“This is the contract.” I hold up the envelope. “Read it, and we’ll discuss it next weekend. May I suggest you do some research, so you know what’s involved?” She looks from the manila envelope to me, her face pale. “That’s if you agree, and I really hope you do,” I add.
“Research?”
“You’ll be amazed what you can find on the Internet.” She frowns.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I don’t have a computer. I usually use the computers at school. I’ll see if I can use Kate’s laptop.” No computer? How can a student not have a computer? Is she that broke? I hand her the envelope.
“I’m sure I can, um—lend you one. Get your things, we’ll drive back to Portland and grab some lunch on the way. I need to dress.”
“I’ll just make a call,” she says, her voice soft and hesitant. “The photographer?” I snap. She looks guilty.
What the hell? “I don’t like to share, Miss Steele. Remember that.” I storm out of the room before I say anything else.
Is she hung up on him?
Was she just using me to break her in?
Fuck.
Maybe it’s the money. That’s a depressing thought…though she doesn’t strike me as a gold digger. She was quite vehement about me not buying her any clothing. I remove my jeans and put on a pair of boxer briefs. My Brioni tie is on the floor. I stoop to pick it up.
She took to being tied up well…There’s hope, Grey. Hope.
I stuff the tie and two others into a messenger bag along with socks, underwear, and condoms.
What am I doing?
Deep down I know I’m going to stay at The Heathman all next week…to be near her. I gather a couple of suits and shirts that Taylor can bring down later in the week. I’ll need one for the graduation ceremony.
I slip on some clean jeans and grab a leather jacket, and my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Elliot.
I’m driving back today in your car.
Hope that doesn’t screw up your plans.
I text back.
No. I’m coming back to Portland now.
Let Taylor know when you arrive.
I buzz Taylor through the internal phone system. “Mr. Grey?”
“Elliot is bringing the SUV back sometime this afternoon. Bring it down to Portland tomorrow. I’m going to stay at The Heathman until the graduation ceremony. I’ve left some clothes that I’d like you to bring down as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And call Audi. I may need the A3 sooner than I thought.” “It’s ready, Mr. Grey.”
“Oh. Good. Thanks.”
So that’s the car taken care of; now it’s the computer. I call Barney, assuming he’ll be in his office, and knowing he’ll have a state-of-the-art laptop lying around.
“Mr. Grey?” he answers.
“What are you doing in the office, Barney? It’s Sunday.”
“I’m working on the tablet design. The solar-cell issue is bugging me.” “You need a home life.”
Barney has the grace to laugh. “What can I do for you, Mr. Grey?” “Do you have any new laptops?”
“I have two right here from Apple.” “Great. I need one.”
“Sure thing.”
“Can you set it up with an e-mail account for Anastasia Steele? She’ll be the owner.” “How are you spelling ‘Steal’?”
“S.T.E.E.L.E.”
“Cool.”
“Great. Andrea will be in touch today to arrange delivery.” “Sure thing, sir.”
“Thanks, Barney—and go home.” “Yes, sir.”
I text Andrea with instructions to send the laptop to Ana’s home address, then return to the living room. Ana is sitting on the sofa, fidgeting with her fingers. She gives me a cautious look and rises.
“Ready?” I ask. She nods.
Taylor appears from his office. “Tomorrow, then,” I tell him. “Yes, sir. Which car are you taking, sir?”
“The R8.”
“Safe trip, Mr. Grey. Miss Steele,” Taylor says, as he opens the foyer doors for us. Ana fidgets beside me as we wait for the elevator, her teeth on her plump lower lip.
It reminds me of her teeth on my cock.
“What is it, Anastasia?” I ask, as I reach out and pluck her chin. “Stop biting your lip, or I will fuck you in the elevator, and I don’t care who gets in with us,” I growl.
She’s shocked, I think—though why would she be after all we’ve done…My mood softens. “Christian, I have a problem,” she says.
“Oh?”
In the elevator I press the button for the garage.
“W-Well,” she stutters, uncertain. Then she squares her shoulders. “I need to talk to Kate. I’ve so many questions about sex, and you’re too involved. I f you want me to do all these things, how do I know—?” She stops, as if weighing her words. “I just don’t have any terms of reference.”
Not this again. We’ve been over this. I don’t want her talking to anyone. She’s signed an NDA. But she’s asked, again. So it must be important to her. “Talk to her if you must. Make sure she doesn’t mention anything to Elliot.”
