they’re quite brutal, and I do like that in a restraining device.” He smiles at me mildly.

“Very effective at keeping you in your place.”

I flush and glance nervously at Taylor, who remains impassive, eyes on road. What am

I supposed to say to that?Christian shrugs innocently.

“All part of my world, Anastasia.” He squeezes my hand and lets go, staring out of the

window again.

His world indeed, and I want to belong in it, but on his terms? I just don’t know. He

hasn’t mentioned that damned contract. My inner musings do nothing to cheer me. I stare

out of the window and the landscape has changed. We’re crossing one of the bridges, sur-

rounded by inky darkness. The somber night reflects my introspective mood, closing in,

suffocating.

I glance briefly at Christian, and he’s staring at me.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.

I sigh and frown.

“That bad, huh?”

“I wish I knew what you were thinking.”

He smirks at me.

“Ditto, baby,” he says softly as Taylor speeds into the night toward Bellevue.

It is just before eight when the Audi draws into the driveway of a colonial-style mansion.

It’s breathtaking, even down to the roses around the door. Picture-book perfect.

“Are you ready for this?” Christian asks as Taylor pulls up outside the impressive front

door.

I nod, and he gives my hand another reassuring squeeze.

“First for me too,” he whispers, then smiles wickedly. “Bet you wish you were wear-

ing your underwear right now,” he teases.

I flush. I’d forgotten my missing panties. Fortunately, Taylor has climbed out of the

car and is opening my door so he can’t hear our exchange. I scowl at Christian who grins

broadly as I turn and climb out of the car.

Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Grey is on the doorstep waiting for us. She looks elegantly so-

phisticated in a pale blue silk dress; behind her stands Mr. Grey, I presume, tall, blond, and

as handsome in his own way as Christian.

“Anastasia, you’ve met my mother, Grace. This is my dad, Carrick.”

“Mr. Grey, what a pleasure to meet you.” I smile and shake his outstretched hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, Anastasia.”

“Please call me, Ana.”

His blue eyes are soft and gentle.

“Ana, how lovely to see you again.” Grace wraps me in a warm hug. “Come in, my

dear.”

“Is she here?” I hear a screech from within the house. I glance nervously at Christian.

“That would be Mia, my little sister,” he says almost irritably, but not quite.

There’s an undercurrent of affection in his words, the way his voice grows softer and

his eyes crinkle as he mentions her name. Christian obviously adores her. It’s a revelation.

And she comes barreling down the hall, raven haired, tall, and curvaceous. She’s about

my age.

“Anastasia! I’ve heard so much about you.” She hugs me hard.

Holy Cow.I can’t help but smile at her boundless enthusiasm.

“Ana, please,” I murmur as she drags me into the large vestibule. It’s all dark wood

floors and antique rugs with a sweeping staircase to the second floor.

“He’s never brought a girl home before,” says Mia, dark eyes bright with excitement.

I glimpse Christian rolling his eyes, and I raise an eyebrow at him. He narrows his

eyes at me.

“Mia, calm down,” Grace admonishes softly. “Hello, darling,” she says as she kisses

Christian on both cheeks. He smiles down at her warmly, and then shakes hands with his

father.

We all turn and head into the living room. Mia has not let go of my hand. The room is

spacious, tastefully furnished in creams, browns, and pale blue, comfortable, understated,

and very stylish. Kate and Elliot are cuddled together on a couch, clutching champagne

flutes. Kate bounces up to embrace me, and Mia finally releases my hand.

“Hi, Ana!” She beams. “Christian.” She nods curtly to him.

“Kate.” He is equally formal with her.

I frown at their exchange. Elliot grasps me in an all-embracing hug. What is this, hug

Ana week? This dazzling display of affection – I’m just not used to it. Christian stands

at my side, wrapping his arm around me. Placing his hand on my hip, he spreads out his

fingers and pulls me close. Everyone is staring at us. It’s unnerving.

“Drinks?” Mr. Grey seems to recover himself. “Prosecco?”

“Please,” Christian and I speak in unison.

Oh… this is beyond weird. Mia claps her hands.

“You’re even saying the same things. I’ll get them.” She scoots out of the room.

I flush scarlet, and seeing Kate sitting with Elliot, it occurs to me suddenly that the only

reason Christian invited me is because Kate is here. Elliot probably freely and happily

asked Kate to meet his parents. Christian was trapped – knowing that I would have found

out via Kate. I frown at the thought. He’s been forced into the invitation. The realization

is bleak and depressing. My subconscious nods sagely, a you’ve-finally-worked-it-out-

stupid look on her face.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” Grace says as she follows Mia out of the room.

Christian frowns as he gazes at me.

“Sit,” he commands, pointing to the plush couch, and I do as I’m told, carefully cross-

ing my legs. He sits down beside me but doesn’t touch me.

“We were just talking about vacations, Ana,” Mr. Grey says kindly. “Elliot has decided

to follow Kate and her family to Barbados for a week.”

I glance at Kate, and she grins, her eyes bright and wide. She’s delighted. Katherine

Kavanagh, show some dignity!

“Are you taking a break now you’ve finished your degree?” Mr. Grey asks.

“I’m thinking about going to Georgia for a few days,” I reply.

Christian gapes at me, blinking a couple of times, his expression unreadable. Oh shit.

I haven’t mentioned this to him.

“Georgia?” he murmurs.

“My mother lives there, and I haven’t seen her for a while.”

“When were you thinking of going?” His voice is low.

“Tomorrow, late evening.”

Mia saunters back into the living room and hands us champagne flutes filled with pale

pink Prosecco.

“Your good health!” Mr. Grey raises his glass. An appropriate toast from a doctor’s

husband, it makes me smile.

“For how long?” Christian asks, his voice deceptively soft.

Holy crap… he’s angry.

“I don’t know yet. It will depend how my interviews go tomorrow.”

His jaw clenches, and Kate gets that interfering look on her face. She smiles over-

sweetly.

“Ana deserves a break,” she says pointedly at Christian. Why is she so antagonistic

towards him? What is her problem?

“You have interviews?” Mr. Grey asks.

“Yes, for internships at two publishers, tomorrow.”

“I wish you the best of luck.”

“Dinner is on the table,” Grace announces.

We all stand. Kate and Elliot follow Mr. Grey and Mia out of the room. I go to follow,

but Christian clutches my elbow, bringing me to an abrupt halt.

“When were you going to tell me you were leaving?” he asks urgently. His tone is soft,

but he’s masking his anger.

“I’m not leaving, I’m going to see my mother, and I was only thinking about it.”

“What about our arrangement?”

“We don’t have an arrangement yet.”

He narrows his eyes, and then seems to remember himself. Releasing my hand, he

takes my elbow and leads me out of the room.

“This conversation is not over,” he whispers threateningly as we enter the dining room.

Oh, crapola. Don’t get your panties in such a twist… and give me back mine.I glare

at him.

The dining room reminds me of our private dinner at the Heathman. A crystal chan-

delier hangs over the dark wood table and there’s a massive, ornately carved mirror on the