Kate had been ecstatic since last night. And of course, she didn’t miss a beat. She was barking orders as we arrived at the Heathman, a room that Kate scored for free in exchange for credit in the article.
Jose, his assistant, and I began to set up.
Half an hour later, Christian walked through the door.
Holy fuck! Christian looked so damn gorgeous in a white shirt and gray flannel pants that hung onto his body. He was perfect! Fuck!
I bit my lip as he looked my way.
“We meet again, Miss Steele.”
He takes my hand in his, instantly feeling that electrical rush course through me. God damn it! Keep your fucking cool, Ana!
“Mr Grey, this is Kate Kavanagh,” I grumble out.
They exchange hellos and hand shakes. And then I introduce Jose.
The look on Christian’s face is hard to interpret, but he doesn’t flinch.
Kate gives out her orders to Christian and as he situates himself, Jose begins flashing photos like an expert.
I stand back, unable to keep my eyes off this beautiful man, he’s absolutely breathtaking.
As soon as Kate is finished with Christian turns to me.
His eyes burning holes into me with that icy gaze. Holy shit! What have I done?
“Anastasia, I wonder if you’d join me for coffee this morning?”
Coffee? A date? With Christian Grey?! Whoah! Whoah!
“I.. I have to drive everyone home,” I stutter out.
In minutes, he has Taylor, his trusted driver, offering to take them all home.
I wave my hand at Christian, shaking my head.
“Let me just swap cars with Kate. He doesn’t need to drive them.”
With much reluctancy from Kate, I’m back at Christian’s side.
“Okay, let’s go do coffee.”
And I can’t believe I’m about to have coffee with Christian Grey! Damn, and I hate coffee.
We walk onto the elevator after the door opens, witnessing a couple in a passionate embrace. They quickly pull apart from each other and we silently ride down to the first floor.
After the doors open, Christian wraps his long fingers around my hand, whisking me off. I could feel that surge of electricity course through me once again.
Grey grins.
“What is it about elevators?” he mutters.
We walk four blocks to the nearest coffee shop and he lets go of my hand as we enter.
“Go and grab a table and I’ll get the drinks. What would you like?”
“I’ll have English Breakfast tea. Uh, bag out.”
He looks at me surprised with his eyebrows raised.
“No coffee?”
“I’m not a real coffee person.”
“Okay bag out tea. Sugar?”
My eyes widen and for a split second, I think he’s given me a pet name. No idiot — do you take sugar?
“No. No thanks.”
I find a table and sit down. I stare out at him, watching him run those fingers of his through his hair. Good God! I can do that all fucking day!
“Penny for your thoughts,” he says as he sits across from me.
My face turns red, biting my lips at all the dirty thoughts that come to mind.
“I.. I like my tea black and weak,” I mumble out in some sort of explanation.
“Is he your boyfriend?”
The fuck?!
“Who?”
“Jose, the photographer.”
I stifle back a laugh. Why would he think that?
“No. He’s just a really good friend. What makes you think that?”
“The way he smiled at you.” He stares at me, and I try to look away but I’m caught up at his gaze.
“He’s more like family,” I explain again.
“And the guy from yesterday?”
“No, Paul is just a friend. I told you that. Why are you asking?”
“You seem nervous around men.”
Fuck! I’m just nervous around you, damn-it!
“I find you intimidating.” Shit! I turn crimson red.
“You should find me intimidating.” He nods. “You’re very honest. Please don’t look down. I like to see your face.”
Really?! I look at him and he smiles.
“It gives me somewhat of an idea of what you’re thinking. You’re a mystery to me, Miss Steele.”
Whoah?! Mysterious? Me?
He continues to ask me personal questions and I turn the table and do the same to him.
I ask about his siblings.
“What do they do?”
“Elliot is in construction and Mia is in Paris, studying cookery under some renowned chef.”
“I hear Paris is lovely,” I mutter out.
“It’s beautiful. Have you been?” he asks curiously.
“I’ve never left mainland USA.”
“Would you like to go?”
“Uh, to Paris?” I ask stupidly. “Well, of course.”
I glance at my watch, looking to him.
“Well, I better go. I have some studying to do.”
“For your exams?”
“Yes. They start Tuesday.”
“Where’s Miss Kavanagh’s car?”
“At the hotel parking lot.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
“Thank you for tea, Mr Grey.”
We walk back toward the hotel in silence and my mind is just racing with unexplained thoughts. At the intersection, I suddenly blurt out.
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“I don’t do the girlfriend thing, Ana.”
What the hell does that mean?
I think he’s going to explain some more. But he leaves it so cryptic. Crap! I’ve got to get my mind straight. I just need to get away from him. I walk toward the road and trip, nearly getting run over by a cyclist.
“Shit Ana!” Grey cries and tugs my hand, pulling me against him. All my thoughts disappear. I stare at his beautiful lips and for the first time in twenty-one years, I want to be kissed. To feel his mouth over mine.
Oh kiss me! Kiss me, Christian!
“Anastasia, you should steer clear of me. I’m not that man you think I am.”
All I can think about is wanting to be kissed and he proved that’s not what he wanted. Clearly, I can see that now. He doesn’t really want me.
“I’m fine, Christian. Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks.
“For saving me.”
“Anastasia.. I..”
“What, Christian?”
“Good luck with your exams.”
“Thanks,” I say, unable to avoid the sarcasm.
I disappear into the hotel garage and once inside Kate’s car, I let tears stream down my face. I’m an idiot, crying over someone I’ve never even had.
“God damn you, Christian!”
I take a deep breathe, wiping away at the tears, silently screaming at myself as I drive home. GET IT TOGETHER, STEELE!
The Diary Of Anastasia Steele 