The next morning I wake up tangled up in Christian. My body temperature is much too high, and my bruised ribs radiate pain through my body. I wonder why I didn't notice that yesterday.
Probably because you were too busy in the playroom with Christan, my subconscious glares at me, and it takes all I have to suppress a giggle. A warm shower would do me well, but I don't want to wake my husband. Carefully, I try to lift Christian's arm and slip out of his grasp, but as I do so, his eyes flutter open and sleepy gray eyes find mine.
"Going somewhere, Mrs. Grey?" Christian asks me, his just-fucked hair in disarray.
"I was just going to shower, and then I was going to go to work." I mumble, hiding that I am in pain, and hoping that Christian will finally let me leave the house.
"Work? Ana…" His mouth forms a firm line as he looks at me, now wide awake. "The doctor said you needed a full week."
I sigh in exasperation.
"I know, Christian, but I like my job."
"More than you like being in bed with me?" Christian raises one of his eyebrows and flashes me a boyish smirk, for once looking his age.
"I feel like I'm never there, Christian. I haven't had the position for long, and I've taken so much time off already."
Christian's lips turn to a frown as he contemplates what I've said. His expression is unreadable.
"How about a half day?"
He's reasoning with me! That's a first.
"I can do a half day." I respond, happy that he is willing to meet half way with me.
"But I want something in return, Mrs. Grey."
An hour later I am finally leaving Escala, already worn out by the morning shower sex with Christian. Taylor is driving me, and Christian has insisted on riding along even though he is working from home today. We drive through the city in the Audi SUV, Christian holding my hand as we take the familiar route to work.
"Are your ribs feeling okay, Ana?"
"Yes I'm fine." I murmer. Although my ribs do hurt, I don't want to worry Christian.
A few minutes later we pull up in front of SIP, and Christian gets out to open my door. I offer him a smile and a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Have a wonderful day, Mrs. Grey."
"You too, Mr. Grey."
Hannah looks surprised as she sees me walk into the office and I give her a warm smile. It's nice to be back, despite what has happened because of this job. It's time to start fresh.
"Mrs. Grey! I wasn't expecting you back so soon!"
"How many times do I have to tell you, you can call me Ana." My tone is light, and I am wearing a smile on my lips.
"Oh, sorry, Ana."
Hannah stands up as I head for my office.
"Would you like a tea, Ma'am?"
"That would be great, thank you, Hannah."
Once I sit down in my office I start to read through a few of the manuscripts I had left when I was out of work sick. About an hour into it, I take a break to read the stack of mail which had been left for me.
When I finish sorting through the mail only one letter remains. There is no addresses, just my name, meaning it must have been dropped off right at the reception desk, as they wouldn't have accepted it through the normal post. Inside there is a letter written on a simple piece of printer paper.
I will be there soon to help you.
The short note sends shivers through my body, although I don't know why. The letter is neatly written, and I stuff it in the envelope as my mouth goes dry.
Who could have sent this?
My thoughts are cut off by the ring of the telephone, and I physically jump. Get a grip! I quickly grab the receiver and pull it to my ear.
"Anastasia Grey, Commissions editor at Seattle Independent Publishing, how may I help you?"
"Ana! It's Kate!"
"Kate? Why are you calling me at work, you have my cellphone number."
"I tried calling, but it went straight to voicemail."
I fish my blackberry out of my purse to find that she is right, it is completely out of batteries.
"You're right, it's dead. Well, what do you want?"
Kate sounds more than giddy on the other line.
"Okay! What do you think the chances are of your husband letting you spend a weekend in the carribian with me? I feel like we have no time together anymore!"
I rub my forehead in exhaustion. What will Christian think?
He'll never approve.
But I know Kate is right. The girl I used to see every single day has become a distant part of my life, and the truth is that I miss her.
"I'll talk to him."
"Good, because I already booked the tickets for two weekends from now!"
"What!? Kate!"
"Bye, Ana!"
And with that, Kate hangs up. I boot up my email and send Christian a message, deciding there is no better time than the present than to ask for a weekend out of the country.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Just a quick request
Date: September 26, 2011 10:29
To: Christian Grey
Kate just called me and asked if I was free to go to the Caribbean in two weekends. I'm just giving you the heads up.
Yours always, Ana x
Anastasia Grey
Commissioning Editor, SIP.
A few minutes later I receive a reply.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Telling me this over email?
Date: September 26, 2011 10:32
To: Anastasia Grey
I don't understand why you always insist on bringing up issues like this over email. I will talk to you tonight.
