Raw Burn (Touched By You) by Emily Jane Trent Read Free Book Online Page B

no delusion. She’d never have gotten so far , as fast, without his connections. And Dani’s too. Thwarted at every turn, she began to wonder if the rug had been pulled out from under her.
    She tried to brush it all aside. Once she reached everyone, personally, she’d sort it all out. She was reading more into their communications than existed.
    Then, Thomas in London didn’t take her call. His assistant answered and said he was involved with an important matter and couldn’t be interrupted . Not alarming, except that she was brushed off with a rude, “I don’t know when he will be able to speak with you. He’s a busy man.” He knew Thomas carried her fashions, and yet his behavior indicated that she was not in good standing.
    The last straw was when she called Susan, her assistant. Surely, she would have insight into what was going on. Before she could fully convey the situation, Susan cut her off saying, “You need to talk to Tanner.”
    Natalie slumped into her office chair, and tried to think. Don’t overreact, she told herself. But it was hard. Too many doors seemed closed, and all at the same time. Her pulse speeded up. The idea that her company, Natalie Baker Designs, would be dropped was possible. After all, nobody owed her anything.
    No, but they owed Tanner. His power and status had opened the door for her. And, as horrifying as the thought was, he could have the door closed, just as fast. Her heart fell. Tanner! He was mad at her, and she’d refused to give an inch.
    Well , he was using his power and influence, to show her who is boss. She was furious. She couldn’t believe that he’d use his credibility, money and relationships to control her. And that’s what it was. Control.
    He couldn’t persuade her to subdue her sexuality, at least in her choice of clothing, so he was going to wield his power. He wasn’t fighting fair .
    Natalie arrived at Tanner’s office in record time, urging the driver to edge above the speed limit. “Hurry please,” she’d said, over and over.
    She stormed into Tanner’s office, wearing a royal blue mini skirt that hugged her ass, and a tiny silk top that exposed her midriff. Too late, she realized it was overly sexy and would incite further wrath from him, the last thing she needed to do right now.
    But she wasn’t going back to change clothes. She strutted into his office and right up to the desk in her four-inch blue leather heels.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” She demanded, a little too loudly.
    Tanner put the phone down, just finishing a call.
    “What do you mean?”
    Natalie’s eyes filled with tears that streamed down her cheeks. She was further frustrated at her display of emotion. She wanted to be cold, but she always cried when she got angry. Nevertheless, she plunged ahead.
    “You know what I mean,” she shouted. “ …my company. Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
    Seeing her distress, Tanner shifted gears. He walked around the desk, and put his arms around her. She was shaking.
    “Please tell me what you are so upset about,” he pleaded.
    Natalie began to doubt her sanity. He didn’t seem to realize what he’d done, and she could not seem to suppress her emotion. She started sobbing.
    Quickly, Tanner switched off his phone and locked the door to his office, not wanting to be interrupted for any reason. He led her to the sofa, and sat her down. He kept his arms around her, waiting until she could speak again.
    “They’re all against me,” she sobbed.
    “Who?” He asked, in all earnestness.
    Natalie leaned back and looked into his eyes. If he was faking, he was certainly doing a good job of it , because he looked like he didn’t know what she was talking about.
    “Thomas won’t speak to me. Suzanne says we have an issue. Dani isn’t returning my call,” she accused.
    Tanner looked at her, puzzled. “That’s what you’re upset about?”
    “Yes.”
    “I don’t know what the problem is.”
    “Well, you better. Because