I've been toying with the idea of showing up at Anastaia's apartment, but that's a little too much right now – even for me. I glance down at the background check in my hand, and up to the blinking florescent lights of Clayton's Hardware Store. What the fuck am I doing here? I know she's working today - her schedule isn't hard to memorize, but Christ, Grey, what is your angle?
I take a mental image of myself before stepping inside. I look casual, just like I'm out for a trip to the hardware store. I don't look too suspicious. The bell at the top of the door tolls and I quickly scan the store with my eyes and no one is up front. It's not long before I see Anastasia, her chestnut hair falling gently over her shoulders as she scans items and puts them on the shelf. I smile as I watch her for a moment, so methodical and lost in her movements. I walk down the next aisle, wondering how to approach her. We nearly run into each other. She begins to apologize, but stops when she realized who exactly it is that she's bumped into.
"Miss Steele. What a pleasant surprise." I offer, biting back my smile as I often do with her.
She takes me in, having only seen me in business suits, I see her looking at my outfit. Jeans, sweater, and boots – it's all fairly normal for a guy like me. "Mr. Grey." She finally says, her look questioning me already.
"I was in the area. I need to stock up on some items" I say, watching her carefully as she drinks me in. I love the way she looks at me, and the pink cheeks have returned. When she doesn't reply I add on "It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Steele."
She sputters for a moment before correcting me about her name. She likes to be called Ana, but Anastasia sounds better when it comes from her mouth. "What can I help you with?" she asks, her breathing is becoming different, heavier.
Time to play a little game. "There are a few items I need. Do you carry cable ties?" I continue to hold back my smile. What I could do with those cable ties and Miss Steele, is a place I desperately want to go in my mind. She leads me to the cable ties and helps me find some other items I need as well. Miss Steele asks me if I'm redecorate, and I stifle back my laugher. I have people to do that kind of thing for me. These ties will be for more…personal matters. I could teach her.
She's silent and I need to keep her engaged, just for a few minutes at least. Even though I already know the answer, I ask anyway. "Have you worked here long?" I can answer for her: four years, part time. She tells me she has, though her blush is growing deeper.
"Anything else?" she asks, clearly having trouble with either my closeness or the intimidation she feels from me. Her voice is heady and I think I reply in the same way. I tell her that I need some rope and she ties it expertly. I'm pleasantly surprised by her work, and a small smile creeps on to my face. "Were you a girl scout?" I ask.
She looks taken aback, the nervousness evident in her voice once more. "Organized group activities aren't really my thing, Mr. Grey."
I feel like she's inviting me to pry. I take the bait. "What is your thing, Anastasia?" I ask, my voice growing lower as I look her in the eye, searching. She seems to be the bookish type.
"Books" she whispers, but her downcast gaze says something completely different. She probably loves British Literature, oh Christ please don't let it be Austen.
"What kind of books?" I want to keep our conversation flowing.
"The classics, British Literature mostly." She continues her whisper voice. I rub my chin in thought. I wish I could hear her louder, which brings other thoughts to my mind – that I immediately push away. Her response is concerning, meaning she likes the romance, the hearts and flowers if you will. I don't do that.
She suddenly goes back to her businesslike self as we stand in front of the ropes. "Is there anything else you need, Mr. Grey?" She's biting her lip and in that moment I want to bite it too. There are plenty of things in this store that I'd like to use against, or on her.
"How's the article coming along?" I ignore her other question because I don't want to leave. My eyes focus in on her lips.
She seems pleased by my question. "I'm not writing it" she explains how her roommate is the writer, of course, I had forgotten that she bailed on me last minute – leaving me with this enticing creature. I can't be mad about that.
Anastasia continues to explain how happy Ms. Kavanagh is about her article. "Her only concern is that she doesn't have any original photographs of you."
This piques my interest, and I raise my brow slightly. "What sort of photographs does she want?"
No answer from Miss Steele aside from a shake of her head. My, my, she is nervous.
"Well, I'm around tomorrow, perhaps…" I trail off, wanting to see her again. This is the perfect opportunity for more awkward banter with this interesting woman. I want to know more about her.
A squeak of surprise comes from her mouth, and it brings my wandering thoughts back to the present. God she's quite the sight. "You'd be willing to attend a photo shoot?"
Only if you're there, Miss Steele.
"Kate will be delighted – if we can find a photographer!" She's positively beaming, her smile broadens with each word she speaks and for a moment I am lost in her. Her lips, her eyes, her smile is the most captivating one I have ever seen. My mind wanders to my playroom and the other responses I could get from her. Her lips, oh Christ, I need to leave.
