AN: Sorry it's been so long... again. Real life has a habbit of getting in the way of my writing. I'm not giving up on this or any of my stories. I appreciate each of you who have stuck with me - and those who have reviewed/reached out to see what has been going on. I love each and every one of my readers. Hope you're up for a bit of fresh-air in this chapter. Mia's arrival home - next chapter will be inclusive of the Saturday night family dinner without Ana or Kate before getting into Sunday's festivities. Should be a good one to write. :) I'm excited.
Thank you all again, read, review, and I hope you enjoy! -all my love, Bri
I'm in a field overflowing with sunshine, warmth, and the smell of jasmine. A faint drum beat echoes off the trees in the distance. …. …. …. I'm drawn to it, the muscle contracting and expanding in my chest wants to set pace with it. …. …. …. I run toward the sound and feel a breeze slide down my spine. What the hell was that? As my brain processes the foreign touch, I feel my face against warm skin. I inhale Anastasia's beautiful scent and open my eyes to meet her clear blues looking down at me.
"Good morning," I say, my voice still heavy with sleep. "Jesus, even in my sleep I'm drawn to you." I mentally shake my head that I must not be so fucking clingy, even if it's unconsciously. I need to keep some control, and it is proving to be damn difficult around this woman. Her eyes grown when she realizes my erection at her side. Oh, my Sweet, we could definitely have some fun this morning.
"Hmmm…. This has possibilities, but I think we should wait until Sunday." I lean in and nuzzle her ear. Hey, I'm not the nuzzle type but I'm going to fucking go with whatever I want when it comes to her right now. Rules-be-gone! For a minute or two anyway.
"You're very hot."
The smirk breaks across my face, "You're not so bad yourself." She blushes and I shake my hips at her. Truthfully, I just really fucking enjoy having her skin on mine, but if I'm not careful I'll fuck her without a condom and that rule needs to stay until she's properly contraceptioned. Contraceptioned? Who am I Daniel Webster now too? Fucking making up words and shit?
"Sleep well?" Seeing her nod makes me realize that again being next to her I've had a good night's sleep. What is it about her that brings me peace? I don't understand it. I'll bring this up with Flynn next time I see him, I'm sure he'll have a field day with this. "So did I…. Yes, really well." I settle on not looking a gift horse in the mouth for now and allow the surprise to take over. Speaking of sleeping well, I never set an alarm because I'm always awake well before I need to be. "What's the time?"
"It's seven thirty."
"Seven thirty… shit." I'm up with my jeans and shirt on, scrambling to grab the rest of my things when I notice her smirking at me. Oh, you'll pay for that Miss Steele.
"You are such a bad influence on me. I have a meeting. I have to go- I have to be in Portland at eight. Are you smirking at me?" I ask, just for good measure.
"Yes."
Oh, yes, Miss Steele, we're in for some fun.
"I'm late. I don't do late. Another first, Miss Steele." I pull her face into my hands and lean down so I can look her in the eyes, "Sunday." I place a kiss on her lips, gather the rest of my things, and move toward the door with my shoes in hand.
"Taylor will come and sort your Beetle. I was serious. Don't drive it. I'll see you at my place on Sunday. I'll email you a time."
I leave; again not looking back at the apartment for fear I'll go back in and be severely late for my meeting instead of just marginally. I arrive to Portland in record time and change when I arrive courtesy of Taylor who brought a set of clothing for me as requested. This can never happen again, looks like I'll be setting an alarm from now on thanks to the delicious Miss Steele. Fuck, the way her skin looked as it warmed under my touch. No. No. Stop it. Not here. Not now. I turn my attention back to the meeting regarding the business markets projections for the next term pausing only to respond to Ana's emails throughout. Luckily my laptop isn't being used for any of the presentations and that my team is well prepared and I need to do very little of the inquiries and can trust their judgment while I converse with Ana.
Her first email comes through at a little after eight.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Assault and Battery: The After-Effects
Date: May 27 2011 08:05
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey,
You wanted to know why I felt confused after you-which euphemism should we apply- spanked, punished, beat, assaulted me. Well, during the whole alarming process, I felt demeaned, debased, and abused. And much to my mortification, you're right, I was aroused, and that was unexpected. As you are well aware, all things sexual are new to me- I only wish I was more experienced and therefore more prepared. I was shocked to feel aroused.
