Den of Desire (9 page)

Cal clapped Joe on the back. “Well, I have some work to finish before I leave. It was nice meeting you, Mara.”

With that, he left them alone.

Joe came to stand beside her, his gaze traveling over her length. “Why don't you come back to my office? The club's about to close.”

Later, when Mara was alone in his office, she sat in his chair watching the monitors. Her focus was inevitably drawn to a scene with a woman clad in a leather bustier. Black boots climbed up her legs to mid-thigh. A whip hung limply in her hand. A man sat on his knees in front of her, his chest bare, his head hanging between his shoulders. She cracked the whip before letting it trail over the skin of his back.

Mara watched in awe. She couldn't imagine having that amount of control. What would it feel like? In all of the times she had been with Joe, she had never been in control. She couldn't help but wonder if for once he would let her have the upper hand. She felt a surge of arousal dampen her thong as an image of him completely at her mercy flashed through her mind.

“What are you thinking about?”

His voice startled her, and an unwelcome blush colored her cheeks. “Nothing,” she blurted out. “Just watching.”

The smile he gave her made it clear that he didn't believe her. “Want to do the final walkthrough with me?” he asked.

She nodded. “Sure,” she replied a little too quickly.

All of the regular patrons had disappeared as she followed Joe through the darkened club. He stopped in each room to make sure it was empty. She watched him walk into the room they had used previously to secure the straps on one of the tables. Her gaze traveled over the line of his body as he stretched across the surface.

What would he say if she took control?

Would he let her, or would he refuse?

If he let her, would she be able to pull it off, or would she end up making a fool of herself?

She walked across the room, coming close to stand behind him, her body brushing against his.

She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Do you want to fulfill one of my fantasies?”

* * * *

Joe straightened as all of the blood in his body rushed to his cock. He turned slightly, catching the twinkle in her eyes. “What did you have in mind?” he asked.

She reached around to grab him, his cock swelling in her hand. Her tongue teased the lobe of his ear.

“Do you trust me?” she prodded, the motions of her hand making logical thought difficult to attain.

The question was loaded. He almost refused to answer. Luckily, she didn't give him a chance, as she began to unbutton his shirt before slipping it over his shoulders to toss it on the table. He felt her mouth trail over the muscles of his shoulders as her hand worked his manhood beneath his pants. Just when he was about to turn and grab her, she took his hands in hers, leading him to the center of the room. She reached for the handcuffs that were suspended from the ceiling.

Seeing her intent, he hesitated.

“Mara...” he began.

She tilted her head to the side, her eyes searching his. “I trusted you,” she reminded him.

That she had.

She had trusted him with her body in front of a club full of people. She didn't say it, but she didn't have to. That logic plus the hesitant look on her face made him want to agree to anything she asked. He lifted his wrists in offering, watching as she carefully secured them over his head. He heard the final click that sealed his freedom, leaving him completely vulnerable.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Mara. On some elemental level, he did. But in all the time he had owned the club, he had never given any other woman the privilege that he was about to bestow upon her.

“Now that you have me, what do you plan to do with me?”

She leaned in to place a tender kiss on his lips before letting her mouth blaze a trail of fire across his chest. Her hands moved over his body before finding his belt buckle. Within seconds, she had it open and was working on his pants. They glided down his legs, with her pulling his boxers down with them. She bent down to remove his shoes and socks before pulling his pants away.

He stood before her, completely naked. The heat of her stare made his cock lengthen. She walked around him, her fingers traveling over his back, gliding down to grab his ass. She reached around him to take his cock in her hand, her breasts brushing against his back. When her other hand moved lower to cup his balls, his hips moved forward involuntarily.

“Do you want to fuck me?” she asked, her voice breathless.

His eyes squeezed shut tight as he tried to fight the urge to move against her. One hand grabbed his dick, beginning to pump as the other fondled his balls.

“Do you?”

