E.L. James

You really have to let me fight my own battles. You can't constantly second-guess me and try to protect me. It's stifling.

I was Mrs. Taylor yesterday._ I grin at Taylor, who flushes.__hat has a nice ring to it, Miss Steele,_ Taylor says matter-of-factly.__ thought so, too.__hristian tightens his hold on my hand, scowling. __f you two have quite finished, I__ like a debrief._ He glares at Taylor, who now looks uncomfortable, and I cringe inwardly. I have overstepped the mark.__orry,_ I mouth at Taylor, who shrugs and smiles kindly before I turn to follow Christian.____l be with you shortly. I just want a word with Miss Steele,_ Christian says to Taylor, and I know I__ in trouble.Christian leads me into his bedroom and closes the door.__on__ flirt with the staff, Anastasia,_ he scolds.I open my mouth to defend myself__hen close it again, then open it. __ wasn__ flirting. I was being friendly__here is a difference.___on__ be friendly with the staff or flirt with them. I don__ like it.__h. Good-bye, carefree Christian. ____ sorry,_ I mutter and stare down at my fingers. He hasn__ made me feel like a child all day. Reaching down he cups my chin, pulling my head up to meet his eyes.__ou know how jealous I am,_ he whispers.__ou have no reason to be jealous, Christian. You own me body and soul.

Well, when you were nearly run over by the cyclist-and i was holding you and you were looking up at me - all 'kiss me , kiss me, Christian

The only man I__e ever been attracted to, and he comes with a bloody contract, a flogger, and a whole world of issues.

He moves suddenly so that his hand is cupping my sex, and one of his fingers sinks slowly into me. His other arm holds me firmly in place around my waist. I suppress my moan. "This is mine," he whispers aggressively. "All mine. Do you understand?" He eases his finger in and out as he gazes down at me, gauging my reaction, his eyes burning. "Yes, yours,

I would have told you earlier, but as it was your birthday . . . What do you give the man who has everything? I thought I__ give you . . . me.__e puts the keychain down on the bedside table and snuggles in beside me, pulling me into his arms against his chest so that we__e spooning.__t__ perfect. Like you.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

Besides, immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control things.

Are you still mad at me?""Yes.""I'll go back to sleep, then.""Good.

Darling, you know what they say. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince._ I give her a lopsided, bittersweet smile. __ think I__e kissed a prince, Mom. I hope he doesn__ turn into a frog.

And in this quiet moment, as I close my eyes, spent and sated, I think I'm in the eye of the storm. And in spite of all he's said and what he hasn't said, I don't think I have ever been so happy.

He's pressing me to his chest. I melt. Oh, this is where I want to beI rest my head against him, and he kisses my hair repeatedly. This is home. He smells of linen, fabric softener, body wash, and my favourite smell - Christian. For a moment, I allow myself the illusion that all will be well, and it soothes my ravaged soul

I don't want anything to happen to you. You being hurt...that thought fills me with dread. I can't promise not to interfere, not if I think you'll come to harm." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "I love you, Anastasia. I will do everything in my power to protect you. I cann't imagine my life without you.

I have fallen for someone who's so emotionally shut down, I will only get hurt.

I'd like to bite that lip.

He tastes of white wine and apple pie and Christian. I run my fingers through his hair, holding him to me while our tongues explore and curl and twist around each other, my blood heating in my veins.We're breathless when Christian pulls away.

I've never wanted more, until I met you.

He moves suddenly so that his hand is cupping my sex, and one of his fingers sinks slowly into me. His other arm holds me firmly in place around my waist. __his is mine,_ he whispers aggressively. __ll mine. Do you understand?_ He eases his finger in and out as he gazes down at me, gauging my reaction, his eyes burning.__es, yours__bruptly, he moves, doing several things at once: Withdrawing his fingers, leaving me wanting, unzipping his fly, and pushing me down onto the couch so he__ lying on top of me.__ands on your head,_ he commands through gritted teeth as he kneels up, forcing my legs wider__e don__ have long. This will be quick, and it__ for me, not you. Do you understand?Don__ come, or I will spank you,_ he says through clenched teeth.