laugh! laugh! “Yes.” I struggle to maintain my look of moral outrage. “An arse?” Christian says again. This time his lips twitch with a repressed smile. “Don’t make me laugh when I am mad at you!” I shout. And he smiles, a dazzling, full-toothed, all-Americanboy smile, and I can’t help it. I am grinning and laughing, too. How could I not be affected by the joy I see in his smile? “Just because I ha一ve a stupid damn grin on my face doesn’t mean I’m not mad as hell at you,” I mutter breathlessly, trying to suppress my high-schoolcheerleader giggling. Though I was never cheerleader— the bitter thought crosses my mind. He leans in, and I think he’s going to kiss me but he doesn’t. He nuzzles my hair and inhales deeply. “As ever, Miss Steele, you are unexpected.” He leans back and gazes at me, his eyes dancing with humor. “So are you going to invite me in, or am I to be sent packing for exercising my democratic right as an American citizen, entrepreneur, and consumer to purchase whatever I damn well please?” “Ha一ve you spoken to Dr. Flynn about this?” He laughs. “Are you going to let me in or not, Anastasia?” I try for a grudging look—biting my lip helps—but I’m smiling as I open the door. Christian turns and wa一ves to Taylor, and the Audi pulls away. It’s odd ha一ving Christian Grey in the apartment. The place feels too small for him. I am still mad at him—his stalking knows no bounds, and it dawns on me that this is how he knew about the email being monitored at SIP. He probably knows more about SIP than I do. The thought is unsa一vory. What can I do? Why does he ha一ve this need to keep me safe? I am a grown-up—sort of—for hea一ven’s sake. What can I do to reassure him? I gaze at his beautiful face as he paces the room like a caged predator, and my anger subsides. Seeing him here in my space when I thought we were over is heartwarming. More than heartwarming, I love him, and my heart swells with a nervous, heady elation. He glances around, assessing his surroundings. “Nice place,” he says. “Kate’s parents bought it for her.” He nods distractedly, and his bold gray eyes come to rest on mine, staring at me. “Er . . . would you like a drink?” I mutter, flushing with nerves. “No, thank you, Anastasia.” His eyes darken. Oh crap. Why am I so nervous? “What would you like to do, Anastasia?” he asks softly as he walks toward me, all feral and hot. “I know what I want to do,” he adds in a low voice. I back up until I bump against the concrete kitchen island. “I’m still mad at you.” “I know.” He smiles a lopsided apologetic smile and I melt . . . Well, maybe not so mad. “Would you like something to eat?” I ask. He nods slowly. “Yes. You,” he murmurs. Everything south of my waistline clenches. I’m seduced by his voice alone, but that look, that hungry I-want-you-now look— oh my. He’s standing in front of me, not quite touching, staring down into my eyes and bathing me in the heat that’s radiating off his body. I’m stiflingly hot, flustered, and my legs are like jelly as dark desire courses through me. I want him. “Ha一ve you eaten today?” he murmurs. “I had a sandwich at lunch,” I whisper. I don’t want to talk food. He narrows his eyes. “You need to eat.” “I’m really not hungry right now . . . for food.” “What are you hungry for, Miss Steele?” “I think you know, Mr. Grey.” He leans down, and again I think he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t. “Do you want me to kiss you, Anastasia?” he whispers softly in my ear. “Yes,” I breathe. “Where?” “Everywhere.” “You’re going to ha一ve to be a bit more specific than that. I told you I am not going to touch you until you beg me and tell me what to do.” My inner goddess is writhing on her chaise longue. I am lost; he’s not playing fair. “Please,” I whisper. “Please what?” “Touch me.” “Where, baby?” He is so tantalizingly close, his scent intoxicating. I reach up, and immediately he steps back. “No, no,” he chides, his eyes suddenly wide and alarmed. “What?” No . . . come back. “No.” He shakes his head. “Not at all?” I can’t keep the longing out of my voice. He looks at me uncertainly, and I’m emboldened by his hesitation. I step toward him, and he steps back, holding up his hands in defense, but smiling. “Look, Ana.” It’s a warning, and he runs his hand through his hair, exasperated. “Sometimes you don’t mind,” I observe plaintively. “Perhaps I should find a marker pen, and we could map out the no-go areas.” He raises an eyebrow. “That’s not a bad idea. Where’s your bedroom?” I nod in the direction. Is he deliberately changing the subject? “Ha一ve you been taking your pill?” Oh shit. My pill. His face falls at my expression. “No,” I squeak. “I see,” he says, and his lips press into a thin line. “Come, let’s ha一ve something to eat.” Oh no! “I thought we were going to bed! I want to go to bed with you.” “I know, baby.” He smiles, and suddenly darting toward me, he grabs my wrists and pulls me into his arms so that his body is pressed against mine. “You need to eat and so do I,” he murmurs, burning gray eyes gazing down at me. “Besides . . . anticipation is the key to seduction, and right now, I’m really into delayed gratification.” Huh, since when? “I’m seduced and I want my gratification now. I’ll beg, please.” I sound whiney. My inner goddess is beside herself. He smiles at me tenderly. “Eat. You’re too slender.” He kisses my forehead and releases me. This is a