Grey Read online

  She's still standing, staring at me. "Bed," I command more forcefully. She scrambles into my bed and lies down and I climb in behind her, folding her in my arms. I bury my face in her hair and inhale her sweet scent: autumn and apple trees. Facing away, she can't touch me, and while I lie there I resolve to spoon with her until she's asleep. Then I'll get up and do some work.

  "Sleep, sweet Anastasia." I kiss her hair and close my eyes. Her scent fills my nostrils, reminding me of a happy time and leaving me replete...content, even...

  Mommy is happy today. She is singing.

  Singing about what love has to do with it.

  And cooking. And singing.

  My tummy gurgles. She is cooking bacon and waffles.

  They smell good. My tummy likes bacon and waffles.

  They smell so good.

  Opening my eyes, light is flooding through the windows and there's a mouthwatering aroma coming from the kitchen. Bacon. Momentarily I'm confused. Is Gail back from her sister's?

  Then I remember.

  Ana.

  A look at the clock tells me it's late. I bounce out of bed and follow my nose to the kitchen.

  There's Ana. She's wearing my shirt, her hair in braids, dancing around to some music. Only I can't hear it. She's wearing earbuds. Unobserved, I take a seat at the kitchen counter and watch the show. She's whisking eggs, making breakfast, her braids bouncing as she jiggles from foot to foot, and I realize she's not wearing underwear.

  Good girl.

  She has to be one of the most uncoordinated females I've ever seen. It's amusing, charming, and strangely arousing at the same time; I think of all the ways I can improve her coordination. When she turns and spots me, she freezes.

  "Good morning, Miss Steele. You're very...energetic this morning." She looks even younger in her braids.

  "I-I slept well," she stammers.

  "I can't imagine why," I quip, admitting to myself that I did, too. It's after nine. When did I last sleep past 6:30?

  Yesterday.

  After I'd slept with her.

  "Are you hungry?" she asks.

  "Very." And I'm not sure if it's for breakfast or for her.

  "Pancakes, bacon, and eggs?" she says.

  "Sounds great."

  "I don't know where you keep your placemats," she says, seeming at a loss, and I think she's embarrassed, because I caught her dancing. Taking pity on her, I offer to set places for breakfast and add, "Would you like me to put some music on so you can continue your...er...dancing?"

  Her cheeks pink and she looks down at the floor.

  Damn. I've upset her. "Please, don't stop on my account. It's very entertaining."

  With a pout she turns her back on me and continues to whisk the eggs with gusto. I wonder if she has any idea how disrespectful this is to someone like me...but of course she doesn't, and for some unfathomable reason it makes me smile. Sidling up to her, I gently tug one of her braids. "I love these. They won't protect you."

  Not from me. Not now that I've had you.

  "How would you like your eggs?" Her tone is unexpectedly haughty. And I want to laugh out loud, but I resist.

  "Thoroughly whisked and beaten," I reply, trying and failing to sound deadpan. She attempts to hide her amusement, too, and continues her task.

  Her smile is bewitching.

  Hastily, I set up the placemats, wondering when I last did this for someone else.

  Never.

  Normally over the weekend my submissive would take care of all domestic tasks.

  Not today, Grey, because she's not your submissive...yet.

  I pour us both orange juice and put the coffee on. She doesn't drink coffee, only tea. "Would you like some tea?"

  "Yes, please. If you have some."

  In the cupboard I find the Twinings teabags I'd asked Gail to buy.

  Well, well, who would have thought I'd ever get to use them?

  She frowns when she sees them. "Bit of a foregone conclusion, wasn't I?"

  "Are you? I'm not sure we've concluded anything yet, Miss Steele," I answer with a stern look.

  And don't talk about yourself like that.

  I add her self-deprecation to the list of behaviors that will need modifying.

  She avoids my gaze, busy with serving up breakfast. Two plates are placed on the placemats, then she fetches the maple syrup out of the fridge.

  When she looks up at me I'm waiting for her to sit down. "Miss Steele." I indicate where she should sit.

  "Mr. Grey," she replies, with contrived formality, and winces as she sits.

