I nod shyly, and his gray eyes blaze. He shakes his head slightly as if he's struggling with the idea.
"Have you eaten?" he asks out of the blue.
Shit.
"No."
"Are you hungry?" He's really trying not to look annoyed.
"Not for food," I whisper, and his nostrils flare slightly in reaction.
He leans forward and whispers in my ear.
"You are as eager as ever, Miss Steele, and just to let you into a little secret, so am I.
But Dr. Greene is due here shortly." He sits up. "I wish you'd eat," he scolds me mildly.
My heated blood cools. Holy cow - the doctor. I'd forgotten.
"What can you tell me about Dr. Greene?" I ask to distract us both.
"She's the best Ob/Gyn in Seattle. What more can I say?" He shrugs.
"I thought I was seeing your doctor, and don't tell me you're really a woman, because I won't believe you."
He gives me a don't-be-ridiculous look.
"I think it's more appropriate that you see a specialist. Don't you?" he says mildly.
I nod. Holy Moses, if she's the best Ob/Gyn, he's scheduled her to see me on a Sunday
- at lunchtime! I cannot begin to imagine how much that costs. Christian frowns suddenly as if recalling something unpleasant.
"Anastasia, my mother would like you to come to dinner this evening. I believe Elliot is asking Kate too. I don't know how you feel about that. It will be odd for me to introduce you to my family."
OddWhy?
"Are you ashamed of me?" I can't keep the wounded hurt out of my voice.
"Of course not." He rolls his eyes at me.
"Why is it odd?"
"Because I've never done it before."
"Why are you allowed to roll your eyes, and I'm not?"
He blinks at me.
"I wasn't aware that I was."
"Neither am I usually," I snap at him.
Christian glares at me, speechless. Taylor appears at the doorway.
"Dr. Greene is here, Sir."
"Show her up to Miss Steele's room."
Miss Steele's room!
"Ready for some contraception?" he asks as he stands and holds out his hand to me.
"You're not going to come as well are you?" I gasp, shocked.
He laughs.
"I'd pay very good money to watch, believe me, Anastasia, but I don't think the good doctor would approve."
I take his hand, and he pulls me up into his arms and kisses me deeply. I clutch on to his arms, taken by surprise. His hand is in my hair holding my head, and he pulls me against him, his forehead against mine.
"I'm so glad you're here," he whispers. "I can't wait to get you naked."
Chapter Eighteen
Dr. Greene is tall, blond, and immaculate, dressed in a royal blue suit. I'm reminded of the women who work in Christian's office. She's like an identikit model - another Stepford blonde. Her long hair is swept up in an elegant chignon. She must be in her early forties.
"Mr. Grey." She shakes Christian's outstretched hand.
"Thank you for coming at such short notice," Christian says.
"Thank you for making it worth my while, Mr. Grey. Miss Steele." She smiles, her eyes cool and assessing.
We shake hands, and I know she's one of those women who doesn't tolerate fools gladly. Like Kate. I like her immediately. She gives Christian a pointed stare, and after an awkward beat, he takes his cue.
"I'll be downstairs," he mutters, and he leaves what will be my bedroom.
"Well Miss Steele. Mr. Grey is paying me a small fortune to attend to you. What can I do for you?"
After a thorough examination and lengthy discussion, Dr. Greene and I decide on the mini pill. She writes me a pre-paid prescription and instructs me to pick them up tomorrow. I love her no-nonsense attitude - she has lectured me until she's as blue as her dress about taking it at the same time every day. And I can tell she's burning with curiosity about my so-called relationship with Mr. Grey. I don't give her any details. Somehow I don't think she'd look so calm and collected if she'd seen his Red Room of Pain. I flush as we pass its closed door and head back downstairs to the art gallery that is Christian's living room.
Christian is reading, seated on his couch. A breathtaking aria is playing on the music system, swirling round him, cocooning him, filling the room with a sweet, soulful song.
For a moment, he looks serene. He turns and glances at us when we enter and smiles warmly at me.
"Are you done?" he asks as if he's genuinely interested. He points the remote at a sleek white box beneath the fireplace that houses