game, part of some evil plan. I scowl at him. “I’m still mad that you bought SIP, and now I am mad at you because you’re making me wait.” I pout. “You are one angry little madam, aren’t you? You’ll feel better after a good meal.” “I know what I’ll feel better after.” “Anastasia Steele, I’m shocked.” His tone is gently mocking. “Stop teasing me. You don’t fight fair.” “Stop teasing me. You don’t fight fair.” He stifles his grin by biting his lower lip. He looks simply adorable . . . playful Christian toying with my libido. If only my seduction skills were better, I’d know what to do, but not being able to touch him does hamper me. My inner goddess narrows her eyes and looks thoughtful. We need to work on this. As Christian and I gaze at each other—me hot, bothered and yearning and him, relaxed and amused at my expense—I realize I ha一ve no food in the apartment. “I could cook something—except we’ll ha一ve to go shopping.” “Shopping?” “For groceries.” “You ha一ve no food here?” His expression hardens. I shake my head. Crap, he looks quite angry. “Let’s go shopping, then,” he says sternly as he turns on his heel and heads for the door, opening it wide for me. “When was the last time you were in a supermarket?” Christian looks out of place, but he follows me dutifully, holding a shopping basket. “I can’t remember.” “Does Mrs. Jones do all the shopping?” “I think Taylor helps her. I’m not sure.” “Are you happy with a stir-fry? It’s quick.” “Stir-fry sounds good.” Christian grins, no doub一t figuring out my ulterior motive for a speedy meal. “Ha一ve they worked for you long?” “Ha一ve they worked for you long?” “Taylor, four years, I think. Mrs. Jones about the same. Why didn’t you ha一ve any food in the apartment?” “You know why,” I murmur, flushing. “It was you who left me,” he mutters disapprovingly. “I know,” I reply in a small voice, not wanting that reminder. We reach the checkout and silently stand in line. If I hadn’t left, would he ha一ve offered the vanilla alternative? I wonder idly. “Do you ha一ve anything to drink?” He pulls me back to the present. “Beer . . . I think.” “I’ll get some wine.” Oh dear. I’m not sure what sort of wine is a一vailable in Ernie’s Supermarket. Christian remerges empty handed, grimacing with a look of disgust. “There’s a good liquor store next door,” I say quickly. “I’ll see what they ha一ve.” Maybe we should just go to his place, then we wouldn’t ha一ve all this hassle. I watch as he strolls purposefully and with easy grace out of the door. Two women coming in stop and stare. Oh yes, eye my Fifty Shades, I think despondently. I want the memory of him in my bed, but he’s playing hard to get. Maybe I should, too. My inner goddess nods frantically in agreement. And as I stand in line, we come up with a plan. Hmm . . . Christian carries the grocery bags into the apartment. He’s carried them as we’ve walked back to the apartment from the store. He looks odd. Not his usual CEO demeanor at all. “You look very—domestic.” “No one has ever accused me of that before,” he says dryly. He places the bags on the kitchen island. As I start to unload them, he takes out a bottle of white wine and searches for a corkscrew. “This place is still new to me. I think the opener is in that drawer there.” I point with my chin. This feels so . . . normal. Two people, getting to know each other, ha一ving a meal. Yet it’s so strange. The fear that I’d always felt in his presence has gone. We’ve already done so much together, I blush just thinking about it, and yet I hardly know him. “What are you thinking about?” Christian interrupts my reverie as he shrugs out of his pinstripe jacket and places it on the couch. “How little I know you, really.” He gazes at me and his eyes soften. “You know me better than anyone.” “I don’t think that’s true.” Mrs. Robinson comes unbidden, and very unwelcome, into my mind. “It is, Anastasia. I am a very, very private person.” He hands me a glass of white wine. “Cheers,” he says. “Cheers,” I respond taking a sip as he puts the bottle in the fridge. the fridge. “Can I help you with that?” he asks. “No it’s fine . . . sit.” “I’d like to help.” His expression is sincere. “You can chop the vegetables.” “I don’t cook,” he says, regarding the knife I hand him with suspicion. “I imagine you don’t need to.” I place a chopping board and some red peppers in front of him. He stares down at them in confusion. “You’ve never chopped a vegetable?” “No.” I smirk at him. “Are you smirking at me?” “It appears this is something that I can do and you can’t. Let’s face it, Christian, I think this is a first. Here, I’ll show you.” I brush up against him and he steps back. My inner goddess sits up and takes notice. “Like this.” I slice the red pepper, careful to remove the seeds. “Looks simple enough.” “You shouldn’t ha一ve any trouble with it,” I mutter ironically. He gazes at me impassively for a moment then sets about his task as I continue to prepare the diced chicken. He starts to slice, carefully, slowly. Oh my, we’ll be here all day. I wash my hands and hunt for the wok, the oil, and the other ingredients I need, repeatedly brushing against him— my hip, my arm, my back, my hands. Small, seemingly innocent touches. He stills each time I do. “I know what you’re doing, Anastasia,” he murmurs darkly, still preparing the first pepper. “I think it’s called cooking,” I say, fluttering my eyelashes. Grabbing another knife, I join him at the chopping board peeling and slicing garlic, shallots, and French beans, continually bumping against him. “You’re quite good at this,” he mutters as he starts on his second red pepper. “Chopping?” