Grey

Only when the last leaf has fallen, the last tree has died, and the last fish been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money.

I want to own this woman, body and soul. I want her

She's my dream catcher. She keeps my nightmares at bay.

I want so much from her: her trust, her obedience, her submission. I want her to be mine, but right now…I’m hers.

each day will be darker and emptier, because she’s no longer in it.

I wake with a start. Today, I win her back.

This is your baby sister, Christian. Her name is Mia.” Mommy lets me hold her. She is very small. With black, black hair. She smiles. She has no teeth. I stick out my tongue. She has a bubbly laugh. Mommy lets me hold the baby again. Her name is Mia. I make her laugh. I hold her and hold her. She is safe when I hold her. Elliot is not interested in Mia. She dribbles and cries. And he wrinkles his nose when she does a poop. When Mia is crying Elliot ignores her. I hold her and hold her and she stops. She falls asleep in my arms. “Mee a,” I whisper. “What did you say?! Mommy asks, and her face is white like a chalk. “Mee a.” “Yes. Yes. Darling boy. Mia. Her name is Mia.” And Mommy starts to cry with happy, happy tears.

Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele.

I could be with Ana, helping her pack all her shit, then going out for pizza with her and Kate and Elliot—or whatever ordinary people do.

Why didn’t you tell me there was danger? Why didn’t you warn me? Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks…

First, I don’t make love. I fuck, hard.

You are mine,” I whisper. “Only mine. Don’t forget it.

No... Ana. Don’t go. “Good-bye, Christian.” “Ana... good-bye.” The doors close, and she’s gone. I sink slowly to the floor and put my head in my hands. The void is now cavernous and aching, overwhelming me. Grey, what the hell have you done?!

Just because you can doesn’t mean that you should.

I’ve flown from Seattle just to see you, and the way you look right now, it was really worth the journey.

This book is dedicated to those readers who asked… and asked…and asked…and asked for this. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. You rock my world every day.

That’s what I do, and I do it well. It’s nothing to do with luck!

She has a small, sweet face that is blushing now, an innocent pale rose. I wonder briefly if all her skin is like that—flawless—and what it would look like pink and warmed from the bite of a cane.

I’ve never felt this desire, this…hunger before. It’s a new feeling, new and shiny. I want so much from her: her trust, her obedience, her submission. I want her to be mine, but right now…I’m hers.

This I have to hear. You know she popped his cherry?” “Elliot!” Grace scolds, and swats him with a dish towel. “Ow!” He fends her off.

Don’t place some vague moral judgment on yourself based on what others might think.

I want to stay in her mind. I need to stay in her mind.

Oh, fuck the paperwork.” The words come from nowhere and on instinct I grab her and push her against the wall. Clasping both her hands, I pin them above her head so she can’t touch me, and once she’s secure, I twist my other hand in her hair while my lips seek and find hers.

I want to chase the dawn with you.

I’ll leave you with a quote that has always resonated with me. And I’m paraphrasing a Native American saying: ‘Only when the last leaf has fallen, the last tree has died, and the last fish been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money.’

…Have you considered a more conventional relationship with this girl?” “No, I haven’t.” “Why not?” “Because it’s never occurred to me that I could.

A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.’ I’m very singular, driven. I like control—of myself and those around me.

My body’s reaction is irritating. Maybe this will stop if I fetter, fuck, and flog her…and not necessarily in that order. Yeah. That’s what I need.