I wonder what she’s thinking about. She glances at me in the mirror. “You sure about this? Your last chance to bail.”
“Do your worst, Mrs. Grey. I don’t have to look at me, you do.”
Her smile illuminates the room. “Christian, I could look at you all day.”
I shake my head. “It’s just a pretty face, baby.”
“And behind it is a very pretty man.” She kisses my temple. “My man.”
Her man.
I like that.
I sit still and let her work. Her tongue escapes between her teeth while she concentrates. It’s cute and arousing, so I close my eyes, and think back to our honeymoon, enjoying the many memories we made. Occasionally, I crack open an eyelid to take a quick peek at her.
“Finished,” she announces. I open my eyes and check her handiwork.
It’s a haircut. And it looks fine.
“Great job, Mrs. Grey.” I pull her to me and nuzzle her belly. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She gives me a quick kiss.
“It’s late. Bed.” I smack her behind, because she’s waving it in front of me and it’s too tempting.
“Ah! I should clean up in here,” she exclaims.
There are small clumps of my hair all over the floor. “Okay, I’ll get the broom,” I mutter, and stand up. “I don’t want you embarrassing the staff with your lack of appropriate attire.”
“Do you know where the broom is?”
I stare at Ana. “Um, no.”
She laughs. “I’ll go.” And with a quick grin, she sashays out of the bathroom.
How do I not know where the broom is?
I turn to the sink and check my hair again. Ana’s done a good job. It looks fine. Smiling, impressed by her handiwork, I reach for my toothbrush.
Ana is laughing to herself when I join her in bed.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. Just an idea.”
“What idea?” I turn on my side and watch her.
“Christian, I don’t think I want to run a company.”
I shift onto my elbow. “Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s not something that has ever appealed to me.”
“You’re more than capable, Anastasia.”
“I like to read books, Christian. Running a company will take me away from that.”
“You could be the creative head.”
She looks pensive, and I don’t know if she hates the idea or is considering it. I persist. “You see, running a successful company is all about embracing the talent of the individuals you have at your disposal. If that’s where your talents and your interests lie, then you structure the company to enable that. Don’t dismiss it out of hand, Anastasia. You’re a very capable woman. I think you could do anything you wanted if you put your mind to it.”
She’s not convinced. “I’m also worried it will take up too much of my time.”
I hadn’t considered that.
“Time I could devote to you,” she murmurs.
I see your game, Mrs. Grey. “I know what you’re doing.”
“What?”
“You’re trying to distract me from the issue at hand. You always do that. Just don’t dismiss the idea, Ana. Think about it. That’s all I ask.” I plant a swift kiss on her lips and run my thumb down her cheek.
You are so lovely.
You are more than capable.
“Can I ask you something?” Ana says.
“Of course.”
“Earlier today you said if I was angry with you, I should take it out on you in bed. What did you mean?”
“What did you think I meant?” I ask.
“That you wanted me to tie you up.”
What? “Um…no. That’s not what I meant at all.” I just want some…resistance in bed.
“Oh.” Ana looks disappointed.
“You want to tie me up?” I ask.
I’m not sure I could do that…not yet, anyway.
Ana blushes. “Well.”
“Ana, I—” That would mean complete loss of control, and total surrender. I offered that to her once before, and she didn’t want it. I’m not sure I could deal with that kind of rejection from her again. Besides, I’ve only just learned to tolerate—no, revel—in her touch. I don’t want to derail that.
“Christian,” she whispers, and scrambles up so she’s facing me. She places her palm on my cheek. “Christian, stop. It doesn’t matter. I thought that’s what you meant.”
Taking her hand, I place it on my chest, where beneath my skin and bone my heart is hammering with my anxiety. “Ana, I don’t know how I’d feel about you touching me if I were restrained.”
Her eyes grow wider.
“This is still too new.” I’m confessing my darkest fears to her again.
Ana leans toward me, and I don’t know what she’s going to do, but she kisses the corner of my mouth. “Christian, I got the wrong idea. Please don’t