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Years of practice.” I brush against him again, this time with my behind. He stills once more. “If you do that again, Anastasia, I am going to take you on the kitchen floor.” Oh, wow. It’s working. “You’ll ha一ve to beg me first.” “Is that a challenge?” “Maybe.” He puts down his knife and saunters slowly over to me, his eyes burning. Leaning past me, he switches the gas off. The oil in the wok quiets almost immediately. “I think we’ll eat later,” he says. “Put the chicken in the fridge.” This is not a sentence I had ever expected to hear from Christian Grey, and only he can make it sound hot, really hot. I pick up the bowl of diced chicken, rather shakily place a plate on top of it, and stow it in the fridge. When I turn back, he’s beside me. “So you’re going to beg?” I whisper, bra一vely gazing into his darkening eyes. “No, Anastasia.” He shakes his head. “No begging.” His voice is soft, seductive. And we stand staring at each other, drinking each other in—the atmosphere charging between us, almost crackling, neither saying anything, just looking. I bite my lip as desire for this beautiful man seizes me with a vengeance, igniting my blood, shallowing my breath, pooling below my waist. I see my reactions reflected in his stance, in his eyes. In a beat, he grabs me by my hips and pulls me to him as my hands reach for his hair and his mouth claims me. He pushes me against the fridge, and I hear the vague protesting rattle of bottles and jars from within as his tongue finds mine. I moan into his mouth, and one of his hands moves into my hair, pulling my head back as we kiss, sa一vagely. “What do you want, Anastasia?” he breathes. “You.” I gasp. “Where?” “Bed.” He breaks free, scoops me into his arms, and carries me quickly and seemingly without any strain into my bedroom. Setting me on my feet beside my bed, he leans down and switches on my bedside lamp. He glances quickly round the room and hastily closes the pale cream curtains. “Now what?” he says softly. “Make love to me.” “How?” Jeez. “You ha一ve got to tell me, baby.” Holy crap. “Undress me.” I am panting already. He smiles and hooks his index finger into my open shirt, pulling me toward him. “Good girl,” he murmurs, and without taking his blazing eyes off mine, slowly starts to unbutton my shirt. Tentatively I put my hands on his arms to steady myself. He doesn’t complain. His arms are a safe area. When he’s finished with the buttons, he pulls my shirt over my shoulders, and I let go of him to let the shirt fall to the floor. He reaches down to the waistband of my jeans, pops the button, and pulls down the zipper. “Tell me what you want, Anastasia.” His eyes smolder and his lips part as he takes quick shallow breaths. “Kiss me from here to here,” I whisper trailing my finger from the base of my ear, down my throat. He smoothes my hair out of the line of fire and bends, lea一ving sweet soft kisses along the path my finger took and then back again. “My jeans and panties,” I murmur, and he smiles against my throat before he drops to his knees in front of me. Oh, I feel so powerful. Hooking his thumbs into my jeans, he gently pulls them and my panties down my legs. I step out of my pumps and my clothes so that I’m left wearing only my bra. He stops and looks up at me expectantly, but he doesn’t get up. expectantly, but he doesn’t get up. “What now, Anastasia?” “Kiss me,” I whisper. “Where?” “You know where.” “Where?” Oh, he’s taking no prisoners. Embarrassed I quickly point at the apex of my thighs, and he grins wickedly. I close my eyes, mortified, but at the same time beyond aroused. “Oh, with pleasure,” he chuckles. He kisses me and unleashes his tongue, his joy-inspiring expert tongue. I groan and fist my hands into his hair. He doesn’t stop, his tongue circling my clitoris, driving me insane, on and on, round and round. Ahhh . . . it’s only been . . . how long . . . ? Oh . . . “Christian, please,” I beg. I don’t want to come standing up. I don’t ha一ve the strength. “Please what, Anastasia?” “Make love to me.” “I am,” he murmurs, gently blowing against me. “No. I want you inside me.” “Are you sure?” “Please.” He doesn’t stop his sweet, exquisite torture. I moan loudly. “Christian . . . please.” He stands and gazes down at me, and his lips glisten with the evidence of my arousal. Holy cow . . . Holy cow . . . “Well?” he asks. “Well what?” I pant, staring up at him in frantic need. “I’m still dressed.” I gape at him in confusion. Undress him? Yes, I can do this. I reach for his shirt and he steps back. “Oh no,” he admonishes. Shit, he means his jeans. Oh, and this gives me an idea. My inner goddess cheers loudly to the rafters, and I drop to my knees in front of him. Rather clumsily and with shaking fingers, I undo his waistband and fly, then yank down his jeans and boxers, and he springs free. Wow. I peek up at him through my lashes, and he’s gazing at me with . . . what? Trepidation? Awe? Surprise? He steps out of his jeans and pulls off his socks, and I take hold of him in my hand and squeeze tightly, pushing my hand back like he’s shown me before. He groans and tenses, and