Christian's Yearning

CH09

~ At the Met ~

… Monday, Aug 22nd …

(Still at the Met Fashion gala…)

"Hi there Lisa" the women kiss and hug with familiarity - she is such an amazing business woman…

"Ana, dear, you look fabulous! How are you doing?"

"Doing well. Getting ready to move to my new apartment; I get the keys tomorrow."

"That is exciting dear." They continue their conversation for a little while when Lisa presses again "…yesterday it was a week since the CK-Costa reveal. Are you holding up O.K.? You are now in magazines spreads all over and many more to come."

Ana smiles shyly.

"Today is Monday, you are becoming a very recognizable face, Ana. I bet by Saturday your name will be as recognizable as David … I even saw a little something in TMZ about you and David…" Lisa teases.

"You better than anyone know not to believe everything …"

"No, no. But David is a great looking guy."

"Aren't you used to being around handsome men?"

"Sure, sure; and I can recognize one a mile away," and Lisa's eyes point a little behind them.

Ana, without even looing, knows… it must be him…

~0~

Christian finally finds Ana somewhere around the Salon of the Hotel de Varengeville exhibition; she is a few steps away from a counter set strategically for tonight's events. She is trying to blend in with the crowd. She looks at ease talking to a blond woman; he approaches them carefully …

"There you are Ana!" he says as if he has been looking for her all night.

"Hi there, I am Lisa Benetton."

"Christian Grey." His demeanor is diplomatic as he exchanges pleasantries with Lisa. After a few minutes Lisa leaves making the excuse that dinner is approaching. Ana smiles inwardly, even Lisa is not immune to Christian’s charm. Once again Ana finds herself cornered by the force that is Christian Grey trying and failing to follow Lisa.

"Christian, I do not bother you when you are in your business meetings; please show me the same courtesy."

"Good point-well-made Ms. Steele," he answers with amusement.

"Why are you here Christian?"

He stands behind her and touches her neck; he can feel how tense she is. "Because you are here," he rubs circles around her neck; she closes her eyes and lets the electric current run thru her whole body. It is as if they are in their own bubble uncaring if anyone sees them or if a picture is taken of this most intimate of moments.

He reaches over and hugs her from behind; his arms around her waist and she sets her hands over his. He settles his lips against her ear lobe and he carefully supports his weight with his left knee bended slightly. He pulls her in on him on a swift move very much like a practiced dance step.

Forgetting all her carefully built defenses, she leans her back against him and she feels him – all of him. Her breath catches and she steps away.

"I have missed you so much, Anastasia…"

"I can't Christian."

"Don't fight this… don't you feel it?" He inhales her hair, she smells of honey and something that is uniquely Ana… his Ana... like citrus and spring blossoms.

"That has never been the problem…" her breath is ragged, her core has melted like ice cream on a hot July afternoon.

"Ana, let's go somewhere else, anywhere you want" –let me take you, let me show you how much you mean to me "… say the word and I'll take you anywhere in the world; just tell me, chose us."

"I can't."

"You are my lifeline, Ana, I want more, with you and only you…" he drags his finger on the top of her hand and stands by her side very, very close

"I … I think I better go" – she can feel him throbbing right where her hip gives way to the swell of her bottom

– If I don't go now I won't be able to resist him, I will have my legs around him begging him to take me…

- Why not?

-It is not like you don't want him her unhelpful inner goddess says on bended knee.

To onlookers they seem like a couple standing close to each other in a familiar way lovers do. Or maybe the way close friends do. Both supporting each other waiting for something or someone; admiring the museum pieces.

"Anastasia …" the way he says her name makes her shutter; she turns around and he hugs her so his hands are joined at her lower back;

"Are you? Are you with him?" There is pain in his eyes.

She shakes her head, for an instance she wants to say yes as simple ‘yes, leave me alone’ ould suffice but the words die in her throat.

"No." She answers and sees something, years perhaps, evaporate off his face.

- Her answer was so final, she did not even have to think, and relief flows through him.

"Don't you have a little…, someone, waiting for you in your red room?" they both know that she is asking: do you have a sub?

"No." Christian answers with intensity while looking directly at her eyes.

- Is that what she thinks?

- That I have a sub?

- Why wouldn't she think so?

- Are you surprised she would think that; have you told her otherwise?

"Everything is as you left it. There has not been anyone; it is you only you. We need to talk…" He tries to reassure her.

"Maybe, some other time, but I just do not see you changing and I cannot give you what you need." She leans and gives him a chaste kiss against his left cheek, right where his stubble starts. He closes his eyes to savor the moment. She inhales his scent.

– His expensive gel, and after-shave and that musky smell that is Christian Grey.

Yet again, she walks away.

That kiss felt like a hello and a goodbye, like a beginning and an end, all wrapped in one…