Disclaimer: Most of the characters in this story are those from the Fifty Shades Trilogy. They remain the rightful property of E L James. Recognisable brands, places, music or films remain the property of their owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Hello Everyone,
It's been a while… I hope that you're pleased to have a new update.
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been really supportive and understanding about the lack of updates. I've been incredibly busy recently and have had very little time to dedicate to writing. I'm currently working 52 hours a week, preparing to return to university for my master's degree, whilst trying to keep on top of basic human functions such as eating, sleeping and showering. When I'm not posting, please know that I'm still writing. Chapters are always in the works, just sometimes it might take a while to reach you. (Although, my work situation is changing very soon so I hope I will have more time to dedicate to writing!)
I hope you like this update and thank you again. Love you all.
Much Love,
Chelsea x
I mumbled yet another 'thank you' to Christian as he helped me into my coat. He held it up so I could shove my arms through the sleeves, and then he moved around to my front to button me up.
"Do you have everything?" he asked, his fingers so deft and quick. He tugged on my belt, jolting me forward, and smirked.
"I didn't bring anything with me," I said quietly, licking my lips.
He grabbed his jacket and keys from the cabinet next to the elevator. He's wearing dark wash jeans and a black t-shirt. It's so far removed from the business attire I've seen him in. But then, I've only ever seen him in a suit or naked and between my thighs – the latter of which is most definitely my favourite.
We spent the remainder of our day tangled in his bed sheets, in a perpetual state of breathlessness. He never tired and I didn't want it to stop. I loved the feeling of him on top of me, pressing his weight into me as he rocked his hips into mine. He only tore himself way when my stomach growled. He insisted that I eat, refusing to take no for an answer. I wasn't even hungry – well, not for food. After dinner, I sluggishly climbed into the shower with him. He caressed, shampooed, and cleansed my sweaty, post-coital frame. I could've melted into his arms right there and then. He was so attentive, working his fingers deep into my skin, massaging all the right places.
"Shall we?" Christian burst my bubble, bringing me crashing down to earth and the reality of leaving his apartment. I reluctantly nodded. I really don't want to go to work, not when I could call in sick and spend another night with him. That plan could never work, though. He's one of my bosses.
The elevator arrived within seconds of him pressing for it. I moved straight to the back of the car and leaned against the railing, gripping it on either side of my hips, to keep me upright. My legs are still weak from our last rendezvous.
Christian strolled in beside me, the doors sealing around us.
He didn't speak to me throughout our descent. When the elevator pinged and opened up to the basement garage, his hand snaked around my back, lingering at my lower curve. We stepped out and moved towards the long row of shiny, expensive cars on the left. Above each space, his name is proudly printed.
"Car fanatic, huh?" I joked, turning my chin towards him.
"No, not really," he replied. I giggled and then caught his expression. He wasn't kidding. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked a black sports car. "Do you need to go home first? Collect anything before work?"
"No, I'm fine," I shook my head.
He opened up the passenger side. I hesitated.
"Something wrong?"
"Do you mind if we walk?" I asked, rocking gently on my heels. His brow furrowed. "I could do with some fresh air."
"Roll the window down," he shrugged. I didn't move. He lifted his wrist, checked his watch, and sighed. "You really want to walk? We're strapped for time as it is."
"Please?" I stressed. He huffed and closed the car door, shoving his keys back into his pocket. "Thank you."
I need to feel the sharp air across my cheeks. I've been flushed all day – every time he so much as looks at it I turn bright red.
"Are you cold?" Christian asked, draping his arm around my back again, tugging me into his side. "I can run in and bring the car around –"
"No, I'm fine with walking," I gave a curt smile, my voice more adamant this time.
We joined the street outside the Escala building and mingled with the other pedestrians. He remained at my side, his hand firmly pressed into my back, leading me around various obstacles.
"How long have you known Ms Lincoln?" I asked, desperate to prompt conversation. The silence was deafening.
"Since I was a kid. She's friends with my mother," he answered. "But we've been business partners for about eight years. She loaned me the money to start up GEH. Now I invest in her proposals."
