Just like last Friday, it's pouring by the time I'm ready to leave work. But at least this time, I have an umbrella. However, I don't make it past the main doors of GEH, before I'm stopped by a mountain of a man in a dark suit.

"Ms. Steele?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Mr. Grey asked me to drive you home."

"What?" He can't be serious? As if I would get into a car with a perfect stranger.

"Mr. Grey told me to drive you home."

"I heard you the first time. But you can tell Mr. Grey. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take the bus."

The man looks confused as he runs his hand over his bald head. His phone starts ringing and he takes a deep breath before answering it.

"Yes, sir?" He looks at me as he listens to whomever it is. "No sir, she refused the ride… Yes, sir."

"Mr. Grey wants a word with you." He holds out his phone, and I take it, although somewhat hesitantly.

"Hello?"

"Anastasia, why are you refusing the ride?" Christian asks and I roll my eyes.

"Do you really think I would get into a car with a stranger?"

A silence descends, and for a second I wonder if the line was cut.

"You are right. I don't know what I was thinking… Of course I don't want you to trust strangers. I should have told you, that I arranged a driver for you."

"To take me home?" I'm confused.

"And wherever you want to go."

"But why?"

"I heard it was raining in Seattle, and I didn't want you to get wet." His answer comes just a bit too quickly, and it sounds just a bit too convenient.

"It rains every second day in Seattle. And I'm not made of sugar either."

He chuckles at my choice of words.

"The thing is, that since you agreed on exploring us, certain things are going to change. You taking the bus, is one of those things."

"Ah, you assume I opened the red envelope." I tease him.

"I know you opened it, Anastasia." My core clenches with the way he pronounces my name.

"How?"

"I just do." He says with finality. He pauses before he asks "Now will you be a good girl and get in the car?"

"I don't know about the good girl part, but fine, I'll accept the ride."

"Good, because when you get in the car, there's a little package for you on the seat."

"What package?" I ask, and he chuckles.

"You'll see," he says and ends the call.

I give the phone back to the man in the suit.

"Okay, I'll accept the ride. But I want to know your name first."

The big man looks relieved. "My name is Sawyer, ma'am."

"Okay, Sawyer. Take me home." I follow him to a black Audi, and he opens the back door for me. I slide onto the seat and he shuts the door behind me. There's a slight tang of disappointment as Christian is not sitting there. I don't know why, but I was expecting him to be there.

But the package is there, just as he said. I grin like a loon, as I look at the note on top of it.

Open in private.

I sit lost in thoughts, looking at the rain for a few blocks before I realize that Sawyer is driving in the exactly right direction. "You know where I live?"

"Yes ma'am."

Of course he does.

He pulls up right in front of the door, steps out of the car, and opens my door. Holding an umbrella over my head, he walks me to the door.

"Mr. Grey told me to give you this." He pulls out a padded envelope from his jacket pocket. "Call me, if you need to go anywhere."

"What? And you'll come and drive me?"

"Yes, that's what I was hired to do."

Too shocked to really say anything, I just go inside and shut the door behind me. The lights are all off, so I guess Kate is still working. Well, that or she's with Elliot, but either way, I'm alone. Which is exactly what I need at the moment.

I rush up to my bedroom, place the package on the bed and tear open the envelope Sawyer handed to me.

"Holy fudge." I stare at a brand new smartphone, laying in between the bubble-wrap.

I open the phone and I'm not surprised to find an unread message in the inbox.

Anastasia, it's good to see that you are still curious. Now, open the package, and send me a picture. Use this phone, it has a secured connection.

Slowly I unwrap the package, and gasp as I reveal a pink box with Agent Provocateur written on it. A shiver runs through my body, and I'm having a hard time figuring if it's of excitement or resentment. He sent me lingerie? And he wants me to take a picture of it. I hope he doesn't expect me to be in it for the picture, because no way José am I taking naughty pictures of myself. For a moment I question his sanity, and mine, for that matter, for playing along. I take a steadying breath before lifting off the lid.

Relief rushes through me as I look at the pearl white satin camisole and briefs set inside the box. It's so pretty. I pick it up and see that there is another note beneath the lingerie.

Although I'd like for you to sleep in my shirt, or better yet, naked in my arms, I thought you would look amazing in this.

After a quick shower and some daydreaming about sleeping naked in his arms, I put on the camisole and the matching briefs. It looks darn good on me, even if I say it myself. But I hesitate at his request for a picture though. Following a moment of mentally wrestling myself, I snap a selfie, revealing just enough so that he can see that I'm wearing the lingerie he sent me, but not too much to be considered inappropriate. And before I talk myself out of it, I send the picture to his number. I close my eyes and shake my head. I can't believe I just did that.

Just as I have buried myself in the covers and closed my eyes, I hear a new message arrive on the smartphone. Excitement bubbles through my veins as I unlock the screen and open the inbox. The message is short, but oddly satisfying.

Good girl.

I fall asleep with a silly grin on my face.

AN: So posting just a bit early today as I've got to be at the school's Christmas thingy ten-ish. See you again tomorrow!

H xx