She’s so quick off the ground!

We climb higher and higher. The Ephrata office building is a child’s toy as it disappears into the distance. Darius banks his aircraft and we sail toward the Beezley Hills, where we are sure to find some lift.

“That was so smooth,” Ana says, an edge of quiet awe in her voice.

“Much smoother than the Blaník,” I agree. ASH is awesome. She’s so light and responsive.

We reach 3,000 feet and I radio Darius to let him know I’m releasing the cable. He’s flown us into a thermal, and as he pulls away, I hold us in a wide circle, keeping the attitude constant as we rise and rise and rise. Washington falls away beneath us in all her checkered glory.

“Wow,” Ana breathes.

“On the port side, you can see the Cascades.”

“Port?”

“Left.”

“Oh, yes.”

There is still a sprinkling of snow kissing the top of the mountains, even in July.

“What’s the water down there?”

“Banks Lake.”

“Christian, this is beautiful.”

We’re at 7,000 feet, and I know we could go higher. We could go for miles and miles, and land in some field leagues and leagues away. The thought is appealing—Ana and I alone in some wilderness—but I don’t think Sawyer or Reynolds or maybe even Ana would appreciate it.

“Look!” Ana calls. Below us, a substantial dust devil swirls into the air.

The lift!

I make a beeline for it and we travel higher. Fast.

“Wow!” Ana cries, with exhilaration. “No acrobatics today?” she asks.

“I’m just getting the feel of her first.”

Fuck it. I love making Ana scream. I wing over and she squeals with delight as we hang above the earth, her hands stretched out, her ponytail tumbling down—the Washington plains beneath us.

“Holy shit!” she exclaims, and I pitch us upright again and Ana laughs and laughs. The sound fills my soul and makes me feel a thousand feet tall. ASH is a dream to fly; she has carried us to the top of the world, where the sun reigns above the clouds; it’s tranquil, and we’re surrounded by a breathtaking view. The love of my life sits before me, happy and free above the earth. And for the first time in a while a sense of peace unfurls within me. We’re together, cradled in the sky, and my heart is full to overflowing.

I don’t want this feeling to end.

This high. It’s intoxicating.

Focus on where you want to be.

How you want to be.

I think you have for the last few weeks. You’ve seemed happier.

Flynn’s words come back to me.

Ana is my happiness. She holds the key.

The thought is too big, too all-encompassing. I know it could swallow me whole if I let it. To distract myself, I ask Ana if she wants a try.

“No. This is your maiden voyage. You enjoy it, Christian. I’m thrilled to come along for the ride.”

I smile. “I bought her for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I have a single-seater glider made by the same German company but it’s for solo flights. This sailplane is a dream. She’s fantastic.”

“She is.” Ana looks ahead at the horizon. “We are floating on air,” she says, her voice soft and dreamy.

“That we are, baby…that we are.”

We touch down an hour later, a landing that’s as smooth as the takeoff. I’m thrilled with the new plane. She’s everything I knew she would be and more. I’d really like to take her up one day to see how far she’ll take us. Perhaps later this summer.

Darius rushes toward us as I unlock the canopy.

“How was it?” he gushes when he reaches us.

“Amazing. She’s one helluva plane.” Adrenaline is still coursing through my body.

“Ana?” Darius turns his attention to her.

“I agree with Christian. She’s amazing.”

I undo my straps, clamber out, and stretch. Then lean in to unbuckle Ana’s straps.

“This has been inspiring,” I whisper, and give her a swift kiss as I make short work of the seat belt.

Her lips part in surprise but I turn to Darius who is still with us. “Let’s put her in the hangar.”

I’m behind Ana as we walk back to the cars with Sawyer and Reynolds. Her ponytail swings jauntily behind her. She’s still wearing the cap, and beneath the short navy baseball jacket her ass is shielded in tight blue jeans. Her hips sway back and forth, a metronome as she walks, and the rhythm is hypnotizing. She looks so damned hot. I stride around to her side of the car and open the door. “You look great. I don’t think I told you that this morning.”

“I think you did,” she answers with a sweet smile.

“Well, I’d like to tell you again.”

“Back at you, Christian Grey.” She runs her fingers over my white T-shirt, and the feeling echoes through my chest and the rest of my body.

I need to get her home.

But first. Lunch. A late lunch. I close her door and head to the driver’s side.

We stop in Ephrata for pizza.

“Do you mind if we get takeout?” I ask as we enter the small restaurant.

“Eat in your car?”

“Yes.”

“Your immaculate R8?”

“The very same.”

“Sure.” Ana looks puzzled.

“I’m anxious to get home.”