Fifty Shades Trilogy 01 - Fifty Shades of Grey

space that looks out on to Pike Place Market itself. It’s all solid wood floors and red brick, and the kitchen tops are smooth concrete, very utilitarian, very now. We both love that we will be in the heart of the city.
    At eight the entry-phone buzzes. Kate leaps up - and my heart leaps into my mouth.
    “Delivery, Miss Steele, Miss Kavanagh.” Disappointment flows freely and unexpectedly through my veins. It's not Christian.
    “Second floor, apartment two.”
    Kate buzzes the delivery boy in. His mouth falls open when he sees Kate, all tight jeans, t-shirt, hair piled high with escaping tendrils. She has that effect on men. He holds a bottle of champagne with a helicopter-shaped balloon attached. She gives him a dazzling smile to send him on his way and proceeds to read the card out to me.
    Ladies, Good luck in your new home, Christian Grey.
    Kate shakes her head in disapproval.
    “Why can’t he just write ‘from Christian’? And what’s with the weird helicopter balloon?”
    “Charlie Tango.”
    “What?”
    “Christian flew me to Seattle in his helicopter.” I shrug.
    Kate stares at me open mouthed. I have to say I love these occasions – Katherine Kavanagh, silent and floored - they are so rare. I take a brief and luxurious moment to enjoy it.
    “Yep, he has a helicopter, which he flew himself,” I state proudly.
    “Of course the obscenely rich bastard has a helicopter. Why didn’t you tell me?” Kate looks accusingly at me, but she’s smiling, shaking her head in disbelief.
    “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”
    She frowns.
    “Are you going to be okay while I’m away?”
    “Of course.” I answer reassuringly. New city, no job… nut-job boyfriend.
    “Did you give him our address?
    “No, but stalking is one of his specialties.” I muse, matter-of-fact.
    Kate’s brow knits further.
    “Somehow I’m not surprised. He worries me, Ana. At least it’s a good champagne and it’s chilled.”
    Of course, only Christian would send chilled champagne or get his secretary to do it… or maybe Taylor. We open it there and then and find our teacups – they were the last items to be packed.
    “Bollinger Grande Année Rosé 1999, an excellent vintage.” I grin at Kate, and we clink teacups.
    I wake early to a gray Sunday morning after a surprisingly refreshing night’s sleep and lie awake staring at my crates. You should really be unpacking these, my subconscious nags, pursing her harpy lips together. No… today’s the day. My inner goddess is beside herself, hopping from foot to foot. Anticipation hangs heavy and portentous over my head like a dark tropical storm cloud. Butterflies flood my belly – as well as a darker, carnal, captivating ache as I try to imagine what he will do to me… and of course, I have to sign that damned contract, or do I? I hear the ping of incoming mail from the mean machine on the floor beside my bed.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: My Life in Numbers
    Date: May 29 2011 08:04
    To: Anastasia Steele
    If you drive you’ll need this access code for the underground garage at Escala: 146963.
Park in bay 5 – it’s one of mine.
Code for the elevator: 1880.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: An excellent Vintage
    Date: May 29 2011 08:08
    To: Christian Grey
    Yes, Sir. Understood.
Thank you for the champagne and the blow-up Charlie Tango, which is now tied to my bed.
Ana

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Envy
    Date: May 29 2011 08:11
    To: Anastasia Steele
    You’re welcome.
Don’t be late.
Lucky Charlie Tango.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    I roll my eyes at his bossiness, but his last line makes me smile. I head for the bathroom, wondering if Elliot made it back last night and trying hard to rein in my nerves.
    I can drive the Audi in high-heels! At 12:55 p.m. precisely, I pull into the garage at Escala and park in bay five. How many bays does he own? The Audi SUV is there, the R8, and two smaller Audi SUVs… hmm. I check my seldom-worn mascara in the light-up vanity mirror on my sunshield. Didn’t have one of these in the Beetle.
    Go girl! My inner goddess has her pompoms in hand – she’s in cheerleading mode. In the infinity mirrors of the elevator, I check out my plum dress, well – Kate’s plum dress. The last time I wore this, he wanted to peel it off me. My body clenches at the thought. Oh my, the feeling is just exquisite, and I catch my breath. I’m wearing the underwear