by James, E L
“Come for me, baby,” I whisper, and she screws her eyes shut and she hollers out as she submits to her release.
Ah!
I lean my forehead against hers, and whisper her name as her body pulls mine into a sweet, slow orgasm.
When I’ve come down from my high, I lift her onto the bed and we lie in each other’s arms. “Better now?” I ask, as I nuzzle her neck.
“Hmm.”
“Shall we go to bed, or do you want to sleep here?”
“Hmm.”
I grin. “Mrs. Grey, talk to me.”
“Hmm.”
“Is that the best you can do?”
“Hmm.”
“Come. Let me put you to bed. I don’t like sleeping here.”
She moves. “Wait,” she murmurs.
What now?
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I can’t help my smug smile. “I am now.”
“Oh, Christian,” she admonishes me, and reaches up to stroke my face. “I was talking about your nightmare.”
Nightmare?
Shit.
Fleeting visions of the horror I witnessed in my sleep flicker through my mind. I hold her close, and hide from them by burying my face in her neck. “Don’t,” I mutter.
Ana. Don’t remind me.
She gasps. “I’m sorry.” She holds me, running her hands through my hair and down my back. “It’s okay. It’s okay,” she whispers.
“Let’s go to bed,” I say. Getting up, I pick my jeans up off the floor and slip them on. She follows me, keeping the sheet wrapped around herself to preserve her modesty. “Leave those,” I say, as she bends to gather her clothes. I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. “I don’t want you to trip over this sheet and break your neck.” I carry her downstairs to the bedroom and set her down. She slips on her nightdress while I take off my jeans and drag on my pajama bottoms, and together we climb into bed. “Let’s sleep,” I mutter. She gives me a sleepy smile and nestles into my arms.
I lie staring at the ceiling, trying to rid my mind of my morbid thoughts. We have Hyde, now. I should be asleep, like Ana is beside me. It never takes her long. I envy her that.
I close my eyes, grateful that she’s still here, in one piece, in our bed.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Ana’s on her knees. Bowed. Naked. In front of me. Her forehead pressed to the playroom floor. Her hair a burnished coronet against the wooden boards. Her hand stretched out. Splayed. She’s begging. I stand with a crop in hand. I want more. I always want more. But she can’t take it. Red. Red. Red. No! There’s a crash. The door flies open. His frame fills the doorway. He roars and the bloodcurdling sound fills the room. Fuck. No. No. No. He’s here. He knows. Ana screams. Red. Red. Red. He hits me. A right hook to my chin. I fall. And fall. My head spins. I’m faint. No. Stop the screaming. Red. Red. Red. Stop. It goes on. And on. Then it stops. I open my eyes and Hyde looms over her body. Syringe in hand. He leers. Ana is still. Pale. Cold. I shake her. She doesn’t move. Ana! She lies unresponsive in my arms. I shake her once more. Wake up. She’s gone. Gone! Gone! No. Kneeling on a sticky green rug, I clutch her to me and tip my head back and howl. Ana. Ana. Ana!
I’m startled awake, dragging air into my lungs.
Ana!
A quick twist of my head confirms that she’s peacefully asleep beside me.
Thank Christ.
Clasping my head in my hands, I stare up at the ceiling.
What the hell?
Why am I letting that asshole into my psyche?
He’s in custody. We’ve got him.
I take a long, calming breath as my thoughts wander.
Baby Bird? What the hell does that mean? From the depths of my brain something stirs but vanishes instantly. My mind spins, trying to chase it through the shadows, but without success. I suspect it’s from a part of my psyche that stores all the memories I try to forget. I shudder.
Don’t go there.
I know I’m not going back to sleep anytime soon. With a sigh, I get up, grab my phone, and pad into the kitchen for a glass of water. Standing by the sink, I run my hand through my hair.
Get it together, Grey.
Tomorrow we could do something special. Take our minds off Hyde.
Sailing? Soaring?