"So you're friends, then?"
"Yes, we are," he nodded. He swerved the topic around before I could ask further questions. "How did you come to apply for Maitrise?"
"I saw an advert in the paper."
"No, I mean, why did you apply?" he corrected himself. "You majored in English Literature. You're a college graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Why are you working for an S&M cocktail bar?"
"I didn't know it was an S&M cocktail bar when I applied," I told him. He nodded in agreement, mumbling 'point taken'. "I've applied for hundreds of jobs but I haven't had a single interview. It's a bad time to be a graduate. For every job vacancy, there are dozens of applicants. I simply don't have enough experience for what I want to do."
"And you can't get experience until you get a job?" his brow arched. I nodded.
"I was eating away at my savings and I couldn't afford to be picky."
"What did you want to do?"
"I wanted to get into publishing. I always loved the idea of being an editor, getting to read manuscripts before anyone else. That's like heaven to me." I grinned. And then the disappointment hit me again. I tried to shake it off. "I just keep reminding myself that this isn't a permanent job. I'm still looking for other things."
He nodded and remained silent. I looked at him and he seemed to be deep in thought. He didn't care to share those thoughts with me.
We turned off into a side street and then crossed to the other side, heading south.
"What does the T stand for? In your name?" I asked. It had been bugging me all day. Everything ha on it. He yanked his head towards me and his throat bobbed.
"Trevelyan. My surname is Trevelyan Grey but I shortened it," he explained, his voice low and gruff. "I got pissed off with people spelling it wrong. It's much easier using it as a middle name… Your middle name is Rose."
"Erm, yeah, it is," I lowered my brows. "It was my grandmother's name."
"It's a nice name," he nodded. "I like Anastasia. Very sophisticated."
"I'll be sure to pass on the compliment to my mother," I snorted. He smiled back at me. "Christian's a nice name, too. It's very... strong."
"Well, I can't pass on your compliments, seeing as my birth mother is dead, but thank you all the same," he quipped.
I lost my footing and stumbled. He grabbed my hip, steadying me, concern spreading over his face.
"I'm sorry," I grumbled, my cheeks turning an even brighter shade of red. "I knew that… that you're adopted. I, um, I googled you. I'm sorry."
"Most people have," he agreed. "Did you find out anything interesting?"
I shook my head.
"Unexpected," he cocked his head to the side and pouted. He pulled his cell phone from his jacket and swiped the screen. He sighed under his breath.
After a few minutes, we emerged into the parking lot at the back of the club. It's full already. We passed the row of three spaces closest to the exit. Mine sits in the middle. The vacant space on the right is Christian's. The one on the left belongs to Ms Lincoln. There's a black car sitting in the space.
"After you," Christian yanked open the club door and allowed me to enter first. I stepped inside the staff room and stopped, turning to face him. He followed behind me but lingered next to the door. "Right, so –"
"You're not staying tonight?" I guessed from the look on his face. He shook his head.
"Elena's back."
I could hear her voice already, barking orders from inside the heart of the club.
Christian took a small step forward and approached me. He slipped his fingers between mine.
"Last night was incredible," he hummed. I let out a slow, shaky breath. "I hope we get to do it again soon."
"Me too."
"I'll call you," he nodded.
And, just like that, I felt like someone had popped the ever expanding balloon growing in the pit of my stomach.
"I've got a pretty hectic schedule at the moment. Lots of meetings, business dinners…"
My throat dried up. I'll call you… three words I didn't want to hear. I know what that really means. It means 'I had a good time but I have no intentions of ever seeing you again'. I've heard Kate use that line. And I've heard her whining when a guy has used it on her.
He eased forward and pecked a kiss to my cheek. He pulled away and pushed through the exit.
"Wait –" I called, racing out in his wake. He came to a stop at the bottom of the steps, turning sharply to face me. He gave me a look that said 'what?' "You'll call me?"
"Yes?"
"Do you mean that?" I shook my head. "I'll call you is a brush off. Are you really going to call me or did you just say it as a 'see you around' sort of thing?"
