Naked Submission (4 page)

“You talk in your sleep, you know,” he said
, without preamble.

“Oh, no, I had no idea. I’m not in the habit of sleeping with anyone,” she responded
, but was now curious about what she may have said. It’s not that she had secrets really, but a person should have some private thoughts. “What did I say?”

Tanner was smu
g, “Nothing remarkable.”

“You won’t tell me?” Natalie teased.

“Someday… we’ll see,” he said. He seemed to delight in teasing her, and she enjoyed seeing his eyes bright. He was too often serious. She’d have to do something about that. A man as amazing and gorgeous as Tanner, with everything at his fingertips, should find joy in life. Without conscious decision, that became her goal, to see Tanner’s life, filled with joy.

“We need to discuss some details about our relationship,” he told her. She just raised a brow
, and he continued, “Birth control, to start with. I prefer not to have to use a condom, all the time. I plan to be very sexually active with you, and I prefer… Well, I’m sure you get the idea.”

“I’ll make an appointment with a doctor. I’m sure Cheryl can give me a referral,” she agreed. Definitely, birth control was a priority. She had a career ahead of her. Being a mother was high on her list
, but the timing wasn’t right. And, her relationship with Tanner was just beginning. Being parents requires a strong commitment.

“No need. My doctor
provided a referral to a local gynecologist with an impeccable reputation. I’ve scheduled an appointment for you, later today. No reason to wait,” he said.

Natalie didn’t m
ove or speak. Always in control, and having to take care of everything, that was Tanner. Well, she could expect him to bend on some things, but she knew he wouldn’t change overnight. The smaller issues weren’t worth fighting about. “Okay,” she responded.

“She ca
n give you a birth control shot. You only have to have one shot every three months, instead of taking a pill every day,” he explained.

“You seem to know a lot about it,” she said.

“Comes with the territory; I can’t afford to take chances. It’s irresponsible,” he replied.

“Now, we need to
talk about what we do sexually.” He plunged into a discussion he needed to have with her. Natalie felt as though this was a business transaction, instead of two lovers discussing their relationship. But even though she’d had no prior intimate relationship, she knew he was different than other men.

She listened
, patiently, while he enlightened her on the activities he had in mind. He made her choose a safeword. He explained it was vital. If he ever engaged in an activity that she found morally or physically objectionable, she was to say the safeword, and he would stop, immediately. He had no intention of ever hurting her, but if she felt more pain than she could tolerate, all she had to do was say the safeword.

The discussion was supposed to reassure her
, and give her confidence as they moved ahead, but the opposite occurred. If he needed to go into this much detail to warn her of the possible frailties of the arrangement, then what in the world was she really getting into?

She looked at Tanner’s
handsome face. She took time to watch his perfect lips, as he talked. His pale skin, against his dark hair, was so striking. Even in the soft light on the patio, his auburn highlights gleamed.

What was she to do? This was the man she wanted. If he needed her to do th
ese things, she would do her best. She didn’t like pain, and would use the safeword, liberally, if she needed to. The magic word “home” would stop him, instantly. So, there was nothing to fear, but she was only partly convinced.

What better word than “home?
” She put on a brave exterior, but inside, the big city of New York and Tanner’s domination of her, was a lot to take in. Her comfort was that she knew if it all got to be too much, she could go home, where she was always safe and loved. Sex with Tanner excited her, but she needed to take this on her own terms. If he pushed her too far, it would be “home.”

“You need clothes,” Tanner said, abruptly changing the subject.

“What
do you mean? I have clothes. I brought a lot of things from home. Some of them are hanging in your closet,” she said.

“They aren’t satisfactory,” he declared.

Natalie felt demeaned, but before she could respond, he announced, “I’m taking you to Milan with me. We leave tomorrow. Your wardrobe won’t be suitable, for the fashion shows we will be attending together. I’ll have a fashion consultant from my staff go shopping with you, later today.”

“
Milan? I can’t go to Italy with you. I have school. I have a life. I’ll be starting my job soon. I don’t believe you think you can just order me about. Have you ever heard of asking?” She was getting mad again, and tried to contain her emotions.

“
You’ll be back in plenty of time for the start of session at the Institute. I need you Natalie, and I don’t plan to be away from you for over a week. I have business there. I can introduce you to the fashion scene. Milan is one of the top fashion centers of the world. Are you saying, you don’t want to go?”

Natalie’s mouth dropped open. This man could be so clueless. He was a bossy, demanding, controlling…
gorgeous, irresistible man. Looking at him, he looked like the young businessman he really was, excited to take his lover on a romantic trip to Milan, of all places.

She didn’t have the heart to refuse him. Plus, he knew he had her. Fashion design was her career. When would she get another chance to go to Milan and hobnob with the elite of that exclusive group? Tanner would take her places and show her things
, she’d never be able to do on her own, and she knew it. There wasn’t even a chance she wouldn’t go, even as she pouted about his omission of respectfully asking, before assuming.

“That’s not even a question. Of course, I’ll go. You knew that
, before you brought this up. You may not understand me, but you aren’t a dull boy. Offering me a trip to one of the top fashion centers, under your tutelage, is a-once-in-a-lifetime, experience for me. I may be stubborn, but I’m not slow-witted,” she blurted out.

Tanner grinned. She was
lovely, when her cheeks flushed in anger. He didn’t want to fight with her, unless he was in the bedroom, where he could release his emotion. He was tempted to sweep her up this minute, and take her back to bed.

But
, it would have to wait. He had an important conference, that he couldn’t miss or delay. And, she needed to shop. He didn’t want to see her in the wardrobe she’d brought with her. A vision such as she, should be dressed in style, and he’d see that she was.

