“Hey.” Ana’s voice is soothing. “It was just a bad dream.” She holds my head, her hands on my cheeks. “I’m here, and I’m cold without you in bed. Come back to bed, please.” She stands, taking my hand, and after a heartbeat, I follow her.
She slips out of her robe, and we both climb into bed. I hold her close. “Sleep,” she whispers, and kisses my hair, and I shut my eyes.
It’s the warmth I become aware of first, the warmth of her body and the scent of her hair. When I open my eyes, I am wrapped around my wife. I lift my head off her chest.
“Good morning, Mr. Grey,” she says with a soft smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Grey. Did you sleep well?” I stretch out beside her, feeling remarkably fresh after such a disturbed night.
“Once my husband stopped making that terrible racket on the piano, yes, I did.”
“Terrible racket? I’ll be sure to e-mail Miss Kathie and let her know.” I grin back at her.
“Miss Kathie?”
“My piano teacher.”
She giggles.
“That’s a lovely sound. Shall we have a better day today?”
“Okay,” she agrees. “What do you want to do?”
“After I have made love to my wife, and she’s cooked me breakfast, I’d like to take her to Aspen.”
Ana looks dumbfounded. “Aspen?”
“Yes.”
“Aspen, Colorado?”
“The very same. Unless they’ve moved it. After all, you did pay twenty-four thousand dollars for the experience.”
She gives me her most superior smile. “That was your money.”
“Our money,” I correct her.
“It was your money when I made the bid.” She rolls her eyes.
“Oh, Mrs. Grey, you and your eye rolling.” I run my hand up her thigh.
“Won’t it take hours to get to Colorado?” she asks.
“Not by jet,” I mutter, as my hand cradles my favorite place.
My plan has come together, with surprising ease. I have a full crew and our guests are on board, waiting for us; I’m excited to see Ana’s reaction. As we pull up to the Gulfstream, I squeeze her hand. “I have a surprise for you.” I kiss her knuckles.
“Good surprise?”
“I hope so.”
She tilts her head, amused but curious, as Sawyer and Taylor simultaneously climb out of the car to open our doors.
With Ana behind me, I greet Stephan at the top of the plane steps. “Thanks for doing this on such short notice.” I grin back at him. “Our guests here?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ana looks around to see Kate, Elliot, Mia, and Ethan all seated in the main cabin. She gapes at me.
“Surprise!”
“How? When? Who?” she says in a breathless rush.
“You said you didn’t see enough of your friends.” I shrug.
So, here we are, with your friends.
“Oh, Christian, thank you.” She throws her arms around me, planting her lips firmly on my mine. Whoa. I’m stunned by her unexpected ardor, but soon lost in her passion, taking all that she has to give. My hands find her hips, pulling her to me. “Keep this up and I’ll drag you into the bedroom,” I whisper.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Her breath is soft and sweet against my lips.
“Oh, Anastasia.”
Gauntlet. Thrown.
When will she learn that neither of us will back down from a challenge? Grinning, I stoop quickly, grab her thighs, and carefully hoist her over my shoulder. “Christian, put me down!” She smacks my behind as I wave a welcome to our guests and walk through the cabin.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to have a word with my wife in private.” I think Mia, Kate, and Ethan are shocked. Elliot is cheering like the Mariners are about to score a home run. Ha! Maybe I will.
“Christian!” Ana shouts. “Put me down!”
“All in good time, baby.”
Carrying her into the rear cabin, I close the door and slide her down my body to set her on her feet. She looks less than impressed. “That was quite a show, Mr. Grey.” She crosses her arms, and I think she’s pretending to be pissed.
“That was fun, Mrs. Grey.”
“Are you going to follow through?” There’s a dare in her tone, but I’m not sure if she’s serious. She glances at the bed and blushes. Perhaps she’s remembering our wedding night. Her gaze returns to mine, and a slow smile spreads across her face until we’re grinning at each other like idiots. I think that’s exactly what she’s remembering.
“I think it might be rude to keep our guests waiting,” I murmur.
Tempting though you are.
I step toward her and run my nose down hers. “Good surprise?” I ask, because I need to know.
She looks delighted. “Oh, Christian, fantastic surprise.” She kisses me once more. “When did you organize this?” Her fingers linger in my hair.
“Last night, when I couldn’t sleep. I e-mailed Elliot and Mia, and here they are.”
“It’s very thoughtful. Thank you. I’m sure we’ll have a great time.”
“I hope so. I thought it would be easier to avoid the press in Aspen than at home. Come. We’d better take our seats—Stephan will be taking off shortly.” I offer her my hand and together we go back into the main cabin.
Elliot cheers when we enter. “That sure was speedy in-flight service!”
Dude! Calm the hell down.
I ignore him and nod greetings at Mia and Ethan, as Stephan announces our imminent takeoff. Taylor has taken a seat at the rear.
“Good morning, Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey,” says Natalia, our flight attendant. Returning her welcoming smile, I sit down opposite Elliot. Ana hugs Kate before sitting down beside me. I ask if she’s packed her hiking boots.
“We’re not going skiing?”
“That would be a challenge, in August.”
She rolls her eyes, and I wonder if she was being sarcastic.
“Do you ski, Ana?” Elliot asks her.
“No.”
The thought of Ana on skis as a beginner is troubling. I grasp her hand.
“I’m sure my little brother can teach you.” Elliot winks at her. “He’s pretty fast on the slopes, too.” I ignore him and watch Natalia run through the safety procedures as our plane taxis to the runway.