s*x Chained

Explanations

Chapter 12

His office assistant returned after he had eaten, dressed in a mid-length, pale pewter robe in a satin finish. The minute she spied his empty plates, she took the tray and set it aside, then brought over a camp stool so she could sit by his side. Chris had been leaning back on the cot, his hands behind his head. His attractive but astute eyes traveled to Nat's legs, two shapely, bare legs crossed at the knee, then noticed her platform heels, silver and black.

"Now then," he started as he struggled to a sitting position. "Do you want to explain what this is all about? I can't imagine you'd chain me to a wall without a reason." He jingled the chain attached to his ankle for emphasis.

Nat's smile brightened. "I thought we could spent some time by ourselves, together, just the two of us. There's so much I want to know about you, and I hope you'll feel the same way in time."

Chris arched his brows. "Couldn't we have gone on a date or something? I mean, this is an awfully drastic way to get me to reveal myself. All you had to do was ask. I'm certainly comfortable talking about my personal life."

"You would never ask me on a date." Nat's expression fell to a blank page. She blinked several times in rapid succession but her glossy hazel eyes never betrayed the bitter disappointment she felt at his answer. "You're going out with Merrill Strang."

Chris cleared his throat. Was his involvement with Merrill the catalyst to his assistant's bizarre behavior? He never thought Nat would harbor jealous feelings. It was so unlike her, the calm, proficient, perfect employee. Maybe too perfect now that he thought about it. From what he knew of her, Natalie would never allow anything beyond professionalism to surface and mar that accomplished patina of hers.

"If I had known you thought of me besides a boss, I would have asked you to lunch at least. Why don't we do that? Tomorrow, perhaps. I don't need to go to Chicago. I'll spent the time with you, Nat. All you have to do is take off this chain and let me out of here."

While her boss spoke, Nat adjusted the pink headband with the little bow so that her new waves, courtesy of the hot rollers, fell softly along her shoulders. There now! She felt so decadent, and knew the spice-hued negligee, the pumps and the robe had been well worth the extra cost. She felt so sexy, like what they used to call a femme fatale, an irresistible if not dangerous siren to men.

A soupçon of silence ensued before she spoke again. "I wish I could set you free, Chris, but I can't. You see, I know you'll escape and do something terrible like call the police."

"No, Nat! I would never get you in trouble like that! We can just call this a misunderstanding, a little joke on your part. We'll laugh about it later." Leaning forward, Chris tried to catch her gaze. For some time, he knew that he and Nat shared an understanding between them. He never had to ask. She always provided what he wanted and needed. Maybe now he could communicate his desire to leave this place before it became too late... for both of them.

Nat slipped him an empathetic smile, almost maternal. "I wish I could, Chris. I want to, but not until you want me... the way I want you."

Sighing, Chris sat back. He always appreciated Nat's honesty. She certainly provided an honest, bare bones reason for her actions now. "How long to you plan to keep me here? You do know my family is expecting me this weekend and so is Merrill. In fact, Merrill is probably calling me every five minutes, either frantic or just plain mad."

"I took care of it." Nat's words traveled flat but Chris knew the officious intent beneath them. "But you will call her to let her know you have to work all weekend. As soon as its eight o'clock. It's only four a.m. now. Tell her you'll see her on Tuesday, maybe."

Chris slid a hand across his cheek and felt the first signs of a beard stubble. "She won't believe me because Merrill doesn't take everything at face value. She's very suspicious." He chuckled. "She'll think I'm with another woman and she won't be too far off."

Nat laughed along, but then sobered. "Then why do you go out with her, Chris? Surely, you have more suitable women beating down your door."

For a moment, he studied his assistant's face. In the scant light, Nat's features took on a soft, ethereal quality. It was if she had finally pulled away the layers of stiffness and propriety to reveal the feminine qualities beneath. "To tell you the truth, Nat, I don't know why. There's a physical chemistry there, but not much else. You're right though. I should date more cerebral women, but it's not always easy to find a truly intelligent, bright woman..."

"...who also possesses a beautiful body," she finished for him.

Chris shrugged. "Well, that helps. I was going to say who also enjoys the things I do. I mean, I like concerts and parties. Then there's basketball games, touch football, sailing and swimming. Not to mention just going to a sports bar and hoisting a few while we play foose ball."

"I don't think I even know what foose ball is."

"It's a table game where you have to use quick thinking and even quicker moves. You might like it."

"Perhaps, I would."