First Published by the Writer

8/13/2019 First Published by the Writer

1/461

* * *

First published by The Writers Coffee Shop, 2011

Copyright E L J!es, 2011

The right of E L J!es to be ide"tified s the uthor of this #or$ hs bee" sserted byher u"der the Copyright %!e"d!e"t &'orl (ights) %t 2000

This #or$ is opyright+ %prt fro! "y use s per!itted u"der the Copyright %t1-., "o prt !ybe reprodued, opied, s""ed, stored i" retrie/l syste!,reorded or tr"s!itted, i" "y for! or by "y !e"s, #ithout the prior #ritte"

per!issio" of the publisher+

This boo$ is #or$ of fitio"+ !es, hrters, ples "d i"ide"ts re either produt of the uthors i!gi"tio" or re used fititiously+ %"y rese!bl"e to tulpeople li/i"g or ded, e/e"ts or loles is e"tirely oi"ide"tl+

The Writers Coffee Shop

&%ustrli) 3o4 2015 6or"sby Westfield SW 1-57

&8S%) 3o4 211- W4hhie T9 :71-.

perb$ ;S3


2/461

E L J!es is urre"tly #or$i"g o" the seDuel to Fifty Shdes of @rey "d "e#ro!"ti thriller #ith super"turl t#ist+

; ! i"debted to the follo#i"g people for their help "d support= To !y husb"d ill th"$ you for tolerti"g !y obsessio", bei"g do!esti god "d doi"g the first edit+

To !y boss Lis th"$ you for putti"g up #ith !e o/er the lst yer or so #hile ;i"dulged i" this !d"ess+

To CCL ;ll "e/er tell but th"$ you+

To the origi"l bu"$er bbes th"$ you for your frie"dship "d o"st"t support+

To S( th"$ you for ll the helpful d/ie fro! the strt "d for goi"g first+

To Sue th"$s for sorti"g !e out+

To %!"d "d ll t TWCS th"$ you for t$i"g pu"t+

; so#l #ith frustrtio" t !yself i" the !irror+ ?!" !y hir it Bust #o"t beh/e,"d d!" theri"e /"gh for bei"g ill "d subBeti"g !e to this ordel+ ; should

be studyi"g for !y fi"l e4!s, #hih re "e4t #ee$, yet here ; ! tryi"g to brush!y hir i"to sub!issio"+ ; !ust "ot sleep #ith it #et+ ; !ust "ot sleep #ith it #et+(eiti"g this !"tr se/erl ti!es, ; tte!pt, o"e !ore, to bri"g it u"der o"trol #iththe brush+ ; roll !y eyes i" e4spertio" "d gGe t the ple, bro#"


3/461


4/461

HE4use !e o"e !o!e"t, 'iss Steele+I She rhes her eyebro# slightly s ; st"dself


5/461

H'r+ @rey #ill see you i" !o!e"t+ 'y ; t$e your B$etI

Hh plese+I ; struggle out of the B$et+

H6/e you bee" offered "y refresh!e"tI

H8! "o+I h der, is 3lo"de u!ber "e i" trouble

3lo"de u!ber T#o fro#"s "d eyes the you"g #o!" t the des$+

HWould you li$e te, offee, #terI she s$s, tur"i"g her tte"tio" b$ to !e+

H% glss of #ter+ Th"$ you,I ; !ur!ur+

Hli/i, plese feth 'iss Steele glss of #ter+I 6er /oie is ster"+ li/i soots up

i!!editely "d surries to door o" the other side of the foyer+

H'y pologies, 'iss Steele, li/i is our "e# i"ter"+ lese be seted+ 'r+ @rey #illbe "other fi/e !i"utes+I

li/i retur"s #ith glss of ied #ter+

H6ere you go, 'iss Steele+I

HTh"$ you+I

3lo"de u!ber T#o !rhes o/er to the lrge des$, her heels li$i"g "d ehoi"go" the s"dsto"e floor+ She sits do#", "d they both o"ti"ue their #or$+

erhps 'r+ @rey i"sists o" ll his e!ployees bei"g blo"de+ ;! #o"deri"g idly ifthts legl, #he" the offie door ope"s "d tll, eleg"tly dressed, ttrti/e%fri"


6/461

HKou do"t "eed to $"o$ Bust go i"+I She s!iles $i"dly+

; push ope" the door "d stu!ble through, trippi"g o/er !y o#" feet, "d flli"g hedfirst i"to the offie+

?ouble rp !e "d !y t#o left feet ; ! o" !y h"ds "d $"ees i" the door#yto 'r+ @reys offie, "d ge"tle h"ds re rou"d !e helpi"g !e to st"d+ ; ! soe!brrssed, d!" !y lu!si"ess+ ; h/e to steel !yself to gl"e up+ 6oly o# hes so you"g+

H'iss /"gh+I 6e e4te"ds lo"g


7/461

H; ould"t gree !ore, 'iss Steele,I he replies, his /oie soft "d for so!ei"e4plible reso" ; fi"d !yself blushi"g+

%prt fro! the pi"ti"gs, the rest of the offie is old, le", "d li"il+ ; #o"der ifit reflets the perso"lity of the %do"is #ho si"$s grefully i"to o"e of the #hite

lether hirs opposite !e+ ; sh$e !y hed, disturbed t the diretio" of !y thoughts,"d retrie/e tes Duestio"s fro! !y sthel+ e4t, ; set up the !i"i


8/461

fts+ ; h/e "turl gut i"sti"t tht " spot "d "urture good solid ide "d goodpeople+ The botto! li"e is, its l#ys do#" to good people+I

H'ybe youre Bust lu$y+I This is"t o" tes list but hes so rrog"t+ 6is eyesflre !o!e"trily i" surprise+

H; do"t subsribe to lu$ or h"e, 'iss Steele+ The hrder ; #or$ the !ore lu$ ;see! to h/e+ ;t relly is ll bout h/i"g the right people o" your te! "d direti"gtheir e"ergies ordi"gly+ ; thi"$ it #s 6r/ey Firesto"e #ho sid Nthe gro#th "dde/elop

HKou sou"d li$e o"trol fre$+I The #ords re out of !y !outh before ; " stopthe!+Hh, ; e4erise o"trol i" ll thi"gs, 'iss Steele,I he sys #ithout tre ofhu!or i" his s!ile+ ; loo$ t hi!, "d he holds !y gGe stedily, i!pssi/e+ 'yhertbet Dui$e"s, "d !y fe flushes gi"+

