Naked Submission (12 page)

I was hospitalized with a concussion.
My father was quite concerned, but the doctors assured him I’d fully recover. I still get frequent headaches, but the doctors don’t know what to do about them. You may have seen the pills I take, if they get too bad.

I fear for you, Natalie
, because if I could abuse a woman once, I could do so again. And, now you know my biological father was an abusive alcoholic. Even as a young boy, I witnessed his abuse of my mother. Unfortunately….I must be like him.”

Tanner looked at her
, filled with distress. He had confessed what he knew, but Natalie saw many holes in the story. He was unable to make better sense of it. His memory was spotty. She could see that.

“Tanner, you won’t hurt me,” she reassured him. “That’s a terrible story. I know how you must feel. But
, you don’t really know all the details. It sounds like most of the story is what you were told.

A woman pressed charges
, and considering your wealth, I imagine she was paid handsomely. But no one can convince me you are abusive. I know how you treat me. And I know what I see when I look in your eyes.”

Tanner was calmer. He smiled a low-key smile of relief. It was good to hear that Natalie didn’t think the worst of him, even though her view was misguided. Clearly, she did not have an unbiased
opinion. Nor, did Tanner want to discourage her admiration of him. He wanted her to stay with him, and it looked like she would. He’d been honest, and that’s all she’d asked.

Tanner went to his office
, as usual. Business didn’t stop just because his sex life had gotten more exciting. He remained preoccupied with his confession to Natalie. She’d seemed to take it well. But, would she stay with him, now that she knew what kind of man he really was, and why should she?

He’d been glad for th
e time he’d had with her, and wanted more, much more. But, he couldn’t force her. If her decision was to be away from him, considering his violent tendencies, then he’d have to live with that. She now was beginning to see the depth of his depravity.

Yet, t
he idea of life without Natalie seemed unlivable. That was the problem. He wasn’t sure he wanted that life, but he might not have any choice, now that he’d taken the leap of telling her everything. A headache nagged at him, not quite gaining force, but threatening. He decided to wait, and see if he needed to take his medication.

The morning dragged by
, despite the volume of calls and emails he had to deal with. Just before lunch, his secretary buzzed him that his lunch appointment had arrived. He stood up to leave for the business lunch, arranged for the purpose of restructuring the merchandizing of several lines of Clarke’s designer handbags. He was still standing at his desk when his door opened.

Standing in the doorway was Natalie
, dressed in royal blue skinny jeans that fit like a glove. She stood tall in her Gucci gray-suede boots, the ones she’d picked up in Milan. And the soft gray cashmere sweater wrapped her in soft, touchable material. Tanner stood gaping at her.

He c
ould never get used to her easy, sensual look. She never seemed to try, but was lovelier in designer wear than the models whose livelihood depended on it. Her face exuded youth, while simultaneously her eyes conveyed life experience. Her smooth, pale skin and sweet, angelic lips drove him to obsession. She was a slender beauty, with curves that teased even the strongest of men, yet she remained unaware of the power she had.

“Baby,” he breathed. He never expected to see her so soon. She’d said she was going t
o see Cheryl, and Tanner had noted in her expression that she needed time. Her calm spirit had been usurped by his sordid confession and, kind as she had been to him, it was a lot to accept. He wasn’t sure if he’d been wise to tell her the embarrassing details, or not. But it was done now. He couldn’t take it back.

Natalie shut the door behind her and went to Tanner. She knew he’d worry over
the story from his past that he’d so trustingly revealed to her. She couldn’t allow him to suffer alone. She didn’t want him to suffer at all. It was her greatest desire that one day he would see himself as she did, and admit to the goodness he possessed. Until then, she would be with him, and her knowledge of his true nature would have to be enough.

Natalie fell into Tanner’
s arms and he held her tightly, glad she was there. He breathed in the smell of her perfume. Her soft breasts pressed against him and he felt his cock swell. He wanted her that very moment, there in his office.

Natalie didn’t want to let him go. She felt so happy encircled in his strong arms. She felt a new trust between them. Somehow, his willingness to sh
are secrets from his past had brought them closer together. She kissed his chest and looked up into his beautiful baby blue eyes.

“
If I could cancel the meeting I have now, I’d surely do it. There’s nothing I want more than to peel those seductive pants off you, and show you how I can pleasure you,” he said. “But, those gentlemen in the expensive suits, you passed on the way in, are waiting for me. I’d like to make them disappear,” he laughed. “But I don’t think that’s going to work.”

Natalie smiled
, sweetly, and leaned up to kiss Tanner on the lips. Her hot touch scorched him and he kissed her, passionately, lingering inside her sweet mouth, running his tongue along hers. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her right off her feet. A molten heat ran through his abdomen and his impulse was to forget the meeting and let his sexual urge run free. But that wasn’t his nature.

Natalie felt weak from the kiss that seemed to go on and
on, as if eternity would wait. Only Tanner’s lips on hers existed and nothing else mattered. He reluctantly set her back on her feet and reached out to run his fingertips along her cheek and his thumb along her pouty lower lip. That simple action felt like he’d touched the tip of her clit, and she felt the familiar tightening.

She was glad she’d come to see him
, unannounced. His day would be better because of it, as would hers. With one last sensual look, she left without saying another word. No words were needed. The intimacy between them was sweet and palatable. They wanted each other, and that wouldn’t change.

Natalie didn’t have long to bask in the warmth of Tanner’s affection. She’d just left him when Jazzy called. Emma was worse. She thought Natalie should know.

Emma seemed more confused. It wasn’t just that she was wea
ker and not eating nearly enough, there was a significant change mentally. Jazzy had scheduled an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. The instant Natalie hung up, she called Ellis to let him know about the situation.

