Chapter 26 (1/2)
”Who's with you?”
Christian rolls his eyes.
”Anastasia Steele.”
”Hi, Ana!”
Ana!
”Hello, Elliot.”
”Heard a lot about you,” Elliot murmurs huskily. Christian frowns.
”Don't believe a word Kate says.”
Elliot laughs.
”I'm dropping Anastasia off now.” Christian emphasizes my name. ”Shall I pick you up?””Sure.”
”See you shortly.” Christian hangs up, and the music is back.
”Why do you insist on calling me Anastasia?”
”Because it's your name.”
”I prefer Ana.”
”Do you now?” he murmurs.
We are almost at my apartment. It's not taken long.
”Anastasia,” he muses. I scowl at him, but he ignores my expression. ”What happened in the elevator - it won't happen again, well, not unless it's premeditated.”
He pulls up outside my duplex. I belatedly realize he's not asked me where I live - yet he knows. But then he sent the books, of course he knows where I live. What able, cell-phone-tracking, helicopter owning, stalker wouldn't.
Why won't he kiss me againI pout at the thought. I don't understand. Honestly, his surname should be Cryptic, not Grey. He climbs out of the car, walking with easy, long-legged grace round to my side to open the door, ever the gentleman - except perhaps in rare, precious moments in elevators. I flush at the memory of his mouth on mine, and the thought that I'd been unable to touch him enters my mind. I wanted to run my fingers through his decadent, untidy hair, but I'd been unable to move my hands. I am retrospectively frustrated.
”I liked what happened in the elevator,” I murmur as I climb out of the car. I'm not sure if I hear an audible gasp, but I choose to ignore it and head up the steps to the front door.
Kate and Elliot are sitting at our dining table. The fourteen-thousand-dollar books have disappeared. Thank heavens. I have plans for them. She has the most un-Kate ridiculous grin on her face, and she looks mussed up in a sexy kind of way. Christian follows me into the living area, and in spite of her I've-been-having-a-good-time-all-night grin, Kate eyes him suspiciously.
”Hi Ana.” She leaps up to hug me, then holds me at arm's length so she can examine me. She frowns and turns to Christian.
”Good morning, Christian,” she says, and her tone is a little hostile.
”Miss Kavanagh,” he says in his stiff formal way.
”Christian, her name is Kate,” Elliot grumbles.
”Kate.” Christian gives her a polite nod and glares at Elliot who grins and rises to hug me too.
”Hi, Ana,” he smiles, his blue eyes twinkling, and I like him immediately. He's obviously nothing like Christian, but then they're adopted brothers.