He stared at me for a second. Then he held out his hand to me.
"Come down here," he ordered.
I stepped down and placed my hand in his. He launched forward and forced me back against the building, holding my hands up above my head. His mouth crushed mine, his tongue ramming hard into me.
"I meant what I said," he growled between pressured kisses. "I always mean what I say. I don't like being called a liar."
"I-I…"
"I am in the middle of a serious merger and it's taking up a lot of time right now," he explained, hovering in my face. His eyes drifted between mine, my mouth and the base of my throat.
"It's Friday night. What about the weekend," I panted. "I've got work but you should be free…"
He shook his head and rejected my suggestion. "I'm flying to Aspen in the morning."
"Oh…"
"It's my brother's birthday," he continued. "We're all flying to Aspen to celebrate. I spent all morning trying to get out of it but my mother is insistent. Trust me, the last thing I want to be doing this weekend is hitting the slopes with my idiot of a brother… I'd rather be inside you, not playing happy families."
He smothered my mouth again. I groaned as he rolled his hips against mine, pinning me to the wall, preventing me from moving.
"I am flying back on Monday morning. I will call you and we will arrange to have dinner, yes?" he kept his voice low.
He peeled back and I nodded, gazing into his dark eyes. He slowly lowered my hands, but kept his fingers secured around my wrists. He rubbed his thumbs into my palms.
"If I have to –"
Christian abruptly tore himself from me, taking several steps back. He snapped his head to the door, which swung back on its hinges, hitting the wall with a loud crash.
Ms Lincoln stepped down onto the first step, her head jerking between me and Christian. She settled her sights on me, tilting her chin down. Her tall, slender body is completely drenched in black, only separated by her pale skin, platinum hair and stained lips.
"What the hell are you doing out here?" she barked, arching her brows at me. Her eyes were fixed and pinpoint. I shuddered and glanced to Christian for back up. He rocked forward on his toes. "You're late."
"I was, um, just…" I pointed to the door. She shook her head.
"Unless you want me to fire your ass, get inside now," she stepped aside, opening a narrow gap for me to manoeuvre through.
"Elena –" Christian seethed her name, demanding her attention. He approached the steps and placed his hand on the railing that separated me and her. "It's my fault. I saw Miss Steele on her way inside and I stopped her. We were talking."
"And what could you possibly need to talk to her about?"
"I wanted to know how she's finding things," he cocked his head and glanced to me for a moment. "I wanted to make sure Mr Hunter had taken her through the appropriate training. She's due for a mid-probation check."
"Caleb carries out the checks," she countered. "But that doesn't explain why she's late. By almost twenty five minutes. Am I really supposed to believe you have been out here talking for that long?"
Christian's mouth hardened. Her mouth curled into a sly smile.
"Better still, why was your car already in the lot when I got here?" she rolled her eyes to me.
Fuck…
"Erm…" I felt my lips shaking.
Think, Ana. Think!
"I was…"
"You were just coming back from the store, weren't you?" Christian turned to me and raised his brows. I searched his face and he blinked hard. "When I was coming into the lot, you were packing something into your car, right?"
"Y-Yes…" I nodded. "Yes, I was. There's a store just down the street."
"Right," Ms Lincoln dragged the word out, her tongue peeking out of her small mouth. "The one just down the street? Scott's, right? The small grocery store?"
"Yeah, that's the one," I nodded perhaps too enthusiastically.
She smirked at me. Christian closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Strange. The last time I was there it was called Seattle Supplies. I didn't realise they had changed it." She looked me up and down and turned on her heel, moving back into the club. "Get to work. The boxes aren't going to unpack themselves."
The door slammed shut behind her and I blew out a loud, harsh breath that fogged in front of me. I feel like I've just been punched.
What I wouldn't give to punch her right now…
"Sorry," I whispered. He didn't say anything. I looked up to him and he shook his head.
"Leave her to me," he said. "I'll sort it out."
