Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1)(54)
Author: E.L. James

He rolls over so he’s gazing down at me.

"Don’t," he murmurs, then kisses me lightly.

"Why don’t you like to be touched?" I whisper, staring up into soft gray eyes.

"Because I’m fifty shades of f**ked-up, Anastasia."

Oh… his honesty is completely disarming. I blink up at him.

"I had a very tough introduction to life. I don’t want to burden you with the details.

Just don’t." He strokes his nose against mine, and then he pulls out of me and sits up.

"I think that’s all the very basics covered. How was that?"

He looks thoroughly pleased with himself and sounds very matter-of-fact at the same time, like he’s just marked another tick box in a checklist. I’m still reeling from the tough introduction to life comment. It’s so frustrating – I am desperate to know more. But he won’t tell me. I c**k my head to one side, like he does, and make an enormous effort to smile at him.

"If you imagine for one minute that I think you ceded control to me, well you haven’t taken into account my GPA." I smile shyly at him. "But thank you for the illusion."

"Miss Steele, you are not just a pretty face. You’ve had six orgasms so far and all of them belong to me," he boasts, playful again.

I flush and blink at the same time, as he stares down at me. He’s keeping count! His brow furrows.

"Do you have something to tell me?" his voice is suddenly stern.

I frown . Crap.

"I had a dream this morning."

"Oh?" He glares at me.

Double crap. Am I in trouble?

"I came in my sleep." I throw my arm over my eyes. He says nothing. I peek up at him from under my arm, and he looks amused.

"In your sleep?"

"Woke me up."

"I’m sure it did. What were you dreaming about?"

Crap.

"You."

"What was I doing?"

I throw my arm over my eyes again. And like a small child, I briefly entertain the thought that if I can’t see him, then he can’t see me.

"Anastasia, what was I doingI won’t ask you again."

"You had a riding crop."

He moves my arm.

"Really?"

"Yes." I am crimson.

"There’s hope for you yet," he murmurs. "I have several riding crops."

"Brown plaited leather?"

He laughs.

"No, but I’m sure I could get one." His gray eyes blaze with excitement.

Leaning down, he gives me a brief kiss then stands and grabs his boxers, oh no… he’s going. I glance quickly at the time – it’s only nine-forty. I scoot out of bed too and grab my sweat pants and a cami top, then sit back on the bed, cross-legged, watching him. I don’t want him to go. What can I do?

"When is your period due?" He interrupts my thoughts.

What!

"I hate wearing these things," he grumbles. He holds up the condom, then puts it on the floor, and slips on his jeans.

"Well?" he prompts when I don’t reply, and he looks at me expectantly as if he’s waiting for my opinion on the weather. Holy crap… this is personal stuff.

"Next week." I stare down at my hands.

"You need to sort out some contraception."

He is so bossy. I stare at him blankly. He sits back on the bed as he puts on his shoes and socks.

"Do you have a doctor?"

I shake my head. We are back to mergers and acquisitions – another 180-degree mood swing.

He frowns.

"I can have mine come and see you at your apartment – Sunday morning before you come and see me. Or he can see you at my place. Which would you prefer?"

No pressure then. Something else that he’s paying for… but actually this is for his benefit.

"Your place." That means I am guaranteed to see him Sunday.

"Okay. I’ll let you know the time."

"Are you leaving?"

Don’t go… stay with me please.

"Yes."

Why?

"How are you getting back?" I whisper.

"Taylor will pick me up."

"I can drive you. I have a lovely new car."

He gazes at me, his expression warm.

"That’s more like it. But I think you’ve had too much to drink."

"Did you get me tipsy on purpose?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you over-think everything, and you’re reticent like your stepdad. A drop of wine in you and you start talking, and I need you to communicate honestly with me. Otherwise you clam up, and I have no idea what you’re thinking. In vino veritas, Anastasia."

"And you think you’re always honest with me?"

"I endeavor to be." He looks down at me warily. "This will only work if we’re honest with each other."

"I’d like you to stay and use this." I hold up the second condom.

He smiles and his eyes glow with humor.

"Anastasia, I have crossed so many lines here tonight. I have to go. I’ll see you on Sunday. I’ll have the revised contract ready for you, and then we can really start to play."

"Play?" Holy shit. My heart leaps into my mouth.

"I’d like to do a scene with you. But I won’t until you’ve signed, so I know you’re ready."

"Oh. So I could stretch this out, if I don’t sign?"

He gazes at me assessing, and then his lips twitch into a smile.

"Well, I suppose you could, but I may crack under the strain."

"CrackHow?" My inner goddess has woken and is paying attention.

He nods slowly, and then he grins, teasing.

"Could get really ugly."

His grin is infectious.

"Ugly, how?"

"Oh you know, explosions, car chases, kidnapping, incarceration."

"You’d kidnap me?"

"Oh yes," he grins.

"Hold me against my will?" Jeez this is hot.

"Oh yes," he nods. "And then we’re talking TPE 24/7."

"You’ve lost me," I breathe, my heart is pounding… is he serious?

"Total Power Exchange – round the clock." His eyes are shining, and I can feel his excitement from where I sit.

Holy shit.

"So you have no choice," he says sardonically.

"Clearly." I can’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice as my eyes reach for the heavens.

"Oh, Anastasia Steele, did you just roll your eyes at me?"

Crap.

"No," I squeak.

"I think you did. What did I say I’d do to you if you rolled your eyes at me again?"

Shit. He sits down on the edge of the bed.

"Come here," he says softly.

I blanch. Jeez… he’s serious. I sit staring at him completely immobile.

"I haven’t signed," I whisper.

"I told you what I’d do. I’m a man of my word. I’m going to spank you, and then I’m going to f**k you very quick and very hard. Looks like we’ll need that condom after all."

His voice is so soft, menacing, and it’s damned hot. My insides practically contort with potent, needy, liquid, desire. He gazes at me, waiting, eyes blazing. Tentatively, I uncurl my legs. Should I run This is it, our relationship hangs in the balance, right here, right now. Do I let him do this or do I say no, and then that’s itBecause I know it will be over if I say no. Do it! My inner goddess pleads with me, my subconscious is as paralyzed as I am."I’m waiting," he says. "I’m not a patient man."

Oh for the love of all that’s holy. I’m panting, afraid, turned on. Blood pounding through my body, my legs are like jelly. Slowly, I crawl over to him until I am beside him.

"Good girl," he murmurs. "Now stand up."

Oh shit… can’t he just get this over withI’m not sure if I can stand. Hesitantly, I clamber to my feet. He holds his hand out, and I place the condom in his palm. Suddenly he grabs me, tipping me across his lap. With one smooth movement, he angles his body so my torso is resting on the bed beside him. He throws his right leg over both of mine and plants his left forearm on the small of my back, holding me down so I cannot move. Oh f**k. "Put your hands up on either side of your head," he orders.

I obey immediately.

"Why am I doing this, Anastasia?" he asks.

"Because I rolled my eyes at you," I can barely speak.

"Do you think that’s polite?"

"No."

"Will you do it again?"

"No."

"I will spank you each time you do it, do you understand?"

Very slowly, he pulls down my sweatpants. Oh, how demeaning is this, demeaning and scary and hot. He’s making such a meal of this. My heart is in my mouth. I can barely breathe. Shit, is this going to hurt?