The Bookworm and the Billionaire

By tvdfanpam

Chapter 1

Meet Mr. Grey

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or get paid to write this story. I am just having fun with Christian and Ana!

Ana is getting ready to open her bookstore in Seattle. She secured a six month lease on a great building in a great location with the help of her good friend Andrea Parker. She has graduated college and has worked for nearly two years gathering inventory for her specialty bookstore that sells first editions and rare books and vintage books and other items. The girls are currently celebrating Ana's store and imminent opening by drinking a bottle of wine.

Andrea's phone buzzed. "Shit, it's my boss. I have to take it, excuse me. Andrea speaking. Yes, sir, I will run back to the office and bring it to you. I'm with my friend Ana, who rented your 3rd Street building. Ok, I'll ask her. Just a moment sir." She said putting the phone down. "Ana, my boss wants to meet you. Would you have time to go with me? I need to pick up something from the office and take it to him. Shouldn't take more than an hour tops."

"Sure, why not?" Said Ana. "I'm game for anything tonight." She said giggling, sipping her wine.

"Ok, we'll be there soon. I'll grab us a cab, run to the office and get the file you need and bring it to Escala." She said hanging up. "Ready to go Ana?"

"Ready as I'll ever be!" She says as she slips on her shoes and grabs her purse.

The girls get in their cab and speed off. They stop in front of Grey House and Ana gasps. "This is where you work? It's huge!" She says giggling again. "Sorry! I don't usually drink this much wine!"

"It's okay." Said Andrea smiling. "Come up with me, Ana." She turns to the cab driver. "We'll be about 10 minutes. Could you wait for us?"

"Yes, I'll wait." He said.

"Up we go!" Said Ana in the elevator. "This is a beautiful building."

"Wait until you see the 20th floor where I work." Said Andrea smiling again at Ana.

"Wow!" Said Ana, getting off the elevator. "It's like an exclusive art gallery in here. Between the art and the wall of windows, I would have a hard time concentrating on work."

"You get used to it." Said Andrea shrugging. "I'll just be a minute in the file room. Please wait here."

"Okay, I'll just browse the paintings!"

A few minutes later Andrea comes out. "Here's the file Mr. Grey needs, we can go now." The girls get in the elevator and leave the building shortly and get back in the waiting cab. Andrea gives the driver the address.

They sing to the radio on the way to Escala. Andrea pays the cab driver and they enter the building. Andrea goes up to the receptionist at the desk. "Andrea Parker and Ana Steele for Mr. Grey, penthouse."

"One moment please." She says picking up a telephone. "You're clear to go up. Mr. Taylor will meet you upstairs."

"Thank you Kelly." Said Andrea as they walk toward the bank of elevators. "We won't stay too long, Ana. Sorry to interrupt our celebration."

"No, it's okay Andrea. I don't mind. I don't get out much so I'm okay with tagging along with you."

"After this we'll try out that new sushi place." She tells Ana.

The doors open and Mr. Taylor is standing there. "Hello Taylor. This is Ana Steele, my good friend. Ana, this is Taylor, Mr. Grey's Head of Security."

Ana nods as they shake hands. They follow Taylor through the penthouse and into Mr. Grey's office. He's standing at the window talking on his phone with one hand in his hair, tugging on it. He turns from the window. "Ros, I'll call you back, Andrea's here with the file I need. Thank you Andrea." He says without looking at her. "Miss Steele, I presume?" He says coming towards Ana.

"Yes sir. Please call me Ana." She says shyly holding her small hand out to him. He takes it in both of his big hands, never taking his eyes off of her. "Nice to meet you Ana. Andrea tells me you are opening a bookstore in the 3rd Street building?"

"Yes, I am. And I am really excited about it. I love the location and the building is just right for my vision of how I want my store to be." She lights up when she talks about her bookstore. "Maybe you can stop by when I get moved in and opened up?" She asked shyly, blushing a little.

"I'll be sure and do that Miss Steele."

Andrea is standing there with her mouth open. She's never seen her boss talk to a woman like that before. She actually thought he might be gay! "Sir, do you need anything else?" She asked.

"Ah, no Andrea. That's all I needed. I have a conference call in 20 minutes." He says regretfully looking at Ana longingly.

"Oh, we should be going then." Said Ana. "We're on our way to meet up with my roommate Kate and her brother Ethan for drinks and then we're going out for sushi later."

"Miss Steele would you allow me to take you out tomorrow night to celebrate your success?" Mr. Grey asks smoothly, he can't keep his eyes off Ana. "Say, dinner at the Mile High Club?"

"Are you asking me out on a date Mr. Grey?" She says teasing him a little.

"Well, yes I am." He says slowly, realizing he did just that.

"Okay, I accept then."

"Wonderful, hand me your phone please." He says and Ana hands it over without question. His phone buzzed. "There, now I have your number. He sends her a quick text. She looks down giggling when she sees what he sent: I look forward to our date Miss Steele!

"I'll pick you up at 7:00 pm. Miss Steele." He says looking down as his phone buzzed a new text. He sees it is from Ana. She texted back: So do I! Don't be late! He smiles at her with a satisfied look.

Andrea is amazed! Her boss is actually human, not a robot! "Ana, let's go. Bye Mr. Grey." She says as they leave the room and his apartment. They get in the elevator and Andrea has a smug look on her face.

"What?" Asks Ana innocently. Andrea grabs her hand and they run laughing and get back in the cab.

"You had him eating out of your hand. How did you do that?" Asked Andrea amazed.

"Do what?" Ana asked smiling.