"I –"
"Don't worry about it," he shook his head again and then pulled open the door. I entered behind him, taking my time to undo my coat and hang it onto the rack. He dragged his hand through his hair and sighed. "I'll call you."
He disappeared into the bar, leaving me cold and unsettled in the staff room. I only saw him once during the course of my shift. He came out of the office and collected a bottle of champagne from Cal, before returning to Ms Lincoln's cave. I know he must have left the club around one o'clock. Ms Lincoln emerged from her office alone and chose to sit down in one of the long booths, directly opposite from my spot at the bar. She stayed there for the rest of my shift, musing over several shots of vodka. She preyed on me, stalking my every movement.
I clambered into my apartment at just after seven-thirty, the sun shining and far too bright for my liking. I was ordered to stay late and take stock of everything in the store room, to make up for my tardiness at the start of my shift. Cal was kind enough to help me, refusing to go home and leave me alone with Ms Lincoln. I couldn't thank him enough.
I kicked off my shoes as I made my way to my bedroom. I shed my coat and dropped it onto my bed, along with my bag. Some items spilled out of it but I'm too exhausted to care. I'll clean it up tomorrow… or later, whatever. I bumped the door with my hip and proceeded to unbutton my blouse.
"Where the fuck have you been!?"
"Shit!"
My heart jumped into my throat and my knees weakened. I spun quickly to face the door. One very angry Kate Kavanagh barricaded the door frame, holding it on either side with a vice like grip.
"All day, Ana. I have been tearing my hair out with worry all day," she shrieked. "You could've been dead for all I knew!"
"I'm sorry," I dropped onto the edge of my bed. "I'm sorry. I should've called."
"Damn straight you should've called! I've left you at least a dozen messages." She scowled, her green eyes on the brink of tears. Her breaths hardened. "Were you too busy to even send a text?"
"I…" I wracked my brain for a possible answer to give her. I licked my lips frantically. "I, um, I went out for breakfast. With some people from work. Some work colleagues. From the club."
Rambling… she'll know I'm lying. I only ever ramble when I'm lying or when I'm uncomfortable. And right now, both are applicable.
"You went to breakfast?" she repeated, cocking her head to the side. Her lips pursed. "Was it all-day breakfast? The owners must be sick you, if you've been there all this time."
"Kate…" I sighed her name and gulped. "I was really tired and one of the girls suggested that I head back to her place and take a nap there… It was close to work and I didn't feel like driving home. I was really tired and I slept straight through. I barely woke up for my shift. I was almost a half hour late for work. That's why I'm late home now, because I was made to stay over to make up the time."
Well, at least some of that was true, my subconscious teased. Kate didn't look impressed. She stared me out, her eyes hardly blinking. I wondered whether I should continue and fill the empty silence. But she got in there first.
"I have been worried sick," she said much quieter this time, but her voice was still full of rage. "I called the hospital, José, Ray… no one had heard from you. I only knew you were okay when I went to the club last night."
"You went to the club?" I jerked my head back. "I didn't see you there."
"They wouldn't let me in. I'm not a member," she rolled her eyes. "But the guy on the door checked inside and said you were there… I could seriously throttle you right now."
"I know," I nodded. I pushed off the bed and shuffled over to her. I kept my eyes down. "And I am sorry. I just didn't think. Things progressed… quickly. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep."
Kate rocked on the spot and tutted. She inhaled a long breath and then relented. Her shoulders dropped forward and she threw her arms around me, yanking me into her chest.
"I promise I'll call in future," I whispered, pressing my hands into her back. There's so much I want to tell her. I want to tell her all about my wicked night with Mr Grey. But, for now, all I can do is hug her.
"I'm considering putting a tracking device on you," she joked, squeezing me harder. She laughed quietly. "God, the things running through my head… I actually considered for a moment that you'd hooked up with someone."
"Me? Hook up with someone?" I snorted a laugh, shaking the idea off too enthusiastically. "You're crazy! As if I'd just hook up with some random guy and go back to his place."
"I know, it's totally not like you," Kate peeled away and held me at arm's length. "Almost like forgetting to call to say you're not coming home. Totally out of character."
