."
"It is and you're welcome."
"Why are you doing all of this for me?"
"Because I like doing things for you."
"Christian, I just don't want to take advantage of you."
"Brenda, you could never take advantage of me. I don't do anything that I don't want to do. And you have never asked me for anything, other than a hug."
"This arrangement is so lopsided."
"You give me plenty. You have added more to my life than you know." He stood up. "I'll see you later."
Brenda sat down on the bed.
This was all too much.
She didn't know what she did to deserve all of this.
He took exceptional care of her.
He even paid for her healthcare plans, which included dental and vision.
She didn't understand why he was so good to her.
She only had sex with him, and to be honest it was so good, she would probably do it for free.
She got up and placed the items back on the rack.
She looked at the time.
She decided to take a nap before it was time to go into the playroom.
Last night was insane, she expected that night to be no different.
She showered and got into bed….
Christian unfastened the restraints and helped Brenda slip on a T-shirt.
He scooped her up and took her down to her room.
He didn't put her in the bed.
He took her inside of the bathroom.
He placed her on her feet and turned on the shower.
He got undressed and helped her out of the T-shirt.
She stepped into the shower, with him following.
They had taken a shower once before.
It felt like the most natural thing to have him there.
There was no awkwardness.
She stood up under the water and felt his lips on her face.
She looked into his eyes. "I'm too tired."
"Brenda, I know you are tired. I'm not trying to start anything."
"I don't trust you, Grey."
"I promise."
He grabbed the washcloth and soap.
He washed her from head to toe, then himself.
After helping her towel dry off and moisturize her body, he helped her slip on a t-shirt.
He wrapped a towel around his waist.
Brenda got into bed.
Her back was facing the door.
She heard it open and close.
Within only a few minutes she was asleep…..
Brenda decided to sleep in the next day.
She was tired.
Friday and Saturday inside the playroom, took a lot out of her.
Christian brought her breakfast in bed.
He had already eaten.
He sat down in one of the chairs in her room.
"Are you feeling OK?"
"Yes, just tired. I'll be OK, I'll get plenty of rest on Monday. Will Taylor be going to Aspen too?"
He shook his head. "No, just us."
"Where did you take your other submissives?"
"What do you mean?"
"For the holidays."
"We never spent the holidays together. This is a first."
"So, I'm the guinea pig."
"I prefer the exception."
She smiled. "That makes me feel good."
"I like spending time with you. We have fun together. It's not forced. It is natural."
"I agree. I hope I get to know you better on this trip."
"If you have any questions, all you have to do is ask."
"I know, but I mean from just being around you more."
Christian's hair was all wild and he was wearing a T-shirt and sweats.
Brenda ate and stared at him.
He returned her gaze.
He wondered what she was thinking.
"What are you thinking?"
"How wild your hair is and how gorgeous you look."
He ran his fingers through it.
"Don't fix it. It's perfect."
"Brenda, are you flirting?"
"I don't think so, just being honest. I can't help it. I find you irresistible, Grey. I can't lie, I'm developing this addiction to you."
"Brenda, I thought you said you were tired."
She grinned and finished off her plate. "I am."
"Well, don't poke the bear."
He got up, removed the tray, and sat it on the nightstand.
He sat down on the bed.
His face was so close to hers, she thought he was going to kiss her, but he didn't.
"What's wrong, Grey? You can't take harmless flirting?"
"Not from someone I can't get enough of."
Her eyes roamed over him. "I wasn't flirting. I just like the way you look."
"Oh, Brenda, you are really trying to start some shit."
He leaned over and went to work on her neck.
She ran her hand up the back of his neck and up into his hair.
It was her first time touching him like this.
His mouth was turning her into putty.
She moaned and he slipped his hand up under the covers that were still blanketing her bottom half.
She felt his hand inside her panties.
She whispered his name and fell back onto the pillow.
He followed, never releasing her neck.
He removed his hand and threw the covers back.
He got out of bed, quickly removed his pants, and underwear.
She took that opportunity to remove her panties.
He settled in between her thighs and joined their bodies slowly.
She had one hand on his arm and one on his cheek.
He kissed her hand and rocked his hips slowly.
She moaned his name and used her pelvic muscles to massage him.
