Fifty Shades Book 1 - Page 113

"Ana, anyone can see that. And he's fallen for you. He's mad about you. Won't take his eyes off you."

I laugh uncertainly.

"Do you think so?"

"Hasn't he told you?"

"Not in so many words."

"Have you told him?"

"Not in so many words." I shrug apologetically.

"Ana! Someone has to make the first move, otherwise you'll never get anywhere."

What... tell him how I feel?

"I'm just afraid I'll frighten him away."

"And how do you know he's not feeling the same?"

"Christian, afraidI can't imagine him being frightened of anything." But as I say the words, I imagine him as a small child. Maybe fear was all he knew then. Sorrow grips and squeezes my heart at the thought.

Kate gazes at me with pursed lips and narrowed eyes, rather like my subconscious - all she needs is the half-moon specs.

"You two need to sit down and talk to each other."

"We haven't been doing much talking lately." I flush. Other stuff. Non-verbal communication and that's okay. Well, much more than okay.

She grins.

"That'll be the s.e.xing! If that's going well, then that's half the battle Ana. I'll grab some Chinese take-out. Are you ready to go?"

"I will be - we don't have to leave for a couple of hours or so."

"No - I'll see you in twenty." She grabs her jacket and leaves, forgetting to close the door. I shut it behind her and head off to my bedroom mulling over her words.

Is Christian afraid of his feelings for meDoes he even have feelings for meHe seems very keen, says I'm his - but that's just part of his I-must-own-and-have-everything-now - control-freak dominant self, surely. I realize that while I'm away, I will have to run through all our conversations again and see if I can pick out telltale signs.

I'll miss you too... more than you know...

You've completely beguiled me...

I shake my head. I don't want to think about it now. I am charging the BlackBerry, so I haven't had it with me all afternoon. I approach it with caution, and I'm disappointed that there are no messages. I switch on the mean machine, and there are no messages there either. Same email address Ana - my subconscious rolls her eyes at me, and for the first time, I understand why Christian wants to spank me when I do that.

Okay. Well, I'll write him an email.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Interviews

Date: May 30 2011 18:49

To: Christian Grey

Dear Sir

My interviews went well today.

Thought you might be interested.

How was your day?

Ana

I sit and glare at the screen. Christian's responses are usually instantaneous. I wait... and wait, and finally I hear the welcome ping from my inbox.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: My day

Date: May 30 2011 19:03

To: Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

Everything you do interests me, you are the most fascinating woman I know.

I'm glad your interviews went well.

My morning was beyond all expectations.

My afternoon was very dull in comparison.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Fine Morning

Date: May 30 2011 19:05

To: Christian Grey

Dear Sir

The morning was exemplary for me too, in spite of you weirding out on me after the impeccable desk s.e.x. Don't think I didn't notice.

Thank you for breakfast. Or thank Mrs. Jones.

I'd like to ask you questions about her - without you weirding out on me again.

Ana

My finger hovers over the send b.u.t.ton, and I am rea.s.sured that I'll be on the other side of the continent this time tomorrow.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Publis.h.i.+ng and You?

Date: May 30 2011 19:10

To: Anastasia Steele

Anastasia

'Weirding' is not a verb and should not be used by anyone who wants to go into publis.h.i.+ng. ImpeccableCompared to what, pray tellAnd what do you need to ask about Mrs.

JonesI'm intrigued.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: You and Mrs. Jones

Date: May 30 2011 19:17

To: Christian Grey

Dear Sir

Language evolves and moves on. It is an organic thing. It is not stuck in an ivory tower, hung with expensive works of art and overlooking most of Seattle with a helipad stuck on its roof.

Impeccable - compared to the other times we have... what's your word... oh yes...

f.u.c.ked. Actually the f**king has been pretty impeccable, period, in my humble opinion -

but then as you know I have very limited experience.

Is Mrs. Jones an ex-sub of yours?

Ana

My finger hovers once more over the send b.u.t.ton, and I press it.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Language. Watch Your Mouth!

Date: May 30 2011 19:22

To: Anastasia Steele

Anastasia

Mrs. Jones is a valued employee. I have never had any relations.h.i.+p with her beyond our professional one. I do not employ anyone I've had any s.e.xual relations with. I am shocked that you would think so. The only person I would make an exception to this rule is you - because you are a bright young woman with remarkable negotiating skills.

Though, if you continue to use such language, I may have to reconsider taking you on here. I am glad you have limited experience. Your experience will continue to be limited

- just to me. I shall take impeccable as a compliment - though with you, I'm never sure if that's what you mean, or if your sense of irony is getting the better of you - as usual.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. From His Ivory Tower From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Not for all the Tea in China

Date: May 30 2011 19:27