Naked Submission by Emily Jane Trent

of the difficult situation at home and didn’t want Tanner to be at risk.
    Caitlyn kept Tanner protected and took the bulk of the abuse from her bullying husband. As Tanner grew, he tried without success to protect his mother - he loved her dearly. Being under the age of five, he couldn’t stand up to his brute of a father, although, he’d accumulated his own bruises in the effort.
    The sad tale continued , and Gabriella told her that Ken Cassel was finally imprisoned for domestic abuse. Fearing for her young son, Caitlyn had finally pressed charges. Ken found his match among the inmates, who had a low opinion of wife-beating. Murder, theft, and other respectable crimes gave status among ones friendly felons. But, beating on women, was something only a gutless man would do.
    Ken survived in prison a mere two months before dying. He was stabbed to death by an inmate who outweighed him by fifty pounds. Caitlyn felt relief, not the grief one might expect. She’d long since stopped loving her husband. His death meant that he would never find his way back to her, and could never harm her young son.
    Before the story could take a turn for the better, Caitlyn was stricken with internal cancer, a lump that appeared just above her liver , and spread too deeply. It was inoperable, as it had already compromised the liver. Fortune finally smiled on her when she died a quick death, avoiding any long, painful illness.
    At age 5, Tanner was alone in the world , but not for long. William Sheldon Clarke had never married. The creation of his massive fortune had usurped any personal life he might have hoped for. He became fond of Tanner, having seen him almost daily when his mother brought him to work with her. In a sweep of generosity, according to Gabriella’s version, William adopted young Tanner, who became Steven Tanner Clarke, heir to the Clarke fortune.
    Gabriella did nothing to hide her disgust over the adoption. Tanner was not a rightful heir in her mind, adoption or not. And , the fact that Gabriella had never conceived, only furthered the insult. William had been generous to her in his will, but she wasn’t placated. The bulk of the business and fortune went to Tanner, who was not even a true son of William’s, in her assessment.
    As if telling her all that wasn’t enough, Gabriella proceeded to attack Tanner’s character, claiming he had the violent tendencies exhibited by his biological father, and implying she had evidence of such. She warned Natalie that if she knew what was good for her, she’d dump Tanner before it was too late.

20 – Understanding Tanner
    Gabriella’s intention had been to drive a wedge between Tanner and Natalie. Any happiness he found, served as a personal affront to her. She’d hoped to do irreparable damage. For Natalie, it had the opposite effect. Gabriella’s revelations had only served to further endear Tanner in Natalie’s eyes.
    Knowing what he’d been through, help ed Natalie understand him. The story was hard to listen to. It was all about Tanner’s pain. At the same time, it offered the possibility of understanding, and thus resolving, Tanner’s fear of intimacy.
    Gabriella claimed to have gotten the story from William, at the time he adopted Tanner. Natalie wondered if she’d relayed the facts correctly, as told to her by William, but it did all seem to make sense.
    Natalie expected to see Tanner after his work day. He proved her wrong by showing up within minutes of Gabriella’s departure. The security guard had not only watched vigilantly, but had discreetly called to inform Tanner of the unannounced visit. He’d rushed home to save the situation, only to find Gabriella had already gone. Instead, he found Natalie alone on the patio, looking pale and unsettled.
    He feared the worst and was furious at Gabriella. She was a ruthless woman. Tanner felt rage , knowing that she’d gained access to Natalie and taken undo advantage.
    Natalie gave him a weak smile and Tanner walked