“She wouldn’t do that, and I wouldn’t tell you anything she tells me about Elliot—if she were to tell me anything,” she insists.
I remind her that I’m not interested in Elliot’s sex life but agree that she can talk about what we’ve done so far. Her roommate would have my balls if she knew my real intentions.
“Okay,” Ana says, and gives me a bright smile.
“The sooner I have your submission the better, and we can stop all this.” “Stop all what?”
“You, defying me.” I kiss her quickly and her lips on mine immediately make me feel better. “Nice car,” she says, as we approach the R8 in the underground garage.
“I know.” I flash her a quick grin, and I’m rewarded with another smile—before she rolls her eyes. I open the door for her, wondering if I should comment about the eye rolling.
“So what sort of car is this?” she asks, when I’m behind the wheel.
“It’s an Audi R8 S pyder. It’s a lovely day; we can take the top down. There’s a baseball cap in there. In fact there should be two.”
I start the ignition and retract the roof, and the Boss fills the car. “Gotta love Bruce.” I grin at Ana and steer the R8 out of her safe place in the garage.
Weaving in and out of the traffic on I-5, we head toward Portland. Ana is quiet, listening to the
music and staring out the window. It’s difficult to see her expression, behind oversized Wayfarers and under my Mariners cap. The wind whistles over us as we speed past Boeing Field.
So far, this weekend has been unexpected. But what did I expect? I thought we’d have dinner, discuss the contract, and then what…? Perhaps fucking her was inevitable.
I glance across at her.
Yes…And I want to fuck her again.
I wish I knew what she was thinking. She gives little away, but I’ve learned some things about Ana. In spite of her inexperience, she’s willing to learn. Who would have thought that under that shy exterior she has the soul of a siren? An image of her lips around my dick comes to mind and I suppress a moan.
Yeah…she’s more than willing. The thought is arousing.
I hope I can see her before next weekend.
Even now I’m itching to touch her again. Reaching across, I put my hand on her knee. “Hungry?”
“Not particularly,” she responds, subdued. This is getting old.
“You must eat, Anastasia. I know a great place near Olympia. We’ll stop there.”
CUISINE SAUVAGE IS SMALL, and crowded with couples and families enjoying Sunday brunch. With Ana’s hand in mine, we follow the hostess to our table. The last time I came here was with Elena. I wonder what she’d make of Anastasia.
“I’ve not been here for a while. We don’t get a choice—they cook whatever they’ve caught or gathered,” I say, grimacing, feigning my horror. Ana laughs.
Why do I feel ten feet tall when I make her laugh?
“Two glasses of the pinot grigio,” I order from the waitress, who’s making eyes at me from beneath blond bangs. It’s annoying.
Ana scowls.
“What?” I ask, wondering if the waitress is annoying her, too. “I wanted a Diet Coke.”
Why didn’t you say so? I frown. “The pinot grigio here is a decent wine. It will go well with the meal, whatever we get.”
“Whatever we get?” she asks, her eyes round with alarm.
“Yes.” And I give her my megawatt smile to make amends for not letting her order her own drink. I’m just not used to asking…“My mother liked you,” I add, hoping this will please her and remembering Grace’s reaction to Ana.
“Really?” she says, looking flattered. “Oh yes. She’s always thought I was gay.” “Why?”
“Because she’s never seen me with a girl.” “Oh, not even one of the fifteen?”
“You remembered. No, none of the fifteen.” “Oh.”
Yes…only you, baby. The thought is unsettling.
“You know, Anastasia, it’s been a weekend of firsts for me, too.” “It has?”
“I’ve never slept with anyone, never had sex in my bed, never flown a girl in Charlie Tango, never introduced a woman to my mother. What are you doing to me?”
Yeah. What the hell are you doing to me? This isn’t me.
The waitress brings us our chilled wine, and Ana immediately takes a quick sip, her bright eyes on me. “I’ve really enjoyed this weekend,” she says, with bashful delight in her voice. I have, too, and I realize I haven’t enjoyed a weekend for a while…since Susannah and I parted ways. I tell her so.
“What’s vanilla sex?” she asks.
I laugh at her unexpected question and complete change of topic.
“Just straightforward sex, Anastasia. No toys, no add-ons.” I shrug. “You know—well, actually you don’t, but that’s what it means.”
“Oh,” she says, and she looks a little crestfallen.
What now?