  "Just how sore are you?" I'm surprised by an uneasy sense of guilt. I want to fuck her again, preferably after breakfast, but if she's too sore that will be out of the question. Perhaps I could use her mouth this time.

  The color in her face rises. "Well, to be truthful, I have nothing to compare this to," she says tartly. "Did you wish to offer your commiserations?" Her sarcastic tone takes me by surprise. If she were mine, it would earn her a spanking at least, maybe over the kitchen counter.

  "No. I wondered if we should continue your basic training."

  "Oh." She startles.

  Yes, Ana, we can have sex during the day, too. And I'd like to fill that smart mouth of yours.

  I take a bite of my breakfast and close my eyes in appreciation. It tastes mighty fine. When I swallow she's still staring at me. "Eat, Anastasia," I order. "This is delicious, incidentally."

  She can cook, and well.

  Ana takes one bite of her food, then pushes her breakfast around on her plate. I ask her to stop biting her lip. "It's very distracting, and I happen to know you're not wearing anything under my shirt."

  She fidgets with her teabag and the teapot, ignoring my irritation. "What sort of basic training did you have in mind?" she asks.

  She's ever-curious--let's see how far she'll go.

  "Well, as you're sore, I thought we could stick to oral skills."

  She splutters into her teacup.

  Hell. I don't want to choke the girl. Gently, I pat her on the back and hand her a glass of orange juice. "That's if you want to stay." I shouldn't push my luck.

  "I'd like to stay for today. If that's okay. I have to work tomorrow."

  "What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?"

  "Nine."

  "I'll get you to work by nine tomorrow."

  What? I want her to stay?

  It's a surprise to me.

  Yes, I want her to stay.

  "I'll need to go home tonight--I need clean clothes."

  "We can get you some here."

  She flips her hair and gnaws nervously at her lip...again.

  "What is it?" I ask.

  "I need to be home this evening."

  Boy, she's stubborn. I don't want her to go, but at this stage, with no agreement, I can't insist that she stay. "Okay, this evening. Now eat your breakfast."

  She examines her food.

  "Eat, Anastasia. You didn't eat last night."

  "I'm really not hungry," she says.

  Well, this is frustrating. "I would really like you to finish your breakfast." My voice is low.

  "What is it with you and food?" she snaps.

  Oh, baby, you really don't want to know. "I told you, I have issues with wasted food. Eat." I glare at her. Don't push me on this, Ana. She gives me a mulish look and starts to eat.

  As I watch her place a forkful of eggs in her mouth, I relax. She's quite challenging in her own way. And it's unique. I've never dealt with this. Yes. That's it. She's a novelty. That's the fascination...isn't it?

  When she finishes her food I take her plate.

  "You cooked, I'll clear."

  "That's very democratic," she says, arching an eyebrow.

  "Yes. Not my usual style. After I've done this, we'll take a bath."

  And I can test her oral skills. I take a swift breath to control my instant arousal at the thought.

  Hell.

  Her phone rings and she wand
ers to the end of the room, deep in conversation. I pause by the sink and watch her. As she stands against the glass wall, the morning light silhouettes her body in my white shirt. My mouth dries. She's slim, with long legs, perfect breasts, and a perfect ass.

  Still on her call, she turns toward me and I pretend my attention is elsewhere. For some reason I don't want her to catch me ogling.

  Who is it on the phone?

  I hear Kavanagh's name mentioned and I tense. What is she saying? Our eyes lock.

  What are you saying, Ana?

  She turns away and a moment later hangs up, then walks back toward me, her hips swaying in a soft, seductive rhythm beneath my shirt. Should I tell her what I can see?

  "The NDA, does it cover everything?" she asks, halting me in my tracks as I shut the pantry cupboard.

  "Why?" Where's she going with this? What has she said to Kavanagh?

  She takes a deep breath. "Well, I have a few questions, you know, about sex. And I'd like to ask Kate."

  "You can ask me."

  "Christian, with all due respect--" She stops.

  She's embarrassed?

  "It's just about mechanics. I won't mention the Red Room of Pain," she says in a rush.

  "Red Room of Pain?"

  What the hell?

  "It's mostly about pleasure, Anastasia. Believe me. Besides, your roommate is making the beast with two backs with my brother. I'd really rather you didn't."

