w hums quietly down
into the doorframe. He punches a number into the keypad
and the gates swing open in welcome.
He glances at me, and his expression has changed. He
looks uncertain, nervous even.
“What is it?” I ask, and I can’t mask the concern in my
voice.
“An idea,” he says quietly and eases the Saab through
the gates.
We head up a tree-lined lane just wide enough for two
We head up a tree-lined lane just wide enough for two
cars. On one side, the trees ring a densely wooded area,
and on the other there’s a vast area of grassland where a
once-cultivated field has been left fallow. Grasses and
wildflowers ha一ve reclaimed it, creating a rural idyll—a
meadow, where the late evening breeze softly ripples
through the grass and the evening sun gilds the wildflowers.
It’s lovely—utterly tranquil, and suddenly I imagine myself
lying in the grass and gazing up at a clear blue summer sky.
The thought is tantalizing yet makes me feel homesick for
some strange reason. How odd.
The lane curves around and opens into a sweeping
driveway in front of an impressive Mediterranean-style
house of soft pink sandstone. It’s palatial. All the lights are
on, each window brightly illuminated in the dusk. There’s a
smart, black BMW parked in front of the four-car garage,
but Christian pulls up outside the grand portico.
Hmm . . . I wonder who lives here? Why are we
visiting?
Christian glances anxiously at me as he switches off the
car engine.
“Will you keep an open mind?” he asks.
I frown.
“Christian, I’ve needed an open mind since the day I
met you.”
He smiles ironically and nods. “Fair point well made,
Miss Steele. Let’s go.”
The dark wood doors open, and a woman with dark
brown hair, a sincere smile, and a sharp lilac suit stands
waiting. I’m grateful I changed into my new na一vy shift
waiting. I’m grateful I changed into my new na一vy shift
dress to impress Dr. Flynn. Okay, I’m not wearing killer
heels like her—but still, I’m not in jeans.
“Mr. Grey.” She smiles warmly and they shake ha
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