The waitress diverts us, putting down two soup bowls full of greenery. “Nettle soup,” she announces, and struts back into the kitchen. We glance at each other, then back at the soup. A quick taste informs us both that it’s delicious. Ana giggles at my exaggerated expression of relief.
“That’s a lovely sound,” I say softly.
“Why have you never had vanilla sex before? Have you always done, what you’ve done?” She’s as inquisitive as ever.
“Sort of.” And then I wonder if I should expand on this. More than anything, I want her to be forthcoming with me; I want her to trust me. I’m never this candid, but I think I can trust her so I choose my words carefully.
“One of my mother’s friends seduced me when I was fifteen.” “Oh.” Ana’s spoon pauses midway from the bowl to her mouth. “She had very particular tastes. I was her submissive for six years.” “Oh,” she breathes.
“So I do know what it involves, Anastasia.” More than you know. “I didn’t really have a run-of-the-mill introduction to sex.” I couldn’t be touched. I still can’t.
I wait for her reaction but she continues with her soup, mulling over this tidbit of information. “So you never dated anyone in college?” she asks, when she’s finished her last spoonful.
“No.”
The waitress interrupts us to clear our empty bowls. Ana waits for her to leave. “Why?” “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t want to. She was all I wanted, needed. And besides, she’d have beaten the shit out of me.” She blinks a couple of times as she absorbs this news. “So if she was a friend of your mother’s, how
old was she?”
“Old enough to know better.”
“Do you still see her?” She sounds shocked. “Yes.”
“Do you still…er—” She blushes crimson, her mouth turned down.
“No,” I say quickly. I don’t want her to have the wrong idea about my relationship with Elena. “She’s a very good friend,” I reassure her.
“Oh. Does your mother know?” “Of course not.”
My mother would kill me—and Elena, too.
The waitress returns with the main entrée: venison. Ana takes a long sip of her wine. “But it can’t have been full-time?” She’s ignoring her food.
“Well, it was, though I didn’t see her all the time. It was…difficult. After all, I was still at school and then at college. Eat up, Anastasia.”
“I’m really not hungry, Christian,” she says.
I narrow my eyes. “Eat.” I keep my voice low, as I try to check my temper. “Give me a moment,” she says, her tone as quiet as mine.
What’s her problem? Elena?
“Okay,” I agree, wondering if I’ve told her too much, and I take a bite of my venison. Finally, she picks up her cutlery and starts eating.
Good.
“Is this what our, um…relationship will be like?” she asks. “You ordering me around?” She scrutinizes the plate of food in front of her.
“Yes.”
“I see.” She tosses her ponytail over her shoulder. “And what’s more, you’ll want me to.”
“It’s a big step,” she says.
“It is.” I close my eyes. I want to do this with her, now more than ever. What can I say to convince her to give our arrangement a try?
“Anastasia, you have to go with your gut. Do the research, read the contract. I’m happy to discuss any aspect. I’ll be in Portland until Friday if you want to talk about it before then. Call me—maybe we can have dinner—say, Wednesday? I really want to make this work. In fact, I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this.”
Whoa. Big speech, Grey. Did you just ask her on a date?
“What happened to the fifteen?” she asks.
“Various things, but it boils down to incompatibility.” “And you think that I might be compatible with you?” “Yes.”
I hope so…
“So you’re not seeing any of them anymore?”
“No, Anastasia, I’m not. I am monogamous in my relationships.” “I see.”
“Do the research, Anastasia.”
She puts her knife and fork down, signaling that she’s finished her meal. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to eat?”
She nods, placing her hands in her lap, and her mouth sets in that mulish way she has…and I know it will be a fight to persuade her to clean her plate. No wonder she’s so slim. Her eating issues will be something to work on, if she agrees to be mine. As I continue to eat, her eyes dart to me every few seconds and a slow flush stains her cheeks.
Oh, what’s this?
“I’d give anything to know what you’re thinking right at this moment.” She’s clearly thinking about sex. “I can guess,” I tease.
“I’m glad you can’t read my mind.”
“Your mind, no, Anastasia, but your body—that I’ve gotten to know quite well since yesterday.” I give her a wolfish grin and ask for the check.
When we leave, her hand is firmly in mine. She’s quiet—deep in thought, it seems—and remains so all the way to Vancouver. I’ve given her a great deal to think about.
But she’s also given me a great deal to think about.
Will she want to do this with me? Damn, I hope so.
It’s still light when we arrive at her home, but the sun is sinking to the horizon and shining pink and pearl light on Mount St. Helens. Ana and Kate live in a scenic spot with an amazing view.