Tanner took control as he was so accustomed to doing
, and let her know that all expenses were covered. All her needs would be seen to. She was there at his request, so he would take care of everything. She thought to argue. She did have some pride. But, she couldn’t have paid anyway.

There was n
o way she was going to be supported like some mistress. He could be generous, and take her along. She’d accept. But, she was a designer. She’d see that this worked both ways. If he could give, she could give back, once the income flowed her way.

She comforted herself with that idea
, no matter that it was remote. The future held good fortune, of that she was sure. Being with Tanner was a sign that fortune was already smiling upon her.

Under the guidance of her expert consultant,
who introduced herself as Leona, Natalie’s wardrobe grew within hours. It included everything a woman would need, from evening gowns to French lingerie, plus the luggage to transport it to Milan. She saw more of Madison Avenue than she could of on her own, in months.

In each store, she was treated like royalty
, which she knew was because of the presence of Leona, who with her too-thin figure and chic dress, looked like a model. She knew everyone on a first-name basis.

Natalie
was exhausted from trying on various items, and barely had time for a quick cup of tea, before being escorted to the appointment for her birth control shot. Her period had started earlier in the day, during the shopping spree. She learned that since she was in the first five days of her menstrual cycle, the shot was effective immediately. That news would please Tanner.

Fortunately, no special vaccines were required to travel to Milan. Natalie was glad of that. She didn’t want any other medical visits
. Being probed by the gynecologist, nice though Dr. Miles was to her, was enough.

And her passport miraculously appeared
, complete with photo, from a little snapshot one of Tanner’s many assistants had taken of her. That was the hardest to believe, as even a billionaire didn’t own the government. Yet, he had connections, so he said.

In a one—
day whirlwind, everything was taken care of. Natalie understood why Tanner had so many employees on his personal staff. If his life was like this, he surely needed them. She knew she’d be unable to sleep. She could hardly contain her excitement. She was going to Milan.

In the evening, she called Ellis and Jazzy, giving them the brief version of her unexpected trip, leaving them both in shock at the magnitude of the sudden plans.
If she planned to continue this relationship with Tanner, she was going to have to get used to this.

Cheryl took it in stride. She’d been to Milan many times
, and gave her some tips on food and places to shop. Plus, she said, “You simply must go to the Armani Spa. It’s a glass-walled rooftop sanctuary. Treat yourself to the 80-minute facial. They use soaps, serums and lotions developed in a secret lab.”

She went on and on
, about the view from the elite spa on the top floor of the Armani Hotel, where you see Milan high up from sumptuous vantage points – as if Natalie knew about spas. She’d been once in her life but, nonetheless, she’d take her advice and try the spa. After all, it may be her only trip to Milan.

Cheryl
knew Natalie would have a great time, and envied her the trip. Milan was one of Cheryl’s favorite cities. If it had been realistic, she would have moved there, years ago.

Natalie
understood why Tanner chose a particular week, to go to Italy. In September, every year, Fashion Week in Milan was a not-to-be-missed event. It was actually a series of events. Tanner had Clarke Luxury represented each day of the event by someone on his staff. Late in the week, he personally attended with Natalie, wanting to introduce her to the high fashion world.

That day
, Dolce & Gabanna, Salvatore Ferrangamo, Giorgio Armani, and several other Italian fashion designers, exhibited new designs on the runways. Armani was a sea of silk, all shapes and shades of blue. Stylish leather and cashmere separates, exhibited by Gianfranco Ferre, competed for attention. And, the exaggerated shapes and carton-size accessories, created by Marc Jacobs, were proudly paraded, down the runway.

It was an awe-inspiring flow of creativity and design explosion. It was art
, soon to be transformed into commercial profitability. Natalie wore one of the designs, Leona had so carefully chosen for her. Still, she had trouble feeling comfortable. Every designer aspired to such heights, and these were the stars in the sky to her.

Tanner watched Natalie in her gold, cream and yellow dress
, more than he watched the runway. Her bare shoulders revealed her smooth, pale skin, and her thick, dark hair hung past her shoulders. The low neckline revealed luscious cleavage, and the short skirt let her slender legs take center stage. The barely-there, crepe material made him want to rip the delicate dress off of her.

They skipped the after-parties. Natalie would have liked to attend
, but Tanner had a full agenda, and was intent on spending time alone with her.

H
is Milan home seemed to be made of glass. The back was all windows, looking out to the natural beauty of the countryside. A vision of trees that had lost their leaves in the fall climate, looking starkly visible against the cool sky, was framed in the wall-to-wall windows.

T
he two-story mansion exuded Italian influence, complete with blue, bathroom tile work, thickly patterned rugs, and, strategically placed, statues on pedestals. The warm, richly-colored furnishings, the stone fireplace, and the grassy outdoor patio gave the feeling that one could snuggle in, and not leave for weeks on end. That’s exactly what she wanted to do with Tanner.

One
of the upstairs rooms was locked. Tanner promised to show it to her later. The gleam in his eyes aroused her curiosity. She nagged him to tell her right away, but he just shook his head, and pulled her away from the door.

Despite the fortress-like structure, it wasn’t the romantic getaway that she first envisioned. Complete with cook, maid, chauffeur and personal assistant, they were not alone.

Giovanni, the more-than—
competent staff chef, would have cooked a gourmet dinner at Tanner’s request, but he’d informed him earlier that they’d be going out. Boeucc, one of the oldest restaurants in Milan, was one of Tanner’s favorites, and he never failed to dine there, given the opportunity.