My mouth opened but no words fell out of it. Kate smiled and retreated towards the door.
"You should get some sleep. You look exhausted," she held onto the handle, slowly pulling it to a close. "I'm working late this evening. I don't know if I'll be back before you leave for work."
I nodded and she closed the door. A few moments later, I heard the apartment door close.
I scrunched up my face and fell backwards onto my bed, throwing my arms over my eyes. I cursed myself. She knows. And it won't be long before she works out who I was with. She already knows that Christian has been to the club. She already knows that he picked me up and drove me home when my car broke down. She already knows that he is the mystery man who has blown me so hot and cold over the past few weeks that I'm creating my own eco-system!
Oh God, what a mess!
My mind sprinted back and forth, disturbed only by a series of vibrations. I sat up and looked around to find the culprit. My cell phone continued to buzz at me until I picked it up, a new message demanding my attention.
Dream of me? C
My stomach twisted. I rolled my lips inward and sent my reply.
You said you would call.
My phone fell silent and the screen turned to black. I was about to throw it onto my bedside table when it started buzzing again. Christian's name flashed at me with his incoming call.
I held the phone to my ear –
"Promises mean something to me, Ana. I never go back on my word," he said immediately, in a rushed tone. "I was just sending you a little something before you went to sleep."
"How did you know I wasn't already asleep?" I asked coyly.
"Because I know Elena made you stay late. I'm going to call her later to discuss it. She shouldn't have made you work over. It was my fault."
"Don't bother," I interrupted. "It's better if you stay out of it."
"And how do you come to that conclusion?"
I sighed and rubbed my forehead with my free hand. "Because I'm pretty sure you want to keep all of this between us, right? We don't want to raise suspicion."
He mirrored my sigh. "There is a way to get around this –"
"Can we talk about this some other time, please?" I cut him off. I don't know if I can handle this conversation right now. "I'm really tired and I've just had to put up with a very angry roommate. I just want to go to bed."
"I hope you sleep well," he said quietly.
"Thanks," I whispered. "I'm just tired. Can we talk later?"
"Of course. As long as you promise to think of me while you sleep?"
I could hear a smile in his voice and it soothed me.
"I'll try. Will you think of me when you're in Aspen?"
"You've been on my mind since I first met you," he hummed. "Goodnight, Ana."
"Good morning, Christian."
I ended the call and placed my phone on the table next to my bed. I didn't bother to strip off or change into my pyjamas. I just climbed under my sheets and curled up on my side.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
"I'm coming!" I shouted as I made my way to the door. I tried to ignore the very unwelcome caller but the banging grew louder by the second.
I yanked the door open, discovering a courier standing on the other side. He gave me a strange, twisted look.
"Miss A Steele?" he asked, checking the name on the package he's holding. I nodded. "Can you sign here?"
He offered over a small tablet and stylus.
"I didn't order anything," I said, hesitating before taking the tablet from him. "Are you sure it's for this address?"
"Yup, Miss A Steele. Urgent delivery for this morning," he nodded.
He wasn't going to leave until I signed for it. I scribbled my name and took the package from him. If it's not for me, I'll just return it to sender.
I shut the door and checked the name and address. It's definitely for me. But I'm not expecting any deliveries, least of all from Apple. I moved over to the kitchen and grabbed a knife, using it to splice through the tape.
I opened the package and pulled a small white box sitting underneath the brown paper. An iPhone.
"This can't be right…" I shook my head. I took out the box and opened it. A yellow post-it note was stuck to the front of the phone.
You needed a new phone – one that could at least access the internet! Enjoy C x
I placed the phone neatly back into its box and stomped through to my bedroom. I grabbed my cell phone and dialled his number. He answered almost instantly.
"I can get the internet on my phone," I grumbled at him. He laughed. "I don't need a new phone. Mine works perfectly well, thank you."
"You'll need to learn to accept my gifts, Ana. And you do need a new phone. I need you to have regular access to your emails."
"Why?"
