I wanted to do with girls when I was an adolescent.” But couldn’t. Because I couldn’t bear to be touched. “Unless you’re too tired.” I trace the soft curve of her cheek with my knuckle.
“Christian. I’m exhausted. But thrilled, too.”
Oh, baby. I kiss her quickly and take pity on her. “Maybe we should just sleep. It’s been a long day. Come. I’ll put you to bed. Turn around.”
She complies and I reach for the zipper on her dress.
While my fiancée slumbers beside me, I text Taylor and ask him to bring us a change of clothes from Escala in the morning. Scooting down beside Ana, I focus on her profile, marveling that she’s asleep already…and that she’s agreed to be mine.
Will I ever be good enough for her?
Am I husband material?
My father seems to doubt it.
I sigh and lie on my back, staring up at the ceiling.
I’m going to prove him wrong.
He’s always been strict with me. More so than with Elliot or Mia.
Fucker. He knows I’m a bad seed. As I replay his earlier tirade in my head, I drift until sleep claims me.
Arms up, Christian. Daddy has a serious face. He is teaching diving into the pool. That’s right. Now curl your toes around the edge of the pool. Good. Arch your back. That’s right. Now push off. I fall. And fall. And fall. Splash. Into the cool, clear water. Into the blue. Into the calm. Into the quiet. But my water wings push me back to the air. And I look for Daddy. Look, Daddy, look. But Elliot jumps on him. And they fall on the ground. Daddy tickles Elliot. Elliot laughs. And laughs. And laughs. And Daddy kisses his tummy. Daddy doesn’t do that to me. I don’t like it. I’m in the water. I want to be up there. With them. With Daddy. And I’m standing in the trees. Watching Daddy and Mia. She shrieks with joy as he tickles her. And he laughs. And she wriggles free and jumps on him. He swings her around and catches her. AndI stand in the trees alone. Watching. Wanting. The air smells good. Of apples.
“Good morning, Mr. Grey,” Ana whispers as I open my eyes. The morning sun glimmers through the windows and I’m curled around her like a vine. The knot of homesickness and heartache—evoked by a dream, surely—unravels at the sight of her. I’m smitten and aroused, my body rising to greet her.
“Good morning, Miss Steele.” She looks impossibly beautiful in spite of the fact that she’s wearing Mia’s I ♥ Paris T-shirt. She cups my face, her eyes sparkling and her hair wild and glossy in the morning light. She runs a thumb along my chin, tickling the stubble.
“I was watching you sleep.”
“Were you now?”
“And looking at my beautiful engagement ring.” She stretches out her hand and wiggles her fingers. The diamond captures the light and throws tiny rainbows across my old movie and kickboxing posters on the walls.
“Ooh!” she coos. “It’s a sign.”
A good sign, Grey. Hopefully.
“I’m never going to take it off.”
“Good!” I move so that I’m covering her. “Watching me for how long?” I run my nose down hers and press my lips to hers.
“Oh, no.” She pushes at my shoulders and my stab of disappointment is real, but she rolls me onto my back and straddles my hips. Sitting up, she sweeps her T-shirt off in one swift move, and throws it to the floor. “I was thinking about giving you a wake-up call.”
“Oh?” My cock and I rejoice.
Before I can steel myself against her touch, she leans down and places a soft kiss on my chest, her hair tumbling around us both, creating a chestnut haven. Bright blue eyes peek at me.
“Starting here.” She kisses me again.
I inhale sharply.
“Then moving down to here.” She runs her tongue in a wayward line down my sternum.
Yes.
The darkness stays quiet, subdued by the goddess on top of me or by my bursting libido. I don’t know which.
“You taste mighty fine, Mr. Grey,” she breathes against my skin.
“I’m glad to hear it.” The words are hoarse in my throat.
She licks and nips me along the base of my rib cage as her breasts graze over my lower belly.
Ah!
Once, twice, three times.
“Ana!” I clutch her knees as my breathing accelerates, and squeeze. But she squirms on top of my groin, so I let go, and she rises up, leaving me waiting and wanting. I think she’s going to take me. She’s ready.
I’m ready.
Fuck, I’m