Fifty Shades Trilogy 02 - Fifty Shades Darker

asks softly.
    I smile at him, nodding. Yes, we’re going for the benefit of the doubt, courtesy of the good doctor from England.
    Christian squeezes my hand and turns to Flynn.
    “How is she?” he asks softly.
    Me?
    “She’ll get there,” he says reassuringly.
    “Good. Keep me updated of her progress.”
    “I will.”
    Holy fuck. They’re talking about Leila.
    “Shall we go and celebrate your promotion?” Christian asks me pointedly.
    I nod shyly as Christian stands.
    We say our quick good-byes to Dr. Flynn, and Christian ushers me out with unseemly haste.

    In the street, he turns to me. “How was that?” his voice is anxious.
    “It was good.”
    He regards me suspiciously. I cock my head to one side.
    “Mr. Grey, please don’t look at me that way. Under doctor’s orders I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “You’ll see.”
    His mouth twists and his eyes narrow. “Get in the car,” he orders while opening the passenger door of the Saab.
    Oh, change of direction. My Blackberry buzzes. I haul it out of my purse.
    Shit, José !
    “Hi!”
    “Ana, hi . . .”
    I stare at Fifty, who is eyeing me suspiciously. “José,” I mouth at him. He stares impassively at me, but his eyes harden. Does he think I don’t notice? I turn my attention back to José.
    “Sorry I haven’t called you. Is it about tomorrow?” I ask José, but stare up at Christian.
    “Yeah, listen—I spoke with some guy at Grey’s place, so I know where I’m delivering the photos, and I should get there between five and six . . . after that, I’m free.”
    Oh.
    “Well, I’m actually staying with Christian at the moment, and if you want to, he says you can stay at his place.”
    Christian presses his mouth in a hard line. Hmm—some host he is.
    José is silent for a moment, absorbing this news. I cringe. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about Christian.
    “Okay,” he says eventually. “This thing with Grey, it’s serious?”
    I turn away from the car and pace to the other side of the sidewalk.
    “Yes.”
    “How serious?”
    I roll my eyes and pause. Why does Christian have to be listening?
    “Serious.”
    “Is he with you now? That why you’re speaking in monosyllables?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay. So are you allowed out tomorrow?”
    “Of course I am.” I hope. I automatically cross my fingers.
    “So where shall I meet you?”
    “You could collect me from work,” I offer.
    “Okay.”
    “I’ll text you the address.”
    “What time?”
    “Say six?”
    “Sure. I’ll see you then, Ana. Looking forward to it. I miss you.”
    I grin. “Cool. I’ll see you then.” I switch the phone off and turn.
    Christian is leaning against the car watching me carefully, his expression impossible to read.
    “How’s your friend?” he asks coolly.
    “He’s well. He’ll pick me up from work, and I think we’ll go for a drink. Would you like to join us?”
    Christian hesitates, his gray eyes cool. “You don’t think he’ll try anything?”
    “No!” My tone is exasperated—but I refrain from rolling my eyes.
    “Okay,” Christian holds his hands up in defeat. “You hang out with your friend, and I’ll see you later in the evening.”
    I was expecting a fight, and his easy acquiescence throws me off balance.
    “See? I can be reasonable.” He smirks.
    My mouth twists. We’ll see about that.
    “Can I drive?”
    Christian blinks at me, surprised by my request.
    “I’d rather you didn’t.”
    “Why, exactly?”
    “Because I don’t like to be driven.”
    “You managed this morning, and you seem to tolerate Taylor driving you.”
    “I trust Taylor’s driving implicitly.”
    “And not mine?” I put my hands on my hips. “Honestly—your control freakery knows no bounds. I’ve been driving since I was fifteen.”
    He shrugs in response, as if this is of no consequence whatsoever. Oh—he’s so exasperating! Benefit of the doubt? Well, screw that.
    “Is this my car?” I demand.
    He frowns at me. “Of course it’s your car.”
    “Then give me the keys, please. I’ve driven it twice, and only to and from work. Now you’re having all the fun.” I am in full-on pout mode. Christian’s lips twitch with a repressed smile.
    “But you don’t know where we’re going.”
    “I’m sure you can enlighten me, Mr. Grey. You’ve done a great job of it so far.”
    He gazes at me stunned then smiles, his new shy smile that totally disarms me and takes