  I don't want Elliot to know anything about my sex life. He'd never let me live it down.

  "Does your family know about your...um, predilection?"

  "No. It's none of their business."

  She's burning to ask something.

  "What do you want to know?" I ask, standing in front of her, scrutinizing her face.

  What is it, Ana?

  "Nothing specific at the moment," she whispers.

  "Well, we can start with: how was last night for you?" My breathing shallows as I wait for her answer. Our whole deal could hang on her response.

  "Good," she says, and gives me a soft, sexy smile.

  It's what I want to hear.

  "For me, too. I've never had vanilla sex before. There's a lot to be said for it. But then, maybe it's because it's with you."

  Her surprise and pleasure at my words are obvious. I brush her plump lower lip with my thumb. I'm itching to touch her...again. "Come, let's have a bath." I kiss her and take her into my bathroom.

  "Stay there," I order, turning the faucet, then adding scented oil to the steaming water. The tub fills quickly as she watches me. Normally, I would expect any woman I was about to bathe with to have her eyes cast down in modesty.

  But not Ana.

  She doesn't drop her gaze, and her eyes glow with anticipation and curiosity. But she has her arms wrapped around herself; she's shy.

  It's arousing.

  And to think she's never bathed with a man.

  I can claim another first.

  When the bath is full I peel off my T-shirt and hold out my hand. "Miss Steele."

  She accepts my invitation and steps into the bath.

  "Turn around, face me," I instruct. "I know that lip is delicious, I can attest to that, but will you stop biting it? Your chewing it makes me want to fuck you, and you're sore, okay?"

  She inhales sharply, releasing her lip.

  "Yeah. Get the picture?"

  Still standing, she gives me an emphatic nod.

  "Good." She's still wearing my shirt and I take the iPod from the breast pocket and place it by the sink. "Water and iPods--not a clever combination." I grab the hem and pull it off her. Immediately she hangs her head when I step back to admire her.

  "Hey." My voice is gentle and encourages her to peek up at me. "Anastasia, you're a very beautiful woman, the whole package. Don't hang your head like you're ashamed. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and it's a real joy to stand here and look at you." Holding her chin, I tip her head back.

  Don't hide from me, baby.

  "You can sit down now."

  She sits down with indecent haste and winces as her sore body hits the water.

  Okay...

  She screws her eyes shut as she lies back, but when she opens them, she looks more relaxed. "Why don't you join me?" she asks with a coy smile.

  "I think I will. Move forward." Stripping, I climb in behind her, pull her to my chest, and place my legs around hers, my feet over her ankles, and then I pull her legs apart.

  She wriggles against me, but I ignore her motion and bury my nose in her hair. "You smell so good, Anastasia," I whisper.

  She settles and I grab the body wash from the shelf beside us. Squeezing some into my hand, I work the soap into a lather and start massaging her neck and shoulders. She moans as her head lolls to one side under my tender ministration.

  "You like that?" I ask.

  "Hmm," she hums in contentment.

  I wash her arms and her underarms, then reach my first goal: her breasts.

  Lord, the feel of her.

  She has perfect breasts. I knead and tease them. She groans and flexes her hips and her breathing accelerates. She's aroused. My body responds in kind, growing beneath her.

  My hands skim over her torso and her belly toward my second goal. Before I reach her pubic hair I stop and grab a washcloth. Squirting some soap onto the cloth, I begin the slow process of washing between her legs. Gentle, slow but sure, rubbing, washing, cleaning, stimulating. She starts to pant and her hips move in synchronization with my hand. Her head resting against my shoulder, her eyes closed, her mouth open in a silent moan as she surrenders to my relentless fingers.

  "Feel it, baby." I run my teeth along her earlobe. "Feel it for me."

  "Oh, please," she whines, and she tries to straighten her legs, but I have them pinioned under mine.

  Enough.

  Now that she's all worked up into a lather I'm ready to proceed.

  "I think you're clean enough now," I announce, and take my hands off of her.

  "Why are you stopping?" she protests, her eyes fluttering open, revealing frustration and disappointment.

  "Because I have other plans for you, Anastasia."

  She's panting and, if I'm not mistaken, pouting.

