Fifty Shades Trilogy 01 - Fifty Shades of Grey

make it six months, a year? How long do you want it to be? What would make you comfortable? Tell me.
I understand that this is a huge leap of faith for you. I have to earn your trust, but by the same token, you have to communicate with me when I am failing to do this. You seem so strong and self-contained, and then I read what you’ve written here, and I see another side to you. We have to guide each other, Anastasia, and I can only take my cues from you. You have to be honest with me, and we have to both find a way to make this arrangement work.
You worry about not being submissive. Well maybe that’s true. Having said that, the only time you do assume the correct demeanor for a sub is in the playroom. It seems that’s the one place where you let me exercise proper control over you, and the only place you do as you’re told. Exemplary is the term that comes to mind. And I’d never beat you black and blue. I aim for pink. Outside the playroom, I like that you challenge me. It’s a very novel and refreshing experience, and I wouldn’t want to change that. So yes, tell me what you want in terms of more. I will endeavor to keep an open mind, and I shall try and give you the space you need and stay away from you while you are in Georgia. I look forward to your next e-mail.
In the meantime, enjoy yourself. But not too much.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    Holy crap. He’s written an essay like we’re back at school – and most of it’s good. My heart is in my mouth as I reread his epistle, and I huddle on the spare bed practically hugging my Mac. Make our agreement a year? I have the power! Jeez, I’m going to have to think about that. Take him literally, that’s what my mother says. He doesn’t want to lose me. He’s said that twice! He wants to make this work, too. Oh Christian, so do I! He’s going to try and stay away! Does this mean he might fail to stay away? Suddenly, I hope so. I want to see him. We’ve been apart less than twenty-four hours, and knowing that I can’t see him for four days, I realize how much I miss him. How much I love him.

    “Ana, honey.” The voice is soft and warm, full of love and sweet memories of times gone by.
    A gentle hand brushes my face. My mom wakes me, and I’m wrapped around my laptop, hugging it to me.
    “Ana, sweetheart,” she continues in her soft singsong voice while I surface from sleep, blinking in the pale pink light of dusk.
    “Hi, Mom.” I stretch out and smile.
    “We’re going out for dinner in thirty minutes. You still want to come?” she asks kindly.
    “Oh, yes, Mom, of course.” I try very hard, but fail to stifle my yawn.
    “Now that’s an impressive piece of technology.” She points to my laptop.
    Oh crap.
    “Oh… this?” I strive for casual, surprised nonchalance.
    Will Mom notice? She seems to have grown more astute since I acquired a ‘boyfriend’.
    “Christian lent it to me. I think I could pilot the space shuttle with it, but I just use it for e-mails and Internet access.”
    Really, it’s nothing. Eyeing me suspiciously, she sits down on the bed and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
    “Has he e-mailed you?”
    Oh, double crap.
    “Yeah.” My nonchalance is wearing thin, and I flush.
    “Perhaps he’s missing you, huh?”
    “I hope so, Mom.”
    “What does he say?”
    Oh, triple crap. I frantically try to think of something acceptable from that e-mail I can tell my mother. I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear about Doms and bondage and gagging, but then I can’t tell her because there’s the NDA.
    “He’s told me to enjoy myself, but not too much.”
    “Sounds reasonable. I’ll leave you to get ready, honey.” Leaning over, she kisses my forehead. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ana. It’s wonderful to see you.” And with that loving statement, she leaves.
    Hmm, Christian and reasonable … two concepts that I thought were mutually exclusive, but after his e-mail, maybe all things are possible. I shake my head. I will need time to digest his words. Probably after dinner – and I can reply to him then. I climb out of bed and quickly slip out of my t-shirt and shorts, and head to the shower.
    I have brought Kate’s gray halter-neck dress that I wore for my graduation. It’s the only dressy item I have. One good thing about the heat is that the creases have dropped out, so I think it will do for the golf club. As I dress, I wake the laptop up. There is nothing new from Christian,