New York? No, it’s too far and given that I’ve just been there—and all the shenanigans that have ensued since I returned—I don’t think it’s a good idea.
Aspen.
I could take her to Aspen. She’s never seen the house. The press won’t find us there. What’s more, I could ask Elliot and Mia to join us. She said she wanted to see more of Kate.
Yes.
From my study, I send e-mails to Stephan, to Taylor, and to Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, the caretakers of our Aspen property, about a possible trip in the morning. Then I e-mail Mia and Elliot.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Aspen TODAY!
Date: August 27 2011 02:48
To: Elliot Grey; Mia G. Chef Extraordinaire
Mia, Elliot
As a surprise for Ana, I’m taking the jet to Aspen just for the night, Sat 27.
Come with us. Kate and Ethan are welcome to join us. We’ll be back Sunday evening.
Let me know if you’re up for it.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I press send and a few seconds later my phone buzzes.
ELLIOT
Sounds great, hotshot.
He’s awake.
Why the hell is he up at this time? He normally sleeps like the dead.
Can’t sleep?
ELLIOT
No. You?
I roll my eyes.
Obviously!
ELLIOT
All the Hyde shit?
Yeah.
My phone vibrates. Elliot is calling me.
What the hell?
“Dude, it’s late,” I answer.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he mutters.
“Doing what?”
“Taking advice from someone who married the first girl they dated. But how did you know?”
“How did I know what?”
“That Ana was the one,” he says.
What? Why’s he asking me this?
How did I know?
“It was instant,” I respond.
“What do you mean?”
I conjure an image of Ana falling into my office during that interview.
It’s a lifetime ago.
“When I met her, she looked at me with her big blues eyes, and I knew. She saw past all the bullshit. She saw me. It was terrifying.”
“Yeah. I get that.”
“Why are you asking me?” Please don’t tell me it’s about Kavanagh!
“It’s Kate, man.”
Shit.
He continues, “I remember when I first saw her. I mean, she’s hot—no arguments there. And then we were dancing in that bar in Portland, and I thought…You don’t have to try so hard. You’ve got me, and what’s more, it’s only been her since then.”
I blow out a breath. This is not Elliot’s usual M.O.—he’s the most promiscuous person I know. “So, what’s the problem?” I ask.
“I dunno. Is she the one? I dunno.”
We’ve never had this kind of conversation before; there have been so many women in Elliot’s life. I don’t know what to say. “Well, as you know, she kept Ana out late last night, and whenever she’s with Ana, Ana comes back drunk,” I grumble. And she’s a major pain in the ass, but I can’t say that to him.
“Kate’s a good-time girl. Maybe that’s it. I just don’t know how she feels.”
“Dude, I am not the person to ask for ad
vice. Believe me. You’ll have to figure this out for yourself.”
“I guess,” he says.
“Aspen might be the place.”
“Yes. I’ll text her.”
“She’s not with you?”
“No. But I want her to be. I’m just playing it cool.”
“Whatever, dude. I’ll send details of where to go in the morning.”
“It is the morning, bro.”
“True. This trip is a surprise for Ana. Tell Kate. I don’t want her blowing it.”
“Copy.”
“Good night, Elliot.”
“Dude.” He hangs up.
I stand staring at my phone, not quite believing the conversation we’ve just had. Elliot’s never asked me for advice on his love life. Ever. And as I suspected, he’s really fallen for Kavanagh. I don’t get it. She’s the most irritating woman on the planet.
It’s late, and I should head back to bed. But I’m drawn to the piano; some music will quiet my mind. I lift the lid, sit down, and focus. The keys are cool and familiar beneath my fingers, and I start to play Chopin. Melancholic music wraps around me like a soothing blanket, smothering my thoughts, the plaintive, somber notes a perfect match for my frame of mind. I play it once, twice, three times, losing myself in the melody and forgetting everything; it’s just me and the music. While I’m playing the piece for a fourth time, Ana appears at the edge of my vision dressed in her robe. I don’t stop, but I shift to make room for her on the stool. She sits down beside me and lays her head on my shoulder. Kissing her hair, I continue to play.