Why does he h/e suh " u""er/i"g effet o" !e 6is o/er#hel!i"g good


9/461

HWell, to Nhill out s you put it ; sil, ; fly, ; i"dulge i" /rious physil pursuits+I

6e shifts i" his hir+ H;! /ery #elthy !", 'iss Steele, "d ; h/e e4pe"si/e "dbsorbi"g hobbies+I

; gl"e Dui$ly t tes Duestio"s, #"ti"g to get off this subBet+

HKou i"/est i" !"ufturi"g+ Why, speifillyI ; s$+ Why does he !$e !e sou"o!fortble

H; li$e to build thi"gs+ ; li$e to $"o# ho# thi"gs #or$= #ht !$es thi"gs ti$, ho# too"strut "d deo"strut+ %"d ; h/e lo/e of ships+ Wht " ; syI

HTht sou"ds li$e your hert tl$i"g rther th" logi "d fts+I

6is !outh Duir$s up, "d he stres pprisi"gly t !e+

Hossibly+ Though there re people #hod sy ; do"t h/e hert+I

HWhy #ould they sy thtI

H3euse they $"o# !e #ell+I 6is lip urls i" #ry s!ile+

HWould your frie"ds sy youre esy to get to $"o#I %"d ; regret the Duestio" ssoo" s ; sy it+ ;ts "ot o" tes list+

H;! /ery pri/te perso", 'iss Steele+ ; go lo"g #y to protet !y pri/y+ ; do"tofte" gi/e i"ter/ie#s,I he trils off+

HWhy did you gree to do this o"eI

H3euse ;! be"eftor of the 8"i/ersity, "d for ll i"te"ts "d purposes, ;ould"t get 'iss /"gh off !y b$+ She bdgered "d bdgered !y ( people,"d ; d!ire tht $i"d of te"ity+I

; $"o# ho# te"ious te " be+ Thts #hy ;! sitti"g here sDuir!i"gu"o!fortbly u"der his pe"etrti"g gGe, #he" ; should be studyi"g for !y e4!s+

HKou lso i"/est i" fr!i"g teh"ologies+ Why re you i"terested i" this reI

HWe "t et !o"ey, 'iss Steele, "d there re too !"y people o" this pl"et #hodo"t h/e e"ough to et+I

HTht sou"ds /ery phil"thropi+ ;s it so!ethi"g you feel pssio"tely bout Feedi"gthe #orlds poorI

6e shrugs, /ery "o"


10/461

H;ts shre#d busi"ess,I he !ur!urs, though ; thi"$ hes bei"g disi"ge"uous+ ;tdoes"t !$e se"se feedi"g the #orlds poor ; "t see the fi""il be"efits ofthis, o"ly the /irtue of the idel+ ; gl"e t the "e4t Duestio", o"fused by his ttitude+

H?o you h/e philosophy ;f so, #ht is itI

H; do"t h/e philosophy s suh+ 'ybe guidi"g pri"iple Cr"egies= N% !"#ho Duires the bility to t$e full possessio" of his o#" !i"d !y t$e possessio"of "ythi"g else to #hih he is Bustly e"titled+ ;! /ery si"gulr, dri/e"+ ; li$e o"trol

of !yself "d those rou"d !e+I

HSo you #"t to possess thi"gsI Kou re o"trol fre$+

H; #"t to deser/e to possess the!, but yes, botto! li"e, ; do+I

HKou sou"d li$e the ulti!te o"su!er+I

H; !+I 6e s!iles, but the s!ile does"t touh his eyes+ %gi" this is t odds #ithso!eo"e #ho #"ts to feed the #orld, so ; "t help thi"$i"g tht #ere tl$i"gbout so!ethi"g else, but ;! bsolutely !ystified s to #ht it is+ ; s#llo# hrd+The te!perture i" the roo! is risi"g or !ybe its Bust !e+ ; Bust #"t this i"ter/ie#to be o/er+ Surely te hs e"ough !teril "o# ; gl"e t the "e4t Duestio"+

HKou #ere dopted+ 6o# fr do you thi"$ thts shped the #y you reI h, this isperso"l+ ; stre t hi!, hopi"g hes "ot offe"ded+ 6is bro# furro#s+

H; h/e "o #y of $"o#i"g+I

'y i"terest is piDued+

H6o# old #ere you #he" you #ere doptedI

HThts !tter of publi reord, 'iss Steele+I 6is to"e is ster"+ ; flush, gi"+ Crp+

Kes of ourse if ;d $"o#" ; #s doi"g this i"ter/ie#, ; #ould h/e do"e so!ereserh+

; !o/e o" Dui$ly+

HKou/e hd to srifie f!ily life for your #or$+I

HThts "ot Duestio"+I 6es terse+

HSorry+I ; sDuir!, "d hes !de !e feel li$e " err"t hild+ ; try gi"+ H6/e youhd to srifie f!ily life for your #or$I

H; h/e f!ily+ ; h/e brother "d sister "d t#o lo/i"g pre"ts+ ;! "oti"terested i" e4te"di"g !y f!ily beyo"d tht+I


11/461

H%re you gy, 'r+ @reyI

6e i"hles shrply, "d ; ri"ge, !ortified+ Crp+ Why did"t ; e!ploy so!e $i"d offilter before ; red this stright out 6o# " ; tell hi! ;! Bust redi"g the Duestio"s

?!" te "d her uriosity

Ho %"stsi, ;! "ot+I 6e rises his eyebro#s, ool gle! i" his eyes+ 6e does"ot loo$ plesed+

H; pologiGe+ ;ts u!M #ritte" here+I ;ts the first ti!e hes sid !y "!e+ 'yhertbet hs elerted, "d !y hee$s re heti"g up gi"+ er/ously, ; tu$ !yloose"ed hir behi"d !y er+

6e o$s his hed to o"e side+

HThese re"t your o#" Duestio"sI

The blood dri"s fro! !y hed+ h "o+

HErrM "o+ te 'iss /"gh she o!piled the Duestio"s+I

H%re you ollegues o" the stude"t pperI h rp+ ; h/e "othi"g to do #ith thestude"t pper+ ;ts her e4tr


