Chapters of Trust
by
Ava LeBeau
Twelve
The mirror elevator doors slid open and Anastasia stepped into Grey's lavish penthouse, the scent of leather and something distinctly him enveloping her with warmth and comfort. Her breath caught in her throat when she took in the expansive space.
Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the decor a seamless blend of modern elegance and understated luxury. Anastasia felt a rush of excitement mixed with a hint of intimidation; smoothing down the fabric of her dress while she could sense the tension simmering beneath the surface, she knew that tonight was going to be different. But Ana had a plan.
"Hello?" She called. "Christian?"
Looking around as she slowly walked further inside, Grey emerged from the kitchen, dressed in a casual yet polished manner. The soft light caught the subtle sheen of his light blue cashmere sweater, which hugged his frame just right, accentuating his broad shoulders and pecs. He paired it with dark jeans that fit him well, stylish but not overly flashy.
"Wow, look at you," Anastasia teased, crossing her arms playfully, a grin ghosting across her features as she gave him a once-over. "To be honest, I was expecting gray sweatpants and a hoodie… so, definitely not the boy next door I had in mind."
Christian chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile as he stepped closer. "Well, I figured I'd dress down for our little movie night," he replied. "But I guess I missed the memo on how casual we were going. Didn't know you were into the whole bed head thing." Ana couldn't help but chuckle when he reached up to tousle his perfectly styled hair just a little in an attempt to appear more relaxed.
"Yeah, clearly," Anastasia grinned. "You're making it hard for me to believe you're not secretly hosting an intimate dinner for your billionaire buddies."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Trust me, this is as low-key as it gets for me." He gestured toward the couch and massive screen that dominated the living room. "So, what do you think? A bit too much for a relaxed evening at home?"
"Just a tad overwhelming," she admitted with a playful roll of her eyes. "But I guess I'll manage. Plus, it's nice to know you have taste beyond your fancy business suits."
Christian's expression softened as he looked at her. "I'm really glad you came," he said, his smile bright and genuine. "You look really nice tonight."
Leaning in slightly, he paused to gauge her reaction before gently resting his hand on her upper arm and brushing his cheek against hers in a light kiss; more an tentative invitation than a firm expectation. For a brief moment, Anastasia's eyes fluttered shut as she inhaled his cologne, savoring the fresh scent of something citrusy and mint.
"Thanks for the invitation, Christian," Ana mumbled, biting her lip as she pulled away, feeling both flattered and somewhat surprised.
"Well," he said, eyes glinting with that familiar intensity as he walked over to the kitchen, Ana following him. "I hope you're ready for an evening of… entertainment."
"Oh? Is that what we're calling it now?"
Christian chuckled softly, a hint of surprise in his expression. "What do you mean?"
"Just curious if 'entertainment' includes your usual agenda or if we're mixing it up tonight," she teased, stopping by his side when they reached the kitchen island.
Grey raised an eyebrow but didn't respond directly. Instead, he poured them both glasses of wine, his favorite vintage, and handed her one of them.
"How about I show you around my… uhm… humble abode before we dive into the movie?"
"Sure," she grinned, lifting the glass to her lips to take a quick sip. Her gaze darted to him over the rim of her glass. There was nothing humble about this place.
Still in the kitchen, definitely the heart of the penthouse, he gestured grandly. "So, this is where all the magic happens." Ana glanced around at the stylish appliances and marble countertops. "I can see why you'd want to spend time here. This place is stunning."
"Thanks. Just trying to keep up with my own standards, you know?" Christian replied with a casual smile.
He then motioned toward a door on the side. "And over here is the bathroom… nothing too fancy, just the essentials."
She peeked inside, taking in the sleek fixtures and elegant decor, along with all the luxurious spa-like touches such as a freestanding, jetted soaking tub and a high-end steam room. "Very chic," she remarked, her tone laced with playful skepticism, clearly unimpressed by his understated description. "You really know how to live."
Christian laughed as he led her back, casually holding his glass. "Just wait until you see the living room. It's where I try to make sense of all this space. Sometimes I wonder if it's just a little too much for one person." For a moment he sounded pensive.
As they walked into the living room, Anastasia was captivated by the elegant space filled with tasteful decor: an impressive art collection was lining the walls, and a grand piano in the corner that seemed to gleam under the soft lighting.
"Oh, how cool," she breathed, taking in the atmosphere. "So this is where you entertain your guests? Or just show off?"