What really worried me was how I felt afterward. And that's more difficult to articulate. I was happy you were happy. I felt relieved that it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. And when I was lying in your arms, I felt… sated. But I feel very uncomfortable, guilty even, feeling that way. It doesn't sit well with me, and I'm confused as a result. Does that answer your question?
I hope the world of Mergers and Acquisitions is as stimulating as ever… and that you weren't too late.
Thank you for staying with me.
Ana
Between needing to be mentally present during this meeting and my difficulty formulating my response to Ana, the email takes a while to compose.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Free Your Mind
Date: May 27 2011 08:24
To: Anastasia Steele
Interesting… if slight overstated title heading, Miss Steele.
To answer your points:
I'll go with spanking- as that's what it was.
So you felt demeaned, debased, abused, and assaulted- how very Tess Durbeyfield of you. I believe it was you who decided on the debasement, if I remember correctly. Do you really feel like this or do you think you ought to feel like this? Two very different things. If that is how you feel, do you think you could just try to embrace these feelings, deal with them, for me? That's what a submissive would do.
I'm grateful for your inexperience. I value it, and I'm only beginning to understand what it means. Simply put… it means you are mine in every way.
Yes, you were aroused, which in turn was very arousing, there's nothing wrong with that.
Happy does not even begin to cover how I felt. Ecstatic joy comes close.
Punishment spanking hurts far more than sensual spanking – so that's about as hard as it gets, unless of course, you commit some major transgression, in which case I'll use some implement to punish you with. My hand was very sore. But I like that.
I felt sated, too- more so than you could ever know.
Don't waste your energy on guilt, feelings of wrongdoing, etc. We are consenting adults and what we do behind closed doors is between ourselves. You need to free your mind and listen to your body.
The world of M&A is not nearly as stimulating as you are, Miss Steele.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Consenting Adults!
Date: May 27 2011 08:26
To: Christian Grey
Aren't you in a meeting?
I'm very glad your hand was sore.
If I listened to my body, I'd be in Alaska by now.
Ana
P.S.: I will think about embracing these feelings.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: You Didn't Call the Cops
Date: May 27 2011 08:35
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele,
I am in a meeting discussing the futures market, if you're really interested.
For the record, you stood besides me knowing what I was going to do.
You didn't at any time ask me to stop- you didn't use either safeword.
You are an adult- you have choices.
Quite frankly, I'm looking forward to the next time my palm is ringing with pain.
You're obviously not listening to the right part of your body.
Alaska is very cold and no place to run. I would find you.
I can track your cell phone – remember?
Go to work.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I settle back into the meeting as my email notifies me of a response from Ana again. I told her to go to work, damn it; she just can't follow any simple instructions can she? Infuriating, beautiful woman.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Stalker
Date: May 27 2011 08:36
To: Christian Grey
Have you sought therapy for your stalker tendencies?
Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Stalker? Me?
Date: May 27 2011 08:38
To: Anastasia Steele
I pay the eminent Dr. Flynn a small fortune with regard to my stalker and other tendencies.
Go to work.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Expensive Charlatans
Date: May 27 2011 08:40
To: Christian Grey
May I humbly suggest you seek a second opinion?
I am not sure that Dr. Flynn is very effective.
Miss Steele
Now my palm is twitching. She is very quickly headed for a second spanking with these smart-mouthed emails.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Second Opinions
Date: May 27 2011 08:43
To: Anastasia Steele
Not that it's any of your business, humble or otherwise, but Dr. Flynn is the second opinion.
You will have to speed, in your new car, putting yourself at unnecessary risk- I think that's against the rules.
GO TO WORK.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: SHOUTY CAPITALS
Date: May 27 2011 08:47
To: Christian Grey
As the object of your stalker tendencies, I think it is my business, actually.
I haven't signed yet. So rules, schmules. And I don't start work until 9:30.
Miss Steele
What a pair, both of us making up our own fucking words. Webster would have a field day with us.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Descriptive Linguistics
Date: May 27 2011 08:49
To: Anastasia Steele
"Schmules"? Not sure where that appears in Webster's Dictionary.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Descriptive Linguistics
Date: May 27 2011 08:52
To: Christian Grey
It's between control freak and stalker.
And descriptive linguistics is a hard limit for me.
Will you stop bothering me now?
I'd like to go to work in my new car.
