Total pages in book: 262
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
It was certainly home to me while I was pursuing Miss Steele to be my submissive.
And now here we are.
Husband and wife.
Finally she enters, and stands in the middle of the room, looking lost and forlorn.
Oh, Ana. What can I do? “Do you want a shower? A bath? What do you need, Ana?” I’m desperate to help her in any way I can.
“A bath. I’d like a bath,” she mutters.
“Bath. Good. Yes.” I stride into the en suite, relieved to have a purpose, and turn on the faucets. The water pours in, and I add some sweet-smelling bath oil, which instantly begins to foam. I slip out of my jacket and take off my tie as my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Andrea with José’s mobile number. I’ll deal with that later.
Ana’s in the bedroom, staring at the Nordstrom bags, when I reenter. “I sent Taylor to get some things. Nightwear. You know.” She nods but says nothing, her desolation obvious in her blank look. My heart yearns to take her pain away. “Oh, Ana, I’ve not seen you like this. You’re normally so brave and strong.”
She returns my gaze, mute and helpless.
Slowly, she crosses her arms, hugging herself as if caught in an icy draft, and I can bear it no more. I fold her into my embrace, offering her the warmth of my body. “Baby, he’s alive. His vital signs are good. We just have to be patient.” She shudders, and I don’t know if she’s cold, or if it’s the shock of seeing Ray brought so low. “Come.” Taking her hand, I lead her into the bathroom, slowly undress her, and help her into the bath. She fastens her hair in a gravity-defying bun, slips beneath the foam, and closes her eyes. I take it as my cue to undress and join her. Climbing in behind her, I settle into the hot water and pull her against my front so we’re both lying in the warm, soothing waters, her feet on mine.
As time moves on, Ana relaxes against me.
I let out a sigh of relief and allow myself a moment of respite from the dread that lingers in the pit of my stomach.
I hope to God that Ray will be okay.
Ana will fall apart if he’s not.
And I’m powerless to help.
Idly I kiss her hair, grateful that she can take a moment to unwind as she pops the bubbles in the foam.
“You didn’t get into the bath with Leila, did you? That time you bathed her?” she asks out of the blue.
“Um, no!”
“I thought so. Good.”
Where is this coming from?
Tugging her haphazard topknot of hair, I angle her head so I can see her face. I’m curious. “Why do you ask?”
She shrugs. “Morbid curiosity. I don’t know…seeing her this week.”
Hopefully you’ll never see her again. “I see. Less of the morbid.”
“How long are you going to support her?”
“Until she’s on her feet. I don’t know. Why?”
“Are there others?”
“Others?” I ask.
“Exes who you support.”
“There was one, yes. No longer, though.”
“Oh?”
“She was studying to be a doctor. She’s qualified now and has someone else.”
“Another Dominant?”
“Yes.”
“Leila says you have two of her paintings,” Ana mutters.
“I used to. I didn’t really care for them. They had technical merit, but they were too colorful for me. I think Elliot has them. As we know, he has no taste.”
Ana giggles, and it’s such a wonderful sound that I wrap both arms around her, with a little too much enthusiasm, and the bath water slops over the sides and onto the floor with a satisfying splash.
“That’s better.” I kiss her temple.
“He’s marrying my best friend.”
“Then I’d better shut my mouth.” I smile down at her and am rewarded with her answering smile. “We should eat.”
Ana’s face falls, but I’m not going to take no for an answer. I sit her up and clamber out of the bath, grabbing a robe as I do.
“You soak. I’m going to order some room service.”
Once I’ve ordered some food, I rummage through the shopping bags and change into fresh clothes. Taylor has done well. I like the black jeans and a grey cashmere sweater that he’s chosen. In the living room, I unpack my laptop and fire it up to check e-mails. While I’m scrolling through them, I have an idea.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Drunk Driver. Astoria PD.
Date: September 9 2011 17:34
To: Grey, Carrick
Hi, Dad
Mom has probably told you that Raymond Steele was in an accident. His car was hit by a drunk driver this morning in Astoria. Ray is now in the ICU. Can you use your police department contacts to find out any information about the guy who hit him?
Thanks.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I saunter back toward the bedroom and lean against the door frame, watching Ana search through the Nordstrom bags.
“Apart from harassing me at Clayton’s, have you ever actually gone into a store and just bought stuff?” she asks.