Bound by Love (12 page)

             
Tanner fucked, and massaged her nipples, and Natalie had no means of maintaining control.

             
“I want you, baby,” he growled. “I want you to come. Give yourself to me. Please…baby.”

             
His plea pushed Natalie over the cliff of orgasm and her body wracked with convulsions that seemed they would never stop. Tanner let go when he felt her spasm around his thick, achy cock. His heated balls released and he came with a strength that defied reason. He gave her everything.

             
Their shouts of pleasure were lost in the vast countryside, barren in winter and cold and gloomy. No one heard. There were no cooks, maids, servants, or bodyguards, privy to what took place in the cottage. And none were needed. The impact of the forceful, simultaneous orgasm bound them together as one. Tanner lay with his head under Natalie’s chin, his weight on his forearms. He listened to her heartbeat and felt her love. It was a special moment, very special, and they both knew it. Both felt it.

             
The cottage was such a cozy haven that Natalie didn’t want to leave it. Tanner had business in London, so she joined him on the day trip. He would be at his office most of the day, which gave Natalie time to tour the city more. From the back of the limo, she noted the red phone booths and the red, double-decker buses that denoted London. She’d become attached to England, and hoped they’d return often.

             
She needed to meet with Thomas once more at his shop. She’d come up with a new idea, and wanted to show him some preliminary sketches. Considering his support of new talent, she thought it would be appropriate if he were the first to take the new designs which had been inspired by her experiences in London, and had a decidedly British feel.

             
Thomas was able to meet mid-afternoon, which left Natalie free to do one of her favorite things – shopping. And shop she did. Feeling in a very British mood, she purchased a floral skirt by Stella McCartney. The skirt would be perfect for warmer weather, which had to come sometime, even in Britain.

             
The Lingerie Collective caught her eye, and the idea of tantalizing Tanner inspired her. She bought a red fringe blindfold, and red fringe bracelets cuffs, she thought he would like to use on her. Feeling brave, she bought a black bra that was no more than strips of black bandage fabric that circled her breasts, but left them bare. The matching panties were of the same black strips. They wrapped around the hips and under the buttocks, leaving her ass bare.

             
She was having entirely too much fun. Still with Tanner in mind, she bought a gift for him. He could buy anything he wanted, but he didn’t have everything. She found a steel, automatic watch designed by Christopher Bailey at Burberry. It was quite handsome, and exuded sex appeal.

             
Being lost in buying items to please Tanner, she nearly forgot about her appointment with Thomas. Fortunately, the limo driver reminded her. It seems the driver was a combo of driver, bodyguard and assistant. She raced off to her appointment, just in time. Thomas was as relaxed as ever. They enjoyed espresso together while going over the designs. He was impressed, and gratefully that she’d brought them to him first.

             
Natalie was unable to take her mind off Tanner. She wanted to be with him, back at the cottage, and couldn’t wait to show him her purchases. She knew he might return late, so she was in no hurry. She asked the limo driver to stop at The Savoy, remembering the pleasure of high tea. Maybe she’d have some hot tea and enjoy the cozy English atmosphere.

             
The server escorted her to the tea room. She stepped through the entry, and froze. It felt like she’d walked into a glass wall. Unable to believe what she was seeing, she just stood like a mannequin.

             
She’d recognize that shapely physique anywhere. It was Tanner, who was supposed to be at the office. He was with a gorgeous woman, and it took Natalie a moment to recall how she knew her. The too thin figure, dark hair, pouty red lips – it was Aimee.

             
Aimee’s arms were around Tanner’s waist and they hugged in a sensual embrace. Natalie couldn’t say what happened next as her vision blurred, and her heart stopped beating.

             
The waiter had come back for her, and seeing her pale countenance, he offered assistance. “Are you okay, Miss?”

             
Natalie stood mute and seconds, which felt like hours, ticked by. She looked down, unable to face the scene in front of her. And, without a word to the waiter, she walked on shaky legs out of the hotel. The valet called for her limo. It all seemed like a dream. Or, a nightmare - definitely a nightmare.

             
In the back of the limo, Natalie stared into space. She realized she was in shock, but was unable to do anything about it. Tanner with Aimee. Of course. It made sense, in a perverse sort of way. The women’s clothes at the cottage. Tanner’s continued inability to voice love.

             
Sure, sex with Tanner was wildly exciting. But Natalie wanted more. She needed more. She’d have to face that Tanner needed more too. But, of something else. He needed what she couldn’t provide. She’d given her virginity, right from the start. She’d tried to learn to be submissive, knowing she wasn’t very good at it.

             
She’d never be Aimee, the supermodel that knew how Tanner liked it. They’d had a relationship for years, he’d said. Why would Natalie think the attraction would just disappear? Aimee could give Tanner what Natalie could not.

             
And what was worse, much worse, is that Natalie continued to demand from Tanner the love he could not give her. After all, isn’t all he promised her, physical pleasure? Did she have to be greedy?

She asked for intimacy, and asked for love. Was that a crime?

              The truth was, it was asking Tanner to change. She realized she loved him as he is. He should be what he is. He shouldn’t have to change for her, try to be something that was too painful for him, or even impossible to become.