"Because it's the quickest way to contact me. I can't always answer a call when I'm working." I heard footsteps on his end, followed by the closing of a door. "I went to the store this morning and set up the new phone for you. All of my contact details are on there. You just need to put your SIM card in it."
"I'm starting to feel like a charity case," I told him. I slowly walked back into the kitchen and hovered in front of the iPhone box. "And you don't need to buy me. I've already had sex with you."
"I know and it was amazing," he replied. "I'm not trying to buy you. And I don't see you as a charity case. Far from it… Look, call it a loan. I've loaned you a new cell phone. Indefinitely."
"That's not how a loan works," I shook my head.
"Just accept it, please?"
"You've already given me more than enough," I countered. It is a very nice phone, though… "You paid for my car repairs and you've bought me a brand new phone and–"
"Loaned you a brand new phone," he corrected. "Ana, please, just take it. I was upgrading my cell anyway and they offered me a deal if I bought a second phone. If you are so desperate to pay me back for this, then agree to have dinner with me. You can repay me with your company for an evening."
"Not really a fair swap -"
"Your company is priceless," he countered. "Or you could just send me explicit pictures of you in your underwear, courtesy of the high-quality camera in your new phone? I would appreciate that immensely."
"Well, that's not going to happen!" I snorted. He laughed back at me. I took another look at the phone. I was going to buy myself a new one anyway… I was just waiting a few weeks. "I suppose I can cope with the new phone, but this has to be it."
"Will you reconsider the pictures?"
"Nope," I giggled. "But I will accept your offer of dinner. It'd be nice to go on a date with you."
He didn't say anything for several moments. I wondered if the line had gone dead, until his hardened breath tickled my ear.
"I'm flying to Aspen soon. I'll be back on Monday morning," he informed me. "Let me know what evenings you'll be free next week and we'll fix a date."
Fix a date, not go on a date, my subconscious cackled, poking at my ribs. I chewed on the inside of my cheek.
"I'll look forward to it," I whispered.
"Me too. I'll see you next week," his voice shifted, in parallel with the sound of another door closing on his side of the call. "I'll still be on my cell. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay. Goodbye, Christian."
He ended the call, disappearing to attend to whatever was stealing his focus.
I took a place at the kitchen counter. I examined the iPhone in more detail, a black hole in my stomach swirling with guilt. I shouldn't be accepting anything from him. I mean, he's a billionaire – how does it make me look? Like I'm just after money or something?
God, there's more than one reason why all of this needs to stay strictly between us…
I assembled my new phone, slipping my SIM into the back, and switched it on. I familiarised myself with the location of the important stuff – contacts, messages, Facebook – and then opened up the list of unread emails coming through to my account.
How did he even get the password for my account!? It's not as if I used 'password123' as my password… well, not since Kate hacked into my Facebook account in freshman year of college.
There is a long list of emails from companies I have sent applications to. I only read the first line of each – all rejection letters are the same. 'Thank you for your application, however –' It's not healthy for anyone to read the amount of rejection letters I've received over the past nine months. It's best to just ignore them and move onto the next. I deleted the lot, leaving me to with just two emails.
The first was from Christian.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Instructions.
Date: 03/03/2012 08:24:09
To: Anastasia Steele
I hope the courier didn't wake you. But, in the event that he did, I'm sorry. (I also hope that you receiving this package doesn't evoke another 'I simply can't accept this' debate.)
This is my work email. It's the quickest way to contact me during office hours – or in general, if I'm honest. I never stop working. I hope you'll take full advantage of your new phone and permanent access to your emails. I want to hear from you. I want this to work. Whatever 'this' is.
As I told you, I'm spending this weekend in Aspen. I do, however, want to see you next week. We need to discuss our situation. I'm not a hearts and flowers sort of guy, but I'm willing to make adjustments if it means I can continue feeling the way I do right now. I will try to do vanilla. I'm not going to pressure you into anything, but I hope you will want to try a flavour I like, too.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have about my lifestyle. I want you to be well informed and comfortable with this – with who I am. Before we meet next, I would like you to do some research. I've attached some links for you to check out. There's nothing outrageous here, just some light play. I would like to explore this with you. Think about it, please?
