Bound by Love (3 page)

             
Tanner leaned over, and kissed the top of her head.
This is going to be a long concert.
He was already anxious to have Natalie alone. Her floral perfume, and female scent and feel, had him hard and ready, which seemed to be a permanent state for him whenever they were together. His devious mind was already working on a plan to get her alone, sooner than later.

             
The concert did not disappoint. The final song of the first part of the show was
Sigh No More
, the title track of the group’s debut album. Listening to the lyrics, Tanner shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Mumford and Sons sang the heart-wrenching lines with a woeful moan.

My heart was never pure

You know me

You know me

Yet, while Tanner agonized over the emotion-filled message, Natalie’s heart swelled over a verse that followed.

Love; it will not betray you

Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free

Be more like the man you were made to be

             
Intermission came and the audience flowed up the passageways to the snack bars. Tanner and Natalie merged into the flow with their arms around each other. The music hall didn’t look much different than it had years ago. If renovations had been done, they weren’t noticeable.

             
Tanner stood back a little to gaze at Natalie. He was certain she was even more beautiful than the first time he’d seen her, standing in a snack bar line, just like this one. She wore pale blue denim jeans and shirt with a tiny, black and white striped, cashmere cardigan. The outfit gave her a young, carefree appearance and Tanner decided he liked that better than the more structured designer wear.

             
Honestly, she didn’t look much older than the first time he’d met her. Her flawless skin and angelic mouth conveyed an innocence she never seemed to lose. Even though, the natural blush to her cheeks held a certain aliveness that excited him, and told of a woman familiar with a man’s touch.

             
They sipped their drinks and held hands, like high school sweethearts. Yet, Tanner was far from the naïve boy he’d once been. He knew what he wanted and intended to take it. Walking away from the crowded area, he pulled Natalie on a detour. Opening the door, he led her into the same quiet room that had witnessed their first erotic encounter.

             
Natalie’s heart rate speeded as she entered the familiar room. She looked at Tanner in his slim Levi’s and lambskin suede blazer. He could be modeling for men’s wear. He cut the perfect male figure with muscle outlining his lean body, under the soft, sexy garment. Natalie knew she was losing it. A heavy heat flooded her lower body.

             
Tanner grabbed both drinks and set them on a small table. Natalie eyed his hard ass, taking the opportunity when he bent over. He didn’t fail to observe her interest and smiled, just barely, his blue eyes shaded with lust.

             
This time Natalie was not an innocent, as she’d been the first time in this setting. That fact did not escape notice. In a passionate explosion, Natalie leapt into his arms, throwing her legs around his waist. The lip-bruising kiss he gave her was her reward.

             
His hands fisted in her thick hair and his tongue dipped into her warm mouth. Natalie moaned. Her desire was on fire.

             
Tanner set her down and shrugged out of his jacket, wearing just a simple, tight beige t-shirt underneath, giving Natalie a look at his muscled chest and biceps. She followed his lead and pulled off her sweater.

             
Tanner grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. Impatient, he held her waist and kissed and bit her neck, as if he intended to eat her up. Without warning, he grabbed the front of her shirt and yanked. The buttons gave way, revealing her black satin bra.

             
The guttural sound in Tanner’s throat sent a pulsing thrill through her body. Her clit tightened and she was panting. He reached behind and undid her bra, letting her creamy breasts fall free. His mouth covered each nipple in its turn, sucking deliciously. Natalie moaned again.

             
In the rush of passion, Tanner had no patience with clothing. He undid Natalie’s jeans and pulled them down to her knees, in unison with her black satin panties, and she kicked them off, along with her slip-on shoes. He undid his jeans and yanked them down, as well. Natalie panted louder when he ripped down his jockeys, revealing his huge, hard cock, ready for her.

             
Tanner reached out and lifted Natalie. With no further encouragement needed, she wrapped her legs around his waist once again, and they fell against the wall. Tanner’s hot, hard cock touched her wet pussy and she screeched softly. Tanner’s deep, heavy breathing conveyed his intent.

             
The sensual slide of his big cock, deep into her pussy, so wet and so ready, sent her into a new ecstasy. She coveted the feeling of him filling her up, his hot member swelling inside her. It felt so good, too good, she couldn’t get enough.

             
Tanner fucked with ferocity, not stopping, just fucking as if his life depended on it. He saw the pink stain on Natalie’s cheeks, and her sexy, feminine panting drove his arousal higher. This woman, this sexy, gorgeous woman was going to drive him crazy. And, she had since the first moment he’d seen her.

             
He grabbed her hair and pulled with violence, as if to punish her for tantalizing him beyond control. He kissed her hard on the mouth, their tongues fiercely stroking together. He pressed into her, holding her against the wall and bit her lower lip, tugging at it. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted it all, everything.

             
He fucked, holding Natalie up against the wall with both hands under her tight ass. She arched her back and was propelled into a sexual state, welcoming his every stroke. He fucked her on and on. She lost track of time or motion. She felt only Tanner.

             
With singular focus, Tanner stroked, in and out, in and out. He looked at her lovely face on the verge of orgasm, and their eyes locked. For a second, he slowed, knowing they were both close, too close. Then, with a loud groan he began to move, faster and faster.

Natalie was screaming
, and Tanner panting like an animal ensnared. Together they went to the peak, a high peak, intolerable pain and pleasure, and orgasm took them both.

