When she’s out of earshot, I look down at my wife. “She was noticeably cooler.”
“Was she? I didn’t notice.” Ana shrugs, trying and failing miserably to look nonchalant. My wife is an appalling liar. “What did Taylor want?” She’s changing the subject.
Releasing her, I turn and start rolling up the plans. “It was about Hyde.”
“What about Hyde?” She pales.
Shit. I don’t want to add to her nightmares.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Ana.” Abandoning the plans, I draw her into my arms. “It turns out he hasn’t been in his apartment for weeks, that’s all.” I kiss her hair and go back to rolling up Gia’s designs. “So, what did you decide on?”
“Only what you and I discussed. I think she likes you,” Ana says quietly.
I think so, too! “Did you say something to her?”
She stares down at her hands. She’s knotting her fingers.
“We were Christian and Ana when she arrived, and Mr. and Mrs. Grey when she left,” I prompt.
“I may have said something,” she admits.
Oh, baby, you’re going into battle for me?
I’ve met Gia’s type before. Always in a business context. “She’s only reacting to this face.”
Ana looks alarmed.
are you?” I’m shocked that she could even think this. Her cheeks color, and she doesn’t answer me, but looks down at her hands again, and I know I have my answer. I remember Elliot alluding to Gia’s nature and it reminded me of Elena—a woman who doesn’t take no for an answer. A woman who gets what she wants. “Ana, she’s a sexual predator. Not my type at all. How can you be jealous of her? Of anyone? Nothing about her interests me.” I run a hand through my hair, at a loss. “It’s only you,
toward her and grasp her chin. “How can you think otherwise? Have
“I’m being silly. It’s just today. You—” She stops.
“What about me?”
“Oh, Christian.” Tears well in her eyes. “I’m trying to adapt to this new life, that I had never imagined for myself. Everything is being handed to me on a plate—the job, you, my beautiful husband, who I never…I
you’re like a freight train, and I don’t want to get railroaded because the girl you fell in love with will be
Whoa! Ana!
struggling. You want me at home. You want me to run a company. It’s so confusing.” She fights down a sob. “You’ve got to let me make my own decisions, take my own risks, and make my own mistakes, and let me learn from them. I need to walk before I can run, Christian, don’t you see? I want some independence. That’s what my name
This is about
Shit.
“You feel railroaded?” I whisper.
She nods.
I close my eyes. “I just want to give you the world, Ana, everything and anything you want. And save you from it, too. Keep you safe. But I also want everyone to know you’re mine. I panicked today when I got your e-mail. Why didn’t you tell me about your name?”
“I only thought about it while we were on our honeymoon, and, well, I didn’t want to burst the bubble, and I forgot about it. I only remembered yesterday evening. And then Jack—you know—it was distracting. I’m