Grey (16 page)

“Thank you for this weekend, Anastasia. It's been…the best.” She turns shining eyes to me. “Wednesday?” I continue. “I'll pick you up from work, from wherever?”

“Wednesday,” she says, and the hope in her voice is disconcerting.

Shit. It's not a date.

I kiss her hand again and climb out of the car to open her door. I have to get out of here before I do something I'll regret.

When she gets out of the car, she brightens, at odds with how she looked a moment ago. She marches up to her front door but before reaching the steps she turns suddenly. “Oh, by the way, I'm wearing your underwear,” she says in triumph, and she yanks the waistband up so I can see the words “Polo” and “Ralph” peeking over her jeans.

She's stolen my underwear!

I'm stunned. And in that instant I want nothing more than to see her in my boxer briefs…and only them.

She tosses back her hair and swaggers into her apartment, leaving me standing on the curb, staring like a fool.

Shaking my head, I climb back into the car, and as I start the engine I cannot help my shit-eating grin.

I hope she says yes.

I FINISH MY WORK
and take a sip of the fine Sancerre, delivered from room service by the woman with dark, dark eyes. Trawling through my e-mails and answering where required has been a welcome distraction from thoughts of Anastasia. And now I'm pleasantly tired. Is it the five hours of work? Or all the sexual activity last night and this morning? Memories of the delectable Miss Steele invade my mind: in
Charlie Tango,
in my bed, in my bath, dancing around my kitchen. And to think it all started here on Friday…and now she's considering my proposal.

Has she read the contract? Is she doing her homework?

I check my phone once again for a text or a missed call but, of course, there's nothing.

Will she agree?

I hope so…

Andrea has sent me Ana's new e-mail address and assured me the laptop will be delivered tomorrow morning. With that in mind, I type out an e-mail.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Your New Computer

Date:
May 22 2011 23:15

To:
Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele,

I trust you slept well. I hope that you put this laptop to good use, as discussed.

I look forward to dinner Wednesday.

Happy to answer any questions before then, via e-mail, should you so desire.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

The e-mail doesn't bounce, so the address is live. I wonder how Ana will react in the morning when she reads it. I hope she likes the laptop. Guess I'll know tomorrow. Picking up my latest read, I settle onto the sofa. It's a book by two renowned economists who examine why the poor think and behave the way they do. An image of a young woman brushing out her long, dark hair comes to mind; her hair shines in the light from the cracked, yellowed window, and the air is filled with dancing dust motes. She's singing softly, like a child.

I shudder.

Don't go there, Grey.

I open the book and start to read.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

I
t's after one in the morning when I go to bed. Staring at the ceiling, I'm tired, relaxed, but also excited, anticipating what the week will bring. I hope to have a new project: Miss Anastasia Steele.

MY FEET POUND THE
sidewalk on Main Street as I run toward the river. It's 6:35 in the morning and the sun's rays are shimmering through the high-rise buildings. The sidewalk trees are newly green with spring leaves; the air is clean, the traffic quiet. I've slept well. “O Fortuna” from Orff's
Carmina Burana
is blaring in my ears. Today the streets are paved with possibility.

Will she respond to my e-mail?

It's too early, far too early for any response, but feeling lighter than I have for weeks, I run past the statue of the elk and toward the Willamette.

BY 7:45 I'M IN
front of my laptop, having showered and ordered breakfast. I e-mail Andrea to let her know I'll be working from Portland for the week and to ask her to reschedule any meetings so that they can take place by phone or videoconference. I e-mail Gail to let her know I won't be home until Thursday evening at the earliest. Then I work through my inbox and find among other things a proposal for a joint venture with a shipyard in Taiwan. I forward it to Ros to add to the agenda of items we need to discuss.

Then I turn to my other outstanding matter: Elena. She's texted me a couple of times over the weekend and I've not replied.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
The Weekend

Date:
May 23 2011 08:15

To:
Elena Lincoln

Good morning, Elena.

Sorry not to get back to you. I've been busy all weekend, and I'll be in Portland all this week. I don't know about next weekend, either, but if I'm free, I'll let you know.

Latest results for the beauty business look promising.

Good going, Ma'am…

Best

C

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

I press send, wondering again what Elena would make of Ana…and vice versa. There's a ping from my laptop as a new e-mail arrives.