             
Natalie and Tanner moaned together as orgasm convulsed their bodies. They rose as one, and held each other, tightly. Falling down the other side, strength drained away. Natalie put her head on Tanner’s chest and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Their breathing slowed, little by little.

When
at last Natalie’s feet touched the ground, she pressed her body against Tanner’s muscled form. He stroked her hair. Neither spoke. The language of intimacy was one that Tanner was awkward with, but the orgasm they’d just experienced communicated more than words ever could.

It seemed Tanner and Natalie
were incapable of getting through a concert, start to finish. They had a poor record at it, so far. Once they’d cleaned up, as they could, and left the quiet little room, they’d lost interest in watching the performance. They’d slid into their waiting limo, and gone back to the hotel.

Natalie had wrapped her sweater around her, unable to re-button her shirt that was missing the buttons in key places. The shirt she’d worn during that first encounter, so many years ago, had faired about as well.

              The following week in New York, Tanner took Natalie to lunch, choosing private rooftop dining at a nearby hotel. The view was an expansive, 360-degree view of New York. The outdoor heaters were effective and welcome. The weather was cold.

             
Natalie wore her Burberry, floral lace, trench coat in a shocking green hue. The bright color, contrasted with her porcelain skin and full, dark hair, turned heads as she walked by. She glided in her red patent, Louboutin pumps. She’d felt so ungraceful, most of her life. Since being with Tanner, and wearing designer clothes on a daily basis, she’d become more comfortable walking in heels of various heights.

             
Tanner tended to walk, protectively, behind her. Even after all this time, he still stiffened at other men looking at her. It’s a good thing she wasn’t the jealous type because women were drawn to Tanner, like a magnet. She saw the looks as he passed by. And, she noted the extra attentiveness from the female servers.

Instead of upsetting her, it boosted her confidence to know that she was the one with hi
m. She relished their envy as a reminder that Tanner had chosen her. The image could crumble as fast as it appeared. But, for the moment, she was going to enjoy it.

             
Tanner waited until they got seated, and the Perrier-Jouet was poured, before revealing the reason he wanted a private lunch with her. She breathed in the scent of white flowers from the bubbly champagne and let a delicious sip with a delicate, fruit flavor roll down her throat.

             
“I want you to move in with me,” Tanner announced, as if there was no question she would comply.

             
Natalie shocked to attention. “You mean to your penthouse? And leave Cheryl?”

             
“Yes, and the sooner the better.”

             
“Don’t I get a say in this? You never ask me, Tanner. You just order me about. It’s not right,” Natalie fumed. “What if I don’t think that’s the best decision?”

             
She paused, and Tanner just looked at her, showing no emotion.

             
“Well, I don’t know…,” Natalie hesitated. “To be honest, you don’t say you love me. You make sure to impress upon me at every turn that you aren’t good for me. The idea of intimacy is foreign to you. Why should I move in with you? She was so affronted by his lack of consideration that she couldn’t even be flattered by his offer.

             
“Because I want you to,” he stated.

             
“Oh, and I should always do what you want? Is that it?” Natalie bit back.

             
Silence grew heavy between them. A waiter approached and delivered a basket of bread to the table with a plate of olives. Noticing the tense atmosphere, he gave one terse bow and exited, quickly.

             
“It doesn’t make sense for you to go off to your room at Cheryl’s place. We’re together every night, anyway. It’s an extra inconvenience,” Tanner explained. He could see from the effect his words were having that he better soften his approach, and fast.

“Plus, baby. I want you with me. There, I said it. I don’t like you going away.
I want to be together.” Tanner heard the words he uttered, and cringed inside. He knew he felt more for Natalie than he’d like to admit. But, damn it, he wanted her where he could keep an eye on her.

             
Natalie sighed. Some battles were lost before they started, and this was one of them. “I have to say that, staying at Cheryl’s place is my last bastion of independence. It’s not that you haven’t been good to me, you have. But I’m risking everything. My life is completely wrapped up in yours. Yet, you make no commitment.”

             
Tanner felt panic at the suffocating word “commitment.” But, he puffed up his chest and went on. He wasn’t about to give in on this matter.

“I have made a commitment. I told you, it’s my ultimate desire to take care of you and give you pleasure. Such pleasure, that you could only imagine before. I think I’ve been true to my word.

              I want to take it further. With all the traveling and the hours I work, we need to live together. You can see that, can’t you?” He said.

             
Natalie could see that his argument was weak. Why couldn’t he say he loved her, and wanted to be with her - always? No, he makes it sound like a business agreement. They are moving in together because it’s more efficient. She knew him so well. He didn’t fool her. He really did need her, at least right now. She knew what they had together.

             
She looked at his baby blue eyes and his handsome face. Beyond his emotionless exterior, she knew he had a heart. No one could make love like Tanner, if they didn’t.
Could they?

             
This was the best offer she was going to get. He wasn’t going to get down on a bended knee, and propose, that was for sure. She looked out at the view of New York, from so high up, and her heart warmed at being with Tanner. There was no way to explain why she couldn’t stay angry. She knew the goodness inside him, and for some unfathomable reason, could overlook his emotionless approach.

             
“Yes, okay….I’ll move in with you,” Natalie said. “Are you happy?”