12/461

HWhere #ere #e, 'iss SteeleI

h, #ere b$ to N'iss Steele "o#+

Hlese do"t let !e $eep you fro! "ythi"g+I

H; #"t to $"o# bout you+ ; thi"$ thts o"ly fir+I 6is gry eyes re light #ithuriosity+ ?ouble rp+ Wheres he goi"g #ith this 6e ples his elbo#s o" the r!sof the hir "d steeples his fi"gers i" fro"t of his !outh+ 6is !outh is /eryMdistrti"g+ ; s#llo#+

HTheres "ot !uh to $"o#,I ; sy, flushi"g gi"+

HWht re your pl"s fter you grduteI

; shrug, thro#" by his i"terest+ Co!e to Settle #ith te, fi"d ple, fi"d Bob+ ;h/e"t relly thought beyo"d !y fi"ls+

H; h/e"t !de "y pl"s, 'r+ @rey+ ; Bust "eed to get through !y fi"l e4!s+I

Whih ; should be studyi"g for "o# rther th" sitti"g i" your pltil, s#"$y, sterileoffie, feeli"g u"o!fortble u"der your pe"etrti"g gGe+

HWe ru" " e4elle"t i"ter"ship progr! here,I he sys Duietly+ ; rise !y eyebro#si" surprise+ ;s he offeri"g !e Bob

Hh+ ;ll ber tht i" !i"d,I ; !ur!ur, o!pletely o"fou"ded+ HThough ;! "ot sure;d fit i" here+I h "o+ ;! !usi"g out loud gi"+

HWhy do you sy thtI 6e o$s his hed to o"e side, i"trigued, hi"t of s!ileplyi"g o" his lips+

H;ts ob/ious, is"t itI ;! u"oordi"ted, sruffy, "d ;! "ot blo"de+

Hot to !e,I he !ur!urs+ 6is gGe is i"te"se, ll hu!or go"e, "d str"ge !uslesdeep i" !y belly le"h sudde"ly+ ; ter !y eyes #y fro! his sruti"y "d strebli"dly do#" t !y $"otted fi"gers+ Whts goi"g o" ; h/e to go "o#+ ; le"for#rd to retrie/e the reorder+

HWould you li$e !e to sho# you rou"dI he s$s+

H;! sure youre fr too busy, 'r+ @rey, "d ; do h/e lo"g dri/e+I

HKoure dri/i"g b$ to WS8 i" "ou/erI 6e sou"ds surprised, "4ious e/e"+ 6egl"es out of the #i"do#+ ;ts begu" to ri"+ HWell, youd better dri/e refully+I 6is

to"e is ster", uthoritti/e+ Why should he re H?id you get e/erythi"g you "eedIhe dds+


13/461

HKes sir,I ; reply, p$i"g the reorder i"to !y sthel+ 6is eyes "rro#,speulti/ely+

HTh"$ you for the i"ter/ie#, 'r+ @rey+I

HThe plesures bee" ll !i"e,I he sys, polite s e/er+

%s ; rise, he st"ds "d holds out his h"d+

H8"til #e !eet gi", 'iss Steele+I %"d it sou"ds li$e hlle"ge, or thret, ;!"ot sure #hih+ ; fro#"+ Whe" #ill #e e/er !eet gi" ; sh$e his h"d o"e !ore,stou"ded tht tht odd urre"t bet#ee" us is still there+ ;t !ust be !y "er/es+

H'r+ @rey+I ; "od t hi!+ 'o/i"g #ith lithe thleti gre to the door, he ope"s it#ide+

HJust e"suri"g you !$e it through the door, 'iss Steele+I 6e gi/es !e s!ll s!ile+

b/iously, hes referri"g to !y erlier less


14/461

i!!ulte s"dsto"e floor+ ; re for the #ide glss doors, "d ;! free i" thebri"g, le"si"g, d!p ir of Settle+ (isi"g !y fe, ; #elo!e the oolrefreshi"g ri"+ ; lose !y eyes "d t$e deep, purifyi"g breth, tryi"g to reo/er#hts left of !y eDuilibriu!+

o !" hs e/er ffeted !e the #y Christi" @rey hs, "d ; ""ot ftho! #hy+

;s it his loo$s 6is i/ility Welth o#er ; do"t u"derst"d !y irrtio"l retio"+

; brethe " e"or!ous sigh of relief+ Wht i" he/e"s "!e #s tht ll boutLe"i"g gi"st o"e of the steel pillrs of the buildi"g, ; /li"tly tte!pt to l!do#" "d gther !y thoughts+ ; sh$e !y hed+ 6oly rp #ht #s tht 'y hertstedies to its regulr rhyth!, "d ; " brethe "or!lly gi"+ ; hed for the r+

%s ; le/e the ity li!its behi"d, ; begi" to feel foolish "d e!brrssed s ; replythe i"ter/ie# i" !y !i"d+ Surely, ;! o/er


15/461

outside, ; $"o# te is goi"g to #"t blo#


16/461

;/e #or$ed t Clyto"s si"e ; strted t WS8+ ;ts the lrgest i"depe"de"t hrd#restore i" the ortl"d re, "d o/er the four yers ;/e #or$ed here, ;/e o!e to$"o# little bit bout !ost e/erythi"g #e sell lthough iro"illy, ;! rp t "y?;K+ ; le/e ll tht to !y dd+ ;! !uh !ore of url


17/461

Crp ; distrt her #ith flttery, l#ys good ploy+

HKou probbly #ould h/e got lot !ore out of hi!+I

H; doubt tht, %"+ Co!e o" he prtilly offered you Bob+ @i/e" tht ; foistedthis o" you t the lst !i"ute, you did /ery #ell+I She gl"es up t !e speulti/ely+; !$e hsty retret i"to the $ithe"+

HSo #ht did you relly thi"$ of hi!I ?!", shes i"Duisiti/e+ Why "t she Bust letthis go Thi"$ of so!ethi"g Dui$+

H6es /ery dri/e", o"trolli"g, rrog"t sry relly, but /ery hris!ti+ ; "u"derst"d the fsi"tio",I ; dd truthfully, s ; peer rou"d the door t her hopi"g

this #ill shut her up o"e "d for ll+

HKou, fsi"ted by !" Thts first,I she s"orts+

; strt gtheri"g the !$i"gs of s"d#ih so she "t see !y fe+

HWhy did you #"t to $"o# if he #s gy ;"ide"tlly, tht #s the !oste!brrssi"g Duestio"+ ; #s !ortified, "d he #s pissed to be s$ed too+I ; so#l tthe !e!ory+