Let me know when you're free and we can arrange something. I'm looking forward to learning more about you, Miss Steele.
Christian
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I thought about my reply before sending it. Rewording it at least a dozen times.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Instructions.
Date: 03/03/2012 10:59:24
To: Christian Grey
It's just overwhelming to be the recipient of such extravagant gifts. Normal guys send flowers or a box of chocolates, not iPhones. Not that I've ever received flowers or chocolates. I don't need any of this, nor do I want it. Don't feel like you have to give me things. I'm not interested in your money. It has no value to me.
In saying that, thank you for everything. I do appreciate it, regardless of how guilty I feel.
Thank you for the links. I will look at them. I am worried about this, though. What happens if I don't want to do it? Is that it? I like to think I'm an open minded person about most things, but this daunts me. I don't want to get hurt. And if I do experiment with you, will I be your submissive? Can we still have 'vanilla'? Can we do normal things like go on dates, watch a movie together and hang out?
I hope we will be able to discuss everything properly. I want this to work, too. You're the first guy who I have ever been interested in like this – and I don't care if that makes me sound naïve and immature. It's the truth.
Enjoy Aspen with your family. I hope your brother has a great birthday. I'll see you when you get back.
Ana x
I wasn't expecting a reply from him. He wasn't kidding when he said it's the quickest way to contact him.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Instructions. Pt.2
Date: 03/03/2012 11:04:03
To: Anastasia Steele
Your point on gifts has been noted. And to reiterate, none of it has/is an attempt to coerce you into anything.
We can discuss everything when we meet. We can spend the whole night talking, if that's what it takes. But I do have some answers to your questions already:
What happens if you don't want to do it? I'm hoping you will be open minded and want to experiment but it is your choice. I'm not going to tie you down and gag you. At least not without your permission first. If it helps I can show you the contract I have used with previous submissives. It'll show you the things I'm prepared to do and things I will never do. It might help settle your mind.
If you choose to experiment, will you become my submissive? Of sorts, yes. But not exclusively.
Can we still have vanilla and do 'normal things'? I enjoyed having vanilla sex with you. I hope we can have more vanilla sex. As for 'normal things', I'm not normal but I think even I can stretch to watching a movie with you.
I'm willing to try, Ana. That's all I can promise right now. I don't want to hurt you. I want to show you how pleasurable my lifestyle can be. It's about finding the line between pleasure and pain and exploiting it. We'll both have limits if we take things into the playroom, but we'd discuss these and make sure we both agree on them.
I'm new to all of this, too, remember.
Christian x
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I didn't reply. He'll be getting ready for his flight. I made a mental note to check the links later this evening. When I'm on my own.
I opened up the second message. It's sent from the Maitrise email account. It's the same one I sent my resume to.
The subject alone unnerved me.
From: Maitrise
Subject: Restructure and Progression
Date: 03/02/2012 02:06:22
To: All Staff
Dear Maitrise Employees,
This is the first quarterly newsletter.
For those of you who were present for the briefing this evening, this is confirmation of the restructuring Maitrise will be undergoing over the coming weeks. For those who were not present, you will need to see Caleb to catch up on this information.
As a result of our success over the past month, we are extending our opening times to accommodate the needs of our members. We will now be open from Wednesday evening to Monday morning, with Tuesdays allocated as stock check days. The new opening hours will be from 6pm to 6am. On Tuesdays, the club will be open from 9am to 6pm. All shifts will be worked on a rota system. This will be trialled for a minimum of four weeks, starting this Wednesday – March 7.
Caleb will distribute the rota and inform you of what days you will be working. If there are any problems, you will take these direct to Caleb. He will also be responsible for the booking of vacation leave. Any member of staff still in their probation period will be allocated four days' vacation. If successful post-probation period, this will be increased to the uniform 21 days per year.
I hope you are excited about the progress we are making.
Regards,
Ms E Lincoln
"Fuck…" I dropped my head into my hands.
