Fifty Shades Freed Read online

  Wc are wailing for dessert in a plush, exclusive restaurant in town. It's been a

  lively evening so far. and Mia is determined ii should continue and that wc must

  lit! i lenlly for on i n Lilian's every

  word as he and Christian talk. Mia is ob ioush infatuated \ nil Ethan, and Ethan

  is . . . well it's difficult to tell. I don't know if they are just friends or if there's

  Christian ecin Ikin I t h Ethan. They obvi-

  ously bonded over the fly-fishing. They're talking about psychology, mainly.

  Ironically. Christian sounds the more knowledgeable. 1 snort softly as I half listen

  to theii conversation, sadly acknowledging that his expertise is the result of his

  C v. I I III! 1

  You 're the best therapy. His words, whispered while we were making love

  once, echo in my head. Am I? Oh, Christian, I hope so.

  I glance over at Kale She looks beautiful, but then she always does. She and

  Elliot are less lively. He seems ncnous. his jokes a little too loud, and his laugh a

  little off. Have they had a fight? What's eating him? Is it that woman? My heart

  sinks at the thought ilia i i hu a .. frict I . nice at the entrance,

  hall expecting to see Gia calmly saunter her well-groomed ass across the restaur-

  ant to us. My mind t play t I sus| i the i i ol alcohol I've had.

  My head is beginning to ache.

  Abruptly, Elliot startles us all b> standing and pulling his chair back so il

  scrapes across the tile floor. All eyes turn to him. He gazes down at Kate for one

  t as everyone stops eating, slops talking, stops walking, and stares.

  vly beautiful Kate, I love you. Your grace, your beauty, and your fiery spirit

  10 equal, and you have captured my heart. Spend your life with mc. Marry

  Chapter Fourteen

  The attention of the entire restaurant is trained on Kate and Elliot, waiting with

  bated breath as one. The anticipation i» unbearable. Silence stretches like a taut

  rnbbc band ih ilmosphere is opprc !, ppreh im c md yet hopeful.

  Kate stares blankly at Elliot as he gazes up at her, his eyes wide with long-

  ing—fear even. Holy crap, Kate! Put him out of his misery. Please. Jeez— he

  could hae asked her privately.

  A single tear trickle-, down her cheek though die remains expressionless.

  Shil! Kale crying fliei mil i < beli 1 found-Nirvana smile.

  "Yes," she whispers. ;i brcalln. sweet acceptance not Kate-like at all. For

  one nanosecond there's a pause as the entire restaurant exhales a colleclie sigh of

  relief, and then the noise is deafening. Spontaneous applause, cheering, catcalls,

  whooping, and sud I I ! I

  meets-Joan-Jett makeup.

  Oblivious to the commotion around litem, she two are locked in their own

  little world. From his pocket L'lliol produces a small box. opens it, and presents it

  to Kate. A ring. And from what I can see, an exquisite ring, but I need a closer

  look. Is that what Ik loin h(i C'lu t in // Oh, I'm so glad I

  didn't tell Kate.

  Kate looks from the : ing to L'lliol then throw s her arms around his neck. They

  kiss, remarkably chaste for them, and the crowd goes w ild, Llliot stands and ac-

  knowledges the approbation with a surprisingly graceful bow then, wearing a

  huge self-satisfied grin, sits back down. I can't take my eyes off them. Taking the

  ring out of its box, Elliot gently slides it onto Kate's finger, and they kiss once

  Christian squeeze-. m> hand. 1 didn't realize I'd been gripping his >o lighlK. 1

  "Sorry. Did you know about this?" I whisper.

  Christian smiles, and I know that he did. He summons the waiter. "Two

  bottles of the Cristal please. The 2002 if you have it."

  I smirk at him.

  "What?" he asks.

  "Because the 201)2 is so much belter than the 2003," I tease.

  "You have a very li mi p Ir. ( md sit ular tastes." I smile.

  "That I do, Mrs. Grey." He leans in close. "You taste best," he whispers, and

  he kisses a certain spot behind my ear. sending little shivers down my spine. I

  blush scarlet and fondl i t i I I it ol the quite literal

  shortcomings of my dress.

  Mia is the first up to hue I, He a d Lll ol md \c I take nuns congratulating

  the happy couple. I clutch Kate in a fierce hug.

  "See? He was just worried about Ins proposal," I whisper.

  "Oh, Ana." She giggle-sobs.

  "Kate, I am so happy for you. Congratulations."

  C hrislian is behind me. He shakes Elliot's hand, then surprising both lilliol

  and me — pulls him inlo a hug. ! can only jtisl ealch what he says.

