Freed (Fifty Shades as Told by Christian #3) - E.L. James Page 0,48

she answers in her crisp, executive voice.

“Ana Steele, Christian Grey.”

“Ah, my talented fiancé. How are you?”

“Very well, thank you. Taylor and I will be there at five.”

“Great. Now, I need to get back to daydreaming…I mean work. I don’t want my boss’s boss’s boss to catch me shirking my responsibilities.”

“What do you think he’d do if he did?”

She gasps and the sound sends a thrill through my body. “Something unspeakable,” she whispers.

“That could be arranged.”

“Your twitchy palm?”

“As you know, it’s perpetually twitchy. And not been used to its full potential of late.”

“Stop. You’re making me moist.”

What!

“Moist.” I clear my throat. “Miss Steele. That word should only be reserved for cakes. I like you wet.”

“I like that you like me wet.” Her voice is almost inaudible.

I shift in my chair. “Five p.m.,” I whisper.

“How can you make three syllables sound so alluring?”

“It’s a curse.”

“It’s a gift.” Her voice is husky.

Damn, but she has an answer for everything. “See you at five, Ana. Laters, baby.” I’m on top of the world. She giggles in that delightful way she does, and it takes all my willpower to hang up.

I bound out of my chair feeling effervescent. Flirting with Ana is always a joy. And so is discussing the latest prototype of the GEH solar tablet with Fred and Barney. I head out of my office, wondering if I should have studied engineering at school.

As I’m eating my lunch, my phone flashes with Elliot’s goofy face.

“Bro?”

“Hey, dude, we still on for later today?”

“Yes. Ana and I are looking forward to it.”

“Cool.” He pauses.

“What is it?” I ask. “Gia? She’ll be there, too.”

He scoffs. “Like that would ever be a problem. I’m talking bachelor party, hotshot. Saturday.”

“Elliot—”

“Don’t be an uptight asshole,” he interrupts. “It’s happening. Even if I have to kidnap you.”

“Fuck—”

“No ifs or buts, bro. I’ve got the construction crew on standby with duct tape and a cargo van. Suck it up.”

My sigh is as exaggerated as I can make it.

Elliot laughs. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

“I don’t know, Elliot. It depends what you have planned.”

“It will take your mind off your woes.”

Woes? “What fucking woes?”

“I dunno. Someone trying to kill you?”

Oh, yes. That. “You’re so crass. Hard to believe we’ve been raised by the same people.”

He laughs. “Laters, dude.” And he hangs up.

Asshole.

But he has a point. Welch has made no further progress in uncovering Charlie Tango’s saboteur. I’ve fired the entire team responsible for her care and maintenance, and I’m still waiting for the report from the NTSB. I’m beginning to wonder if the original FAA assessment was hasty in suspecting malicious interference, or if the damage was a random act of vandalism. Both these outcomes are possible, and give me a modicum of hope, but I don’t want to drop my guard yet. Ana’s safety is all that I care about. I’ve had security ramped up around the GEH Gulfstream and she’s been on two test flights since Charlie Tango’s demise. She’ll be taking us to Europe for our honeymoon.

I’m still waiting to hear from Burgess about the yacht, but I have my fingers crossed that I’ll get the one I want. I imagine Ana stretched out on deck in a bikini.

Wait. Does she own a bikini?

I don’t remember including swimwear in the clothes the personal shopper at Neiman Marcus sourced for Ana. That was a lifetime ago. As my wife, Ana is going to need more clothes—for her vacation, functions, her work… I scroll through my contacts, and when Caroline Acton’s name appears, I press call.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Date: July 18 2011 15:22

To: Anastasia Steele

My darling Anastasia

I have made an appointment for us to meet Caroline Acton at 10:30 on Saturday morning to furnish you with a new wardrobe for our honeymoon.

No arguments.

Please.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Threads?

Date: July 18 2011 15:27

To: Christian Grey

Me? Argue?

Do I need a new wardrobe?

I don’t think so. I have plenty of clothes.

See you at 5 p.m.

Ax

I frown. This is not going to be easy.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: New Threads

Date: July 18 2011 15:29

To: Anastasia Steele

Yes. You do.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Men with more money than sense…

Date: July 18 2011 15:32

To: Christian Grey

Is brevity the soul of wit?

Ana

From: Christian Grey

Subject: That’s Me.

Date: July 18 2011 15:33

To: Anastasia Steele

Yes. ;)

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Grrr…

Date: July 18 2011 15:34

To: Christian Grey

I am late for my meeting.

Stop being so funny.

Laters. Baby.

Axx

My phone buzzes. “Yes, Sam.”

“Christian, Star magazine has gotten hold of some shots of