All thought is erased from my mind.
My mouth dries as I stare.
She’s a walking wet dream.
She’s Aphrodite.
Thank you, Caroline Acton.
“Can I help you, Mr. Grey? I assume there is some purpose to your visit other than to gawk mindlessly at me.” There’s a haughty edge to her voice.
“I am rather enjoying my mindless gawk, thank you, Miss Steele.” I step into the room. “Remind me to send a personal note of thanks to Caroline Acton.”
Ana gestures with her hands. She’s wondering what I’m talking about.
“The personal shopper at Neiman’s,” I clarify.
“Oh.”
“I’m quite distracted.”
“I can see that. What do you want, Christian?” she says, sounding impatient, but I think she’s teasing me. I pull the kegel balls out of my pocket for her to see, and her expression changes from playful to alarmed.
She thinks I want to spank her.
I do…
But.
“It’s not what you think,” I reassure her.
“Enlighten me.”
“I thought you could wear these, tonight.”
She blinks several times. “To this event?”
I nod.
“Will you spank me later?”
“No.”
Her face falls and I can’t help but laugh. “You want me to?”
I watch her swallow, indecision plain on her face.
“Well, rest assured I am not going to touch you like that, not even if you beg me.” I pause and let that information sink in before I continue. “Do you want to play this game?” I hold them up. “You can always take them out if it’s too much.”
Her eyes darken and a small, wicked smile teases her lips. “Okay,” she says.
And once again I’m reminded that Anastasia Steele is not a woman to back away from a challenge.
I spy the Louboutins on the floor. “Good girl. Come here, and I’ll put them in once you’ve put your shoes on.”
Ana in fine lingerie and Louboutins—all my dreams are coming true.
I hold out my hand to help her into her shoes. She steps into them, and turns from elfin and gamine to tall and willowy.
She’s gorgeous.
Man, what they do for her legs.
I lead her to the bedside and fetch the bedroom chair and place it in front of her.
“When I nod, you bend down and hold on to the chair. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now open your mouth.”
She does, and I slide my index finger between her lips.
“Suck,” I order. She clasps my hand, and, with a lustful glance at me, she does exactly as I ask.
Christ.
Her look is scorching. Wanton. Unwavering. And her tongue teases and pulls at my finger.
I might as well have my cock in her mouth.
I’m hard.
Instantly.
Oh, baby.
I’ve known very few women who have had this instant effect on me, but none as instant as Ana…and given her naïveté it surprises me. But she’s had this hold on me since I met her.
Get to the matter in hand, Grey.
To lubricate the balls, I slip them into my mouth while she continues to pleasure my finger. When I try to withdraw it, her teeth clamp down and she gives me a winsome smile.
No you don’t, I warn, shaking my head, and she loosens her grip, releasing me.
I nod, indicating she should bend over the chair, and she obliges.
Kneeling behind her, I move her panties to one side and slide my fellated finger inside her and circle slowly, feeling the tight, wet walls of her vagina. She moans and I want to tell her to be quiet and to stay still, but that’s not the relationship we have anymore.
We’re doing things her way.
I withdraw my finger, then gently ease each ball inside her, carefully pushing them as deep as they can go. As I slip her panties back in place, I kiss her delectable derrière. I sit back on my heels and run my hands up her legs and kiss each thigh where her stockings stop.
“You have fine, fine legs, Miss Steele.” I stand and grasp her hips, pulling her against my arousal. “Maybe I’ll have you this way when we get home, Anastasia. You can stand now.”
She does, her breath quickening once she’s upright, and she shimmies in front of me, her ass brushing my erection. I kiss her shoulder and extend my arm around her, palm up, holding out the Cartier box.
“I bought these for you to wear to last Saturday’s gala. But you left me, so I never had the opportunity to give them to you.” I take a deep breath. “This is my second chance.”
Will she accept them?
It seems symbolic somehow. If she’s serious about us, she’ll accept them. I hold my breath. She reaches for the box and opens it and stares at the earrings for the longest time.
Please take them, Ana.
“They’re lovely,” she whispers. “Thank you.”
She can play nice. I grin as I relax, knowing I won’t have to fight to get her to keep them. I kiss her shoulder and spot the silver satin dress on the bed. I ask her if that’s what she’s chosen to wear.
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“Of course. I’ll let you get ready.”
I’VE LOST COUNT OF the number of these events I’ve attended, but for the first time I’m excited. I get to show Ana off to my family and all of their well-heeled friends.
I finish tying my bow tie with ease and grab my jacket. Slipping it on, I take one last look in the mirror. The asshole looks happy, but he needs to straighten his tie.
“Keep still,” Elena snaps.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I stand before her, getting ready for prom. I’ve told my parents I’m not going and that I’m seeing a friend. It will be our own personal prom. Just Elena and I. She moves, and I hear the rustle of expensive silk and inhale the provocative scent of her perfume.
“Open your eyes.”
I do as I’m instructed. She’s poised behind me and we’re facing a mirror. I look at her, not at the idiot boy standing in front of her.
She takes the ends of my bow tie. “And this is how you do this.” Slowly, she moves her fingers. Her nails are bright scarlet. I watch. Fascinated.
She pulls the ends and I’m wearing a most respectable bow tie.
“Now, let’s see if you can do it. And if you do, I’ll reward you.” She smiles her secret I-so-own-you smile and I know it will be good.
I’M REHASHING THE NIGHT’S arrangements with the security team when I hear her footfalls behind me. All four men are suddenly distracted. Taylor smiles. When I turn around, Ana is standing at the bottom of the stairs.
A vision. Wow.
She’s stunning in her silver gown and reminiscent of a silent-movie siren.
I saunter over to her, feeling a disproportionate sense of pride, and kiss her hair. “Anastasia. You look breathtaking.” I’m delighted that she’s wearing the earrings. She flushes.
“A glass of champagne before we go?” I offer.
“Please.”
I nod to Taylor, who leads his three colleagues out to the foyer, and with my arm around my date we head into the living room. From the fridge, I take a bottle of Cristal Rosé and open it.
“Security team?” Ana asks, as I pour the bubbling liquid into champagne flutes.