"So far so good, Mrs. Grey?"
"So far so wonderful, Mr. Grey. Where are we going?"
"Sea-Tac," he says simply and smiles a sphinxlike smile. Hmm . . . what is he planning?
Taylor does not head for the departure terminal as I expect but through a security gate and directly on to the tarmac. What? And then I see her - Christian's jet . . . Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. in large blue lettering across her fuselage.
"Don't tell me you're misusing company property again!"
"Oh, I hope so, Anastasia." Christian grins.
Taylor halts at the foot of the steps leading up to the plane and leaps out of the Audi to open Christian's door. They have a brief discussion, then Christian opens my door - and rather than stepping back to give me room to climb out, he leans in and lifts me.
Whoa!
"What are you doing?" I squeak.
"Carrying you over the threshold," he says.
"Oh." Isn't that supposed to be at home?
He carries me effortlessly up the steps, and Taylor follows with my small suitcase. He leaves it on the threshold of the plane before returning to the Audi. Inside the cabin, I recognize Stephan, Christian's pilot, in his uniform.
"Welcome aboard, sir, Mrs. Grey." He grins at us both. Christian puts me down and shakes Stephan's hand. Beside Stephan stands a dark-haired woman in her what? Early thirties? She's also in uniform.
"Congratulations to you both," Stephan continues.
"Thank you, Stephan. Anastasia, you know Stephan. He's our captain today, and this is First Officer Beighley."
She blushes as Christian introduces her and blinks rapidly. I want to roll my eyes. Another female completely captivated by my toohandsome-for-his-own-good husband.
"Delighted to meet you," gushes Beighley. I smile kindly at her. After all - he is mine.
"All preparations complete?" Christian asks them both as I glance around the cabin. The interior is all pale maple wood and pale cream leather. It's lovely. Another young woman in uniform stands at the other end of the cabin - a very pretty brunette. Who the hell is that?
"We have the all clear. Weather is good from here to Boston."
Boston?
"Turbulence?"
"Not before Boston. There's a weather front over Shannon that might give us a rough ride."
Shannon? Ireland?
"I see. Well, I hope to sleep through it all," says Christian matter-offactly. Sleep?
"We'll get underway, sir," Stephan says. "We'll leave you in the capable care of Natalia, your flight attendant." Christian glances in her direction and frowns, but turns to Stephan with a smile.
"Excellent," he says. Taking my hand, he leads me to one of the sumptuous leather seats. There must be about twelve of them in total.
"Sit," he says as he removes his jacket and undoes his fine sliver brocade vest. We sit in two single seats facing each other with a small, highly polished table between us.
"Welcome aboard, sir, ma'am, and congratulations." Natalia is at our side, offering us both a glass of pink champagne.
"Thank you," Christian says, and she smiles politely at us and retreats to the galley.
"Here's to a happy married life, Anastasia." Christian raises his glass to mine, and we chink. The champagne is delicious.
"Bollinger?" I ask.
"The same."
"The first time I drank this it was out of teacups." I grin at him.
"I remember that day well. Your graduation."
"Where are we going?" I'm unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
"Shannon," Christian says, his eyes alight with excitement. He looks like a small boy.
"In Ireland?" We're going to Ireland!
"To refuel," he adds, teasing.
"Then?" I prompt.
His grin broadens and he shakes his head.
"Christian!"
"London," he says, gazing intently at me, trying to gauge my reaction.
I gasp . Holy cow. I thought maybe we'd be going to New York or Aspen or maybe the Caribbean. I can hardly believe it. My lifetime ambition has been to visit England. I'm lit up from within, incandescent with happiness.
"Then Paris," he adds.
What?
"Then the South of France."
Whoa!
"I know you've always dreamed of going to Europe," he says softly.
"I want to make your dreams come true, Anastasia."
"You are my dreams come true, Christian."
"Back at you, Mrs. Grey," he whispers.
Oh my . . .
"Buckle up."
I grin and do as I'm told.
As the plane taxis out on to the runway, we sip our champagne, grinning inanely at each other. I can't believe it. At twenty-two years old, I'm finally leaving the United States and going to Europe - to London of all places
Once we're airborne, Natalia serves us yet more champagne and prepares our wedding feast. And what a feast it is - smoked salmon, followed by roast partridge with a green bean salad and dauphinoise potatoes, all cooked and served by the ever-efficient Natalia.
"Dessert, Mr. Grey?" she asks.
He shakes his head and runs his finger across his bottom lip as he looks questioningly at me, his expression dark and unreadable.
"No, thank you," I murmur, unable to break eye contact with him. His lips curl up in a small, secret smile and Natalia retreats.
"Good," he murmurs. "I'd rather planned on having you for dessert."
Oh . . . here?
"Come," he says, rising from the table and offering me his hand. He leads me to the back of the cabin.
"There's a bathroom here." He points to a small door then leads me on down a short corridor and through a door at the end. Jeez . . . a bedroom. The cabin is cream and maple wood and the small double bed is covered in gold and taupe cushions. It looks very comfortable.