Fifty Shades Trilogy 03 - Fifty Shades Freed

has a grudge against you?” I suggest. Holy shit. I hope it’s not the bitch troll. “Like Elena?” I whisper. I realize I’ve muttered her name out loud, but only he can hear. I glance anxiously at Kate, but she’s deep in conversation with Elliot who looks pissed at her. Hmm.
    “You do like to demonize her, don’t you?” Christian rolls his eyes and shakes his head in disgust. “She may hold a grudge, but she wouldn’t do this kind of thing.” He pins me with a steady gray gaze. “Let’s not discuss her. I know she’s not your favorite topic of conversation.”
    “Have you confronted her?” I whisper, not sure if I really want to know.
    “Ana, I haven’t spoken to her since my birthday party. Please, drop it. I don’t want to talk about her.” He raises my hand and brushes my knuckles with his lips. His eyes burn into mine, and I know I shouldn’t pursue this line of questioning right now.
    “Get a room,” Elliot teases. “Oh right—you already have, but you didn’t need it for long.” He smirks.
    Christian glances up and pins Elliot with a cool glare. “Fuck off, Elliot,” he says without malice.
    “Dude, just telling you how it is.” Elliot’s eyes light up with mirth.
    “Like you’d know,” Christian murmurs sardonically, raising an eyebrow.
    Elliot grins, enjoying the banter. “You married your first girlfriend.” Elliot gestures at me.
    Oh shit. Where is this going? I flush.
    “Can you blame me?” Christian kisses my hand again.
    “No.” Elliot laughs and shakes his head.
    I flush, and Kate slaps Elliot’s thigh.
    “Stop being an ass,” she scolds him.
    “Listen to your girlfriend,” Christian says to Elliot, grinning, and his earlier concern seems to have disappeared. My ears pop as we gain altitude, and the tension in the cabin dissipates as the plane levels out. Kate scowls at Elliot. Hmm . . . is something up between them? I’m not sure.
    Elliot is right. I snort at the irony. I am—was—Christian’s first girlfriend, and now I’m his wife. The fifteen and the evil Mrs. Robinson—they don’t count. But then Elliot doesn’t know about them, and clearly Kate hasn’t told him. I smile at her, and she gives me a conspiratorial wink. My secrets are safe with Kate.
    “Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be cruising at an altitude of approximately thirty-two thousand feet, and our estimated flight time is one hour and fifty-six minutes,” Stephan announces. “You are now free to move around the cabin.”
    Natalia appears abruptly from the galley.
    “May I offer anyone coffee?” she asks.

We land smoothly at Sardy Field at 12:25 p.m. (MST). Stephan brings the plane to a halt a little way from the main terminal, and through the windows I spot a large VW minivan waiting for us.
    “Good landing.” Christian grins and shakes Stephan’s hand as we get ready to file out of the jet.
    “It’s all about the density altitude, sir.” Stephan smiles back. “Beighley here is good at math.”
    Christian nods at Stephan’s first officer. “You nailed it, Beighley. Smooth landing.”
    “Thank you, sir.” She grins smugly.
    “Enjoy your weekend, Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Stephan steps aside to let us disembark and taking my hand, Christian leads me down the aircraft steps to where Taylor is waiting by the vehicle.
    “Minivan?” says Christian in surprise as Taylor slides open the door.
    Taylor gives him a tight, contrite smile and a slight shrug.
    “Last minute, I know,” Christian says, immediately placated. Taylor returns to the plane to retrieve our luggage.
    “Want to make out in the back of the van?” Christian murmurs to me, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
    I giggle. Who is this man, and what has he done with Mr. Unbelievably Angry of the last couple of days?
    “Come on, you two. Get in,” Mia says from behind us, oozing impatience beside Ethan. We climb in, stagger to the double seat at the back, and sit down. I snuggle against Christian, and he puts his arm around the back of my seat. “Comfortable?” he murmurs as Mia and Ethan take the seat in front of us.
    “Yes.” I smile and he kisses my forehead. And for some unfathomable reason I feel shy with him today. Why? Last night? Being with company? I can’t put my finger on it.
    Elliot and Kate join us last as Taylor opens the liftgate to load the luggage. Five minutes later, we are on our way.
    I gaze out the window as we head toward Aspen. The trees are green,