“The new glider, that was mind-blowing.”
“I like blowing your mind.”
A slow, seductive smile tugs at her lips. “I like that, too.”
“I have a plan.”
“You do?”
I nod, holding my breath as myriad images of Ana harnessed in the playroom run through my head.
“Red Room?” she asks tentatively.
I nod.
Her pupils grow wide and dark, and her breasts rise as she inhales. “Bring it.”
And I am out of the car.
She’s out when I reach the passenger side. “Come.” I take her hand and trek briskly to the elevator. Fortunately, it’s waiting for us and we dart in. I squeeze her hand as we both stand against the back wall. She sidles closer to me and her intention is clear as she raises her face to mine.
“No. Wait.” I release her hand and step to the side as the elevator climbs.
“Christian,” she whispers, her look scorching.
I shake my head.
I’m gonna make you wait, baby.
She presses her lips together, her displeasure obvious, but there’s a flash of steel in her eyes. My girl does not back down from a challenge.
The game is on.
The doors of the elevator open and I step back, giving Ana a courtly wave. “Ladies first.”
She smirks, and with head held high, sashays out of the elevator into the foyer, where she stops.
Sawyer is waiting for us.
Well, this is inconvenient.
“Mr. Grey, is there anything else you require?” He’s aware that Taylor has gone to visit his daughter, and I think he’s trying to fill Taylor’s shoes. He looks expectantly from me to Ana, whose attention is suddenly concentrated on the floor as she tries not to laugh.
Hiding my amusement, I respond. “I’m good, thank you,” then, out of devilment, add, “Ana?”
“All good.” She shoots me a what-the-fuck look and it takes all my self-control not to burst out laughing in front of Sawyer. She scuttles out of the foyer.
“You and Reynolds can stand down. We’re not going out this evening. Anastasia is going out tomorrow. I’ll text you in the morning to let you know when.” Ana has a fitting for her wedding dress in the morning.
“Very good, sir.” He turns and I follow him out into the corridor. A quick glance in the living room reveals Ana is not there. Sawyer heads into Taylor’s office while I go in search of Miss Steele. I find her in the bedroom, where she’s unlacing her boots.
She looks up. “Mr. Grey, you are truly evil.”
“I try my best. Playroom. Ten minutes.” I turn on my heel and leave her, mouth open, in my…our bedroom.
The playroom is softly illuminated, the light glowing off the red walls. It feels, once more, like my haven. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in here. Why is that? Where does the time go? I chuckle—I sound like my dad. I strip off my jacket, and remove my shoes and socks, enjoying the warmth of the wooden floor on the soles of my feet. From the bottom of the toy chest, I remove a leather suspension harness; it’s going to be fun strapping Ana into this. I can barely contain myself. She won’t be fully suspended, so I think she’ll be within her limits. I lay it out on the bed, then retrieve a few other items. Putting a couple of them in the back pocket of my jeans, I leave the rest on the chest, then head next door to the en suite in the submissive’s room.
I pause when I come out of the bathroom. The room is unchanged since Susannah left. Ana never really occupied this space; it has an empty, abandoned feel. The decor is still neutral. White. Cold. Susannah never wanted to decorate.
Grey, stop.
I don’t want to go down that rabbit hole right now. Not when my girl should be waiting for me.
When I enter the room, Ana is barefoot by the bed, examining the harness. The sight of her halts me in my tracks. She’s changed into some lacy lingerie. She’s all long legs, arms, and black lace, and fine see-through panties.
Just for me.
I can see everything.
Everything.
Shrouded in lace.
My mouth dries as she steps toward me, her hair free, falling and curling under her breasts. “Mr. Grey. You’re overdressed.”
I could play this one of two ways. We are still finding ourselves in here. Today, the Dominant wins. “You want to play?”
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
Ana’s lips part in surprise. “Sir.”
“In that case, turn around.”
She blinks, astonished at my tone, I think, and a furrow forms on her brow.
“Don’t frown.”
“Suspension?”
“Not fully, no. Your toes will be on the floor. It’ll be intense.”
Come on, Ana. Don’t lose your nerve.
“We don’t have to do this,” I whisper.
Her mouth twists into that challenging smirk I know so well, and I think she’s considering her options. I cock my head to the side as her eyes stray to the harness on the bed. They linger on it—she’s intrigued, I can tell. I tip her chin up and brush my lips against hers. “Do you want to wear this harness or not?”
“What will you do to me?” Her words are breathy and barely audible. She’s turned on. Just at the sight of it.
“Whatever I want.”
She gasps and turns around immediately.
Yes!
From the top of the chest of drawers, I grab a hair tie and gather her hair in my hands and begin braiding it.
It would never do to get her luscious locks caught in any of the straps.
I make quick work of her braid and, once it’s fastened, give it a tug. She steps back into my arms. “You look mighty fine, Miss Steele,” I murmur into her ear. “Love the lingerie. Remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Just tell me to stop. Now, go and assume the position by the door.” She gives me a most unsubmissive look, which in another lifetime would have earned her a good spanking, but she moves to the door and kneels, resting her palms on her thighs and parting her legs.
That’s my girl.
She looks gorgeous. I could come just looking at her.
Steady, Grey. Get a grip.
Ignoring my arousal, I go back to the chest, pull out my iPod, and place it in the dock. I switch on the Bose system, choose a track, and press repeat.