Den of Desire (7 page)

“So, what do you think of the club?” he asked, his gaze centered on her breasts, which were peeking through the blue dress she wore.

“It's different,” she admitted.

He chuckled. “That's one way to describe it. Have you gotten a room yet?”

“No,” she replied.

He took a step closer to her, his head leaning in to whisper in her ear. His hand covered her waist, making her jump. “You've got a beautiful body that I'd love to see more of. Why don't we get a room?”

Before she could reply, she felt his lips press against her neck. Suddenly, he stiffened, leaning back to gaze over her head. She didn't have to turn around to know who stood behind them, but when she did, she wasn't prepared for the anger in his eyes.

* * * *

He couldn't believe it. The fact that she was obviously cozying up to another member was all too telling. And Eric Talmadge of all people! He couldn't please her if he tried. The man probably fumbled when he masturbated.

He was all too familiar with the club's allure. It was one of the reasons he didn't date members. It could become an addiction. An addiction that had no place in a relationship. Even the most sanctimonious hypocrite could become an addict if given a taste. But he had never believed that Mara would fall under the spell.

He'd thought she was different. The fact that she was obviously about to indulge herself with Eric Talmadge in one of the rooms he owned definitely spoke differently.

Maybe he had been right to stay away from her. He hadn't wanted to, but considering what happened the last time she was here, he'd thought it was best for both of them to take a break.

He wasn't ready to get involved with anyone.

Watching Eric slide his arm around her waist in a clear show of possession made him want to hit something.

Preferably Eric's face.

“Eric. Mara. It looks like you two are enjoying yourselves,” he observed, his hands clenching into fists in his pockets.

Eric grinned. “Actually, I was just about to look for a room,” he said.

Joe turned his attention to Mara, his eyes narrowing. “Really? Well, allow me to help. As I remember it, Mara, you have a fondness for the domination room. Would you like for me to see if that room is available?” he inquired, trying desperately not to break Eric's roving hand.

Eric's eyes widened, and he gave Mara an appreciative wink. “That would be great!”

He ignored the look of discomfort on Mara's face as he focused on the hand that trailed over the side of her breast. His jaw clenched.

If he didn't get away from them, he would definitely do something he regretted.

“I'll let Curtis know that you've requested the room. If you need anything, feel free to let him know.”

With that, he spun on his heel to retreat to his office. He slammed the door shut behind him, crossing the room to fall into his chair. He quickly switched off the monitors, not wanting to watch the scene that was sure to play out soon.

Damn it!

A knock at the door made him let out a heavy sigh. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now. Unfortunately, the impatient knock sounded again, letting him know that there was no escape.

“What is it?” he bit out.

Curtis peeked in, his bald head shining in the light. “Sorry, boss. She said she needed to see you,” he explained.

He pushed the door open enough for Joe to see Mara standing behind him.

Joe cast an irritated glance in her direction before responding. “It's okay, Curtis.”

After Curtis was gone, Mara walked in, shutting the door behind her.

“I told you that Curtis could handle anything you needed,” he reminded her harshly, his lips forming a grim line.

He grabbed a member application off the corner of his desk, feigning interest so she would leave.

“I need to talk to you,” she asserted.

As much as he wanted to look at her, he refused to give her the satisfaction. He picked up his pen, making notes in the margin, his eyes never leaving the paper.

“Was there something wrong with the domination room?” he asked, his tone brisk.

She crossed the room to stand before his desk, her dress brushing against the polished wood. Her perfume drifted up to his nostrils, teasing him. It was an erotic blend of vanilla that made him want to taste her.

Still, he refused to look at her.

“I'm not going to get a room with Eric. That's not why I'm here,” she admitted.

He leaned back in his chair, allowing his gaze to trail over her body. His jaw clenched at the unwanted pull of desire that drove into him.

“It looked like you two were pretty cozy out there,” he pointed out.

Color crept into her cheeks. “Joe, you know I didn't come here for Eric.”