HWhe"e/er hes i" the soiety pges, he "e/er hs dte+I

H;t #s e!brrssi"g+ The #hole thi"g #s e!brrssi"g+ ;! gld ;ll "e/er h/e toly eyes o" hi! gi"+I

Hh, %", it "t h/e bee" tht bd+ ; thi"$ he sou"ds Duite t$e" #ith you+I

T$e" #ith !e o# tes bei"g ridiulous+

HWould you li$e s"d#ihI

Hlese+I

We tl$ "o !ore of Christi" @rey tht e/e"i"g, !uh to !y relief+ "e #e/eete", ;! ble to sit t the di"i"g tble #ith te "d, #hile she #or$s o" her rtile,; #or$ o" !y essy o" Tess of the ?8rber/illes+ ?!", but tht #o!" #s i" the#ro"g ple t the #ro"g ti!e i" the #ro"g e"tury+ 3y the ti!e ; fi"ish, its!id"ight, "d te hs lo"g si"e go"e to bed+ ; !$e !y #y to !y roo!,e4husted, but plesed tht ;/e o!plished so !uh for 'o"dy+

; url up i" !y #hite iro" bed, #rppi"g !y !others Duilt rou"d !e, lose !y eyes,"d ;! i"st"tly sleep+ Tht "ight ; dre! of dr$ ples, ble$ #hite old floors,

"d gry eyes+


18/461

For the rest of the #ee$, ; thro# !yself i"to !y studies "d !y Bob t Clyto"s+ teis busy too, o!pili"g her lst editio" of her stude"t !gGi"e before she hs toreli"Duish it to the "e# editor #hile lso r!!i"g for her fi"ls+ 3y Wed"esdy,shes !uh better, "d ; "o lo"ger h/e to e"dure the sight of her pi"$

bored "d #"ts so!ethi"g to oupy her ti!e, but she hs the tte"tio" sp" of goldfish+ ;tll be so!ethi"g "e# "e4t #ee$+

She #orries !e+ ; hope she hs"t !ortgged the house to fi""e this ltest she!e+%"d ; hope tht 3ob her relti/ely "e# but !uh older husb"d is $eepi"g " eyeo" her "o# tht ;! "o lo"ger there+ 6e does see! lot !ore grou"ded th" 6usb"d

u!ber Three+

H6o# re thi"gs #ith you, %"I

For !o!e"t, ; hesitte, "d ; h/e 'o!s full tte"tio"+

H;! fi"e+I

H%" 6/e you !et so!eo"eI Wo#M ho# does she do tht The e4ite!e"t i" her/oie is plpble+

Ho, 'o!, its "othi"g+ Koull be the first to $"o# if ; do+I

H%", you relly "eed to get out !ore, ho"ey+ Kou #orry !e+I

H'o!, ;! fi"e+ 6o#s 3obI %s e/er, distrtio" is the best poliy+

Lter tht e/e"i"g, ; ll (y, !y stepdd, 'o!s 6usb"d u!ber T#o, the !" ;o"sider !y fther, "d the !" #hose "!e ; ber+ ;ts brief o"/erstio"+ ;" ft,its "ot so !uh o"/erstio" s o"e


19/461

We reog"iGed $i"dred spirit i" eh of us tht dy, "d #e/e bee" frie"ds e/ersi"e+

ot o"ly do #e shre se"se of hu!or, but #e diso/ered tht both (y "d JosO

Se"ior #ere i" the s!e r!y u"it together+ %s result, our fthers h/e beo!e fir!frie"ds too+

JosO is studyi"g e"gi"eeri"g "d is the first i" his f!ily to !$e it to ollege+ 6espretty d!" bright, but his rel pssio" is photogrphy+ JosO hs gret eye for goodpiture+

H; h/e "e#s+I 6e gri"s, his dr$ eyes t#i"$li"g+

H?o"t tell !e you/e !"ged "ot to get $i$ed out for "other #ee$,I ; tese, "dhe so#ls plyfully t !e+

HThe ortl"d le @llery is goi"g to e4hibit !y photos "e4t !o"th+I

HThts !Gi"g o"grtultio"sI ?elighted for hi!, ; hug hi! gi"+ te be!st hi! too+

HWy to go JosO ; should put this i" the pper+ othi"g li$e lst !i"ute editorilh"ges o" Fridy e/e"i"g+I She gri"s+

HLets elebrte+ ; #"t you to o!e to the ope"i"g+I JosO loo$s i"te"tly t !e+ ;flush+

H3oth of you, of ourse,I he dds, gl"i"g "er/ously t te+

JosO "d ; re good frie"ds, but ; $"o# deep do#" i"side, hed li$e to be !ore+ 6esute "d fu""y, but hes Bust "ot for !e+ 6es !ore li$e the brother ; "e/er hd+theri"e ofte" teses !e tht ;! !issi"g the "eed


20/461

; #th JosO ope" the bottle of h!pg"e+ 6es tll, "d i" his Be"s "d t


21/461

Cble ties

HWe sto$ /rious le"gths+ Shll ; sho# youI ; !utter, !y /oie soft "d #/ery+

@et grip, Steele+ % slight fro#" !rs @reys rther lo/ely bro#+

Hlese+ Led the #y, 'iss Steele,I he sys+ ; try for "o"hl"e s ; o!e out fro!behi"d the ou"ter, but relly ;! o"e"trti"g hrd o" "ot flli"g o/er !y o#" feet !y legs re sudde"ly the o"siste"y of Jell


22/461

H;d li$e so!e !s$i"g tpe+I

's$i"g tpe

H%re you redeorti"gI The #ords re out before ; " stop the!+ Surely he hires

lborers or hs stff to help hi! deorte

Ho, "ot redeorti"g,I he sys Dui$ly the" s!ir$s, "d ; h/e the u"""y feeli"gtht hes lughi"g t !e+

%! ; tht fu""y Fu""y loo$i"g

HThis #y,I ; !ur!ur e!brrssed+ H's$i"g tpe is i" the deorti"g isle+I

; gl"e behi"d !e s he follo#s+

H6/e you #or$ed here lo"gI 6is /oie is lo#, "d hes gGi"g t !e, gry eyeso"e"trti"g hrd+ ; blush e/e" !ore brightly+ Why the hell does he h/e this effeto" !e