It's from Ana.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Your New Computer (on loan)

Date:
May 23 2011 08:20

To:
Christian Grey

I slept very well, thank you—for some strange reason—
Sir.

I understood that this computer was on loan, ergo not mine.

Ana

“Sir” with a capital
S;
the girl has been reading, and possibly researching. And she's still talking to me. I grin stupidly at the e-mail. This is good news. Though she is also telling me that she doesn't want the computer.

Well, that's frustrating.

I shake my head, amused.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Your New Computer (on loan)

Date:
May 23 2011 08:22

To:
Anastasia Steele

The computer is on loan. Indefinitely, Miss Steele.

I note from your tone that you have read the documentation I gave you.

Do you have any questions so far?

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

I hit send. How long will it be before she responds? I resume reading my e-mail as a distraction while I wait for her reply. There's an executive summary from Fred, the head of my telecom division, about the development of our solar-powered tablet—one of my pet projects. It's ambitious but few of my business ventures matter more than this one and I'm excited about it. Bringing affordable first world technology to the third world is something I'm determined to do.

There's a ping from my computer.

Another e-mail from Miss Steele.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Inquiring Minds

Date:
May 23 2011 08:25

To:
Christian Grey

I have many questions, but not suitable for e-mail, and some of us have to work for a living.

I do not want or need a computer indefinitely.

Until later, good day.
Sir.

Ana

The tone of her e-mail makes me smile, but it seems she's off to work, so this might be the last one for a while. Her reluctance to accept the damned computer is annoying. But I suppose it shows she's not acquisitive. She's no gold digger—rare among the women I've known…yet Leila was the same.

“Sir, I am not deserving of this beautiful dress.”

“You are. Take it. And I'll not hear another word on this. Understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good. And the style will suit you.”

Ah, Leila.
She was a good submissive, but she became too attached and I was the wrong man. Fortunately, that wasn't for long. She's married now and happy. I turn my attention back to Ana's e-mail and reread.

“Some of us have to work for a living.”

The sassy wench is implying I don't do any work.

Well to hell with that!

I spy Fred's rather dry summary report open on my desktop and decide to set the record straight with Ana.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Your New Computer (again on loan)

Date:
May 23 2011 08:26

To:
Anastasia Steele

Laters, baby.

P.S.: I work for a living, too.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

I find it impossible to concentrate on my work, waiting for the telltale ping to announce a new e-mail from Ana. When it comes, I look up immediately—but it's from Elena. And I'm surprised by my disappointment.

From:
Elena Lincoln

Subject:
The Weekend

Date:
May 23 2011 08:33

To:
Christian Grey

Christian, you work too hard. What's in Portland? Work?

Ex

ELENA LINCOLN

ESCLAVA

For The Beauty That Is You™

Do I tell her? If I do, she'll call immediately with questions, and I'm not ready to divulge my weekend experiences yet. I type her a quick e-mail saying it's work, and get back to my reading.

Andrea calls me at nine and we run through my schedule. As
I'm in Portland, I ask her to set up a meeting with the president and the AVP of economic development at WSU, to discuss the soil science project we've set up and their need for additional funding in the next fiscal year. She agrees to cancel all my social engagements this week, and then connects me through to my first videoconference of the day.

AT 3:00 I'M PORING
over some tablet design schematics that Barney has sent me when I'm disturbed by a knock at my door. The interruption is annoying but for a moment I hope that it's Miss Steele. It's Taylor.

“Hello.” I hope my voice doesn't reveal my disappointment.

“I have your clothes, Mr. Grey,” he says politely.

“Come in. Can you hang them in the closet? I'm expecting my next conference call.”

“Certainly, sir.” He hurries into the bedroom, carrying a couple of suit bags and a duffel.

When he returns I'm still waiting for my call.

“Taylor, I don't think I'm going to need you for the next couple of days. Why don't you take the time to see your daughter?”

“That's very good of you, sir, but her mother and I—” He stops, embarrassed.

“Ah. Like that, is it?” I ask.

He nods. “Yes, sir. It will take some negotiating.”

“Okay. Would Wednesday be better?”

“I'll ask. Thank you, sir.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“You do enough, sir.”