When I finish, I ask if I woke her.
“Only because you were gone. What’s that piece called?”
“It’s Chopin. It’s one of his preludes in E minor. It’s called ‘Suffocation.’” I almost smile at the irony: it’s what she accuses me of doing to her.
She takes my hand. “You’re really shaken by all this, aren’t you?”
“A deranged asshole gets into my apartment to kidnap my wife. She won’t do as she’s told. She drives me crazy. She safe-words on me.” I close my eyes. “Yeah, I’m pretty shaken up.”
She squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”
I press my forehead to hers, and I’m in the confessional, whispering my darkest fear. “I dreamed you were dead. Lying on the floor—so cold—and you wouldn’t wake up.” I swallow down the image that lingers from my nightmare.
“Hey.” Ana’s voice is soothing. “It was just a bad dream.” She holds my head, her hands on my cheeks. “I’m here, and I’m cold without you in bed. Come back to bed, please.” She stands, taking my hand, and after a heartbeat, I follow her.
She slips out of her robe, and we both climb into bed. I hold her close. “Sleep,” she whispers, and kisses my hair, and I shut my eyes.
It’s the warmth I become aware of first, the warmth of her body and the scent of her hair. When I open my eyes, I am wrapped around my wife. I lift my head off her chest.
“Good morning, Mr. Grey,” she says with a soft smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Grey. Did you sleep well?” I stretch out beside her, feeling remarkably fresh after such a disturbed night.
“Once my husband stopped making that terrible racket on the piano, yes, I did.”
“Terrible racket? I’ll be sure to e-mail Miss Kathie and let her know.” I grin back at her.
“Miss Kathie?”
“My piano teacher.”
She giggles.
“That’s a lovely sound. Shall we have a better day today?”
“Okay,” she agrees. “What do you want to do?”
“After I have made love to my wife, and she’s cooked me breakfast, I’d like to take her to Aspen.”
Ana looks dumbfounded. “Aspen?”
“Yes.”
“Aspen, Colorado?”
“The very same. Unless they’ve moved it. After all, you did pay twenty-four thousand dollars for the experience.”
She gives me her most superior smile. “That was your money.”
“Our money,” I correct her.
“It was your money when I made the bid.” She rolls her eyes.
“Oh, Mrs. Grey, you and your eye rolling.” I run my hand up her thigh.
“Won’t it take hours to get to Colorado?” she asks.
“Not by jet,” I mutter, as my hand cradles my favorite place.
My plan has come together, with surprising ease. I have a full crew and our guests are on board, waiting for us; I’m excited to see Ana’s reaction. As we pull up to the Gulfstream, I squeeze her hand. “I have a surprise for you.” I kiss her knuckles.
“Good surprise?”
“I hope so.”
She tilts her head, amused but curious, as Sawyer and Taylor simultaneously climb out of the car to open our doors.
With Ana behind me, I greet Stephan at the top of the plane steps. “Thanks for doing this on such short notice.” I grin back at him. “Our guests here?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ana looks around to see Kate, Elliot, Mia, and Ethan all seated in the main cabin. She gapes at me.
“Surprise!”
“How? When? Who?” she says in a breathless rush.
“You said you didn’t see enough of your friends.” I shrug.
So, here we are, with your friends.
“Oh, Christian, thank you.” She throws her arms around me, planting her lips firmly on my mine. Whoa. I’m stunned by her unexpected ardor, but soon lost in her passion, taking all that she has to give. My hands find her hips, pulling her to me. “Keep this up and I’ll drag you into the bedroom,” I whisper.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Her breath is soft and sweet against my lips.
“Oh, Anastasia.”
Gauntlet. Thrown.
