Chapter 4

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           Kissme,damnit!Iimplorehim,butIcan’tmove.I’mparalyzedwithastrange,unfamiliarneed,completelycaptivatedbyhim.I’mstaringatChristianGrey’smouth,mesmerized,andhe’slookingdownatme,hisgazehooded,hiseyesdarkening.He’sbreathingharderthanusual,andI’vestoppedbreathingaltogether.I’minyourarms.Kissme,please.Hecloseshiseyes,takesadeepbreath,andgivesmeasmallshakeofhisheadasifinanswertomysilentquestion.Whenheopenshiseyesagain,it’swithsomenewpurpose,asteelyresolve.

           “Anastasia,youshouldsteerclearofme.I’mnotthemanforyou,”hewhispers.What?Whereisthiscomingfrom?SurelyIshouldbethejudgeofthat.Ifrown,andmyheadswimswithrejection.

           “Breathe,Anastasia,breathe.I’mgoingtostandyouupandletyougo,”hesaysquietly,andhegentlypushesmeaway.

           Adrenalinehasspikedthroughmybody,fromthenearmisswiththecyclistortheheadyproximitytoChristian,leavingmewiredandweak.NO!mypsychescreamsashepullsaway,leavingmebereft.Hehashishandsonmyshoulders,holdingmeatarm’slength,carefullywatchingmyreactions.AndtheonlythingIcanthinkisthatIwantedtobekissed,madeitprettydamnedobvious,andhedidn’tdoit.Hedoesn’twantme.Hereallydoesn’twantme.Ihaveroyallyscrewedupthecoffeemorning.

           “I’vegotthis,”Ibreathe,findingmyvoice.“Thankyou,”Imutter,awashwithhumiliation.HowcouldIhavemisreadthesituationbetweenussoutterly?Ineedtogetawayfromhim.

           “Forwhat?”Hefrowns.