“Yes?”

“The R8 Spyder for Mrs. Grey will be ready at the end of the week.”

“Excellent. Thanks.”

His gaze does not leave mine in the rearview mirror.

“What?”

“Gail has a suggestion for you, with regard to Mrs. Grey’s birthday.”

“Oh?” I wait for him to tell me more, but he continues to drive. “Are you going to tell me?”

His eyes flick back to mine in the rearview mirror, and in them I see a silent plea. He doesn’t want to rain on her parade.

“I’ll talk to her.”

“Thank you, sir.”

My phone buzzes.

ELLIOT

It begins!

He’s attached a photograph of his team taking down one of the rear walls of our house on the coast. It’s a dramatic shot: blue skies, a gaping hole in a wall, clouds of brick dust, and five hulking men in yellow hard hats wielding sledgehammers.

Whoa! Leave some of it standing!

ELLIOT

Don’t get your panties in a wad.

We’re following the plans.

I’d expect no less. Good luck.

In the elevator at Grey House, I check my e-mails.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Sailing & Soaring & Spanking

Date: September 5 2011 09:18

To: Christian Grey

Husband

You sure know how to show a girl a good time.

I shall of course be expecting this kind of treatment every weekend.

You are spoiling me. I love it.

Your wife

xox

Anastasia Grey

Editor, SIP

At my desk, I respond.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: My Life’s Mission…

Date: September 5 2011 09:25

To: Anastasia Grey

Is to spoil you, Mrs. Grey.

And keep you safe because I love you.

Christian Grey

Smitten CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

Smitten doesn’t cover it. I want to do something special for her birthday, and I wonder what Mrs. Jones has in mind. I’ll talk to her this evening. In the meantime, I’d like to get Ana something other than the car…a gift that requires a little more creative thought.

As I sip my coffee, an idea slowly forms in my mind.

Something to celebrate all our firsts.

When I finish my coffee, her response is in my inbox.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: My Life’s Mission…

Date: September 5 2011 09:33

To: Christian Grey

Is to let you—because I love you, too.

Now stop being so sappy.

You are making me cry.

Anastasia Grey

Equally Smitten Editor, SIP

I grin. We’re both smitten.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Astoria Fine Jewelry has outdone itself. My lunchtime quest was a success, and I’m delighted with the gift I’ve bought for Ana. I hope she likes it, too. Glancing at her beautiful face on my office wall, I admire her secret smile as she peers down at me, but as ever, she gives nothing away.

Lord, she is lovely.

I find myself grinning at her portrait like the lovesick fool I am.

A man in love with his wife.

Get a grip, Grey.

My plans for Ana’s birthday are falling into place. Mrs. Jones has volunteered to cook a surprise dinner party for Ana, and I’m waiting to hear if all our guests can make it. I’ve offered to send the jet to collect Carla and Bob, Ray is on, and my siblings have both said yes, but I’ve yet to hear from my folks. Ana knows nothing of this, and the event will be the first surprise party I’ve ever organized. I remember, when I bought my apartment pre-construction, how the real estate agent had waxed lyrical about the expansive entertainment space within. I never thought I’d actually get to use it. That wasn’t my life. And now, two years later, I’m hosting a party.

For my wife. Who knew.

It should be fun.

Perhaps we could take everyone to see the new house on Sunday after lunch and check out how Elliot and his team are doing. Or perhaps we could go before, just Ana and me. Maybe on Friday. I check my schedule, but I’m interrupted by a text from Taylor, and a nanosecond later, an e-mail from Ana. I open the e-mail first.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Visitors

Date: September 6 2011 15:27

To: Christian Grey

Christian

Leila is here to see me. I will see her with Prescott.

I’ll use my newly acquired slapping skills with my now-healed hand, should I need to.

Try, and I mean try, not to worry.

I am a big girl.

Will call once we’ve spoken.

A x

Anastasia Grey

Editor, SIP

What!

Leila?

Fuck!

I dial Ana’s number immediately.

No fucking way is she meeting with Leila.

The phone rings and rings, ignored by Ana, and my blood pressure climbs with each unanswered chime until it reaches a dizzying height. Eventually her voice mail kicks in, asking me to leave a message. I hang up, not trusting myself to speak.

Hell.

I check Taylor’s text.