Chapter 16

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           Slowlytheoutsideworldinvadesmysenses,andohmy,whataninvasion.Iamfloating,mylimbssoftandlanguid,utterlyspent.I’mlyingontopofhim,myheadonhischest,andhesmellsdivine:freshlylaunderedlinenandsomeexpensivebodywashandthebest,mostseductivescentontheplanet…Christian.Idon’twanttomove,Iwanttobreathethiselixirforeternity.Inuzzlehim,wishingIdidn’thavethebarrierofhisT-shirt.Andasrhymeandreasonreturntotherestofmybody,Istretchmyhandoutonhischest.ThisisthefirsttimeI’vetouchedhimhere.He’sfirm…strong.Hishandswoopsupandgrabsmine,buthesoftenstheblowbypullingittohismouthandsweetlykissingmyknuckles.Herollsoversohe’sgazingdownatme.

           “Don’t,”hemurmurs,thenkissesmelightly.

           “Whydon’tyouliketobetouched?”Iwhisper,staringupintosoftgrayeyes.

           “BecauseI’mfiftyshadesoffuckedup,Anastasia.”

           Oh…hishonestyiscompletelydisarming.Iblinkupathim.

           “Ihadaverytoughintroductiontolife.Idon’twanttoburdenyouwiththedetails.Justdon’t.”Hestrokeshisnoseagainstmine,andthenhepullsoutofmeandsitsup.

           “Ithinkthat’salltheverybasicscovered.Howwasthat?”

           Helooksthoroughlypleasedwithhimselfandsoundsverymatter-of-factatthesametime,likehe’sjustmarkedoffanotheritemonachecklist.I’mstillreelingfromthe“toughintroductiontolife”comment.It’ssofrustrating—Iamdesperatetoknowmore.Buthewon’ttellme.