Freed (Fifty Shades as Told by Christian #3) - E.L. James Page 0,171

when they’ve included their friends. But I’ve always gone solo.

This is another first.

As a teenager I didn’t have friends, and as an adult I’ve been too busy and too solitary to enjoy this kind of outing.

And I still don’t have many friends.

Once Elliot and Taylor have loaded the luggage, we set off toward town. As I enjoy the scenery, my thoughts drift to our house on Red Mountain. I wonder if Ana will like it.

I hope so. I love it here.

Aspen in late summer is as green as Seattle, more so at this time of year. It’s what I love about the place. The grass in the pastures is lush and tall and the mountains are smothered in forests in full leaf. Today, the sun is high in the sky, though there are dark clouds on the horizon toward the west. I hope that’s not an omen.

Ethan turns in his seat to face us. “Have you been to Aspen before, Ana?”

“No, first time. You?”

“Kate and I used to come here a lot when we were teens. Dad’s a keen skier. Mom less so.”

“I’m hoping my husband will teach me how to ski.” She peers at me.

“Don’t bet on it,” I mutter.

“I won’t be that bad!”

“You might break your neck.” A shiver runs down my spine.

“How long have you had this place?” she asks.

“Nearly two years. It’s yours now, too, Mrs. Grey.”

“I know,” she whispers, and kisses my jaw before settling in to my side once more.

Ethan asks me which are my favorite slopes, and I run through them. I’m not as fearless as Elliot, though. He could ski downhill, backward, with his eyes closed, anywhere.

“I can ski, too,” Mia pipes up, glaring at Ethan. He smiles indulgently at her and I wonder how her campaign to capture his heart—or his dick—is going. He says she’s not his type, but the way she’s making eyes at him, he’s definitely hers.

“Why did you choose Aspen?” Ana asks me as we cruise down Main Street.

“What?”

“To buy a place.”

“Mom and Dad used to bring us here when we were kids. I learned to ski here, and I like the place. I hope you do, too—otherwise, we’ll sell the house and choose somewhere else.” I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “You look lovely today.” She blushes prettily and I cannot resist kissing her.

The traffic is fairly light, and Taylor reaches the center of town in good time. He turns north on Mill Street and we cross the Roaring Fork River and head up on Red Mountain. Taylor steers around the bend at the ridge and I inhale sharply.

“What’s wrong?” Ana asks.

“I hope you like it,” I answer. “We’re here.” Taylor parks in the driveway and Ana turns to look at the house, while our guests pile out of the van. When she turns back to me, her eyes are luminous with excitement. “Home,” I mouth.

“Looks good.”

“Come. See.” I grab her hand, anxious to show her around.

Mia has dashed ahead, into the arms of Carmella Bentley.

“Who’s that?” Ana asks of the slight figure in the doorway who’s welcoming our guests.

“Mrs. Bentley. She lives here with her husband. They look after the place.”

Mia introduces Ethan and Kate to Mrs. Bentley, while Elliot gives her a hug.

“Welcome back, Mr. Grey.” Carmella smiles.

“Carmella, this is my wife, Anastasia.”

“Mrs. Grey.”

Ana beams at her as they shake hands.

“I hope you’ve had a pleasant flight. The weather is supposed to be fine all weekend, though I’m not sure.” She eyes the darkening gray clouds behind us. “Lunch is ready whenever you want,” she says with a warm welcome.

I think she approves of my wife.

“Here.” I grab Ana and swing her into my arms.

“What are you doing?” she squeals.

“Carrying you over yet another threshold.”

Everyone stands aside as I carry my wife into the wide hallway where I give her a swift kiss and set her onto the hardwood floor.

Behind us, Mia grabs Ethan’s hand and drags him toward the stairs.

Where the hell is she going?

Kate whistles loudly. “Nice place.”

“Tour?” I ask Ana.

“Sure.” She offers me a brief smile.

I take her hand, excited to show her around and guide her through a whistle-stop tour of her vacation home: kitchen, sitting room, dining area, nook, downstairs den complete with bar and billiard table. Ana blushes at the sight of it. “Fancy a game?” I ask with a husky timbre to my voice.

I thoroughly enjoyed the last game we played.

She shakes her head.

“Through there is a home office, and Mr. and