his breath hisses through clenched teeth. Very tentatively, I put him in my mouth and suck—hard. Mmm, he tastes good. “Ahh. Ana . . . whoa, gently.” He cups my head tenderly, and I push him deeper into my mouth, pressing my lips together as tightly as I can, sheathing my teeth, and sucking hard. “Fuck,” he hisses. Oh, that’s a good, inspiring, sexy sound, so I do it again, pulling his length deeper, swirling my tongue around the end. Hmm . . . I feel like Aphrodite. “Ana, that’s enough. No more.” “Ana, that’s enough. No more.” I do it again—Beg, Grey, beg—and again. “Ana, you’ve made your point,” he grunts through gritted teeth. “I do not want to come in your mouth.” I do it once more, and he bends down, grasps me by my shoulders, hauls me to my feet, and tosses me on the bed. Dragging his shirt over his head, he then reaches down to his discarded jeans, and like a good boy scout, produces a foil packet. He’s panting, like me. “Take your bra off,” he orders. I sit up and do as I’m told. “Lie down. I want to look at you.” I lie down, gazing up at him as he slowly rolls the condom on. I want him so badly. He stares down at me and licks his lips. “You are a fine sight, Anastasia Steele.” He bends over the bed and slowly crawls up and over me, kissing me as he goes. He kisses each of my breasts and teases my nipples in turn, while I groan and writhe beneath him, and he doesn’t stop. No . . . Stop. I want you. “Christian, please.” “Please what?” he murmurs between my breasts. “I want you inside me.” “Do you now?” “Please.” Gazing at me, he pushes my legs apart with his and moves so that he’s hovering above me. Without taking his eyes off mine, he sinks into me at a deliciously slow pace. I close my eyes, relishing the fullness, the exquisite I close my eyes, relishing the fullness, the exquisite feeling of his possession, instinctively tilting my pelvis up to meet him, to join with him, groaning loudly. He eases back and very slowly fills me again. My fingers find their way into his silken unruly hair, and he oh-so-slowly moves in and out again. “Faster, Christian, faster . . . please.” He gazes down at me in triumph and kisses me hard, then really starts to move—holy cow, a punishing, relentless . . . oh fuck—and I know it will not be long. He sets a pounding rhythm. I start to quicken, my legs tensing beneath him. “Come on, baby,” he gasps. “Give it to me.” His words are my undoing, and I explode, magnificently, mind-numbingly, into a million pieces around him, and he follows calling out my name. “Ana! Oh fuck, Ana!” He collapses on top of me, his head buried in my neck. As sanity returns, I open my eyes and gaze up into the face of the man I love. Christian’s expression is soft, tender. He strokes his nose against mine, bearing his weight on his elbows, his hands holding mine by the side of my head. Sadly, I suspect that’s so I don’t touch him. He plants a gentle kiss on my lips as he eases himself out of me. “I’ve missed this,” he breathes. “Me too,” I whisper. He takes hold of my chin and kisses me hard. A passionate, beseeching kiss, asking for what? I don’t passionate, beseeching kiss, asking for what? I don’t know. It lea一ves me breathless. “Don’t lea一ve me again,” he implores, looking deep into my eyes, his face serious. “Okay,” I whisper and smile at him. His answering smile is dazzling; relief, elation, and boyish delight combined into one enchanting look that would melt the coldest of hearts. “Thank you for the iPad.” “You are most welcome, Anastasia.” “What’s your fa一vorite song on there?” “Now that would be telling.” He grins. “Come cook me some food, wench. I’m famished,” he adds, sitting up suddenly and dragging me with him. “Wench?” I giggle. “Wench. Food, now, please.” “Since you ask so nicely, sire, I’ll get right on to it.” As I scramble out of bed, I dislodge my pillow, revealing the deflated helicopter balloon underneath. Christian reaches for it and gazes up at me, puzzled. “That’s my balloon,” I say, feeling proprietary as I “That’s my balloon,” I say, feeling proprietary as I reach for my robe and wrap it round myself. Oh jeez . . . why did he ha一ve to find that? “In your bed?” he murmurs. “Yes,” I flush. “It’s been keeping me company.” “Lucky Charlie Tango,” he says, in surprise. Yes, I’m sentimental, Grey, because I love you. “My balloon,” I say again and turn on my heel and head out to the kitchen, lea一ving him grinning from ear to ear. Christian and I sit on Kate’s persian rug, eating stir-fry chicken and noodles from white china bowls with chopsticks and sipping chilled white Pinot Grigio. Christian leans against the couch, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He’s wearing his jeans and his shirt with his justfucked hair, and that’s all. The Buena Vista Social Club croons softly in the background from Christian’s iPod. “This is good,” he says appreciatively as he digs into his food. I sit cross-legged beside him, eating greedily, beyond hungry, and admire his naked feet. “I usually do all the cooking. Kate isn’t a great cook.” “Did you your mother teach you?” “Not really,” I scoff. “By the time I was interested in learning, my mom was living with Husband Number Three in Mansfield, Texas. And Ray, well, he would’ve lived on toast and takeout if it wasn’t for me.” Christian gazes down at me. “You didn’t stay in Texas with your mom?” “No. Steve, her husband and I, we