fifty-shades-of-grey

continues to kiss Kate, sweeping her off her feet and dipping her in a dramatic hold so thather hair touches the ground as he kisses her hard.“Laters, baby,” he grins.Kate just melts. I’ve never seen her melt before – the words comely and compliantcome to mind. Compliant Kate, boy, Elliot must be good. Christian rolls his eyes andstares down at me, his expression unreadable, although maybe he’s mildly amused. Hetucks a stray strand of my hair that has worked its way free from my ponytail behind myear. My breath hitches at the contact, and I lean my head slightly into his fingers. His eyessoften, and he runs his thumb across my lower lip. My blood sears in my veins. And alltoo quickly, his touch is gone.“Laters, baby,” he murmurs, and I have to laugh because it’s so unlike him. But eventhough I know he’s being irreverent, the endearment tugs at something deep inside me.“I’ll pick you up at eight.” He turns to leave, opening the front door and stepping outon to the porch. Elliot follows him to the car but turns and blows Kate another kiss, and Ifeel an unwelcome pang of jealousy.“So, did you?” Kate asks as we watch them climb into the car and drive off, the burningcuriosity evident in her voice.“No,” I snap irritably, hoping that will halt the questions. We head back into the apartment.“You obviously did, though.” I can’t contain my envy. Kate always manages toensnare men. She is irresistible, beautiful, sexy, funny, forward… all the things that I’mnot. But her answering grin is infectious.“And I’m seeing him again this evening.” She claps her hands and jumps up and downlike a small child. She cannot contain her excitement and happiness, and I can’t help butfeel happy for her. A happy Kate… this is going to be interesting.“Christian is taking me to Seattle this evening.”“Seattle?”“Yes.”“Maybe you will then?”“Oh, I hope so.”“You like him then?”“Yes.”“Like him enough to… ?”“Yes.”She raises her eyebrows.“Wow. Ana Steele, finally falling for a man, and it’s Christian Grey – hot, sexy billionaire.”“Oh yeah – it’s all about the money.” I smirk, and we both fall into a fit of giggles.“Is that a new blouse?” she asks, and I let her have all the unexciting details about mynight.“Has he kissed you yet?” she asks as she makes coffee.I blush.“Once.”“Once!” she scoffs.I nod, rather shame faced.