fifty-shades-of-grey

How does he know her name? He gives her the heart-stopping, Christian Grey patented,full-blown-no-prisoners-taken smile. She doesn’t have a hope. My mother’s lowerjaw practically hits the table. Jeez, get a grip Mom. She takes his proffered hand and theyshake. My mother hasn’t replied. Oh, complete dumbfounded speechlessness is genetic– I had no idea.“Christian,” she manages finally, breathlessly.He smiles knowingly at her, his gray eyes twinkling. I narrow my eyes at them both.“What are you doing here?” My question sounds more brittle than I mean, and hissmile disappears, his expression now guarded. I am thrilled to see him, but completelythrown off balance, my anger about Mrs. Robinson simmering through my veins. I don’tknow if I want to shout at him or throw myself into his arms – but I don’t think he’d likeeither – and I want to know how long he has been watching us. I’m also a little anxiousabout the email I just sent him.“I came to see you, of course.” He gazes down at me impassively. Oh, what is he thinking?“I’m staying in this hotel.”“You’re staying here?” I sound like a sophomore on amphetamines, too high-pitchedeven for my own ears.“Well, yesterday you said you wished I was here.” He pauses trying to gauge my reaction.“We aim to please, Miss Steele.” His voice is quiet with no trace of humor.Crap – Is he mad? Maybe the Mrs. Robinson comments? Or the fact that I am on mythird, soon to be fourth Cosmo? My mother is glancing anxiously at the two of us.“Won’t you join us for a drink, Christian?” She waves to the waiter who is at her sidein a nanosecond.“I’ll have a gin and tonic,” Christian says. “Hendricks if you have it or Bombay Sapphire.Cucumber with the Hendricks, lime with the Bombay.”Holy hell… only Christian could make a meal out of ordering a drink.“And two more Cosmos please,” I add, looking anxiously at Christian. I am drinkingwith my mother – no way can he be angry about that.“Please pull up a chair, Christian.”“Thank you, Mrs. Adams.”Christian pulls a nearby chair over and sits gracefully down beside me.“So you just happen to be staying in the hotel where we’re drinking?” I ask, trying hardto keep my tone light.“Or, you just happen to be drinking in the hotel where I’m staying,” Christian replies.“I just finished dinner, came in here, and saw you. I was distracted thinking about yourmost recent email, and I glance up and there you are. Quite a coincidence, eh?” He cockshis head to one side, and I see a trace of a smile. Thank heavens – we may be able to savethe evening after all.“My mother and I were shopping this morning and on the beach this afternoon. Wedecided on a few cocktails this evening,” I mutter, feeling that I owe him some sort ofexplanation.“Did you buy that top?” He nods at my brand new green silk camisole, “The color suitsyou. And you’ve caught some sun. You look lovely.”I flush, speechless at his compliment.