fifty-shades-of-grey

to take on board. As José would say, a real mind-fuck. Perhaps in the morning, this mightnot read like a bad joke.I scramble up and change quickly. Perhaps I should borrow Kate’s pink flannel pajamas.I want something cuddly and reassuring around me. I head to the bathroom in myt-shirt and sleep shorts and brush my teeth.I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror. You can’t seriously be considering this…My subconscious sounds sane and rational, not her usual snarky self. My inner goddessis jumping up and down, clapping her hands like a five-year-old. Please, let’s do this…otherwise we’ll end up alone with lots of cats and your classic novels to keep you company.The only man I’ve ever been attracted to, and he comes with a bloody contract, aflogger, and a whole world of issues. Well, at least I got my way this weekend. My innergoddess stops jumping and smiles serenely. Oh yes… she mouths, nodding at me smugly.I flush at the memory of his hands and his mouth on me, his body inside mine. Closingmy eyes, I feel the familiar delicious pull of my muscles from deep, deep down. I wantto do that again and again. Maybe if I just sign up for the sex… would he go with that? Isuspect not.Am I submissive? Maybe I come across that way. Maybe I misled him in the interview.I’m shy, yes… but submissive? I let Kate bully me – is that the same? And thosesoft limits, jeez. My mind boggles, but I’m reassured that they are up for discussion.I wander back to my bedroom. This is too much to think about. I need a clear head – afresh morning approach to the problem. I put the offending documents back in my satchel.Tomorrow… tomorrow is another day. Clambering into bed, I switch off the light and liestaring up at the ceiling. Oh, I wish I’d never met him. My inner goddess shakes her headat me. She and I know it’s a lie. I have never felt as alive as I do now.I close my eyes, and I drift into a heavy sleep with occasional dreams of four-posterbeds and shackles and intense gray eyes.Kate wakes me the next day.“Ana, I’ve been calling you. You must have been out cold.”My eyes reluctantly open. She’s not just up – she’s been for a run. I glance at myalarm. It’s eight in the morning. Holy Moses, I’ve slept for a solid nine hours.“What is it?” I mumble sleepily.“There’s a man here with a delivery for you. You have to sign for it.”“What?”“Come on. It’s big. It looks interesting.” She hops from foot to foot excitedly andbounds back into the living area. I clamber out of bed and grab my dressing gown hangingon the back of my door. A smart young man with a ponytail is standing in our living roomclasping a large box.“Hi,” I mumble.“I’ll make you some tea.” Kate scuttles off to the kitchen.“Miss Steele?”And I immediately know whom the parcel is from.