; feel li$e ;! fourtee" yers old guhe, s l#ys, "d out of ple+ Eyes fro"tSteele

HFour yers,I ; !utter s #e reh our gol+ To distrt !yself, ; reh do#" "dselet the t#o #idths of !s$i"g tpe tht #e sto$+

H;ll t$e tht o"e,I @rey sys softly poi"ti"g to the #ider tpe, #hih ; pss to hi!+

ur fi"gers brush /ery briefly, "d the urre"t is there gi", Gppi"g through !e li$e;/e touhed " e4posed #ire+ ; gsp i"/olu"trily s ; feel it, ll the #y do#" toso!e#here dr$ "d u"e4plored, deep i" !y belly+ ?espertely, ; srbble rou"d for!y eDuilibriu!+

H%"ythi"g elseI 'y /oie is hus$y "d brethy+ 6is eyes #ide" slightly+

HSo!e rope, ; thi"$+I 6is /oie !irrors !i"e, hus$y+

HThis #y+I ; du$ !y hed do#" to hide !y reurri"g blush "d hed for the isle+

HWht sort #ere you fter We h/e sy"theti "d "turl fil!e"t ropeM t#i"eM

ble ordM I ; hlt t his e4pressio", his eyes dr$e"i"g+ 6oly o#+

H;ll t$e fi/e yrds of the "turl fil!e"t rope plese+I

Qui$ly, #ith tre!bli"g fi"gers, ; !esure out fi/e yrds gi"st the fi4ed ruler,

#re tht his hot gry gGe is o" !e+ ; dre "ot loo$ t hi!+ JeeG, ould ; feel "y!ore self


23/461

it the" oil it "etly before tyi"g it i" slip$"ot+ 3y so!e !irle, ; !"ge "ot tore!o/e fi"ger #ith !y $"ife+

HWere you @irl SoutI he s$s, sulptured, se"sul lips urled i" !use!e"t+?o"t loo$ t his !outh

Hrg"iGed, group ti/ities re"t relly !y thi"g, 'r+ @rey+I

6e rhes bro#+

HWht is your thi"g, %"stsiI he s$s, his /oie soft "d his seret s!ile is b$+ ;gGe t hi! u"ble to e4press !yself+ ;! o" shifti"g teto"i pltes+ Try "d be ool,%", !y tortured subo"sious begs o" be"ded $"ee+

H3oo$s,I ; #hisper, but i"side, !y subo"sious is sre!i"g= Kou Kou re !ythi"g

; slp it do#" i"st"tly, !ortified tht !y psyhe is h/i"g ides bo/e its sttio"+

HWht $i"d of boo$sI 6e o$s his hed to o"e side+ Why is he so i"terested

Hh, you $"o#+ The usul+ The lssis+ 3ritish literture, !i"ly+I

6e rubs his hi" #ith his lo"g i"de4 fi"ger "d thu!b s he o"te!pltes !y "s#er+

r perhps hes Bust /ery bored "d tryi"g to hide it+

H%"ythi"g else you "eedI ; h/e to get off this subBet those fi"gers o" tht fere so beguili"g+

H; do"t $"o#+ Wht else #ould you reo!!e"dI

Wht #ould ; reo!!e"d ; do"t e/e" $"o# #ht youre doi"g+

HFor do


24/461

H8!+I ; feel the olor i" !y hee$s risi"g gi"+ ; !ust be the olor of the o!!u"ist!"ifesto+ Stop tl$i"g+ Stop tl$i"g W+

H;ll t$e so!e o/erlls+ 6e/e" forbid ; should rui" "y lothi"g,I he sys dryly+

; try "d dis!iss the u"#elo!e i!ge of hi! #ithout Be"s+

H?o you "eed "ythi"g elseI ; sDue$ s ; h"d hi! the blue o/erlls+

6e ig"ores !y i"Duiry+

H6o#s the rtile o!i"g lo"gI

6es fi"lly s$ed !e "or!l Duestio", #y fro! ll the i""ue"do "d theo"fusi"g double tl$M Duestio" ; " "s#er+ ; grsp it tightly #ith t#o h"ds s if

#ere life rft, "d ; go for ho"esty+

H;! "ot #riti"g it, theri"e is+ 'iss /"gh+ 'y roo!!te, shes the #riter+

Shes /ery hppy #ith it+ Shes the editor of the !gGi"e, "d she #s de/sttedtht she ould"t do the i"ter/ie# i" perso"+I ; feel li$e ;/e o!e up for ir t lst, "or!l topi of o"/erstio"+ H6er o"ly o"er" is tht she does"t h/e "yorigi"l photogrphs of you+I

@rey rises " eyebro#+

HWht sort of photogrphs does she #"tI

$y+ ; hd"t ftored i" this respo"se+ ; sh$e !y hed, beuse ; Bust do"t $"o#+

HWell, ;! rou"d+ To!orro#, perhpsM I he trils off+

HKoud be #illi"g to tte"d photo shootI 'y /oie is sDue$y gi"+ te #ill bei" se/e"th he/e" if ; " pull this off+ %"d you !ight see hi! gi" to!orro#, thtdr$ ple t the bse of !y bri" #hispers seduti/ely t !e+ ; dis!iss the thought of ll the silly, ridiulousM

Hte #ill be delighted if #e " fi"d photogrpher+I ;! so plesed, ; s!ile thi! brodly+ 6is lips prt, li$e hes t$i"g shrp i"t$e of breth, "d he bli"$s+ For frtio" of seo"d, he loo$s lost so!eho#, "d the Erth shifts slightly o" its 4is,the teto"i pltes slidi"g i"to "e# positio"+

h !y+ Christi" @reys lost loo$+

HLet !e $"o# bout to!orro#+I (ehi"g i"to his b$ po$et, he pulls out his#llet+ H'y rd+ ;t hs !y ell "u!ber o" it+ Koull "eed to ll before te" i" the!or"i"g+I

H$y+I ; gri" up t hi!+ te is goi"g to be thrilled+


25/461

H%%I

ul hs !teriliGed t other the e"d of the isle+ 6es 'r+ Clyto"s you"gestbrother+ ;d herd he #s ho!e fro! ri"eto", but ; #s"t e4peti"g to see hi!

tody+

HEr, e4use !e for !o!e"t, 'r+ @rey+I @rey fro#"s s ; tur" #y fro! hi!+

ul hs l#ys bee" buddy, "d i" this str"ge !o!e"t tht ;! h/i"g #ith therih, po#erful, #eso!ely off


26/461

HCool,I ul respo"ds+ HCth you lter, %"+I

HSure, ul+I ; #th hi! dispper to#rd the sto$ roo!+ H%"ythi"g else, 'r+

@reyI

HJust these ite!s+I 6is to"e is lipped "d ool+ ?!"M h/e ; offe"ded hi! T$i"g deep breth, ; tur" "d hed for the till+ Wht is his proble!

