Intimate Secrets: 10 (Touched By You) (5 page)

“Let’s go for a walk,” Tanner said. “I’m told we might see kookaburras, parrots, wedge-tailed eagles, or kangaroos around these hills or in the river gorges.”

“What’s a kookaburra?”

“Large birds, sometimes as long as seventeen inches. We are likely to recognize the sound before the sight. There are four breeds, but the laughing kookaburra is the sound you hear on jungle soundtracks.”

“Oh, that’s a kookaburra, huh?”

“Yes, and they are carnivorous. They eat mice, snakes, insects, and such.”

“Where are we again?” Natalie giggled.

“We are Down Under—different animals here.”

“Actually, it’s lovely. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia.”

The lodgings were so beautiful that they decided to spend the rest of the day enjoying the ambience. There was even a resident chef known for his elegant dishes created from local produce. Tanner had retained his services. Wine and canapés were served on the terrace, allowing them to enjoy the view and witness the sunset.

A Villa Tinto 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from the cellar. The robust red paired well with the Asiago cheese they nibbled as an appetizer, as well as the delectable shepherd’s pie served as the main course. Even in darkness, the view from the terrace was amazing, the hills illuminated by the abundant stars overhead.

Dessert was black forest cherry cake, the popular German delight. The secret to the flavor was kirsch, a cherry brandy. Combined with cream and the rich chocolate, it was heavenly. They stayed on the terrace long into the night, leaning into each other’s arms and gazing into the star-filled Australian sky.

The chef took his leave, and their bodyguard disappeared to his accommodations, a stonemason’s cottage at the back of the house. Intended as a guest cottage, it was complete with fireplace, full-size shower, and kitchen. There was little risk so far out in the valley away from the city. And Tanner and Natalie were happy to be left alone to share the memorable night.

The next morning, visits to several wineries were on the itinerary. It was time for Tanner to sample the treasured vintages the valley was known for. Having none of the experience or education with fine wines, Natalie went along purely to enjoy the tasting. The plethora of wineries was dizzying. However, Tanner knew specific vineyards he wished to tour and particular winemakers’ wares he was keen to sample.

Midday, they stopped for a lunch at a small local place with European cuisine, and late in the day dawdled over coffee at a small café. Natalie discovered the flat white, a version of the latte style she preferred but with a higher proportion of coffee to milk. The drink was served in a ceramic cup, smaller than she was used to, and had a creamy, velvety texture. The foamed milk was folded through the entire drink, so there was no discernible separation between layers.

“I wonder if I can find a place in New York that can make flat white,” she said. “It’s got more concentrated flavor. I think I prefer it.”

“I’m sure you can, if you look for it. It was developed in Australia and New Zealand, but considering that you can find just about everything in New York, someone probably makes it. Or I’ll hire someone to make it for you.”

Natalie grinned. “I like that.
My own personal barista.”

“And guess what else we are going to do while we are here?”

“More wineries?”

“No, I’ve got what I came for. I’ll email the details back to the office tonight and let them follow up. I’d like to go wineries one more day during our trip. But otherwise I want to experience the area. And I have an idea I think you will really like.”

Natalie raised her eyebrows.

“I’m taking you up in a hot air balloon.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.
It’s the best way to see the area. And if you haven’t been in one, you should.”

“Wow,” was all Natalie could think of to say. “Wow.”

Days in the sunny wine country and the evenings alone at the estate wound together in a tapestry of romance. Sex with Tanner was hotter each night. He seemed tender, loving, yet simmering with passion. Natalie could feel that there was more she had yet to tap into.

She tried to blot out unwelcome thoughts of issues she hadn’t addressed. So far, Natalie wasn’t prepared to talk to Tanner about whatever it was. And she didn’t know if she ever would be. Unable to really understand what was going on inside her, it seemed better to be a willing recipient of her husband’s affections, blocking out urges that threatened to bubble to the surface.

One night her wish came true, without her voicing it or even admitting the truth of it. In the car, on the way back for the evening, Tanner put his hand on her thigh. The power of his touch instantly aroused her. There was no smile on his lips. He reached under her skirt and slipped his hand along her inner thigh, possessive.

Sweeping her into the bedroom they’d been using, Tanner kissed her roughly, fisting her hair. The demand in his touch had her heart racing. “Baby, baby,” he murmured against her neck. Slipping her dress over her head, he looked, unashamed, at her half naked in her bra and panties. Never letting his eyes leave hers, Tanner kicked off his shoes and ripped away his clothes.

Natalie felt weak when she saw the power of his erection. He was hard and ready, his need for her urgent. He removed her black lace bra and panties, leaving her bare except for her three-inch leather high heels. Dropping to his knees in front of her, Tanner ran his hands over her hips and down her thighs.

His touch was impatient, the look in his eye predatory. He bit the flesh of her hip, holding it in his teeth, his eyes closed. Without warning, he released her and swatted her bare bottom. The clap of his hand against her skin ricocheted off the walls of the small room, the sharp sound startling her.

“Go over to the doorframe,” he ordered, pointing to the open door to the bathroom.

Natalie walked over, her heels clicking on the tile floor, knowing he was watching her naked ass as she balanced in the high heels.

“Turn around,” he said.

Natalie turned.

“Reach up and grab the doorframe.”

Having done so, Natalie waited to see what Tanner intended.

“Spread your feet apart.”

She spread her feet so the sides of her shoes were against the wooden frame.

Tanner seemed satisfied.

“Hold on and don’t let go,” he growled.

Natalie’s nipples distended and prickled. The tone of his voice both shocked and excited her.

