Fifty Shades Darker (book 5)
Chapter 136

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We wander through the rest of the bedrooms; there are many, and the last overlooks the front of the house. The realtor suggests that the meadow might be a suitable place for a paddock and stables.

"The paddock would be where the meadow is now?" Ana asks, looking dubious.

"Yes," the realtor replies.

Back downstairs, we make our way through to the terrace once more and I rethink my plans. The house wasn't what I imagined living in, but it looks well built and solid enough and with a comprehensive update, it could serve our needs. I glance at Ana.

Who am I kidding?

Wherever Ana is, that's my home.

If this is what she wants...

Outside on the terrace, I hold her. "Lot to take in?" I ask.

She nods.

"I wanted to check that you liked it before I bought it."

"The view?"

I nod.

"I love the view, and I like the house that's here."

"You do?"

"Christian, you had me at the meadow," she says with a shy smile.

This means she's not leaving.

Surely.

I cup her face, my fingers in her hair, and pour all my gratitude into one kiss. "THANKS FOR LETTING US look around," I say to Miss Kelly. "I'll be in touch." "Thank you, Mr. Grey. Ana," she says, eagerly shaking hands with each of us.

Ana likes it!

My relief is palpable as we climb into the Saab. Olga has switched on the external lights and the driveway is edged with winking lamps. The house is growing on me. It has a sprawling, grand quality to it. I'm sure Elliot can work his magic on the place and make it more ecologically sustainable.

"So, you're going to buy it?" Ana asks when we're on our way back to Seattle.

"Yes."

"You'll put Escala on the market?"

"Why would I do that?"

"To pay for " She stops.

"Trust me, I can afford it."

"Do you like being rich?"

I want to scoff. "Yes. Show me someone who doesn't."

She chews her finger.

"Anastasia, you're going to have to learn to be rich, too, if you say yes."

"Wealth isn't something I've ever aspired to, Christian."

"I know. I love that about you. But then again, you've never been hungry."

In the periphery of my vision, I see her turn and look at me, but I can't make out her expression in the darkness.

"Where are we going?" she asks, and I know she's changing the subject.

"To celebrate."

"Celebrate what, the house?"

"Have you forgotten already? Your acting-editor role."

"Oh yes."

"Where?"

"Up high at my club." They'll still be serving food at this hour, and I'm hungry.

"Your club?"

"Yes. One of them."

"How many do you belong to?"

"Three."

Please don't ask me about them.

"Private gentleman's clubs? No women allowed?" she teases, and I know she's laughing at me.

"Women allowed. At all of them." Especially one. A Dominant's haven. Though I haven't been for a while.

She gives me an inquisitive look.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," she says.

I LEAVE THE CAR with the valet and we travel up to The Mile High Club at the top of Columbia Tower. Our table isn't ready immediately, so we sit at the bar.

"Cristal, ma'am?" I hand Ana a glass of chilled champagne.

"Why, thank you, Sir." She stresses the last word and bats her eyelashes at me. She moves her legs, drawing my attention to them. Her dress is hiked up, exposing a little more of her thigh.

"Are you flirting with me, Miss Steele?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey, I am. What are you going to do about it?"

Oh, Ana. I love when you throw down the gauntlet.

"I'm sure I can think of something," I murmur. Carmine, the maître d', gives me a wave. "Come-our table's ready."

I step back and hold out my hand while she gracefully slips off the barstool, and I follow. Her ass looks great in this dress. Ah. A wicked idea pops into my mind.

Before she sits down at our table, I touch her elbow. "Go and take your panties off," I whisper in her ear. "Go." Now.

She inhales quickly, and I remember the last time she went pantyless and how she turned the tables on me then; maybe she will again. She gives me a haughty look, but without saying a word hands me her glass of champagne and saunters to the ladies' restroom.

While I wait at the table I scan the menu. It reminds me of our dinner in the private room at The Heathman. I summon the waiter and hope that Ana won't give me a hard time because I'm ordering her meal.

"Can I help you, Mr. Grey?"

"Please. A dozen Kumamotos, to start. And then two orders of the sea bass with hollandaise sauce and sautéed potatoes. And a side of asparagus."

"Very good, sir. Would you like anything from the wine list?"

"Not right now. We'll stick to the champagne."

The waiter scuttles off and Ana appears, a secret smile playing on her lips.

Oh, Ana. She wants to play...but I'm not going to touch her. Yet.

I want to drive her crazy.

Standing, I motion to the seat. "Sit beside me." She slides in and I join her, mindful not to sit too close. "I've ordered for you. I hope you don't mind." Careful not to touch her fingers with mine, I give her back her glass of champagne.

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