"Let me know about tomorrow." I finally manage to speak, taking my wallet out of my back pocket. I slide the card across the counter as my eyes focus on it. I don't know if I can look at her right now. "My card. It has my cell number on it. You'll need to call before ten in the morning." I barely begin to explain before we're interrupted by a preppy fuck.
"ANA!" he shouts, his voice echoing through the small store. Who is this man? I almost ask her, but restrain myself in order to study their interactions. Is he her boyfriend? The irritation pumps through my veins, and I have the sudden desire to hit something – or someone. She excuses herself and goes to greet him. They speak for a few moments and I can feel myself getting more worked up. He touches her and I might explode. Before long she's bringing that idiot over to me.
"Mr. Grey this is Paul. She begins, explaining her relationship in an awkward manner. She's all over the place and her nervous energy grows as she speaks. My attitude doesn't change, I'm fucking irritated with this man. I don't give a fuck who he is, as long as he's not her boyfriend. "I've known him for a long time; but I only rarely see him as he goes to Princeton studying Business Administration." She ends, looking up at me. Damn those eyes could melt me, but I don't allow it.
"Mr. Clayton." I offer him my hand.
"Mr. Grey" he shakes my hand before a sudden realization comes across his face. "Wait, Grey of Grey House?" he asks. My irritation grows, if that's possible. Yes you idiot, I can own your ass in a second.
He asks me if I need anything, but I assure him that Miss Steele has been very attentive and accommodating. He appears to understand that I don't want him around and takes off, saying goodbye to the both of us. Anastasia was so familiar with him, and I suddenly feel a little jealousy. I would like her to feel a certain way with me.
"Anything else Mr. Grey?" she's flustered from our interaction, and I'm flustered from my thoughts.
I tell her no and pay for my items. Miss Steele keeps her gaze averted, but there's nothing more I want than to see her eyes before I leave. Fuck, I need to grow up. What am I, fifteen? Why does she have such an effect on me? I can't help but look at her again, willing her to lock eyes with me. She finally does when I hand her my black Amex. It's intoxicating.
"You'll call me if you want to do the photo shoot?" I finally ask her, making sure she remembers. She hands me back my card with a simple nod. Is she mad?
"Oh and Anastasia, I'm glad it was you who did my interview and not Miss Kavanagh." I want her to know that I'm interested in her, and I'm pretty sure I've gotten that point across with my last statement. She's stunned into silence, and I flash her a smile before turning and leaving the store. I know I've had some sort of effect on Miss Steele.
I bite back my excitement as I lock eyes with Taylor, who is waiting with the car in the parking lot. He takes my bag and I slide into the front seat next to him. "Let's go."
We arrive at the Heathman Hotel just a few minutes later and I go up to my suite, leaving my new purchases on a nearby chair. I dive into my work, hoping to distract myself from Miss Steele for a while. If she doesn't call, I'll leave by 10 tomorrow morning. I'm hopeful my charm worked on her, but I can't be sure with this one. After numerous calls and e-mails I make my way to the gym in order to burn off my excess of energy. I work out for hours and feel like I could go for many more before I leave the gym.
After a boring shower for my standards, I go back to work, diligently responding to e-mails and phone calls. 10 PM rolls around and I still haven't heard anything from Miss Steele. Perhaps she thinks I'm too old for her, or too stubborn more likely. I can't stop thinking about her lips and those eyes. Christ. I'm pulled away from Miss Steele by the shrill ring of my phone – I don't recognize the number. It's late and I'm already irritated with my current situation.
"Grey." I snap, my tone like ice.
"Uhm…Mr. Grey? It's Anastasia Steele." My breath is caught in my throat. I have another chance. I will it to be true, that she's asking for the photo shoot.
"Miss Steele. How nice to hear from you." My voice immediately changes. It's warmer and more welcoming than it has been in the past with her. I'm smiling over the phone, so lucky that she's not standing in front of me – my whole cover would be blown. She asks about the photo shoot and I explain where I'm staying and set up a time the photo shoot to take place. It's not long before she's ending the conversation.
"Okay, we'll see you there" She seems excited and nervous at the same time. I feel a rumble deep within, and I know I'm excited too.
"I look forward to it, Miss Steele." My eyes are almost and heady as my voice at this point. I hang up before she has the chance to respond, anxiously anticipating the next 24 hours.