Shades – Chapter 1

Universal Pictures owns all rights of Fifty Shades of Grey and Pitch Perfect…I only own the idea of this twisted mash-up of an alternate universe love story.

A/N: In this AU Jesse James Swanson is a mid-twenties billionaire and alumni of Barden University. Rebeca (Beca) Ann Mitchell has just turned twenty-two and is a graduating senior of the same college. Their paths cross during an interview, which will forever change their lives. This story will be told through the POV of Beca.

Warning! Later chapters will include graphic sexual situations (BDSM) which may not be suitable for everyone. Reviews and/or comments are always welcome. Thank you for reading.

Why did I let her talk me into this? I'm not even on the school paper…that's Chloe's thing, not mine. But how can I say no to her? Easy…with my finals coming up, working evenings at the radio station and creating mixes for both radio airplay and for my a-Capella group, the Barden Bella's…there's just no time. But I, Beca Mitchell could never forgive myself because Chloe is like the sister I never had and has looked out for me since my freshman year here at Barden University. While she's the outgoing type with fire engine red hair and wearing the trendiest of clothes, she's always going out on dates with different guys every weekend. I've been told I'm the exact opposite, that I'm the dark and mysterious type because I keep to myself, not giving a damn about trends or dating and can usually be found in our shared apartment working on my mixes and studying. You see…my ambition in life is to live in Los Angeles and sit behind a mixing console to develop and produce music for up and coming artists. However before I can live the dream, my father arranged for me to attend this college, free of charge, compliments of the University to all it's faculty members.

Chloe is a few years older than me. After she and Aubrey, another mutual friend and ex-Bella captain graduated, she took some time off, then decided to return to Barden to pursue an advanced degree, so the way it ended up, we'll be graduating together. For almost a year she's been trying to hook up the ultimate interview for the school paper that will give her that boost to land that perfect job when she's done with her studies. The interview is with some billionaire university benefactor that is also part of the alumni. After making a total pain in the ass of herself, Chloe finally got her wish and landed the interview, however as of this morning she's being treated for the flu and bedridden which is why I have agreed to step in her shoes and do this enormous favor for her.

"Chloe…what should I wear?" I holler out from my bedroom, wearing only my fluffy navy bathrobe.

Crawling out of the comforts of her bed, my virus ridden friend goes into my closet and searches for any garment absent of black or anything with plaid in it, which happens to be the majority of my wardrobe. Without saying anything she pulls out a skirt, a collared white blouse and a buttoned up sweater, then tosses them on my bed. Without a single word she returns to her bedroom, shuts the door and has a coughing fit. Damn…she really is sick.

"Thank you!" I yell out loud enough to be heard by her.

With the addition of my tall leather boots I'm dressed in a matter of minutes and spend the next half hour trying to manage my unruly tangled hair which now resembles a rat's nest due to the friggin humidity. Not one for spending too much time styling my hair, I settle for a simple braid.

"Hey Chloe! My shitty little death trap of a car will never make the trip so I'm taking your Prius." I yell out.

Her bedroom door opens slightly and a hand appears through the created slit with a set of keys dangling from her finger. I grab the keys, Chloe's interview questions and digital recorder, then program the address into my cell phone and I'm off like a herd of turtles to see what's so special about this dude.

JS Enterprises

A few hours later I pull up to a tall modern building with the letters JS Enterprises on it. Not knowing anything about this company or the dude running it I enter the building and approach the reception desk which has the most perfect looking blonde girl greeting me.

"May I help you ma'am?"

I look around and behind me. Who the fuck is she talking to? Ma'am? She's older than I am.

"Umm…I'm Rebeca Mitchell here to see a Mr. Swanson. He's expecting Chloe Beale however she's very ill, so I'm here on her behalf."

"All visitors must be announced so it'll just be a moment ma'am."

There it is again. I'm twenty-two fucking years old! Why does this blonde bitch insist on calling me that? After a few minutes the brainless bimbo directs me to the twentieth floor where I'm greeted by another Barbie doll.

"Ma'am please wait here and I'll let Mr. Swanson know you're here."

Again with the ma'am crap. It must be the frumpy sweater I'm wearing. I acknowledge blonde bimbo number two with a smirk and take a seat on an elaborate leather couch and look around the office to get any hints of the man I'm about to interview. Right on schedule a set of double doors open and a man from the Middle East exits. As the darker man leaves he yells back something to the effect of scheduling a golf game, another slender figure passes through the doors, shakes hands with the man then suddenly locks eyes with me. Continuing to stare, the corners of his lips turn slightly upward, but says nothing causing my heart to stutter. Without a single word he turns back around and disappears back into his office. Whoa! What the hell just happened and why am I all of a sudden shaking? Beca…get a grip…it's just an ordinary guy who happens to be the most gorgeous man you've ever seen. Okay so he's much younger than I expected and bears a striking resemblance to Adonis…but why does he have to be so good looking and why didn't Chloe give me a brief biography on the guy?

