A/n: A little kitschy, a lot of fun. Just something out of my normal writings/pairs so I am on my reader account. Posting because I want to share.
A/U Things?: 'Lil Blip' passed on, Ana and Christian are divorced, Christian is in New York now to get away from the past.
Warnings: (in this chapter?) None. / (For the story?) DDlg(brat) play, Fetish/Kink exploration, M/s feel writing style. OC Girl Character.
"Hi," she walked up to the bar leaning against the countertop, rather than sliding into a stool, looking right at the bartender and catching his attention all at once.
"Uh, h-hi!" he yelled as if he was trying to scream over the music, his voice coming out too loud, "can I get you a drink?"
She had picked a bar towards the back where the 'VIP rooms' sat. The music wasn't as loud back in that area and she knew it'd be easier to talk to the bartender, "a wha-? Oh no, well maybe..? See that guy?" She nodded towards a man dressed in all black, "can he drink?"
"Excuse me?"
"Uh, security here. Do people buy them drinks?"
"Not typically..." the bartender's smile quipped up and he tilted his head, "I mean non-alcoholic, of course, can I send one for you?"
"Really?" Her face lit up and she let out a quiet sigh giving her baby blue dress a soothing hand before glancing over her shoulder at him, "now to pick one...?"
"We have a wide selection of soda, as well as sparkling water or I could mix up a virgin drink?"
"Give me a second," she hummed and waved her hand dismissively while glancing over at the security guard again.
"Try Sprite," a man to her left suggested glancing from his phone.
"Sprite?"
"You think something else?"
"No, I think that's a good choice," her eyes drifted over the joiner and back to security, "light, bubbly and refreshing."
"Why do you want to send him a drink?"
"He's attractive," she shrugged with a small smile, "deserves to be acknowledged, especially in a place like this."
"He might be a little old for you, hm?"
"He's probably late 40's," she shook her head, "and beauty knows no age."
His smirk was small and she watched him pocket his phone, raising his hand the bartender hurrying back, "sir?"
"Me," she interrupted, "a Sprite for tall, dark and handsome over there." The bartender looked between her and the joiner before nodding and stepping away. She slid into the stool in front of her, "now we wait."
"For?"
"Response," she arched a brow, "you're handsome.. have you never sent someone a drink before?"
"Oh, of course, I have. I usually follow it or bring it myself though," his smirk was full on this time.
Kinsley rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs, "they can't talk or something..." He looked at her curiously, "oh my God," she said quietly and he didn't quite catch it, her face suddenly shading, "they might be able to talk and he might not have wanted to talk to me, oh no." She gave an awkward sigh as the realization washed over her before she laughed abruptly, "now I'm a sexual predator grand."
"I highly doubt you're a sexual predator, Miss...?" His eyes flitted to her ring finger before his tone lifted indicating it was a question.
She offered her hand, "Kinsley Brouche," she answered dutifully a smile falling into place, "and you?"
"Christian Grey," he took her hand briefly before sitting back, watching her and waiting for the realization to wash over. It always did.
"Grey?" She asked curiously, "happen to be your favorite color?" Her voice was light and playfully obviously referring to his attire of a dark gray suit with a silver tie.
"It's my thing," he chuckled and followed her glance towards security - his own guard, Taylor. The man looked up in question his eyes passing by Christian to the girl beside him, who was smiling widely. He took the drink offered and smiled across the way nodding with the glass in the air before taking a sip.
Kinsley let out a quiet giggle, "he's too old." She conceded easily.
Christian looked over amused, "What?"
"Did you see that smile?" Kinsley shook her head, "not interested enough," she lifted a bony shoulder and moved to stand, "oh well, thank you for the tip."
"Let me buy you drink?"
"Pity isn't becoming, Grey," she smiled and pulled her fingers through her long dark hair.
His face flashed and took in her eyes, she's kidding, he told himself, "what do you drink?"
"I'm driving," she gave a resounding sigh, "Sprite," Kinsley added the smile falling back into place, Christian raising his hand again.
"King!" Came a yell from behind them and she sat back looking over her shoulder to see her friend, Tiffany, acknowledge her before coming at them.
"Yikes," Kinsley muttered, "sorry about this. Oh, be careful with her she is a real sexual predator and I'm afraid you're just her type."
He glanced down at her trying to read her face - the smile was gone and her eyes were serious. She's not kidding?
"King! You left me!" The girl screamed and Kinsley turned towards her, "and you better not be drinking, or I'll smack you."
Kinsley's laugh was quiet, "I was just enjoying some quiet time, and I left because you were giving me that scowl," she gave a grunt, "close to the one I am getting right now."
Her friend's eyes lightened and she gave a whine leaning against the stool back, "I want to go this place sucks."
Kinsley shook her head, "I'm having a good time."
"Did you give old and crippled his drink?" Kinsley nodded, "and he's not here talking to you? Good, let's go-oooo." The friend sighed and jumped as a tall glass was sat in front of her and she finally took in their surroundings, "o-oh," her voice purred.
