Fifty Shades Darker (book 5) novel Chapter 55

Have I ever felt like this?

Buoyant?

Happy?

Master of the fucking universe.

“I love this song,” I tell her. “Seems very fitting.”

“You’re under my skin, too. Or you were in your bedroom.”

Ana! I’m shocked.

“Miss Steele, I had no idea you could be so crude.”

“Mr. Grey, neither did I. I think it’s all my recent experiences,” she says with a mischievous smile. “They’ve been an education.”

“For both of us.” I take her for a spin around the dance floor once more. The song finishes, and reluctantly I release her to applaud.

“May I cut in?” Flynn asks, appearing from nowhere. He has some explaining to do after the charade at the auction, but I step aside.

“Be my guest. Anastasia, this is John Flynn. John, Anastasia.”

Ana shoots me a nervous look and I retreat to the sidelines to watch. Flynn opens his arms and Ana takes his hand as the band strikes up “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

Ana is animated in John’s arms. I wonder what they are talking about.

Me?

Shit.

My anxiety returns in full force.

I have to face the reality that once Ana knows all my secrets, she’ll leave, and that trying things her way is just prolonging the inevitable.

But John wouldn’t be so indiscreet, surely.

“Hello, darling,” Grace says, interrupting my dark thoughts.

“Mother.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” She’s also watching Ana and John.

“Very much.”

Grace has taken off her mask. “What a generous donation from your young friend,” she says, but there’s a slight edge to her voice.

“Yes,” I respond dryly.

“I thought she was a student.”

“Mom, it’s a long story.”

“I figured as much.”

Something is off. “What is it, Grace? Spit it out.”

She tentatively reaches out to touch my arm. “You look happy, darling.”

“I am.”

“I think she’s good for you.”

“I think so, too.”

“I hope she doesn’t hurt you.”

“Why would you say that?”

“She’s young.”

The band segues into “You Don’t Know Me.”

It’s slower. It’s melancholy. It’s bittersweet.

It’s a warning.

Ana. You don’t know me.

And as I hold her and we sway together, I silently beg her forgiveness for a sin she knows nothing about. For something she must never know about.

She doesn’t know me.

Baby, I’m sorry. I inhale her scent and it offers me some solace. Closing my eyes, I commit it to my memory so I’ll always be able to recall it once she’s gone.

Ana.

The song finishes and she gives me a winsome smile.

“I need to go to the restroom,” she says. “I won’t be long.”

“Okay.” I watch her leave with Taylor following and note the other three security officers standing at the edges of the dance floor. One of them peels off to trail after Taylor.

I spot Dr. Flynn talking with his wife.

“John.”

“Hello again, Christian. You’ve met my wife, Rhian.”

“Of course. Rhian,” I say as we shake hands.

“Your parents know how to throw a party,” she says.

“That they do,” I respond.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to run to the powder room. John. Behave,” she warns, and I have to laugh.

Source: