We're speeding along the highway towards my place of work. Sat in the passenger seat of Christian Grey's car. The feeling is out of this world. It's a Bentley continental and the top is down. The wind is whipping my hair back and round all over the place, but I don't care I'm happy. My hair will look devastating when I finally get out of this ride, but I don't want it to end. He seems in his element with a smile on his face and relaxed, at ease even. I wish I didn't have to work today and I could go for that meal with him. I sent a quick text to Kate on the way out of the hotel letting her know I have a ride to work and thanking her for the distraction. I don't know if James will be upset he didn't get more time with Christian or be thrilled just to of met him.
"I was wondering if you intended on a costume change." I stare at him confused as he nods his head in the direction of my suit bag with my uniform in.
"It's my uniform," I say downheartedly. Feeling more comfortable my playful side comes out. "What don't you like this outfit?" I say teasingly.
"It's a lovely outfit indeed." He's called my bluff and I blush a little from his comment. "So is your friend always that obvious?" He asks keeping his eyes on the road. As we begin to head off the highway.
"You mean James?" I ask wondering where he is going with this.
"No Kate. She practically threw that wine into Jame's lap." He knows. I feel the blush creeping up my chest and into my cheeks.
"I'm sure she spilled it," I say weakly not even remotely convincing.
"And someone just happens to ring her at the exact moment. I mean I didn't hear her phone." I mutter back.
"Maybe it was on silent." He smiles a little more.
"I have a good mind to check your phone to make sure it wasn't you who called her." Relief floods through me he can check my calls. I didn't call her but my text thanking her for the distraction would give it away. I look up from my phone and his eyes are there looking back at me. We have just pulled up in the diner parking lot. He leans in.
"If you wanted me alone. You only had to ask." Oh, lord. I can't pull my gaze away from his eyes, his face, his mouth. My lips are so dry and parted. I lick my lip. His eyes grow hotter burning into me like fire. "You're going to be late." I'm too wrapped up in him to get his meaning. He pulls back slightly and I realize I'm at work.
"Thank you," I mutter and quickly snap the belt open and climb out the car. He moves around to my side and hands me my bag. I turn away and walk across the parking lot towards the diner's rear entrance stealing a few glances back at him before I head inside.
Once inside and safely away from him I shut the door. How could he do that? Drop a bombshell sentence like that right before I'm about to start work. All I will be able to think about is what he said. If I want him alone I only have to ask. Does that mean he is interested in me? Now is when I would wish for Kate to be here so I could ask what the hell that means. She would just say what she has always been saying. Christian Grey the famous magician likes me. My inner devil is pulling off a dance routine that would rival flash dance. I really need someone to talk to, lucky for me Heather and Rachael are in today too and Samantha too. So I can get three lots of advice.
How much different would today of been if I could have gotten the day off, I think as I hang up my bag and unzip it. I need to get my mind off Christian Grey. Focus on work. I can get the girls opinion later when it quiets down. It feels warm still, my skin flush for how close he was to me. Standing in the staff room next to the kitchen. It feels too warm and that noise. I can hear a hissing noise that sounds out of place. I push the partly open door into the kitchen and the noise is louder. I see Samantha, Bill and Sam all working away in the kitchen. Bill has just thrown some alcohol onto our beer soaked streak causing the fire to flash up. The noise is off to my right. I turn looking for the source and see the gas cooker. There is a small gap behind it. The pipe is damaged and as I look closer I finally smell it gas.
"Gas," I scream at the top of my lungs.
All three kitchen staff stare at me for a split second in horror. I see the words register on their faces and it's pandemonium. Samantha, Bill, Sam and I all charge out the doors into the main diner. Samantha screams as do I.
"Everyone get out. Gas leak." The diner bursts into life as regulars dive for the door and families race out of the double doors. The diner empties fast as people race out into the parking lot and safety. I slam into Rachael hard almost knocking her over by the front doors. Samantha, Bill, and Sam race out the door. I grab Rachael's arms.
"Where's Heather?" I shout. She looks at me in horror.
"I think she went to the toilet." She gasps. We are both standing in the doorway at the front of the diner. I see the unsure look in Rachael's eyes on if she should go back in.
"Go," I shout pushing her down the stairs and towards safety. I turn and head back inside through the diner and behind the counter I move into the kitchen. I almost collide with Heather as she comes out of the toilet and I grab her arm pulling her towards the back door. We're almost at the staff room door when something explodes.
Bang!
The blast is off and to our right knocking Heather back and me forward. I land on the tiled floor on my hands. I shake the cobwebs out of my head. My hands are sore, but I'll live, pushing off the floor to stand up when I realize I can't. My ankle is caught under some of the kitchen shelves. Heather is on her feet as the cooking stoves are all on fire.
"I'm stuck," I shout through the noise of the fires. She is about to kneel down next to me when she is pushed towards the diner doors.
"Get out now." I hear shouted from behind me. A pair of strong hands grip at my ankle as I hear the words. "Don't worry." The voice is soothing and soft. Christian? I'm face down on the tiled floor as his hands tug at my ankle. I feel the pressure shift and I'm free. I just manage to turn over onto my back and he is kneeling above me. Boom! Everything goes black.
(So I told you the next chapter would be explosive. The car ride might not of been as hot as you hoped for but I'm sure the kitchen was. What will become of Ana and Christian? Please let me know your thoughts in the reviews. I do reply to them all and love to read them. Also follow and favourite this story or myself as an author. Thank you. SJamesW.)