Fifty Shades Trilogy 01 - Fifty Shades of Grey

like a men’s locker room. He checks to see if it’s empty, and then he locks the door.
    Holy shit, what does he have in mind? I blink up at him as he turns on me.
    “Why haven’t you e-mailed me? Or texted me back?” He glares. I’m nonplussed.
    “I haven’t looked at my computer today, or my phone.” Crap, has he been trying to call? I try my distraction technique that’s so effective on Kate. “That was a great speech.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Explains your food issues to me.”
    He runs a hand through his hair, exasperated.
    “Anastasia, I don’t want to go there at the moment.” He closes his eyes, looking pained. “I’ve been worried about you.”
    “Worried, why?”
    “Because you went home in that deathtrap you call a car.”
    “What? It’s not a deathtrap. It’s fine. José regularly services it for me.”
    “José, the photographer?” Christian’s eyes narrow, his face frosting. Oh, crap.
    “Yes, the Beetle used to belong to his mother.”
    “Yes, and probably her mother and her mother before her. It’s not safe.”
    “I’ve been driving it for over three years. I’m sorry you were worried. Why didn’t you call?” Jeez, he’s completely overreacting.
    He takes a deep breath.
    “Anastasia, I need an answer from you. This waiting around is driving me crazy.”
    “Christian, I… look, I’ve left my stepdad on his own.”
    “Tomorrow. I want an answer by tomorrow.”
    “Okay. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you then.” I blink at him.
    He steps back, regarding me coolly, and his shoulders relax.
    “Are you staying for drinks?” he asks.
    “I don’t know what Ray wants to do.”
    “Your stepfather? I’d like to meet him.”
    Oh no… why?
    “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
    Christian unlocks the door, his mouth in a grim line.
    “Are you ashamed of me?”
    “No!” It’s my turn to sound exasperated. “Introduce you to my dad as what? ‘This is the man who deflowered me and wants us to start a BDSM relationship’. You’re not wearing running shoes.”
    Christian glares down at me, and then his lips twitch up in a smile. And in spite of the fact I’m mad at him, my face is unwillingly pulled into an answering grin.
    “Just so you know, I can run quite fast. Just tell him I’m your friend, Anastasia.”
    He opens the door, and I head out. My mind is whirling. The Chancellor, the three Vice Chancellors, four professors, and Kate stare at me as I walk hastily past them. Holy crap. Leaving Christian with the faculty I go in search of Ray.
    Tell him I’m your friend. Friend with benefits, my subconscious scowls. I know, I know. I shake the unpleasant thought away. How will I introduce him to Ray? The hall is still at least half full, and Ray has not moved from his spot. He sees me, waves, and makes his way down.
    “Hey, Annie. Congratulations.” He puts his arm around me.
    “Would you like to come and have a drink in the marquee?”
    “Sure. It’s your day. Lead the way.”
    “We don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Please say no…
    “Annie, I’ve just sat for two and half hours listening to all kinds of jabbering. I need a drink.”
    I put my arm through his, and we stroll out with the throng into the warmth of the early afternoon. We pass the line for the official photographer.
    “Oh, that reminds me.” Ray drags a digital camera out of his pocket. “One for the album, Annie.” I roll my eyes at him as he snaps a picture of me.
    “Can I take the cap and gown off now? I feel kind of dorky.”
    You look kinda dorky … my subconscious is at her snarky best. So are you going to introduce Ray to the man you’re fucking? She is glaring at me over her wing-shaped spectacles. He’d be so proud. God, I hate her sometimes.
    The marquee is immense, and crowded – students, parents, teachers, and friends, all chattering happily. Ray hands me a glass of champagne or cheap fizzy wine, I suspect. It’s not chilled, and it tastes sweet. My thoughts turn to Christian… he won’t like this.
    “Ana!” I turn, and Ethan Kavanagh scoops me into his arms. He twirls me around, without spilling my wine - some feat.
    “Congratulations!” He beams down at me, green eyes twinkling.
    What a surprise. His dirty blonde hair is tousled and sexy-looking. He’s as beautiful as Kate. The family resemblance is striking.
    “Wow – Ethan! How lovely to see you. Dad, this is Ethan, Kate’s brother. Ethan, this is my dad, Ray Steele.” They shake hands, my dad