; ri"g up the rope, o/erlls, !s$i"g tpe, "d ble ties t the till+

HTht #ill be forty


27/461

she speultes+ 'y hert lurhes t the prospet, but its short


28/461

H6!!M Wht bout JosOI

H@ret ide Kou s$ hi! hell do "ythi"g for you+ The" ll @rey "d fi"d out#here he #"ts us+I te is irritti"gly /lier bout JosO+

H; thi"$ you should ll hi!+I

HWho, JosOI te soffs+

Ho, @rey+I

H%", youre the o"e #ith the reltio"ship+I

H(eltio"shipI ; sDue$ t her, !y /oie risi"g se/erl ot/es+ H; brely $"o# theguy+IH%t lest you/e !et hi!,I she sys bitterly+ H%"d it loo$s li$e he #"ts to $"o#you better+ %", Bust ll hi!,I she s"ps "d h"gs up+ She is so bossy so!eti!es+ ;

fro#" t !y ell, sti$i"g !y to"gue out t it+

;! Bust le/i"g !essge for JosO #he" ul e"ters the sto$ roo! loo$i"g for s"d

Ho %"stsi+ Shes "ot the reso"+ 3esides, 'rs+ (obi"so" #ould"t t$e "y oftht shit fro! !e+I

hM but ; h/e to+ ; pout+

HSo "othi"g to do #ith her+I

Ho+ %"d ; do"t #"t you touhi"g yourself, either+I

Wht %h yes, the "o !sturbtio" luse+

Hut of uriosityM #hyI

H3euse ; #"t ll your plesure,I his /oie is hus$y, but deter!i"ed+

hM ; h/e "o "s#er for tht+ " o"e le/el its up there #ith, N; #"t to bite thtlip, o" "other, its so selfish+ ; fro#" "d t$e bite of od, tryi"g to ssess !e"tlly#ht o"essio"s ;/e gi"ed+ The food, the sleep, ; " loo$ hi! i" the eye+ 6esgoi"g to t$e it slo#, "d #e h/e"t disussed soft li!its+ 3ut ;! "ot sure ; " fetht o/er food+

H;/e gi/e" you gret del to thi"$ bout h/e"t ;I

HKes+I

H?o you #"t to go through the soft li!its "o# tooI

Hot o/er di""er+I

6e s!iles+

HSDue!ishI

HSo!ethi"g li$e tht+I

HKou/e "ot ete" /ery !uh+I


197/461

H;/e hd e"ough+I

HThree oysters, four bites of od, "d o"e sprgus stl$, "o pottoes, "o "uts, "ooli/es, "d you/e "ot ete" ll dy+ Kou sid ; ould trust you+I

JeeG+ 6es $ept " i"/e"tory+

HChristi", plese, its "ot e/ery dy ; sit through o"/erstio"s li$e this+I

H; "eed you fit "d helthy %"stsi+I

H; $"o#+I

H%"d right "o#, ; #"t to peel you out of tht dress+I

; s#llo#+ eel !e out of tes dress+ ; feel the pull deep i" !y belly+ 'usles tht

;! "o# !ore Dui"ted #ith le"h t his #ords+ 3ut ; "t h/e this+ 6is !ostpote"t #epo", used gi"st !e gi"+ 6es so good t se4 e/e" ;/e figured thisout+

H; do"t thi"$ thts good ide,I ; !ur!ur Duietly+ HWe h/e"t hd dessert+I

HKou #"t dessertI he s"orts+

HKes+I

HKou ould be dessert,I he !ur!urs suggesti/ely+

H;! "ot sure ;! s#eet e"ough+I

H%"stsi, youre deliiously s#eet+ ; $"o#+I

HChristi"+ Kou use se4 s #epo"+ ;t relly is"t fir,I ; #hisper, stri"g do#" t!y h"ds, "d the" loo$i"g diretly t hi!+ 6e rises his eyebro#s, surprised, "d ;see hes o"sideri"g !y #ords+ 6e stro$es his hi" thoughtfully+

HKoure right+ ; do+ ;" life you use #ht you $"o#, %"stsi+ ?oes"t h"ge ho#

!uh ; #"t you+ 6ere+ o#+I

6o# " he sedue !e solely #ith his /oie ;! p"ti"g lredy !y heted bloodrushi"g through !y /ei"s, !y "er/es ti"gli"g+

H;d li$e to try so!ethi"g,I he brethes+

; fro#"+ 6es Bust gi/e" !e shit lod of ides to proess "d "o# this+

H;f you #ere !y sub, you #ould"t h/e to thi"$ bout this+ ;t #ould be esy+I 6is/oie is soft, seduti/e+ H%ll those deisio"s ll the #eryi"g thought proesses


198/461

behi"d the!+ The is this the right thi"g to do Should this hppe" here C" ithppe" "o#

Kou #ould"t h/e to #orry bout "y of tht detil+ Thts #ht ;d do s your ?o!+%"d right "o#, ; $"o# you #"t !e, %"stsi+I

'y fro#" deepe"s+ 6o# " he tell

H; " tell beuseM I

6oly shit hes "s#eri"g !y u"spo$e" Duestio"+ ;s he psyhi s #ell

HM Kour body gi/es you #y+ Koure pressi"g your thighs together, youre flushed,"d your brethi"g hs h"ged+I

, this is too !uh+

H6o# do you $"o# bout !y thighsI 'y /oie is lo#, disbelie/i"g+ Theyre u"derthe tble for he/e"s s$e+