  "Way lo go. Lelliol." he murmurs. Elliot -.ays nothing, for once stunned into

  silence, then cautiously returns his brother's hag.

  Lelliotl

  "Thanks. C hristian." Elliol chokes out.

  (. hrislian gives Kate a brief, if awkward, almost arm's-length hug. I know

  that Christian's attitude to Kate is tolerant, at best, and ambivalent most of the

  time, so this is progress. Releasing her. lie -ax s so quietly only she and I can hear,

  "I hope you are as happy in your marriage as 1 am in mine."

  "Thank you, Christian. I hope so. loo." she sas s graciously.

  The waiter has 1 i i i , it t mipagi . h e proceeds to open with

  an understated flourish.

  C hrislian holds his champagne Hale aloft.

  "To Kale and my dear brother, lilliol congratulations."

  We all sip, well. I glug. i Imm. ( rislal lasles hi good, and I'm reminded of the

  first time I drank it at < hrisiian's club and later, our cscnll'iil elevator journey to

  the first floor.

  Christian frowns at inc. "What are you thinking about?" he whispers.

  His frown becomes more quizzical.

  "We were at your club." I prompt.

  He grins. "Oh yes. I remember." He winks at me.

  "lilliol. hac sou set a dale?" Mia pipes up.

  we'll get back to you on that, 'kay?"

  "Oh. make il a Christmas wedding. Thai would be so romanlie. and you'd

  have no trouble remembering your anniversary." Mia claps her hands.

  "I'll take that under ads iscmenl " Elliol smirks at her.

  "After the champagne, can we please go clubbing?" Mia turns and gives

  ( hrislian her biggest, brosvn-eyed look.

  "I think we should ask Elliot and Kate what they'd like to do."

  As one, we turn expectantly lo litem. Elliol shrugs raid Kale turns puce. Her

  carnal intent tow n d I il I 1 u h undrcd-d II r cham-

  pagne all over the table.

  Zax is the most cxclusie nightclub in spen or «• says Mi;i. Christian strolls lo

  the front of the short line with his arm wrapped around nr. waist and is immedi-

  ately granted access. I wonder briefly if he owns the place. I glance at my

  watch — eleven thirty in the evening, and I'm feeling fuzzy. The two glasses of

  champagne and scu ii 1 i Pouillv-Fun i ng on meal are starting to

  have an effect, and I'm grateful Christian has his arm around me.

  "Mr. Grey, welcome Kick." says a very altraclhc. leggy blonde in black sat-

  in, hot pants, matching slee eless shin, and a little red bow lie. She smiles broadly,

  revealing perfect all-American teeth between scarlet hps that match her bowtie.

  "Max will take your coat."

  A young man dressed entirely in black, forlunaii: ly not satin, smiles as he of-

  fers to take my coat. His dark eye
s are warm and inviting. I am the only one wear-

  ing a coat — Christian insisted I take Mia's trench coat to cover my behind — so

  Max only has to deal with me.

  "Nice coat," he says, gazing at me intently.

  Beside me Christian bristles and fixes Max with a back-off-now glare. He

  id, i n i a 1 l> h in Christiat ty coat cheek ticket

  "Let me show yon to your table." Miss Satin 1 lot Paul-, butters her eyelashes

  at my husband, Hick- her long blond hair, and sashays through the entryway. I

  moment, then smirks as we follow Miss Satin Hot Pants into the bar.

  middle. It's busy, given that we're here off-season, but not too crowded with the

  relaxed, and for the I irsl tune 1 feel a little over . . . urn, underdressed. I'm not sure

  which. The floor and walls v ibrate w ith lite music pulsing from the dance Hoor

  behind the bar, and lights are whirling and Hashing on and off. In my heady state,

  I idly think it's an epileptic's nightmare.

  Satin Hot Pants leads us to a corner booth that's been roped off. It's near the

  bar with access to the dance floor. Clearly the best seats in the house.

  "There'll be som lake in nil he gt es us her full

  megawatt Mink ini th i I Ml i Ii i ii I ishand, sashays back

  from where she came. Mia is already jigging from foot to foot, itching to get onto

  the dance boor, and Lilian lakes pity on her.

  "C hampagne?" Christian asks as ihey head off holding hands toward the

  dance floor. Eth in t i ^ u n I ilhusiastically.

  Kate and Elliot sit back on the soft velvet seating, hand in hand. They look so

  happ then le itures it i ' n the glo in tl i i

  crystal holders on the k" ible i hi inns: stun > me to it and I scoot in be-

  side Kate. He tikes iti 1 t

  "Show me your ring." I raise my voice over the music. I will be hoarse by the

  time we leave. Kate beams at me and holds up her hand. The ring is exquisite, a

  single solitaire in i fin el borate la ilh in liam n -mi either side. It has a

  retro Victorian look to it.