It seemed things at home weren’t good.
Natalie was scared. Her mother had been sick for a while, but the doctors had told the family that she could expect her health to stabilize, if she did as they directed. Now, Natalie wasn’t so sure, and the thought of her mother’s declining condition upset her.

Ellis responded in kind. Under the circumstances, h
e had no intention of letting Natalie go home by herself. He wished he’d been more responsible over the years but had been consumed, away in New York pursuing his career goal. Now, he intended to do better. If Natalie was flying home in the morning, then he was going with her. He’d get his shifts covered, so he could be gone for a couple of days.

Tanner took the news well. He had ongoing business to attend to
, and didn’t feel he could be away at this particular time. He assured Natalie that she had his every support and she should call if he could do anything. He felt a pang of regret about his missed opportunity of a forbidden sexual interlude in his office earlier that day, not knowing how soon he would have a chance to be with Natalie again, now that she’d be away.

As it turned out,
Natalie’s day at home to be with her mother was very stressful. The doctor knew that Emma’s new symptom was to be expected. Confusion was an indication of the progression of her disease. He talked with Jazzy, Ellis, and Natalie, knowing this change of status would illicit their concern. He explained that he was changing Emma’s medication and she should show an improvement soon.

The best part of
Natalie going home was that it lifted Emma’s spirits. She was supportive of Natalie’s pursuits in New York, but missed her. Jazzy had cared for her diligently, but the emptiness of having one of her daughters away from home weighed on her, no matter that she never brought it up. Natalie could tell how much her mother had missed her, so took extra care to talk with her and hug her repeatedly. She reassured her she would call often.

Emma seemed better near the end of the very sh
ort visit. She was delighted to see Ellis, always having been fond of him. Left alone, Jazzy and Ellis chatted away to each other, leaving Natalie plenty of personal time to visit with her mother. Unfortunately, the visit couldn’t be extended. Ellis had to get back to work and Natalie was to start design school.

Natalie,
engaged in a long goodbye with her mother who seemed stable for now, saw Ellis and Jazzy, not far away. Their attraction to each other was easy to observe and Natalie couldn’t believe that she’d missed it before. She wasn’t even surprised when Ellis leaned down to kiss Jazzy tenderly, hugging her tightly.

She determined to get Ellis to tell her everything on the flight back to New York and kindly admonish him for never mentioning the relationship before. Maybe he’d been
timid about telling her, although she couldn’t fathom why, considering how long they’d been friends.

Certainly Jazzy would have mentioned it, so that could only mean that the true nature of their relationship had blossomed for the first time during this quick visit. The realization made her smile.

Tanner’s unfounded jealous
y of Natalie’s friendship with Ellis was placated when he learned of the budding romance with Jazzy. Tanner remained skeptical anyway. He was sure that every man, aware of Natalie’s devastating beauty, desired her. “Well, wait until you meet Jazzy in person. She’s as lovely as any of your models,” Natalie argued.

“You may be right,” Tanner reluctantly agreed
. He paused, before continuing, to consider his approach. “I’d like to talk to you about something. This seems like a good time, since we won’t be rushed at lunch.”

Tanner had scheduled time for a long lunch with Natalie
, so he’d have time with her. He’d missed her for the short time she was away. Her absence made him want to ask her for an arrangement that would allow them more time together. It was a demand that he’d intended to make anyway, and now seemed appropriate.

“Sure,” Natalie said
, over a bite of food. She was glad to be back in New York. Any hours away from Tanner were too many.

“Design school is
not going to work,” he started in a commanding voice. He realized from the look on Natalie’s face that he’d made a bad start. “Let me explain,” he went on. “I have to travel a lot. It’s a part of my lifestyle that is not negotiable. Our main operations are in New York, Milan, Paris and London.

I didn’t
demand this of you from the start. We were just getting to know each other and I wasn’t sure you’d stick around, once you got a sample of my sexual tastes. Our relationship has turned out to be more than I’d hoped. You never cease to pleasantly surprise me.

Your hold on me is unbearably strong
, and I must confess, I want you beyond my capacity to abstain. I refuse to travel without you. And, there is no way you can attend school and be gone half the time.”

Natalie frowned, afraid of where this was going.

Tanner raised one hand to stop her from interrupting. “Just hear me out,” he demanded. “Now I know how important your career is to you. I’ve seen the designs you sketched during our Milan trip, and they are unique. I don’t say that to flatter you. Your work is good and, if anyone would know, I would.

There’s an alternative to school.
Your degree can be obtained online. You can travel with me. What better education than being part of the inner operations of Clarke Luxury Brands? You’ll be far ahead of any designers merely getting the academic side of the picture.

I see that look on your face. I know you refuse to be my submissive in full regalia. Meaning, I know you are independent. You’ve demonstrated that.

But the fact is that I need a fresh eye, someone who’s not jaded with the business yet. Your designs are captivating because they are innovative. You aren’t yet bound by what’s acceptable or trying to outdo your competition.

Your work is pure and artistic. Before you get a swelled head, let me also say
, you still have a lot to learn. I’m not saying you don’t. And, you’d have a tough time making it in this business on pure creativity. It takes business savvy, and that’s what I can show you.

W
hat you can offer me is your unbiased eye. That’s something I couldn’t even pay for because it’s rare. You offer a unique opportunity to me and I don’t intend to pass it up. I want you to be by my side as a private consultant.

You’ll be on salary for specific duties t
hat won’t nearly take all your time. You can design to your heart’s content and, with proper business acumen, you’ll be able to really go somewhere as a rising star.