  Good.

  "Turn around. I need washing, too."

  She does, her face rosy, her eyes bright, pupils large.

  Lifting my hips, I grab my cock. "I want you to become well acquainted, on first-name terms, if you will, with my favorite and most cherished part of my body. I'm very attached to this."

  Her mouth drops open as she looks from my penis to my face...and back again. I can't help my wicked grin. Her face is a picture of maidenly outrage.

  But as she stares, her expression changes. First thoughtful, then assessing, and when her eyes meet mine, the challenge in them is clear.

  Oh, bring it on, Miss Steele.

  Her smile is one of delight as she reaches for the body wash. Taking her sweet time, she drizzles some of the soap into her palm and, without taking her eyes off mine, rubs her hands together. Her lips part and she bites her bottom lip, running her tongue across the little indentations left by her teeth.

  Ana Steele, seductress!

  My cock responds in appreciation, hardening further. Reaching forward, she grabs me, her hand fisting around me. My breath hisses out through clenched teeth and I close my eyes, savoring the moment.

  Here, I don't mind being touched.

  No, I don't mind at all...Placing my hand over hers, I show her what to do. "Like this." My voice is hoarse as I guide her. She tightens her hold around me and her hand moves up and down beneath mine.

  Oh yes.

  "That's right, baby."

  I release her and let her continue, closing my eyes and surrendering to the rhythm she's set.

  Oh, God.

  What is it about her inexperience that is so arousing? Is it that I'm enjoying all her firsts?

  Suddenly she draws me into her mouth, sucking hard,
her tongue torturing me.

  Fuck.

  "Whoa...Ana."

  She sucks harder; her eyes are alight with feminine cunning. This is her revenge, her tit for tat. She looks stunning.

  "Christ," I growl, and close my eyes so I don't come immediately. She continues her sweet torture, and as her confidence grows I flex my hips, pushing myself farther into her mouth.

  How far can I go, baby?

  Watching her is stimulating, so stimulating. I grab her hair and start to work her mouth as she supports herself with her hands on my thighs.

  "Oh. Baby. That. Feels. Good."

  She confines her teeth behind her lips and pulls me into her mouth once more.

  "Ah!" I groan, and wonder how deep she'll allow me. Her mouth torments me, her shielded teeth squeezing hard. And I want more. "Jesus. How far can you go?"

  Her eyes meet mine and she frowns. Then, with a look of determination, she slides down on me until I hit the back of her throat.

  Fuck.

  "Anastasia, I'm going to come in your mouth," I warn her, breathless. "If you don't want me to, stop now." I thrust into her again and again, watching my cock disappear and reappear from her mouth. It's beyond erotic. I'm so close. Suddenly she bares her teeth, gently squeezing me, and I'm undone, ejaculating into the back of her throat, crying out my pleasure.

  Fuck.

  My breathing is labored. She's completely disarmed me...again!

  When I open my eyes she's glowing with pride.

  As she should be. That was one hell of a blow job.

  "Don't you have a gag reflex?" I marvel at her as I catch my breath. "Christ, Ana...that was...good, really good. Unexpected, though. You know, you never cease to amaze me." Praise for a job well done.

  Wait, that was so good, perhaps she has some experience after all. "Have you done that before?" I ask, and I'm not sure I want to know.

  "No," she says with obvious pride.

  "Good." I hope my relief is not too obvious. "Yet another first, Miss Steele. Well, you get an A in oral skills. Come, let's go to bed, I owe you an orgasm."

  I climb out of the bath a little dazed and wrap a towel around my waist. Grabbing another, I hold it up and help her out of the bath, swathing her in it so she's trapped. I hold her against me, kissing her, really kissing her. Exploring her mouth with my tongue.

  I taste my ejaculate in her mouth. Grasping her head, I deepen the kiss.

  I want her.

  All of her.

  Her body and soul.

  I want her to be mine.

  Staring down into bemused eyes, I implore her. "Say yes."

  "To what?" she whispers.

  "Yes to our arrangement. To being mine. Please, Ana." And it's the closest I've come to begging in a long time. I kiss her again, pouring my fervor into my kiss. When I take her hand, she looks dazed.