The interior is stunning. Three enormous, shallow chandeliers throw rainbow-colored sparkles over the ivory silk lining of the ceiling and walls. There must be at least thirty tables, and they remind me of the private dining room at the Heathman-crystal gla.s.ses, crisp white linen covering the tables and chairs, and in the center, an exquisite display of pale pink peonies gathered around a silver candelabra. Wrapped in gossamer silk beside it is a basket of goodies.

Christian consults the seating plan and leads me to a table in the center. Mia and Grace are already in situ, deep in conversation with a young man I don't know. Grace is wear- ing a shimmering mint green gown with a Venetian mask to match. She looks radiant, not stressed at all, and she greets me warmly.

"Ana, how delightful to see you again! And looking so beautiful, too."

"Mother," Christian greets her stiffy and kisses her on both cheeks.

"Oh, Christian, so formal!" she scolds him teasingly.

Grace's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Trevelyan, join us at our table. They seem exuberant and youthful, though it's diffcult to tell beneath their matching bronze masks. They are delighted to see Christian.

"Grandmother, Grandfather, may I introduce Anastasia Steele?"

Mrs. Trevelyan is all over me like a rash. "Oh, he's fnally found someone, how won- derful and so pretty! Well I do hope you make an honest man of him," she gushes, shaking my hand.

Holy cow. I thank the heavens for my mask.

"Mother, don't embarra.s.s Ana." Grace comes to my rescue.

"Ignore the silly old coot, m'dear." Mr. Trevelyan shakes my hand. "She thinks be- cause she's so old, she has a G.o.d-given right to say whatever nonsense pops into that woolly head of hers."

"Ana, this is my date, Sean." Mia shyly introduces her young man. He gives me a wicked grin, and his brown eyes dance with amus.e.m.e.nt as we shake hands.

"Pleased to meet you, Sean."

Christian shakes Sean's hand as he regards him shrewdly. Don't tell me that poor Mia suffers from her overbearing brother, too. I smile at Mia in sympathy.

Lance and Janine, Grace's friends, are the last couple at our table, but there is still no sign of Mr. Grey.

Abruptly, there's the hiss of a microphone, and Mr. Grey's voice booms over the PA system, causing the babble of voices to die down. Carrick stands on a small stage at one end of the marquee, wearing an impressive, gold, Punchinello mask."Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to our annual charity ball. I hope that you enjoy what we have laid out for you tonight and that you'll dig deep into your pockets to support the fantastic work that our team does with Coping Together. As you know, it's a cause that is very close to my wife's heart, and mine."

I peek nervously at Christian, who is staring impa.s.sively, I think, at the stage. He glances at me and smirks.

"I'll hand you over now to our master of ceremonies. Please be seated, and enjoy,"

Carrick fnishes.

Polite applause follows, then the babble in the tent starts again. I am seated between Christian and his grandfather. I admire the small white place card with fne silver calligra- phy that bears my name as a waiter lights the candelabra with a long taper. Carrick joins us, kissing me on both cheeks, surprising me.

"Good to see you again, Ana," he murmurs. He really looks very striking in his extraor- dinary gold mask.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please nominate a table head," the MC calls out.

"Ooo-me, me!" says Mia immediately, bouncing enthusiastically in her seat.

"In the center of the table you will fnd an envelope," the MC continues. "Would ev- eryone fnd, beg, borrow, or steal a bill of the highest denomination you can manage, write your name on it, and place it inside the envelope. Table heads, please guard these envelopes carefully. We will need them later."

Holy c.r.a.p. I haven't brought any money with me. How stupid-it's a charity event!

Fishing out his wallet, Christian produces two hundred-dollar bills.

"Here," he says.

What?

"I'll pay you back," I whisper.

His mouth twists slightly, and I know he's not happy, but he doesn't comment. I sign my name using his fountain pen-it's black, with a white fower motif on the cap-and Mia pa.s.ses the envelope round.

In front of me I fnd another card inscribed with silver calligraphy-our menu.Well, that accounts for the number of crystal gla.s.ses in every size that crowd my place setting. Our waiter is back, offering wine and water. Behind me, the sides of the tent through which we entered are being closed, while at the front, two servers pull back the canvas, revealing the sunset over Seattle and Meydenbauer Bay.

