Chapter 19

           ***

           Softlipsbrushacrossmytemple,leavingsweettenderkissesintheirwake,andpartofmewantstoturnandrespond,butmostlyIwanttostayasleep.Imoanandburrowintomypillow.

           “Anastasia,wakeup.”Christian’svoiceissoft,cajoling.

           “No,”Imoan.

           “Wehavetoleaveinhalfanhourfordinneratmyparents’.”He’samused.

           Iopenmyeyesreluctantly.It’sduskoutside.Christianisleaningover,gazingatmeintently.

           “Comeon,sleepyhead.Getup.”Hestoopsdownandkissesmeagain.

           “I’vebroughtyouadrink.I’llbedownstairs.Don’tgobacktosleep,oryou’llbeintrouble,”hethreatens,buthistoneismild.Hekissesmebrieflyandexits,leavingmeblinkingsleepfrommyeyesinthecool,starkroom.

           I’mrefreshedbutsuddenlynervous.Holycow,Iammeetinghisfolks!He’sjustworkedmeoverwitharidingcropandtrussedmeupusingacabletiewhichIsoldhim,forheaven’ssake—andI’mgoingtomeethisparents.ItwillbeKate’sfirsttimemeetingthem,too—atleastshe’llbethereforsupport.Irollmyshoulders.They’restiff.Hisdemandsforapersonaltrainerdon’tseemsooutlandishnow.Infact,it’smandatoryifIamtohaveanyhopeofkeepingupwithhim.

           Iclimbslowlyoutofbedandnotethatmydressishangingoutsidethewardrobeandmybraisonthechair.Wherearemypanties?Icheckbeneaththechair.Nothing.ThenIremember—hesquirreledthemawayinthepocketofhisjeans.Iflushatthememory,afterhe…Ican’tevenbringmyselftothinkaboutit,hewasso—barbarous.Ifrown.