--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She says that I have to abstain from all…" description: "\"“She says that I have to abstain from all sexual activity for the next four weeks.” Christian’s mouth drops open in shock, and I cannot keep a straight..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/e-l-james-470_fifty-shades-of-grey_she-says-that-i-have-to-abstain-from-all_2788752.png" --- # She says that I have to abstain from all sexual activity… ![“She says that I have to abstain from all sexual activity for the next four weeks.” Christian’s mouth drops open in shock, and I cannot keep a straight face any longer and grin at him like an idiot. “Gotcha!” He narrows his eyes, and I immediately stop laughing. In fact, he looks rather forbidding…” quote by E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/e-l-james-470_fifty-shades-of-grey_she-says-that-i-have-to-abstain-from-all_2788752.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/e-l-james-470_fifty-shades-of-grey_she-says-that-i-have-to-abstain-from-all_2788752.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/e-l-james-470_fifty-shades-of-grey_she-says-that-i-have-to-abstain-from-all_2788752.png) > ““She says that I have to abstain from all sexual activity for the next four weeks.” Christian’s mouth drops open in shock, and I cannot keep a straight face any longer and grin at him like an idiot. “Gotcha!” He narrows his eyes, and I immediately stop laughing. In fact, he looks rather forbidding. Oh shit. My subconscious quails me in the corner as all the blood drains from my face, and I imagine him putting me across his knee again. “Gotcha!” He says and smirks.”” [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Narrates a teasing, flirtatious exchange that shifts from humor to tension. **In simple terms:** A teasing moment turns serious quickly. Key Takeaway Read social cues carefully. Themes humor sexual tension power dynamics communication Mood cautious reflective Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - dating - role‑play - relationship counseling Key Concepts boundary setting psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure mutual comfort? - When does teasing become disrespectful? A Different Perspective Risk of misreading consent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fifty shades of grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifty-shades-of-grey/) [Straight face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straight-face/) ## Related quotes > [The lazy Christian has his mouth full of complaints, when the active Christian has his heart full of comforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/the-lazy-christian-has-his-mouth-full-of-complaints-when-the-active/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [“He smirks and cranks his glorious smile up another notch so it’s in full HD IMAX.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/he-smirks-and-cranks-his-glorious-smile-up-another-notch-so-it-s-in/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I feel the color in my cheeks rising again. I must be the color of The Communist Manifesto.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-feel-the-color-in-my-cheeks-rising-again-i-must-be-the-color-of-the/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“But we were at your parents' dining table." I stare up at him, completely bewildered. "No one's ever said no to me before. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/but-we-were-at-your-parents-dining-table-i-stare-up-at-him-completely/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“You're not celibate, then?" I breathe. Amusement lights up his eyes. "No, Anastasia, I'm not celibate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-re-not-celibate-then-i-breathe-amusement-lights-up-his-eyes-no/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“And in this quiet moment, as I close my eyes, spent and sated, I think I'm in the eye of the storm. And in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-in-this-quiet-moment-as-i-close-my-eyes-spent-and-sated-i-think-i/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Besides, immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/besides-immense-power-is-acquired-by-assuring-yourself-in-your-secret/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“You see, Ana men think that anything that comes out of a woman's mouth is a problem to be solved. Not some vague idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-see-ana-men-think-that-anything-that-comes-out-of-a-woman-s-mouth/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“You. Are. Going. To. Have. To. Learn. To. Keep. Still.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-are-going-to-have-to-learn-to-keep-still/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I want to bite this lip,” he murmurs against my mouth, and carefully he tugs at it with his teeth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-want-to-bite-this-lip-he-murmurs-against-my-mouth-and-carefully-he/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Moaning Date: May 31 2011 19:39 EST To: Christian Grey Gotta go. Laters, baby. … From: Christian Grey Subject: Plagiarism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/from-anastasia-steele-subject-moaning-date-may-31-2011-19-39-est-to/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Subject: Sundown Date: June 14 2011 09:35 To: Christian Grey Dear Completely & Utterly Smitten I love waking up with you, too. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/subject-sundown-date-june-14-2011-09-35-to-christian-grey-dear/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Abruptly, Elliot startles us all by standing and pulling his chair back so it scrapes across the tile floor. All eyes turn to him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/abruptly-elliot-startles-us-all-by-standing-and-pulling-his-chair/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“And the baby?" The words are anguished, breathless. "The baby's fine, Mr. Grey." "Oh, thank God." The words are litany... a prayer, "Oh, thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-the-baby-the-words-are-anguished-breathless-the-baby-s-fine-mr/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“If he touches me, I will succumb. I know the power he wields over me and my traitorous body. I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/if-he-touches-me-i-will-succumb-i-know-the-power-he-wields-over-me/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) ## More by E.L. James > [“Don’t,” he murmurs, then kisses me lightly. “Why don’t you like to be touched?” I whisper, staring up into soft gray eyes. “Because I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/don-t-he-murmurs-then-kisses-me-lightly-why-don-t-you-like-to-be/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Are you crazy?" "Crazy for you," he whispers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/are-you-crazy-crazy-for-you-he-whispers/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“If he touches me, I will succumb. I know the power he wields over me and my traitorous body. I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/if-he-touches-me-i-will-succumb-i-know-the-power-he-wields-over-me/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I’ve been so busy I haven’t managed to contact her since this morning, but she’s been hovering at the edge of my consciousness all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-ve-been-so-busy-i-haven-t-managed-to-contact-her-since-this-morning/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Let me ask you something first. Do you want a regular vanilla relationship