Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Thank you, Alondra," Grace coos. "I love your ideas." My mother claps her hands in uncharacteristic enthusiasm while I make a supreme effort to keep my smile fixed and not roll my eyes. I am on my best behavior. Ms. Gutierrez's ideas are great. I just want them done, and quickly, so we can get married.

"I'll see you out," Ana says, and leads her to the foyer.

"What do you think?" Grace asks.

"She's fine."

"Oh, Christian." Mom sounds irritated. "She's much more than fine."

"Okay. She's God's gift towedding planning." My sarcasm bleeds into my words. Grace's lips thin and I think she's about to scold me, but Ana reenters the room.

"What did you think?" Ana asks, her gaze searching my face for answers.

"I thought she was fine. Did you like her?" That's the important question.

"Of course. I thought she was full of imaginative ideas. Dr. Gre—”

"Ana, please. Call me Grace."

"Grace," Ana says with anembarrassed smile. "So, we need todo a save-the-date note to all our guests?" Ana blinks rapidly, suddenly looking shell-shocked. "We don't even have a guest list," she whispers. "That's easily done," Ireassure her. Apart from the family, Ithink I have two guests: Ros and Dr. Flynn and their respective partners. Maybe Bastille...and Mac.

"There is one more thing," Grace says.

"What?"

"I know you don't want aCatholic ceremony, but would you consider asking Reverend Michael Walsh to officiate?"

Reverend Walsh. The name rings a bell.

"He's the chaplain at myhospital. He's such a dear friend, and I know you never saw eye toeye with any of the priests weknow."

"Oh, yes. I remember him. Hewas always kind to me. I don't want a religious ceremony, but I'm fine with him conducting it, if that's okay with Ana."

Ana nods, a little pale; she looks overwhelmed.

"That's great. I'll talk to him tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll leave you two to get on with a list." Grace raises her cheek to me and I give her a quick peck. "Good-bye, darling," she says. "Ana, good-bye. I'll call." "Great," Ana replies, though I think she lacks conviction. Is she not happy with the wedding planner? Isshe as bewildered as I feel? I give her hand a reassuring squeeze, and together we walk my mother out tothe foyer. Grace turns to me as wewait for the elevator.

"Please call your father, Christian."

I sigh. "I'll think about it."

"Stop sulking," she warns, quietly.

"Grace!" Back off.

Ana glances at the two of us, but wisely holds her tongue and says nothing. I'm saved by the ping of the elevator and its opening doors. Ireach for Ana's hand as Grace steps inside. "Good night," she says, and the doors close.

"You're not talking to your father?" Ana asks.

I shrug. "I wouldn't go as far asto say that."

"Is this from last weekend? Your fight with him?"

I return her curious gaze, but say nothing. This is between him and me.

"Christian, he's your dad. He'sonly looking out for you."

I hold up my hand in the hope that she'll stop. "I don't want todiscuss this." She folds her arms and raises that stubborn Steele chin. "Anastasia. Drop it."

Her eyes flash cobalt blue, but she sighs and lowers her arms, regarding me with what I think is amixture of frustration and compassion.

Fifty Shades, baby.

"We have another issue," she says. "My dad wants to pay for the wedding."

"Does he, now?"

No way. It will cost a fortune, which he doesn't have. I'm not bankrupting my father-in-law. "Ithink that's out of the question."

"What? Why?" Ana's hackles are up.

"Baby, you know why." I don'twant to debate this. "The answer'sno."

"But-"

"No."

Her mouth forms that mulish line I know so well.

"Ana, you have carte blanche onthis wedding. Whatever you want. But not that. You know it's not fair to your father. It's 2011, not 1911." She sighs. "I don't know what I'll say to him."

"Tell him my heart is set onproviding everything for us. Tell him it's a deep-seated need that I have."

Because that's the truth.

She sighs again, resigned, I think.

"Now, shall we work on the guest list?" I ask, in the hope that starting this process will relieve her anxiety and also distract her from Ray. "Sure," she acquiesces, and Iknow I've avoided a fight.

I nuzzle her ear as she gasps for breath, fresh from her orgasm. Sweat beads on her forehead and her fingers still grip my hair. "How was that, Anastasia?"

She garbles my name and I think she says "fantastic."

I grin. "Please move in with me."

"Yes. But not this weekend. Please. Christian." She's breathless. Her eyes flutter open and she implores me. "Please," she mouths.

Damn.

"Okay," I whisper. "My turn." I nip her earlobe and flip her onto her front.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Leila wants to talk to you," Flynn says, and I know from the narrowing of his eyes that he's focusing on myreaction. I think this is a test, but I'mnot sure.

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