  "It's beautiful."

  She nods in delight and. reaching oer. squeezes Elliot's thigh. He leans

  down and kisses her.

  "Get a room," I call out.

  Elliot grins.

  A young woman with shorl dark liaii and a nhsclne ons -anile, wearing regu-

  lation, black satin, hot pants, conies 10 lake our older.

  "What do you want to drink?" Christian asks.

  "You're not picking up the tab for litis, loo." Elliot grumbles.

  Despite the objections of Kale. Elliol and Ethan. Christian has paid for the

  meal wc just consumed. He simply waved them aside and would not hear of any-

  one else paying. I gaze at him lovingly. My Fifty Shades . . . always in control.

  Elliol opens his mouth lo sa> something bin. w iseh perhaps, closes it again

  "Kale?" Christian asks.

  "More champagne, please. The Crista! is delicious. Bui I'm sure Elhan would

  prefer a beer." She smiles sweetly — yes, sweetly — al Christian. She is incandes-

  cent with happiness. I feel il radiating off her. and it's a pleasure to bask in her

  joy.

  "Champagne, please."

  "Bottle of Crista!, three Peronis. and a bottle of iced mineral water, six

  glasses." lie says in his usual authoritati e. no-nonsense manner.

  It 's kinda hot.

  "Thank you. sir. C oming righi up." Miss llol Pants Number Two gives him a

  gracious smile, but I , i ei ' i i llering I .el h ihough her cheeks red-

  den a little.

  I shake my head in resignation. He's mine, girlfriend.

  "What?" he asks me.

  "She didn't flutter her eyelashes a.i on." I smirk.

  ""( )h. \ as she supposed to?" he asks, failing to hide his mirth.

  "Women usually do." My tone is ironic.

  He grins. "Mrs. Grey, arc you jealous?"

  "Not in the slightest." I poul at him. And i realize in ihal momenl [hat ! am

  beginning to tolei H n ogling my I hi hrislian el sps in

  hand and kisses my knuckles.

  "You have nothing to be jealous of, Mrs. Grey," he murmurs close to my ear,

  his breath tickling me.

  The waitress returns, and moments later I'm sipping another glass of

  champagne.

  "Here." Christian hands me a glass of water. "Drink this."

  "Three glasse ol'whiu itte at dilute I or 1 mipagne, after a straw-

  tually he does have a point. Taking the glass of water, I down it in a most unlady-

  hand across the back of my mouth.

  "Good girl,'" he says, smirking. "You've vomited on me once already. I don't

  wish to experience that again in a hurry."

  "I don't know w Inn you're complaining about. on got io sleep with me."

  I L i lik 'iid In c > - ii t call. I dm!

  Ethan and Mia are back.

  "Ethan's had enough, for now. Come on, girls. Let's hit the floor. Strike a

  pose, throw some si >i n II 1 ric from ll ho in mouss

  Kate stands i 1 ( i i I i II

  "Let me watch you," he says. And I have to look away quickly, blushing at

  the look he gives her. She grins as 1 stand.

  "I'm going to burn some calories," I say, and leaning down I whisper in

  Christian's car, "You can watch me."

  "Don't bend over," he growls.

  "Okay." I stand abruptly. Whoa! Head rush, and I clutch Christian's shoulder

  as the room shifts and tilts a little.

  "Perhaps you should have some more water." Christian murmurs, a warning

  clear in his voice.

  "I'm fine. These seats are low and my heels are high."

  Kate takes my hand, and taking a deep breath ! follow her and Mia. perfectly

  poised, onto the dance floor.

  The music is pulsing, a techno beat with a thumping bass line. The dance

  floor isn't crowded, which means we have some space. The mix is eclect-

  ic — young and old alike dancing the night away. I have never been a good dancer.

  In fact, it's only since I've been with Christian that I dance at all. Kate hugs me.

  "I'm so happy," she shouts over the music, and she starts to dance. Mia is do-

  ing what Mia does, grinning ai die pair of its. throw nig herself around. Jccz, she's

  taking up a lot of room on the dance floor. I glance back toward the table. Our

  surrender to it.

  move a little more . . . bravely. Kale gies me two thumbs up. and I beam back at

  1 close my ces V I I 1 spend I 1'i I nl i >[ m life not doing

  to and Thomas Hardy . . . jeez. Ih ' might. In ing lo nunc him. « file he endeavors to pry my legs

  I continue pushing at his chest — Jeez he's heavy — but he doesn't flinch,

  doesn't freeze as Ik i i i / ittempts to grab my

  wrists, and finally captures one, despite my valiant attempts to twist it free. It's

  my sore hand, so ! surrender it to him. but grab his hair with my other hand and

  pull hard.

