fifty-shades-of-grey

At the elevators, he presses the call button, and the bell rings almost immediately. Thedoors slide open revealing a young couple in a passionate clinch inside. Surprised andembarrassed, they jump apart, staring guiltily in every direction but ours. Grey and I stepinto the elevator.I am struggling to maintain a straight face, so I gaze down at the floor, feeling mycheeks turning pink. When I peek up at Grey through my lashes, he has a hint of a smileon his lips, but it’s very hard to tell. The young couple says nothing, and we travel down tothe first floor in embarrassed silence. We don’t even have trashy piped music to distract us.The doors open and, much to my surprise, Grey takes my hand, clasping it with hislong cool fingers. I feel the current run through me, and my already rapid heartbeat accelerates.As he leads me out of the elevator, we can hear the suppressed giggles of the coupleerupting behind us. Grey grins.“What is it about elevators?” he mutters.We cross the expansive, bustling lobby of the hotel toward the entrance but Grey avoidsthe revolving door, and I wonder if that’s because he’d have to let go of my hand.Outside, it’s a mild May Sunday. The sun is shining and the traffic is light. Grey turnsleft and strolls to the corner, where we stop waiting for the lights of the pedestrian crossingto change. He’s still holding my hand. I’m in the street, and Christian Grey is holdingmy hand. No one has ever held my hand. I feel giddy, and I tingle all over. I attempt tosmother the ridiculous grin that threatens to split my face in two. Try to be cool, Ana, mysubconscious implores me. The green man appears, and we’re off again.We walk four blocks before we reach the Portland Coffee House, where Grey releasesme to hold the door open so I can step inside.“Why don’t you choose a table, while I get the drinks. What would you like?” he asks,polite as ever.“I’ll have… um – English Breakfast tea, bag out.”He raises his eyebrows.“No coffee?”“I’m not keen on coffee.”He smiles.“Okay, bag out tea. Sugar?”For a moment, I’m stunned, thinking it’s an endearment, but fortunately my subconsciouskicks in with pursed lips. No, stupid – do you take sugar?“No thanks.” I stare down at my knotted fingers.“Anything to eat?”“No thank you.” I shake my head, and he heads to the counter.I surreptitiously gaze at him from beneath my lashes as he stands in line waiting tobe served. I could watch him all day… he’s tall, broad-shouldered, and slim, and the waythose pants hang from his hips… Oh my. Once or twice he runs his long, graceful fingersthrough his now dry but still disorderly hair. Hmm… I’d like to do that. The thought comesunbidden into my mind, and my face flames. I bite my lip and stare down at my handsagain not liking where my wayward thoughts are headed.“Penny for your thoughts?” Grey is back, startling me.