fifty-shades-of-grey

“He’s very reserved.”She frowns.“That’s odd.”“I don’t think odd covers it really,” I murmur.“We need to make sure you’re simply irresistible for this evening,” she says with determination.Oh no… this sounds like it will be time consuming, humiliating, and painful.“I have to be at work in an hour.”“I can work with that timeframe. Come on.” Kate grabs my hand and takes me intoher bedroom.The day drags at Clayton’s even though we’re busy. We’ve hit the summer season, so Ihave to spend two hours restocking the shelves once the shop is closed. It’s mindless work,and it gives me too much time to think. I’ve not really had a chance all day.Under Kate’s tireless and frankly intrusive instruction, my legs and underarms areshaved to perfection, my eyebrows plucked, and I am buffed all over. It has been a mostunpleasant experience. But she assures me that this is what men expect these days. Whatelse will he expect? I have to convince Kate that this is what I want to do. For somestrange reason, she doesn’t trust him, maybe because he’s so stiff and formal. She says shecan’t put her finger on it, but I have promised to text her when I arrive in Seattle. I haven’ttold her about the helicopter, she’d freak.I also have the José issue. He’s left three messages and seven missed calls on my cell.He’s also called home twice. Kate has been very vague as to where I am. He’ll know she’scovering for me. Kate doesn’t do vague. But I have decided to let him stew. I’m still tooangry with him.Christian mentioned some kind of written paperwork, and I don’t know if he was jokingor if I’m going to have to sign something. It’s so frustrating trying to guess. And ontop of all the angst, I can barely contain my excitement or my nerves. Tonight’s the night!After all this time, am I ready for this? My inner goddess glares at me, tapping her smallfoot impatiently. She’s been ready for this for years, and she’s ready for anything withChristian Grey, but I still don’t understand what he sees in me… mousey Ana Steele - itmakes no sense.He is punctual, of course, and waiting for me when I leave Clayton’s. He climbs outof the back of the Audi to open the door and smiles warmly at me.“Good evening, Miss Steele,” he says.“Mr. Grey.” I nod politely to him as I climb into the backseat of the car. Taylor is sittingin the driver’s seat.“Hello, Taylor,” I say.“Good evening, Miss Steele,” his voice is polite and professional. Christian climbs inthe other side and clasps my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze that I feel all the way thoughmy body.“How was work?” he asks.“Very long,” I reply, and my voice is husky, too low, and full of need.