Page 41 of Controlling Natasha

“Albert is one of Jameson’s employees, right?”

“Yes.He and his wife Edith manage the house.”

“Go on.”

“So, I never saw the car again.Mr.Hoffman told me it wasn’t safe to drive it because it might break down.Albert started driving me to and from school.My only other option is to let Mr.Hoffman buy me a new car, and I’ve repeatedly told him no because that’s way too expensive an item to buy someone living with you as a charity case.”

“Is that how you see yourself?A charity case?”

I sigh.“Not so much now, but let’s face it: He took me in when Professor Arnalt asked him to because he felt sorry for me.You can’t just move a stranger into your home and buy her a car.Room and board is one thing.The phone.The computer.The clothes.The list is long.I’m indebted to him for everything.I can’t add a car to that list.”

“Do you feel indebted to him?”

“In a way.I certainly can’t pay him back.He keeps encouraging me to work on my life’s passion instead of getting an advanced degree or a job.If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to even consider taking time off to work on a book.It’s a frivolous idea.”

“Do you feel like you’re in a committed relationship with Jameson?”

“I guess.It’s a weird one, though.I keep thinking he’ll get tired of me.I don’t know what he sees in me.”

“So, you’re worried things will end with him, and then you’ll feel like you owe him for everything he’s bought you, and that would be compounded if you accepted a car.”

“Exactly.”I’m feeling less upset by this visit now.Mr.Odell seems to understand me.It’s kind of nice.

“Those are reasonable concerns.Why do you call him Mr.Hoffman?”

I shrug.“He never asked me to call him by his first name, so I never call him anything except Sir and Mr.Hoffman.”I’m surprised when I chuckle.“Except sometimes I call him Mr.Controlling.”

Quinten smiles.“To his face?”

“Yes.”

“Sassy.I like it.”

I sit taller.Quinten isn’t judging me.

“In what ways is he controlling?Give me some examples.”

“Goodness, there are a million ways.Let’s see…” I pull my sweater tighter around me and think.

“Are you sure you’re not cold, Natasha?”

I glance down and then shake my head.“I’m not cold, but the reason I’m pulling my sweater around me is a great example of how controlling Mr.Hoffman is.”

Quinten lifts his brows.I like how he’s smiling, intrigued.

“Sunday, he took over my life one hundred percent of the time.Not just eighty.I haven’t even been to the bathroom without his knowledge since I woke up on Sunday morning.He sets out all my clothes each day now.On Sunday, he set out clothes for a toddler, which embarrassed me for a while until I realized Albert and Edith fully understand age play.I’ve gotten used to them seeing me in this role.But then Monday came around, and Mr.Hoffman set out what I was supposed to wear to school.He didn’t give me a bra because he said Little girls don’t wear bras.I stood my ground until he relented, but when I got home, I found out he’d purchased me an array of training bras as aquotecompromise.”I hold up my fingers in air quotes.

“How did that make you feel?”

“Twelve.”

He chuckles.“I guesshisgoals were met.But how do you feel about being in the headspace of a twelve-year-old when you’re at the university?”

“Weird.”

“Did you wear a training bra yesterday and today?”

“Yes,” I murmur.

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