  "Ah!" He yanks his head free and gazes down at me, his eyes wild and

  "Sax age." he u hispers. his oiec laced u ilh salacious delight.

  In response to this one whispered word, my libido explodes, and I stop act-

  ing. Again I struggle in vain io wresl my hand out of his hold. Al the same lime I

  try to hook m> ankles together, and attempt lo buck him of! inc. He's too heavy.

  Gah' It's frustrating and hot.

  W illi a groan. Chrislian captures my other hand, lie holds both my wrists in

  hi
s left hand, and his 1 < . Is leisure!) ii lentl iln si — down my body,

  fondling and feeling as it goes, tweaking my nipple on the way.

  I yelp in response, pleasure (.piking slum, shi.ro. and hot from my nipple to

  my groin. 1 make another fruitless attempt to buck him off, but he's just too on

  When he tries to kiss me I jerk my head to the side so he can't. Promptly his

  insolent hand moves from the hem of my T-shirt up to my chin, holding me :n

  place as he runs his teeth along nn jaw mirroring what I did to him earlier.

  "Oh, baby, fight me," he murmurs.

  1 twist and writhe, trying to free myself from his merciless hold, but it's

  hopeless. He's much, stronger than me. lie's gently biting tit my lower lip as his

  tongue tries to invade my mouth. And ! realize 1 don't want to resist him. I want

  htm ill lii ill urn hi ki I don't

  care that I haven't hi ed m ih I i n h ix upposcd to be play-

  ing some game. Desire, hoi and hard, surges through mv bloodstream, and I'm

  lost. Unhooking m ankles, i wrap m legs around his hips and use my heels to

  "Ana," he breathes, and he kisses me everywhere. And we're no longer

  i it 1 i I i t ti n I t i h t 1 t nick and urgent.

  "Skin," he murmurs hoarsely, his breathing labored, lie drags me up and tugs

  off my T-shirt in one swift move.

  "You," I whisper while km upright, because it's al! I can think of to say. I

  seize the front his pajamas and vank them down freeing his erection. I grab and

  squeeze him. He's hard. The air whistles through his teeth as he inhales sharply,

  and I revel in his response.

  "Fuck," he murmurs. II leans I 1 lilt m t 1 _ i- 1 ppmg me down onto

  the bed a- I pull and squeeze hint lightly, running m hand up and down him.

  Feeling a bead of moisture tin his lip. I sw irl n around with my thumb. As he

  lowers me to the mattress, I slip my thumb in my mouth to taste him while his

  hands travel up my body, caressing my hips, my stomach, my breasts.

  "Taste good?" he asks as he hovers over me, eyes blazing.

  "Yes. Here." I push my thumb into his mouth, and lie Micks and biles die pad.

  I groan, grasp his head, and pull him down to me so I can kiss him. Wrapping my

  legs around him, I push his pajamas off his legs with my feet, then cradle him

  with my legs around his waist. His lips trail from across my jaw to my chin, nip-

  ping softly.

  "You're so beautiful." He dips his head lower to the base of my throat. "Such

  beautiful skin." His breath is soft as his lips glide down to m breasts.

  What! I am panting, confused wanting, now waiting. I thought this was go-

  ing to be quick.

  "Christian." I hear the quiet plea in my voice and reach down, fisting my

  hands in his hair.

  "Hush," he whispers and circles m nipple with his tongue before pulling it

  in hi: nouih nd i iggins hard

  "Ah!" I moan and squirm, tilting my pelvis up to tempt him. He grins against

  my skin and turns his attention to my other breast.

  "Impatient. Mrs. Grey?" lie then sucks hard on my nipple. I tug his hair lie

  groans and peers up. "I'll restrain you," he warns.

  "All in good tint In murmurs igait In 'in tb h ,u 1 tiacls down at an

  infurialingly slow speed to my hip as he worships my nipple with his mouth. I

  moan loudly, my breath short and shallow, and I try once more to entice him into

  mc, rocking against him. He's thick and heavy and close, but he's taking his own

  Fuck this. 1 struggle unci tw ist. determined lo buck him off mc again.

  Grabbing my hands, Christian pins them down on the bed, my arms spread

  wide, and rests his fill both, weigh! on me. completely subduing me. 1 am breath-

  less, wild.