Fifty Shades of Grey(116)

"And this is my brother, Ethan Kavanagh." says Kate to Christian.

Christian turns his arctic glare on Ethan, who still has one arm around me.

"Mr. Kavanagh."

They shake hands. Christian holds his hand out to me.

"Ana, baby," he murmurs, and I nearly expire at the endearment.

I walk out of Ethan's grasp, while Christian smiles icily at him, and I take my place at his side. Kate grins at me. She knows exactly what she's doing, the vixen!

"Ethan, Mom and Dad wanted a word." Kate drags Ethan away.

"So how long have you kids known each other?" Ray looks impassively from Christian to me.

The power of speech has deserted me. I want the ground to swallow me up. Christian puts his arm around me, his thumb skimming my naked back in a caress, before his hand clasps my shoulder.

"Couple of weeks or so now," he says smoothly. "We met when Anastasia came to interview me for the student magazine."

"Didn't know you worked on the student magazine, Ana." Ray's voice is a quiet admonishment, revealing his irritation. Shit.

"Kate was ill," I murmur. It's all I can manage.

"Fine speech you gave, Mr. Grey."

"Thank you, sir. I understand that you're a keen fisherman."

Ray raises his eyebrows and smiles - a rare, genuine, bona fide Ray Steele smile - and off they go, talking fish. In fact, I soon feel surplus to requirements. He's charming the pants off my dad... like he did you, my subconscious snaps at me. His power knows no bounds. I excuse myself to go and find Kate.

She's talking to her parents, who are delightful as ever and greet me warmly. We exchange brief pleasantries, mostly about their up and coming holiday to Barbados and about our move.

"Kate, how could you out me to Ray?" I hiss at the first opportunity we won't be over-heard.

"Because I knew you never would, and I want to help with Christian's commitment issues." Kate smiles at me sweetly.

I scowl. It's me that won't commit to him, silly!

"He seems tres cool about it, Ana. Don't sweat it. Look at him now - Christian cannot take his eyes off you." I glance up, and both Ray and Christian are looking at me. "He's been watching you like a hawk."

"I'd better go rescue Ray or Christian. I don't know which. You haven't heard the last of this, Katherine Kavanagh!" I glare at her.

"Ana, I did you a favor," she calls after me.

"Hi." I smile at both of them on my return.

They seem okay. Christian is enjoying some private joke, and my dad looks unbelievably relaxed given he's in a social situation. What have they been discussing apart from fish"Ana, where are the restrooms?"

"Back out front of the marquee and to the left."

"See you in a moment. You kids enjoy yourselves."

Ray heads out. I glance nervously up at Christian. We pause briefly as a photographer takes a picture of both of us.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey." The photographer scurries off. I blink from the flash.

"So you've charmed my father as well?"

"As well?" Christian's gray eyes burn, and he raises a questioning eyebrow. I flush.

He lifts his hand and traces my cheek with his fingers.

"Oh, I wish I knew what you were thinking, Anastasia," he whispers darkly, cupping my chin and raising my head so that we gaze intently into each other's eyes.

My breath hitches. How can he have this effect on me, even in this crowded tent?