Kinsley reached out for the Sprite taking a long drink, "Tiffany this is Christian, Christian my drunk and rude friend Tiffany."
Tiffany smacked her leg, "I'm not drunk!"
"Excuse me," Kinsely's good mood seemed to seep back in, "rude friend," she muttered rubbing her leg.
Christian took the offered hand, "pleasure."
Tiffany eased between Kinsley and him, smiling, "I'm parched."
Kinsley snorted rather unladylike but she didn't care, clearing her throat quickly to fight back the burn from the carbonation. The bartender already back to take her order, "she'll have a gin and tonic," Kinsley answered for her and Christian noticed this time she was passing a card across the bar as he tried to listen to Tiffany talk not being able to hear what Kinsley was saying.
"For the drinks, all of them."
"Are you sure?" The tender asked, "I think Mr. Grey's intention was to buy."
"No, no," Kinsley smiled as they talked, "please I insist, he's about to be bombarded by my friend here and I know what that's like."
The tender laughed, "very well," he took the card as he left to make the drink.
"King," a voice from her left greeted her and she turned away from the flirting Tiffany and, rather passive, Christian, "what're you doing?"
"Drinking a Sprite want some?" She offered the glass and he took it from her taking a long sip, "you okay, Andrew?"
"Tyler," he grumbled, "sometimes he's an asshole."
"Most guys are," Kinsley offered a smile and looked down to sign the receipt glancing over it before doing so, 2 Sprites, 1 Bourbon, 1 Gin & Tonic. She signed on a ten dollar tip before her loopy signature graced the bottom and she passed the receipt back face down.
"I'm not!"
"You're a queen, baby," she giggled softly, "let's go dance Tiffany is going to be here for a while."
"Dancing with you? My favorite," Andrew stood pulling out her stool, and she got up leaning over towards Christian and Tiffany.
"Andrew's boyfriend is being a dick," she started while smoothing Tiffany's hair, "take care of her Grey or I'll have my new boyfriend - tall, dark and handsome over there beat you up."
He laughed despite himself, shaking his head. "I promise not to touch a hair on her head," he recovered and said seriously as Tiffany took the stool Kinsley had just vacated.
Kinsley sucked in her breath and glanced over at Tiffany hoping she hadn't heard that, it didn't seem she had, as she was taking a drink of the Gin and Tonic, "well, no need for that..." She whispered leaning in a bit more, "but maybe no more drinks?" Christian blinked feeling like his joke might have crossed a line by the way she was acting and he nodded he understood this time keeping his tongue behind his teeth and then she smiled before running off towards Andrew, taking his hand and disappearing into the throng of people.
The two danced until they couldn't anymore and finally made their way back to Tiffany to leave when they got back to the bar Kinsley let out a quiet gasp, Christian was on his phone, Tiffany was deep in conversation with her ex-boyfriend Roy. Andrew and Kinsley shared a look, "if we move quickly they won't notice us," he whispered to her reaching out to stop her approach.
Kinsley rolled her eyes and stepped forward, "Tiff?"
"Hm?" She looked up, significantly drunker than when they had left, and gave a wide grin, "Kins look who I found!"
"Mm," Kinsley sighed, "you really shouldn't have let her drink anymore, Roy."
"She's an adult," he shook his head.
"How'd you find us?"
"She text," he answered fixing her with a glare.
"Tiff we're leaving come on," Kinsley reached for her but Roy smacked her arm down. Andrew gasped starting forward but it was a different set of strong hands that pulled Kinsley back before Roy was fixed with a glare from Christian.
"What are you thinking?" He growled out his voice low and dark, eyes hard.
Kinsley and Andrew shared another look before Grey's hands moved over her arm and checking her for any marks, "I'm fine," she hissed watching Tiffany anxiously, who was drunkenly blinking at the exchange. "Sorry," she added towards Christian, "we're leaving Roy, go away." She easily took over the situation again and watched as he looked at Tiffany before marching away.
"You should get tall, dark and handsome after him," Christian tried to joke but he knew it came out much darker than he had intended based on the look she gave him.
Tiffany was stumbling to her feet and running after Roy with a no growled at Kinsley, Andrew sighed shaking his head, "I'll go get us a cab, babe."
"I thought you were DD-ing?"
"Tiff's car, not my problem.. I guess she's an adult." Kinsley answered, before facing him with a smile, "sorry to bother your night."
"It's late," he shrugged glancing at his watch, jumping slightly when her fingers wrapped around his wrist and pulled it towards herself to check the time as well, almost one.
"It's a Friday," she grinned, letting his arm go, "anyway, see ya around Grey?"
"Will you?" He was following her as she walked, his eyes trained to their surroundings wishing he hadn't decided to follow her now as he saw a few of the passersby's acknowledge him.
"Christian Grey!" A girl called and came running in front of them and stopping, her friend at her side and another flanking.
