Freed Read online

  “Oh,” she says, and her teeth drill into her lower lip to suppress her smile, her cheeks flushing that shade of pink I love so much. “Okay. Yes. Takeout,” she blurts, and I have to laugh.

  “This is the best damn pizza,” Ana says with her mouth full. I’m glad I doubled down on paper napkins.

  “More?” I ask. And she holds the slice up for me to bite. As I open my mouth, she moves it away and takes another bite.

  “Hey!”

  She giggles. “My pizza!”

  I pout. Because I’m driving and there’s nothing else I can do.

  “Here,” she says, and this time lets me take a bite.

  “You know I’ll get you back.”

  “Uh-huh?” she taunts. “Bring it, Grey.”

  “Oh, I will. I will…” And I start to contemplate various scenarios, which have an immediate impact on my body. I shift in my seat. “More pizza, please.”

  Ana continues to feed me. And tease me. Much to her and my delight.

  We should do this more often.

  “All done,” Ana says, and pops the pizza box in her footwell.

  I feel sated. I’m with my girl, in my favorite car, Radiohead on play, and we’re speeding through the majestic landscape beside the Columbia River toward the Vantage bridge. I’m overwhelmed by a sense of belonging.

  Before Ana, how did I spend my weekends?

  Soaring, Sailing, Fucking…

  I laugh. It doesn’t sound like much has changed, but that’s simply not true—everything has changed, and all because of the young woman sitting next to me. I didn’t know I was lonely until I met her. I didn’t know I needed her, and here she is beside me. I glance at Ana, who’s sucking the tip of her index finger. The sight is stirring, and I recall her earlier remark about harnesses.

  “You love doing that, don’t you?”

  “More than you could ever know.”

  “I think I have a clue. Maybe we should do it later.”

  “Maybe we should…”

  The thought drives me wild. Putting my foot down, I push the R8 to ninety. I want to get us home.

  My anticipation is at DEFCON 1 when we finally arrive at the garage at Escala. “Home again,” Ana breathes when I switch off the ignition. Her voice is husky and quiet, drawing my attention. Her eyes meet mine and we stare at each other as the atmosphere within the R8 slowly simmers.

  It’s here. Between us. Our desire.

  It’s almost a separate entity, it’s so powerful.

  Drawing us together.

  Consuming me…us.

  “Thank you,” she says.

  “You’re most welcome.”

  She’s looking at me through her lashes, her eyes smoky and full of sensual promise. Compelled, I can’t look away. I’m under her powerful spell. Beside us, Sawyer and Reynolds pull up, park, and disembark the Q7, locking it up behind them. They head to the service elevator, and I can’t tell if they’re waiting for us or not. I don’t know. I don’t care. Ana and I ignore them, our focus only on each other. The silence in the car is heady, ringing with unspoken thoughts.

  “The new glider, that was mind-blowing.”

  “I like blowing your mind.”

  A slow, seductive smile tugs at her lips. “I like that, too.”

  “I have a plan.”

  “You do?”

  I nod, holding my breath as myriad images of Ana harnessed in the playroom run through my head.

  “Red Room?” she asks tentatively.

  I nod.

  Her pupils grow wide and dark, and her breasts rise as she inhales. “Bring it.”

  And I am out of the car.

  She’s out when I reach the passenger side. “Come.” I take her hand and trek briskly to the elevator. Fortunately, it’s waiting for us and we dart in. I squeeze her hand as we both stand against the back wall. She sidles closer to me and her intention is clear as she raises her face to mine.

  “No. Wait.” I release her hand and step to the side as the elevator climbs.

  “Christian,” she whispers, her look scorching.

  I shake my head.

  I’m gonna make you wait, baby.

  She presses her lips together, her displeasure obvious, but there’s a flash of steel in her eyes. My girl does not back down from a challenge.

  The game is on.

  The doors of the elevator open and I step back, giving Ana a courtly wave. “Ladies first.”

  She smirks, and with head held high, sashays out of the elevator into the foyer, where she stops.

  Sawyer is waiting for us.

