Dark Desire (Touched By You 1) (5 page)

Tanner didn't miss a beat, noticing that Natalie was feeling lost. "What would you like to eat?" he asked.

The menu items were so pricey
she had no idea what to order. She rolled her shoulders conveying her confusion. Tanner inquired, "Do you prefer seafood, beef or are you vegetarian?"

"Seafood," she answered with conviction.

"Excellent, then we'll have the seafood salad. It's delicious." Decision made.

Natalie didn't feel very hungry. Being in such an elegant restaurant with Tanner, she felt like she had stepped into another world. She never wanted lunch to end, knowing she'd likely never see him again. It occurred to her that he'd never asked her name. However, the sales clerk had told her about him and, for the first time, she knew his full name.

Natalie made an effort to calm her nerves. Tanner had such an effect on her that she had to make a point to breathe or she'd hold her breath, unconsciously. She let Tanner manage the lunch orders. It was too much for her. As long as she could sit here and watch him, she was happy.

Tanner ordered light champagne to start the meal, which was served with crusty French bread and herbed butter. The waiters wore formal dress of white shirts with black pants and
the service was impeccable. How Natalie noticed this she wasn't sure, because she didn't take her eyes off the handsome sight in front of her. She didn't want to miss even a minute of her time with him.

She'd dreamed of him ever since that very first encounter. She could hear his voice, smell his skin, and feel his heat. It was imagination, but nonetheless vivid. And now he was with her. He'd invited her to lunch, without even asking her name. If someone shook her to wake her from this dream, it wouldn't surprise her.

Natalie had to admit that Tanner was even more gorgeous in person than in her memory. Maybe he'd matured. It looked good on him. She couldn't imagine anything that wouldn't look good on him. If a photographer stepped in and snapped a photo of Tanner for
a magazine cover, it would be quite appropriate.

He was long and lean, like she remembered. Her face heated at the recent feel of him against her. He was solid like beautiful smooth stone. His skin was pale against his dark hair and even in the low restaurant lights she could see the shimmery auburn highlights causing the light to glitter off him. Yes, glitter, she thought. He glittered.

He was dressed for business in a charcoal gray, tiny pinstripe suit accented with a white shirt, crisply starched and a blue satin tie that matched the color of his eyes. He was luscious. The cufflinks looked expensive. Just as she thought when she met him years ago, he was all class.

She blushed as she realized she was staring at him and he was suppressing a little smile, but his eyes gleamed. She quickly took a sip of her champagne, not wanting to embarrass herself.

"You're blushing," he commented. He had a sly look and Natalie wondered what was going through his mind, but she didn't have to wonder long.

"You remember me, don't you?" He asked bluntly and her face reddened. He did know!

"You're hard to forget," she replied, looking down to hide her reaction.

"So are you," he said flatly. Natalie looked up instantly. She wasn't clear about what he meant. Was it possible that he remembered her, like she did him? No, that would be too much to hope for.

She looked at him blankly. Tanner's eyes turned a darker blue, intensifying his look. "You're beautiful when you blush," he told her without hesitation. Her blushing and nervousness was turning him on. Her behavior begged for his control. And he did like women he could control.

Natalie's mind raced. She couldn't be sure how much he remembered. Surely, the memory wasn't the same for him as for her. And now, by chance, they'd met again. She needed to keep her cool.
She didn't want to appear a simpering, needy woman. She didn't know a lot about men, considering her lack of experience. But, she guessed men didn't like clinging women.

"I'm blushing because you're being very cryptic. What is it I should remember about you?" Her chin lifted in a challenge. Her tactic was to let him show his cards first. Otherwise, she might overstep polite conversation and leap into his arms. Oh, how she'd wanted to, for so long.

Tanner's voice was softer and he leaned in, closer to her. "I've never forgotten you, since that night at the concert."

Natalie flushed
with desire. If only he really meant that. Then, it occurred to her that he'd disappeared on her that night. She should be upset with him, although she'd never been able to maintain her rightful level of anger. Really, she felt more loss, like an irreparable heartbreak. She didn't dare reveal that.

"Well, you seemed to forget me pretty easily. You vanished and I never heard from you again," she blustered, hoping she sounded mean enough.

"I'd like to offer my apology," he said sincerely. "There is an explanation but I don't want our first lunch together to be about my failings. Given, I have plenty. But I'd rather focus on you."

Natalie was caught
off guard. He looked at her without blinking, looking so handsome. He was being honest, as best she could tell. However, she couldn't fathom what failings he could mean. He was perfect. If she knew nothing else, she knew that. And that night, even though he did abandon her, there was a kindness about him that had instantly affected her. She'd never been able to hate him for the betrayal.

"Okay, I accept your apology," she said and her heart swelled. She couldn't look at him with that pleading face and not give in. He had her wrapped around his finger. That had been the case since she'd first caught him looking at her with those baby blue eyes. That moment, standing in line to get a coke during the concert intermission, had changed her life. Only now, was she beginning to realize how much.

"That's better," he smiled briefly and leaned back in his chair. She was enough to make him want to lose all control and
that
he couldn't allow. He drank in her beauty. Her long curls, her wide brown eyes and her delicate, pale skin gave her an unearthly beauty. He so wanted to kiss that lovely, feminine mouth, the most perfect mouth he'd ever seen. He remembered her sweet, innocent kiss and wanted more, much more.

Natalie found herself uncommonly relaxed with Tanner. She noticed that she answered everything he asked with utter honesty. That was unusual. She tended to be a little shy and rarely revealed her inner feelings, especially with men.

