CHAPTER 7

Three days later Ana was released from the hospital. Ana had insisted on staying at her house on Evergreen Point. Christian and Taylor took her to her house. He was going to stay with her. When they arrived, he had Taylor take her bags to the guest rooms. Christian put her on the couch, she kicked off her shoes, sat up tucking her feet under her and he covered her up on the couch with the throw. He brought her, her work laptop bag, and put it by her and started the fire in her gas fireplace. Taylor and Christian were told earlier to just pick a guest room. She had six bedrooms.

The house was all wood and earth tones. She had a huge stainless steel gourmet kitchen with a cooking island with a barstool high counter, a wine cellar and billiard room and a small theater in the basement. She had a large open dining room with a stained glass wall reflecting from outside of deer in the woods during the daylight, a comfortable living room area, a study/library, and kitchen on the first floor. On the second floor was an all mahogany stairwell and balusters with guardrails lining the second story walkway. There were six bedrooms with ensuites with one master bedroom, a gym/workout room, laundry room and storage room. There was a second building on the property for staffing, an indoor/outdoor pool, and a spacious fenced in backyard with a dock and beach.

Ana laid down on the couch and said, "Thank you, Christian. My house manager and her husband handle the gardening and maintenance. They stay next door in a separate house with my coverts."

Christian said curiously, "I didn't know you had covert security. I'll get you some juice, Ana. I'll have Taylor set us up with my security and work with your covert security while we are here."

Ana said, "I'm surprised none of your security have found my covert security guys around me. I have three, but I didn't have any when I was out with you because you have your own. I was caught off guard and it was all my fault for the attack because I never should have gone outside or had my guard down like that. Never again." He left to get her juice to the kitchen.

An older woman was in the kitchen. He asked for a glass of juice. She introduced herself as Hattie Wilkinson the house manager. He greeted her and went back to Ana.

When he came back, he put the glass on the coffee table and sat next to her. He picked her up and sat her on his lap. Ana stiffened not knowing what to touch and what not to. Christian said, "Ana let me hold you. I have been wanting to try and just hold you for so long."

Christian wrapped his arms around her, hugged and kissed her forehead. He turned sideways and reclined back into the arm of the couch and pulled her down on the side of himself. Ana rested her head on his shoulder and put her hand on his waist not wanting to touch his chest. She relaxed and he did too.

Christian said, "I've never done this before but you feel comfortable. It's like you fit perfectly against my body. I know you are not up to it yet, but I want you when you and I are ready. I'll be waiting." Christian had seen his therapist. Flynn said to go slow with Ana and let her set the pace of the relationship, but he was going to have to sever all ties from Elena. Christian was very anxious to touch and have sex with Ana because he had waited months to be near her again, but he knew that if he rushed her he could lose her completely and he had some house cleaning to do.

Ana looked up into his eyes and saw he was unguarded like he had been before. She put her hand up to his face slowly and caressed his face. Christian closed his eyes. He felt a growing unknown feeling for her, that felt foreign to him.

Ana said seriously, "We need to go very slowly." He rubbed his hand over her body.

Christian replied, "Ok, Anastasia." At some point in the afternoon they both fell asleep.

—--

Christian woke up first and found Ana fast asleep next to him. Her hand was over his heart. He started breathing fast in fear and then calmed down because he realized there was no pain. He stared at her hand and was fascinated that it didn't hurt him. He loved how it felt to be touched by her. It was such a new sensation to him.

Ana woke up and was so comfortable laying on top of Christian. She looked up and smiled seeing his eyes were opened.

Ana said, "I fell asleep on you. You feel so warm and wonderful." Then she realized her hand was on his chest and quickly raised her hand but he grabbed her hand and pressed it back down on his heart.

Christian said, "For some reason I don't understand, it doesn't hurt when you touch me. It feels strange but there is no pain." Ana slid her hand up his chest and caressed his lips.