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Chapter 13

“You're playing with fire,” Joe warned.

He felt her smile against the side of his neck.

“Maybe I want to get burned,” she replied.

She moved around to stand in front of him, her eyes meeting his. She reached behind to unzip her dress, letting the straps slide off her shoulders as she held the material over her breasts. Her eyes never leaving his, she let the dress fall to the floor. His gaze lowered to her breasts, her nipples hardened into tight points. He ached to taste them, to curl his tongue around the pink buds. His hands clenched into fists above his head as he caught the scent of her arousal from across the room.

She hooked her thumbs in the waistband, sliding it down her legs. His gaze was drawn to the patch of blonde hair between her thighs.

“Are you wet?” he asked, his voice husky.

Her lips parted. “Yes,” she answered.

“Show me,” he instructed.

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“Touch yourself for me, Mara.”

“I've never...” she started to say but trailed off.

“Do it, Mara. Let me watch you touch yourself.”

She hesitated for a moment before her hand moved across her stomach, barely touching the downy curls.

“Close your eyes,” he said, waiting for her to comply before he continued. When she did, he went on. “Now, pretend that it's my hand. Pretend I'm touching you.”

For a moment, he thought she wouldn't do it, but then she moved. Her fingers slid across her swollen clit. Her head fell back as one slender finger drifted between her slick folds. He watched and waited, his breathing shallow. As if she could hear his silent request, her finger disappeared into the wet depths of her core. She spread her legs apart, giving him a better view as her finger began to move inside of her. His cock swelled at the sight she made. Never before had he wanted a woman this completely.

Her hips moved against her hand as she got closer to the pinnacle of passion. Her other hand came up to cup her breast. She took her nipple between her thumb and forefinger to gently pinch it. He pulled at his bonds, wanting nothing more than to wrap her legs around his waist and sink into her silken heat.

“Joe,” she murmured as she climbed to the peak.

“Come for me, baby.”

She moaned, and her body trembled, her beautiful breasts flushed with arousal. Slowly, she removed her hand as her eyes opened. Embarrassment colored her cheeks.

“Come here, Mara,” he said softly.

She walked across the room on wobbly legs to stand before him.

“Let me taste you.”

She blinked, her hesitation clear.

“I want to taste you, Mara.”

Slowly, she brought her hand up and held it in front of him. He leaned forward, taking her finger into his mouth. His tongue swirled around her skin. He closed his eyes, savoring the sweet, metallic taste of her arousal. When he released her fingers, his eyes met hers.

“Unchain me.”

Her gaze traveled over his length, stopping briefly on his straining cock.

“Unchain me, Mara,” he repeated.

Her hands glided over his chest, her mouth covering his. Her tongue slid into his mouth, pulling his into a sensual duel. When she eased back, he could see the determination in her eyes.

“Not yet,” she whispered. “I want to taste you too.”

Joe waited, holding his breath, as she slid to her knees, her mouth even with his cock. He let out the breath he had been holding as her tongue slid over the head. It swirled around the tip, causing his hips to move forward. When her mouth closed over his length, he thought he would surely lose it. Her hands moved around his body to grab his ass as her mouth began to move on his cock. Slowly at first, then faster, she drove him closer to climax. When he was sure he would come, he cried out.

“Mara, wait.”

She released him for a moment to look up at him.

“I want to taste you, Joe.”

With that, she resumed her task, taking him back in her mouth. One hand came around to cradle his balls, pushing him further. He was right on the verge, and if she didn't stop soon...

“Mara!”

He tried to pull back, but she held him firmly in place. He exploded in her mouth. She swallowed as her mouth continued to move on him. After a minute, she got to her feet.

“That wasn't very nice,” he remarked.

One eyebrow arched. “I thought it was very nice,” she teased.

He smiled. “Will you unchain me now?”

A wry grin tugged at her full lips as she undid the handcuffs. As soon as he was free, he reached down to pull a condom out of his pants before pulling her against him. The breath from her lungs whooshed out as her chest impacted with his.