  Well, this is inconvenient.

  “Mr. Grey, is there anything else you require?” He’s aware that Taylor has gone to visit his daughter, and I think he’s trying to fill Taylor’s shoes. He looks expectantly from me to Ana, whose attention is suddenly concentrated on the floor as she tries not to laugh.

  Hiding my amusement, I respond. “I’m good, thank you,” then, out of devilment, add, “Ana?”

  “All good.” She shoots me a what-the-fuck look and it takes all my self-control not to burst out laughing in front of Sawyer. She scuttles out of the foyer.

  “You and Reynolds can stand down. We’re not going out this evening. Anastasia is going out tomorrow. I’ll text you in the morning to let you know when.” Ana has a fitting for her wedding dress in the morning.

  “Very good, sir.” He turns and I follow him out into the corridor. A quick glance in the living room reveals Ana is not there. Sawyer heads into Taylor’s office while I go in search of Miss Steele. I find her in the bedroom, where she’s unlacing her boots.

  She looks up. “Mr. Grey, you are truly evil.”

  “I try my best. Playroom. Ten minutes.” I turn on my heel and leave her, mouth open, in my…our bedroom.

  The playroom is softly illuminated, the light glowing off the red walls. It feels, once more, like my haven. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in here. Why is that? Where does the time go? I chuckle—I sound like my dad. I strip off my jacket, and remove my shoes and socks, enjoying the warmth of the wooden floor on the soles of my feet. From the bottom of the toy chest, I remove a leather suspension harness; it’s going to be fun strapping Ana into this. I can barely contain myself. She won’t be fully suspended, so I think she’ll be within her limits. I lay it out on the bed, then retrieve a few other items. Putting a couple of them in the back pocket of my jeans, I leave the rest on the chest, then head next door to the en suite in the submissive’s room.

  I pause when I come out of the bathroom. The room is unchanged since Susannah left. Ana never really occupied this space; it has an empty, abandoned feel. The decor is still neutral. White. Cold. Susannah never wanted to decorate.

  Grey, stop.

  I don’t want to go down that rabbit hole right now. Not when my girl should be waiting for me.

  When I enter the room, Ana is barefoot by the bed, examining the harness. The sight of her halts me in my tracks. She’s changed into some lacy lingerie. She’s all long legs, arms, and black lace, and fine see-through panties.

  Just for me.

  I can see everything.

  Everything.

  Shrouded in lace.

  My mouth dries as she steps toward me, her hair free, falling and curling under her breasts. “Mr. Grey. You’re overdressed.”

  I could play this one of two ways. We are still finding ourselves in here. Today, the Dominant wins. “You want to play?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes what?”

  Ana’s lips part in surprise. “Sir.”

  “In that case, turn around.”

  She blinks, astonished at my tone, I think, and a furrow forms on her brow.

  “Don’t frown.”

  “Suspension?”

  “
Not fully, no. Your toes will be on the floor. It’ll be intense.”

  Come on, Ana. Don’t lose your nerve.

  “We don’t have to do this,” I whisper.

  Her mouth twists into that challenging smirk I know so well, and I think she’s considering her options. I cock my head to the side as her eyes stray to the harness on the bed. They linger on it—she’s intrigued, I can tell. I tip her chin up and brush my lips against hers. “Do you want to wear this harness or not?”

  “What will you do to me?” Her words are breathy and barely audible. She’s turned on. Just at the sight of it.

  “Whatever I want.”

  She gasps and turns around immediately.

  Yes!

  From the top of the chest of drawers, I grab a hair tie and gather her hair in my hands and begin braiding it.

  It would never do to get her luscious locks caught in any of the straps.

  I make quick work of her braid and, once it’s fastened, give it a tug. She steps back into my arms. “You look mighty fine, Miss Steele,” I murmur into her ear. “Love the lingerie. Remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Just tell me to stop. Now, go and assume the position by the door.” She gives me a most unsubmissive look, which in another lifetime would have earned her a good spanking, but she moves to the door and kneels, resting her palms on her thighs and parting her legs.