Great. "Hi," he gave a nod, "we're on the way out, excuse us."
"Oh, so soon?!" One whined loudly over the music, "we wanted to let you know this place is great!"
Kinsley stepped forward trying to move around the three of them, she just wanted to leave.
"Thank you, that's the intent," he answered, "we appreciate your patronage, now if you'd excuse us."
"Will you be here next weekend?"
"Dance with us first?"
Christian was growing irritated but Kinsley spoke up first, "girls move!" She spoke over the music, "moving means getting out of the way. Go, go, go." She stepped forward as they started to clear and she fixed each with a look, "no, he doesn't want to dance with your annoying stalking asses," she added giving the middle one a pointed glare, "and if he owns the place I'm sure you'll see again, but if you don't move I'm going to make you." The last part came out in a dark tone and the three stepped back finally, flushed and she continued forward Christian following.
"Sorry," he muttered to her.
"You own the place and you're attractive," she winked as she stepped out into the cool air letting out a breath and a shiver, "of course girls are going to fawn over you." He glanced down watching her a little uncertain as she looked around not seeming very interested in him if he was honest, "I think he left me," she muttered pulling her phone out of her clutch seeing the text, Tyler was waiting, didn't grab a cab. Be safe, love you.
"Did he?"
"Not really, Tyler was waiting for him out here." She relaxed, and closed her eyes as the breeze washed over her, "thankful if I'm honest," she whispered more to herself than Christian.
"Let me take you home?" He said as he waved Taylor forward, "the car."
Kinsley peeked an eye open before letting out a quiet laugh, "the odds... are strange."
He chuckled, "I was going to tell you but you looked way too excited."
"I've never sent someone a drink before," she said with a smile, her face flushing from the memory, "it was an adrenaline rush."
"My point!" He shook his head then stepped forward to pull the door open for her.
"What's his name?"
"Taylor," he answered and watched as she eyed the back of the car, "I won't touch a hair on your head."
Kinsley tilted her head to the left, her hair falling over her shoulder, "I will keep track, Grey."
Kinsley turned around to face Christian, "alright, be prepared," she said as they approached her building, glancing around quickly before punching her code to the door and pulling it open for him, "I should have thought this through before I offered," she was saying, "I'm sure Tyler and Andrew are back by now, if they're having sex I apologize."
Christian hummed, arching a brow as he followed her in pausing to make sure the door was shut behind him, "they're dating?"
"Yeah," she lifted a shoulder before pulling her keys from her clutch and stopping at the door. Once it was unlocked she cracked it open and peeked in, "looks safe." She smiled pushing it the rest of the way open and stepping in with Christian close behind, "excuse their clothing." She added using her foot to move a shirt before she bent and picked it up.
"Well," Christian smiled shutting the door behind him, "great location Miss Brouche."
"I like it," she agreed, "not a bad neighborhood either, I'd like to move though, but Andrew and Tyler are with me now and Tiffany and the guy from the bar are 'on a break' of the sorts so she's been crashing with us too." Christian lifted a brow keeping his comments to himself and just nodded he was listening. "Hey, take a seat," she smiled before stepping to the kitchen, "bourbon I saw?"
"Whatever you have is fine," he answered and unbuttoned his jacket before taking a seat at the long table she had in the middle of the dining room.
"Good, I have Scotch inste-uh, where are you?" Her voice was coming from a different room and then she stepped back into the dining room, "oh," she was carrying two chilled glasses between two fingers and a bottle in the other hand, "I have Scotch."
"Perfect," he smiled and she sat the glasses down before the bottle pausing to slip her heels off.
"Sorry about my friend tonight."
"It's okay," he sat back in the chair watching her pour them both glasses.
Kinsley took a sip and sighed, "she tends to be aggressive because she is insecure and her insecurity really shows through. The only guy to ever pick her over me is Roy," she shook her head, "I didn't mean it to sound like I'm God's gift to mankind but she shoves them away and since we are always together..."
"Ah," Christian nodded, "she was significantly more relaxed after you left."
"Did she do her famous Kinsley bashing?" She asked with a light smile taking another drink.
He chuckled, "mums the word."
Kinsley rolled her eyes, "always take the DD hitting on your security guard home?"
"This is a first for me."
"Well, well," she wiggled her eyebrows, "glad I could make it a night to remember - aggressive friends, clothing all over the place, a tour of the Lower East side..." The door buzzed and Christian looked towards it in shock, Taylor? He would have a few words with him if he really did take her up on her offer to see the view as well, he moved back growing angry as Kinsley got to her feet, "be right back," she added hurrying towards the door only pausing to peek through the peephole before she pulled it open, "hey?"
"Hey!" A very non-Taylor voice drifted through the door, "how are you today?"
"Well, it's getting late and I'm a smudge tipsy, but not alone so I'm doing alright. Yourself?"