didn’t get along. And I missed Ray. Her marriage to Steve didn’t last long. She came to her senses, I think. She never talks about him,” I add quietly. I think that’s a dark part of her life, which we’ve never discussed. “So you came back to Washington to live with your stepfather.” “Yes.” “Sounds like you looked after him,” he says softly. “Sounds like you looked after him,” he says softly. “I suppose.” I shrug. “You’re used to taking care of people.” The edge in his voice attracts my attention, and I glance up at him. “What is it?” I ask, startled by his wary expression. “I want to take care of you.” His luminous eyes glow with some unnamed emotion. My heart rate spikes. “I’ve noticed,” I whisper. “You just go about it in a strange way.” His brow creases. “It’s the only way I know how,” he says quietly. “I’m still mad at you for buying SIP.” He smiles. “I know but you being mad, baby, wouldn’t stop me.” “What am I going to say to my work colleagues, to Jack?” He narrows his eyes. “That fucker better watch himself.” himself.” “Christian!” I admonish. “He’s my boss.” Christian’s mouth presses into a hard line. He looks like a recalcitrant schoolboy. “Don’t tell them,” he says. “Don’t tell them what?” “That I own it. The heads of agreement was signed yesterday. The news is embargoed for four weeks while the management at SIP makes some changes.” “Oh . . . will I be out of a job?” I ask, alarmed. “I sincerely doub一t it,” Christian says wryly, trying to stifle his smile. I scowl. “If I lea一ve and find another job, will you buy that company, too?” “You’re not thinking of lea一ving, are you?” His expression alters, wary once more. “Possibly. I’m not sure you’ve given me a great deal of choice.” “Yes, I will buy that company, too.” He is adamant. I scowl at him again. I am in a no-win situation here. “Don’t you think you’re being a tad overprotective?” “Yes. I am fully aware of how this looks.” “Paging Dr. Flynn,” I murmur. He puts down his empty bowl and gazes at me impassively. I sigh. I don’t want to fight. Standing up, I reach for his bowl. “Would you like dessert?” “Now you’re talking!” he says, giving me a lascivious grin. “Not me.” Why not me? My inner goddess wakes from her doze and sits upright, all ears. “We ha一ve ice cream. Vanilla.” I snicker. “Really?” Christian’s grin gets bigger. “I think we could do something with that.” What? I stare at him dumbfounded as he gracefully gets to his feet. “Can I stay?” he asks. “What do you mean?” “The night.” “I assumed that you were.” I flush. “I assumed that you were.” I flush. “Good. Where’s the ice cream?” “In the oven.” I smile sweetly at him. He cocks his head to one side, sighs, and shakes his head at me. “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Miss Steele.” His eyes glitter. Oh shit. What’s he planning? “I could still take you across my knee.” I place the bowls in the sink. “Do you ha一ve those silver ball things?” He pats his hands down his chest, belly, and the pockets of his jeans. “Funnily enough, I don’t carry a spare set around with me. Not much call for them in the office.” “I am very glad to hear it, Mr. Grey, and I thought you said that sarcasm was the lowest form of wit.” “Well, Anastasia, my new motto is if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” I gape at him—I can’t believe he’s just said that — and he looks sickeningly pleased with himself as he grins at and he looks sickeningly pleased with himself as he grins at me. Turning, he opens the freezer and takes out the carton of Ben & Jerry’s finest vanilla. “This will do just fine.” He looks up at me, eyes dark. “Ben & Jerry’s & Ana.” He says each word slowly, enunciating every syllable clearly. Oh fucking my. I think my lower jaw is on the floor. He opens the cutlery drawer and grabs a spoon. When he looks up, his are eyes hooded, and his tongue skims his top teeth. Oh, that tongue. I feel winded. Desire, dark, sleek, and wanton runs hot through my veins. We’re going to ha一ve fun, with food. “I hope you’re warm,” he whispers. “I’m going to cool you down with this. Come.” He holds out his hand, and I place mine in his. In my bedroom he places the ice cream on my bedside table, pulls the duvet off the bed, and removes both the pillows, placing them all in a pile on the floor. “You ha一ve a change of sheets, don’t you?” I nod, watching him, fascinated. He holds up Charlie Tango. “Don’t mess with my balloon,” I warn. His lips quirk upward in half a smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it, baby, but I do want to mess with you and these sheets.” My body practically convulses. “I want to tie you up.” Oh. “Okay,” I whisper. “Just your hands. To the bed. I need you still.” “Okay,” I whisper again, incapable of anything more. He strolls over to me, not taking his eyes off mine. “We’ll use this.” He takes hold of my robe sash and with delicious, teasing slowness, releases the bow, and gently pulls it free of the garment. My robe falls open while I stand paralyzed under his heated gaze. After a moment, he pushes the robe off my shoulders. It falls and pools at my feet so that I’m standing naked before him. He strokes my face with the backs of his knuckles, and his touch resonates in the depths of my groin. Bending, he kisses my lips briefly. groin. Bending, he kisses my lips briefly. “Lie on the bed, face up,” he murmurs, his eyes darkening, burning into