Free Dark Desire (Touched By You 1) by Emily Jane Trent

that I'm bonded. That way you'll be properly recompensed if I misbehave," she said, sardonically. "I can't feel that I have no one but you to talk to, when you're the one I'm sexually involved with. That won't work for me."
    Tanner eased back a bit, knowing this wasn't a normal request. But then, he wasn't a normal man and his life was far from normal. "I know this seems odd to you," he said in a softer voice, "but it's very important to me. I can understand the need to have someone to talk with. You can talk to Cheryl, if you need to. I've known her a long time. I trust her."
    Natalie looked into his blue eyes, allowing her gaze to include his perfect, handsome face. He seemed so sincere. This was really a concern for him. It wasn't like her to speak of relationships, even with close friends. All these years, she'd never told anyone of her sexual encounter with Tanner at the concert.
    Really, she wasn't giving up much.
    "Okay," she agreed. "Our sexual relationship will be completely private. I'm glad I won't have to be quiet with Cheryl. That would be uncomfortable, since I live with her. I'm not used to pretending with friends. But I'll comply with your wishes. It's unlikely I'd want to talk with anyone else, in any case."
    "There's more," Tanner gave a little smile but his eyes remained cold. A little shiver ran up Natalie's spine.

21 – Agreement
    Tanner kissed the top of Natalie's head and ran his fingertips down her cheek, sending a thread of trepidation and sexual excitement, combined as one, through her body. He lifted her in his arms and sat her in the chair, directly opposite his.
    Natalie prepared herself, not knowing what was to come. The look on his face was hard and unrevealing.
    "I'm a dominant," he said without emotion.
    Natalie thought of his domineering personality and wasn't surprised. But she hadn't heard of anyone called a dominant, as such. "What does that mean, exactly?"
    "It means I'd like you to submit to specific sexual activities that will be for our mutual pleasure. I prefer sexually submissive women. That doesn't mean I'll run your life. But in the bedroom, I'll have control." He looked at her, trying to judge her reaction.
    "I've never been submissive. I've always had control in my life. I can't imagine giving that up to a man, no matter how desirable," she said with complete honesty.
    "I'd like you to try it," he said without even flinching at her hesitation. "There's nothing to be afraid of. We'll set limits so we won't engage in any activity you're uncomfortable with, either physically or morally. You can have confidence that I will not do anything to hurt you. Nothing will leave marks or permanent damage. It's for my sexual pleasure, and even more so , for yours." Tanner reflected, with satisfaction, of all that he could teach her.
    Natalie had no frame of reference. She'd never gone steady with someone, much less had sex. All this was a bit overwhelming. "Can I let you know?" She said timidly. "It's more than I'm able to conceive of right now. I can't commit to such terms so early," she told him, wondering if that would end the relationship on the spot.
    "Sure, baby," he said sweetly, reaching out to stroke her hair. "You are just so beautiful. I want you, in every way. I know this is all new. You've never had sex before. I want you to experience vanilla sex, before we get into a more intense sexual experience. I just wanted to bring this up now, in case you wish to retract your earlier agreement to go on a date with me."
    Natalie thought he looked more like a nervous, young man asking her out, than the billionaire control-freak he really was. He always tried to come across so tough, but he couldn't fool her. She saw something in him, something kind and generous, and convinced herself of his goodness.
    Her silence made him shift in his seat. He was at her mercy and he knew it.
    She eyed him intently fully aware he'd gone from a position of strength to one of vulnerability , in the blink of