"It's early, for me, and I'm not drunk - bad," the voice answered with a loud laugh. Christian stared at the door in question, the fuck? "That's quite the dress."
Kinsley laughed and leaned into the door, "thank you, oh, come on in," she stepped back letting them in, and Christian saw a delivery man at the door holding a few items, "give me about two seconds to get the boys." She hurried away leaving the other two alone, knocking on Andrew's bedroom door.
"Busy!"
"Your food is here," she called through the door, "and don't come out naked I have a guest."
"Uh... just get it for us? Leave it in the fr-ooh," a moan followed and Kinsley sighed, "fridge!" She stepped back and hurried back into the front room, her clutch in hand.
"They're busy, do you accept cards?"
"Over the phone," he answered, "we can call the store and have them run it. One moment."
"I got it," Christian stood and pulled out his wallet, handing the man a $50.00. He just wanted him gone.
"Oh," Kinsley blinked reaching for the receipt, staring down at the total, "keep the change," she added while Christian took the bags.
"Awesome, thanks!" He said excitedly, "you guys have a good night."
"Sure, thank you," Kinsley opened the door and ushered him out, shutting and locking it behind him, "I'll pay you back before you leave, don't worry, if you grab the drinks we can move somewhere more comfortable," she added taking the bags from him and leading the way to the living room, "hungry?"
"Fridge!?" Christian asked with a laugh.
"Fuck 'em," she sat down on the couch pulling her legs up and he tried to look anywhere but at the black lace panties that were showing through under her dress with her legs crossed the way they were before she grabbed the white throw from the back of the divan and wrapped it over her lap. She was opening the bags and leaned forward to grab the coffee table pulling it towards herself, "alright, alright, what would you like?"
"I'm okay," he said softly pouring them each a fresh glass and taking a drink.
Kinsley looked up with a raised brow and laid the food out an option of noodles, chicken fried rice, beef & broccoli, stir fry vegetables and steamed dumplings. "I mean, honestly," she asked, "there is enough food."
Christian laughed, taking the chopsticks she passed to him, "thank you Miss Brouche."
"Sure, sure," she grabbed the dumplings and sat back opening the container before taking a bite, "except these, they're my favorite."
"Mm," he hummed watching her take a bite before picking up the beef and broccoli container, "thank you."
Kinsley swallowed her first dumpling and let her eyes roam over his body noticing the way he was sitting. He looked stiff, uncomfortable, rigid. "Grey?" Christian turned to give her his attention, she paused for a beat trying to decide if she should make a joke or ask him a serious question and blinked slowly, "not good with chopsticks?"
"Uh..?"
Should have asked if he was okay...
She adjusted on the couch slightly, "you okay? You seem... uncomfortable?"
Christian looked back and noticed he was sitting in a rather awkward pose, his shoulders tense and his back rigid he was a mess. He looked a mess. "I'm okay Miss Brouche, thank you."
Kinsley tilted her head back, "yeah," shouldn't have said anything, actually. "So tell me about yourself...?"
He chuckled and let out a quiet breath to try and relax, leaning back against the couch and putting the container down, "what about me?" She shrugged, her mouth full again, "well I'm 30; not tall, dark and handsome, a club owner as we have established and uncomfortable."
She smiled, "tell me something I don't know Grey."
I want to spank you each time you call me Grey. "I like to sail," he offered, "and ski, I have a place in Aspen."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up, "my parents live up there."
"You can ski?"
"I bet I could kick your ass on the slopes, Grey," she teased with a small smile.
Christian offered a smile, "I may have to take you up on that."
"Tell me when."
Kinsley was grinning as she said it and Christian would have taken right then and there, "now? I have a jet."
"Oh no," she scrunched her nose for a moment, "such a stereotype."
"Excuse me?" His tone was amused, did she just call me average? A stereotype?
"Y'know, a stereotype.. rich guy with his own jet," she didn't seem to be teasing now her tone was far too serious and her eyes were dragging over the dumplings in the bowl on her lap, "family money and a winter home. You're practically my father."
"Oh?" Yikes.
"Should have seen his face when I picked to live here," she shook her head, "how dare I live below 49th!"
"You're not too far," he offered wishing he could change the subject back to something that made her laugh because that laugh made him forget his own pain.
"If father had his way I would be locked in a tower on the tallest mountain in Colorado tucked away until the man he picked climbed up and lived with me." She leaned forward and sat the bowl down, grabbing her Scotch, "he's going to absolutely lose his shit when I tell him I quit at the firm."
"Are you a lawyer?"
"An accountant," she flexed her arm with a stretch, "I worked for a firm to help manage accounts, I wanted to move to personal accounting. So when my contract was up last month I quit, I did stay to train someone else, though, so today was officially my last day. I worked there for three years, dad had set the job up for me. He said it was a good option. It would let me settle down, live a comfortable life and when I was ready to marry they would be more than accommodating."
"Do you have other clients already?" Christian asked curiously, for companies or personal clients?