"Miss Mitchell…you may go in now." Says blonde bimbo number two bringing me out of my fog.

It's either due to my lack of coordination or clumsiness, perhaps a combination of both that causes me to make the most graceful entrance into his office as I trip over my feet and fall flat on my face, sprawled out on the lushest of carpeting.

On all fours I feel gentle hands around me, helping me stand. I glance up and lock eyes with him once again. Holy shit he's so young and dressed impeccably in a dark grey suit with a white collared shirt and a black tie. His hair is dark brown and deliciously tousled with the warmest chocolate brown eyes that seem to judge my every being.

A well manicured hand reaches down, as I dare to see him through strands of hair escaping from my braid, grinning at me, no doubt full of amusement at my awkwardness. As our fingers touch, I feel an odd exhilarating electrical current go throughout my body and feel my face flush. What's happening to me and how is this guy so young and so damn attractive? It shouldn't be legal to look this good.

"Miss Beale…are you all right?" He asks in the most delectable voice and looking mildly interested but he doesn't know that I've come in Chloe's place.

"Umm…I'm sorry you weren't informed but I'm here on behalf of Chlo- I mean Miss Beale…she's sort of ill and couldn't make it." I say trying to pull myself together.

"Oh? I hope it's nothing serious." He pauses. "…and whom might you be?"

His formality and politeness takes my breath away and for a brief moment I've lost the ability of speech. For someone so young, perhaps only a few years older than me, he seems so much more mature, and beyond his years.

"I'm Rebeca Mitchell, but you can call me Beca. I attend Barden University with Chloe."

"I see," he says. "Would you like to have a seat Miss Mitchell?" He says guiding me to an enormous L shaped white leather sectional. "Perhaps something to drink?"

"Umm…water would be great…thank you." I say taking a seat on the softest leather couch.

The God before me presses a button and a third blonde bimbo enters the room takes direction from him, then leaves just as quickly as she appeared. Taking in the enormity size of the office, it has floor to ceiling windows, modern dark wood furniture with mosaic paintings in a very sterile white environment. The room is obviously too large for one person, however with his success, it suits him. Within minutes there's a knock at the door and my ice water is delivered to me.

"Will there be anything more Mr. Swanson?"

"No Susan…thank you."

A large mosaic on the far wall catches my attention. As I look closer it is actually made up of several smaller photographs arranged in a square, it's very unique and beautiful.

He notices my interest. "That one came from a local artist."

"It's really lovely. Turning something so ordinary into the extraordinary," I spew out, becoming more distracted by his appearance.

"I couldn't agree more, Miss Mitchell," he responds in the softest voice causing me to blush, as he sinks into a white leather chair adjacent to me.

Trying to clear my mind of errant inappropriate thoughts clouding me and attempt to concentrate at the task at hand, but my clumsiness is back in full force as I fumble with Chloe's digital recorder and end up dropping it several times on the glass top coffee table infront of me.

"Sorry," is all I'm able to say as I find the courage to look at him. He's intently watching me with one hand on his lap and the other on his chin as he looks to be suppressing a smile at my obvious embarrassment.

"I should have asked you first…do you mind if I record you?"

"Miss Mitchell, after all the effort you've gone through to set up, how could I say no." He replies…teasing me.

I roll my eyes at his comment and completely set up the difficult recorder.

"Did Chloe…I mean Miss Beale tell you what this interview was for?"

"Yes…it's supposed to appear in the graduation issue of the college press as I'll be conferring the degrees at this year's ceremony."

Oh! This is interesting I think to myself, briefly distracted with the thought that someone, a few years older than myself is going to present me with my degree. Okay, it's weird but this guy is obviously successful and richer than God, so I guess it's all right, but it would've been nice to know ahead of time…I'll have to ask Chloe about this later.

Scanning the list of questions, I hook a tendril of escaped hair behind my ear and get down to business.

"Okay…on to the questions," I say fumbling with the damn recorder again.

"Please…allow me," he says turning on the device with ninja precision coordination while smirking at my nervousness.

Trying to look more professional I sit up straight, square my shoulders and begin the interrogation.

"You're very young to have accomplished so much in your life, to what do you owe your success?" I look up from the carefully prepared document and wait for his response.

"I'm very good at judging people. I know what makes them tick and what drives them. I can also tell what inspires them and how to incentivize them. I employ an exceptional team and reward them well." He pauses. "I also have a natural gut instinct and can spot solid ideas and good people. The people you employ is the backbone to any successful business."

