Chapter 7

• You barely what? Ana. I want to know." Turning my gaze back to the wonderful view of the Pacific, and the cream colored leather couches, and ottoman, I let myself dream for one second of being in a cozy room such as this reading the day away. Waking up, cooking whatever I chose, and doing the same thing over again. Having someone.
• Someone.
• Blinking back tears, I shook my head before forcing a smile.
• "You said there was breakfast?" I asked, trying to ignore the crack in my voice. He continued to study me for a while longer before nodding his head.
• "Yes. My cook Gail has made a spread fit for a queen. I hope you like it," he said which I know caused my face to heat up. Walking into the open kitchen, I noticed a door, and that he was taking the both of us there. Once we entered into the other room, I saw the homey dining room table. It was a heavy cherry oak with eight place settings. At one end was a laptop, and some papers. As if he knew my thoughts, he spoke before pulling out a chair at the opposite end.
• "Sometimes when my office gets too stuffy I do work here."
• "I wouldn't be able to stay away from the view in the living room," I blurted out once more, covering my mouth almost instantly. Christian took the chair across from me before smiling.
• "I couldn't do that, Ana. otherwise I would get no work done. Instead of signing people's checks, I'd be wondering about taking my boat sailing, or ditching work. Not the right mindset for a CEO," he joked, which caused me to giggle, then outright laugh. Something else I hadn't done in a long time.
• "You have a beautiful laugh," he said to me in his deep voice. I felt flushed, and began picking with my nails. Right as I was about to ask about breakfast, in came an older woman. She was beautiful easily in her forties, she had an easy smile, and I loved that she placed the food on the table with a flourish. She had a personality.
• "Voila! Here is the lovely breakfast. We have turkey sausage, and bacon, hash browns, pancakes. Fruit, and biscuits."
• "Turkey, Gail?"
• Rolling her eyes, she addressed me.
• "He thinks living forever means eating whatever you want. Turkey is healthier than pork. I will not serve it in my house."
• "Your house?" Christian asked, eyebrow raised, to which she smirked.
• "Yes, my house. My kitchen as well. If you disagree I can always find other work, Mr. Grey."
• Snorting, he grabbed some pancakes.
• "Miss Gail you know I wouldn't last a day without you, and I would only triple your pay if someone tried to buy you. It's final. You can't leave."
• At that, the woman giggled before holding out her hand.
• "Hello, dear. This one has terrible manners. I've been here since he was wearing diapers. The name's Gail, and I pretty much run this home."
• Hesitantly I held out my hand before returning her warm smile.
• "Well, from what I've seen so far you have done a wonderful job. I'm Anastasia, but you can call me Ana."
• "Anastasia. Such a beautiful name. Fitting for a beautiful woman. Right, Christian?"
• When he didn't answer, I glanced over, and saw his gaze on my forearm. The sweatshirt rode up a bit, easily showing my cuts. I usually used makeup to cover them, but with everything that happened, I forgot. Sliding my hand from Gail's I pulled down my sweatshirt before grabbing a fork. Noticing the sudden tension, the woman murmured about getting juice before leaving the room. When she did, Christian spoke quietly.
• "How long?"
• Grabbing a turkey sausage, I feigned innocence.
• "How long what?"'
• Setting down his fork, Christian leaned over.
• "You know what, Ana. How long?"
• Staring into his eyes, I shook my head. He sighed before picking up his fork, and knife, resuming his meal.
• We settled into a silence that started off tense, but became comfortable. When Gail returned with freshly squeezed guava juice, and left I spoke quietly.
• "Christian. Thank you, for everything. You don't know-just thank you. You didn't have to bring me here, but you did. You welcomed me into your home, and I'll never forget it. You gave me a mini-vacation. I wasn't up for most of it, but it was a vacation anyway," I joked, hoping to lighten the situation. Christian had been done a long while, so I was shocked when he grabbed my left hand, and kissed it. Turning my palm over he did the same. Gasping, I tried to pull my hand away, but I found it in his warm, yet firm grip. Pushing the sleeve of my sweatshirt up, I felt tears welling in my eyes when he kissed each scar. I had ten of them, and he kissed each one twice. When he pulled his mouth from my arm, he locked eyes with me, and spoke.
• "Ana. I know this may seem forward, and we barely know each other, but you fascinate me. No woman has ever captivated me as you have. The moment we locked eyes across that crowded, and dreadful black tie event, I knew we were meant to see each other."
• I could see the honesty in his gaze, and the open desire, and it took everything within me to not agree. But, this was too much. I was married, and I couldn't afford a fling. I couldn't afford anything, actually, especially with Jose controlling everything. Christian was a handsome man, yes, but I couldn't cheat on my husband.
• Right?