“Do you want to come in?” she asks, after I’ve switched off the engine.
“No. I have work to do.” I know that if I accept her invitation I’ll be crossing a line I’m not prepared to cross. I’m not boyfriend material—and I don’t want to give her any false expectations of the kind of relationship she’ll have with me.
Her face falls and, deflated, she looks away. She doesn’t want me to go.
It’s humbling. Reaching across, I grasp her hand and kiss her knuckles, hoping to take the sting out of my rejection.
“Thank you for this weekend, Anastasia. It’s been…the best.” She turns shining eyes to me. “Wednesday?” I continue. “I’ll pick you up from work, from wherever?”
“Wednesday,” she says, and the hope in her voice is disconcerting.
Shit. It’s not a date.
I kiss her hand again and climb out of the car to open her door. I have to get out of here before I do something I’ll regret.
When she gets out of the car, she brightens, at odds with how she looked a moment ago. She marches up to her front door but before reaching the steps she turns suddenly. “Oh, by the way, I’m wearing your underwear,” she says in triumph, and she yanks the waistband up so I can see the words “Polo” and “Ralph” peeking over her jeans.
She’s stolen my underwear!
I’m stunned. And in that instant I want nothing more than to see her in my boxer briefs…and only them.
She tosses back her hair and swaggers into her apartment, leaving me standing on the curb, staring like a fool.
Shaking my head, I climb back into the car, and as I start the engine I cannot help my shit-eating grin.
I hope she says yes.
I FINISH MY WORK and take a sip of the fine Sancerre, delivered from room service by the woman with dark, dark eyes. Trawling through my e-mails and answering where required has been a welcome distraction from thoughts of Anastasia. And now I’m pleasantly tired. Is it the five hours of work? Or all the sexual activity last night and this morning? Memories of the delectable Miss Steele invade my mind: in Charlie Tango, in my bed, in my bath, dancing around my kitchen. And to think it all started here on Friday…and now she’s considering my proposal.
Has she read the contract? Is she doing her homework?
I check my phone once again for a text or a missed call but, of course, there’s nothing.
Will she agree?
I hope so…
Andrea has sent me Ana’s new e-mail address and assured me the laptop will be delivered tomorrow morning. With that in mind, I type out an e-mail.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your New Computer
Date: May 22 2011 23:15
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
I trust you slept well. I hope that you put this laptop to good use, as discussed.
I look forward to dinner Wednesday.
Happy to answer any questions before then, via e-mail, should you so desire.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
The e-mail doesn’t bounce, so the address is live. I wonder how Ana will react in the morning when she reads it. I hope she likes the laptop. Guess I’ll know tomorrow. Picking up my latest read, I settle onto the sofa. It’s a book by two renowned economists who examine why the poor think and behave the way they do. An image of a young woman brushing out her long, dark hair comes to mind; her hair shines in the light from the cracked, yellowed window, and the air is filled with dancing dust motes. She’s singing softly, like a child.
I shudder.
Don’t go there, Grey.
I open the book and start to read.
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011
It’s after one in the morning when I go to bed. Staring at the ceiling, I’m tired, relaxed, but also excited, anticipating what the week will bring. I hope to have a new project: Miss Anastasia Steele.
MY FEET POUND THE sidewalk on Main Street as I run toward the river. It’s 6:35 in the morning and the sun’s rays are shimmering through the high-rise buildings. The sidewalk trees are newly green with spring leaves; the air is clean, the traffic quiet. I’ve slept well. “O Fortuna” from Orff’s Carmina Burana is blaring in my ears. Today the streets are paved with possibility.
Will she respond to my e-mail?
It’s too early, far too early for any response, but feeling lighter than I have for weeks, I run past the statue of the elk and toward the Willamette.
BY 7:45 I’M IN front of my laptop, having showered and ordered breakfast. I e-mail Andrea to let her know I’ll be working from Portland for the week and to ask her to reschedule any meetings so that they can take place by phone or videoconference. I e-mail Gail to let her know I won’t be home until Thursday evening at the earliest. Then I work through my inbox and find among other things a proposal for a joint venture with a shipyard in Taiwan. I forward it to Ros to add to the agenda of items we need to discuss.
Then I turn to my other outstanding matter: Elena. She’s texted me a couple of times over the weekend and I’ve not replied.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: The Weekend
Date: May 23 2011 08:15
To: Elena Lincoln
Good morning, Elena.
