Freed (Fifty Shades as Told by Christian #3) - E.L. James Page 0,17

the button on my pants and slide down the fly.

“Ready?” I ask.

“And waiting.” Her voice is husky with lust. “But I’m enjoying the floor show.”

I grin and drop my pants and boxer briefs, freeing my straining cock. Kneeling on the floor, I trail kisses up the inside of her calf, to her thigh, along the line of her pubic hair, up to her navel, to each of her breasts, until I’m hovering over her, poised and ready.

“I love you,” I whisper, and ease into her, kissing her at the same time.

She groans. “Christian.”

And I start to move. Slowly. Savoring her. My sweet, sweet Ana. My love.

She wraps her legs around me, her fingers diving into my hair and tugging hard.

“I love you, too,” she purrs in my ear and moves with me, so we’re in sync.

Together.

Us.

As one.

And when she falls apart in my arms, she takes me with her.

“Ana!”

She nuzzles my chest and I tense, waiting for the darkness, so she stops and raises her head. “As much as I liked your impromptu striptease and its aftermath, are you going to give me the weather report that you mentioned in your missives, and tell me what’s wrong?”

I trail my fingertips up and down her back. “Can we eat first?”

She smiles. “Yes. I’m hungry. And maybe I need another shower.”

I grin. “I like making you dirty.” I sit up and slap her backside. “Up! I told Gail we’d be half an hour.”

“You did?” Ana is scandalized.

“I did.” I grin.

Mrs. Jones’s Thai green curry is delicious, as is the glass of Chablis we’re enjoying with it. “So, the initial report came back from the FAA, and it will go public at some point.”

“Oh?” Ana looks up from her meal.

“It appears that Charlie Tango was tampered with.”

“Sabotage?”

“Exactly. I’ve upped our security arrangements until we nail who’s responsible. And I think it’s better if you stay here for now.”

She nods, her eyes round with alarm.

“We have to be vigilant.”

“Okay.”

I arch a brow.

“I can do that,” she adds hastily.

Good. That was easy.

But she looks stricken.

“Hey, don’t worry,” I murmur. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about, it’s you.”

“Taylor and his people are all over this. Don’t worry.”

She frowns and places her fork on her plate.

“And don’t stop eating.”

Ana toys with her bottom lip and I reach across to clutch her hand. “Ana. It’s going to be okay. Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I change the subject, hoping to move us to a safer topic. “How was Bastille?”

Her expression lightens, with her fond smile. “He was good. Thorough. I think I’m going to enjoy my sessions with him.”

“I look forward to sparring with you.”

“I thought we did that already, Christian.”

I laugh. Ah, touché, Anastasia…touché.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The morning sun is streaming through my office window as Ros enters, and we sit down at my small conference table. “How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Good, thanks, Christian. I think I’ve fully recovered from last week’s crash-landing helicopter escapade.”

“Your feet?”

She laughs. “Yes. Blisters are under control. You?”

“Yes, thanks. I think so. Though knowing it’s sabotage is a bitch.”

“Who would do such a thing?”

“I’ve no idea.”

“Have you considered a disgruntled employee?”

“Welch’s team is scrutinizing all the employee and ex-employee files to see if they can turn up any likely suspects. We’ve only identified Jack Hyde, the guy I fired at SIP.”

“The book editor?” Ros’s disbelief is obvious from her high-pitched exclamation. Her shocked expression almost makes me laugh.

“Yes.”

“Seems unlikely.”

“It does. Welch is trying to track him down, as it appears he’s not been to his apartment since I fired him. He’s following up on that.”

“Woods?” she offers, as if suddenly inspired.

“He’s definitely a suspect. Again, Welch is investigating.”

“Whoever it is, I hope you catch the bastard.”

“I hope so, too.” Sooner rather than later. “What’s first on your agenda this morning?”

“Kavanagh Media. We need to crack on with this deal. Have you approved the costs?”

“I know. I know. I have a couple of queries, which I’ll discuss with Fred. But once I’ve done that, our final proposal can go. If their people approve the cost per foot, we can start on the fiber optic surveys.”

“Okay. I’ll hold off until you’ve checked with Fred.”

“I’m seeing him later. I’ll discuss it then. He’s showing me his latest iteration of the tablet. I think we’re ready for the next prototype.”

“That’s good news. Have you thought about the next step with Taiwan?”

“I read the reports. They’re interesting. It’s obvious their shipyard is thriving, and