Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades #2)(64)
Author: E.L. James

"Of course. Anything, Ana, you know that."

I take a deep breath and sit up, flinching only slightly.

"Tomorrow – when I go to work – can Sawyer just deliver me to the front door of the office then pick me up at the end of the day? Please, Christian. Please," I plead.

His hands still as his brow creases. "I thought we agreed," he grumbles.

"Please," I beg.

"What about lunchtime?"

"I’ll make myself something to take from here so I don’t have to go out, please."

He kisses my instep. "I find it very difficult to say no to you," he mutters as if he senses this is a failing on his part. "You won’t go out?"

"No."

"Okay."

I beam at him. "Thank you." I lean up onto my knees, sloshing water everywhere, and kiss him.

"You’re most welcome, Miss Steele. How’s your behind?"

"Sore. But not too bad. The water is soothing."

"I’m glad you told me to stop," he says, gazing at me.

"So is my behind."

He grins.

I stretch out in bed, so tired. It’s only ten thirty, but it feels like three in the morning. This has to be one of the most exhausting weekends of my life.

"Didn’t Ms. Acton provide any nightwear?" Christian asks, his voice laced with disapproval as he stares down at me.

"I have no idea. I like wearing your T-shirts," I mumble sleepily.

His face softens, and he leans over and kisses my forehead.

"I need to work. But I don’t want to leave you alone. Can I use your laptop to log in to the office? Will I disturb you if I work from here?"

"S’not my laptop." I drift.

The alarm clicks on, startling me awake with the traffic news. Christian is still asleep beside me. Rubbing my eyes, I glance at the clock. Six thirty – too early.

It’s raining outside for the first time in ages, and the light is muted and mellow. I’m cozy and comfortable in this vast modern monolith with Christian at my side. I stretch and turn to the delicious man beside me. His eyes spring open and he blinks sleepily.

"Good morning." I smile and caress his face, leaning down to kiss him.

"Good morning, baby. I usually wake before the alarm goes off," he murmurs in wonder. "It’s set so early."

"That it is, Miss Steele." Christian grins. "I have to get up." He kisses me, and then he’s up and out of bed. I flop back against the pillows. Wow, waking up on a school day next to Christian Grey. How did this all happen? I close my eyes and doze.

"Come on, sleepyhead, get up." Christian leans over me. He’s shaved, clean, fresh –

Hmm, he smells so good – in a crisp white shirt and black suit, no tie – the CEO is back.

Holy Moses, he looks good like this, too.

"What?" he asks.

"I wish you’d come back to bed."

His lips part, surprised by my come-on, and he smiles almost shyly. "You are insatiable, Miss Steele. As much as that idea appeals, I have an eight thirty meeting, so I have to go shortly."

Oh, I’ve slept for another hour or so . Shit. I leap out of bed, much to Christian’s amusement.

I shower and dress quickly, wearing the clothes I set out yesterday: a fitted, gray pencil skirt; pale-gray silk shirt; and high-heeled black pumps, all care of my new wardrobe. I brush my hair and carefully put it up, then wander out to the great room, not really knowing what to expect. How am I going to get to work?

Christian is sipping coffee at the breakfast bar. Mrs. Jones is in the kitchen making pancakes and bacon.

"You look lovely," Christian murmurs. Wrapping an arm around me, he kisses me under my ear. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Mrs. Jones’s smile. I flush.

"Good morning, Miss Steele," she says as she places pancakes and bacon in front of me. "Oh, thank you. Good morning," I mumble. Jeez – I could get used to this.

"Mr. Grey says you’d like to take lunch with you to work. What would you like to eat?"

I glance at Christian, who is trying very hard not to smirk. I narrow my eyes at him.

"A sandwich… salad. I really don’t mind." I beam at Mrs. Jones.

"I’ll rustle up a packed lunch for you, ma’am."

"Please, Mrs. Jones, call me Ana."

"Ana." She smiles and turns to make me tea.

Wow… this is so cool.

I turn and c**k my head at Christian, challenging him – go on, accuse me of flirting with Mrs. Jones.

"I have to go, baby. Taylor will come back and drop you at work with Sawyer."

"Only to the door."

"Yes. Only to the door." Christian rolls his eyes. "Be careful, though."

I glance around and spy Taylor standing in the entranceway. Christian stands and kisses me, grasping my chin.

"Laters, baby."

"Have a good day at the office, dear," I call after him. He turns and flashes me his beautiful smile then he’s gone. Mrs. Jones hands me a cup of tea, and suddenly I feel awkward with just the two of us here.

"How long have you worked for Christian?" I ask, thinking I ought to make some kind of conversation.

"Four years or so," she says pleasantly, as she sets about making my packed lunch.

"You know, I can do that," I mutter, embarrassed that she should be doing this for me.

"You eat your breakfast, Ana. This is what I do. I enjoy it. It’s nice to look after someone other than Mr. Taylor and Mr. Grey." She smiles very sweetly at me.

My cheeks pink with pleasure, and I want to bombard this woman with questions. She must know so much about Fifty, and although her manner is warm and friendly, it’s also very professional. I know I’ll only embarrass both of us if I start quizzing her, so I finish my breakfast in a reasonably comfortable silence, punctuated only by her questions on my food preferences for lunch.

Twenty-five minutes later Sawyer appears at the entrance to the great room. I have brushed my teeth, and I’m waiting to go. Clutching my brown paper lunch bag – I can’t even remember my mom doing this for me – Sawyer and I head to the first floor via the elevator. He’s very taciturn, too, giving nothing away. Taylor is waiting in the Audi, and I climb into the rear passenger seat when Sawyer opens the door.

"Good morning, Taylor," I say brightly.

"Miss Steele." He smiles.

"Taylor, I’m sorry about yesterday and my inappropriate remarks. I hope I didn’t get you into trouble."

Taylor frowns in bemusement at me from the rearview mirror as he pulls out into the Seattle traffic.

"Miss Steele, I’m rarely in trouble," he says reassuringly.