Dark Desire (Touched By You 1) (6 page)

Throughout lunch, he'd been hard and achy for her. He'd found the inner restraint to hold back, even though she had a profound effect on him. She always had. She was a beautiful dream, a dream he hoped to never stop having. He'd given her years away from him. Time and again, he'd wanted to fly back to find her and see her. It was good there was so much distance between them. If she'd been closer, he'd never have been able to deny his desire.

He knew he wasn't good for her. He'd almost hoped she had a boyfriend, an excuse he couldn't sweep aside. All through lunch, she'd only talked about her mother and her sister. If there was another love in her life, surely she would have mentioned him.

And now, she was so close. He'd
smelled her sweet aroma when he’d prevented her fall in the shop, when he’d moved closer to talk to her and when she'd stood near him to say goodbye, thanking him for lunch. She drove him crazy, inciting a flame of desire that would burn them both, if he wasn't careful.

If he didn't have that meeting to go to, he
'd be at home relieving his aching balls. There was always his private lounge. Yes, he'd lock the door and masturbate, thinking of her. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Natalie couldn't fathom the depths of her emotion for Tanner. Every time she was with him, she didn't want their time together to end. He'd said she was beautiful. She kept replaying his words in her head. How nice it sounded. She was so glad he thought so, or at least was nice enough to say so. She felt plain next to his extraordinary looks. When she dressed up, she could be very presentable, but never considered herself beautiful like her sister.

Her sweet sister was never vain, so didn't rub it in. But once in a while, Natalie wished she'd grown three more inches, so she could be long and slender like her sister. As it was, she felt a bit too slim. With all the stress of taking care of the family and working and planning for New York, she'd lost a couple pounds and her clothes fit looser. She'd have to work on that. At home, she'd always stayed in shape. She was glad to hear that Cheryl's building had a fitness center. It suddenly became important for her to look good for Tanner.

She giggled to herself about Tanner inviting her to the fashion show. The knowledge she'd see him at least one more time was comforting. He roused a feeling in her that no one else did. Through the last four years of college, she'd been asked out sometimes. It always
surprised her when a man showed interest. But she hadn't felt the same, and didn't see the point of going on a date and having to pretend. Being fake wasn't something she could do well. She was direct and honest to a fault.

She knew there would never be anyone but Tanner. How odd that she'd never faced that fact. But seeing him again, feeling the
strength of desire he aroused, she knew he was the only one for her. It was really too bad because she wasn't good enough for him. But she tried to convince herself that she'd cherish her moments with him, and that would have to be enough.

After lunch yesterday, Natalie hadn't wasted a moment before calling Jazzy to tell her about the day's events. She spoke to her mother first, assuring herself that her mother was feeling a
s well as could be expected. Emma was tired, as she usually was, but stable. "Nothing to be concerned about," her mom assured her. She was very sweet and so happy for Natalie. The conversation warmed Natalie's heart.

Jazzy got back on,
and Natalie gushed about modeling the dress and being taken to lunch, describing the restaurant experience in great detail. She omitted the part about knowing Tanner earlier, or what had happened at the concert so many years before. She wanted to tell her. It was just hard to explain, especially over the phone.

Natalie was having trouble deciding what to wear. She'd never been to a New York fashion show and her wardrobe wasn't up to those standards. She considered wearing one of her own designs that she'd brought with her. She stood in front of the mirror and held them up one at a time. The trouble was all the dresses were made for Jazzy, who was taller and slightly fuller.

The buzzer sounded and Cheryl answered to receive a package for her new house guest. She buzzed the delivery man into the building. It was a dress box. Hmm, she wondered if Natalie had been shopping. Looking at the card to see the return address, a smile crossed her lips.

"Natalie, there's a package for you," she called and walked toward the hall. Natalie couldn't imagine what it was, unable to think of anything her sister would send her. She wasn't aware of forgetting anything important when she
’d packed for New York. And if she had, Jazzy would have mentioned it. After all, they talked every day.

Natalie looked at Cheryl, reading the pleasure in her face.
Cheryl wore a royal blue velvet jumpsuit, having just returned from a jog. She'd look stunning in jeans with holes in them, Natalie mused. Taking the box, she walked to the front room and sat on one of the embroidered chairs. She ripped the brown paper off, noticing who the sender was. It was printed boldly as the return address.

She hadn't ordered anything…. Oh. She just sat there and looked at the dress. It must be a mistake, she thought. Taking it out, she stood and held it to her. Giving a little laugh, she looked over at Cheryl, "What do you think?"

"It was made with you in mind," Cheryl grinned, showing her perfect, white smile. "Who is it from?"

Natalie took the small envelope from inside the box and ripped it open. A note was wr
itten in bold, masculine script:

"
The dress looked lovely on you. I'd love to see you in it again this afternoon - Tanne
r
"

Putting her hand over her heart, Natalie sighed. "Tanner sent it to me. Remember, I told you last night that he asked me to model it for him yesterday when I happened to be in the same shop. He wanted to see what it looked like, other than on the rack.

And now, he's sent it to me. Wants me to wear it to the fashion show," Natalie told her attentive roommate. "But, it's so expensive. I'll be very careful with it and return it, right after the event."

"No, you won't," Cheryl said, sharply. "Never return a man's gift. It would be an insult. He wants you to have the dress. That's why he sent it. Give him the pleasure he seeks. Let him see you wear it and enjoy it."

"I don't know if I should do that," Natalie replied in a low voice.

"Yes, you should," Cheryl confirmed. "Trust me, Natalie. I know men. And I'm telling you, when a man sends you a gift like that, he's sending you a message. He likes you. Be gracious and keep the dress. Plus, Tanner can afford the dress. He'd be insulted, if you give it back. Don't make that mistake."