"No, I am taking a few weeks off," she admitted, "start to my vacation was today! I have a few interviews coming up soon."
"For companies?"
"Yes, one is. Two are for personal clients, dad will hate that more than my choice."
"Why?"
"He doesn't trust people," she chuckled, "one is a guy, an older man he came into his money late and is having a hard time managing it or something, I don't know. His assistant is a friend of a friend and offered me an interview so I thought why not? It might be fun working for just people rather than a company."
"Personal accounting is where the money is at, as long as you do good and don't overcharge for the amount you handle."
"I don't care about money," she shook her head, "I've lived off a thousand dollars a month for a good portion of two years in college, pissed dad off when I went."
"What would he rather you did?" Christian was a bit appalled, what was wrong with her bettering her education?
Kinsley laughed playing with her hair, "two words, Grey, trophy wife."
Oh...
"I'm cute, I had the training my whole life and if someone tells you there isn't training... they're wrong. I practically had lessons on that matter, I would spend Saturday afternoons learning from mother just what it meant to be a trophy wife."
"What's that?"
Kinsley smirked, dragging a hand through her long hair. "Ignore the price tag, spend money, look good, drink a lot, frenemies are a must, wear jewelry that cost more than your house, keep the staff happy, fuck your husband when he wants and most importantly - don't work." Kinsley finished her Scotch with a shrug, "I see more for myself is all. I want to buy my own jewelry, I don't want staff and I want to fuck my husband when I want. It's flattering, the idea, sure, who doesn't want to be taken care of? Even the most successful of girls, women and some men want that in the end. Andrew in there," she nodded towards the far door, "would give anything to be a trophy husband. Some people are made for it, some aren't."
Christian was quiet as he listened, nodding slowly, "how long has your family been like this?"
"Decades," she laughed again, her mood softening slightly, "dad comes from a long line of them, and mother comes from a long line of beautiful women who easily fall into place. If that's any indication of what I am to be like I guess I shouldn't fight it. My sister is one, my brother is married to one." Kinsley glanced over with a small blush on her cheeks, "anyway, enough about me...how about you Grey? Got a family? Crazy traditions that last decades long?"
He hummed, "I have a large family, I was adopted by two very generous people and they are absolutely amazing, I have a brother and sister too."
"Hopefully your mom isn't a trophy wife?"
Christian laughed quietly and crossed his legs, "no, no, she is a doctor."
"See! How about that?" Kinsley exclaimed excitedly and Christian stared over quietly, "how about that..."
"Mia, my sister, will probably never settle down and I thought the same for my brother Elliot but he shocked me and got married," Christian gave a dark look, "want to talk about the worst type of person?"
Kinsley smiled again, "how about that?"
"If I can say something," he started, a small frown forming, "I think it is important to do what makes you happy, so Miss Brouche if it makes you happy to be a personal accountant or freelance to companies I think you'll be surprised to see how much better you feel."
"Thanks," she smiled, "wouldn't happen to know of any killer companies that are hiring, hm?"
"I'll let you know," he shook his head, there is that smile.
"Are you finished with dinner? I'll put it up."
"How about that," he attempted his joke and was relieved to hear her laugh.
"Careful Grey, you'll make me swoon..."
"Babe!?" Andrew's voice called as the door was thrown open and he came out naked and interrupting them, Christian lifted a brow looking away.
Kinsley sighed, "remember when I said I have a guest?"
"Yeah?"
"If you don't put pants on right now, Andrew, so help me I am going to beat you with a stick."
Andrew winked, disappearing behind the door again, "I like when you talk dirty, King."
Kinsley scoffed closing up the food, "you owe me $50 dollars, Andrew."
"For what?"
"The food obviously."
"That you and your guest were eating?"
"That's the food," she nodded while tucking it back into their bags, "I told the guy to keep the change because you were too busy to pay him yourself."
Andrew came back out holding out a few bills, "a $20.00 tip? He better have been cute."
"Him," She nodded towards Christain to take the money, "too bad you missed him," she rolled her eyes sitting back with a new glass of Scotch, "oh, Christian Grey this is Andrew, my roommate."
"Christian Grey!" Tyler yelped tearing through the door with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"...and his boyfriend Tyler."
"Hi," Christian stood taking both of their hands in a quick shake before sitting back down.
"Jesus," Tyler gasped out with a wide smile, "Mr. Grey a pleasure to meet you honestly."
Kinsley looked between the two, "get this a lot, Grey?" Christian shifted wishing he wasn't, Kinsley was so refreshing to be around. Someone that didn't care who he was, someone that didn't care about anything. "Why?"
"Grey Enterprise," Tyler hissed out, clearly referring to the empire that dominated Taiwan and the West Coast, and was it making it's way East?
Andrew watched Kinsley's brow furrow and then she raised them and let out a short laugh, he wasn't sure what was going on in her head but he wished he knew. He hadn't seen his best friend like this in a long time; happy, talking, herself. "How about that," she said quietly and blinked a few times before pulling the blanket up around herself tighter.
