Fifty Shades of Grey(183)

To: Christian Grey

Dear Mr. Grey

What really alarms me is how you knew which flight I was on.

Your stalking knows no bounds. Let's hope that Dr. Flynn is back from vacation.

I have had a manicure, a back massage, and two glasses of champagne - a very nice start to my vacation.

Thank you.

Ana

From: Christian Grey

Subject: You're Most Welcome

Date: May 30 2011 21:59

To: Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

Dr. Flynn is back, and I have an appointment this week.

Who was massaging your back?

Christian Grey

CEO with friends in the right places, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Aha! Pay back time. Our flight has been called so I shall email him from the plane. It will be safer. I almost hug myself with mischievous glee.

There is so much room in first class. Champagne cocktail in hand, I settle myself into the sumptuous leather window seat as the cabin slowly fills. I call Ray to tell him where I am

- a mercifully brief call, as it's so late for him.

"Love you, Dad," I murmur.

"You too, Annie. Say hi to your mom. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I hang up.

Ray is in good form. I stare at my Mac and with the same childish glee building.

Opening my laptop, I log into the email program.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Strong Able Hands

Date: May 30 2011 22:22

To: Christian Grey

Dear Sir

A very pleasant young man massaged my back. Yes. Very pleasant indeed. I wouldn't have encountered Jean-Paul in the ordinary departure lounge - so thank you again for that treat. I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to email once we take off, and I need my beauty sleep since I've not been sleeping so well recently.

Pleasant dreams Mr. Grey... thinking of you.

Ana

Oh, he's going to flip out - and I shall be airborne and out of reach. Serves him right.

If I'd been in the ordinary departure lounge then Jean-Paul wouldn't have gotten his hands on me. He was a very nice young man, in a blonde, perma-tanned way - honestly, who has a tan in SeattleIt's just so wrong. I think he was gay - but I'll just keep that detail to myself. I stare at my email. Kate is right. It is like shooting fish in a barrel with him. My subconscious stares at me with an ugly twist to her mouth - do you really want to wind him up What he's done is sweet, you know! He cares about you and wants you to travel in

style. Yes, but he could have asked me or told me. Not made me look like a complete klutz at check-in. I press send and wait, feeling like a very naughty girl.

"Miss Steele, you'll need to stow your laptop for take-off," the over-made-up flight attendant says politely. She makes me jump. My guilty conscience is at work.

"Oh, sorry."

Crap. Now I'll have to wait to know if he's replied. She hands me a soft blanket and pillow, showing her perfect teeth. I drape the blanket over my knees. It's nice to feel mol-lycoddled sometimes.

The cabin has filled up, except for the seat beside me which is still unoccupied. Oh no... a disturbing thought crosses my mind. Perhaps the seat is Christian's. Oh shit...

no... he wouldn't do that. Would heI told him I didn't want him to come with me. I glance anxiously at my watch and then the disembodied voice from the flight deck announces,

"Cabin crew, doors to automatic and cross check."

What does that meanAre they closing the doorsMy scalp prickles as I sit in palpitating anticipation. The seat next to me is the only unoccupied one in the sixteen-seat cabin. The plane jolts as it pulls away from its stand, and I breathe a sigh of relief but feel a faint tingle of disappointment too... no Christian for four days. I take a sneak peek at my BlackBerry.