Ana
My stomach knots and warms at the signature she chose, Ana… not Miss Steele. While her words seemed hard and harsh, her signature softens the blow. I try to hide my smile as I type out the reply.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Challenging but Amusing Young Women
Date: May 27 2011 08:56
To: Anastasia Steele
My palm is twitching.
Drive safely, Miss Steele.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
"Alright everyone, nice work thus far. Why don't we break for a five minute break and then regroup to go over the projections for next quarter?"
After a few nods around the table, everyone files out of the conference room and I head over to Taylor.
"Taylor, I need you to purchase Miss Steele a BlackBerry. Same make and model as my own. Set up her email and contacts already for her then have it couriered to Claytons before two this afternoon."
"Yes, Sir."
I make myself a coffee and return to my place at the head of the table. Once Taylor tells me that her email accounts have been set, I send her an email informing her of my reasons for this gift, so that I may have easier access to her at all times and for her honest communication while in print. Her response is short, telling me she'll e-mail me when she is home from work then berates me for being a stalkers as well as the ultimate consumer. I have no choice but to remind her that I do all of this, above all other reasons, because I can. Sending her a final email, I hope she'll respond even though she's already said goodbye, I tell her Dr. Greene will be at Escala at 1:30 Sunday and that I expect her at one.
I stare at the screen for 5 minutes after the meeting clears out hoping for a response, finally after Taylor's throat clearing from the doorway I sigh heavily and pack my things as we need to head back to Seattle. Taylor drops me off at Charlie Tango and heads in search of Miss Steele's deathtrap automobile after my takeoff. Feeling both liberated by the freedom of the open air and saddened by the lack of Ana's giggle in my ear through the cans, I guide my way back to Escala to prepare for this boring fucking fundraising dinner for some stuffy old douche I do business with who smells like mothballs. After straightening my tie in the mirror I realize the time, Ana should be home by now, why has she not emailed me?
"Taylor!" I yell into the phone as he answers.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Have you already retrieved Miss Steele's car?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Was she home when you did so?"
"Yes, Sir." As my patience thins and my anger rises I sense his curiosity.
"Very well." I hang up and launch the phone onto my bed from the bathroom.
Calm the fuck down, Grey. You don't own her. Let the girl fucking breathe.
Right. Fucker said something about breathing? I can't even think straight right now. I head to the kitchen and pour a quick shot of whiskey to take the edge off and try Ana again. Ring…. Ring… Ring… Ring… "Hey you've reached Ana I can't come to the phone right now, so please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Have a great day!" Frustrated I hang up and go to the dinner.
After a fundraiser to save some endangered monkey that was about as entertaining as watching paint dry, I've tried Ana three more times to no avail. I decide to send her an email on the way home to curb my rapidly growing anger and worry.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Where Are You?
Date: May 27,2011 22:14
To: Anastasia Steele
"I am at work. I will e-mail you when I get home."
Are you still at work or have you packed your phone, BlackBerry, and MacBook?
Call me, or I may be forced to call Elliot.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Walking into the kitchen I find Gail behind the counter. "Gail, what are you doing working still? You should have been off hours ago?"
Startled she closes the refrigerator and nods, "Sorry Sir, I noticed the milk had expired in here a little while ago and wanted to be sure you had our carton for your coffee in the morning. I apologize for the intrusion."
"No, Gail, you're fine." Running my hands through my hair, I sigh heavily, "I'm sorry."
"Mr. Grey, might I ask you if you are okay? You look…"
Before she can answer I finish her thought, "dreadful?"
She laughs and shakes her head, "For the record, that was your word, not mine."
Reaching into the cabinet she pulls down a tumbler and my whiskey pouring a stiff two fingers before disappearing into the staff quarters. I wander through the apartment and find my place at the piano and drown my sorrows in music and the amber liquid in front of me. Looking at the time I see it's after midnight now. Still radio silence from Ana. Even though Elliot has assured me hours ago that all are well and that she is just enjoying her last night in the apartment, I still can't shake my unease at her lack of communication. My anger has since dissipated into anxiety and worry. What if she doesn't want me anymore? What if this isn't what she wants? I decide to call once more and leave her a voicemail this time.
"I think you need to learn to manage my expectations. I am not a patient man. If you say you are going to contact me when you finish work, you should have the decency to do so. Otherwise, I worry, and it's not an emotion I'm familiar with, and I don't tolerate it very well. Call me."
Twenty minutes later my phone starts ringing and I jump at it.
