Fifty Shades of Grey - Chapter 3

Ana has been hearing a small quiet voice in her head, repeatedly. Sometimes it’s her “subconscious”, but same difference. Shouldn’t this be reason for concern? Maybe she has a serious mental illness. She should have that checked.

Anyway, she has to call Him and co-ordinate a photoshoot for the student paper. Her reaction to a mere telephone conversation pretty much sums up her entire being.

“Okay, we’ll see you there.” I am all gushing and breathy – like a child, not a grown woman who can vote and drink legally in the State of Washington.

Yep, that’s Ana in a nutshell. But how else would you react if you practically heard Grey’s sphinx-like smile through the phone and visualize the wicked gleam in his gray eyes? Naturally, she spends the night tossing and turning. Wouldn’t we all?

When she sees him again the next day her reaction is “[…] he’s so freaking hot.” And “Oh my…he really is, quite…wow.” Better watch yourself, girl - Katherine will totally know you like him. Ana is not only flabbergasted by Grey’s presence, she is also in awe of the poised and well-mannered Katherine, for not turning to mush around His Awesomeness.

And then, and then….she is alone with him and he asks her to join him for coffee. Like, OMG!

My heart slams into my mouth. A date? Christian Grey is asking me on a date. He’s asking if you want 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 my nerves.

When she tells Katherine, her trusted friend warns her that he's is “dangerous. Especially to someone like you.” Ana, of course, is affronted. So, coffee with Mr. Grey (looking like a male model in a pose for some glossy high-end magazine) it is. Never mind that Ana hates coffee. Then he actually takes her by the hand! No one has ever held her hand! This apparently gives her the bravery to ask for tea instead of coffee. And then is very impressed that he gets her her favorite kind of tea. Wow. It’s “Twinings English Breakfast”. How could he have possibly known? Or how would she know, since she dips the bag into the teapot for an instant, not giving it a chance to flavor the water?


The conversation is all about whether the photographer or her co-worker is Ana’s boyfriend. And about Ana being a mysterious and self-contained (according to Grey). Then he totally throws her off again by asking if she’s an only child and inquires about her family. Like, woah! She didn’t see that coming. Not sure what she expected from the conversation, but certainly not that. On their way to the parking lot, she learns that he does not do the girlfriend thing and just about falls flat on her face.

It all happens so fast – one minute I’m falling, the next I’m in his arms, and he’s holding me tightly against his chest. I inhale his clean, vital scent. He smells of fresh laundered linen and some expensive body-wash. Oh my, it’s intoxicating. I inhale deeply.

Oh my, indeed.

Don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the juicy bits.