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

suppressing a little smile, but his eyes gleamed. She quickly took a sip of her champagne, not wanting to embarrass herself.
    "You're blushing," he commented. He had a sly look and Natalie wondered what was going through his mind, but she didn't have to wonder long.
    "You remember me, don't you?" He asked bluntly and her face reddened. He did know!
    "You're hard to forget," she replied, looking down to hide her reaction.
    "So are you," he said flatly. Natalie looked up instantly. She wasn't clear about what he meant. Was it possible that he remembered her, like she did him? No, that would be too much to hope for.
    She looked at him blankly. Tanner's eyes turned a darker blue, intensifying his look. "You're beautiful when you blush," he told her without hesitation. Her blushing and nervousness was turning him on. Her behavior begged for his control. And he did like women he could control.
    Natalie's mind raced. She couldn't be sure how much he remembered. Surely, the memory wasn't the same for him as for her. And now, by chance, they'd met again. She needed to keep her cool. She didn't want to appear a simpering, needy woman. She didn't know a lot about men, considering her lack of experience. But, she guessed men didn't like clinging women.
    "I'm blushing because you're being very cryptic. What is it I should remember about you?" Her chin lifted in a challenge. Her tactic was to let him show his cards first. Otherwise, she might overstep polite conversation and leap into his arms. Oh, how she'd wanted to, for so long.
    Tanner's voice was softer and he leaned in, closer to her. "I've never forgotten you, since that night at the concert."
    Natalie flushed with desire. If only he really meant that. Then, it occurred to her that he'd disappeared on her that night. She should be upset with him, although she'd never been able to maintain her rightful level of anger. Really, she felt more loss, like an irreparable heartbreak. She didn't dare reveal that.
    "Well, you seemed to forget me pretty easily. You vanished and I never heard from you again," she blustered, hoping she sounded mean enough.
    "I'd like to offer my apology," he said sincerely. "There is an explanation but I don't want our first lunch together to be about my failings. Given, I have plenty. But I'd rather focus on you."
    Natalie was caught off guard. He looked at her without blinking, looking so handsome. He was being honest, as best she could tell. However, she couldn't fathom what failings he could mean. He was perfect. If she knew nothing else, she knew that. And that night, even though he did abandon her, there was a kindness about him that had instantly affected her. She'd never been able to hate him for the betrayal.
    "Okay, I accept your apology," she said and her heart swelled. She couldn't look at him with that pleading face and not give in. He had her wrapped around his finger. That had been the case since she'd first caught him looking at her with those baby blue eyes. That moment, standing in line to get a coke during the concert intermission, had changed her life. Only now, was she beginning to realize how much.
    "That's better," he smiled briefly and leaned back in his chair. She was enough to make him want to lose all control and that he couldn't allow. He drank in her beauty. Her long curls, her wide brown eyes and her delicate, pale skin gave her an unearthly beauty. He so wanted to kiss that lovely, feminine mouth, the most perfect mouth he'd ever seen. He remembered her sweet, innocent kiss and wanted more, much more.

10 - Becoming Friends
    Natalie found herself uncommonly relaxed with Tanner. She noticed that she answered everything he asked with utter honesty. That was unusual. She tended to be a little shy and rarely revealed her inner feelings, especially with men.
    She talked on and on about her hopes as a dress designer and her chance to finally attend the design institute. Even how she'd learned to sew as a little girl and helped her mother,