I am probably reading too much into this. My subconscious nods at me, trying to hide her pity.

I dash my tears away. I have to e-mail him to thank him. I leap off my bed to fetch the mean machine.

Coldplay continues as I sit cross-legged on my bed. The Mac powers up and I log in.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: IPAD Date: June 9, 2011 23:56 To: Christian Grey You've made me cry again.

I love the iPad.

I love the songs.

I love the British Library App.

I love you.

Thank you.

Goodnight.

Ana xxFrom: Christian Grey Subject: iPad Date: June 10, 2011 00:03 To: Anastasia Steele I'm glad you like it. I bought one for myself.

Now, if I were there, I would kiss away your tears.

But I'm not-so go to sleep.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

His response makes me smile, still so bossy, still so Christian. Will that change, too? And I realize in that moment that I hope not. I like him like this-commanding-as long as I can stand up to him without fear of punishment.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Mr. Grumpy Date: June 10, 2011 00:07 To: Christian Grey You sound your usual bossy and possibly tense, possibly grumpy self, Mr. Grey.

I know something that could ease that. But then, you're not here-you wouldn't let me stay, and you expect me to beg ...

Dream on, Sir.

Ana xx PS: I also note that you included the Stalker's Anthem, "Every Breath You Take." I do enjoy your sense of humor, but does Dr. Flynn know?

From: Christian Grey Subject: Zen-Like Calm Date: June 10, 2011 00.10 To: Anastasia Steele My Dearest Miss Steele Spanking occurs in vanilla relationships, too, you know. Usually consensually and in a s.e.xual context ... but I am more than happy to make an exception.

You'll be relieved to know that Dr. Flynn also enjoys my sense of humor.

Now, please go to sleep as you won't get much tomorrow.Incidentally-you will beg, trust me. And I look forward to it.

Christian Grey Tense CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Goodnight, Sweet Dreams Date: June 10, 2011 00:12 To: Christian Grey Well, since you ask so nicely, and I like your delicious threat, I shall curl up with the iPad that you have so kindly given me and fall asleep browsing in the British Library, listening to the music that says it for you.

A x.x.x From: Christian Grey Subject: One more request Date: June 10, 2011 00:15 To: Anastasia Steele Dream of me.

x Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Dream of you, Christian Grey? Always.

I change quickly into my pajamas, brush my teeth, and slip into bed. Putting my ear buds in, I pull the fattened Charlie Tango balloon from underneath my pillow and hug it to me.

I am br.i.m.m.i.n.g with joy, a stupid, widemouthed grin on my face. What a difference a day can make. How am I ever going to sleep?

Jose Gonzalez starts to sing a soothing melody with a hypnotic guitar riff, and I drift slowly into sleep, marveling how the world has righted itself in one evening and wondering idly if I should make a playlist for Christian.

CHAPTER 3.

The one good thing about being car-less is that on the bus on my way to work, I can plug my headphones into my iPad while it's safely in my purse and listen to all the wonderful tunes Christian has given me. By the time I arrive at the offce, I have the most ludicrous grin on my face.

Jack glances up at me and does a double take.

"Good morning, Ana. You look ... radiant." His remark fusters me. How inappropri- ate!

"I slept well, thank you, Jack. Good morning."

His brow crinkles.

"Can you read these for me and have reports on them by lunchtime, please?" He hands me four ma.n.u.scripts. At my horrifed expression, he adds, "Just frst chapters."

"Sure," I smile with relief, and he gives me a broad smile in return.

I switch on the computer to start work, fnishing my latte and eating a banana. There's an e-mail from Christian.From: Christian Grey Subject: So Help Me ...

Date: June 10, 2011 08:05 To: Anastasia Steele I do hope you've had breakfast.

I missed you last night.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Old books ...

Date: June 10, 2011 08:33 To: Christian Grey I am eating a banana as I type. I have not had breakfast for several days, so it is a step forward. I love the British Library App-I started rereading Robinson Crusoe ... and of course, I love you.

Now leave me alone-I am trying to work.

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: Is that all you've eaten?

Date: June 10, 2011 08:36 To: Anastasia Steele You can do better than that. You're going to need your energy for begging.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Pest Date: June 10, 2011 08:39 To: Christian Grey Mr. Grey-I am trying to work for a living-and it's you that will be begging.

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIPFrom: Christian Grey Subject: Bring it On!

Date: June 10, 2011 08:36 To: Anastasia Steele Why Miss Steele, I love a challenge ...

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sit grinning at the screen like an idiot. But I need to read these chapters for Jack and write reports on all of them. Placing the ma.n.u.scripts on my desk, I begin.

At lunchtime I head to the deli for a pastrami sandwich and listen to the playlist on my iPad. First up there's Nitin Sawhney, some world music called "Homelands"-it's good.

Mr. Grey has an eclectic taste in music. I wander back, listening to a cla.s.sical piece, Fanta- sia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughn Williams. Oh, Fifty has a sense of humor, and I love him for it. Will this stupid grin ever leave my face?

The afternoon drags. I decide, in an unguarded moment, to e-mail Christian.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Bored ...

Date: June 10, 2011 16:05 To: Christian Grey Twiddling my thumbs.

How are you?

What are you doing?

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: Your thumbs Date: June 10, 2011 16:15 To: Anastasia Steele You should have come to work for me.

You wouldn't be twiddling your thumbs.

I am sure I could put them to better use.

In fact I can think of a number of options ...

I am doing the usual humdrum mergers and acquisitions. It's all very dry.

Your e-mails at SIP are monitored.

Christian Grey Distracted CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Oh s.h.i.t. I had no idea. How the h.e.l.l does he know? I scowl at the screen and quickly check the e-mails we've sent, deleting them as I do.

Promptly at fve thirty, Jack is at my desk. It is Dress-down Friday so he's wearing jeans and a black shirt. He looks very casual.

"Drink, Ana? We usually like to go for a quick one at the bar across the street."

"We?" I ask, hopeful.

"Yeah, most of us go ... you coming?"

For some unknown reason, which I don't want to examine too closely, relief foods through me.

"I'd love to. What's the bar called?"

"50s."

"You're kidding."

He looks at me oddly. "No. Some signifcance for you?"

"No, sorry. I'll join you over there."

"What would you like to drink?"

"A beer please."

"Cool."

I make my way to the powder room and e-mail Christian from the Blackberry.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: You'll Fit Right In Date: June 10, 2011 17:36 To: Christian Grey We are going to a bar called Fifty's.

The rich seam of humor that I could mine from this is endless.

I look forward to seeing you there, Mr. Grey.

A x From: Christian Grey Subject: Hazards Date: June 10, 2011 17:38 To: Anastasia SteeleMining is a very, very dangerous occupation.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Hazards?

Date: June 10, 2011 17:40 To: Christian Grey And your point is?

From: Christian Grey Subject: Merely ...

Date: June 10, 2011 17:42 To: Anastasia Steele Making an observation, Miss Steele.

I'll see you shortly.

Sooners rather than laters, baby.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I check myself in the mirror. What a difference a day can make. I have more color in my cheeks, and my eyes are shining. It's the Christian Grey effect. A little e-mail sparring with him will do that to a girl. I grin at the mirror and straighten my pale blue shirt-the one Taylor bought me. I am wearing my favorite jeans today, too. Most of the women in the offce wear either jeans or foaty skirts. I will need to invest in a foaty skirt or two. Perhaps I'll do that this weekend and bank the check Christian gave me for Wanda, my Beetle.