  That’s my girl.

  She looks gorgeous. I could come just looking at her.

  Steady, Grey. Get a grip.

  Ignoring my arousal, I go back to the chest, pull out my iPod, and place it in the dock. I switch on the Bose system, choose a track, and press repeat.

  “Sinnerman.” Nina Simone. Perfect.

  Ana is watching me.

  “Eyes down,” I warn, and she dutifully casts them to the floor.

  I close my eyes. Every time she does as she’s told it’s music to my soul. I can’t get her to obey outside this room, but I’m going to take full advantage in here. I amble back to her and stand directly in front of her. “Legs. Wider.”

  She shuffles and moves her thighs. I groan in approval, strip off my T-shirt, and toss it on the floor. Slowly I unbuckle my belt and pull it through the belt loops. Ana’s fingers flex on her thighs.

  Is she wondering what I’m going to do with the belt?

  Those days are over, Ana.

  But, for maximum effect, I drop it and it clatters to the floor. She flinches at the sound.

  Shit.

  Reaching down, I caress her hair. “Hey, don’t sweat it, Ana.”

  She gazes up at me, every bit a Dom’s wet dream, and I know my cock is bursting in anticipation. Taking my sweet time, I unbutton my fly and tug down the zipper while I tighten my hold on her hair. My intention is clear and she regards me with a look that could set me alight from head to foot, and I think that’s a good thing, because she opens her mouth, ready for me.

  “No, not yet,” I whisper, and, still clutching her hair, I ease my hardened cock from my jeans and run my hand up and down the length. Her eyes do not leave mine. With my thumb, I rub the bead of dew that’s emerged, into the head, and run my hand along its length once again. I want nothing more than to take her mouth. But I want to make this moment last. “Kiss me,” I murmur.

  Ana’s breasts are rising and falling faster. Her nipples pebbling under my gaze. She’s excited. She puckers her lips and presses them against my dick.

  “Open up for me.”

  She parts her lips and I ease myself into her warm, wet, willing mouth.

  Fuck.

  I ease back, then push my way in once more. This time she’s sheathed her teeth, so the effect is immediate as she sucks me in.

  Oh, yes.

  Groaning my approval, I grip her hair and move. Back. Forth. Fucking her mouth, and like the goddess she is…she takes me.

  All of me.

  Over and over. More and more. Deeper and deeper.

  On and on. I lose myself in her wondrous mouth.

  Fuck. I’m going to come. But I don’t care. I release her head and put my hand on the wall to keep me upright and I let go.

  I cry out as my orgasm rolls through me in a rush and consumes me while Ana moves, gripping my thighs, taking all I have to give.

  “I need you.” Nina rasps over the sound system, as I pull out of Ana’s mouth and lean against the wall to recover my equilibrium.

  Ana peers up at me with a look of triumph. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and then licks her lips as I adjust myself and zip up my fly.

  “A,” I whisper, and she smiles. I give her my hand. “Up.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her; pushing her against the wall and spilling all my gratitude into our kiss. She tastes of me and sweet Ana; it’s a provocative, potent mix.

  When I pull back she’s winded, and her lips are a little swollen.

  “That’s better.”

  “Hmm…” she responds, the sound a deep, sexy noise in her throat.

  I grin. “Now we’re going to have some real fun.” I lead her to the bed, where the harness is laid out. Now that I’ve come, I’m calmer, and so ready for part two. I look down at Ana, who is gazing at me expectantly. “As much as I love what you’re wearing, we need to get you naked.”

  She hooks her finger into the waistband of my jeans. “And what about you?”

  “All in good time, Miss Steele.”

  She pushes her lower lip out in a moue and I gently take it between my teeth. “No pouting,” I whisper, and start unhooking the basque she’s wearing, freeing her beautiful breasts. Slowly, I peel her out of it. Once it’s off, I place it beside the harness.

  “And now these.” Kneeling, I slide her panties gently down her legs, ensuring that my fingertips skate across her skin. When I reach her ankles I stop, and give her time to step out of them. I place them on top of her basque. “Hello there,” I address her vulva, and plant a kiss just above her clitoris.