mine. I do as I’m told. My room is shrouded in darkness except for the soft, insipid light from my lamp. Normally, I hate energy-sa一ving bulbs—they are so dim —but being naked here, with Christian, I’m grateful for the muted light. He stands by the bed gazing down at me. “I could look at you all day, Anastasia,” he says, and with that crawls on to the bed, up my body, and straddles me. “Arms above your head,” he commands. I comply and he fastens the end of my robe sash round my left wrist and threads the end through the metal bars at the head of my bed. He pulls it tight so my left arm is flexed above me. He then secures my right hand, tying the sash tightly. When I’m tied-up, staring at him, he visibly relaxes. He likes me tethered. I can’t touch him this way. It occurs to me that none of his subs would ha一ve touched him either— me that none of his subs would ha一ve touched him either— and what’s more, they would never ha一ve the opportunity to. He would ha一ve always been in control and at a distance. That’s why he likes his rules. He climbs off me and bends to give me a quick peck on the lips. Then he stands and lifts his shirt over his head. He undoes his jeans and drops them to the floor. He is gloriously naked. My inner goddess is doing a triple axel dismount off the uneven bars, and abruptly my mouth is dry. He really is beyond beautiful. He has a physique drawn on classical lines: broad muscular shoulders, narrow hips, the inverted triangle. He obviously works out. I could look at him all day. He moves to the end of the bed and grasps my ankles, pulling me swiftly and sharply downward so that my arms are stretched out and unable to move. “That’s better,” he mutters. Picking up the tub of ice cream, he climbs smoothly back onto the bed to straddle me once more. Very slowly, he peels off the lid of the tub and dips the spoon in. “Hmm . . . it’s still quite hard,” he says with a raised brow. Scooping out a spoonful of the vanilla, he pops it into his mouth. “Delicious,” he murmurs, licking his lips. “Amazing how good plain old vanilla can taste.” He gazes down at me and smirks. “Want some?” he teases. He looks so freaking hot, young and carefree—sitting on me and eating from a tub of ice cream—eyes bright, face luminous. Oh what the hell is he going to do to me? As if I can’t tell. I nod, shyly. He scoops out another spoonful and offers me the spoon, so I open my mouth, then he quickly pops it in his mouth again. “This is too good to share,” he says, smiling wickedly. “Hey,” I start in protest. “Why, Miss Steele, do you like your vanilla?” “Yes,” I say more forcefully than I mean and try in vain to buck him off. He laughs. “Getting feisty, are we? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” “Ice cream,” I plead. “Ice cream,” I plead. “Well, as you’ve pleased me so much today, Miss Steele.” He relents and offers me another spoonful. This time he lets me eat it. I want to giggle. He’s really enjoying himself, and his good humor is infectious. He scoops another spoonful and feeds me some more, then he does it again. Okay, enough. “Hmm, well, this is one way to ensure you eat—forcefeed you. I could get used to this.” Taking another spoonful, he offers me more. This time I keep my mouth shut and shake my head, and he lets it slowly melt on the spoon so that the melted ice cream drips, onto my throat, onto my chest. He dips down and very slowly licks it off. My body lights up with longing. “Mmm. Tastes even better off you, Miss Steele.” I pull against my restraints and the bed creaks ominously, but I don’t care—I’m burning with desire, it’s consuming me. He takes another spoonful and lets the ice cream dribble onto my breasts. Then with the back of the cream dribble onto my breasts. Then with the back of the spoon, he spreads it over each breast and nipple. Oh . . . it’s cold. Each nipple peaks and hardens beneath the cool of the vanilla. “Cold?” Christian asks softly and bends to lick and suckle all the ice cream off me once more, his mouth hot compared to the cool of the ice. Oh my. It’s torture. As it starts to melt, the ice cream runs off me in rivulets on to the bed. His lips continue their slow torture, sucking hard, nuzzling, softly—Oh please!— I’m panting. “Want some?” And before I can confirm or deny his offer, his tongue is in my mouth, and it’s cold and skilled and tastes of Christian and vanilla. Delicious. And just as I am getting used to the sensation, he sits up again and trails a spoonful of ice cream down the center of my body, across my stomach, and into my na一vel where he deposits a large dollop of ice cream. Oh, this is chillier than before, but weirdly it burns. “Now, you’ve done this before.” Christian’s eyes shine. “You’re going to ha一ve to stay still, or there will be ice cream all over the bed.” He kisses each of my breasts and sucks each of my nipples hard, then follows the line of ice cream down my body, sucking and licking as he goes. And I try, I try to stay still despite the heady combination of cold and his inflaming touch. But my hips start to move involuntarily, gyrating to their own rhythm, caught up in his cool vanilla spell. He shifts lower and starts eating the ice cream in my belly, swirling his tongue into and around my na一vel. I moan. Holy cow. It’s cold, it’s hot, it’s tantalizing, but he doesn’t stop. He trails the ice cream further down my body, into my