the window.
Tanner had something on his mind, but Natalie wasn’t sure what. They’d been apart more than they’d grown accustomed to. Admittedly, she treasured every minute with him. But, he did have a company to run. Was that it? Had he missed her too?
Half a bottle of the deep red wine was gone, and Tanner had been unusually silent. Natalie took another sip, and happened to glance at the bottle, 1986 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Tanner had turned her into a wine connoisseur, a label reader, at least. Good wine was becoming a habit. A habit she planned to keep enjoying.
Under the table, Natalie rubbed her foot against Tanner’s. He looked at her with his soft, blue eyes. Her body melted. Unable to resist, she left her chair and slid onto Tanner’s lap. He smiled. Now, that was better. He was never shy, and her boldness seemed to incite his desire. Natalie felt his swollen cock under her, even through his pants.
She nuzzled against his neck. “What?” She said in a low, sexy voice.
Tanner reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small box. Natalie’s heart stopped. No, it couldn’t be.
She took the box in both hands, and delicately opened it. The name Gerrard’s was inscribed in gold lettering inside the lid – an expensive jewelry shop in London – she’d heard of them. Displayed inside was a purple-pink diamond ring in a cushion shape, surrounded by smaller, faint blue diamonds.
“Tanner!” She exclaimed.
She’d heard of one very famous pink diamond, the Hortensia Diamond. There must have been others. She knew from the Hortensia that certain defects during the formation of the diamond caused it to be pink. They were unique, and this one was beautiful.
The exquisite diamonds were set in platinum and 14K rose gold. Purple-pink, and faint blue diamonds, were rare. She could only imagine how much he’d spent on her gift.
It was not an engagement ring, but in a way, it meant more to her. It was from Tanner, and it was a statement about how much he cared for her, in his way. Pink diamonds were becoming increasingly popular as solitaires. She’d wear this one with pride.
Natalie lifted the ring from its case, and placed it on her right ring finger. “It’s lovely,” she ha lf whispered, and held hand toward the table candlelight, so as to better see the diamond’s reflection. She hugged Tanner, tightly, a bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of the gift.
Tanner was relieved to see that she liked it. He’d spent a long time choosing the perfect pink diamond , in just the right setting. Giving gifts gave him pleasure. A ring made a statement. He wasn’t sure what statement he was making, but Natalie’s submission, and her unquestioning trust, pulled him closer. Did he love her? It was possible. He just didn’t know.
13 – Danger’s Thrill
That night, Natalie took off all her clothes for Tanner, and placed her pink diamond ring in its velvet box. He told her he wanted her to have absolutely nothing on. He stood in front of her, gazing at her smooth, bare body.
Tanner was as fully naked as Natalie.
“I have something new to tantalize you with,” he said, rubbing his finger along her lower lip. There was a note of danger in his tone, and Natalie felt a thrill run through her.
“Anything,” she whispered. Recklessly, agreeing before knowing what he wanted to do.
Tanner lifted her and put her on the bed, on her back. He’d covered the bed with a soft mat. He opened the bedside drawer, and removed the evening’s implements of torture, placing several white candles on the glass top of the nightstand with assorted brushes and an eye dropper.
Tanner looked at Natalie’s bare skin , smooth and free of hair. Perfect. He took a bottle of oil and poured some into his hands to warm it. He slathered the oil from his hands over Natalie’s skin, and with sensual motions massaged it in. Up to her neck and down to her ankles, she glistened with the slippery oil. The whole while, she
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