So, here we are, with your friends.

“Oh, Christian, thank you.” She throws her arms around me, planting her lips firmly on my mine. Whoa. I’m stunned by her unexpected ardor, but soon lost in her passion, taking all that she has to give. My hands find her hips, pulling her to me. “Keep this up and I’ll drag you into the bedroom,” I whisper.

“You wouldn’t dare.” Her breath is soft and sweet against my lips.

“Oh, Anastasia.”

Gauntlet. Thrown.

When will she learn that neither of us will back down from a challenge? Grinning, I stoop quickly, grab her thighs, and carefully hoist her over my shoulder. “Christian, put me down!” She smacks my behind as I wave a welcome to our guests and walk through the cabin.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to have a word with my wife in private.” I think Mia, Kate, and Ethan are shocked. Elliot is cheering like the Mariners are about to score a home run. Ha! Maybe I will.

“Christian!” Ana shouts. “Put me down!”

“All in good time, baby.”

Carrying her into the rear cabin, I close the door and slide her down my body to set her on her feet. She looks less than impressed. “That was quite a show, Mr. Grey.” She crosses her arms, and I think she’s pretending to be pissed.

“That was fun, Mrs. Grey.”

“Are you going to follow through?” There’s a dare in her tone, but I’m not sure if she’s serious. She glances at the bed and blushes. Perhaps she’s remembering our wedding night. Her gaze returns to mine, and a slow smile spreads across her face until we’re grinning at each other like idiots. I think that’s exactly what she’s remembering.

“I think it might be rude to keep our guests waiting,” I murmur.

Tempting though you are.

I step toward her and run my nose down hers. “Good surprise?” I ask, because I need to know.

She looks delighted. “Oh, Christian, fantastic surprise.” She kisses me once more. “When did you organize this?” Her fingers linger in my hair.

“Last night, when I couldn’t sleep. I e-mailed Elliot and Mia, and here they are.”

“It’s very thoughtful. Thank you. I’m sure we’ll have a great time.”

“I hope so. I thought it would be easier to avoid the press in Aspen than at home. Come. We’d better take our seats—Stephan will be taking off shortly.” I offer her my hand and together we go back into the main cabin.

Elliot cheers when we enter. “That sure was speedy in-flight service!”

Dude! Calm the hell down.

I ignore him and nod greetings at Mia and Ethan, as Stephan announces our imminent takeoff. Taylor has taken a seat at the rear.

“Good morning, Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey,” says Natalia, our flight attendant. Returning her welcoming smile, I sit down opposite Elliot. Ana hugs Kate before sitting down beside me. I ask if she’s packed her hiking boots.

“We’re not going skiing?”

“That would be a challenge, in August.”

She rolls her eyes, and I wonder if she was being sarcastic.

“Do you ski, Ana?” Elliot asks her.

“No.”

The thought of Ana on skis as a beginner is troubling. I grasp her hand.

“I’m sure my little brother can teach you.” Elliot winks at her. “He’s pretty fast on the slopes, too.” I ignore him and watch Natalia run through the safety procedures as our plane taxis to the runway.

“You okay?” I overhear Kate ask Ana. “I mean, following the Hyde business?”

Ana nods.

“So why did he go postal?” she asks.

“I fired his ass,” I intervene, hoping that will shut her up.

“Oh? Why?” Kate looks intently at both of us.

Damn. More questions.

“He made a pass at me,” Ana says tightly.

“When?” Kate’s eyes are on stalks. She’s shocked.

“Ages ago.”

“You never told me he made a pass at you!”

Ana shrugs.

“It can’t just be a grudge about that, surely,” Kate says. “I mean, his reaction is way too extreme.” She turns her attention to me. “Is he mentally unstable? What about all the information he has on you Greys?”

She really doesn’t let up. I sigh. “We think there’s a connection with Detroit.”

“Hyde is from Detroit, too?”

I nod. How the hell does she know all this stuff?

Ana grips my hand as the plane accelerates. My fearless girl is not a fan of takeoffs and landings. I brush my thumb across her knuckles.

We’re okay, baby.

“What do you know about him?” Elliot is serious for once, and I have no choice but to reveal what I know. I shoot Kate a warning look.

“This is off the record,” I tell her, and rattle off what I remember from his background check. “We know a little about him. His dad died in a brawl in a bar. His mother drank herself into oblivion. He was in and out of foster homes as a kid. In and out of trouble, too. Mainly boosting cars. Spent time in juvie. His mom got back on track through some outreach program, and Hyde turned himself around. Won a scholarship to Princeton.”

“Princeton?” Kate squeaks, surprised.

“Yep. He’s a bright boy.” I shrug.

“Not that bright. He got caught,” Elliot observes wryly.

“But surely he can’t have pulled this stunt alone?” Kate asks.

Christ, she’s irritating. This is none of her damned business. “We don’t know yet,” I growl, trying to keep a rein on my temper. Ana looks up at me in alarm. I squeeze her hand to reassure her as we sail into the air. She leans in to me.