Tanner stepped closer and she could feel his hot breath against her cheek. He looked at her with a piercing gaze, letting her know she was his. He wanted her. His eyes roamed over her jaw, down across her collarbone, and over her breasts. Her nipples stiffened.

He looked down her ribs and stopped to stare at the tattoo of his name over her right hipbone. Then he ran one finger down her belly and over her sex. She shivered. Holding her at the waist, he instructed, “Squat down.”

Natalie bent her knees slightly, her legs spreading apart.

“Put your hands on my shoulders.”

She did so.

“I’m going to fuck you,” he stated with such command that her clit vibrated.

Tanner fisted his cock for her to see, a display of male virility. He touched the tip to her outer lips, wet with arousal, and moved it back and forth over her slit. Leaning in, he bit her nipples repeatedly until she cried out.

“Quiet,” he said, revealing no emotion.

Natalie bit her lower lip and clutched at his shoulders. Taking her cue, Tanner slipped his fat cock into her, slipping deep easily. She was so wet there was little friction, though she felt a significant stretch as he plunged into her. “Ah, ah,” she panted.

With his cock wide inside her, Tanner reached behind her and pressed his thumb against her asshole. It felt good but decadent.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, clearly turned on.

Natalie tried to relax. If she’d ever felt like she was being fucked, now was the time. Wrapping her arms around Tanner’s neck, she fought for support. Teetering in the high heels, squatting with her pussy open wide for him, she felt the need to be fucked.
The harder the better.

Tanner touched between her thighs, wetting his finger with the moisture seeping out of her. Then he pressed on her asshole, letting his wet finger slip inside. Natalie gasped. She felt so full; his cock stretched her and his finger provided added pressure. She wanted to move furiously, but felt as though she couldn’t move at all.

With his thick cock, Tanner stroked her, faster and faster. All the while his finger stimulated her anally. Natalie felt embarrassed at the display, but just at first. When he began to fuck harder and move his finger in a vibrating fashion, she came unglued.

All thought of propriety was gone. She wanted this so badly. It felt insanely good. She wished for a mirror to see her body posed over his stiff rod, in her expensive high heels, and offering her ass for pleasure. Her nipples grazed his chest as she bounced up and down with his pounding strokes.

Tanner was panting heavily and sweating. He held his finger in her ass, forcing it as deep as it would go. Natalie gasped for air. “Ahhhhhh,” she moaned.

Faster and harder, Tanner fucked, taking her with a savage demeanor that she welcomed. The more severe his slap into her, the more it turned her on. That he would take her so wantonly, nothing private or forbidden, made it all the more insanely erotic.

Panting and moaning, Tanner’s rhythm sped, and Natalie’s vagina clenched. Her clit was rock hard, and the orgasm surging deep in her core encompassed her whole body. It was as though she had no control at all. Every nerve ending was on edge and her skin was burning up.

The sound of Tanner slapping into her, and the deep jab of his finger where it shouldn’t be, was the last straw. With her hands around Tanner’s neck, letting his strong shoulders take her weight, Natalie screamed. And an orgasm so powerful it made her shake violently ravaged through her.

At the same time, Tanner moaned like an animal in heat and his huge cock pulsed hard inside the tight glove of her pussy. The release only made him pound harder and faster, as if to force every drop he had into her, and make her submit to his taking. His orgasm went long, cum pouring out of him in a heavy stream.

When his body relaxed, he stood, lifting Natalie in his arms, her toes barely touching the ground. She felt weightless and dizzy, relieved to have him hold her. What she’d just experienced pierced deeply. Feelings she sought to subdue rose to the surface. Tanner had taken her in a savage, decadent way, leaving her wanting more. There was no going back now.

Tanner ran a bath in the huge sunken tub. He filled it with fragrant oil and guided Natalie down into the warm water. He’d pushed harder during sex than he’d planned. Once he started, it seemed he was unable to stop. What he couldn’t understand was why she seemed to enjoy it as much as he did—and then without a word, turned away from him.

He lowered his body into the tub, across from her. Tanner looked at her, noting her flushed cheeks and messy dark hair. She looked like a sexy vixen. He wanted her again, right then, if he could. But Natalie wouldn’t look at him.

Guilt stabbed his heart; for what, he wasn’t exactly sure. Whatever he’d done, he’d surely done it out of love. His deep craving for his wife brought out the animal inside him. The lust that burned in his loins and took over his mind was overpowering.

Tanner had needed her so much, just needed to take her. And he had. It wasn’t that he was blind. All the while he’d watched her, and her flame of desire only urged him on. She’d come loudly and hard. How could that be a bad thing?

Had he stepped over some invisible line he didn’t know was there? Women were so hard to understand; Natalie especially. Of all the women he’d ever know, she was the sexiest. She saw into his heart and soul, knowing his most secret urges.
And shared his pleasure.

But not this time.
His heart wrenched looking at her. She’d slid down into the water, letting it immerse her up to her shoulders. With her head against the side of the tub, she was motionless with her eyes closed.
My baby
, he thought.

Tanner had no idea what to do. He loved her; he’d long ago admitted that. And he’d married her, knowing he wanted no other. Lovemaking with his wife transcended this life. It was an intimacy
he never thought to experience.

The only thing he wanted right then was to see Natalie smile. His intention was never to hurt her, but in the blind fury of passion, he may have lost her. “Talk to me, please,” he begged.

Natalie opened her eyes, staring at him blankly.

“What happened? I don’t understand. Please. Tell me.”

Natalie averted her eyes, and Tanner felt the knife to his heart. He waited, not really patiently, but knowing he couldn’t rush her. Overcome with sadness, he bit his tongue, praying she’d tell him.

When she began to speak, just the sound of her voice was music to his ears.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“About what?
You have nothing to be sorry for.”