Fifty Shades Freed (Christian & Ana)(170)

Shall we have dinner?" His eyes glow with love and humor.

I nod. I am famished. I reach over to gently pull the little hairs on his chest. "I want you to tell me something," I whisper.

"What?"

"Don't get mad."

"What is it, Ana?"

"You do care."





His eyes widen, and all trace of his good humor vanishes.

"I want you to admit that you care. Because the Christian I know and love would care."

He stills, his eyes not leaving mine, and I'm witness to his internal struggle as if he's about to make the judgment of Solomon. He opens his mouth to say something then closes it again as some fleeting emotion crosses his face . . . pain, maybe.

Say it, I will him.

"Yes. Yes, I care. Happy?" His voice is barely a whisper.

Oh, thank f*ck for that. It's a relief. "Yes. Very."

He frowns. "I can't believe I'm talking to you now, here in our bed, about—"

I put my finger to his lips. "We're not. Let's eat. I'm hungry."

He sighs and shakes his head. "You beguile and bewilder me, Mrs. Grey."

"Good." I lean up and kiss him.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: The List

Date: September 9, 2011 09:33

To: Christian Grey

That's definitely at the top.

:D

A x

Anastasia Grey

Commissioning Editor, SIP



From: Christian Grey

Subject: Tell Me Something New

Date: September 9, 2011 09:42

To: Anastasia Grey

You've said that for the last three days.

Make your mind up.Or . . . we could try something else.

;)

Christian Grey

CEO, Enjoying this Game, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I grin at my screen. The last few evenings have been . . . entertaining. We have relaxed again, Leila's brief interruption forgotten. I haven't quite worked up the courage to ask if any of her paintings hang on the walls—and frankly, I don't really care. My BlackBerry buzzes and I answer, expecting Christian.

"Ana?"

"Yes?"

"Ana, honey. It's José Senior."

"Mr. Rodriguez! Hi!" My scalp prickles. What does José's dad want with me?

"Honey, I'm sorry to call you at work. It's Ray." His voice falters.

"What is it? What's happened?" My heart leaps into my throat.

"Ray's been in an accident."

Oh, no. Daddy. I stop breathing.

"He's in the hospital. You'd better get here quick."

"Mr. Rodriguez, what's happened?" My voice is hoarse and thick with unshed tears. Ray. Sweet Ray. My dad.

"He's been in a car accident."

"Okay, I'll come . . . I'll come now." Adrenaline has flooded my bloodstream, leaving panic in its wake. I'm finding it difficult to breathe.

"They've transferred him to Portland."

Portland? What the hell is he doing in Portland?

"They airlifted him, Ana. I'm heading there now. OHSU. Oh, Ana, I didn't see the car. I just didn't see it . . ." His voice cracks.

Mr. Rodriguez—no!

"I'll see you there." Mr. Rodriguez chokes and the line goes dead.

A dark dread seizes me by the throat, overwhelming me. Ray. No. No. I take a deep steadying breath, pick up the phone and call Roach. He answers on the second ring.