Пятьдесят оттенков серого

           “Iwillbuyyoulotsofthings,Anastasia.Getusedtoit.Icanaffordit.I’maverywealthyman.”Heleansdownandplantsaswift,chastekissonmylips.“Please.”Hereleasesme.

           Ho,mysubconsciousmouthsatme.

           “Itmakesmefeelcheap,”Imurmur.

           Christianrunshishandthroughhishair,exasperated.

           “Itshouldn’t.You’reoverthinkingit,Anastasia.Don’tplacesomevaguemoraljudgmentonyourselfbasedonwhatothersmightthink.Don’twasteyourenergy.It’sonlybecauseyouhavereservationsaboutourarrangement;that’sperfectlynatural.Youdon’tknowwhatyou’regettingyourselfinto.”

           Ifrown,tryingtoprocesshiswords.

           “Hey,stopthis,”hecommandssoftly,cuppingmychinagainandpullingatitgentlysoIreleasemylowerlipfrommyteeth.“Thereisnothingaboutyouthatischeap,Anastasia.Iwon’thaveyouthinkingthat.IjustboughtyousomeoldbooksthatIthoughtmightmeansomethingtoyou,that’sall.Havesomechampagne.”Hiseyeswarmandsoften,andIsmiletentativelyupathim.“That’sbetter,”hemurmurs.Hepicksupthechampagne,takesoffthefoiltopandcage,twiststhebottleratherthanthecork,andopensitwithasmallpopandapracticedflourishthatdoesn’tspilladrop.Hehalffillsthecups.

           “It’spink,”Imurmur,surprised.

           “BollingerGrandeAnnéeRosé1999,anexcellentvintage,”hesayswithrelish.

           “Inteacups.”

           Hegrins.

           “Inteacups.Congratulationsonyourdegree,Anastasia.”Weclinkcups,andhetakesadrink,butIcan’thelpthinkingthisisreallyaboutmycapitulation.