"Mostly just show off," he quipped back with a self-depreciating grin, leaning casually against the arm of a sofa. "But I assure you, tonight is all about good company… no expectations, just enjoying the moment."
Ana raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Oh really?" She let her words hang in the air, clearly enjoying his reaction.
Christian held up his hands in mock surrender, laughter dancing in his eyes. "There's more upstairs, the master bedroom, a home gym and some guest rooms... But I figured we'd keep it simple for tonight." He shot her a playful grin. "No need to overwhelm you with my entire penthouse tour."
"Right, so you're keeping some secrets? I see how it is." Anastasia winked, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "You know, I think it's really sexy for a guy to just be honest about what they want…"
Holding her gaze, Christian furrowed his brow, disbelief ghosting across his face. For a second his voice was serious. "It's just where I keep my clothes and stuff… definitely not a secret lair for anything nefarious."
"Sure, sure, no expectations, I see," she replied with a small smile, crossing her arms playfully as she studied his features for a moment. "I'll be sure to keep my guard up."
"Just saving the best for another time," he replied, shaking his head as he gestured for her to follow him back into the lavish open kitchen. "Come on… let's grab some snacks before we start our movie marathon. I promise no hidden agendas there."
The marble countertops were covered with an impressive spread of finger foods: colorful platters of gourmet cheeses, fresh fruits, and pastries.
"Oh, look at that," Ana said, her fingertips dancing over the edge of the marble. "You really went all out. I didn't realize you were such a domestic god. Is this your way of luring me into a false sense of security before you unleash your corporate takeover plans?"
Christian chuckled, leaning against the kitchen island with a relaxed air. "I may have mentioned we were having a movie night. Gail takes her snacks seriously." He motioned toward the array of options.
"Gail?"
"My housekeeper," he said. "But hey, you caught me. I was hoping to distract you with my culinary skills before I swoop in and take over your beloved bookshop."
Ana moved closer. "Well, if that's the case, I hope you've got a good recipe for disaster because that's what it'll be if you think I'm going down without a fight."
He chuckled and gestured toward the living room. "Dinner first, then we can discuss your valiant resistance. Help yourself, Ana. I promise it's all delicious."
She picked up a small pastry filled with cream cheese and something else and took a bite, savoring the rich flavor. "Mmmh, this is amazing," she said, her eyes lighting up as she reached for a napkin. "What is this? Shrimp?"
"Glad you like it," Christian replied, watching her with an amused smile. "It's lobster, actually. But don't worry, I won't charge you for the experience. Consider it a… business dinner."
"A business dinner?" Ana exclaimed, mock horror etched across her features. "How scandalous. What will your investors say?"
"They'll say I have excellent taste in company," he replied smoothly, taking one of the pastries and popping it into his mouth.
She laughed, grabbing a few more pastries to sample. "You know how to set the mood for a movie night," she teased, glancing back at him as she took a bite of another treat. "Mmmh… not bad for someone who spends all his time plotting world domination."
Christian raised an eyebrow, leaning back casually as he dug into his own plate, his legs crossed at the ankle. "World domination?" He muttered casually. "You really think that highly of me?"
"Oh please," she fired back, waving her fork dismissively. "It's either that or you're secretly running a foodie cult out of this penthouse. Either way, I'm keeping my eye on you."
Christian chuckled, the sound deep and heartfelt. "I assure you, no cults here. Just a very dedicated housekeeper who makes sure I don't starve in my own luxury. Trust me, if it were up to me, we'd be having takeout," he replied with a smirk. "Gail is the real hero here. I'm more of a 'microwave gourmet' kind of guy."
Ana paused mid-bite, her fork hovering above her plate. "So you're saying that…," she gestured around the lavish space. "...behind this polished exterior lies a man who can barely boil water?"
"Exactly," he said, leaning forward with an exaggerated seriousness. "I'm just a simple businessman trying to navigate the treacherous waters of frozen meals and smoothies."
"Simple businessman?" Ana scoffed playfully. "Yeah right… I'm sure you mean cutthroat tycoon with a penchant for real estate and world domination?"
Christian raised his glass in mock salute. "Touché. But even tycoons need to eat, right?"
"True," she conceded, taking another bite and savoring the delicious food. "I have to admit, this place is… impressive, Christian." She glanced around again, trying not to let her awe show too much.
"Impressive enough to distract you from plotting my downfall?" He teased.
"Not quite," she retorted with a grin and took a sip of her Chardonnay. "But it's definitely making me reconsider my strategy. Maybe I should start by sabotaging Gail's cooking skills instead?"
