Chapter Twenty-Two #3
You worry about not being submissive. Well, maybe that’s true.
Having said that, the only time you do assume the correct demeanor for a sub is in the playroom.
It seems that’s the one place where you let me exercise proper control over you and the only place you do as you’re told.
“Exemplary” is the term that comes to mind.
And I’d never beat you black and blue. I aim for pink.
Outside the playroom, I like that you challenge me.
It’s a very novel and refreshing experience, and I wouldn’t want to change that.
So yes, tell me what you want in terms of more.
I will endeavor to keep an open mind, and I shall try to give you the space you need and stay away from you while you are in Georgia. I look forward to your next email.
In the meantime, enjoy yourself. But not too much.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Holy crap. He’s written an essay like we’re back at school—and most of it’s good.
My heart is in my mouth as I reread his epistle, and I huddle on the spare bed practically hugging my Mac.
Make our agreement a year? I have the power!
Jeez, I’m going to have to think about that.
Take him literally, that’s what my mother says.
He doesn’t want to lose me. He’s said that twice!
He wants to make this work, too. Oh, Christian, so do I!
He’s going to try to stay away! Does this mean he might fail to stay away?
Suddenly, I hope so. I want to see him. We’ve been apart less than twenty-four hours, and knowing that I can’t see him for four days, I realize how much I miss him. How much I love him.
“Ana, honey.” The voice is soft and warm, full of love and sweet memories of times gone by.
A gentle hand brushes my face. My mom wakes me, and I’m wrapped around my laptop, hugging it to me.
“Ana, sweetheart,” she continues in her soft, singsong voice while I surface from sleep, blinking in the pale-pink light of dusk.
“Hi, Mom.” I stretch out and smile.
“We’re going out for dinner in thirty minutes. You still want to come?” she asks kindly.
“Oh, yes, Mom, of course.” I try very hard but fail to stifle my yawn.
“Now that’s an impressive piece of technology.” She points to my laptop.
Oh crap.
“Oh…this?” I strive for casual, surprised nonchalance.
Will Mom notice? She seems to have grown more astute since I acquired a “boyfriend.”
“Christian lent it to me. I think I could pilot the space shuttle with it, but I just use it for emails and internet access.”
Really, it’s nothing. Eyeing me suspiciously, she sits down on the bed and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Has he emailed you?”
Oh, double crap.
“Yeah.” My nonchalance is wearing thin, and I flush.
“Perhaps he’s missing you, huh?”
“I hope so, Mom.”
“What does he say?”
Oh, triple crap. I frantically try to think of something acceptable from that email I can tell my mother. I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear about Doms and bondage and gagging, but then I can’t tell her because there’s the NDA.
“He’s told me to enjoy myself but not too much.”
“Sounds reasonable. I’ll leave you to get ready, honey.” Leaning over, she kisses my forehead. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ana. It’s wonderful to see you.” And with that loving statement, she leaves.
Hmm, Christian and reasonable… Two concepts that I thought were mutually exclusive, but after his email, maybe all things are possible.
I shake my head. I’ll need time to digest his words.
Probably after dinner—and I can reply to him then.
I climb out of bed and quickly slip out of my T-shirt and shorts and head to the shower.
I have brought Kate’s gray halter-neck dress that I wore for my graduation.
It’s the only dressy item I have. One good thing about the heat is that the creases have dropped out, so I think it will do for the golf club.
As I dress, I open the laptop. There is nothing new from Christian, and I feel a stab of disappointment. Very quickly, I type him an email.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Verbose?
Date: May 31 2011 19:08 ET
To: Christian Grey
Sir, you are quite the loquacious writer. I have to go to dinner at Bob’s golf club, and just so you know, I am rolling my eyes at the thought. But you and your twitchy palm are a long way from me so my behind is safe, for now. I loved your email. Will respond when I can. I miss you already.
Enjoy your afternoon.
