Fifty Shades Trilogy 02 - Fifty Shades Darker

in my denial. “Cool. Can I collect the keys?”
    “Sure.”
    “I’ll be over in about half an hour. Will you have time to grab a coffee?”
    “Not today. I was late getting in, and my boss is like an angry bear with a sore head and poison ivy up his ass.”
    “Sounds nasty.”
    “Nasty and ugly.” I giggle.
    Ethan laughs and my mood lifts a little. “Okay. See you in thirty.” He hangs up.
    I glance up at Jack and he’s staring at me. Oh shit. I studiously ignore him and continue to stuff envelopes.
    Half an hour later my phone buzzes. It’s Claire. “He’s here again, in reception. The blond god.”
    Ethan is a joy to see after all the angst of yesterday and the bad temper my boss is inflicting on me today, but all too soon, he’s saying his good-byes.
    “Will I see you this evening?”
    “I’ll probably stay with Christian.” I flush.
    “You have got it bad,” Ethan observes good-naturedly.  
    I shrug. That’s not the half of it, and in that moment I realize, I have it more than bad. I have it for life. And amazingly, Christian seems to feel the same. Ethan gives me a swift hug.
    “Laters, Ana.”
    I return to my desk, wrestling with my realization. Oh, what I would do for a day on my own, to just think all this through.
    “Where have you been?” Jack is suddenly looming over me.
    “I had some business to attend to in reception.” He is really getting on my nerves.
    “I want my lunch. The usual,” he says abruptly and stomps back into his office.
    Why didn’t I stay home with Christian ? My inner goddess crosses her arms and purses her lips; she wants to know the answer to that one, too. Picking up my purse and my Blackberry, I head for the door. I check my messages.

    From:  Christian Grey
    Subject:  Missing you
    Date:  June 15, 2011 09:06
    To:  Anastasia Steele

    My bed is too big without you.
    Looks like I’ll have to go to work after all.
    Even megalomaniac CEOs need something to do.
    x
    Christian Grey
    Twiddling His Thumbs CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    And there’s another from him, from earlier this morning.

    From:  Christian Grey
    Subject:  Discretion
    Date:  June 15, 2011 09:50
    To:  Anastasia Steele

    Is the better part of valor.
    Please use discretion . . . your work e-mails are monitored.
    HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS?
    Yes. Shouty capitals as you say. USE YOUR BLACKBERRY.
    Dr. Flynn can see us tomorrow evening.
    x
    Christian Grey,
    Still Pissed CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    And an even later one . . . Oh no.

    From:  Christian Grey
    Subject:  Crickets
    Date:  June 15, 2011 12:15
    To:  Anastasia Steele

    I haven’t heard from you.
    Please tell me you are okay.
    You know how I worry.
    I will send Taylor to check!
    x
    Christian Grey,
    Over-Anxious CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    I roll my eyes, and call him. I don’t want him to worry.
    “Christian Grey’s phone, Andrea Parker speaking.”
    Oh. I am so disconcerted that it’s not Christian who answers that it halts me in the street, and the young man behind me mutters angrily as he swerves to avoid bumping into me. I stand under the green awning of the deli.
    “Hello? Can I help you?” Andrea fills the void of awkward silence.
    “Sorry . . . Er . . . I was hoping to speak to Christian—”
    “Mr. Grey is in a meeting at the moment.” She bristles with efficiency. “Can I take a message?”
    “Can you tell him Ana called?”
    “Ana? As in Anastasia Steele?”
    “Er . . . Yes.” Her question confuses me.
    “Hold one second please, Miss Steele.”
    I listen attentively as she puts the phone down, but I can’t tell what’s going on. A few seconds later Christian is on the line. “Are you okay?”
    “Yes, I’m fine.”
    I hear the quick release of his held breath. He’s relieved.
    “Christian, why wouldn’t I be okay?” I whisper reassuringly.
    “You’re normally so quick at responding to my e-mails. After what I told you yesterday, I was worried,” he says quietly, and then he’s talking to someone in his office.
    “No, Andrea. Tell them to wait,” he says sternly. Oh, I know that tone of voice.
    I can’t hear Andrea’s response.
    “No. I said wait,” he snaps.
    “Christian, you’re obviously busy. I only called to let you know that I’m okay, and I mean that—just very busy today. Jack has been cracking the whip. Er . . . I mean . . .” I flush and fall silent.
    Christian says nothing for a moment.
    “Cracking the