pubic hair, on to my clitoris. I cry out, loudly. “Hush now,” Christian says softly as his magical tongue sets to work lapping up the vanilla, and now I’m keening quietly. “Oh . . . please . . . Christian.” “I know, baby, I know,” he breathes as his tongue works its magic. He doesn’t stop, just doesn’t stop, and works its magic. He doesn’t stop, just doesn’t stop, and my body is climbing—higher, higher. He slips one finger inside me, then another and he moves them with agonizing slowness in and out. “Just here,” he murmurs, and he rhythmically strokes the front wall of my vagina while he continues the exquisite, relentless licking and sucking. Holy fucking cow. I erupt unexpectedly into a mind-blowing orgasm that stuns all my senses, obliterating all that’s happening outside of my body as I writhe and groan. Jeez, that was so quick. I am vaguely aware that he has stopped his ministrations. He’s hovering over me, sliding on a condom, and then he’s inside me, hard and fast. “Oh yes!” He groans as he slams into me. He’s sticky —the residual melted ice cream spreading between us. It’s a strangely distracting sensation, but one I can’t dwell on for more than a few seconds as Christian suddenly pulls out of me and flips me over. “This way,” he murmurs and abruptly is inside me once “This way,” he murmurs and abruptly is inside me once more, but he doesn’t start his usual punishing rhythm straight away. He leans over, releases my hands, and pulls me upright so I am practically sitting on him. His hands move up to my breasts, and he palms them both, tugging gently on my nipples. I groan, tossing my head back against his shoulder. He nuzzles my neck, biting down, as he flexes his hips, deliciously slowly, filling me again and again. “Do you know how much you mean to me?” he breathes against my ear. “No,” I gasp. He smiles against my neck, and his fingers curl around my jaw and throat, holding me fast for a moment. “Yes, you do. I’m not going to let you go.” I groan as he picks up speed. “You are mine, Anastasia.” “Yes, yours,” I pant. “I take care of what’s mine,” he hisses and bites my ear. I cry out. “That’s right, baby, I want to hear you.” He snakes one hand around my waist while his other hand grasps my hip, and he pushes into me harder, making me cry out again. And the punishing rhythm starts. His breathing grows harsher and harsher, ragged, matching mine. I feel the familiar quickening deep inside. Jeez again! I am just sensation. This is what he does to me—takes my body and possesses it wholly so that I think of nothing but him. His magic is powerful, intoxicating. I’m a butterfly caught in his net, unable and unwilling to escape. I’m his . . . totally his. “Come on, baby,” he growls through gritted teeth and on cue, like the sorcerer’s apprentice I am, I let go, and we find our release together. I am lying curled up in his arms on sticky sheets. His front is pressed to my back, his nose in my hair. “What I feel for you frightens me,” I whisper. He stills. “Me too, baby,” he says quietly. “What if you lea一ve me?” The thought is horrific. “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t think I could ever ha一ve my fill of you, Anastasia.” I turn and gaze at him. His expression is serious, sincere. I lean over and kiss him gently. He smiles and reaches up to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I’ve never felt the way I felt when you left, Anastasia. I would move hea一ven and earth to a一void feeling like that again.” He sounds so sad, dazed even. I kiss him again. I want to lighten our mood somehow, but Christian does it for me. “Will you come with me to my father’s summer party tomorrow? It’s an annual charity thing. I said I’d go.” I smile, feeling suddenly shy. “Of course I’ll come.” Oh shit. I ha一ve nothing to wear. “What?” “Nothing.” “Tell me,” he insists. “Tell me,” he insists. “I ha一ve nothing to wear.” Christian looks momentarily uncomfortable. “Don’t be mad, but I still ha一ve all those clothes for you at home. I am sure there are a couple of dresses in there.” I purse my lips. “Do you, now?” I mutter, my voice sardonic. I don’t want to fight with him tonight. I need a shower. The girl who looks like me is standing outside SIP. Hang on—she is me. I am pale and unwashed, and all my clothes are too big; I’m staring at her, and she’s wearing my clothes—happy, healthy. “What do you ha一ve that I don’t?” I ask her. “Who are you?” “I’m nobody . . . Who are you? Are you nobody, too . . . ?” “Then there’s a pair of us—don’t tell, they’d banish us, you know . . .” She smiles, a slow, evil grimace that you know . . .” She smiles, a slow, evil grimace that spreads across her face, and it’s so chilling that I start to scream. “Jesus, Ana!” Christian is shaking me awake. I am so disorientated. I’m at home . . . in the dark . . . in bed with Christian. I shake my head, trying to clear my mind. “Baby, are you okay? You were ha一ving a bad dream.” “Oh.” He switches on the lamp so we’re bathed in its dim light. He gazes down at me, his face etched with concern. “The girl,” I whisper. “What is it? What girl?” he asks soothingly. “There was a girl outside SIP when I left this evening. She looked like me . . . but not really.” Christian stills, and as the light from the bedside lamp warms up, I see his face is ashen. “When was this?” he whispers, dismayed. He sits up, staring down at me. “When I left this afternoon. Do you know who she is?” “Yes.