Page 1 of Controlling Natasha

Prologue

Jameson

“I want you to meet someone, Jameson.”

I roll my eyes and smirk before setting my bourbon glass on the table, swirling the amber liquid.“I’m not interested.”

“I think you might be.”

I chuckle.“Camden, how long have we been friends?”

My best friend of forty years ignores me, waving a hand through the air.“Sometimes, I’m right.”

“Once.Once you were right.”I lean back in my chair.I love this bar.Situated on the top floor of one of Seattle’s swankiest hotels, it’s quiet with dark leather furniture, high-end clientele, and unobtrusive wait staff.Only the wealthiest come here, so Camden and I don’t have to worry about anyone annoying us.

We’re tucked in a booth in the corner where we often meet to catch up over an extremely expensive glass of bourbon.I’m not fond of the nights he decides to try and set me up with some woman he’s met, but I put up with it.I can usually blow him off quickly enough.

“Okay, once.But I was really,reallyright that time.”

I give him a nod.It’s what he wants.“You were right.Julia was perfection, and now she’s gone.I’m not looking to replace her.”

“It’s been ten years, Jameson.You’re only forty-two.You can’t stop living just because Julia is gone.”

“I am living,” I defend.Sort of.“I have my work.It keeps me busy.I go out.”

Camden glares at me.“Hoffman Corporation does not need you anymore.It runs itself.You micromanage the company because you’re bored.And meeting up with me every few weeks at this bar is not what I would call ‘going out.’When was the last time you enjoyed a night at Surrender?A month ago?”

I inhale slowly, staring at my glass as I continue to swirl the liquid.

Camden leans forward.“She died, Jameson.It was tragic, and I hate it for you.She was a gem.The best.But she’s gone, and you’re not.She would want you to go on with your life.”

I know he’s right, but he doesn’t understand.Julia is not replaceable.She was my perfect match in every way.The perfect partner.The perfect submissive.The perfect Little.There aren’t many women like her, and the thought of training someone to submit to me the way I prefer exhausts me.

“Her name is Natasha.”

I jerk my gaze to his.“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Give her a name.”

“I didn’tgiveher a name.I assume her parents did,” Camden argues.

I groan.“Semantics.”

“She’s just your type—five-three, thick brown hair, petite, big brown eyes, twenty-two?—”

“Twenty-two,” I nearly shout.“Are you crazy?I’m twice her age.”

“Since when do you care how old your submissives are?You dominate women of all ages at Surrender.When you go there.”

“Dominating a woman at the club for an hour or two is not the same as dating one.”

“Well, you’re in luck.You don’t need to date her.That’s not what I have in mind.”

I narrow my gaze at him.“Stop beating around the bush, Camden.What the fuck are you suggesting?”

“She needs somewhere to live.”

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