H; felt the tbleloth !o/e, "d its lulted guess bsed o" yers of e4perie"e+

;! right re"t ;I

; flush "d stre do#" t !y h"ds+ Thts #ht ;! hi"dered by i" this g!e ofsedutio"+ 6es the o"ly o"e #ho $"o#s "d u"derst"ds the rules+ ;! Bust too "X/e"d i"e4perie"ed+ 'y o"ly sphere of refere"e is te, "d she does"t t$e "y shitfro! !e"+ 'y other refere"es re ll fitio"l= EliGbeth 3e""ett #ould be outrged,J"e Eyre too frighte"ed, "d Tess #ould suu!b, Bust s ; h/e+

H; h/e"t fi"ished !y od+I

HKoud prefer old od to !eI

'y hed Ber$s up to glre t hi!, "d his gry eyes bur" !olte" sil/er, #itho!pelli"g "eed+

H; thought you li$ed !e leri"g !y plte+I

H(ight "o#, 'iss Steele, ; ould"t gi/e fu$ bout your food+I

HChristi"+ Kou Bust do"t fight fir+I

H; $"o#+ ; "e/er h/e+I

'y i""er goddess fro#"s t !e+ Kou " do this, she o4es ply this se4 god t hiso#" g!e+ C" ; $y+ Wht to do 'y i"e4perie"e is " lbtross rou"d !y"e$+


199/461

i$i"g up sper of sprgus, ; gGe t hi! "d bite !y lip+ The" /ery slo#ly putthe tip of !y old sprgus i" !y !outh "d su$ it+

Christi"s eyes #ide" i"fi"itesi!lly, but ; "otie+

H%"stsi+ Wht re you doi"gI

; bite off the tip+

HEti"g !y sprgus+I

Christi" shifts i" his set+

H; thi"$ youre toyi"g #ith !e, 'iss Steele+I

; feig" i""oe"e+

H;! Bust fi"ishi"g !y food, 'r+ @rey+I

The #iter hooses this !o!e"t to $"o$ "d, u"bidde", e"ter+ 6e gl"es briefly tChristi", #ho fro#"s t hi! but the" "ods, so the #iter lers our pltes+ The#iters rri/l hs bro$e" the spell+ %"d ; grsp this preious !o!e"t of lrity+ ;h/e to go+ ur !eeti"g #ill o"ly e"d o"e #y if ; sty, "d ; "eed so!e bou"driesfter suh " i"te"se o"/erstio"+ %s !uh s !y body r/es his touh, !y !i"d isrebelli"g+ ; "eed so!e dist"e to thi"$ bout ll hes sid+ ; still h/e"t !de deisio", "d his se4ul llure "d pro#ess does"t !$e it "y esier+

HWould you li$e so!e dessertI Christi" s$s, e/er the ge"tle!", but his eyes stillblGe+

Ho, th"$ you+ ; thi"$ ; should go+I ; stre do#" t !y h"ds+

H@oI 6e "t hide his surprise+

The #iter le/es hstily+

HKes+I ;ts the right deisio"+ ;f ; sty here, i" this roo! #ith hi!, he #ill fu$ !e+ ;

st"d, purposefully+ HWe both h/e the grdutio" ere!o"y to!orro#+I

Christi" st"ds uto!tilly, re/eli"g yers of i"gri"ed i/ility+

H; do"t #"t you to go+I

HleseM ; h/e to+I

HWhyI

H3euse you/e gi/e" !e so !uh to o"siderM "d ; "eed so!e dist"e+I

H; ould !$e you sty,I he threte"s+


200/461

HKes, you ould esily, but ; do"t #"t you to+I

6e ru"s his h"d through his hir, regrdi"g !e refully+

HKou $"o#, #he" you fell i"to !y offie to i"ter/ie# !e, you #ere ll yes sir, "o sir+

; thought you #ere "turl bor" sub!issi/e+ 3ut Duite fr"$ly, %"stsi, ;! "otsure you h/e sub!issi/e bo"e i" your deletble body+I 6e !o/es slo#ly to#rd!e s his spe$s, his /oie te"se+

HKou !y be right,I ; brethe+

H; #"t the h"e to e4plore the possibility tht you do,I he !ur!urs, stri"g do#"t !e+ 6e rehes up "d resses !y fe, his thu!b tri"g !y lo#er lip+ H; do"t$"o# "y other #y, %"stsi+ This is #ho ; !+I

H; $"o#+I

6e le"s do#" to $iss !e, but puses before his lips touh !i"e, his eyes serhi"g!i"e, #"ti"g, s$i"g per!issio"+ ; rise !y lips to his, "d he $isses !e "d beuse; do"t $"o# if ;ll e/er $iss hi! gi", ; let go !y h"ds !o/i"g of their o#"ord "d t#isti"g i"to his hir, pulli"g hi! to !e, !y !outh ope"i"g, !y to"guestro$i"g his+ 6is h"d grsps the "pe of !y "e$ s he deepe"s the $iss, respo"di"gto !y rdor+ 6is other h"d slides do#" !y b$ "d fltte"s t the bse of !y spi"es he pushes !e gi"st his body+H; "t persude you to styI he brethes bet#ee"$isses+

Ho+I

HSpe"d the "ight #ith !e+I

H%"d "ot touh you o+I

6e gro"s+

HKou i!possible girl+I 6e pulls b$, gGi"g do#" t !e+ HWhy do ; thi"$ youre

telli"g !e goodbyeI

H3euse ;! le/i"g "o#+I

HThts "ot #ht ; !e", "d you $"o# it+I

HChristi", ; h/e to thi"$ bout this+ ; do"t $"o# if ; " h/e the $i"d ofreltio"ship you #"t+I


201/461

6e loses his eyes "d presses his forehed gi"st !i"e, gi/i"g us both theopportu"ity to slo# our brethi"g+ %fter !o!e"t, he $isses !y forehed, i"hlesdeeply, his "ose i" !y hir, "d the" he releses !e, steppi"g b$+

H%s you #ish, 'iss Steele,I he sys, his fe i!pssi/e+ H;ll esort you to the lobby+I

6e holds out his h"d+ Le"i"g do#", ; grb !y purse "d ple !y h"d i" his+ 6olyrp, this ould be it+ ; follo# hi! !ee$ly do#" the gr"d stirs "d i"to the lobby,!y slp pri$li"g, !y blood pu!pi"g+ This ould be the lst goodbye if ; deide tosy "o+