Her words hit him in the chest like a sucker punch.

He wasn't sure why she had such a hold on him, but she did. He got up, walking around the desk to stand behind her. When she started to turn, he stopped her, holding her against the desk. He leaned in, his chest pressing against her back, his erection snugly cradled between her buttocks. He inhaled the sexy, delicious scent of her, his lips dangerously close to her ear.

“What do you want from me, Mara?” he asked, his voice intent.

When she didn't answer, he lifted her skirt, bending to slide her thong down her long legs. She stepped out of it, and his tongue snaked out to trail up the back of her leg to her buttocks. She quivered. He stood up, spreading her legs further apart with his foot. He moved his hips against her buttocks, grinding his erection against her.

“Answer me,” he demanded, his voice husky.

His hand moved around to cup her mound, his finger sliding into her. He closed his eyes at the exquisite sensation of being inside her body. He loved the fact that she was always wet and ready for him. Damn, he couldn't spend ten minutes with her without spreading her out and sliding his cock into her. He fished a condom out of his pocket before unzipping his pants. He rolled the condom down his length before positioning himself at her entrance.

His lips pressed against her ear as his hands gripped her hips, pulling her back against him. He rubbed the tip of his cock against her slick opening as he whispered in her ear.

“What do you want?”

She leaned her head back against his shoulder. “You.” She sighed.

He drove into her, his cock sliding deep.

Jesus!

She felt so good.

Like hot velvet.

Better than anything he had felt in a long time. One hand slid up to pull the strap of her dress down her shoulders, bringing her bra with it. His hand cupped her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple. His mouth moved over her shoulder, her neck, but he wanted more. He pulled the dress over her head, letting it fall to the floor. He trailed kisses over her back as he unsnapped her bra. He wanted her naked, completely bare to him. His hands cupped her breasts, his fingers pinching her nipples as he continued to drive into her tight pussy.

God, he was going to come soon.

He slid one hand over her abdomen to delve into the blonde curls between her legs. His thumb began to lazily rub circles over her clit. He felt her cunt squeeze him. She threw her head back as she released a sexy moan. He pumped into her, allowing her pussy to milk the orgasm out of him. He released a low groan as it overtook him. He held her tight against him, not ready to let her go yet. He breathed in the scent of her arousal.

“Come home with me.”

He heard the words come out of his mouth, but he didn't quite believe that he said them. He never took women home. It was too personal, and it only served to create complications he didn't need. He had learned his lesson a long time ago. He had been burned before, and he refused to let it happen again.

But holding Mara's naked body against his made him realize something.

Whether it was right or wrong, he wanted her.

He wanted to be with her.

And he wasn't ready to let her go tonight.

Not now.

Not yet.

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Chapter 11

Joe gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated through the city streets.

What the hell had he been thinking when he'd invited her home?

Asking her to come to his house was almost the dumbest thing he had done in a long time. Almost, because it seemed like everything he had done lately where Mara was concerned was pretty ridiculous.

He glanced over at her. They had barely said two words to each other since they got in the car. She stared out the window, the city lights trailing across her skin as intimately as a lover's hand. Her short skirt revealed more of her legs than it hid. His knuckles turned white as he curled his fingers around the wheel.

Damn!

He had it bad.

And no matter what he did with her, it wasn't going away.

In all of the times he had been with a woman, he had never lost control.

He couldn't.

But with Mara, he had broken all the rules the second he touched her. He wasn't sure what it was about her that drove him to the limit. She had gotten under his skin, and no matter what he did to pry her out, it wasn't working.

Taking her home with him was a mistake. He knew it, but he couldn't stop it, either. If he had been able to keep his mouth shut, he wouldn't be in this mess right now. He wasn't sure who had been more shocked by his proposal.

Her ... or him?

Still, once it left his mouth, there was no way to call it back.

Pulling to the side of the road, he parked in front of the two-story Victorian he had gutted and refurbished three years ago. He didn't wait for her to get out as he followed the brick sidewalk that led to the front door. From the sounds of clicking heels on brick, he didn't need to worry. She was right behind him.