Sorry not to get back to you. I’ve been busy all weekend, and I’ll be in Portland all this week. I don’t know about next weekend, either, but if I’m free, I’ll let you know.
Latest results for the beauty business look promising. Good going, Ma’am…
Best
C
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I press send, wondering again what Elena would make of Ana…and vice versa. There’s a ping from my laptop as a new e-mail arrives.
It’s from Ana.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Your New Computer (on loan)
Date: May 23 2011 08:20
To: Christian Grey
I slept very well, thank you—for some strange reason—Sir.
I understood that this computer was on loan, ergo not mine.
Ana
“Sir” with a capital S; the girl has been reading, and possibly researching. And she’s still talking to me. I grin stupidly at the e-mail. This is good news. Though she is also telling me that she doesn’t want the computer.
Well, that’s frustrating.
I shake my head, amused.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your New Computer (on loan)
Date: May 23 2011 08:22
To: Anastasia Steele
The computer is on loan. Indefinitely, Miss Steele.
I note from your tone that you have read the documentation I gave you.
Do you have any questions so far?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I hit send. How long will it be before she responds? I resume reading my e-mail as a distraction while I wait for her reply. There’s an executive summary from Fred, the head of my telecom division, about the development of our solar-powered tablet—one of my pet projects. It’s ambitious but few of my business ventures matter more than this one and I’m excited about it. Bringing affordable first world technology to the third world is something I’m determined to do.
There’s a ping from my computer. Another e-mail from Miss Steele.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Inquiring Minds
Date: May 23 2011 08:25
To: Christian Grey
I have many questions, but not suitable for e-mail, and some of us have to work for a living.
I do not want or need a computer indefinitely.
Until later, good day. Sir.
Ana
The tone of her e-mail makes me smile, but it seems she’s off to work, so this might be the last one for a while. Her reluctance to accept the damned computer is annoying. But I suppose it shows she’s not acquisitive. She’s no gold digger—rare among the women I’ve known…yet Leila was the same.
“Sir, I am not deserving of this beautiful dress.”
“You are. Take it. And I’ll not hear another word on this. Understand?” “Yes, Master.”
“Good. And the style will suit you.”
Ah, Leila. She was a good submissive, but she became too attached and I was the wrong man. Fortunately, that wasn’t for long. She’s married now and happy. I turn my attention back to Ana’s e-mail and reread.
“Some of us have to work for a living.”
The sassy wench is implying I don’t do any work.
Well to hell with that!
I spy Fred’s rather dry summary report open on my desktop and decide to set the record straight with Ana.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your New Computer (again on loan)
Date: May 23 2011 08:26
To: Anastasia Steele
Laters, baby.
P.S.: I work for a living, too.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I find it impossible to concentrate on my work, waiting for the telltale ping to announce a new e-
mail from Ana. When it comes, I look up immediately—but it’s from Elena. And I’m surprised by my disappointment.
From: Elena Lincoln
Subject: The Weekend
Date: May 23 2011 08:33
To: Christian Grey
Christian, you work too hard. What’s in Portland? Work?
Ex
ELENA LINCOLN
ESCLAVA
For The Beauty That Is You™
Do I tell her? If I do, she’ll call immediately with questions, and I’m not ready to divulge my weekend experiences yet. I type her a quick e-mail saying it’s work, and get back to my reading.
Andrea calls me at nine and we run through my schedule. As I’m in Portland, I ask her to set up a meeting with the president and the AVP of economic development at WSU, to discuss the soil science project we’ve set up and their need for additional funding in the next fiscal year. She agrees to cancel all my social engagements this week, and then connects me through to my first videoconference of the day.
AT 3:00 I’M PORING over some tablet design schematics that Barney has sent me when I’m disturbed by a knock at my door. The interruption is annoying but for a moment I hope that it’s Miss Steele. It’s Taylor.
“Hello.” I hope my voice doesn’t reveal my disappointment. “I have your clothes, Mr. Grey,” he says politely.
“Come in. Can you hang them in the closet? I’m expecting my next conference call.” “Certainly, sir.” He hurries into the bedroom, carrying a couple of suit bags and a duffel. When he returns I’m still waiting for my call.
“Taylor, I don’t think I’m going to need you for the next couple of days. Why don’t you take the time to see your daughter?”
“That’s very good of you, sir, but her mother and I—” He stops, embarrassed. “Ah. Like that, is it?” I ask.
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