He doesn't want to talk about this. “Okay. I think I'm going to need a printer—can you arrange it?”

“Yes, sir.” He nods. As he leaves, closing the door softly behind him, I frown. I hope his ex-wife isn't giving him grief. I pay for his daughter's schooling as another incentive for him to stay in my employment; he's a good man, and I don't want to lose him. The phone rings—it's my conference call with Ros and Senator Blandino.

MY LAST CALL WRAPS
up at 5:20. Stretching in my chair, I think about how productive I've been today. It's amazing how much more I get done when I'm not in the office. Only a couple of reports to read and I'm finished for the day. As I look out the window at the early-evening sky, my mind strays to a certain potential submissive.

I wonder how her day at Clayton's has been, pricing cable ties and measuring out lengths of rope. I hope one day I'll get to use them on her. The thought conjures images of her tethered in my playroom. I dwell on this for a moment…then quickly send her an e-mail. All this waiting, working, and e-mailing is making me restless. I know how I'd like to release this pent-up energy, but I have to settle for a run.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Working for a Living

Date:
May 23 2011 17:24

To:
Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele,

I do hope you had a good day at work.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

I change back into my running gear. Taylor has brought me two more pairs of sweatpants. I'm sure that's Gail's doing. As I head toward the door I check my e-mail. She's replied.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Working for a Living

Date:
May 23 2011 17:48

To:
Christian Grey

Sir…
I had a very good day at work.

Thank you.

Ana

But she hasn't done her homework. I e-mail her back.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Do the Work!

Date:
May 23 2011 17:50

To:
Anastasia Steele

Miss Steele,

Delighted you had a good day.

While you are e-mailing, you are not researching.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

And rather than leave the room, I wait for her reply. She doesn't keep me waiting long.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Nuisance

Date:
May 23 2011 17:53

To:
Christian Grey

Mr. Grey, stop e-mailing me, and I can start my assignment.

I'd like another A.

Ana

I laugh out loud.
Yes.
That A was something else. Closing my eyes, I see and feel her mouth around my cock once more.

Fuck.

Bringing my errant body to heel, I press send on my reply, and wait.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Impatient

Date:
May 23 2011 17:55

To:
Anastasia Steele

Miss Steele,

Stop e-mailing
me
—and do your assignment.

I'd like to award another A.

The first one was so well deserved. ;)

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

Her response is not as immediate, and feeling a little crestfallen, I turn away and decide to go on my run. But as I open the door the ping from my inbox pulls me back.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Internet Research

Date:
May 23 2011 17:59

To:
Christian Grey

Mr. Grey,

What would you suggest I put into a search engine?

Ana

Shit!
Why didn't I think about this? I could have given her some books. Numerous websites spring to mind—but I don't want to frighten her off.

Perhaps she should start with the most vanilla…

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
Internet Research

Date:
May 23 2011 18:02

To:
Anastasia Steele

Miss Steele,

Always start with Wikipedia.

No more e-mails unless you have questions.

Understood?

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

I get up from my desk, thinking she won't respond, but as usual she surprises me and does. I can't resist.

From:
Anastasia Steele

Subject:
Bossy!

Date:
May 23 2011 18:04

To:
Christian Grey

Yes…
Sir.

You are so bossy.

Ana

Damned right, baby.

From:
Christian Grey

Subject:
In Control

Date:
May 23 2011 18:06

To:
Anastasia Steele

Anastasia, you have no idea.

Well, maybe an inkling now.

Do the work.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

Show some restraint, Grey.
Before she can distract me again, I'm out the door. With the Foo Fighters blaring in my ears I run to the river; I've seen the Willamette at dawn, now I want to see it at dusk. It's a fine evening: couples are walking by the riverside, some sitting on the grass, and a few tourists are cycling up and down the concourse. I avoid them, the music blasting in my ears.

Miss Steele has questions. She is still in the game—this is not a
“no.” Our e-mail exchange has given me hope. As I run under the Hawthorne Bridge I reflect on how at ease she is with the written word, more so than when she's speaking. Maybe this is her preferred medium of expression. Well, she has been studying English literature. I'm hoping that by the time I get back there'll be another e-mail, maybe with questions, maybe with some more of her sassy banter.