Christian Grey, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I take a deep sigh as I close the email. I know by his tone that he is not happy, and that he is less than thrilled about me going away for the weekend.
I finish up with my work, the strange letter now forgotten on my desk, and as noon rolls around I am locking up my office and meeting Christian downstairs in the lobby.
"Hi." I look up at Christian nervously, curious but also worried about how he will react to my request for a vacation with Kate.
"Hi" Christian replies, his voice stern as he takes my hand. "Ready to head home and rest?"
The truth is that I am grateful Christian made me take a half day, as I am already drained by the work I have already put in today. As we drive through the streets of Seattle, I finally break the silence.
"Christian, I really want to go away with Kate."
"You'll take security." He snaps, and I watch his jaw clench with utter disbelief. "And you will keep in close contact with me throughout the trip, do you understand?"
I am in utter shock. He's actually going to let me go? How un-fifty of him. The sheer joy that washes over my face seems to relax Christian, and I envelop him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, thank you, Christian!"
"Thank me? Ana, you're an adult."
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time you have controlled where I go and what I do."
Now it's Christian's time to smile.
"Very true as always, Mrs. Grey."
After dinner Christian retreats to his office and I wonder if I should bother telling him about the letter I received at work.
For all you know, you could have completely misinterpreted it.
Besides, it's not like the letter was menicing. I decide not to worry Christian further about it, and I instead grab Christian a glass of wine, bringing it to his office. From the other side of the door I can hear him talking on the phone.
"She's safe, right? She's still seeing a psychiatrist?"
For a brief moment I wonder if he is talking about Leela.
"Well I'm glad she's out of the institution. Keep me posted."
Institution? I didn't think Leela was ever put into an institution.
I wait a few moments before I walk into Christian's office, setting the wine in front of him before I wrap my arms around him from behind.
"It's getting late. Are you thinking of coming to bed soon?"
"I just have a few more calls to make, baby." Christian looks up at me, a smirk gracing his features. "And then I'm all yours."
I nod and give him a chaste kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs and changing into one of Christian's shirts, pulling on a pair of my comfier pairs of cotton underwear before lying in bed.
My ribs feel considerably better than they did this morning, and I am happy to finally be able to take deep breaths again. My inner goddess smirks at me. That will come in handy.
I push away my wayward thoughts.
Soon Christian walks into the room, eyeing me up and down like a hungry tiger.
"See something you like, Mr. Grey?"
"Wouldn't you like to know, Mrs. Grey." He smirks at me, playing hard to get.
Christian changes into sweatpants, but he does so agonizingly slowly. My inner goddess is drooling by the time he joins me in bed, kissing me chastely on the lips.
"Well, goodnight Anastasia." His lips savour my name, and somehow just his words cause my arousal. As he turns off the bedside lamp I become fidgety, and in the darkness I scoot over towards my husband.
"Sleeping already, Christian?"
"What else does one do in bed, Anastasia?" As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I see the smirk on his lips as he plays innocent. I lean in and kiss the smirk off of his face.
I can feel Christian's entire body respond to me, and he carefully pulls me on top of him. His fingers tangle into my hair as his tongue dances with mine. Soon Christian pulls my shirt of and ghosts his hand up my torso and to my breasts, cupping both of them.
"These are mine, Anastasia. Understand?" My libido rages with his words.
"Always, Christian."
Christian's hands move south, and he moves my panties to the side to trace up and down my sex. As his fingers brush over my clitoris I feel like I could combust.
"And this. This is mine too…" He thrusts two of his fingers inside of me, wiggling them, coaxing a moan from my lips.
"Yes…" I breath, and it's almost a plea. Christian pulls his fingers from me and lowers his own sweat pants before thrusting up into me, my panties pushed to the side. I let out a cry as I feel him fill me, and he silences me by putting his two fingers into my mouth.
"Suck…" He demands, as his other hand rests on my hip, gripping my skin as he thrusts upward into me. I obey and suck myself off of his fingers.
"Good girl." He says, as he removes his fingers from inside of me. "Now, Anastasia, I want you to ride me."
I start to move on Christian, reveling in the deep sensations that he gives me. Christian thrusts in time with me, and it isn't long before I'm on the edge. Instead of coaxing me to my orgasm like usual, Christian sits up and wraps his arms around my waist. My hands move to his shoulders as I sit on his lap, still moving in a steady rhythm. Christian leans in to nip and suck my earlobe before he whispers.
"I love you, Anastasia." And his words are my undoing. I erupt around him, letting out a cry of pleasure and relief, and with one upward thrust he finds his release, and we are both just sensation and heavy breathing.