Natalie's face lit up. "Okay, but you have to help me with my make-up and hair. I want to look as polished as you do. I only have an hour."

Cheryl didn't hesitate. "Let's get started, then. That's not much time for me to work my magic."

Cheryl and Natalie giggled and chatted through the transformation process. "One last thing," Cheryl said and went to her tall jewel case to retrieve a necklace. It was a gold chain with a single pearl pendant. "Perfect," she said after putting it around Natalie's neck. "Take a look."

Natalie walked over to the full length, three-panel mirror, stepping gingerly in her platform heels. She stopped at seeing her reflection. Wow, even she had to admit, she looked lovely. Natalie had never had anyone else do her make-up, but Cheryl was truly an artist. And her dark brown hair fell in large curls around her shoulders, down to her mid-back, and looked professionally styled.

"Thank you so much," she hugged her friend. "He'll be here in a minute. At least I'll be presentable at this high society fashion show."

"You're more than that," Cheryl confided. "You look ravishing.
”

Natalie had never been to a New York fashion show, nor had she ever been chauffeured before. At home, if anyone did the chauffeuring, it was her. But all that paled in comparison to her excitement at being with Tanner. He got better looking every time she saw him.

He sat next to her at the show in his soft beige jacket, over a cream-colored shirt. The pants he wore must have been tailored to fit because they outlined his lean muscled legs, hanging just so from his trim hips. His dark hair was thick and spiky. He looked so elegant and sexy.

He'd taken her hand to lead her inside followed by two uniformed men that appeared to be part of his staff. He was greeted over and over, recognized by so many of the attendees. She saw the glances toward her. They all must be wondering who the new girl is that he'd brought with him. Natalie breathed a 'thank you' for the hundredth time for Cheryl's magic. At least she could attend without looking like the girl from rural America.

Tanner couldn't ignore the heat in his loins. He hadn't realized how difficult it would be to just sit beside her, especially with her wearing that dress. The black satin moved around her sensual curves, calling attention to them. Her dark brown hair gleamed as the lights played on it. Her innocence made her even sexier. The single pearl necklace she wore was unexplainably erotic. And she had a sweet aroma, all feminine and lavender. Oh, she was going to be his undoing.

The fashions were elegant. So many slinky, black designs were dazzled before her that Natalie was in a high-fashion daze. The models with make-up to accentuate the art of the design stepped by in their show-off-t
he-clothes walk. The show was on a wooden floor path, weaved between the attendees, as opposed to a raised stage. It gave the buyers a closer view and friendlier experience.

The atmosphere was blas
é which contrasted with Natalie's enthusiasm and wide-eyed admiration. She looked the part of the tourist and, at this point, she was. She had no intention of trying to fake it and pretend she'd been to hundreds of such shows. This was her first of many and she intended to enjoy it to the fullest. It didn't escape her notice that many buyers were taking notes. This was a business for them, not a holiday outing.

Natalie knew that one day the models would be showing off her designs and the buyers would be making notes about them. For now, she was dazzled by the wide variety of garments flowing by her. The electricity was infectious. Just seeing the creative designs on the confident, professi
onal models gave Natalie goose bumps. This was where she wanted to be, in the high-fashion circles of New York and other fashion centers of the world.

Tanner's cock swelled with desire. He kept his eyes on Natalie, letting the fashion models flow by, unnoticed. His adorable dream girl that he'd touched once so long ago was beside him. He wanted her beyond all reason. She leaned forward to get a better view and the swell of her breasts caused a flood of heat in his belly.

Her obvious excitement at attending her first show was irresistible. Her flushed cheeks and bright eyes reminded him all too well of the sweet orgasmic state he'd seen her so innocently experience that first night at the concert. He'd never forget it. That image had burned in his mind so many nights since then and he couldn't wait to get her alone.

Tanner escorted Natalie out of the show the moment it ended with the two men from his staff not far behind, not taking time to talk with a
nyone he knew. A cocktail party, by invitation only, was being held upstairs and he wanted to go up. Natalie hesitated, knowing she'd be out of place. She wasn't used to the high fashion crowd. But she'd be with Tanner, which gave her confidence.

He placed his hand firmly at her waist to guide her, possessively. Once upstairs, Tanner took two glasses of white wine from the waiter's tray and motioned to toast. "To your first New York fashion show," he offered and tapped her glass, making a musical clink and taking a drink of the chardonnay.

Natalie took a sip and it seemed to go straight to her head. She hadn't eaten much all day. She'd been too excited. And her adrenaline was still pumping from the show. It did taste good, though. She took another sip, watching Tanner smile and nod at various acquaintances that spotted him.

Tanner was a mag
net for attention. He seemed used to it and was very relaxed, giving his reserved smile at just the right time. Although many of them were buyers and people of importance in the industry, they looked like anyone you'd see at a cocktail party. Some women wore dresses and some were in pants. The men wore jackets but none looked formal, some even downright casual. It gave Natalie the impression that they were all very comfortable in this setting. Only she felt nervous, knowing she was new to the scene and sure that it was obvious.

He
took a small plate and loaded it with goodies, knowing Natalie must be starved. "Here, come with me," he commanded. He took her to another room, away from the other guests. The quiet was a relief. She hadn't realized how wired up she was. She took another sip of wine, wondering if she'd ever had more fun. She could think of only one time…

Tanner was behind her, his heat alerting her to his closeness. He wrapped his arms around her and took her glass to set it on a nearby table. "I've missed you, so much," he breathed into her hair, nuzzling her. Natalie felt a weakness flow through her and her sex tightened. Only
he
had this effect on her.