I sat at my large desk in my equally large office. I had just met the most intriguing woman I had ever encountered. She wasn't particularly beautiful by magazine standards, but a subtle beauty. She was rather shy, with an irresistible habit of biting her lip. For some reason, even though the interview she had conducted had concluded hours before, I could not get her out of my mind. She managed to pop up every so often. I could see her face in my head. I could replay her blush spreading over her pale cheeks. I could feel the spark between our fingertips as we shook hands. I could see the sway of her long brown ponytail as she had marveled at the art on the office walls. I caught myself running through our initial meeting again…
When is this persistent little brat going to get here, I had thought to myself as I sat at my desk. I was rummaging through paperwork a little annoyed that she wasn't early. Katherine Kavanagh had persisted that I give this interview, after several months of getting the run around. I had only agreed because of my business dealings with her father. I guess I wanted to see if the apple fell far from the tree.
My thoughts were interrupted by my office door opening, and a slim brunette actually falling through it and into my life. I quickly jumped out of my seat to catch her before she had a chance to face plant onto my brand new, and very expensive, new rug. Barely stifling my laugh, I managed to grab her in time. I righted her onto her feet, and extended my hand in greet. As our fingertips touched, I felt it. It was an immediate reaction in my body, like fireworks traveling from fingers to my toes. I looked into her face and was captivated. Her bottom lip was caught ever so slightly in her teeth, and a brush was spreading across her pale cheeks. My breath quickened as I thought of all the things I could do to that mouth. "Miss Kavanagh, I'm Christian Grey," I greeted her, pulling my hand away after a too brief handshake. She smiled uncomfortably as I gestured to a chair.
"Actually, Kate – er, Miss Kavanagh – is indisposed. Flu," she stammered, as she seated herself. I sat down across from her.
"And you are?" I asked cooly, trying to hide my growing intrigue for this woman.
"Anastasia Steele," she almost whispered, clearly unnerved by me. "I'm her roommate – she sends her apologies for not making it herself."
"I see," I grumbled, making her blush again and look at her notes. "Well, I assume you have some questions for me, Miss Steele?"
She nodded, and took a recorder out of her bag. I suppressed every urge in my body that wanted to roll my eyes. I was unaware anyone actually used those things anymore. After several clumsy attempts at setting the damned thing up, she was finally ready to go. "I hope you don't mind if I record our interview?"
This time I did roll my eyes. "Well, what can I say to that after you've gone through all that trouble of getting it ready?" She paled, her eyes darting everywhere but me. A submissive bone in her body, I like it. I grinned. "Go ahead, Miss Steele."
"Mr. Grey, I have several questions for you," she stammered, stumbling through her papers. Clearly she was uncomfortable, perhaps even a bit intimidated by my presence. I watched another blush creep upon her cheeks, and that damned lip was caught in her teeth again… oh, what I could do to this girl.
"I thought you might," I replied, smiling at her as she looked up uncomfortably.
The whole interview was conducted fairly quickly. The only thing that stood out was her question about whether or not I was gay. I could hardly keep myself from telling her I'd like to show her just how gay I was not. Somehow I restrained myself, which was very, very unusual. I needed to know more about her, everything about her. I wanted to know how she liked her eggs in the morning, and how many sugars in her coffee. "Get a hold of yourself, Grey," I growled at myself. This was new… I was not the type of man that was easily enamored by pretty face or a nice body. Something about Anastasia Steele had stirred up something inside of me, something I was unaware I had. Of course I am a man with needs. My needs always involved whips, handcuffs, and occasional chains. I never wanted to know much about a girl except her limits in the bedroom. So, what was it about her? I wasn't quite sure, but I knew I had to find out – one way or another.