“We’re doing that now, but we haven’t found anything yet.”
“We need to know how she got in.”
“Yes, sir. She’s not here now. We’ve done a thorough check, but I understand that until we’re certain that she can’t get in again you should stay away. I’m having all the locks changed. Even on the fire escape.”
“The fire escape. I always forget about that.”
“It’s easily done, sir.”
“I’m taking Ana to The Grace. We’ll stay on board if we need to.”
“I’d like to do a security check of The Grace before you get there,” Taylor says.
“Okay. I can’t imagine we’ll be there before one.”
“We can collect your luggage from the hotel after that.”
“Great.”
“And I’ve e-mailed Audi about a replacement vehicle.”
“Okay. Let me know how that goes.”
“Will do, sir.”
“Oh, and Taylor, in the future, we only need a one-bedroom suite.”
Taylor hesitates. “Very good, sir,” he says. “Will that be all for now?”
“No, one more thing. When Gail returns, can you ask her to move all of Miss Steele’s clothes and belongings into my room?”
“Certainly, sir.”
“Thanks.”
I hang up and sit back down at the dining table to finish the newspaper. I note with displeasure that Ana has hardly touched her breakfast.
Plus ça change, Grey. Plus ça change.
HALF AN HOUR LATER Ana and Dr. Greene emerge from the bedroom. Ana looks subdued. We exchange good-byes with the doctor and I close the suite door behind her.
“Everything okay?” I ask Ana as she stands, looking sullen, in the hallway. She nods but won’t look at me. “Anastasia, what is it? What did Dr. Greene say?”
She shakes her head. “You’re good to go in seven days.”
“Seven days?”
“Yes.”
“Ana, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing to worry about. Please, Christian, just leave it.”
Normally I have no idea what she’s thinking, but something is troubling her, and because it’s troubling her, it’s troubling me. Maybe Dr. Greene warned her away from me. I tilt her chin back so we’re eye to eye. “Tell me,” I persist.
“There’s nothing to tell. I’d like to get dressed.” She jerks her chin out of my hand.
Fuck. What’s wrong?
I run my hands through my hair in an effort to remain calm.
Perhaps it’s the Leila scare?
Or maybe the doctor gave her some bad news?
She gives nothing away.
“Let’s shower,” I suggest eventually. She agrees but is hardly enthusiastic. “Come.” I take her hand and move into the bathroom with a reluctant Ana trailing behind me. I turn on the shower and strip out of my clothes while she stands in the middle of the bathroom sulking.
Ana, what the hell is wrong?
“I don’t know what’s upset you, or if you’re just bad-tempered through lack of sleep,” I say quietly as I unfasten her robe. “But I want you to tell me. My imagination is running away with me, and I don’t like it.”
She rolls her eyes, but before I can rebuke her she says, “Dr. Greene scolded me about missing the pill. She said I could be pregnant.”
“What?”
Pregnant!
And I’m free-falling. Fuck.
“But I’m not,” she says. “She did a test. It was a shock, that’s all. I can’t believe I was that stupid.”
Oh, thank God.
“You’re sure you’re not?”
“Yes.”
I exhale. “Good. Yes, I can see that news like that would be very upsetting.”
“I was more worried about your reaction.”
“My reaction? Well, naturally, I’m relieved. It would be the height of carelessness and bad manners to knock you up.”
“Then maybe we should abstain,” she snaps.
What the hell?
“You are in a bad temper this morning.”
“It was just a shock, that’s all,” she says, sullen again.
I haul her into my embrace. She’s tense and stiff with indignation. I kiss her hair and hold her. “Ana, I’m not used to this,” I whisper. “My natural inclination is to beat it out of you, but I seriously doubt you want that.”
She could cry it out if I did. In my experience, women feel better after a good cry.
“No, I don’t,” she responds. “This helps.” And she puts her arms around me and hugs me tighter, her warm cheek against my chest. I rest my chin on the top of her head. We stand like this for an age and slowly she relaxes in my arms.
“Come, let’s shower.” I strip her out of her robe and she follows me into the hot water. It’s welcome. I’ve felt grimy all morning. I shampoo my hair and hand the bottle to Ana. She looks happier now, and I’m glad the showerhead is big enough for both of us. She surrenders herself to the water, tipping up her lovely face, and begins to wash her hair.
I take the body wash, lather up my hands, then begin washing Ana. Her earlier bad mood has rattled me. I feel responsible. She’s tired and she had a trying evening. As she rinses her hair, I massage and wash her shoulders, arms, underarms, back, and her beautiful breasts. Turning her around, I continue with her stomach and belly, between her legs, and her ass. She makes a noise of approval deep in her throat.