She was pulling away from them now, the conversation was obvious it left a dark cloud around the other three and she looked away from Andrew barely hearing Tyler and Christain talking, Christian had reclaimed his seat and Tyler was standing back a bit still in the towel. The two talking about a new law that was being passed, "to put a choke hold around trade."
She remembered hearing about him now, Tyler doing close to the same thing he was doing at this very moment. Freaking out. She remembered Tyler was a bit upset the guy wasn't gay when it was announced in Forbes he was marrying a girl. And then even more excited when they divorced, another article in New York Times announcing his arrival.
Tyler had been taking Andrew and Tiffany to that club for weeks now she realized. How could she have not remembered his name? Not remember who he was? She had thought he was familiar but she hadn't realized until now, Tyler diving into a deep conversation about a topic she didn't care about with a guy he was head-over-heels business crushing on.
Of course, Kinsley finished her glass and stood to grab the bags and step away to the kitchen, Andrew joining her immediately.
"You okay King?"
"Yeah," she smiled up at him, leaning against his chest while setting the empty glass down. "I'm exhausted, actually."
"What's wrong? Want me to drag Ty away?"
"Oh no," she shook her head and shut her eyes, "I just didn't realize who he was, y'know, and he didn't tell me. I don't think he wanted me to know."
"He probably gets that a lot," Andrew rubbed her bare arm, "Tyler is just over excited."
"He probably does, and Jesus if I was him I would be itching towards leaving and never wanting to talk to me ever again. First Tiffany, then Tyler." She sighed a deep sigh, and stood up straight, "it was nice to have an intelligent conversation with someone for once, y'know, someone I didn't have to pretend around."
"Kins, you still don't have to pretend around him. You're you, baby, and he's just a guy that was lucky enough to meet you."
Kinsley laughed quietly pulling her long hair up in a ponytail. It fell in long waves more than halfway down her back, "it's strange but I feel connected to him. It's like he isn't intimidated by me."
"That's hard to find," Andrew chuckled, his smile soft.
"He's divorced and that is a lot of baggage I don't think I want," she was speaking quietly, scared they could hear her even though she knew they couldn't, "because he's the type of guy you fall in love with rather you plan on it or not. I already have one of those."
Andrew frowned deeply and pulled her tight against him, "hey you have 6 more years before we get married, y'know?" He tried to joke knowing it wasn't the appropriate time but he couldn't think of what else to say.
"Right," she kissed his shoulder, "I'm gonna go get rid of my guest and get some sleep, I am exhausted."
"Sure," Andrew answered following her back towards the front room seeing Tyler was now in a pair of jeans and sitting across from Christian the two still deep in conversation before a loud giggle and pound on the door grabbed his attention, "Tiffany."
Kinsley let out a loud groan, gathering Christian's attention immediately, "you have quite a place Miss Brouche."
Kinsley smirked, "welcome to the life, Grey." He chuckled and glanced towards the door when another pound sounded, a guy's voice following this one with a, let me in! "Oh Roy, I'm not dealing with them." She shook her head, her face more serious than Christian had seen it all night.
"Baby, calm down," Andrew spoke up quickly, reaching out to smooth her cheek, "calm down, it's fine I'll handle it. You go on into bed, okay?" Kinsley glanced at the door again then Andrew, "I promise he won't make it through the front door, and I'll throw Tiffany down the garbage chute." She rolled her eyes groaning again, "I'm just kidding, but Roy won't be in the house at all."
Tyler was standing now, "we got it, King, don't worry," he stopped and glanced over at Christian, "hey, Mr. Grey, an honest pleasure to meet you," he offered his hand again, "if you're around with King more I'll look forward to more conversations."
Christian stood taking the hand, "sure, thank you." His eyes flitting towards Kinsley who was looking tired, irritated and glaring at the door not even paying attention to them. Christian stood watching her and Kinsley shut her eyes with a deep sigh, "hey, let me put you to bed?" She jumped, turning two wide eyes to him, "I won't touch a hair on your head."
Her smile was back across her face at the mention of the joke, "sure it'd be a second before you could leave anyway unless you want to take the fire escape."
"I'll wait," he decided, "wouldn't want to ruin my suit."
"God forbid," she smirked and gave a nod, choosing to ignore the voices at the door. Christian followed her closely pushing the bedroom door closed behind him when they stepped into the master suite. "You're welcome to stay, by the way, I know it's late and my friends are absolute shit."
"They are tiring, I forgot what 24 felt like..." he mused quietly, glancing around.
"Sorry about Tyler," she said after a moment, flipping the light to the bathroom on. Christian slipped his jacket off with a shrug watching her through the open door. She was staring at herself in the mirror as she spoke.
"What's with you and Andrew?"
