fifty-shades-of-grey

glimpse his tie. Holy shit… that tie! I rub my wrists reflexively. I cannot take my eyes offhim – his beauty as distracting as ever – and he’s wearing that tie, on purpose no doubt. Ican feel my mouth press into a hard line. The audience sits down and the applause ceases.“Look at him!” One of the girls beside me breathes enthusiastically to her friend.“He’s hot.”I stiffen. I’m sure they’re not talking about Professor Collins.“Must be Christian Grey.”“Is he single?”I bristle.“I don’t think so,” I murmur.“Oh.” Both girls look at me in surprise.“I think he’s gay,” I mutter.“What a shame,” one of the girls groans.As the Chancellor gets to his feet and kicks off the proceedings with his speech, Iwatch Christian subtly scanning the hall. I sink into my seat, hunching my shoulders,trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. I fail miserably as a second later hisgray eyes find mine. He stares at me, his face impassive, completely inscrutable. I squirmuncomfortably, hypnotized by his glare as I feel a slow flush spread across my face. Unbidden,I recall my dream from this morning, and the muscles in my belly do the delectableclench thing. I inhale sharply. I can see the shadow of a smile cross his lips, but it’s fleeting.He briefly closes his eyes, and on opening them, resumes his indifferent expression.Following a swift glance up at the Chancellor, he stares ahead, focusing on the WSUV emblemhung above the entrance. He doesn’t turn his eyes toward me again. The Chancellordrones on, and Christian still doesn’t look at me, he just stares fixedly ahead.Why won’t he look at me? Perhaps he’s changed his mind? A wave of unease washesover me. Perhaps walking out on him last night was the end for him too. He’s bored ofwaiting for me to make up my mind. Oh no, I could have completely blown it. I rememberhis email last night. Maybe he’s mad that I haven’t replied.Suddenly, the room erupts into applause as Miss Katherine Kavanagh has taken thestage. The Chancellor sits, and Kate tosses her lovely long hair behind her as she placesher papers on the lectern. She takes her time, not intimidated by a thousand people gawpingat her. She smiles when she’s ready, looks up at the captivated throng, and launcheseloquently into her speech. She’s so composed and funny, the girls beside me erupt on cueat her first joke. Oh, Katherine Kavanagh, you can deliver a good line. I feel so proud ofher at that moment, my errant thoughts of Christian are pushed to one side. Even thoughI have heard her speech before, I listen carefully. She commands the room and takes heraudience with her.Her theme is What Next After College? Oh, what next indeed. Christian is watchingKate, his eyebrows slightly raised – in surprise, I think. Yes, it could have been Kate thatwent to interview him. And it could have been Kate that he was now making indecentproposals to. Beautiful Kate and beautiful Christian, together. I could be like the two girlsbeside me, admiring him from afar. I know Kate wouldn’t have given him the time of day.What did she call him the other day? Creepy. The thought of a confrontation between Kate