He smiled as he watched her expression change. “You like to play games?”

He backed her up against a wall, his mouth devouring hers. Soon, the taste of her mouth wasn't enough. He wanted more. His lips trailed over her neck, her collarbone until they found what they desired most. He took her nipple into his mouth, his tongue curling around it. She arched against him, her hands gliding through his hair. He reached for her hands, holding them high above her head as he continued his sensual assault on her breasts.

Bending down, his mouth drifted across her stomach until it found the patch of curls between her legs. He parted her with his fingers, his tongue snaking out for a quick sample of her juices. She tasted sweet, sweeter than anything he had ever tasted before. Her thighs quivered as his tongue slipped through her folds. A moan escaped her lips when he sucked her clit into his mouth. Her hips moved against him, mindless to everything but the rhythm he created.

“Joe,” she whimpered, her voice a mixture of passion and frustration.

Her arousal teased his tongue as her climax neared. Joe got to his feet, sliding the condom on his bulging erection. His hands slid around her waist to clasp her buttocks. Her legs automatically gripped his waist, and he drove into her. Her head fell back against the wall as she gripped his shoulders for support. Her pussy clenched around him, and his hips moved faster. Her fingers curled into the muscles on his arms as she came close to the peak of her passion.

“Joe,” she cried out.

“Right here, baby,” he replied, his voice husky.

He felt her cunt squeeze him and her body tighten in his arms. His head fell into the curve of her neck as he exploded inside of her. As he struggled to catch his breath, one thing became glaringly clear.

Things were getting complicated.

Too complicated.

And soon, he was going to have to end it.

* * * *

Slut!

He watched the scene play out before him, watched her strip for another man, watched her suck him off. She acted like a whore. The whore he always knew she was. He watched her spread her legs, eager to be fucked. She practically begged for it. Her face contorted as she came. His jaw clenched painfully.

Damn her!

He navigated his way through the dark club to the back door, slipping into the night. They hadn't even known he was there. They were too busy going at it like animals. But he'd gotten what he needed. His cock strained against his pants, eager for release. He searched the street before turning the corner.

Mara was a whore. Soon, he would show her the error of her ways. He couldn't wait to have her beneath him, naked and writhing. An image of her bound and helpless flashed through his mind, making his cock lengthen. Seeing Joe Gates fuck her in front of everyone made him see red. Maybe he would find the slut he had picked up the other night.

She hadn't wanted to go along with his plan to scare Mara, but luckily, she could be bought. After their little stunt at the club, he had taken her to a motel room and fucked her until she couldn't walk. She wasn't too happy about the bruises, but he had paid her well enough to shut her mouth.

Melodie or Misty ... He couldn't remember her name. It didn't really matter. When he was with her, he could close his eyes, wrap his hands around her neck and pretend she was the girl he dreamed about, the girl who still haunted him. She thought she was too good for him. But he would show her just how wrong she was. She was nothing more than a slut, just like all the rest of them. Hadn't he witnessed proof of that tonight when she spread her legs for a bastard like Joe Gates?

The scarf was just the beginning. Just a little sign to let her know that she wasn't as safe as she pretended to be. He had already seen the telltale signs. The way she looked behind her when she walked down the street, as if someone was watching her.

And he was.

He was watching every move she made.

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Chapter 14

Mara's fingers flew across the keyboard. She still couldn't believe how quickly her novel was coming along. Two more chapters and she would be ready to send it off to her editor. She almost wanted to say it was a miracle, but deep down she knew better. Joe had opened a door inside of her, and it made her writing that much better.

Her mind inevitably wondered back to the previous night. After leaving the club, they hadn't spoken other than a few cursory words. What worried her most was the distance in his eyes. It wasn't like Joe had ever promised a relationship or that he had once eluded to their situation being anything more than casual.