Don’t give up on me, Ana.
I hear Dr. Flynn’s voice, nagging me. “We have to walk before we can run,” I say out loud.
“What’s so funny?” she asks.
“Flynn. He says that all the time. I never thought I’d be quoting him.”
“A Flynnism.”
I laugh. “Exactly.”
The waiter arrives with the appetizers and our heavy conversation ceases, turning to the much lighter subject of travel. We discuss all the countries Ana would love to visit, and the places I’ve been. Talking to Ana reminds me how lucky I am. My parents took us all over the world: to Europe, to Asia, and to South America. My father in particular considered travel a vital part of our education. Of course, they could afford it. Ana’s never left the U.S. and has always longed to visit Europe. I’d like to take her to all these places; I wonder how she’d feel about sailing the world with me.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Grey.
TRAFFIC IS LIGHT DURING our drive back to Escala. Ana admires the passing sights, her foot tapping in time to the music that fills the car.
I can’t help thinking about our earlier intense conversation about our relationship. The truth is, I don’t know if I can maintain a vanilla relationship, but I’m willing to try. I don’t want to push her into something she doesn’t want to do.
But she’s willing, Grey.
She said so.
She wants the Red Room, as she calls it.
I shake my head. I think, for once, I’m going to take Dr. Flynn’s advice.
Walk before we run, Ana.
I glance out of the window and catch sight of a young woman with long brown hair and she reminds me of Leila. It’s not her, but as we near Escala I begin to scan the streets, searching for her.
Where the fuck is she?
By the time I pull into the garage at Escala, my hands are gripping the steering wheel and tension has tightened every muscle in my body. I’m wondering if it was a good idea to come back to the apartment with Leila still at large.
Sawyer is in the garage, prowling around my parking spaces like a caged lion. This is overkill surely, but I’m relieved to see the Audi A3 is gone. He opens Ana’s car door as I switch off the engine.
“Hello, Sawyer,” she says.
“Miss Steele. Mr. Grey,” he says in greeting.
“No sign?” I ask him.
“No, sir,” he responds, and even though I knew that would be the answer, it’s vexing. I grasp Ana’s hand and we step into the elevator.
“You are not allowed out of here alone. You understand?” I caution Ana.
“Okay,” she says as the doors close, and her lips twitch in amusement.
“What’s so funny?” I’m floored that she agreed so readily.
“You are.”
“Me?” My tension starts to dissolve. She’s laughing at me? “Miss Steele? Why am I funny?” I purse my lips, trying to stop my smile.
“Don’t pout,” she says.
I’m pouting?
“Why?”
“Because it has the same effect on me as I have on you when I do this.” She lets her teeth toy with her bottom lip.
“Really?” I do it once more and lean down to give her a swift kiss. When my lips touch hers, it sparks my desire. I hear her sharp intake of breath, then her fingers are twisting in my hair. Holding my lips to hers, I grab her and push her against the elevator wall, my hands cradling her face. Her tongue is in my mouth and mine in hers as she takes what she wants and I give her all that I have.
It’s explosive.
I want to fuck her. Now.
I pour all my anxiety into her, and she takes everything.
Ana…
The elevator doors open with the familiar ping and I pull my face away from her, but I’m still pinning her to the wall with my hips and my hardening erection.
“Whoa,” I whisper, dragging air into my lungs.
“Whoa,” she answers, panting.
“What you do to me, Ana.” I trace my thumb across her lower lip. Ana’s eyes flit to the foyer and I sense rather than see Taylor.
She kisses the corner of my mouth. “What you do to me, Christian,” she says. I step back and take her hand. I haven’t jumped her in an elevator since that day at The Heathman.
Get a grip, Grey.
“Come,” I say.
As we exit the elevator, Taylor is standing to one side.
“Good evening, Taylor.”
“Mr. Grey, Miss Steele.”
“I was Mrs. Taylor yesterday,” Ana says, all smiles for Mr. Taylor.
“That has a nice ring to it, Miss Steele,” Taylor responds.
“I thought so, too.”
What the hell is going on?
I scowl at Ana and Taylor. “If you two have quite finished, I’d like a debriefing.” Ana and Taylor exchange a look. “I’ll be with you shortly. I just want a word with Miss Steele,” I say to Taylor.
He nods.
And I take Ana into my bedroom and close the door. “Don’t flirt with the staff, Anastasia.”
“I wasn’t flirting. I was being friendly. There is a difference.”
“Don’t be friendly with the staff or flirt with them. I don’t like it.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder and looks down at her fingernails. I cup her chin and lift her head so I can see into her eyes. “You know how jealous I am.”
“You have no reason to be jealous, Christian. You own me body and soul.” She looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind, and suddenly I feel foolish.
She’s right.
I’m completely overreacting.
I give her a chaste kiss. “I won’t be long. Make yourself at home.” I go to find Taylor in his office. He stands when I enter.
“Mr. Grey, about—”
I hold up my hand. “Don’t. It’s I who should apologize.”
Taylor looks surprised.
“What’s occurring?” I ask.
“Gail will return later tonight.”
“Good.”
“I’ve informed the facilities management at Escala that Miss Williams had a key. I felt they should know.”
“How did they respond?”
“Well, I stopped them from calling the police.”
“Good.”
“The locks have all been changed and a contractor is coming to look at the emergency stairwell door. Miss Williams shouldn’t have been able to get in from the outside even with a key.”
“And you found nothing in your sweep?”
“Nothing, sir. I couldn’t tell you where she was hiding. But she’s not here now.”
“Have you spoken to Welch?”
“I’ve briefed him.”
“Thank you. Ana’s going to stay here tonight. I think it’s safer.”
“Agreed, sir.”
“Cancel the Audi. I’ve decided on a Saab for Ana. It should be here soon. I have asked them to expedite delivery.”
“Will do, sir.”
When I return to my bedroom, Ana is standing on the threshold of my closet. She looks a little stunned. I poke my head around the closet door. Her clothes are here.
“Oh, they managed the move.” I thought Gail was going to handle Ana’s clothes. I shrug it off.