Fifty Shades Darker(61)

I grin at him.

"Bring it on." I secretly hug myself with glee. Jose and I bonded over pool. We've been playing for the last three years. I am ace with a cue. Jose has been a good teacher.

"What?" Christian asks, amused.

Oh! I really must stop expressing every emotion I feel the instant I feel it, I scold myself."Nothing," I say quickly.

Christian narrows his eyes.

"Well, maybe Doctor Flynn can uncover your secrets. You'll meet him this evening."

"The expensive charlatan?" Holy shit.

"The very same. He's dying to meet you."

Christian takes my hand and gently skims his thumb across my knuckles as we sit in the back of the Audi heading north. I squirm, and feel the sensation in my groin. I resist the urge to moan, as Taylor is in the front, not wearing his iPod, with one of the security guys whose name I think is Sawyer.

I am beginning to feel a dull, pleasurable ache deep in my belly, caused by the balls.

Idly, I wonder, how long will I be able to manage without some, um... relief? I cross my legs. As I do, something that's been niggling me in the back of my mind suddenly surfaces.

"Where did you get the lipstick?" I ask Christian quietly.

He smirks at me and points toward the front. "Taylor," he mouths.

I burst out laughing. "Oh." And stop quickly - the balls.

I bite my lip. Christian smiles at me, his eyes gleaming wickedly. He knows exactly what he's doing, sexy beast that he is.

"Relax," he breathes. "If it's too much..." His voice trails off, and he gently kisses each knuckle in turn, then gently sucks the tip of my little finger.

Now I know he's doing this on purpose. I close my eyes as dark desire unfolds throughout my body. I surrender briefly to the sensation, my muscles clenching deep inside me.

Oh my.

When I open my eyes again, Christian is regarding me closely, a dark prince. It must be the dinner jacket and bow tie, but he looks older, sophisticated, a devastatingly handsome roue with licentious intent.

He simply takes my breath away. I'm in his sexual thrall, and if I'm to believe him, he's in mine. The thought brings a smile to my face, and his answering grin is blinding.

"So what can we expect at this event?"

"Oh, the usual stuff," Christian says breezily.

"Not usual for me," I remind him.

Christian smiles fondly and kisses my hand again. "Lots of people flashing their cash.

Auction, raffle, dinner, dancing - my mother knows how to throw a party." He smiles and for the first time all day, I allow myself to feel a little excited about this party.

There is a line of expensive cars heading up the driveway of the Grey mansion. Long, pale pink paper lanterns hang over the drive, and as we inch closer in the Audi, I can see they are everywhere. In the early evening light, they look magical, as if we're entering an enchanted kingdom. I glance at Christian. How suitable for my prince - and my childish excitement blooms, eclipsing all other feelings.

"Masks on," Christian grins, and as he dons his simple black mask, my prince becomes something darker, more sensual.

All I can see of his face is his beautiful chiseled mouth and strong jaw.

Holy f*ck... My heartbeat lurches at the sight of him. I fasten my mask and grin at him, ignoring the hunger deep in my body.

Taylor pulls into the driveway, and a valet opens Christian's door. Sawyer leaps out to open mine.

"Ready?" Christian asks.

"As I'll ever be."

"You look beautiful, Anastasia." He kisses my hand and exits the car.