Fifty Shades Darker(78)

Spontaneous applause erupts again, and out on the pontoon, a message lights up in silver streams of sparks forming the words Thank You From Coping Together, sparkling and shimmering over the water.

"Oh, Christian... that was wonderful." I grin up at him and he bends down to kiss me.

"Time to go," he murmurs, a broad smile on his beautiful face, and his words hold so much promise.

Suddenly, I feel very tired.

He glances up again, and Taylor is close, the crowd dispersing around us. They don't speak but something passes between them.

"Stay with me a moment. Taylor wants us to wait while the crowd disperses."

Oh.

"I think that firework display probably aged him a hundred years," he adds.

"Doesn't he like fireworks?"

Christian gazes down at me fondly and shakes his head but doesn't elaborate.

"So, Aspen," he says, and I know he's trying to distract me from something. It works.

"Oh... I haven't paid for my bid," I gasp.

"You can send a check. I have the address."

"You were really mad."

"Yes, I was."

I grin. "I blame you and your toys."

"You were quite overcome, Miss Steele. A most satisfactory outcome if I recall." He smiles salaciously. "Incidentally, where are they?"

"The silver balls? In my bag."

"I'd like them back." He smirks down at me. "They are far too potent a device to be left in your innocent hands."

"Worried I might be quite overcome again, maybe with somebody else?"

His eyes glitter dangerously. "I hope that's not going to happen," he says, a cool edge to his voice. "But no, Ana. I want all your pleasure."

Whoa. "Don't you trust me?"

"Implicitly. Now, can I have them back?"

"I'll think about it."

He narrows his eyes at me.

There's music once more from the dance floor but it's a DJ playing a thumping dance number, the bass pounding out a relentless beat.

"Do you want to dance?"

"I'm really tired, Christian. I'd like to go, if that's okay."

Christian glances at Taylor, who nods, and we set off toward the house, following a couple of drunken guests. I'm grateful when Christian takes my hand - my feet are aching from the dizzying height and tight confinement of my shoes.

Mia comes bounding up to us. "You're not going, are you? The real music's just beginning. Come on, Ana." She grabs my hand.

"Mia," Christian admonishes her. "Anastasia's tired. We're going home. Besides, we have a big day tomorrow."

We do?

Mia pouts but surprisingly doesn't push Christian.

"You must come by sometime next week. Maybe we can hit the mall?"

"Sure, Mia." I grin, though in the back of my mind I'm wondering how since I have to work for a living.

She gives me a quick kiss then hugs Christian fiercely, taking us both by surprise. More astoundingly still, she places her hands directly on the lapels of his jacket, and he just gazes down at her, indulgently.

"I like seeing you this happy," she says sweetly and kisses him on the cheek. "Bye. You guys have fun." She skips off toward her waiting friends - among them Lily, who looks even more sour-faced without her mask.

I wonder idly where Sean is.

"We'll say goodnight to my parents before we leave. Come." Christian leads me through a gaggle of guests to Grace and Carrick, who wish us fond and warm farewells.