Okay…pretty good answer I admit but he still sounds like an arrogant ass…but a good looking one.

"Maybe your just lucky," this slips out of my mouth before I'm able to capture it.

"I don't subscribe to luck Miss Mitchell. It's about having the right people on your team, directing their energies accordingly from following my leadership."

"You sound like a control freak!" Again the words are out of my mouth with reckless abandonment.

"Control is exercised in all aspects of my life, Miss Mitchell." He says full of seriousness, holding my gaze, causing my heart to beat erratically and face to flush.

I'm trying to keep it together but this young man has an unnerving effect on me. From his overwhelming good looks to the sensual softness of his voice to the way he strokes his lower lip. The sensations building within me are something I've never felt before. It's becoming inappropriate and I wish he would just stop.

"Do you feel you have eternal power?"

There you go! Answer that one...weirdo!

"Well, I do employ thousands of people so that gives me a sense of responsibility. If I were to suddenly lose interest and sell the business, a good portion of the people I employ would no longer have the ability to pay their mortgages, let alone bills."

His lack of humility is disturbing to say the least.

"Don't you have someone or a board to answer to?" I ask full of disgust.

"It's my company, Miss Mitchell. I am the board."

You arrogant ass! I want to tell him as I look away from his smug expression. Trying to change the subject I scan Chloe's list for a different line of questioning.

"When you're not controlling the livelihood of thousands of slaves…I mean employees, do you have any interests outside of work?"

Satisfied with getting my jab in, the pompous sounding, but stunning man of perfection let's out a small chuckle. For the first time his smile reaches his eyes and sends my body temperature through the roof as I enter full blush mode. Wow…how is he doing this to me? To cool myself down I take a sip of water, return the glass safely to the coffee table and shift my legs, crossing them over. Biting my lower lip to divert my attention, I try to shake the thoughts of a taboo nature out of my mind.

"Rebeca…I have many varied interests from playing golf and racquetball to flying jets and helicopters to sailing international waters."

Wow…he used my first name…that's a first.

"My interests may be on the extravagant side, but when you have the means, anything is possible." He says sounding like an arrogant ass again.

"Are you gay?" The words fall from my lips before I have time to stop them.

The question surprises him as he let's out a belly laugh.

"Is that question even on your friend's list?"

I shrug my shoulders and smirk at him. "Maybe," I say which sparks his interest.

"No Miss Mitchell…I'm not gay." He finally replies.

Okay we're back to being formal again.

"Are you involved with anyone at the moment?" The question isn't on Chloe's list, but out of my own curiosity, I just have to know.

Not looking very amused, the Greek God rises from his chair and sits down next to me on the couch. Our thighs touch and the heat from his body sends shivers down my spine, causing parts of my anatomy to react on their own accord. He motions closer to me and softly whispers in my ear.

"I date many women Rebeca, but I don't do the boyfriend thing." My eyes close on their own as my breathing becomes hitched.

Feeling his warm breath on the side of my face I turn my head and our lips are inches from touching. My head is swimming as I focus on his inviting mouth, desperately wanting to feel his lips on mine. I close my eyes again, lean in closer and suddenly he's gone, answering a call from one of his blonde bimbos.

"Mr. Swanson your next appointment is here."

Completely flushed and out of breath I turn off the recorder, rise to my feet and head for the double door exit.

"Susan…cancel my next meeting." He orders, taking me by surprise.

"But sir…it's-"

"You heard me Susan…no more interruptions!" He barks out.

This can't be happening. I'm under this guy's spell and need to leave before something I will forever regret, happens. As I approach the double doors, he grabs my arm and turns me to face him. What is this I'm feeling…lust…desire...arousal? Completely flushed I'm unable to look him in the eye and bite my lower lip to control my nerves.

"Please stop doing that." He pleads in the softest most masculine voice.

I'm finally able to look him in the eye. "What do you mean?"

"Your lip…I want to bite that lip of yours." He confesses, making me gasp and sending my mind straight to the nearest adult superstore.

Oh, my God…I want this man and I want him now. I want him to press me against the wall and suck the oxygen out of my lungs. I want his hands all over my body and…Stop it Beca...get a grip! He is too perfect and too damn sexy…I can't take anymore…I need to plan my escape. Looking at my iPhone and noticing the time and use it as an excuse.

"I really need to leave," Not sounding very convincing. "Thank you Mr. Swanson. Thank you for the interview. I'm sure you have more important matters to tend to."

"Actually I would love to show you around. Since you're graduating soon perhaps I can interest you in an internship in my company."

"Thank you but I don't think I would fit in." I say referring to the blonde bimbos on staff.

"What do you mean? I'm sure we can find something in my company that suits you. What's your major? What kind of career are you looking for?"