Christian closed his eyes. "Aaaah, Brenda. Goddamn."
He buried his face in her neck and sucked hard on it, as he continued to move in and out of her at a leisurely pace.
She felt every glorious inch of him.
She started rotating her hips underneath him meeting his thrusts, he groaned, and looked into her eyes.
They were locked in an intense gaze.
Her eyes moved down to his lips. "Kiss me."
He stopped moving.
"Brenda, you said no kissing, remember?"
"Christian, I just said that because I wanted to have some control. It's actually from a movie I watched."
"Brenda, you always have control. I can't do anything you don't want me to."
She moaned when he shifted his hips and drove his body deep into hers. "I want you to kiss me…please."
She didn't wait for him to make a move.
She lifted her head and ran her tongue along his lips.
He opened his mouth, accepted her tongue, and wrapped his around hers.
She felt little explosions going off all over her body, as they devoured each other.
She felt like she was being suspended in the air, floating.
He was an exceptional kisser, as she knew he would be.
She knew what his tongue could do, she felt it on many occasions.
Between his lips and him snaking in and out of her, her body continued to get slicker.
The sounds filled the room.
Christian moaned into her mouth and continued to feast on her lips.
She broke the kiss and whimpered.
He did not increase his speed, he just kept moving at the same pace.
It was driving her insane but it felt amazing at the same time.
He looked down at her and watched the various emotions run across her face.
His name…a constant on her lips.
She was almost begging him now.
Begging him for a release.
This only encouraged him to prolong things.
If he felt like she was getting close, he would pull out.
It would frustrate the hell out of her, but he was in no rush.
She told him that she was developing an addiction to him.
And he simply could not get enough of her.
He had no idea where this was headed.
This was different from anything he had ever experienced.
He wasn't even sure what it all meant.
But he knew this was different.
He leaned down and joined his lips and body with hers…
Christian finally moved off of her but not before kissing her one last time.
He was lying on his side facing her.
She turned to face him.
She wanted to say something, but the words didn't come.
With each blink, her eyes got heavier, before long she was asleep.
Christian watched her for a while, before leaving…...
Brenda woke up hours later.
Christian was gone.
She could still smell him, all over her and the pillow next to her, which she was hugging.
She needed to get up and shower.
There was a mix of her and Christian on her thighs.
She sighed and made herself get out of bed.
After showering and throwing on a pair of joggers and a tank top, she set out to find Christian.
She found him in the living room playing the piano.
She thought it was there for decoration, but she was wrong.
He played and beautifully.
She stood there and watched him for a few minutes.
He didn't see her or so she thought.
She was just about to leave, when he called out to her.
"Where are you going?"
"I didn't want to bother you."
"Come here."
She walked over to him.
He turned around on the bench.
"I thought you were going to sleep all day."
He pulled her down onto his lap, which caught her off guard.
"I think I could have."
"Would you rather stay in for dinner?"
"Yes."
He kissed her arm. "You smell good, but you always do."
She guess it was his day to be unpredictable.
"Christian, do you ever see your family?"
"Yep, we have dinner on Thursdays. And I talk to them all the time."
"I envy that."
"Brenda, you have a family that adores you. The Quartermaines. Some people don't have anyone. You have them and all of your friends."
"Yeah, you're right. One day I'm going to have my own family. A husband, a couple of kids, a dog, and plenty of love."
"As long as it isn't with that mob character, or the poor dog will end up getting shot dead, because it will have to go outside at some point."
Brenda laughed. "You are cruel, Grey."
"Not cruel, it's just the fucking truth."
"Do you think you could ever be someone's husband?"
"I can be with one woman. That is not an issue for me. It would have to be the right one. A person who understands me. I'm different, Brenda."
"I know. I have never met anyone like you. You have so many layers and hidden talents. Who knew you could play the piano...and so well? I don't have any talents. I can't do anything."
"You brighten days."
She laughed. "And you can be smooth too."
"Brenda, we all have talents. We just have to find out what we are good at. That's why I'm all for trying new things."
"I feel like trying something right now. Teach me how to play the piano."
"OK."
She stood up and he turned around to face the keys.
She sat down next to him and they began her lesson…..