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He sighs heavily, sadly.
"I know, Ana. I just thought, if I kissed you, it might change how you feel."
"Jose, I love you dearly, you mean so much to me. You're like the brother I never had.
That's not going to change. You know that." I hate to let him down, but it's the truth.
"So you're with him now?" His tone is full of disdain.
"Jose, I'm not with anybody."
"But you spent the night with him."
"That's none of your business!"
"Is it the money?"
"Jose! How dare you!" I shout, staggered by his audacity.
"Ana," he whines and apologizes simultaneously. I cannot deal with his petty jealousy now. I know he's hurt, but my plate is overflowing dealing with Christian Grey.
"Maybe we can have a coffee or something tomorrow. I'll call you." I am conciliatory.
He is my friend, and I'm very fond of him. But right now, I don't need this.
"Tomorrow then. You'll call?" The hope in his voice twists my heart.
"Yes... goodnight, Jose." I hang up, not waiting for his response.
"What was that all about?" Katherine demands, her hands on her hips. I decide honesty is the policy. She's looking more intractable than ever.
"He made a pa.s.s at me on Friday."
"JoseAnd Christian GreyAna, your pheromones must be working overtime. What was the stupid fool thinking?" She shakes her head in disgust and returns to packing crates.
Forty-five minutes later, we pause our packing for the house specialty, my lasagna.
Kate opens a bottle of wine, and we sit amongst the boxes eating, quaffing cheap red wine, and watching c.r.a.p TV. This is normality. It's so grounding and welcome after the last forty-eight hours of... madness. I eat my first unhurried, no nagging, peaceful meal in that time. What is it about him and food Kate clears the dishes, and I finish packing up the living room. We are left with the couch, the TV, and the dining table. What more could we needJust the kitchen and our bedrooms left to pack up, and we have the rest of the week. Result!
The phone rings again. It's Elliot. Kate winks at me and skips off to her bedroom like she's fourteen. I know that she should be writing her Valedictorian speech, but it seems Elliot is more important. What is it about the Grey menWhat is it that makes them totally distracting, all-consuming, and irresistibleI take another slug of wine.
I flick through the TV channels, but deep down I know I'm procrastinating. Burning a bright red hole in the side of my purse is that contract. Do I have the strength and the wherewithal to read it tonight?
I put my head in my hands. Jose and Christian, they both want something from me.
Jose is easy to deal with. But Christian... Christian takes a whole different league of handling, of understanding. Part of me wants to run and hide. What am I going to doHis burning gray eyes and that intense smoldering stare come into my mind's eye, and my body tightens at the thought. I gasp. He's not even here, and I'm turned on. It just can't be about s.e.x, can itI recall his gentle banter this morning at breakfast, his joy at my delight with the helicopter ride, him playing the piano - the sweet soulful oh-so-sad music.
He's such a complicated person. And now I have an insight as to why. A young man deprived of his adolescence, s.e.xually abused by some evil Mrs. Robinson figure... no wonder he's old before his time. My heart fills with sadness at the thought of what he must have been through. I'm too na?ve to know exactly what, but the research should shed some light. But do I really want to knowDo I want to explore this world I know nothing about?
It's such a big step.
If I'd not met him, I'd still be sweetly and blissfully oblivious. My mind drifts to last night, and this morning... and the incredible, sensual s.e.xuality I've experienced. Do I want to say goodbye to thatNo! Screams my subconscious... my inner G.o.ddess nods in silent zen-like agreement with her.
Kate wanders back into the living room, grinning from ear to ear. Perhaps she's in love - I gape at her. She's never behaved like this.
"Ana, I'm off to bed. I'm pretty tired."
"Me too, Kate."
She hugs me.
"I'm glad you're back in one piece. There's something about Christian," she adds quietly, apologetically. I give her a small, rea.s.suring smile - all the while thinking... How the h.e.l.l does she know This is what will make her a great journalist, her unfaltering intuition.
Collecting my purse, I wander listlessly into my bedroom. I am weary from all our carnal exertions of the last day and from the complete and utter dilemma that I'm faced with. I sit on my bed and gingerly extract the manila envelope from the bag, turning it over and over in my hands. Do I really want to know the extent of Christian's depravityIt's so daunting. I take a deep breath, and with my heart in my throat, I rip open the envelope.
Chapter Eleven
There are several papers inside the envelope. I fish them out, my heart still pounding, and I sit back on my bed and begin to read.
CONTRACT
Made this day_________ of 2011 ("The Commencement Date") BETWEEN
MR. CHRISTIAN GREY of 301 Escala, Seattle, WA 98889
("The Dominant")
MISS ANASTASIA STEELE of 1114 SW Green Street, Apartment 7, Haven Heights, Vancouver, WA 98888
("The Submissive")
THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS
1 The following are the terms of a binding contract between the Dominant and the Submissive.
FUNDAMENTAL TERMS
2 The fundamental purpose of this contract is to allow the Submissive to explore her sensuality and her limits safely, with due respect and regard for her needs, her limits and her wellbeing.
3 The Dominant and the Submissive agree and acknowledge that all that occurs under the terms of this contract will be consensual, confidential, and subject to the agreed limits and safety procedures set out in this contract. Additional limits and safety procedures may be agreed in writing.
