NOTE FROM RIOTTORI: I'M WORKING AT CHIPPING AWAY AT THE TRUTH TO REVEAL WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN ALICE AND CHRISTIAN. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS AND SUPPORT. IT'S WHAT MAKES ME RUN FOR MY COMPUTER BEFORE I'VE EVEN HAD A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE MORNING!

Alice:

The weekend after the meal with Mr Grey was agonizing. I couldn't wait for work on Monday to see if he was feeling the same way as me. I had given him just enough so his precious family-time would be ruined by impure thoughts of his little assistant. I had to lock my cell with his number stored in it in my desk drawer so I wouldn't call him. I didn't want to break the spell I had so carefully woven.

The minute I got to work, Helen told me that Mr Grey would like to see me. I nodded and turned quickly away to hide the knowing smile that spread over my lips. Mr Grey had it bad for me! For me! Alice Thomas! I went directly to his office, rapped on the door and waited to be called in.

He was looking out of the window, his back to me, as mine had been on Friday night.

"Good morning, Alice."

"Good morning, Mr Grey." I could tell the formality of how I had addressed him bothered him. His back stiffened beneath its black jacket.

"You left something in my apartment." I didn't reply. I didn't like that I couldn't see his face. I wanted to take back the upper-hand, unnerve him a little.

"Did you hear me?" I still didn't reply. I was playing a dangerous game. He began to turn and I knew I had won.

He had spent a tortured weekend wondering why I had fled, wondering if he would ever make me his, I could tell from his expression. I needed to give him a little hope.

I walked slowly to him, my gaze never leaving his. I didn't let words disrupt the mood, dampen our desire. When I stood before him, I reached up, took his head in my hands and ran my fingers through his hair, tugging ever so slightly. His grey eyes studied me the entire time, excited by my unpredictability, what I would do next. I allowed a small moan to escape, to show him the power he had over me, that just a look could incite this reaction from me. His eyes widened but I saw something beneath the lust. It looked a little like doubt. I had to get rid of that, annihilate it.

I pulled his head down to mine and gently ran my tongue over his bottom lip. I received a groan for my provocative action. I pulled my head back a little and locked eyes with him again, ran my own tongue over my lip then tugged it very gently with my teeth.

I saw that it had worked, that I had dragged him to me, away from her. The only thing that now pulsed in him was pure lust and he was driven by it. As it took over, he took control. His hand flew up to my mouth and he grabbed my lower lip with his long fingers, eased it from between my teeth. His hand reached round to the back of my head and he pulled me in to him. His mouth found mine. He kissed me with an intensity I had dreamed about. His desire, his need to subdue me, to conquer me was all there in his kiss.

I broke off, gasping. "Christian."

"Alice." My name left his mouth like a growl.

He stepped back, assessing me, watching the effect he had over me. I continued to breathe heavily, to show him evidence of his influence.

"I want you back at Escala tonight. I want to show you something." I nodded my agreement. I wanted the last words to echo around his office to be my name. I backed out still watching him. Only later when I was alone in the bathroom did I allow myself a victor's smile.

Ana:

He swears he didn't touch her. He claims they only kissed. I don't know if I believe him – certainly, Dr Black doesn't look like she does. I'm staring at her so I won't look at my husband. I want to focus on his words, really listen to what he's saying.

"I only showed her The Red Room. We never made it in there." Because you stopped them. What would have happened if you hadn't gone to the office that day? If you hadn't suspected that something was going on and followed them? The voice is attacking, today. They are all valid questions that will need to be discussed but I find myself shying away from them. I don't want to know the answers just yet.

"So the only sexual contact you had with this woman was kissing?"

"Yes." A small sigh of relief is released. Big deal! The voice likes Dr Black, agrees with her that the sexual act itself is only part of the problem.

"What would you have done to her in The Red Room? What did you want to do?" My heart begins to race at Dr Black's questioning. I close my eyes and try to block out Christian's response. The voice won't let me. It prevents me from putting my hands up to my ears. This is what I've been waiting to hear. You need to listen to this, it shouts.

He is silent. His silence says it all.

She wasn't just a Sub. It wasn't just about sex. He wanted vanilla with her. He would have let her touch him, go where only I had been. He would have made love to her not 'fucked hard'. Just like you suspected. I can't take it. It's too much to bear. The cold, hard truth chases me from the room.