Grey (38 page)

“Oh, I'd like to put you there again.” Right now.

Her face brightens. “Tell me, and you can.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You're bargaining with me?” My voice betrays my disbelief.

She nods. “Negotiating.”

I frown. “It doesn't work that way, Anastasia.”

“Okay. Tell me, and I'll roll my eyes at you.”

I laugh. Now she is being ridiculous, and cute in my T-shirt. Her face shines with longing.

“Always so keen and eager for information,” I marvel. And a thought occurs to me: I could spank her. I've wanted to since dinner, but I could make it fun.

I get off the bed. “Don't go away,” I warn, and leave the room. From my study I pick up the key to the playroom and head upstairs. In the playroom chest I retrieve the toys I want and contemplate lube as well, but on reflection, and judging from recent experience, I don't think Ana will need any.

She's sitting on the bed when I get back, her expression bright with curiosity.

“When's your first interview tomorrow?” I ask.

“Two.”

Excellent. No early morning.

“Good. Get off the bed. Stand over here.” I point to a spot in front of me. Ana scrambles off the bed with no hesitation, eager as ever. She's waiting.

“Trust me?”

She nods, and I hold out my hand, revealing two silver kegel balls. She frowns and looks from the balls to me. “These are new. I am going to put these inside you and then I'm going to spank you, not for punishment, but for your pleasure and mine.”

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

H
er sharp intake of breath is music to my dick. “Then we'll fuck,” I whisper. “And if you're still awake, I'll impart some information about my formative years. Agreed?”

She nods. Her breathing has accelerated, her pupils are larger, darker, with her need and her thirst for knowledge.

“Good girl. Open your mouth.”

She hesitates for a moment, bewildered. But she does as she's told before I can reprimand her.

“Wider.”

I insert both of the balls into her mouth. They're a little big and heavy but will keep her smart mouth occupied for a moment or two.

“They need lubrication. Suck.”

She blinks and tries to suck, her stance changing subtly as she presses her thighs together and squirms.

Oh yes.

“Keep still, Anastasia,” I caution, but I'm enjoying the show.

Enough.

“Stop,” I order, and tug them from her mouth. At the bed I throw the comforter aside and sit down. “Come here.”

She sidles up to me, wanton and sexy.

Oh, Ana, my little freak.

“Now turn around, bend down, and grab your ankles.” Her expression tells me it's not what she was expecting to hear. “Don't hesitate,” I chide her, and I pop the balls into my mouth. She turns around, and with no effort bends over, presenting her long legs and her fine ass to me, my T-shirt slipping up her back toward her head and her mane of hair.

Well, I could look at this glorious sight for a while and imagine what I'd like to do to it. But right now I want to spank and fuck her. I lay my hand over her backside, enjoying her warmth under my palm as I caress her through her panties.

Oh, this ass is mine, so mine. And it's going to get warmer.

I slide her panties to one side, exposing her labia, and hold them in place with one hand. I resist the urge to run my tongue up and down the length of her sex; besides, my mouth is full. Instead, I trace the line down from her perineum to her clitoris and up again, before easing my finger inside her.

Deep in my throat I hum with approval and slowly circle my finger, stretching her. She moans and I harden. Instantly.

Miss Steele approves. She wants this.

With my finger I circle inside her once more, then withdraw and remove the balls from my mouth. Gently, I insert the first ball into her, then the second, leaving the tag outside, draped against her clitoris. I kiss her bare ass and slide her panties back into place.

“Stand up,” I command, and grasp her hips until I know she's steady on her feet. “You okay?”

“Yes.” Her voice is rough.

“Turn around.”

She complies immediately.

“How does that feel?” I ask.

“Strange.”

“Strange good or strange bad?”

“Strange good,” she answers.

“Good.”

She'll need to get used to them. What better way than to stretch and reach for something?

“I want a glass of water. Go and fetch one for me, please. And when you come back, I shall put you across my knee. Think about that, Anastasia.”

She's puzzled, but she turns and walks gingerly, with tentative steps, out of the room. While she's gone I collect a condom from my drawer. I'm running low; I'll need to stock up on these until her pill kicks in. Sitting back down on the bed, I wait with impatience.

When she reenters her walk is more confident, and she has my water.

“Thank you,” I say, taking a quick sip and placing the glass on my bedside table. When I look up she's watching me with overt desire.

It's a good look on her.

“Come. Stand beside me. Like last time.”