"Hi…" I say quietly, trying hard to contain the rush of emotions I'm feeling.
"Hi."
"I was worried about you."
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't reply, but I'm fine." Fine… She's fine. Okay. Good.
"Did you have a pleasant evening?"
"Yes. We finished packing and Kate and I had Chinese take-out with Jose." I close my eyes and inhale deeply at the mention of the fuckhead.
"How about you?" Her voice brings me back from yet another daydream of dropkicking Jose to the floor.
"I went to a fundraising dinner. It was deathly dull. I left as soon as I could." Because I couldn't stand not knowing where the hell you were, but, hey, that's just semantics, right?
"I wish you were here," she whispers quietly and I can't bring myself to say the words me too . Truth be told, I'm glad she wasn't here when my anger was at its peak. I scared her last night with her punishment and I don't want her shrinking away from my physically or emotionally again.
An unbelieving "Do you?" is all I can muster.
"Yes…"
Silence stretches between us again before I find my words, "I'll see you Sunday?"
"Yes, Sunday." I smile at the sound of her words coming through the speaker.
"Good night."
"Good night, Sir." My breath catches in my throat at her use of the word Sir. Christ, this woman is so fucking hot, and she very well may be the death of me.
Not wanting to end the conversation now that my worry has dissipated and has been replaced by a warmth in my chest I continue, "Good luck with your move tomorrow, Anastasia."
"You hang up." She whispers.
"No, you hang up." The smile I'm wearing splitting my face in two.
"I don't want to."
"Neither do I."
"Were you very angry with me?"
"Yes."
"Are you still?"
"No."
"So you're not going to punish me?"
"No. I'm an in-the-moment kind of guy."
"I've noticed." The casual manner of her smart mouth strikes me like a blow to the chest.
"You can hang up now, Miss Steele."
"Do you really want me to, Sir?" No.
"Go to bed, Anastasia."
"Yes, Sir."
Shaking my head, I pull the phone away from my ear, watching the seconds tick by on the screen indicating that neither of us has ended the call yet.
"Do you think you'll ever be able to do what you're told?"
"Maybe. We'll see after Sunday." And with that the line goes dead.
After finishing my drink and tending to some work email that has come through in the last few hours, I slide into bed and lie awake for a while just seeing her face, her hair, those eyes, and her beautiful skin, hearing her laugh and honey voice before slipping into a relatively peaceful sleep.
"Mr. Grey, what would you like for breakfast this morning?"
"Pepper and onion omelet with some bacon please."
"Very well, coming right up. Your coffee is on the counter."
"Thank you Gail."
I take my coffee and check a few more emails before arranging a surprise delivery to Ana and Kate's new apartment for later this evening. The website shows an assortment of flowers and balloons. I finally decide on a helicopter shaped balloon and call to have them also include a bottle of the Bollinger, sure to tell them of its need to be chilled. The card shall read, Ladies, Good luck in your new home. Christian Grey.
Taylor knocks on the study door, "Mr. Grey, are you ready to fetch Miss Grey from the airport?"
"Yes, give me a minute to finish this email and I'll meet you in the foyer."
Twenty minutes later we are waiting in the private hanger for my bubbly, passionate, and annoying as all hell, beautiful baby sister. Taylor has installed his earplugs for the car ride back to Escala since she will be staying with me until we head to Bellevue for our "Horray Mia's home from France" family dinner tonight. When the GEH jet lands, it takes only minutes before I see her waving frantically from the small window behind the sofa inside, chomping at the bit to have the door opened so she can no doubt tackle me in a bear hug. She is the only person, with the exception of Ana now, who's hands I can stand having anywhere near my no-go zones. She has always had a spell over me, ever since Mom and Dad brought her home. That dark brown, almost black hair, and mischievous eyes are two things I never stood a chance at saying no to which is how she ended up with my jet half way around the world.
As soon as the door opens and the stairs have been lowered Mia barrels down from the jet and into my chest, almost knocking me over.
"Alright, alright, Mia. It's nice to see you too." I try for my best irritated persona but at best it's nothing more than slight annoyance, more in the ballpark of hey sis, I missed you, but I hate to show anyone that I love them so here's my best attempt at covering it up even though you of all people see right through me. I place a chaste kiss on her forehead and guide her into the car.
"Something about you seems different." She says as she slides further into the backseat of the car. "What is it, Christian? Tell me!"
