Free Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

gazing at the books. She picks up the card.
    “First Editions,” I whisper.
    “No.” Kate’s eyes are wide with disbelief. “Grey?”
    I nod.
    “Can’t think of anyone else.”
    “What does this card mean?”
    “I have no idea. I think it’s a warning – honestly he keeps warning me off. I have no idea why. It’s not like I’m beating his door down.” I frown.
    “I know you don’t want to talk about him, Ana, but he’s seriously into you. Warnings or no.”
    I have not let myself dwell on Christian Grey for the past week. Okay… so his gray eyes are still haunting my dreams, and I know it will take an eternity to expunge the feel of his arms around me and his wonderful fragrance from my brain. Why has he sent me this?
    He told me that I wasn’t for him.
    “I’ve found one Tess first edition for sale in New York at $14,000. But yours looks in much better condition. They must have cost more.” Kate is consulting her good friend Google.
    “This quote – Tess says it to her mother after Alec D’Urberville has had his wicked way with her.”
    “I know,” muses Kate. “What is he trying to say?”
    “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I can’t accept these from him. I’ll send them back with an equally baffling quote from some obscure part of the book.”
    “The bit where Angel Clare says fuck off?” Kate asks with a completely straight face.
    “Yes, that bit.” I giggle. I love Kate, she’s so loyal and supportive. I repack the books and leave them on the dining table. Kate hands me a glass of champagne.
    “To the end of exams and our new life in Seattle,” she grins.
    “To the end of exams, our new life in Seattle, and excellent results.” We clink glasses and drink.
    The bar is loud and hectic, full of soon to be graduates out to get trashed. José joins us. He won’t graduate for another year, but he’s in the mood to party and gets us into the spirit of our newfound freedom by buying a pitcher of margaritas for us all. As I down my fifth, I know this is not a good idea on top of the champagne.
    “So what now Ana?” José shouts at me over the noise.
    “Kate and I are moving to Seattle. Kate’s parents have bought a condo there for her.”
    “Dios mio, how the other half live. But you’ll be back for my show.”
    “Of course, José, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I smile, and he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close.
    “It means a lot to me that you’ll be there Ana,” he whispers in my ear. “Another margarita?”
    “José Luis Rodriguez – are you trying to get me drunk? Because I think it’s working.”
    I giggle. “I think I’d better have a beer. I’ll go get us a pitcher.”
    “More drink, Ana!” Kate bellows.
    Kate has the constitution of an ox. She’s got her arm draped over Levi, one of our fellow English students and her usual photographer on her student newspaper. He’s given up taking photos of the drunkenness that surrounds him. He only has eyes for Kate. She’s all tiny camisole, tight jeans, and high heels, hair piled high with tendrils hanging down softly around her face, her usual stunning self. Me, I’m more of a Converse and t-shirt kind of girl, but I’m wearing my most flattering jeans. I move out of José’s hold and get up from our table. Whoa. Head spin. I have to grab the back of the chair. Tequila based cocktails are not a good idea.
    I make my way to the bar and decide that I should visit the powder room while I am on my feet. Good thinking, Ana. I stagger off through the crowd. Of course, there’s a line, but at least it’s quiet and cool in the corridor. I reach for my cell phone to relieve the boredom of waiting in line. Hmm… Who did I last call? Was it José? Before that a number I don’t recognize. Oh yes. Grey, I think this is his number. I giggle. I have no idea what the time is, maybe I’ll wake him. Perhaps he can tell me why he sent me those books and the cryptic message. If he wants me to stay away,