"We've been friends since high school," she answered turning with the make up remover cloth in hand, wiping her face off. "I fell in love with him after 10 minutes," she added before bending over the sink and splashing water over her face, "and then he told me he was gay."
Christian smiled, pushing a hand through his hair as he watched, "still friends, how about that?" Kinsley laughed her head falling back, she had the skirt of her dress hiked up slightly and eased the stockings down carefully. "Why do they call you King?"
"Because I'm bossy," she glanced over snapping her teeth playfully, "'bow before the monarch', they used to chant in college."
"Trophy wife syndrome."
Kinsley's grin was wide as she laid the stockings on top of her dresser, grabbing a pair of sweatpants out of the drawer and slipping them up her legs under the dress, "training paid off," she added reaching behind her back to unzip her dress tilting slightly to reach. Christian stepped forward to help, his hand grasping the zipper and sliding it down before he stepped around her and walked to the bathroom without a word.
Kinsley watched the door close before pulling the dress over her head, grabbing a bra and pulling it on then she sat on the bed with her phone out to check it. About 20 missed calls and text from Tiffany were in place and she laughed as she read through the drunken words - mostly Tiffany calling her 'bitch' and asking where she was.
"Alright Grey," she said as soon as the door was opened again while leaning back to plug the phone in to charge, "you got two options tonight, staying over or the fire escape. Go ahead and pick."
Christian adverted his eyes from her body the moment she looked back, "I'll stay," he shrugged and Kinsley hopped up from her perch on the end of the bed.
"Alright," her smile was back in place, her mood back to normal as she pulled the comforter back on the bed, "you can change if you want," she added, "I can get you a change of clothing from Tyler, I'm sure he'd piss his pants with excitement."
"He'd probably even show me his closet," Christian answered watching Kinsley giggle, "I'll pass on that Miss Brouche, you are more than hospitable enough."
"I was trained for it," she arched an eyebrow while laying on her bed.
He felt a little uneasy knowing she was watching him but he stepped out of his shoes anyway before unbuttoning his shirt and slipping it off to show he was wearing an undershirt. He sat on the bed next to her before laying back on his side, the two shared a smile across the mattress, "so King Kinsley."
"Residing." She winked and reached below her pulling the blanket over her body, "I didn't realize who you were," she admitted after a second and Christian let out a quiet sigh. He had hoped they wouldn't have to have this conversation, "but I don't think you wanted me to know?"
"It was nice having someone not know me."
"I probably wouldn't have if Tyler hadn't freaked out, he's obsessed with you."
"I noticed," Christian's grimace was evident, "I hope that doesn't change the way you think of me."
Kinsley chuckled, "I don't think anything. Not a worry."
"Nothing?" He gasped, feigning hurt, "you bought me a drink and somehow managed to seduce me up to your condo where I was harassed by your friends and forced to buy you dinner, yet you think nothing of me?"
"I'm the King, Grey! I get to think what I want!" She shot her hand up enthusiastically, "this is my kingdom here, not yours."
"I don't have a kingdom," he chuckled, shaking his head.
"Tyler thinks you do, but then again he's a sheep."
"Me too remember?"
Kinsley shut her eyes, "I couldn't forget with you in that suit." She rolled back and looked up at the ceiling, her hands behind her head playing with her long hair, "what's it like?"
"Tiring," he answered honestly, "sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.. people throwing themselves at me, having pointless conversations about business with almost every entrepreneur, business major or journalist."
"Why do it?"
He shrugged, "this was the life I wanted, Kinsley. I wanted to be this person."
"You don't owe anyone anything, y'know," she looked over at him with soft eyes and a small smile, "just like I don't."
Christian quirked a brow and chuckled quietly, "well... You figured that out much sooner in life than I did."
"Obviously," she snorted tilting her chin slightly, giving him a look through her lashes, "I lead my subjects by example."
"I'll take note," he smiled to himself, "it's late and I think you're tipsy."
"I think I have to pee," she admitted relaxing against the bed, "but I don't want to get up."
Christian let out a real laugh, his eyes shutting with it, "you're something else, Kinsley Brouche."
"Mm? What do you mean?"
"You're so honest, so real," he opened his eyes to watch her, "it's like walking into fire, I don't think I've ever met someone as real as you."
"We're all human, Grey. We all have to pee."
"That's not just what I mean," he sat up slightly, "it's just the way you talk, the way you handle a room. You're uncensored, you're unadulterated, you're painfully real."
"Careful Tyler," she muttered and when he looked at her he saw the hint of her joke flash through her eyes despite the dark red her body was turning. Her almost bare torso flushed up her neck and across her cheeks. "Be right back," she added and jumped up hurrying to the bathroom shutting the door.
Kinsley woke late into the afternoon, a glance at her phone letting her know it was 1:30. She relaxed back on the bed with a small whine escaping her lips as she stretched her arms above her head and twisted slightly feeling her body tense with a pop before relaxing again, "morning," came a quiet voice from across the bed and she looked over seeing Christian still stretched out next to her his phone in hand.
"Mm," she answered, "I need more sleep," she added ignoring the fact her voice was heavy with sleep.
Christian chuckled and laid his phone on his chest to watch her, she sat up and shamelessly adjusted her bra before flopping right back over seeming to be ignoring the knock on the bedroom door.
"King?" Andrew's voice called through the door, "I have coffee, baby girl, gotta wake up." She sighed and sat up as the door was pushed open just enough for him to step in and shut it again, "here," he handed her the hot mug, "not sure how you drink it, Christian, but I made you a cup of black."
"Fine," he reached out taking it, watching Andrew crawl up the bed behind Kinsley and wrap his arms around her.
"Good morning beautiful," he murmured nuzzling her lightly.
She relaxed against him, shutting her eyes and taking a drink, "tell me more."
"Stunning, gorgeous, wonderful, amazing, perfect..." Andrew kissed her temple, "how come you made him sleep without a blanket?"
"Because I'm mean," she opened her eyes as if remembering Christian and shot him a smile, perking up slightly, "aren't I, Grey?"
"The worst," he chuckled, taking his own drink before turning back to his phone.
"We have lunch in about an hour, get dressed," Andrew instructed sternly crawling out of the bed and glancing from Kinsley to Christian and back again, Kinsley shrugged tilting her head and taking another drink before setting the mug on the bedside table and laying back down, "Christian do you have plans tonight?"
"Nothing pressing," he looked up, finishing his email before hitting send.
"Great, I have a charity event I'm hosting for a client. You're welcome to join, it'll keep King some company," Andrew gave a smile and exited the room, Kinsley stayed laying down with her eyes closed.
Christian watched her a second longer assuming she had gone back to sleep so he got up and went into the bathroom. He turned the hot water on filling the tub for her and once it was full he went to wake her up. She was clutching the blanket in one hand, a frown forming on her features. She had talked a lot last night - woke him up a few times, it was mostly jumbles he couldn't make out but a few words stuck out to him. 'For me,' she said a lot and, 'Andrew.' 'Alone.' And shocking him she said his name, 'Grey.' Or he would assume it was his name until something told him otherwise.
"Kinsley," he reached out brushing her hair back, his voice soft, "hey, wake up." Her eyes fluttered and the frown grew, "I drew you a bath, time to wake up."
"I hate waking up," she whined and curled into the blanket, "no."
He chuckled, "your water will get cold, come on."
"You take the bath Grey," she grumbled, two wide eyes opening when she felt his arms wrap around her and lift her out of the bed, "put me down!"
"Bath time, we have a charity event to go to," Christian answered carrying her to the bedroom, he sat her countertop watching her glare at him.
"You're going then?" She asked, her glare softening slightly.
"I was invited as your guest." He answered looking amused, "is that a problem?"
"You don't get to participate in the charity auctions," she said smartly, sitting with a straight back, "I don't want you thinking that's why he invited you."
"You're not my accountant Miss Brouche, I don't need financial advice from you." She climbed down from the counter and hooked her fingers in her sweatpants, before looking over her shoulder towards him. Christian was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and looking right at her, turning her head away she let the sweats fall, "what kind of clients does Andrew have? What does he do?"
Christian trailed his eyes down her body, she had a series of scars that ran from her mid back down to her hips, he had a glimpse of them last night but now in the full light, they were evident. They stretched from her hips down to the front of her thighs.
"He's a publicist," she answered knowing full well he was he getting a full view of her backside, she tilted her hips slightly and the thong followed before she reached behind and unhooked her bra walking confidently to the bath, climbing into the warm water, "it's for a company he just took over."
"What's the event?"
"An auction," she shrugged, pulling her hair into a high messy bun so it wouldn't get wet. "It's a fairly new non-profit organization, he takes on a few events for free over the year to build his resume. They want to feed the homeless and eventually build shelters, so they are raising money for food drives and such."
"Oh," Christian pulled a face, "that sounds nice. Are you donating something?"
"My family is," she looked over, "dad donated a car, grandpa donated his boat for the course of three months, I don't have much.." she admitted reaching for her sponge and pouring soap on it. Christian was doing his best to focus on her face instead of what was happening in front of him, "when I graduated college dad gave me the villa in Spain, he hadn't been there in years because Mom slept with the pool boy." She chuckled, "anyway I'm donating it for a three day weekend."
Christian was shocked, to say the least, and watched as she started to stand, "where are the towels?"
"Closet on the left," she pointed pulling the drain before stepping out.
He grabbed a dark red towel and turned around holding it open for her wrapping it around her body, she looked up at him, "you're a strong man, Grey, props."
He chuckled, she was toying with me! "I think I'll take a cold shower, you don't mind do you?"
"I'll even give you privacy," she answered and as she said that her eyes drug from his shoulders down slowly, "I'll get you a change of clothes, too." She added stepping around him and sauntering out, shutting the door behind her.