Christian laughed again, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Good luck with that. She's practically family at this point."
Ana leaned against the counter as she studied him more closely. "So, please enlighten me… what's it like being you? Living in a penthouse while the rest of us are fighting over parking spots at our local bookshop?"
"It has its perks," he admitted casually, though there was something in his tone that suggested it wasn't all glitz and glamour. "But it can get lonely up here sometimes."
She tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Lonely, huh? I guess it must be tough to find someone who can appreciate your 'microwave gourmet' skills. Maybe you should consider adding 'has a great housekeeper' to your résumé."
Christian chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind for my next application. But honestly, it's not the cooking that's the problem; it's finding someone who doesn't run screaming when they see my bank account."
"Ah, so you're saying I should be flattered that I'm here?" Ana took a sip of her wine with a mock-serious expression, gazing at him over the rim of her glass. "I mean, what an honor. A night in the penthouse of Christian Cutthroat Grey."
"Exactly," he replied with a smirk. "You should definitely feel privileged."
As they continued their banter over fingerfood, Anastasia couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to him, how his cool demeanor had melted away under her teasing. It was refreshing and disarming all at once.
"So tell me," she said after a moment of comfortable silence. "What's the real reason you invited me over? Was it just to show off your posh apartment and impress me with your 'cooking' skills?"
Christian paused mid-bite, his steely gray gaze steady on hers. "Maybe I wanted to get to know the feisty bookshop owner who isn't afraid to challenge me."
Anastasia grinned, intrigued yet skeptical. "Oh really? So this is all part of some grand strategy? You're trying to win me over before you bulldoze my shop?"
"Not quite," he replied smoothly, setting down his fork and leaning in slightly. "I'm genuinely interested in what makes you tick, Ana. Beyond the sarcasm and sass, that is."
She crossed her arms with a playful smirk, but there was no denying that her heart skipped a beat when his anthracite gaze met hers. "Oh, so now I'm just a puzzle to solve? You think you can crack the code of Anastasia Steele?"
Christian's lips curled into a slight smile, his cool demeanor unwavering. "I wouldn't say 'puzzle.' More like an intriguing novel that I can't put down." He pierced an olive with his fork.
"You know," she shifted closer, her voice barely above a whisper as she said," …flattery will get you nowhere, Grey. But I appreciate the effort." She straightened and reached for her glass. "What's next? Are you going to write me a glowing review online for my bookshop?"
"Only if you promise to give me a discount on my next purchase," he replied smoothly, his gaze steady.
Ana chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "Honestly, you really know how to woo a girl, Christian. Who wouldn't want to join that exclusive club of yours? I can only imagine your PR team is working around the clock."
He raised an eyebrow. "You're right, I should probably work on my charm."
"Oh please," she said with mock seriousness. "If this is your idea of charm, I'd hate to see what happens when you try to turn it up a notch."
Christian leaned back against the counter, arms crossed casually across his broad chest as he regarded her with an amused expression. "You know, for someone who claims not to be impressed by wealth and luxury, you seem awfully comfortable critiquing my lifestyle."
"You've got me there," Ana admitted with a grin and bit her bottom lip, noticing his gaze flicker to her lips. "But let's be real: it's hard not to notice when everything around me screams 'money.' It's like living in a magazine spread."
"Is that so?" he asked, tilting his head a little as if genuinely curious.
"Absolutely. I mean, I half-expect someone to pop out from behind those curtains and offer me champagne while reciting poetry about the virtues of high society." She gestured theatrically toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Or maybe even a butler named Giles or Winston who'll serve us caviar on silver platters."
"Giles?" Christian chuckled softly, shaking his head at her vivid imagination. "I assure you, there are no butlers here… just Gail and her culinary masterpieces." He wolfed down another pastry, washed it down with a good mouthful of the fine Chardonnay.
"Well, if Gail is your culinary mastermind, I'd say you're in good hands," Ana replied with a playful wink. "But let's be honest: if you really wanted to impress me, you'd have a butler named Giles ready to serve us dessert right now."
"Dessert?" Christian echoed, feigning surprise. "I didn't realize we were moving on to the next course so quickly. Should I call for Giles or just grab some ice cream from the freezer?"
"Now we're talking," she said, her eyes lighting up. "Did you know that ice cream is the universal language of comfort food, Christian? But, hey, I'm not sure it counts as 'dessert' in this penthouse of luxury." She gestured around.
