Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian

Chapter 22

“Are you okay?” She rests her palm on my cheek, her vivid blue eyes searching mine.

“I am now.” I lean down for a quick kiss. Her lips brush mine, and what I mean to be a grateful, I’m-so-pleased-to-see-you kiss…becomes more. Much more. The fingers from her free hand wind around the nape of my neck and she opens up for me like an exotic flower, her mouth warm and welcoming. She sucks in a breath as my hand skirts down the soft fabric that adheres to her body and squeezes her backside. Her tongue greets mine, in every language, until we’re both panting, and desire races through my veins looking for an out.

I groan and pull back, staring down into her beautiful dazed face.

“Okay, Taylor, you can go,” I say.

“Thank you, sir.” From behind me, Taylor steps out of the shadows of the stairwell, deposits my leather overnight bag inside the door, gives us both a nod, and heads back down the stairs.

Ana giggles. “I didn’t know he was there.”

“I forgot, too.” I grin.

To my great disappointment, Ana releases me. “I have to put these gorgeous flowers in water.” I watch as she moves over to the concrete kitchen island and I’m reminded of the last time I was here when Ana was facing an armed and deranged Leila. A shiver runs up my spine. That meeting could have gone so tragically wrong. No wonder Ana’s been on about the two of us spending another night here. I’m sure she’d love to supersede the last memory she has of us in this place. Thankfully, Leila’s recovered, and far across the country at her parents’ place in Connecticut.

“Where’s Kate?” I ask, remembering that Ana does not live alone.

“She’s out with your brother.” She fills a vase with water.

“So we have the place to ourselves.” I shrug out of my jacket, take off my tie, and undo the top two buttons of my shirt.

“We do.” Ana holds up a notebook. “And I have listed everything we need to discuss for the wedding.”

“Can we take a rain check?”

“No. I know what your rain check will involve. And we need to do this, Christian. Council of war, remember?” She waves the book at me, raising that Steele chin in determination.

It’s a good look on Ana.

I know she’s been stressing about the wedding, though I don’t know why. Ms. Gutierrez seems competent and is handling all the arrangements in an unflappable and efficient manner; our discussion should not take long.

“Don’t pout,” she adds, with her familiar amused smile.

I laugh. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

An hour later we’re sitting on barstools at the kitchen counter and we’ve completed the application for a marriage license. Agreed on stationery. Color scheme. Menus. Cake design. And party favors.

Party favors!

“Christian, I don’t think we should have a registry.”

“Registry?”

“For wedding gifts.”

“God, no.”

“But if people want to give something, perhaps they could contribute something to your parents’ charity, Coping Together?”

I stare at her, amazed and humbled at once. “That’s genius.”

Ana nods. “I’m glad you like the idea.”

I lean forward and kiss her. “This is why I’m marrying you.”

“I thought it was for my cooking.”

I nod. “That, too.”

She laughs, and it’s a joyful sound.

“Okay, I’ve asked Kate to be my maid of honor,” Ana says.

“Makes sense.” I ignore my sinking feeling; Katherine is the most irritating woman I know. But she’s Ana’s best friend…so… Suck it up, Grey.

“I’m going to ask Mia to be my bridesmaid.”

“Mia would love that, I’m sure.”

“You’ll need to find a best man.”

“Best man?”

“Yes.”

Well, it can only be Elliot. I’ll have to ask him, and he’ll give me shit.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“You don’t really enjoy this, do you?” Ana fixes her gaze on me.

“I will enjoy being married to you.”

She cocks her head to one side, and I know that she’s not satisfied with my answer. I sigh. “No. I don’t. I have never enjoyed being the center of attention, which is one of the reasons I’m marrying you.”

Ana’s brow creases and I run a knuckle down her cheek, because I haven’t touched her in minutes. “You’ll be the center of attention.”

Ana rolls her eyes. “We’ll see about that. I’m sure you’ll look mighty fine in your wedding regalia, Mr. Grey.”

“Do you have a dress?”

“Kate’s mother is designing one for me.” She looks down at her fingers and adds, “I asked my dad to pay for it.”

“He’s happy with that?”

She nods. “I think he’s relieved he’s not footing the bill for the wedding, but he’s delighted he can contribute.”

I grin. “Anastasia Steele, you’re brilliant. I knew you’d find a compromise. You are such a good negotiator.” I lean over and give her a peck on her lips.

“Hungry?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“I’ll cook us some steaks.”

“So, the panic rooms, how will they work?” Ana asks as she slices into her filet mignon.

“There’s one going into Taylor’s office, and our bedroom closet will become one, too. Press a button and the doors will close and they’ll be impenetrable. There’ll be enough time for help to arrive. That’s the plan, anyway.”