When will she learn that neither of us will back down from a challenge? Grinning, I stoop quickly, grab her thighs, and carefully hoist her over my shoulder. “Christian, put me down!” She smacks my behind as I wave a welcome to our guests and walk through the cabin.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to have a word with my wife in private.” I think Mia, Kate, and Ethan are shocked. Elliot is cheering like the Mariners are about to score a home run. Ha! Maybe I will.
“Christian!” Ana shouts. “Put me down!”
“All in good time, baby.”
Carrying her into the rear cabin, I close the door and slide her down my body to set her on her feet. She looks less than impressed. “That was quite a show, Mr. Grey.” She crosses her arms, and I think she’s pretending to be pissed.
“That was fun, Mrs. Grey.”
“Are you going to follow through?” There’s a dare in her tone, but I’m not sure if she’s serious. She glances at the bed and blushes. Perhaps she’s remembering our wedding night. Her gaze returns to mine, and a slow smile spreads across her face until we’re grinning at each other like idiots. I think that’s exactly what she’s remembering.
“I think it might be rude to keep our guests waiting,” I murmur.
Tempting though you are.
I step toward her and run my nose down hers. “Good surprise?” I ask, because I need to know.
She looks delighted. “Oh, Christian, fantastic surprise.” She kisses me once more. “When did you organize this?” Her fingers linger in my hair.
“Last night, when I couldn’t sleep. I e-mailed Elliot and Mia, and here they are.”
“It’s very thoughtful. Thank you. I’m sure we’ll have a great time.”
“I hope so. I thought it would be easier to avoid the press in Aspen than at home. Come. We’d better take our seats—Stephan will be taking off shortly.” I offer her my hand and together we go back into the main cabin.
Elliot cheers when we enter. “That sure was speedy in-flight service!”
/> Dude! Calm the hell down.
I ignore him and nod greetings at Mia and Ethan, as Stephan announces our imminent takeoff. Taylor has taken a seat at the rear.
“Good morning, Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey,” says Natalia, our flight attendant. Returning her welcoming smile, I sit down opposite Elliot. Ana hugs Kate before sitting down beside me. I ask if she’s packed her hiking boots.
“We’re not going skiing?”
“That would be a challenge, in August.”
She rolls her eyes, and I wonder if she was being sarcastic.
“Do you ski, Ana?” Elliot asks her.
“No.”
The thought of Ana on skis as a beginner is troubling. I grasp her hand.
“I’m sure my little brother can teach you.” Elliot winks at her. “He’s pretty fast on the slopes, too.” I ignore him and watch Natalia run through the safety procedures as our plane taxis to the runway.
“You okay?” I overhear Kate ask Ana. “I mean, following the Hyde business?”
Ana nods.
“So why did he go postal?” she asks.
“I fired his ass,” I intervene, hoping that will shut her up.
“Oh? Why?” Kate looks intently at both of us.
Damn. More questions.
“He made a pass at me,” Ana says tightly.
“When?” Kate’s eyes are on stalks. She’s shocked.
“Ages ago.”
“You never told me he made a pass at you!”
Ana shrugs.
“It can’t just be a grudge about that, surely,” Kate says. “I mean, his reaction is way too extreme.” She turns her attention to me. “Is he mentally unstable? What about all the information he has on you Greys?”
She really doesn’t let up. I sigh. “We think there’s a connection with Detroit.”
“Hyde is from Detroit, too?”
I nod. How the hell does she know all this stuff?
Ana grips my hand as the plane accelerates. My fearless girl is not a fan of takeoffs and landings. I brush my thumb across her knuckles.
We’re okay, baby.
“What do you know about him?” Elliot is serious for once, and I have no choice but to reveal what I know. I shoot Kate a warning look.
“This is off the record,” I tell her, and rattle off what I remember from his background check. “We know a little about him. His dad died in a brawl in a bar. His mother drank herself into oblivion. He was in and out of foster homes as a kid. In and out of trouble, too. Mainly boosting cars. Spent time in juvie. His mom got back on track through some outreach program, and Hyde turned himself around. Won a scholarship to Princeton.”