Read Dark Desire (Touched By You 1) for Free Online

saving me. I'll never understand how runway models do it, walking in those shoes. I'd kill myself," she gave a little laugh. The soft laugh caressed Tanner, touching him the same as her hand on his cheek would have. It gave him a feeling of happiness that was foreign to him. He couldn't get this close and lose her again.
    "I'm taking you to lunch," he said, definitively. It was more of a command than a request. All the reasons to decline evaporated as quickly as Natalie thought of them. She wanted to be with Tanner, more than anything. He'd be shocked to know she'd thought of him every day since she'd met him.
    She tried to conceal her joy at the invitation. "I'd be delighted, sir," she replied. Tanner didn't miss the gleam in her eyes. He moved to stand beside her, placing his arm under hers in a chivalrous manner and giving a quick, at-your-service bow, said politely, "Shall we?" And with that, he guided her out of the shop.
    The Rosewood Hotel was elegant. Tanner seemed completely at home. Inside, he escorted her to the Carlyle Restaurant and they were seated in a small dining room off the main room. The décor reminded her of an English manor and there were paintings of hunting scenes adorning the walls.
    Tanner didn't miss a beat, noticing that Natalie was feeling lost. "What would you like to eat?" he asked.
    The menu items were so pricey she had no idea what to order. She rolled her shoulders conveying her confusion. Tanner inquired, "Do you prefer seafood, beef or are you vegetarian?"
    "Seafood," she answered with conviction.
    "Excellent, then we'll have the seafood salad. It's delicious." Decision made.
    Natalie didn't feel very hungry. Being in such an elegant restaurant with Tanner, she felt like she had stepped into another world. She never wanted lunch to end, knowing she'd likely never see him again. It occurred to her that he'd never asked her name. However, the sales clerk had told her about him and, for the first time, she knew his full name.
    Natalie made an effort to calm her nerves. Tanner had such an effect on her that she had to make a point to breathe or she'd hold her breath, unconsciously. She let Tanner manage the lunch orders. It was too much for her. As long as she could sit here and watch him, she was happy.
    Tanner ordered light champagne to start the meal, which was served with crusty French bread and herbed butter. The waiters wore formal dress of white shirts with black pants and the service was impeccable. How Natalie noticed this she wasn't sure, because she didn't take her eyes off the handsome sight in front of her. She didn't want to miss even a minute of her time with him.
    She'd dreamed of him ever since that very first encounter. She could hear his voice, smell his skin, and feel his heat. It was imagination, but nonetheless vivid. And now he was with her. He'd invited her to lunch, without even asking her name. If someone shook her to wake her from this dream, it wouldn't surprise her.

9 - Revelation
    Natalie had to admit that Tanner was even more gorgeous in person than in her memory. Maybe he'd matured. It looked good on him. She couldn't imagine anything that wouldn't look good on him. If a photographer stepped in and snapped a photo of Tanner for a magazine cover, it would be quite appropriate.
    He was long and lean, like she remembered. Her face heated at the recent feel of him against her. He was solid like beautiful smooth stone. His skin was pale against his dark hair and even in the low restaurant lights she could see the shimmery auburn highlights causing the light to glitter off him. Yes, glitter, she thought. He glittered.
    He was dressed for business in a charcoal gray, tiny pinstripe suit accented with a white shirt, crisply starched and a blue satin tie that matched the color of his eyes. He was luscious. The cufflinks looked expensive. Just as she thought when she met him years ago, he was all class.
    She blushed as she realized she was staring at him and he was