Raw Burn (Touched By You) by Emily Jane Trent Page A

his tongue, lest he say something he might regret. He did love her so much. Maybe he was softening. Still, she was flaunting it, no question.
    On the drive to King’s Carriage House, Natalie was quiet. She looked out the windows, admiring New York which still excited her. The city was bustling, and preparing for the evening. It was going to be a great birthday, she decided.
    “Who was that on the phone yesterday?” She asked.
    “When?”
    “The woman you were talking to before you motioned me to come in. You hung up, right then.”
    “Oh her,” Tanner said. “Just work.” There was that delighted look again, but he looked away to hide it from her.
    Natalie wanted to press for details, but it was her special night. She pushed aside her fears, and looked out the window. She wondered what Tanner got her as she hadn’t been able to needle any hints out of him. And, she couldn’t even guess. Like a child, she couldn’t wait to see what it was.
    Stepping into the restaurant was like entering a European manor house with period paintings, crystal chandeliers and antique furnishings. With its romance, charm and warm hospitality, King’s was one of her favorite restaurants. It reminded her of England.
    Tanner held her hand, and guided her inside , their bodyguard following them. She was glad to see it was Andre. She felt more comfortable with him than some of the other guards that she’d never even said hello to. She hoped Tanner would allow her to act normally around Andre without getting jealous. In the lobby, Tanner nodded to the server who snapped into action, and grinned at Natalie. He did still love her. He must.
    He glanced at the pink-blue diamond ring on her finger, and lifted her hand to kiss it. “I love you, baby,” he said unexpectedly. Could he read her mind?
    The server motioned for them to follow. Tanner put his arm around Natalie’s waist to escort her to the Hunt Room. It was an intimate room with a hand -painted mural of the Irish countryside on the wall. They’d eaten in there before.
    Turning the corner, Tanner slowed. Just at the edge of the entry to the room, Natalie saw red and white rose pedals strewn across the carpet; utterly romantic. Both Tanner and the server smiled.
    “Tanner…,” she said, touched by the gesture.
    Upon entering, the silence of the room surrounded her. But unexpected motion caught her eye. Confetti suddenly poured from the ceiling, over the helium-filled balloons that were everywhere. There had to be hundreds of balloons, and endless flower arrangements, all red and white roses.
    “Surprise!” Their voices boomed with the greeting, and Natalie saw them move toward her, from the back of the room.
    Natalie’s shock was evident, and across the room a camera’s flash captured the moment. Before her very eyes were Cheryl, Dani, Jazzy, Ellis, and Emma.
    “But…,” she said.
    Everyone laughed and rushed forward to hug the birthday girl. Her initial shock turned to pure pleasure. She laughed along with them.
    “I never suspected,” she said. “I thought….”
    “Yes, well, I wouldn’t miss your birthday unless I was in a hospital bed,” Jazzy laughed. “It was hard to fake being sick. You know me so well.”
    “And the world isn’t big enough to keep me away,” Cheryl beamed with Dani at her side.
    “Mom,” Natalie said, and gave Emma a big hug. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
    “Can’t keep me down,” Emma assured her.
    All through dinner, music played in the background, and the intimate party surrounded Natalie with birthday joy. She loved surprises, and the party delighted her. When Tanner hugged her with a big grin, she could see the mischief behind his eyes.
    “What?” She whispered in his ear.
    “The woman I was talking to, that you were so suspicious of, was Cheryl. You owe thanks to her for helping me set all this up. And….keeping it a secret,” he winked. “And last night I dropped by to make sure everything was prepared. It was