Ana asked softly, "Do you trust me, Christian? I promise I won't hurt you. If I ever make you uncomfortable, I want you to tell me."

Christian softly caressed her hand on his face and said, "I want to trust you. You're so soft and gentle with me. I love how you feel touching me. I can't wait to feel your skin against mine. You're so damn beautiful." He pulled her whole body up against his chest and deeply kissed her. He had her laying on him full length. Ana could feel his cock pressing up against her abdomen. She wanted him badly too, but not enough to commit to get in a sexual relationship yet, he had to sever ties.

Christian's hand slid under her shirt and he felt her smooth skin on her back. He let his hands slide over her skin and it felt so incredibly sexy. He grabbed her leg and pulled one up to his hip. Christian hand grabbed her ass and was massaging her butt cheek through her jeans. Ana was so very turned on by him. He was so damn sexy and handsome. She was getting hot and didn't want to go too far or she would have sex right this second on this couch with him. He was rubbing up against her to find some kind of friction and contact with her.

Ana broke the kiss and said, "I'm getting carried away with you. You're so… you make me feel… Damn it!" She sat up on him to get control of herself. He loved her rumpled look with long wild dark hair. She was so hot. He never saw such a beautiful sight. He would love to see her naked on top of him like this driving into her. He wondered if he could let her top from the bottom and control how they would have sex. He would try anything she could show him when she was ready.

Christian reached up touching her face and said, "You are so sexy sitting on me." Ana was looking down at him with his sexy smoldering dark gray eyes. He was so luscious and edible. She wanted him badly, but it had to slow down.

Ana said, "I'm hungry are you?"

He smirked and said, "Yes, for you and food." She got up off of him and held out her hand. She led him instead of the bedroom to the kitchen. Ana proceeded to make roasted tomato, roasted red peppers, pesto, light creamed garlic and fresh mozzarella panini sandwiches on ciabatta bread. They sat and ate their sandwiches with fresh squeezed lemonade.

Christian smiled and said, "This sandwich is really good."

Ana, "I know I love ciabatta bread and basil pesto. The fresh mozzarella in the refrigerator was a treat with roasted tomatoes and red pepper. It is the perfect blend of ingredients."

Christian said, "Hattie does all the shopping?"

Ana said, "Yes, I make a list on the refrigerator and she picks up what I like. She is a very kind lady."

Christian's phone rang and it was Elena. He kept turning off his phone.

Ana said, "You know she's just going to keep calling until you answer. I know it can only be Elena that acts like such an ass." He kissed her.

He broke the kiss and said, "Let's finish lunch because it's just too good to waste." He pecked her lips. Christian put the phone on vibrate.

After they finished eating, Christian answered his phone. He said, "For God's sake, what the hell do you want Elena?"

Elena asked, "That's no way to answer your phone. Where are you? I went to Escala and you were not there."

Christian said, "This is the way I answer the phone when someone is unrelentingly driving me crazy and won't just leave a message pounding my phone until I'm ready to turn it off. What the hell do you want?"

Elena asked in an authoritative voice, "I asked where are you?"

Christian said angrily, "It's none of your goddamn business where am. How dare you demand anything from me after the shit you've pulled trying to run me off the road."

Elena said in a detached voice, "Have you left that little bitch?" Christian was getting very angry.

Christian said growled, "You're becoming the only bitch I know. What's wrong with you?"

Elena demanded, "Tell me where you are, Christian?! You're with her, aren't you?! Did you vanilla fuck her?! You told me you were incompatible. Three months later that little bitch shows up at the hospital charity and you dance with her. Then, top it off, you go take her to fucking dinner at Canlis!"

Christian frustrated and angry, said, "So what it's nothing to do with you. I'm sick and tired of the way you're acting and interfering. It's my fucking life and I am going to remove you from it starting tomorrow. I am sick and tired of your games and manipulation!"

