Dr. Sluder joins us, bristling with efficiency. “Mr. Steele. Welcome back,” she says.

“You haven’t stopped smiling.” I tuck a strand of Ana’s hair behind her ear as she pulls up outside The Heathman in the R8.

“I’m very relieved. And happy.” She flashes me a smile.

“Good.” We climb out and Ana hands her keys to the valet. It’s getting darker and cooler and Ana shivers, so I drape my arm around her shoulders, and we wander into the hotel. From the foyer, I eye the Marble Bar. “Shall we celebrate?”

“Celebrate?” Ana frowns.

“Your dad.”

She chuckles. “Oh, him.”

“I’ve missed that sound.” I kiss her hair.

“Can we just eat in our room? You know, have a quiet night in?”

“Sure. Come.” Taking her hand, we walk to the elevators.

Ana devours her dinner. “That was delicious.” She pushes her plate away. “They sure know how to make a fine tarte tatin here.”

That they do, Ana. “That’s the most I’ve seen you eat the entire time we’ve been here.”

“I was hungry.” She sits back, replete, and it’s most gratifying to witness. She’s fresh and clean from our bath earlier and wearing nothing but my T-shirt and her panties. She’s all eyes and smiles and ponytail and legs…especially legs.

Lifting my glass of wine, I take a sip. “What would you like to do now?” I keep my tone gentle, and hopefully a little seductive. My iPod is playing some serene tunes in the background. I know what I want to do, but she’s had an emotional day.

“What do you want to do?”

Is this a trick question?

I raise a brow, amused. “What I always want to do.”

“And that is?”

“Mrs. Grey, don’t be coy.”

She purses her lips with her secret smile and, reaching across the table, grasps my hand and turns it over. With great care, she skates her index finger over my palm, which tingles in response. It’s an odd feeling that takes my breath away.

“I’d like you to touch me with this.” Her voice is low and provocative as her fingertip continues brushing over my index finger.

Her touch echoes. Everywhere.

Fuck.

I shift in my chair. “Just that?”

“Maybe this.” She traces a line along my middle finger and back to my palm. “And this.” She weaves a path up to my wedding ring. “Definitely this.” She stops, her finger pressed against my platinum ring. “This is very sexy.”

“Is it, now?”

“It sure is. It says ‘this man is mine.’”

Hell. I’m hard.

Yes. Ana. Yours.

Using her fingernail, she outlines the small callus that’s formed where my palm rubs against my ring, her eyes on mine. Her pupils dilate—the dark overcoming the bright blue.

She beguiles me.

Leaning forward, I capture her chin in my hand. “Mrs. Grey, are you seducing me?”

“I hope so.”

“Anastasia, I’m a given.” Always. “Come here.” I pull her into my lap and hold her. “I like having unfettered access to you.” To prove it, I run my hand up her naked thigh to her behind, then clasping the nape of her neck with my other hand, I angle her head and kiss her. Thoroughly. Exploring her mouth and savoring the feel of her tongue against mine, as her fingers find my hair.

She tastes of apple pie and Ana.

With a hint of fine Chablis.

It’s a stimulating combination in every sense. We’re both breathing hard when I pull away. “Let’s go to bed,” I whisper against her lips.

“Bed?” she scoffs.

Oh!

I lean back and tug her hair so I’m looking directly into her eyes. “Where would you prefer, Mrs. Grey?”

She shrugs, nonchalant. Challenging. “Surprise me.”

“You’re feisty this evening.” I run my nose down hers while a list of possibilities forms in my mind.

“Maybe I need to be restrained.”

“Maybe you do. You’re getting mighty bossy in your old age.”

“What are you going to do about it?” She squares her shoulders, in that way she does, ready for battle.

Oh, Ana. “I know what I’d like to do about it. Depends if you’re up to it.”

“Oh, Mr. Grey, you’ve been very gentle with me these last couple of days. I’m not made of glass, you know.”

“You don’t like gentle?”

“With you, of course. But you know…variety is the spice of life.” She flutters her eyelashes.

“You’re after something less gentle?”

“Something life-affirming.”

Wow. “Life-affirming?” Astonished, I gaze at her, as all manner of sexual scenarios pop most welcome into my mind. She nods, gazing into my eyes and teasing her lower lip with her teeth.

On purpose.

She’s goading me.

She wants life-affirming, I can oblige. “Don’t bite your lip.” I tighten my grip on her and rise, holding her close. She gasps in surprise and grabs my arms while I carry her across the room and settle her on the farthest sofa.

I have a plan. I want to see how far her newfound sexual confidence extends.

And I want to watch.

“Wait here. Don’t move.” She turns her head, her eyes tracking me as I head to the bedroom. I scan the room and remember one of the presents she opened this morning at breakfast—some fancy toiletries from Kate. In the smart presentation box, I discover a small bottle of scented moisturizing oil, dark amber and sandalwood.