She does, and now her breathing is irregular…heavy. Boy, she's really turned on. So different from the last time I spanked her.

Let's rile her up some more, Grey.

“Ask me.” My voice is firm.

A mystified look crosses her face.

“Ask me.”

Come on, Ana.

Her brow furrows.

“Ask me, Anastasia. I won't say it again.” My voice is sharper.

Finally, she realizes what I'm asking for and she blushes. “Spank me, please, Sir,” she says quietly.

Those words…I close my eyes and let them ring through my head. Grasping her hand, I tug her over my knees so her torso lands on the bed. While stroking her behind with one hand, I smooth her hair off her face with the other, and tuck it behind her ear. Then I grasp her hair at the nape of her neck to hold her in place.

“I want to see your face while I spank you.” I caress her behind and push against her vulva, knowing that the action will push the balls deeper inside her.

She hums her approval.

“This is for pleasure, Anastasia, mine and yours.”

I lift my hand, then smack her right there.

“Ah!” she mouths, screwing up her face, and I caress her sweet, sweet ass while she adjusts to the sensation. When she relaxes, I smack her again. She groans, and I suppress my response. I begin in earnest, right cheek, left cheek, then the junction of her thighs and ass. Between each smack I fondle and knead her backside,
watching her skin turn a delicate shade of pink beneath her lacy underwear.

She moans, absorbing the pleasure, enjoying the experience.

I stop. I want to see her ass in all its rosy glory. Unhurriedly, teasing her, I tug down her panties, skimming my fingertips down her thighs, the backs of her knees, and her calves. She lifts her feet, and I discard her panties on the floor. She squirms, but stops when I place my hand flat against her pink, glowing skin. Grabbing her hair again, I start anew. Gently first, then resuming the pattern.

She's wet; her arousal is on my palm.

I grip her hair harder and she moans, eyes closed, mouth open and slack.

Fuck, she's hot.

“Good girl.” My voice is hoarse, my breathing erratic.

I spank her a couple more times until I can bear it no more.

I want her.

Now.

I wrap my fingers around the tab and draw the balls out of her.

She cries out in pleasure. Turning her over, I pause to yank my pants off and put on a wretched condom, then lie down beside her. I grab her hands, lift them over her head, and slowly ease myself onto her and into her as she mewls like a cat.

“Oh, baby.” She feels incredible.

“I want you to make love to me.”
Her words ring in my head.

And gently, oh so gently, I start to move, feeling every precious inch of her beneath and around me. I kiss her, appreciating her mouth and her body at once. She wraps her legs around mine, meeting each gentle thrust, rocking against me until she spirals up and up and up and lets go.

Her orgasm tips me over the edge. “Ana!” I call, pouring myself into her. Letting go. A welcome release that leaves me…wanting more. Needing more.

As my equilibrium returns, I push away the strange swell of emotion that gnaws at my insides. It's not like the darkness, but it's something to fear. Something I don't understand.

She flexes her fingers around mine, and I open my eyes and look down into her sleepy, sated gaze.

“I enjoyed that,” I whisper, and give her a lingering kiss.

She rewards me with a drowsy smile. I get up, cover her with the comforter, pick up my PJ pants, and pad into the bathroom, where I remove and dispose of the condom. I pull on my pants and find the arnica cream.

Back at the bed, Ana gives me a contented grin.

“Roll over,” I order, and for a moment I think she's going to roll her eyes, but she indulges me and moves. “Your ass is a glorious color,” I observe, pleased with the results. I squirt some cream on my palm and slowly massage it into her behind.

“Spill the beans, Grey,” she says with a yawn.

“Miss Steele, you know how to ruin a moment.”

“We had a deal,” she insists.

“How do you feel?”

“Shortchanged.”

With a heavy sigh I place the arnica cream on the bedside table and slip into bed, pulling Ana into my arms. I kiss her ear. “The woman who brought me into this world was a crack whore, Anastasia. Go to sleep.”

She tenses in my arms.

I still. I do not want her sympathy or her pity.

“Was?” she whispers.

“She's dead.”

“How long?”

“She died when I was four. I don't really remember her. Carrick has given me some details. I only remember certain things. Please go to sleep.”

After a while she relaxes against me. “Good night, Christian.” Her voice is sleepy.

“Good night, Ana.” I kiss her once more, inhaling her soothing scent and fighting off my memories.