             
She wasn’t good for Tanner. She could see that now. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t even bother to wipe them away. What was the point? She sobbed, uncontrollably. It was over. It would never work. She’d never have him,
not really
. Why didn’t she see that sooner?

             
Tanner arrived back at the cottage earlier than he’d expected. Business had gone smoothly, and even with the other errand he’d completed, it was still early. He wished he had arranged to meet Natalie in the city, after her meeting at Couture By Thomas. But he hadn’t. He’d been otherwise involved.

He
reflected on his drastic action.
Was it the right thing to do?

He called
Natalie’s cell phone, but just got her voicemail. Likely, she was still in her meeting with Thomas. Well, he didn’t want to bother her. Natalie Baker Designs was starting to get some exposure, and he was glad for her.

             
He strolled through the quiet cottage, reminded of his father. He’d only come to the country cottage before, with his father. He’d never brought anyone here. Now, it seemed so empty. Outside the windows, the dreary weather seemed more oppressive than usual.

             
Ending up in the library, Tanner sat at the desk and leaned back in the chair. He felt William’s presence, strongly. The décor reflected his tastes. And, he remembered his father commenting on his love of the cottage. Being a wealthy man, he had several residences. He’d told Tanner that he preferred the warmth and hominess of the English cottage.

             
On impulse, Tanner opened the drawers of his father’s desk. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for. It was an effort to find something of William’s, connect with him in this room that spoke of his personality. The second drawer on the right contained a few items. One was a leather book of some sort.

             
Picking it up, Tanner realized it was a journal, and opening it, saw his father’s handwriting. It was a sort of diary. Lost in reading the record of William’s innermost thoughts, Tanner lost track of the outside world. He was transported back in time, back to a time before William had adopted him, back to the time when William had loved a woman more than life itself.

The story was all there in the journal. Word by word
, and page by page, Tanner read the emotion-filled recounting of William’s story, and felt closer to his father than he ever had. It was a touching love story. And Tanner was a part of it. The heartfelt record revealed more of his past and of William’s past. It all made sense now. He should have seen it before.

             
By the time Tanner put the journal back in the drawer, it was dark outside. He’d let time get away from him. He was worried about Natalie. She should be home, and she hadn’t called. Again, he just got voicemail when he called her cell phone. Alarm bells were going off inside his head.

             
Don’t panic, he told himself. He called the limo service and was put through to the car phone of the limo servicing Natalie. After a short conversation with the driver, he learned that Natalie was fine, unharmed. But, the driver had taken her to Heathrow airport, and was on his way back to the cottage with a note.

             
Tanner paced back and forth across the wooden floors, glancing out the windows as if he hoped to see Natalie returning. He didn’t know what had happened. Maybe her note would explain. Possibly, her mother had taken suddenly ill. It would make sense to fly back to New York, immediately.

             
She would have called, though. Natalie wasn’t the sort of woman to be irresponsible. She wouldn’t just catch a flight back to New York, without a word. She’d know he’d worry. Where was that driver with the note?

             
Tanner’s body tensed and his stomach felt sick. After what seemed like forever, he saw the limo pull up into the driveway. He threw open the door and strode out to the vehicle, just as the driver got out.

“I’m sorry, sir. The lady was adamant that I not call you before dropping her at the airport. I sense
d the urgency, and didn’t know how to act otherwise. She implored me to give this note to you, personally. I had to promise not to stop or detour, but to drive straight to the cottage and hand it to you,” he explained, holding out the note.

             
Tanner nodded at the driver, grabbed the note and walked back inside the well-lit cottage. He ripped open the envelope and poured over the contents. His heart sank.

Dear Tanner,

You must know how I feel about you. I’m sure I’ve made that clear. It’s for that reason that I’ve decided to leave.

You are perfect, just as you are. There’s no reason to change for me. You’ve given me everything you had to give. I’ll always treasure our time together.

Love,

Natalie

P.S. Please don’t follow me. You have no obligation to do so. My greatest desire is that you find the joy in life that you so richly deserve.

             
He couldn’t have been more stung, if she’d slapped him in the face. Natalie – gone. It couldn’t be. Why? What could have happened?

             
Just last night, everything had been fine. Or, he’d thought it had. Even this morning…. He shouldn’t have allowed her to go away, off to London, in the limo. If only he’d…..

             
What could he have done? Maybe that was the issue. He wouldn’t allow her to – what? Love him? He felt an ache inside that he didn’t recognize.

             
The truth was he was spoiled. He’d been given everything by William, and loved as much as any father could love a son. And before that, his mother had done the same.

             
And Natalie….what could he say about Natalie? She’d given him her heart. And, what had he done? He’d reminded her at every opportunity that he could provide sexual pleasure only. Warned her, she should expect nothing more.

             
He deserved to have her leave.

             
But, why now? Had she been planning this? No, he didn’t think so. He couldn’t get his wits around the suddenness.

             
He looked out at the gloom beyond his window panes. From the first moment, he’d tried to convince Natalie that he wasn’t good for her. That she should leave and find a man who could love her, as she had a right to expect. From the first encounter, in that dank room under the concert hall tunnels, he’d tried to protect her, tried to keep his distance.

             
He should let her go. It would be better for her.