Пятьдесят оттенков серого

           Reachingover,hetakesoneofmyhandsandslowlypullsittohismouth,tenderlykissingthebackofmyhand,suchanold-fashioned,sweetgesture.Myheartleapsintomymouth.

           “Thankyouforthisweekend,Anastasia.It’sbeen…thebest.Wednesday?I’llpickyouupfromwork,fromwherever?”hesayssoftly.

           “Wednesday,”Iwhisper.

           Hekissesmyhandagainandplacesitbackinmylap.Heclimbsoutofthecar,comesaroundtomyside,andopensthepassenger-sidedoor.WhydoIfeelsuddenlybereft?Alumpformsinmythroat.Imustnotlethimseemelikethis.Fixingasmileonmyface,Iclamberoutofthecarandheadupthepath,knowingIhavetofaceKate,dreadingfacingKate.Iturnandgazeathimmidway.Chinup,Steele,Ichidemyself.

           “Oh…bytheway,I’mwearingyourunderwear.”IgivehimasmallsmileandpullupthewaistbandoftheboxerbriefsI’mwearingsohecansee.Christian’smouthdropsopen,shocked.Whatagreatreaction.Mymoodshiftsimmediately,andIsashayintothehouse,partofmewantingtojumpandpunchtheair.YES!Myinnergoddessisthrilled.

           Kateisinthelivingroompackingupherbooksintocrates.

           “You’reback.Where’sChristian?Howareyou?”Hervoiceisfevered,anxious,andsheboundsuptome,grabbingmyshoulders,minutelyanalyzingmyfacebeforeI’veevensaidhello.

           Crap…IhavetodealwithKate’spersistenceandtenacity,andI’minpossessionofasignedlegaldocumentsayingIcan’ttalk.It’snotahealthymix.

           “Well,howwasit?Icouldn’tstopthinkingaboutyou,afterElliotleft,thatis.