"Fifty Shades of Grey" character Christian Grey appears to be based on the hunky Italian real estate agent Alessandro Proto.
Who knew real estate could be so sexy?
The trilogy's author, E.L. James, met Proto, 39, in 2010 when she was traveling through Italy, chronicling the real estate conquests of international celebrities in the country, according to New York Daily News.
Proto, who lives between Milan, Italy and Lugano, Switzerland, owns several real estate businesses boasting A-list clientele, including Brad Bitt and George Clooney - both of whom he's helped find the perfect mansions nestled along the banks of Lake Como, the site 20 Minutos reported.
Proto and James spent two days traveling from Milan to the scenic lake together, the Daily News said, and according to Proto, the parallels between him and Grey are apparent.
"The firm Grey runs in the book is called Grey Enterprise Holding. Mine is called Proto Organization Holding," Proto told the Daily News, further noting that he drove an Audi R8 when he met James - the same car Grey drives in the books.
Also, like Grey, Proto's office occupies the top floor of his building.
"My office is located at the 8th floor. It is the highest in the building. I came from nothing, so I see top floors as a metaphor for achievement and success," he said.
Proto also believes his shyness when it comes to reporters (he's only given four interviews in as many years) was the inspiration behind Grey's mysterious nature.
"Everyone knows he made it, but nobody knows how he reached success. Same with me."
The parallels end, Proto says, when it comes to Grey's predilection for S&M, calling his own tastes more "old fashioned."
"Fifty Shades of Grey" the movie is set to hit the big screen Valentine's Day 2015.