Okay…who's interviewing who?

I sigh deeply knowing he's not going to let me out of his sight just yet.

"I…I would like to create and produce music for a reputable record label so I doubt there's anything for me here…but thank you." I quickly say and turn away.

Motioning closer to me he whispers in my ear once again.

"Actually Beca…I own some record labels so I can help you in ways you never dreamed of. I also think you would be a perfect fit here." He says in the most seductive voice.

"I'll consider it...thank you." I manage to say and start turning towards the exit.

"Please stay." He practically begs me, dusting his lips over mine turning my insides into jello.

Fuck…I want to kiss him. With my eyes closed, from the deepest part of my being I gather enough will power, lick my lips and distance myself from this dangerous man.

"Goodbye Mr. Swanson." I manage to say breathlessly and extend my hand to shake his.

"I guess we'll see each other at graduation." He replies reaching for my hand, then bringing it to his lips, making me quiver. Shit! How does he do that!?

"Perhaps we'll see each other sooner Beca," He says giving me a mischievous look.

I acknowledge his wicked grin and hurry out of his sterile office and practically race to Chloe's car. What the hell just happened in there? For my entire existence I've never had feelings that intense for another human being. Chloe better be on her death bed because I'm going to kill her for not warning me.

Beca & Chloe's Apartment

A few hours later I arrive home and find Chloe awake, sipping chicken soup out of a mug and watching a movie. Practically throwing her keys at her, I let her have it.

"Why the fuck didn't you warn me about him?" I say furious at my redhead friend.

"Nice to see you too Beca…and yes I'm feeling much better. Thank you for asking." She says full of disappointment and sarcasm.

"Sorry…I didn't mean to be insensitive, it's just he wasn't anything I expected and I was hardly prepared for this."

Back in full reporter mode, Chloe sits up and wants the scoop.

"Tell me about him. What was he like?"

As much as I want to, I can't stay angry at her.

"He's young…very young and an arrogant asshole." I say still full of anger…but not as convincing as when I first walked in.

Nothing gets past Chloe Beale as she takes a closer look at my blush and calls me on it.

"Oh, my God! Rebeca Ann Mitchell…you like him!" She says. "…and don't you dare try to deny it because your face is the color of my hair."

I turn away to hide my amused expression but she forces me to look at her.

"This is so exciting! I've waited years for the day that someone would sweep you off your feet and now it's finally happened. Did anything happen?"

Resigned to the fact that she's not going to drop it, I tell her what she wants to know.

"No…nothing happened but-…"

Chloe interrupts me and finishes my sentence. "But you wanted it to."

"Oh God yes." I finally admit closing my eyes and taking in a deep breath.

Full of excitement, my flu stricken friend wraps her arms around my waist and squeaks.

"I can't believe after a lifetime of innocence thee one and only Beca may finally become a woman."

"Just because I've never done the deed it doesn't mean I'm not a woman."

"You're still a virgin Beca…a twenty-two year old virgin. What the hell are you waiting for?"

"Jeez…you make it sound like it's a disease. Like I've told you before I've been saving myself for that perfect moment. It's not that I haven't wanted to…I'm just being patient, that's all. I'm still a woman…just one that hasn't experienced sex."

"Dearest Beca…until your cherry belongs to somebody else…you're not."

I roll my eyes at her comment, grab a snack and head over to my bedroom. After a long day spending eight hours on the road and being in the presence of Adonis, I'm ready for bed. However the minute my eyes shut visions of a certain hunk of a man invade my dreams.

Pressing me down into the soft leather cushions of his sofa his lips brush lightly against mine. As I reach up to claim his mouth he moves away urging me to want him more. His hands hold my head steady as he avoids kissing me but softly bites down on my lower lip. I moan at the sensation and begin to squirm underneath him. Finally relieving me of the torture his mouth captures mine in the most delicious fashion as his tongue penetrates my closed lipped seal. His taste is intoxicating as my mouth opens wider granting him complete access. His hands soon find the bottom of my sweater, explores my bare skin and comes in contact with my throbbing breasts. Squeezing and kneading my tender flesh he swiftly raises my sweater, forces my bra cups downward and takes a hardened nipple into his mouth eliciting a guttural moan from deep inside. My body is on fire as he sucks and pulls at one nipple while massaging the other. The next thing I know his other hand reaches under my skirt and cups my drenched sex. Hooking the flimsy fabric to the side...

"Hey Beca…you've got class in like ten minutes. Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Chloe yells from the other side of my door ripping me away from my totally awesome sex dream.

Holy shit! It occurs to me that I seriously have it bad for this guy. What the hell am I going to do about him? Damn you Jesse Swanson!

To be continued…