Fifty Shades Darker(109)

Oh!

"They've been the best in my life, too, without exception," I murmur and his smile broadens. My inner goddess nods frantically in agreement - and nudges me hard. Okay, okay. "So you don't want to take me into your playroom?"

He swallows and pales, all trace of humor gone. "No, I don't."

"Why not?" I whisper. This is not the answer I expected.

And yes, there it is, that little pinch of disappointment. My inner goddess stomps off pouting, her arms crossed like an angry toddler.

"The last time we were in there you left me," he says quietly. "I will shy away from anything that could make you leave me again. I was devastated when you left. I explained that. I never want to feel like that again. I've told you how I feel about you." His gray eyes are wide and intense with his sincerity.

"But it hardly seems fair. It can't be very relaxing for you - to be constantly concerned about how I feel. You've made all these changes for me, and I... I think I should reciprocate in some way. I don't know - maybe... try... some role-playing games," I stutter, my face as crimson as the walls of the playroom.

Why is this so hard to talk about? I have done all manner of kinky f*ckery with this man, things I hadn't even heard of a few weeks ago, things that I would never have thought possible, yet the hardest of all is talking to him.

"Ana, you do reciprocate, more than you know. Please, please don't feel like this."

Gone is carefree Christian. His eyes are wider now with alarm, and it's gut-wrenching.

"Baby, it's only been one weekend," he continues. "Give us some time. I thought a great deal about us last week when you left. We need time. You need to trust me, and I you.

Maybe in time we can indulge, but I like how you are now. I like seeing you this happy, this relaxed and carefree, knowing that I had something to do with it. I have never - " He stops and runs his hand through his hair. "We have to walk before we can run." Suddenly he smirks.

"What's so funny?"

"Flynn. He says that all the time. I never thought I'd be quoting him."

"A Flynnism."

Christian laughs. "Exactly."

The waiter arrives with our starters and bruschetta, and our conversation changes tack as Christian relaxes.

But when the unfeasibly large plates are placed before us, I can't help think how I have thought of Christian today - relaxed, happy and carefree. At least he's laughing now, at ease again.

I breathe an inward sigh of relief as he starts quizzing me about places I've been. This is a short discussion, since I have never been anywhere except the continental US. Christian, on the other hand, has traveled the world. We slip into an easier, happier conversation, talking about all the places he's visited.

After our tasty and filling meal, Christian drives back to Escala, Eva Cassidy's gentle sweet voice singing over the speakers. It allows me a peaceful interlude in which to think. I have had a mind-blowing day. Dr. Greene, our shower, Christian's admission, making love at the hotel and on the boat, buying the car. Even Christian himself has been so different. It's as if he's letting go of something or rediscovering something - I don't know.

Who knew he could be so sweet? Did he?

When I glance at him, he, too, looks lost in thought. It strikes me then that he never really had an adolescence - a normal one anyway. I shake my head.

My mind drifts back to the ball and dancing with Dr. Flynn and Christian's fear that Flynn had told me all about him. Christian is still hiding something from me. How can we move on if he feels that way?