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From: Christian Grey

Subject: Gasp!

Date: August 23, 2011 11:01

To: Anastasia Grey

Mrs. Grey

Are you flirting with me?

Christian Grey

Shocked CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Grey

191/551

Subject: Would you rather . . .

Date: August 23, 2011 11:04

To: Christian Grey

I flirted with someone else?

Anastasia Grey

Brave Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Grrrrr

Date: August 23, 2011 11:09

To: Anastasia Grey

NO!

Christian Grey

Possessive CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Wow . . .

Date: August 23, 2011 11:14

To: Christian Grey

Are you growling at me? ’Cause that’s kinda hot.

Anastasia Grey

Squirming (in a good way) Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Beware

192/551

Date: August 23, 2011 11:16

To: Anastasia Grey

Flirting and toying with me, Mrs. Grey?

I may pay you a visit this afternoon.

Christian Grey

Priapic CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Oh No!

Date: August 23, 2011 11:20

To: Christian Grey

I’ll behave. I wouldn’t want my boss’s boss’s boss getting on top of me at work. ;) Now let me get on with my job. My boss’s boss’s boss may fire my ass.

Anastasia Grey

Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: &*%$&*&*

Date: August 23, 2011 11:23

To: Anastasia Grey

Believe me when I say there are a great many things he’d like to do to your ass right now. Firing you is not one of them.

Christian Grey

CEO & Ass man, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

His response makes me giggle.

193/551

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Go Away!

Date: August 23, 2011 11:26

To: Christian Grey

Don’t you have an empire to run?

Stop bothering me.

My next appointment is here.

I thought you were a breast man . . .

Think about my ass, and I’ll think about yours . . .

ILY x

Anastasia Grey

Now Moist Commissioning Editor, SIP

I cannot help my despondent mood as Sawyer drives me to the office on Thursday. Christian’s threatened business trip to New York has happened, and though he’s only been gone a few hours, I miss him already. I fire up my computer, and there’s an email waiting for me. My mood lifts immediately.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Miss you already

Date: August 25, 2011 04:32

To: Anastasia Grey

194/551

Mrs. Grey

You were adorable this morning.

Behave while I’m away.

I love you.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

This will be the first night we’ve slept apart since our wedding. I intend to have a few cocktails with Kate—that should help me sleep. Impulsively, I e-mail him back, although I know that he’s still flying.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Behave Yourself!

Date: August 25, 2011 09:03

To: Christian Grey

Let me know when you land—I’ll worry until you do.

And I shall behave. I mean how much trouble can I get into with Kate?

Anastasia Grey

Commissioning Editor, SIP

I hit send and sip my latte, courtesy of Hannah. Who knew I’d grow to love coffee? Despite the fact that I’m going out this evening with Kate, I feel like a chunk of me is missing. At the moment, it’s thirty-five thousand feet somewhere above the Midwest en route to New York. I didn’t know I would feel this unsettled and anxious just because Christian’s away. Surely over time I won’t feel this loss and uncertainty, will I? I let out a heavy sigh and continue with my work.

Around lunchtime, I start manically checking my e-mail and my BlackBerry for a text. Where is he? Has he landed safely? Hannah asks if I want lunch, but 195/551

I’m too apprehensive and wave her away. I know it’s irrational, but I need to be sure he’s arrived safely.

My office phone rings, startling me. “Ana St—Grey.”

“Hi.” Christian’s voice is warm with a trace of amusement. Relief floods through me.

“Hi.” I’m grinning from ear to ear. “How was your flight?”

“Long. What are you doing with Kate?”

Oh no. “We’re just going out for a quiet drink.” Christian says nothing.

“Sawyer and the new woman—Prescott—are coming to watch over us,” I offer, trying to placate him.

“I thought Kate was coming to the apartment.”

“She is after a quick drink.” Please let me go out!

Christian sighs heavily. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he says quietly. Too quietly.

I mentally kick myself. “Christian, we’ll be fine. I have Ryan, Sawyer, and Prescott here. It’s only a quick drink.”

Christian remains resolutely silent, and I know he’s not happy. “I’ve only seen her a few times since you and I met. Please. She’s my best friend.”

“Ana, I don’t want to keep you from your friends. But I thought she was coming back to the apartment.”

“Okay,” I acquiesce. “We’ll stay in.”

“Only while this lunatic is out there. Please.”

“I’ve said okay,” I mutter in exasperation, rolling my eyes.

Christian snorts softly down the phone. “I always know when you’re rolling your eyes at me.”

I scowl at the receiver. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll tell Kate.”