Fifty Shades Trilogy 01 - Fifty Shades of Grey

work my last week at Clayton’s.
    José phones at eleven.
    “Hey, are we doing coffee?” He sounds like the old José. José my friend, not a – what did Christian call him? Suitor. Ugh.
    “Sure. I’m at work. Can you make it here for say twelve?”
    “See you then.”
    He hangs up, and I go back to restocking the paintbrushes and thinking about Christian Grey and his contract.
    José is punctual. He comes bounding into the shop like a gamboling dark-eyed puppy.
    “Ana,” he smiles his dazzling toothy all-Hispanic-American smile, and I can’t be angry with him anymore.
    “Hi, José.” I hug him. “I’m starving. I’ll just let Mrs. Clayton know I’m going for lunch.”
    As we stroll to the local coffee shop, I slip my arm through José’s. I’m so grateful for his – normality. Someone I know and understand.
    “Hey, Ana,” he murmurs. “You’ve really forgiven me?”
    “José, you know I can never stay mad at you for long.”
    He grins.
    I can’t wait to get home. The lure of e-mailing Christian, and maybe I can begin my research project. Kate is out somewhere, so I fire up the new laptop and open my e-mail. Sure enough, there’s a message from Christian sitting in the inbox. I’m practically bouncing out of my seat with glee.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Working for a living
    Date: May 23 2011 17:24
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Dear Miss Steele
I do hope you had a good day at work.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    I hit reply.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Working for living
    Date: May 23 2011 17:48
    To: Christian Grey
    Sir … I had a very good day at work.
Thank you.
Ana

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Do The Work!
    Date: May 23 2011 17:50
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Miss Steele
Delighted you had a good day.
While you are e-mailing, you are not researching.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Nuisance
    Date: May 23 2011 17:53
    To: Christian Grey
    Mr. Grey, stop e-mailing me, and I can start my assignment.
I’d like another A.
Ana
    I hug myself.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Impatient
    Date: May 23 2011 17:55
    T o: Anastasia Steele
    Miss Steele
Stop e-mailing me – and do your assignment.
I’d like to award another A.
The first one was so well deserved. ;)
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    Christian Grey just sent me a winking smiley… Oh my. I fire up Google.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Internet Research
    Date: May 23 2011 17:59
    To: Christian Grey
    Mr. Grey
What would you suggest I put into a search engine?
Ana

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Internet Research
    Date: May 23 2011 18:02
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Miss Steele
Always start with Wikipedia.
No more e-mails unless you have questions. Understood?
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Bossy!
    Date: May 23 2011 18:04
    To: Christian Grey
    Yes… Sir. You are so bossy.
Ana

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: In Control
    Date: May 23 2011 18:06
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Anastasia, you have no idea.
Well, maybe an inkling now.
Do the work.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    I type Submissive into Wikipedia.
    Half an hour later, I feel slight queasy and frankly shocked to my core. Do I really want this stuff in my head? Jeez – is this what he gets up to in the Red Room of Pain? I sit staring at the screen, and part of me, a very moist and integral part of me – that I’ve only become acquainted with very recently, is seriously turned on. Oh my, some of this stuff is HOT. But is it for me? Holy shit… could I do this? I need space. I need to think.

For the first time in my life, I voluntarily go for a run. I find my nasty, never-used sneakers, some sweat pants, and a t-shirt. I put my hair in pigtails, blushing at the memories they bring back, and I plug in my iPod. I can’t sit in front of that marvel of technology and look at or read any more disturbing material. I need to expend some of this excess, enervating, energy. Quite frankly, I have a mind to run to the Heathman hotel and just demand sex from the control freak. But that’s five miles, and I don’t think I’ll be able to run one mile, let alone five, and of course, he might turn me down which would be beyond humiliating.
    Kate is walking from her car as I head out of the door. She nearly drops her shopping when she sees me. Ana Steele in sneakers. I wave and don’t stop for the inquisition. I need some