It's an absolutely breathtaking view, the twinkling lights of Seattle in the distance and the orange, dusky calm of the bay refecting the opal sky. Wow. It's so calm and peaceful.

Ten servers, each holding a plate, come to stand between us. On a silent cue, they serve us our starters in complete synchronization, then vanish again. The salmon looks delicious, and I realize I am famished.

"Hungry?" Christian murmurs so only I can hear. I know he's not referring to the food, and the muscles deep in my belly respond.

"Very," I whisper, boldly meeting his gaze, and Christian's lips part as he inhales.

Ha! See ... two can play at this game.

Christian's grandfather engages me in conversation immediately. He's a wonderful old man, so proud of his daughter and three children. It is weird to think of Christian as a child. The memory of his burn scars come unbid- den to my mind, but I quickly quash it. I don't want to think about that now, though ironi- cally, it's the reason behind this party.

I wish Kate was here with Elliot. She would ft in so well-the sheer number of forks and knives laid out before her wouldn't daunt Kate-she would command the table. I imagine her duking it out with Mia over who should be table head. The thought makes me smile.

The conversation at the table ebbs and fows. Mia is entertaining, as usual, and quite eclipses poor Sean, who mostly stays quiet like me. Christian's grandmother is the most vocal. She, too, has a biting sense of humor, usually at the expense of her husband. I begin to feel a little sorry for Mr. Trevelyan.

Christian and Lance talk animatedly about a device Christian's company is develop- ing, inspired by Schumacher's principle Small is Beautiful. It's hard to keep up. Christian seems intent on empowering impoverished communities all over the world with wind-up technology-devices that need no electricity or batteries and minimal maintenance.

Watching him in full fow is astonishing. He's pa.s.sionate and committed to improving the lives of the less fortunate. Through his telecommunications company, he's intent on being frst to market with a wind-up mobile phone.

Whoa. I had no idea. I mean I knew about his pa.s.sion about feeding the world, but this ...

Lance seems unable to comprehend Christian's plan to give the technology away and not patent it. I wonder vaguely how Christian made all his money if he's so willing to give it all away.

Throughout dinner a steady stream of men in smartly tailored dinner jackets and dark masks stop by the table, keen to meet Christian, shake his hand, and exchange pleasantries.

He introduces me to some but not others. I'm intrigued to know how and why he makes the distinction.

During one such conversation, Mia leans across and smiles.

"Ana, will you help in the auction?"

"Of course," I respond only too willing.

By the time dessert is served, night has fallen, and I'm really uncomfortable. I need to get rid of the b.a.l.l.s. Before I can excuse myself, the master of ceremonies appears at our table, and with him-if I'm not mistaken-is Miss European Pigtails.

What's her name? Hansel, Gretel ... Gretchen.

She's masked of course, but I know it's her when her gaze doesn't move beyond Chris- tian. She blushes, and selfshly I'm beyond pleased that Christian doesn't acknowledge her at all.

The MC asks for our envelope and with a very practiced and eloquent fourish, asks Grace to pull out the winning bill. It's Sean's, and the silk-wrapped basket is awarded to him.

I applaud politely, but I'm fnding it impossible to concentrate on any more of the proceedings.

"If you'll excuse me," I murmur to Christian.

He looks at me intently."Do you need the powder room?"

I nod.

"I'll show you," he says darkly.

When I stand, all the other men round the table stand with me. Oh, such manners.

"No, Christian! You're not taking Ana-I will."

Mia is on her feet before Christian can protest. His jaw tenses, I know he's not pleased.

Quite frankly, neither am I. I have ... needs. I shrug apologetically at him, and he sits down quickly, resigned.

On our return, I feel a little better, though the relief of removing the b.a.l.l.s has not been as instantaneous as I'd hoped. They're now stashed safely in my clutch purse.

Why did I think I could last the whole evening? I am still yearning-perhaps I can per- suade Christian to take me to the boathouse later. I fush at the thought and glance at him as I take my seat. He stares at me, the ghost of a smile crossing his lips.