“This is all yours?” she queried.

He fit the key into the lock, feeling the heat of her body against his back.

“Not according to the mortgage documents,” he replied brusquely.

He pushed the door open to the foyer, disappearing into the kitchen.

* * * *

Mara's gaze scanned the interior of the house. She wasn't sure what she had expected when he'd invited her home, but this was definitely not it.

Maybe a sleek loft or an expensive condo filled with black lacquer furniture?

But, as she looked around the rooms, she realized that Joe Gates was a mass of contradictions. She would never have imagined that the man who ran an underground sex club would have a quaint Victorian house filled with antiques. A large crystal chandelier hung overhead, illuminating the small area. A mahogany staircase stood in front of her, the wood gleaming in the light.

She heard Joe talking to someone in the other room, but she couldn't see who it was. She bit the inside of her lip as nervousness welled up inside of her. A woman came out of the kitchen. Her auburn hair had highlights that glinted in the light from overhead. Mara twisted the strap of her purse as she stared at the other woman. Unease crept up her spine. Instantly, she realized how foolish she had been to come here. After all, she knew nothing about Joe Gates.

Were his sexual games limited to the club?

Or did they extend further than that?

The woman walked toward the door, pulling a jacket over her shoulders. Joe appeared from around the corner. His gaze pinned to Mara even as he spoke to the other woman.

“Thanks, Ellen.”

She cast a quick glance over her shoulder as she replied, “No problem. Tell him I'll see him tomorrow.”

With that, the other woman disappeared out the door. After a moment of silence, Mara couldn't take it anymore.

“Who was that?”

He took a step closer to her. “Ellen's a friend,” he answered, his steps bringing him face to face with her.

She tilted her head to the side, her jealousy bubbling up to the surface. “How good of a friend?” she prodded.

His lips slid into a grin. “She helps me out from time to time,” he hedged.

His hand slipped around her waist as he pulled her against him. All the breath in her lungs escaped at the feeling of his hard body pressed against hers. His mouth drifted across the sensitive skin of her neck, making her heart skip a beat. She allowed herself to savor the feeling for a moment before returning to the matter at hand.

She eased back in his arms to look into his eyes. “Helps you with what, exactly?”

He smiled. “Nothing that you're helping me with, if that's what you're wondering,” he explained.

“Oh,” she said, wishing that she had kept her big mouth shut.

She hated sounding like the jealous female who was obviously taking this relationship much more seriously than he was. Unfortunately, right now, she couldn't sound like anything else, because that was exactly what she was.

And from the look on Joe's face, he knew it too.

Color crept into her cheeks as his hands gripped her waist to pull her closer. Her nipples tightened under her dress at the feel of his chest pressed against hers.

“Mara, don't think. Just feel,” he instructed her, before his mouth covered hers, his tongue demanding entrance.

They fed off each other, each as hungry for the taste and feel of the other's body. Then he moved away, his hand leading her. She followed him up the staircase. He led her to a room at the end of the hall. A four-poster king-sized bed dominated the room. A marble fireplace that was dormant sat in front of the bed, and an antique dresser flanked the wall.

She glanced around, looking for clues about his life, clues about who he was, but the room did not divulge any secrets. No pictures, no mementos. The room was bare of emotion despite the fact that it was equipped for comfort. But when he turned to face her, his hands roaming over her body, all thoughts vanished.

Their clothes seemed to dissolve around them as their passion took over. When she lay beneath him, her hands traveling over the hard length of him, she felt her heart swell. His cock pressed against her moist folds, teasing her. His eyes met hers as their bodies joined together.

They had been together several times, each time more exciting than the rest. Still, as his lips met hers, she realized that this time was very different. There was something decidedly tender in the way he held her, the way he claimed her. His lips trailed over her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead. Afterward, as she lay beside him, she realized that what had begun as an adventure was no longer a game.