Your Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your Behind
Date: May 31 2011 16:10
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
I am distracted by the title of this email. Needless to say it is safe—for now.
Enjoy your dinner, and I miss you, too, especially your behind and your smart mouth.
My afternoon will be dull, brightened only by thoughts of you and your eye rolling. I think it was you who so judiciously pointed out to me that I, too, suffer from that nasty habit.
Christian Grey
CEO maybe that way I can vent some of the anger I feel at this stranger.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your Behind
Date: May 31 2011 16:18
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
I still prefer my title to yours, in so many different ways. It is lucky that I am master of my own destiny and no one castigates me. Except my mother, occasionally, and Dr. Flynn, of course. And you.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Chastising…Me?
Date: May 31 2011 19:22 ET
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
When have I ever plucked up the nerve to chastise you, Mr. Grey? I think you are mixing me up with someone else…which is very worrying. I really do have to get ready.
Your Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your Behind
Date: May 31 2011 16:25
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
You do it all the time in print. Can I zip up your dress?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
For some unknown reason, his words leap off the screen and make me gasp. Oh…he wants to play games.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: NC-17
Date: May 31 2011 19:28 ET
To: Christian Grey
I would rather you unzipped it.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Careful what you wish for…
Date: May 31 2011 16:31
To: Anastasia Steele
SO WOULD I.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Panting
Date: May 31 2011 19:33 ET
To: Christian Grey
Slowly…
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Groaning
Date: May 31 2011 16:35
To: Anastasia Steele
Wish I were there.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Moaning
Date: May 31 2011 19:37 ET
To: Christian Grey
SO DO I.
“Ana!” My mother calls me, making me jump.
Shit. Why do I feel so guilty?
“Just coming, Mom.”
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Moaning
Date: May 31 2011 19:39 ET
To: Christian Grey
Gotta go.
Laters, baby.
I dash into the hall, where Bob and my mother are waiting.
My mother frowns. “Darling, are you feeling okay? You look a bit flushed.”
“Mom, I’m fine.”
“You look lovely, dear.”
“Oh, this is Kate’s dress. You like it?”
Her frown deepens. “Why are you wearing Kate’s dress?”
Oh…no.
“Well, I like this one and she doesn’t,” I improvise quickly.
She regards me shrewdly while Bob oozes impatience with his hangdog, hungry look.
“I’ll take you shopping tomorrow,” she says.
“Oh, Mom, you don’t need to do that. I have plenty of clothes.”
“Can’t I do something for my own daughter? Come on, Bob’s starving.”
“Too right,” moans Bob, rubbing his stomach and assuming a fake pained expression.
I giggle as he rolls his eyes, and we head out the door.
Later when I’m in the shower, cooling under the lukewarm water, I reflect on how much my mother has changed.
Seeing her at dinner, she was in her element: funny and flirty and among many friends at the golf club.
Bob was warm and attentive. They seem so good for each other.
I’m really pleased for her. It means I can stop worrying about her and second-guessing her decisions and put the dark days of Husband Number Three behind us both. Bob is a keeper.
And she’s giving me good advice. When did that start happening? Since I met Christian. Why is that?
When I’m done, I dry myself quickly, eager to get back to Christian. There’s an email waiting for me, sent just after I left for dinner a few hours ago.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Plagiarism
Date: May 31 2011 16:41
To: Anastasia Steele
You stole my line.
And left me hanging.
Enjoy your dinner.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Who are you to cry thief?
Date: May 31 2011 22:18 ET
To: Christian Grey
Sir, I think you’ll find it was Elliot’s line originally.
Hanging how?
Your Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Unfinished Business
Date: May 31 2011 19:22
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele,
You’re back. You left so suddenly—just when things were getting interesting.
Elliot’s not very original. He must have stolen that line from someone.
How was dinner?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Unfinished Business?
Date: May 31 2011 22:26 ET
To: Christian Grey
Dinner was filling—you’ll be very pleased to hear I ate far too much.