Phew . . . he's no longer mad at a missed opportunity, though maybe I am. I feel frustrated-irritable even. Christian squeezes my hand, and we both listen attentively to Carrick, who is back on stage talking about Coping Together. Christian pa.s.ses me another card-a list of the auction prizes. I scan them quickly.Holy s.h.i.t. I blink up at Christian.

"You own property in Aspen?" I hiss. The auction is underway, and I have to keep my voice down.

He nods, surprised at my outburst and irritated, I think. He puts his fnger to his lips to silence me.

"Do you have property elsewhere?" I whisper.He nods again and inclines his head to one side in a warning.

The whole room erupts with cheering and applause; one of the prizes has gone for twelve thousand dollars."I'll tell you later," Christian says quietly. "I wanted to come with you," he adds rather sulkily.

Well, you didn't. I pout and I realize that I'm still querulous, and no doubt, it's the frustrating effect of the b.a.l.l.s. My mood darkens after seeing Mrs. Robinson on the list of generous donors.

I glance around the marquee to see if I can spot her, but I can't see her telltale hair.

Surely Christian would have warned me if she was invited tonight. I sit and stew, applaud- ing when necessary, as each lot is sold for astonishing amounts of money.

The bidding moves to Christian's place in Aspen and reaches twenty thousand dollars.

"Going once, going twice," the MC calls.

And I don't know what possesses me, but I suddenly hear my own voice ringing out clearly over the throng.

"Twenty-four thousand dollars!"

Every mask at the table turns to me in shocked amazement, the biggest reaction of all coming from beside me. I hear his sharp intake of breath and feel his wrath washing over me like a tidal wave.

"Twenty-four thousand dollars, to the lovely lady in silver, going once, going twice ...

Sold!"

CHAPTER 7.

Holy s.h.i.t, did I really just do that? It must be the alcohol. I've had champagne plus four gla.s.ses of four different wines. I glance up at Christian who's busy applauding.

c.r.a.p, he's going to be so angry, and we've been getting on so well. My subconscious has fnally decided to make an appearance, and she's wearing her Edvard Munch Scream face.

Christian leans over to me, a large fake smile plastered across his face. He kisses my cheek and then moves closer to whisper in my ear in a very cold, controlled voice.

"I don't know whether to worship at your feet or spank the living s.h.i.t out of you."

Oh, I know what I want right now. I gaze up at him, blinking through my mask. I just wish I could read what's in his eyes.

"I'll take option two, please," I whisper frantically as the applause dies down. His lips part as he inhales sharply. Oh that chiseled mouth-I want it on me, now. I ache for him. He gives me a radiant sincere smile that leaves me breathless.

"Suffering, are you? We'll have to see what we can do about that," he murmurs as he runs his fngers along my jaw.

His touch resonates deep, deep inside where that ache has sp.a.w.ned and grown. I want to jump him right here, right now, but we sit back to watch the auction of the next lot.I can barely sit still. Christian drapes an arm around my shoulders, his thumb rhyth- mically stroking my back, sending delicious tingles down my spine. His free hand clasps mine, bringing it to his lips, then letting it rest on his lap.

Slowly and surrept.i.tiously, so I don't realize his game until it's too late, he eases my hand up his leg and against his erection. I gasp, and my eyes dart in panic around the table, but all eyes are fxed on the stage. Thank heavens for my mask.

Taking full advantage, I slowly caress him, letting my fngers explore. Christian keeps his hand over mine, hiding my bold fngers, while his thumb skates softly over the nape of my neck. His mouth opens as he gasps softly, and it's the only reaction I can see to my inexperienced touch. But it means so much. He wants me. Everything south of my navel contracts. This is becoming unbearable.

A week by Lake Adriana in Montana is the fnal lot for auction. Of course Mr. and Dr.

Grey have a house in Montana, and the bidding escalates rapidly, but I am barely aware of it. I feel him growing beneath my fngers, and it makes me feel so powerful.

"Sold, for one hundred ten thousand dollars!" the MC declares victoriously. The whole room bursts into applause, and reluctantly I follow as does Christian, ruining our fun.

He turns to me and his lips twitch. "Ready?" he mouths over the rapturous cheering.

"Yes," I mouth back "Ana!" Mia calls. "It's time!"

What? No. Not again! "Time for what?"

"The First Dance Auction. Come on!" She stands and holds out her hand.