with no kinky fu\*kery at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/let-me-ask-you-something-first-do-you-want-a-regular-vanilla/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“And the baby?" The words are anguished, breathless. "The baby's fine, Mr. Grey." "Oh, thank God." The words are litany... a prayer, "Oh, thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-the-baby-the-words-are-anguished-breathless-the-baby-s-fine-mr/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Anastasia You Are My More My Love, My Life Christian”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/anastasia-you-are-my-more-my-love-my-life-christian/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“No. No!” he says. “I . . .” He looks wildly around the room. For inspiration? For divine intervention? I don’t know. “You can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/no-no-he-says-i-he-looks-wildly-around-the-room-for-inspiration-for/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“‎"His grin widens, and leaning down, he undoes the tie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/his-grin-widens-and-leaning-down-he-undoes-the-tie/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I can't even escape him in my dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-can-t-even-escape-him-in-my-dreams/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Because we're getting to know each other, and you're stubborn and cantankerous and moody and difficult.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/because-we-re-getting-to-know-each-other-and-you-re-stubborn-and/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“«Si no puedes vencerles, únete a ellos».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/si-no-puedes-vencerles-nete-a-ellos/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“His magic is powerful, intoxicating. I'm a butterfly caught in his net, unable and unwilling to escape. I'm his … totally his". (Ana to Christian)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/his-magic-is-powerful-intoxicating-i-m-a-butterfly-caught-in-his-net/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“My world was ordered, calm, and controlled, then you came into my life with your smart mouth, your innocence, your beauty, and your quiet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/my-world-was-ordered-calm-and-controlled-then-you-came-into-my-life/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I've been burned already, and yet here I am again”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-ve-been-burned-already-and-yet-here-i-am-again/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) [Explore all 503 E.L. James quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) ## More Fifty shades of grey quotes > [“If he touches me, I will succumb. I know the power he wields over me and my traitorous body. I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/if-he-touches-me-i-will-succumb-i-know-the-power-he-wields-over-me/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“And the baby?" The words are anguished, breathless. "The baby's fine, Mr. Grey." "Oh, thank God." The words are litany... a prayer, "Oh, thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-the-baby-the-words-are-anguished-breathless-the-baby-s-fine-mr/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“He is Jason and Hercules and Perseus---a figure so strong and beautiful and heroic that the blood of the gods must flow through him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenner/he-is-jason-and-hercules-and-perseus-a-figure-so-strong-and-beautiful/) [J. Kenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenner/) > [I got thrown out of my local bookshop for moving the Caution - Wet Floor sign and placing it next to the Fifty Shades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-got-thrown-out-of-my-local-bookshop-for-moving-the-caution-wet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Abruptly, Elliot startles us all by standing and pulling his chair back so it scrapes across the tile floor. All eyes turn to him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/abruptly-elliot-startles-us-all-by-standing-and-pulling-his-chair/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Subject: Sundown Date: June 14 2011 09:35 To: Christian Grey Dear Completely & Utterly Smitten I love waking up with you, too. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/subject-sundown-date-june-14-2011-09-35-to-christian-grey-dear/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“My name might be similar, but I'd never say 'Laters, baby.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-probst/my-name-might-be-similar-but-i-d-never-say-laters-baby/) [Jennifer Probst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-probst/) > [“From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Moaning Date: May 31 2011 19:39 EST To: Christian Grey Gotta go. Laters, baby. … From: Christian Grey Subject: Plagiarism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/from-anastasia-steele-subject-moaning-date-may-31-2011-19-39-est-to/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I want to bite this lip,” he murmurs against my mouth, and carefully he tugs at it with his teeth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-want-to-bite-this-lip-he-murmurs-against-my-mouth-and-carefully-he/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“You. Are. Going. To. Have. To. Learn. To. Keep. Still.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-are-going-to-have-to-learn-to-keep-still/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“I pull him deeper into my mouth so I can feel him at the back of my throat and then to the front again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james-4/i-pull-him-deeper-into-my-mouth-so-i-can-feel-him-at-the-back-of-my/) [E L James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james-4/) > [“You see, Ana men think that anything that comes out of a woman's mouth is a problem to be solved. Not some vague idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-see-ana-men-think-that-anything-that-comes-out-of-a-woman-s-mouth/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Besides, immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/besides-immense-power-is-acquired-by-assuring-yourself-in-your-secret/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“And in this quiet moment, as I close my eyes, spent and sated, I think I'm in the eye of the storm. And in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-in-this-quiet-moment-as-i-close-my-eyes-spent-and-sated-i-think-i/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“You're not celibate, then?" I breathe. Amusement lights up his eyes. "No, Anastasia, I'm not celibate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-re-not-celibate-then-i-breathe-amusement-lights-up-his-eyes-no/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) [Browse all 48 Fifty shades of grey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifty-shades-of-grey/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She says that I have to abstain from all sexual activity for the next four weeks.” Christian’s mouth drops open in shock, and I cannot keep a straight face any longer and grin at him like an idiot. “Gotcha!” He narrows his eyes, and I immediately stop laughing. In fact, he looks rather forbidding. Oh shit. My subconscious quails me in the corner as all the blood drains from my face, and I imagine him putting me across his knee again. “Gotcha!” He says and smirks.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "E.L. 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