Fifty Shades of Grey (book 1+ 2)

"I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Grey." She shakes his hand firmly without batting an eyelid.

I remind myself that Kate has been to the best private schools in Washington. Her family has money, and she's grown up confident and sure of her place in the world. She doesn't take any crap. I am in awe of her.

"Thank you for taking the time to do this." She gives him a polite, professional smile.

"It's a pleasure," he answers, turning his gray gaze on me, and I flush, again. Damn it.

"This is Jose Rodriguez, our photographer," I say, grinning at Jose who smiles with affection back at me. His eyes cool when he looks from me to Grey.

"Mr. Grey," he nods.

"Mr. Rodriguez," Grey's expression changes too as he appraises Jose.

"Where would you like me?" Grey asks him. His tone sounds vaguely threatening. But Katherine is not about to let Jose run the show.

"Mr. Grey - if you could sit here, pleaseBe careful of the lighting cables. And then we'll do a few standing, too." She directs him to a chair set up against the wall.

Travis switches on the lights, momentarily blinding Grey, and mutters an apology.

Then Travis and I stand back and watch as Jose proceeds to snap away. He takes several photographs hand-held, asking Grey to turn this way, then that, to move his arm, then put it down again. Moving to the tripod, Jose takes several more, while Grey sits and poses, patiently and naturally, for about twenty minutes. My wish has come true: I can stand and admire Grey from not-so-afar. Twice our eyes lock, and I have to tear myself away from his cloudy gaze.

"Enough sitting." Katherine wades in again. "Standing, Mr. Grey?" she asks.

He stands, and Travis scurries in to remove the chair. The shutter on Jose's Nikon starts clicking again.

"I think we have enough," Jose announces five minutes later.

"Great," says Kate. "Thank you again, Mr. Grey." She shakes his hand, as does Jose.

"I look forward to reading the article, Miss Kavanagh," murmurs Grey, and

"Sure," I say, completely thrown. I glance anxiously at Kate, who shrugs at me. I

"Good day to you all," says Grey as he opens the door, standing aside to allow me out first.

Holy hell... what's this aboutWhat does he want I pause in the hotel corridor, fidgeting nervously as Grey emerges from the room followed by Mr.

"I'll call you, Taylor," he murmurs to Buzz-Cut. Taylor wanders back down the corridor, and Grey turns his burning

"I wondered if you would join

want a coffee. Maybe he thinks you haven't woken up yet, my subconscious whines at me in a sneering mood again. I clear my throat trying to control

"I have to drive everyone home," I murmur apologetically, twisting my hands and fingers in

"TAYLOR," he calls, making me jump. Taylor, who had been retreating down the corridor, turns and heads back toward us.

"Are they based at the university?" Grey asks,

"Taylor can take them. He's my driver. We have a large 4x4 here, so he'll be able to take the equipment too."

"Mr. Grey?" Taylor asks when he reaches us, giving nothing away.

"Please, can you drive the photographer, his assistant, and Miss Kavanagh back home?"

"Certainly, sir," Taylor replies.

can you join me for coffee?" Grey smiles as if it's a done

I frown at him.

"Um - Mr. Grey, err - this really... look, Taylor doesn't have to drive them home." I flash a brief look at Taylor, who remains stoically impassive. "I'll swap vehicles with Kate, if you give me a moment."

and he opens the door of

says with no preamble whatsoever. Jose glares at me with disapproval. "But I