Fifty Shades Bound

Chapter Twenty-Three

The office smells exactly how I remember it. Coffee, freshly printed paper, and flowers. Lilacs, I think. Christian and I stroll hand in hand towards my office while I greet the members of my team. It's taken awhile, but I've finally gotten the right team around me. Taylor and Sawyer decided they would sit in the lobby area, which is perfectly fine with me. I still don't like the idea of having personal security in the work place.

"Good morning Ana!" My assistant calls from her desk. I smile and head over to her desk to get my schedule.

"How are you, Hannah?" I ask with a smile while she hands me this week's schedule. I think Hannah is the one I've missed most from work.

"Good, thanks! Let me know when you are available to go over the new projects we've been given."

I nod and walk back to Christian, who is leaning against my office's door smiling.

"What?" I ask. He laughs and opens the door, leading me inside. After shutting it gently, he turns to me and kisses the top of my head.

"I knew you could handle owning the company. I'm so proud of you," he murmurs into my ear, biting on my earlobe softly. Chills run down my spine as his lips move down to my neck.

"I'm at work, Christian," I remind him, pushing him away. He rolls his eyes and gives me the hottest pouting face I've ever seen.

"But you're sexy when you're working," he complains, stalking towards me again. This man is going to be the death of me.

"Christian, I will not have sex with you in my office. We've been over this," I remind him, putting my hands firmly on his chest to keep him from trying anything. He stares at me intently before nodding.

"As you wish, Mrs. Grey. You continue to amaze me every day," he says, smiling. I blush and hug him.

"Thanks for coming here with me."

"Ana, there's no way in hell I would have let you come here without me. Silly girl," he teases.

I roll my eyes and sit down in my chair, Christian taking the seat in front of me. He pulls out his laptop from his briefcase and we both set to work. I leave the office after thirty minutes to discuss my schedule with Hannah, and when I get back I find Christian on the phone.

"What is taking you so long?" Christian sneers, not noticing I've entered the room. He's silent for a few seconds before interrupting the person.

"I paid you a good sum of money for you to find him. You better fucking do your job," he threatens before hanging up. He then looks up to find me staring at him. We hold each others gazes for what seems like minutes but is probably seconds.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that," he finally says, looking down at his lap. I walk across the room and sit down on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"It's okay. I understand," I reply simply.

We sit there for a while before I move off his lap to sit back down in my chair. I have a lot of work to do. I start reading a manuscript that Hannah gave me and begin taking notes. Hours pass by before I hear Christian close his computer. I look up to find him smiling at me.

"What?" I ask him.

"It's 2 o'clock, love," he says. I immediately turn to the clock and find that he's right. Wow. I really do get caught up in my work.

"Let's go. You must be hungry," Christian says, helping me stand from my chair. We walk out of my office and towards the lobby.

"Ana!" I hear someone shout, and I turn around to find Hannah walking briskly toward me.

"Here," she says, handing me a manila envelope. I look at her questioningly and she shrugs.

"It came for you an hour ago. I'm not sure what it is."

I nod, thanking her.

"See you tomorrow!" She says cheerfully before walking away. I stuff the envelope into my purse and head over to where Christian is standing with Taylor.

"What did she give you?" He asks me curiously.

"Just some work stuff," I tell him, grabbing my jacket. The rain the past few weeks has made Seattle colder than usual this time of year. We walk out of the building and Taylor opens my door for me. I thank him and sit down.

"How was work today, Mrs. Grey?" Sawyer asks from the passenger seat.

"It was great. I'm happy to be back at the office," I tell him honestly. He nods and turns to face the front again. Christian climbs into the seat next to me and reaches for my hand, squeezing it.

"What are you hungry for?" He asks earnestly.

"I could eat just about anything Christian. Let's just go home. I'm too tired to go out anywhere," I tell him, and he nods.

The soft sound of classical music fills the car, Mozart I believe. Christian continues to hold my hand as we ride in silence, heading off into the busy afternoon traffic.

"I have a surprise for you," Christian says suddenly, catching my attention. I turn to him and raise an eyebrow.

"Oh do you now?" I tease. He spoils me too much these days. Nearly every morning I find a big bouquet of flowers on my bedside table. Could you ask for a sweeter husband?

"I do," he says, smiling proudly of himself. I can't help but grin back.

"Well then I'm excited to see it," I say.

We finally reach Escala and Sawyer escorts us inside while Taylor parks the car in the garage. We reach the elevator and I become excited. I've grown to love Christian's surprises. We finally reach the top level and exit the elevator, Christian leading me into the kitchen.

"Before I show you, you need to eat," he says, opening the refrigerator. I let out a long sigh, wanting to know what the surprise is. He glances over his shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile.

"Patience, Mrs. Grey."