Her smile is broad and she bites her lip, and if I’m not mistaken she’s a little nervous.
Why?
I give her a reassuring smile, unwrap the box, and open it.
Nestled inside is a keychain that shows a pixelated picture of Seattle that flashes on and off. I take it out of the box, wondering what the significance might be, but I’m lost. I have no idea.
I look to Ana for a clue.
“Turn it over,” she says.
I do. And the word “YES” flashes on and off.
Yes.
Yes.
YES.
One simple word. One profound meaning.
A life-changer.
Right here. Now.
My heartbeat spikes and I gawk at her, hoping this means what I think it means.
“Happy birthday,” she whispers.
“You’ll marry me?”
I don’t believe it.
She nods.
I still don’t believe it. “Say it.” I need to hear it from her lips.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Joy bursts in my heart—in my head, in my body, in my soul. It’s exhilarating. It’s overwhelming. Brimming with elation, I lunge forward and gather her in my arms and swing her around, laughing as I do. She clutches my biceps, her eyes shining, as she laughs, too.
I stop, set her on her feet, and grab her face and kiss her. My lips tease hers and she opens for me, like a flower: my sweet Anastasia.
“Oh, Ana,” I whisper, in adoration, my lips brushing the corner of her mouth.
“I thought I’d lost you,” she says, and she looks a little dazed.
“Baby, it will take more than a malfunctioning 135 to keep me away from you.”
“135?”
“Charlie Tango. She’s a Eurocopter EC135, the safest in its class.”
But not today.
“Wait a minute.” I hold up the keychain. “You gave this to me before we saw Flynn.”
Her smile is a little smug as she nods.
What?
Anastasia Steele!
“I wanted you to know that whatever Flynn said, it wouldn’t make a difference to me.”
“So all yesterday evening, when I was begging you for an answer, I had it already?” I’m feeling breathless—giddy, even—and a little pissed off.
What the hell?
I don’t know whether to be angry or celebratory. She confounds me, even now.
Well, Grey, what are you going to do about it?
“All that worry,” I murmur darkly. She gives me an impish grin and shrugs once more. “Oh, don’t try and get cute with me, Miss Steele. Right now, I want—”
I had the answer all the time.
I want her.
Here.
Now.
No. Wait.
“I can’t believe you left me hanging.”
She watches my expression as I construct a plan. Something worthy of such audacity. “I believe some retribution is in order, Miss Steele.” My voice is low. Ominous.
Ana takes a cautious step back. Is she going to run? “Is that the game? Because I will catch you.” Her smile is playful and infectious. “And you’re biting your lip,” I add.
She takes another step back and turns to run, but I pounce and grab her. She squeals and I hoist her over my shoulder, and head for my—no, our—bathroom.
“Christian!” She swats my behind.
I swat hers back. Hard.
“Ow!” she yelps.
“Shower time,” I declare, as I carry her down the corridor.
“Put me down!” She squirms on my shoulder but my arm is locked over her thighs. What’s really making me smile are her gasps and giggles. She’s enjoying this.
As am I.
My grin is as broad and as wide as the Puget Sound when I open the bathroom door. “Fond of these shoes?” I ask. They look expensive.
“I prefer them to be touching the floor.” Her words are strangled, and I think she’s feigning outrage and trying not to laugh at the same time.
“Your wish is my command, Miss Steele.” I pull off both her shoes and they clatter onto the tiles. By the vanity I empty my pockets: phone, keys, wallet, but most precious of all is my new keychain. I don’t want to get it wet. With my pockets empty, I march into the shower, carrying Ana over my shoulder.
“Christian!” she cries. Ignoring her, I turn on the water and it cascades over us both, but mostly over Ana’s backside. It’s cold. She shrieks and laughs at once, and writhes on my shoulder.
“No! Put me down!” she says between giggles. She swats me once more, and I take pity.
Releasing her, I let her wet, clothed body slide down the length of mine.
She’s flushed. Her eyes bright and beautiful. She’s captivating.
Oh, baby.
You said yes.
I cup her face and kiss her, my lips tender on hers. I worship her mouth, cherishing her. She closes her eyes and accepts my kiss, kissing me back with a sweet hunger under the streaming shower.
The water is warmer now and her hands move to my soaking shirt. She tugs its hem from my pants. And I groan in her mouth, but I can’t stop kissing her.
I can’t stop loving her.
I won’t stop loving her.
Ever.
Slowly, she begins to unbutton my shirt, and I reach for the zipper at the back of her dress. I slide it down, feeling her warm flesh beneath my fingertips.