'y hert o"trts pi"fully i" !y hest+ Wht tur"rou"d+ Wht differe"e !o!e"t of lrity " !$e to girl+

H?o you h/e your /let ti$etI

; fish i"to !y luth purse "d h"d hi! the ti$et, #hih he gi/es to the door!"+ ;pee$ up t hi! s #e st"d #iti"g+

HTh"$ you for di""er,I ; !ur!ur+

H;ts plesure s l#ys, 'iss Steele,I he sys politely, though he loo$s deep i"thought, o!pletely distrted+

%s ; peer up t hi!, ; o!!it his beutiful profile to !e!ory+ The ide tht ; !ight"ot see hi! gi" hu"ts !e, u"#elo!e "d too pi"ful to o"te!plte+ 6e tur"ssudde"ly, stri"g do#" t !e, his e4pressio" i"te"se+

HKoure !o/i"g this #ee$e"d to Settle+ ;f you !$e the right deisio", " ; see youo" Su"dyI 6e sou"ds hesit"t+

HWell see+ 'ybe,I ; brethe+ 'o!e"trily, he loo$s relie/ed, "d the" he fro#"s+

H;ts ooler "o#, do"t you h/e B$etI

Ho+I

6e sh$es his hed i" irrittio" "d t$es off his B$et+

H6ere+ ; do"t #"t you thi"g old+I

; bli"$ up t hi! s he holds it ope", "d s ; hold !y r!s out behi"d !e, ;!re!i"ded of the ti!e i" his offie #he" he slipped !y ot o"to !y shoulders thefirst ti!e ; !et hi! "d the effet he hd o" !e the"+ othi"gs h"ged, i" ft,its !ore i"te"se+

6is B$et is #r!, fr too big, "d it s!ells of hi!+ h !yM deliious+

'y r pulls up outside+ Christi"s !outh drops ope"+


202/461

HThts #ht you dri/eI 6es pplled+ T$i"g !y h"d, he leds !e outside+ The/let Bu!ps out "d h"ds !e !y $eys, "d Christi" oolly pl!s hi! so!e !o"ey+

H;s this rod#orthyI 6es glri"g t !e "o#+

HKes+I

HWill it !$e it to SettleI

HKes+ She #ill+I

HSfelyI

HKes,I ; s"p, e4sperted+ H$y shes old+ 3ut shes !i"e, "d shes rod#orthy+

'y stepdd bought it for !e+I

Hh, %"stsi, ; thi"$ #e " do better th" this+I

HWht do you !e"I (eliGtio" d#"s+ HKou re "ot buyi"g !e r+I

6e glo#ers t !e, his B# te"se+

HWell see,I he sys tightly+

6e gri!es s he ope"s the dri/ers door "d helps !e i"+ ; t$e !y shoes off "droll do#" the #i"do#+ 6es gGi"g t !e, his e4pressio" u"ftho!ble, eyes dr$+

H?ri/e sfely,I he sys Duietly+

H@oodbye, Christi"+I 'y /oie is horse fro! u"bidde", u"shed ters BeeG ;! "otgoi"g to ry+ ; gi/e hi! s!ll s!ile+

%s ; dri/e #y, !y hest o"strits, !y ters strt to fll, "d ; ho$e b$ sob+

Soo" ters re stre!i"g do#" !y fe, "d ; relly do"t u"derst"d #hy ;! ryi"g+; #s holdi"g !y o#"+ 6e e4pli"ed e/erythi"g+ 6e #s ler+ 6e #"ts !e, but thetruth is, ; "eed !ore+ ; "eed hi! to #"t !e li$e ; #"t "d "eed hi!, "d deep do#"; $"o# thts "ot possible+ ; ! Bust o/er#hel!ed+

; do"t e/e" $"o# ho# to tegoriGe hi!+ ;f ; do this thi"gM #ill he be !yboyfrie"d

Will ; be ble to i"trodue hi! to !y frie"ds @o out to brs, the i"e!, bo#li"g

e/e", #ith hi! The truth is, ; do"t thi"$ ; #ill+ 6e #o"t let !e touh hi! "d he


203/461

#o"t let !e sleep #ith hi!+ ; $"o# ;/e "ot hd these thi"gs i" !y pst, but ; #"tthe! i" !y future+

%"d thts "ot the future he e"/isges+

Wht if ; do sy yes, "d i" three !o"ths ti!e he sys "o, hes hd e"ough of tryi"gto !old !e i"to so!ethi"g ;! "ot+ 6o# #ill ; feel ;ll h/e e!otio"lly i"/estedthree !o"ths, doi"g thi"gs tht ;! "ot sure ; #"t to do+ %"d if he the" sys "o,gree!e"t o/er, ho# ould ; ope #ith tht le/el of reBetio" erhps its best to

b$ #y "o# #ith #ht self


204/461

N;! "ot herts "d flo#ers $i"d of guy+

N; do"t !$e lo/e+NThis is ll ; $"o#+

%"d s ; #eep i"to !y pillo# sile"tly, its this lst ide ; li"g to+ This is ll ; $"o#,

too+

erhps together #e " hrt "e# ourse+

Christi" is st"di"g o/er !e grspi"g plited, lether ridi"g


205/461

She fro#"s+

H?id you sleepI

Hot /ery #ell+I

; hed for the $ettle+ ; "eed te+

H6o# #s di""erI

So it begi"s+

HWe hd oysters+ Follo#ed by od, so ;d sy it #s fishy+I

H8ghM ; hte oysters, "d ; do"t #"t to $"o# bout the food+ 6o# #s Christi"

Wht did you tl$ boutI

H6e #s tte"ti/e,I ; puse+

Wht " ; sy 6is 6; sttus is ler, hes he/ily i"to role


206/461

deep do#", its the "es "d #hips tht put !e off+ ;! physil o#rd, "d ;#ill go lo"g #y to /oid pi"+ ; thi"$ of !y dre!M is tht #ht it #ould be li$e'y i""er goddess Bu!ps up "d do#" #ith heerledi"g po!


207/461

H%#M th"$s (y+I h ; lo/e this !"+

The sports uditoriu! is ro#ded+ (y hs go"e to sit #ith the other pre"ts "d #ell

First Published by the Writer

Documents

Transcript of First Published by the Writer