Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!I curse internally as I run up the thousand stairs leading to the doors of City Hall. I'm late. I'm so late, and Mr. Herd is not going to be pleased. It's not all my fault. That darned Kate insisted on setting me up on a coffee date with her new co-worker Todd Charland. We met at four in the afternoon. The coffee shop was only fifteen minutes away from City Hall. I figured I had enough time to meet Todd and get to City Hall by five o'clock. And it wasn't bad, as blind dates go. Todd was funny, and charming, and when he asked to see me again, I didn't say "yes" out of my perpetual desire to please everyone, I said "yes" because I had a good time with him. Kate was right, Todd was a great guy, and by the time I remembered I had to be at work, it was already five thirty.

I have only worked at City Hall for about a month now. The city recently decided to host late hours by appointment at City Hall on Mondays and Thursdays so people could still come in and pay their registrations and order birth certificates and apply for marriage licenses without needing to take time off work. When I saw the job posting, I jumped at it. An evening job would be perfect, I could still keep looking for full time work, and I could probably continue working at City Hall even if I got a nine-to-five. And, I needed the cash. Luckily, I didn't need to pay rent, Kate's parents owned the apartment we lived in, but a girl had to eat, and fund her Tazo tea habit, and buy tampons. Why are tampons so freaking expensive?

I nearly trip at the top of the stairs and curse these infernal high heels that Kate made me wear for this date. I run through the glass doors, across the lobby and into one of the elevators, managing to catch it right before the doors close. I breathe a sigh of relief, pressing the button for the lower level. I rummage around inside my purse for my name tag and put it on.

Anastasia R. Steele

Junior Archivist

The elevator dings and the doors open into a long hallway with numerous doors on each side. Most are shut, but a couple are still open. I sprint down the hallway as fast as I can without tripping on the ridiculous high heels. Never again, I tell myself. Kate can set me up on another blind date, but she can keep her fashion advice to herself from now on.

Suddenly, I'm on the floor, and my purse goes flying. I have collided into something. No someone. Someone very solid, with piercing grey eyes.

"I'm so sorry!" I sputter, and he grins a sardonic grin.

"Are you hurt?" he asks, and his deep voice is deliciously sensual.

"No, I, I'm fine," I stammer, gathering about my belongings that had spilled out of my purse. My wallet. My notebook. Several pens. My apartment keys. A Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie still in its red wrapping. A box of Tazo sweet orange tea. A box of tampons. I redden as I stuff it all back into the purse, inwardly cursing myself. Why am I so clumsy?

He gives me a hand, pulling me up so I'm standing beside him. He is very tall. His hair is a lovely copper color, and his eyes the most brilliant gray I have ever seen. And he smells like… like… I can't quite place the scent, but it is clean, and crisp, and delectable all at once. I take a deep breath. I want to breathe him in. I want to lose myself in his scent. What the hell is happening to me?

"Anastasia R. Steele, Junior Archivist," he's reading my name tag.

"That would be me," I say with a giggle, and his lips twitch. He steps back, and I notice the other man then. He is tall too. And muscular too. His hair is cut very short. He reminds me of my father Ray. He has the same look about him. An air of discipline hangs around him like it does around people who've served in the military. I'd bet my last dollar this man was ex-military.

"I believe I'm here to see you, Ms. Steele," gray-eyes says.

"Oh," is all that comes out of my mouth. He's here to see me? I am pretty sure I have never met him before. I would remember that face. That voice. Why would he be here to see me? "Forgive me, have we met before?" I ask.

"No."

"But you're here to see me?" I'm confused, and it must show on my face. I can't decipher the look he gives me.

"I have an appointment with the archives department. 5.30 PM. My assistant spoke to a Mr. Herd who said there would be someone here to meet me. My assistant is never wrong."

Fuck! I was late. And he must think I'm an idiot. Of course, he has an appointment – that's why people usually come to City Hall after hours.

"I'm sorry," I say. "Mr. Herd is my boss. I'm not usually late."

"I would hope not, Ms. Steele."

I lead him down the hallway to the door at the very end marked "Archives". I punch in the code for the door, and it unlocks into a large, windowless room. The lights automatically come on, revealing a huge reception desk right by the door, and behind it are several desks – an open office layout. During the day, the place is buzzing with activity, but in the evenings, I'm usually the only one here.

"Please come in," I say, walking behind the reception desk and setting my purse down. I turn on the computer and log in with my credentials.

"You work alone in the evenings?" he asks, and there is disapproval in his voice.

"Yes," I answer as nonchalantly as I can. His voice is like liquid sex. Or what I would imagine liquid sex to be. It stirs me in unexpected places.

"Is that safe?" he growls at me.

"Sure. How can I help you, Mr…?" I look up at him expectantly.

"Grey," he says. "Christian Grey."

His eyes are like worlds upon themselves, I fear I could lose myself in them forever. Yup. I'm right to fear. He's holding my gaze. He's intense. He's inscrutable. And I am lost.