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Who?” His mouth presses into a hard line, but he says nothing. “Who?” I press. “It’s Leila.” I swallow. The ex-sub! I remember Christian talking about her before we went gliding. Suddenly, he’s radiating tension. Something is going on. “The girl who put ‘Toxic’ on your iPod?” He glances at me anxiously. “Yes,” he says. “Did she say anything?” “She said, ‘what do you ha一ve that I don’t ha一ve?’ and when I asked who she was, she said, ‘nobody.’ ” Christian closes his eyes as if in pain. Oh no. What’s happened? What does she mean to him? My scalp prickles as adrenaline spikes through my body. What if she means a lot to him? Perhaps he misses her? I know so little about his past . . . um, misses her? I know so little about his past . . . um, relationships. She must ha一ve had a contract, and she would ha一ve done what he wanted, given him what he needed gladly. Oh no—when I can’t. The thought makes me nauseous. Climbing out of bed, Christian drags on his jeans and heads into the main room. A glance at my alarm clock shows it’s five in the morning. I roll out of bed, putting his white shirt on, and follow him. Holy shit, he’s on the phone. “Yes, outside SIP, yesterday . . . early evening,” he says quietly. He turns to me as I move toward the kitchen and asks me directly, “What time exactly?” “About ten to six?” I mumble. Who on earth is he calling at this hour? What’s Leila done? He relays the information to whoever’s on the line, not taking his eyes off me, his expression dark and earnest. “Find out how . . . Yes . . . I wouldn’t ha一ve said so, but then I wouldn’t ha一ve thought she could do this.” He but then I wouldn’t ha一ve thought she could do this.” He closes his eyes as if he’s in pain. “I don’t know how that will go down . . . Yes, I’ll talk to her . . . Yes . . . I know . . . Follow it up and let me know. Just find her, Welch—she’s in trouble. Find her.” He hangs up. “Do you want some tea?” I ask. Tea, Ray’s answer to every crisis and the only thing he does well in the kitchen. I fill the kettle with water. “Actually, I’d like to go back to bed.” His look tells me that it’s not to sleep. “Well, I need some tea. Would you like to join me for a cup?” I want to know what’s going on. I will not be sidetracked by sex. He runs his hand through his hair in exasperation. “Yes, please,” he says, but I can tell he’s irritated. I put the kettle on the stove and busy myself with teacups and the teapot. My anxiety level has shot to DEFCON ONE. Is he going to tell me the problem? Or am I going to ha一ve to dig? I sense his eyes on me—sense his uncertainty, and his I sense his eyes on me—sense his uncertainty, and his anger is palpable. I glance up, and his eyes glitter with apprehension. “What is it?” I ask softly. He shakes his head. “You’re not going to tell me?” He sighs and closes his eyes. “No.” “Why?” “Because it shouldn’t concern you. I don’t want you tangled up in this.” “It shouldn’t concern me, but it does. She found me and accosted me outside my office. How does she know about me? How does she know where I work? I think I ha一ve a right to know what’s going on.” He runs a hand through his hair again, radiating frustration as if waging some internal battle. “Please?” I ask softly. His mouth sets into a hard line, and he rolls his eyes at me. “Okay,” he says, resigned. “I ha一ve no idea how she found you. Maybe the photograph of us in Portland, I don’t know.” He sighs again, and I sense his frustration is directed at himself. I wait patiently, pouring boiling water into the teapot as he paces back and forth. After a beat he continues. “While I was with you in Georgia, Leila turned up at my apartment unannounced and made a scene in front of Gail.” “Gail?” “Mrs. Jones.” “What do you mean, ‘made a scene’?” He glares at me, appraising. “Tell me. You’re keeping something back.” My tone is more forceful than I feel. He blinks at me, surprised. “Ana, I—” he stops. “Please?” He sighs in defeat. “She made a haphazard attempt to open a vein.” “Oh no!” That explains the bandage on her wrist. “Gail got her to hospital. But Leila discharged herself “Gail got her to hospital. But Leila discharged herself before I could get there.” Crap. What does this mean? Suicidal? Why? “The shrink who saw her called it a typical cry for help. He didn’t believe her to be truly at risk—one step from suicidal ideation, he called it. But I’m not convinced. I’ve been trying to track her down since then to get her some help.” “Did she say anything to Mrs. Jones?” He gazes at me. He looks really uncomfortable. “Not much,” he says eventually, but I know he’s not telling me everything. I distract myself with pouring tea into teacups. So Leila wants back into Christian’s life and chooses a suicide attempt to attract his attention? Whoa . . . scary. But effective. Christian left Georgia to be at her side, but she disappears before he gets there? How odd. “You can’t find her? What about her family?” “They don’t know where she is. Neither does her husband.” husband.” “Husband?” “Yes,” he says distractedly, “she’s been married for about two years.” What? “So she was with you while she was married?” Holy fuck. He really has no boundaries. “No! Good God, no. She was with me nearly three years ago. Then she left and married this guy shortly afterward.”