Fifty Shades Trilogy 02 - Fifty Shades Darker

understanding is that Christian has conducted all of his BDSM relationships in this manner. You’re the first lover who hasn’t consented, so he’s not willing to do it.”
    Lover!
    “But surely it’s not that simple.”
    “Why not?” Dr. Flynn shrugs good-naturedly.
    “Well . . . the reasons he does it.”
    “Ana, that’s the point. In terms of solution-focused therapy, it is that simple. Christian wants to be with you. In order to do that, he needs to forego the more extreme aspects of that kind of relationship. After all, what you’re asking for is not unreasonable . . . is it?”
    I flush. No, it’s not unreasonable, is it?
    “I don’t think so. But I worry that he does.”
    “Christian recognizes that and has acted accordingly. He’s not insane.” Dr. Flynn sighs. “In a nutshell, he’s not a sadist, Ana. He’s an angry, frightened, brilliant young man, who was dealt a shit hand of cards when he was born. We can all beat our breasts about it, and analyze the who, the how and the why to death—or Christian can move on and decide how he wants to live. He’d found something that worked for him for a few years, more or less, but since he met you, it no longer works. And as a consequence, he’s changing his modus operandi. You and I have to respect his choice and support him in it.”
    I gape at him. “That’s my reassurance?”
    “As good as it gets, Ana. There are no guarantees in this life.” He smiles. “And that is my professional opinion.”
    I smile, too, weakly. Doctor jokes . . . jeez.
    “But he thinks of himself as a recovering alcoholic.”
    “Christian will always think the worst of himself. As I said, it’s part of his self-abhorrence. It’s in his makeup, no matter what. Naturally he’s anxious about making this change in his life. He’s potentially exposing himself to a whole world of emotional pain, which, incidentally, he had a taste of when you left him. Naturally he’s apprehensive.” Dr. Flynn pauses. “I don’t mean to stress how important a role you have in his Damascene conversion—his road to Damascus. But you have. Christian would not be in this place if he had not met you. Personally I don’t think that an alcoholic is a very good analogy, but if it works for him for now, then I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt.”
    Give Christian the benefit of the doubt. I frown at the thought.
    “Emotionally, Christian is an adolescent, Ana. He bypassed that phase in his life totally. He’s channeled all his energies into succeeding in the business world, and he has beyond all expectations. His emotional world has to play catch-up.”
    “So how do I help?”
    Dr. Flynn laughs. “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” he grins at me. “Christian is head over heels. It’s a delight to see.”
    I flush, and my inner goddess is hugging herself with glee, but something bothers me.
    “Can I ask you one more thing?”
    “Of course.”
    I take a deep breath. “Part of me thinks that if he wasn’t this broken he wouldn’t . . . want me.”
    Dr. Flynn’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “That’s a very negative thing to say about yourself, Ana. And frankly it says more about you than it does about Christian. It’s not quite up there with his self-loathing, but I’m surprised by it.”
    “Well, look at him . . . and then look at me.”
    Dr. Flynn frowns. “I have. I see an attractive young man, and I see an attractive young woman. Ana, why don’t you think of yourself as attractive?”
    Oh no . . . I don’t want this to be about me. I stare down at my fingers. There’s a sharp knock on the door that makes me jump. Christian comes back into the room, glaring at both of us. I flush and glance quickly at Flynn, who is smiling benignly at Christian.
    “Welcome back, Christian,” he says.
    “I think time is up, John.”
    “Nearly, Christian. Join us.”
    Christian sits down, beside me this time, and places his hand possessively on my knee. His action does not go unnoticed by Dr. Flynn.
    “Did you have any other questions, Ana?” Dr. Flynn asks and his concern is obvious. Shit . . . I should not have asked that question. I shake my head.
    “Christian?”
    “Not today, John.”
    Flynn nods.
    “It may be beneficial if you both come again. I’m sure Ana will have more questions.”
    Christian nods, reluctantly.
    I flush. Shit . . . he wants to delve. Christian clasps my hand and regards me intently.
    “Okay?” he