"Nothing to tell." I try for nonchalance and fail miserably.
She eyes me suspiciously and laughs, "Well then, I'm afraid we must detail every aspect of my trip. All the food, the men, the shopping… the men!" She squeals and wiggles in her seat. "Come on! Tell me! You know I won't give up until I know!"
"Things have been going very well at work." I say, but the smile breaks across my face as Ana's face flashes through my mind.
"Work-shmurk! I know it's a girl. Mom told me she met her at Escala. Elliot's girlfriends best friend and roommate?! Tell me about her! Tell me NOW!" Her humor is slowly fading and the tenacious Mia who always cornered me into watching Beauty and the Beast and all of her other favorite movies when we were kids is sitting in front of me, demanding to know the answers to every inquiry she has.
"Her name is Anastasia. She just graduated from WSU and she is completely breathtakingly beautiful, inside and out. Now enough from me, tell me about your trip. But please, leave the talk of men out of the equation, I have no interest in hearing any of that unless someone hurt you, in which case Elliot and I have a trip to take." We both laugh and she launches into talking about her time spent eating and cooking in restaurants all over France, mostly in Paris. She spoke of her favorite hang out spots and the few good friends she made while there. Seemingly fitting three hours worth of conversation into a mere 25 minutes before we arrived back at Escala.
"Mia, we're leaving for dinner at six, so please be ready on time."
"Don't be so stuffy, Christian." She says as she throws her shoes off in the living room. "I'm going to take a shower."
Shaking my head and stifling a laugh, I can't help but feel like I've been run over by Hurricane Mia, storming through my life one day at a time. I disappear into my study and deal with a mountain of work for the next hour before my phone ringing interrupts me.
"Elena, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Christian, dear, your mother tells me Mia is home as of this afternoon, will you be joining everyone for dinner this evening?"
"I will be there."
"Good, because I have to speak with you about some things I've been hearing about you and a certain brunette who you have never before run past me. Why am I suddenly out of the loop Christian? You always consult with me before entering into a contract."
I can almost hear her pout on the other end of the line. Inwardly groaning I respond, "Elena, I will tell you about her this evening. And there was no need to involve you this time. I'll speak with you later. Goodbye."
She huffs in annoyance as I click off. Fuck, that woman can be so infuriating. She is no longer my Domme, yet she consistently needs reminding of that. I'm not looking forward to that confrontation tonight.
Pouring myself a small glass of whiskey I hear Mia playing the guitar from the guest room in the living room. She was never very good but this song seems to be well rehearsed. Recognizing the tune, I walk to the doorway and lean on the frame, watching her from a distance, sipping on my drink. She looks so carefree, looking over the Seattle skyline, but somehow older, more mature, not quite my baby sister anymore. There is a sense of sadness in her tone, an understanding, and a letting go; my chest constricts wishing I could shield her from any harm ever coming to her. She plays the same song four times over, lost completely in her own world…
Look up, child. The world is born. Shoe's untied. And your soles are worn... Oh, these miles that have torn us apart. My newfound faith and my broken heart. Windows are rolled down. Sun is rising high. Windows are rolled down. Feel that wind rushing by, hey…
Not wanting to be caught watching her, I disappear back into the study as she finished her final performance of the song. Closing my eyes I push back the tears threatening to spill at the memory of what I just witnessed…
"Okay Big Brother!" I hear as her footsteps come closer to my door, "I'm ready when you are."
Quickly snapping out of my thoughts, I finish my glass and exit my office to find Mia standing in front of me. Her eyes slightly puffy as though she had been crying, I pull her into a firm embrace and whisper, "I missed you babygirl," as I place a kiss on her forehead again. "I just need to change and then we can go."
Song lyrics for Mia's Song:
Amos Lee – Windows Are Rolled Down
Look up, child The world is born Shoe's untied And your soles are worn
Windows are rolled down Sun is setting high Windows are rolled down I'm fixing to die
Corn rows have companion feel This rocky road and this steering wheel Who do you call to ease your pain? I hope for you to get through this rain
Windows are rolled down Moon is hanging low Windows are rolled down Think it's time for me to go, hey
Is it what you dreamed it'd be? Are you locked up in this fantasy? Oh, this miles that have torn us apart My new found faith and my broken heart
Windows are rolled down Sun is rising high Windows are rolled down Feel that wind rushing by, hey
Windows are rolled down.