  She smirks, and I remember a time that a kiss on this part of her anatomy would make her fidget and blush.

  Oh, Ana. We’ve come a long way.

  Standing, I grab the harness. “This is like the parachute earlier today.”

  “Where you got the idea?”

  “Yes. Well, you gave me the idea. So, step in, here.” I hold the thigh straps open and Ana grabs on to my biceps and steps into one side and then the other. Once in, I hook the shoulder bindings over her shoulders and proceed to buckle all the straps. This includes the one across her chest, at her back, at her waist, and each of those around her upper arms.

  I step back to admire my handiwork and my future wife.

  Man, she looks hot.

  Oh, Sinnerman, Nina sings.

  “Feel okay?” I ask

  She nods quickly, her eyes dark and full of carnal curiosity.

  Oh, Ana. It gets better.

  From the top of the drawers I grab the leather cuffs. I fasten them to each of her wrists and then hook their carabiners to the brass loops embedded in each of the upper arm cuffs. Ana’s hands are now tethered, level with her shoulders, and effectively immobile.

  “Okay?” I ask.

  “Yes,” she breathes.

  Gently, I tug at one of the hooks embedded in the chest strap and lead Ana to the edge of the restraining system in the ceiling of the playroom. From above, I unhook the trapeze and tug it into position above Ana. From each end of the trapeze there are two short cords with carabiners at the end. I clip these to the hooks in her shoulder straps. She watches me intently as I complete the task.

  She’s now hooked in place. Her feet flat on the floor. For now.

  “So, the exciting feature of this device is that I can do this.” I step to the side and from the large brass cleat that’s attached to the wall, I unwind the cords that are secured
to the trapeze via the restraining system. With both hands I tug, and Ana’s suddenly hoisted onto the balls of her feet. Ana gasps and totters from side to side and front and back, attempting to find her balance. I rewrap the cords around the cleat, leaving Ana dancing on the tips of her toes.

  She’s helpless. And completely at my mercy.

  It’s a thrilling thought and sight.

  “What are you going to do?” she asks.

  “Like I said, exactly what I want. I’m a man of my word.”

  “You won’t leave me like this?” She looks panicked.

  I grasp her chin. “No. Never. Rule number one: never leave someone who’s restrained alone. Ever.” I kiss her quickly. “You okay?”

  She’s breathing hard, excited, and I think she’s daunted, but she nods. I kiss her again, this time with infinite tenderness, my lips brushing hers. “Right. You’ve seen enough.” From my back pocket, I retrieve a blindfold and slip it over her head and cover her eyes.

  “You look so fucking hot, Ana.” Taking a few steps back to the drawers, I pull out the item I require and slip it into my back pocket. I circle Ana, admiring my handiwork, until I’m facing her once more. I run my thumb over her lips, then down her chin, down her sternum.

  Power, Nina bellows out through the playroom.

  “Are you going to obey me in here?” I whisper.

  “Do you want me to?” she asks, her voice all breathy and needy.

  I skim my hands over her breasts and her nipples lengthen beneath my thumbs. I tug them both. Hard.

  “Ah!” she cries. “Yes. Yes,” she says quickly.

  “Good girl.” I continue kneading her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers. She moans, tossing her head back, and teeters on her toes.

  “Oh, baby, feel it. Do you want to come this way?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.”

  “I think not. I have another plan for you.”

  Her groan fills the room. I place my hands on her waist and dip my head and suck a nipple into my mouth, taunting it with my tongue and my lips. Ana cries out, and I move to its twin and lavish the same attention on it, until Ana is pulling against her restraints.

  When I don’t think she can take much more, I kneel at her feet and trail kisses across her belly, my tongue circling her navel and then continuing a journey south. Grabbing her thighs, I hoist her legs over my shoulders and slide her vulva toward my mouth. She tips back in the harness and lets out a guttural cry as my lips and tongue find her clitoris, swollen and ready for my attention. I go to town, dedicating myself to the small powerhouse at the apex of her thighs.