Elena told him angrily, "I'll make you sorry if you fuck with me, Christian. I'll ruin you. I put you where you are and made you the man you've become from my help. I can rip you back down from there! You get rid of that little bitch or I will! You meet me for lunch tomorrow. Do you hear me?"

Christian said, highly angry, "Then I guess you'll just have to live with your disappointment when I'm not there. I'm done letting you tell me what to do!"

Elena said low and angry, "You better show up at Maximilien Restaurant tomorrow at 12:30, or I'll make you sorry. That girl will be taken care of by me, if you don't get rid of her. Mark my words."

Christian said menacingly, "I won't be there so don't bother. I'm done! Do. You. Hear. Me.?! Your dole of ultimatums are over!" He hung up.

Christian was so angry that he was pacing, clenching his fists. Ana got up, intercepted him and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her to his body and all the frustration and anger deflated. He clung to her body and sat on the floor in the living room with her on his lap not letting go of her. He whispered, "I'll never let her hurt you. I want you to be mine only and I will protect you. I am so done with her. She has pushed me too far. I'm sick and tired of her."

Ana said softly rubbing the back of his head, "It's going to be ok. She isn't going to get to me. I'll head her off. I suggest you do that in-house audit now. Trust me she is stealing. I know it. Remember I bet you a million dollars? You could write me a check now. I think I can trust your checks?" She giggled and tickled him. He started laughing and kissed her in a sweet loving way.

Later on after dinner, Ana was laying on the couch watching the big screen TV. Christian climbed in behind her, putting the throw blanket over them both and they watched the news together falling asleep. Ana turned off the TV, turned over and buried herself cuddled into Christian's chest. Both of them didn't wake up until morning the next day.

—--

Christian never felt so warm and comfortable. He opened his eyes and was holding Ana close to his chest and they were completely wound around each other on the couch. He slept with no nightmares at all, holding her for over eight hours. Christian was gazing at her beautiful angelic face sleeping so innocently. She loved her long dark lashes that feather over her soft complexion, her pink pouty lips that were so very kissable and how she crinkled her nose when she giggled at him. He knew at that very moment that he was falling hopelessly in love with her. He thought, 'Love, is that what I'm feeling?' Christian never in a million years would think that he, the Christian Grey bachelor billionaire, would fall for such a beautiful, intelligent and sexy woman in three and a half months of knowing her. He would give or do anything for her, and all she needed to do is ask. He knew she never would, but he still would walk through fire to be with her. Christian was afraid to tell her because it was too soon and he didn't want to overwhelm her if she didn't feel the same. Ana made a little noise waking up and stretched her legs and arms. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him.

Ana whispered, "So you are the one making me so warm and comfortable."

He replied, "Guilty as charged, my beautiful Anastasia. Good morning." He leaned down and kissed her. She loved his kisses and melted as he kissed her.

When he broke the kiss, he said softly, "I slept longer than I ever had without a nightmare. I am usually lucky if I get four hours of sleep. You must be a dream catcher."

She smiled at him and caressed his face saying, "I can't believe we fell asleep all night out here on the couch. I'm glad you are comfortable sleeping with me. For a man afraid of touching, you snuggle pretty darn good." He kissed her again. He rolled her under him and started kissing her neck and running his hands under her shirt to feel her skin.

Christian told her, "It's you, it has to be your magic. I want to take you to the bedroom and ravage your body and fuck you until you scream." Oh crap, she was done for….

Hattie came into the living room and said, "Ana, would you and Mr Grey like breakfast now?" Christian was looking intensely into Ana's fathomless blue eyes.

Ana said to Hattie, "Yes, in just a few minutes, Hattie. Thank you." Hattie left for the kitchen.

He kissed her passionately and said, "Let's go eat, baby." Ana pecked his mouth and she thought the smile he had on his face made him look younger.

He rolled off of her and they sat up in seat positions on the couch. Ana tried to pull the tangles out of her hair with her fingers. They went and sat at the breakfast bar and had Hattie make them breakfast.