appeared and new ones
ha一ve taken their place. Elliot leads us through, explaining what’s happening,
while men—and a few women—work everywhere around us. I’m relieved to
see the stone staircase with its intricate iron balustrade is still in place and
draped completely in white dustsheets. In the main living area, the back wall
has been removed to make way for Gia’s glass wall, and work is beginning
on the terrace. In spite of the mess, the view is still stunning. The new work is
sympathetic and in keeping with the old-world charm of the house . . . Gia’s
done well. Elliot patiently explains the processes and gives us a rough
timeframe for each. He’s hoping we can be in by Christmas, although
Christian thinks this is optimistic.
Holy cow—Christmas overlooking the Sound. I can’t wait. A bubble of
excitement blooms inside me. I ha一ve visions of us trimming an enormous
tree while a copper-haired little boy looks on in wonder. Elliot finishes our
tour in the kitchen.
“I’ll lea一ve you two to roam. Be careful. This is a building site.”
“Sure. Thanks, Elliot,” Christian murmurs, taking my hand.
“Happy?” he asks once Elliot has left us alone. I am gazing at this empty shell
of a room and wondering where I will hang the pepper pictures that we
bought in France.
“Very. I love it. You?”
“Ditto.” He grins.
“Good. I was thinking of the pepper pictures in here.”
Christian nods. “I want to put up José’s portraits of you in this house. You
need to decide where they should go.”
I flush. “Somewhere I won’t see them often.”
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Fifty Shades Freed
“Don’t be like that,” he scolds, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip.
“They’re my fa一vorite pictures. I love the one in my office.”
“I ha一ve no idea why,” I murmur and kiss the pad of his thumb.
“Worse things to do than look at your beautiful smiling face all day. Hungry?”
he asks.
“Hungry for what?” I whisper.
He smirks, his eyes darkening. Hope and desire unfurl in my veins.
“Food, Mrs. Grey,” he murmurs, and he plants a swift
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