Christian studied her with a hint of amusement and Ana could feel his gaze lingering. "What do you suggest? A soufflé? Crème brûlée? Or perhaps something more… extravagant?"
Anastasia put a finger to her chin, pursing her lips, pretending to ponder deeply. "Hmm, how about a towering chocolate cake with layers so rich they could make even the most hardened businessman weep?"
"Now that sounds like a challenge," he said, his tone teasingly serious. "I suppose I'll have to consult with Gail about that one."
"Or maybe just order takeout from the nearest bakery," she shot back with a grin. "You know, keep it simple and avoid any potential kitchen disasters."
Christian laughed softly, shaking his head again. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Not when it comes to keeping you grounded, Mister," she replied cheekily. "Someone has to remind you that not everything can be solved with money and extravagant apartments."
He regarded her for a moment, an amused smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "And here I thought I was doing pretty well at being grounded."
"Oh please. You're practically floating above the city in your glass palace." She gestured toward the gorgeous skyline outside. "It's like you're trying to escape reality or something."
"Maybe I am," he said lightly with a shrug, though there was an undercurrent of somber sincerity in his voice.
Anastasia softened at that but quickly masked it with another tease. "Well, if you ever need someone to bring you back down to earth, preferably with ice cream in hand, I'm your girl."
"Thanks… I'll keep that in mind," he replied smoothly and smirked.
"And who knows?" she continued playfully, "Maybe I'll even let you pick the movie tonight. But only if you promise not to choose something that'll put me to sleep."
Christian tilted his head slightly. "Oh? And what would you consider a 'sleep-inducing' film?"
"Anything with a lot of explosions and not enough plot," she replied with a grin. "You know, the kind of movie where the brawny hero saves the world but forgets to develop any actual character."
"Noted," he said, nodding as if taking mental notes. "So, no action flicks. What about a romantic comedy? Those usually have plenty of character development, right?"
Anastasia feigned shock, placing a hand over her heart. "A romantic comedy? Christian Grey, are you trying to win my heart with clichés?"
"Only if they're good clichés," he countered smoothly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "So what's your final verdict? You get to choose the movie tonight."
Ana pretended to mull it over seriously, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Geez, how very gentlemanly of you. Let me make such an important choice like this…"
"Let's just say I believe in treating my guests well."
"Oh please," she laughed, shaking her head. "You're really laying it on thick now. What's your endgame here, Grey? Trying to charm me into watching some sappy love story?"
"Maybe I just enjoy your company and want to make sure you have a good time," he replied coolly, though there was an unmistakable gentleness in his tone.
Ana rolled her eyes dramatically but couldn't suppress a smile. "Okay, okay. I'll admit it: I really like how you treat me." She paused for effect before adding teasingly, "But don't think for a second that I'm going to let you know that too often."
Christian chuckled softly at her playful defiance. "Your secret is safe with me then."
"How sweet of you," Anastasia whispered, smiling sweetly, making him smirk.
"Anyway, ready for dessert?" He asked, gesturing toward the fridge that towered in the kitchen like a treasure chest waiting to be explored.
"Definitely," Ana replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, feeling a flutter of excitement at being so close to him. Christian opened the fridge door wide, revealing an array of beautifully arranged desserts: mini cheesecakes, fruit tarts, delicate macarons, and an elegant chocolate cake adorned with gold leaf and what looked like some fruit purée.
"What do you think?" he asked, leaning in as he pointed out each option. His proximity sent a warm rush through her.
"I think I need to try them all," she teased, reaching for a juicy slice of watermelon, glancing up at him when she took a bite, her arm gently brushing against his when she shifted slightly. "But I'll definitely start with that chocolate cake."
Christian's eyes lit up at her choice. "Excellent pick."
Anastasia watched him with a smile as he carefully selected two slices of chocolate cake and added a couple of mini cheesecakes as well as some vibrant fruit tarts to their plates.
She felt a warmth spread through her but quickly redirected the conversation. "Alright then, what's next? Head to the couch?"
"Absolutely," he said, stepping aside as he balanced both plates in his hands. "Shall we?"
Anastasia laughed lightly and walked beside him back to the sofa. Their shoulders brushed occasionally, sending little sparks between them that neither acknowledged aloud.
A/N:
Thank you for checking out my latest chapter and for all your awesome reviews, favs and follows. I really appreciate it and will be back soon with more. Wishing you all a fantastic holiday season filled with lots of joy for now.
Happy Holidays!