“Don't just pick the apples and throw them away, asshole!”

“Fuck off, you righteous dweeb.”

Elliot picks an apple, takes a bite, and throws it at me.

“Maggot,” he taunts.

No! Don't call me that.

I jump him. Pounding my fists into his face.

“You fucking pig. This is food. You're just wasting it. Grandpa sells these. You pig. Pig. Pig.”

“ELLIOT. CHRISTIAN.”

Dad drags me off Elliot, who is cowering on the ground.

“What is this about?”

“He's insane.”

“Elliot!”

“He's destroying the apples.” Anger swells in my chest, in my throat. I think I might explode. “He's taking a bite and then throwing them away. Throwing them at me.”

“Elliot, is this true?”

Elliot turns red under Dad's hard stare.

“I think you'd better come with me. Christian, pick up the apples. You can help Mom bake a pie.”

She's fast asleep when I wake, my nose in her fragrant hair, my arms cocooning her. I've dreamed about romping through my grandfather's apple orchard with Elliot; those were happy, angry days.

It's nearly seven—another lie-in with Miss Steele. It's odd waking up beside her, but odd in a good way. I contemplate waking her with a morning fuck; my body is more than willing—but she's practically comatose and she might be sore. I should let her sleep. I climb out of bed, careful not to wake her, grab a T-shirt, gather her clothes from the floor, and wander into the living room.

“Good morning, Mr. Grey.” Mrs. Jones is busy in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Gail.” Stretching, I look out the windows at the remnants of a vivid dawn.

“You have some laundry there?” she asks.

“Yes. These are Anastasia's.”

“Do you want me to wash and press them?”

“Do you have time?”

“I'll put them on the quick cycle.”

“Excellent, thank you.” I pass her Ana's clothes. “How was your sister?”

“Very well, thanks. The kids are growing. Boys can be rough.”

“I know.”

She smiles and offers to make me some coffee.

“Please. I'll be in my study.” As she watches me her smile changes from pleasant to knowing…in the way that's feminine and secretive. Then she hurries out of the kitchen, I assume to the laundry room.

What's her problem?

Okay, this is the first Monday—the first time—in the four years she's worked for me that there's been a woman asleep in my bed. But it's not that big a deal.
Breakfast for two, Mrs. Jones. I think you can manage that.

I shake my head and wander into my study to start work. I'll shower later…maybe with Ana.

I check my e-mails and send one to Andrea and Ros, saying I'll be in this afternoon, not this morning. Then I take a look at Barney's latest schematics.

GAIL KNOCKS AND BRINGS
me a second cup of coffee, letting me know it's already 8:15.

That late?

“I'm not going into the office this morning.”

“Taylor was asking.”

“I'll go this afternoon.”

“I'll tell him. I've hung Miss Steele's clothes in your closet.”

“Thank you. That was quick. She still asleep?”

“I think so.” And there's that little smile again. I arch my brows and her smile broadens as she turns to leave my study. I put my work aside and head off with my coffee to take a shower and have a shave.

ANA IS STILL OUT
for the count when I finish dressing.

You've exhausted her, Grey.
And it was pleasurable, more than
pleasurable. She looks serene, as if she doesn't have a care in the world.

Good.

From the chest I take my watch, and on an impulse open the top drawer and pocket my last condom.

You never know.

I amble back through the living room toward my study.

“Do you want your breakfast yet, sir?”

“I'll have breakfast with Ana. Thanks.”

I pick up the phone and call Andrea from my desk. After we've exchanged a few words she puts me through to Ros.

“So when can we expect you?” Ros's tone is sarcastic.

“Good morning, Ros. How are you?” I say sweetly.

“Pissed.”

“At me?”

“Yes, at you, and your hands-off work ethic.”

“I'll be in later. The reason I'm calling is I've decided to liquidate Woods's company.” I've told her this already, but she and Marco are taking too long. I want this done, now. I remind her that this was going to happen if the company's P&L didn't improve. And it hasn't.

“He needs more time.”

“I'm not interested, Ros. We're not carrying deadweight.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don't want any more lame excuses.” Enough, already. I've made up my mind.

“Christian—”

“Have Marco call me, it's shit-or-bust time.”

“Okay. Okay. If that's what you really want. Anything else?”

“Yes. Tell Barney that the prototype looks good, though I'm not sure about the interface.”

“I thought the interface worked well, once I figured it out. Not that I'm an expert.”