She talked on and on about her hopes as a dress designer and her chance to finally attend the design institute. Even how she'd learned to sew as a little girl and helped her mother, who was a seamstress by trade. Her creative designs were proudly worn by her younger sister, but so far no one else had discovered them. She intended to change that.

"I marvel at your passion. I've worked with many designers. Those with passion are the only ones with a chance for success. The business is too competitive. You have to be tough and determined to make it." His face revealed no emotion.

"So, you inherited the business from your father?" she asked, very intrigued.

"Yes, he groomed me for this business since I was a young boy. He always intended for me to take over some day. Unfortunately, that day came sooner than either of us planned. He had an undiagnosed heart condition and
, two years ago, died of a sudden heart attack."

Natalie saw darkness come over Tanner. He went more rigid and appeared stern, but she wouldn't have labeled it sadness or grief. She regretted asking such a personal question so soon. "I'm so sorry," she said.

"He was a good businessman and had systems in place. He'd done a good job of training and interning me. Ideally, it would have been longer but it was sufficient," Tanner continued. He loved his father but he'd never had the luxury of experiencing grief over his death. He'd cried privately after the funeral. But to all appearances, he was a tower of strength.

"Clarke Luxury Brands includes many of the top designers, right?"
Natalie hoped she wasn't prying but fashion design, in any form, had her interest. And she wanted to know everything she could about Tanner. He was spellbindingly gorgeous and struck her as strong, both physically and emotionally.

For some reason, she found herself strongly attracted to his stern, powerful countenance. Men aren't supposed to cry, she guessed. She'd heard that, but never had a close male relationship, so was all the more curious about Tanner's personality.

"Yes, many of the top fashion designers fall under our business umbrella. But we also have companies that include fine jewelry, handbags and highly rated wines and champagnes," he explained.

Natalie held up her flute before taking another sip of the exquisite, bubbly liquid and asked, "One of yours?" Tanner nodded but appeared unaffected by the notion. Natalie supposed it was a familiar occurrence for him, no matter how special is seemed to her.

Tanner quickly tired of talking about himself. It was business and he was grateful to his father. There was no doubt that he'd continue the family tradition. Being one of the wealthiest billionaire's in the world had many advantages. Tanner valued his position and worked hard to expand the wealth so generously bequeathed to him.

Right now, he was interested in only one thing -Natalie. She'd slipped through his hands once before. He'd no intention of letting that happen again.

The nagging thought that he should leave her alone lost power over him the more he was with her. The magnetism he felt was not going to be so easily ignored. Maybe once, when they'd lived in different states, he could have let her life unfold as if he'd never appeared, but not now.

They were together in New York and the urges that gripped Tanner from deep inside were overpowering. He faced the fact that he'd never be able to walk out of this restaurant and just leave her alone, even though he should.

He'd left the night of the concert, so many years ago. He hadn't wanted to hurt her. She was so lovely and naïve and he'd been drawn to her without warning. Leaving that first night was a clear message that he wouldn't be good for her. Yet, she didn't seem to hold it against him. Nor, did she seem afraid of him. Quite the opposite, she was comfortable in his presence, which wasn't what he expected.

Tanner reflected on the women he'd been with sexually. He needed sex and was clear on his preferences. He wasn't sure if
Natalie would surrender to him and his demands. He didn't want to mar her innocence but his need was becoming paramount.

Natalie looked at Tanner with pure admiration. He was beautifully sculptured, a
male form that statues of Adonis were modeled after. And he was capable, intelligent and unfathomably wealthy. What woman in her right might wouldn't want him? Yet, she'd felt this all-consuming emotion the first moment she'd seen him, before she even knew his name. There was something special about this man.

The delicious food had come and gone. Dessert had been offered and declined. It was time to part. The pain in Natalie's heart was agonizing. If only she could hold him in her arms, like she did that night so long ago.

"I want to see you again," Tanner stated. The uncertain look on his face almost made her giggle. That was a question he didn't really have to ask, but then he didn't know that yet. Did he really think she'd refuse?

"I'd love to," she replied, her heart pounding so loudly she feared he could hear it.

"It's short notice, but there is a fashion show tomorrow afternoon that I think you'd be particularly interested in. From what you tell me of your designs, you'll find it inspiring," he stated. "I'd like for you to attend with me, if you don't have other plans."

Natalie's heart fluttered and she felt giddy, but she did her best to sound relaxed. She didn't want to blow it. So far, things seemed to be going okay. She crossed her fingers under the table, for luck. It's the only thing she could think to do that would calm her.

"I'd be pleased to attend," she agreed.

"I'll pick you up at 2, tomorrow," he said.

"That will be fine. I'm staying with Cheryl Easton in the Upper East Side. She's been kind enough to allow me to stay with her," she told him. Cheryl was famous worldwide in fashion and she had no doubt that Tanner would know her.

"Yes, I've been to her place," Tanner replied.

"Oh." Natalie didn't know that they knew each other that well, although, it would make sense. Possibly the world of fashion was a close-knit community. "Okay then, that will be fine."

Tanner had a meeting to attend. He'd offered to have his driver take Natalie wherever she needed to go, but she'd assured him that she had other business on Madison Avenue. He'd reluctantly let her walk out of the restaurant, his protective nature urging him to see her safely escorted.

This early in the relationship, he couldn't really argue with her. She'd lived on her own until now. For the present, he'd have to let her continue to do so, despite wishing otherwise. She seemed a little anxious to escape his presence. He didn't think he'd come on too strong. But he wasn't the best judge of that.