Page 4 of Controlling Natasha

“Is she here?”

The female voice causes me to turn to the side to find a woman about Albert’s age bustling toward us.She’s grinning as wide as Albert, and she looks like she stepped off the set of an early 1900s period drama with her gray bun, her old-style dress, and her apron.She’s even wiping her hands on a small towel.

She holds out a hand, but when I extend mine, she takes it with both of hers.“So nice to meet you, Natasha.I’m Edith.Has my husband been ribbing you already?”

“Uh…nice to meet you.”I’m not sure what else to say.

“I’m usually in the kitchen.If you need anything, come see me.Or Albert.He can be serious for long enough to take a note if you’re out of shampoo or anything like that.”She waves a dismissive hand through the air.

Shampoo?I hadn’t thought of such things.“Oh, I’m sure I can pick up personal items like that, but thank you.”Though I’m full of crap because I’m down to my last few dollars.Shampoo was not going to make the cut this month.

“Well, I’ll let you get on.I’m sure you’re anxious to meet Jameson.”She turns around but then glances back.“Oh, I should ask.Are you allergic to anything, sweetie?”

“No, ma’am.”I feel like I should be respectful to these two.After all, I’m a guest in this home.They weren’t expecting me.“I promise I won’t be an inconvenience to you.”

Edith frowns and then grins.“Oh, sweetie, you could never be an inconvenience.We’re so excited to have another person in the house to look after.Jameson is boring us to death.It’s been a while since someone young and full of life lived here.”

I lick my lips.“You don’t have to go out of your way for me.I’ll mostly be studying on campus.I just need a place to sleep.”

Edith waves her dismissive hand again.“Don’t be silly.We’ll incorporate you right into the household.I’ll meet with you later to make a list of your favorite foods and snacks.Tomorrow, I’ll go to the store and pick up anything you require.You just relax and make yourself at home.”

My head is spinning.I haven’t even met Mr.Hoffman, and these two already have me moved in and adopted.“Thank you for your hospitality, ma’am.”

“Stop yapping at the girl, dear,” Albert admonishes in a teasing voice.“You can talk her ear off later.”

Edith laughs as she scurries away.

When I turn back to face Albert, he’s nodding in the other direction.“The library is this way.”

I follow him.This is so surreal that I feel like I’m floating in another dimension.

The house is so large that we pass several open doors on the way to meet Mr.Hoffman.When we pass a room with a piano, I nearly giggle.A music room?I think I’ve gone back in time.There’s what I now believe to be a parlor.Across from it is a game room?There’s a billiards table inside.I’m kind of surprised I don’t smell cigar smoke.I’m glad, too.Smoke makes me gag, but I bet these rooms were once filled with smoking men a hundred years ago.

Finally, Albert stops at a pair of open doors and waves me inside.“I’ll see you later, young lady.”He turns and walks away, leaving me at the threshold of a room that takes my breath away.

I take a tentative step forward.At first, I don’t see anyone, but I wouldn’t because my gaze is wandering the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.I bet most of this collection is as old as this house, maybe even older.I’m salivating to step closer to them.

Movement across the room makes me jerk my attention toward a tall man who rises from an armchair.“I thought I heard voices.”He hurries forward.

I can’t move or breathe.He’s…stunning.Six feet tall, thick black hair, green eyes, and broad shoulders.He’s wearing a suit, but that shouldn’t surprise me.Albert was dressed in a suit, too.So was Edward at the community entrance.

“Welcome, Natasha.Come in.”His voice makes my knees buckle.I can’t take a single step for fear I might trip.And his expression… His brow is slightly furrowed even though there’s a smile lifting the corners of his lips.I get the feeling he doesn’t smile often, but he’s trying to do so for my sake.I suspect he’s a serious man, but he would have to be since whatever he does for work must pay handsomely.

“You okay, Little one?”

I meet his gaze, realizing I’ve been blatantly letting my gaze roam up and down his body.My mouth is dry, yet my panties are not.This is bad.Since when do I find someone so attractive that I’m tongue-tied?

To be fair, I’m often tongue-tied, but not usually completely mute.

“Natasha?”

I finally clear my throat and hold out my hand.“Nice to meet you, sir.I really appreciate you offering me a room.”

He takes my hand in his.His warmth envelops me, turning my brain to mush.I find myself wanting to close the distance and lean into him.Suddenly, I’m tired.Not sleepy, just exhausted from life.Something about Mr.Hoffman promises a soft place to fall, and I could really use such a thing.

He gives my hand a slight tug.“Come.Sit down.Let’s get to know each other.”

I let him lead me across the room, aware he’s still holding my hand.He guides me to a loveseat and cups my elbow as I lower onto it.I need to shake some sense into myself.This man has offered me room and board, not a romp in his bed.

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