Den Of Desire

by Shauna Hart

  Her lips formed a thin line. “I am, Lexi. This is just something I have to do,” she explained solemnly.

  Lexi sat back in her chair for a minute before replying. “Okay,” she said with a nod. “Then let's go.”

  * * * *

  Joe stared at the clock on the wall. The bold black numbers told him that it was almost time to close. Some clubs were open till sunrise, but unlike their owners, he liked to sleep. Besides that, the patrons of his club were dedicated. They would come if he was only open for a few hours in the afternoon. Still, the closer he came to closing time, the closer he got to a conversation that he wasn't ready to have.

  As much as he didn't want to admit it, Cal was right. No matter what he did or did not feel about Mara, he couldn't risk everything for her. There was too much at stake. Still, the thought of her leaving made him want to hit something. When he suggested that she stay with him, he had no idea how much he would want her there or how it would feel to have to tell her to leave.

  Twenty-three minutes from now, the club would close, and he would have to tell her that things had to cool down between them. It wasn't like he was turning her out on the streets. He wasn't that much of an ass. No, he planned to do the right thing. He would put her up in a hotel room across town where no one, especially whoever was following them, would find her. It was the right thing to do. Plus, he would have the peace of mind of knowing that she was safe.

  A knock at the door startled him. He shook his head, walking across the room to answer it.

  “Hi,” she said, her voice drifting over him softly.

  He backed up to allow her entrance before closing the door behind her. “What are you doing here? I thought we agreed that you would stay away from the club for a while,” he reminded.

  “I needed to talk to you,” she said.

  This was it.

  This was the moment he had been dreading all day. As he looked at her, he knew that it wouldn't be easy. But he had to do it. There was no other choice. He took his time walking back to his desk before turning to face her.

  “What is it? Did something happen?” he asked, his nerves on high alert.

  She shook her head. “No, nothing happened. It's just time for me to get back to my life,” she explained.

  His eyebrows bunched together as an uncomfortable feeling swept through his chest. “I don't understand. What are you talking about?”

  She smiled hesitantly. “Joe, you've been great, but I can't stay with you forever.”

  The response was so immediate he had no time to stop it. “Mara, let's think about this. Go home, and when I get done here, we can talk about it,” he reasoned.

  What the hell was wrong with him?

  Wasn't this what he wanted?

  Wasn't she giving him the easy out that he had prayed for?

  So why the hell was he screwing it up?

  In truth, he wasn't really sure. He had been planning to give her the same speech she was giving him all day, but somehow hearing the words leave her mouth hit him like a sucker punch.

  He wasn't ready for it.

  And it hurt.

  “It's already done. I got my stuff before I came here.”

  When he stared at her dumbfounded, she continued. “I can't thank you enough for letting me stay with you, but I can't hide forever. I won't.”

  It hit him like a ton of bricks.

  Hard as nails and completely unsuspected.

  He didn't want her to go. Somewhere in the middle of everything that had happened between them, he had developed feelings for her. Feelings that were strong. Feelings that he wasn't ready for.

  “And what if the person who took the pictures is still following you? What then?” he prodded.

  She looked away, a single chink in the armor she wore tonight. “Then I'll deal with it,” she replied, sounding more sure than she looked.

  “How?” he asked.

  She rolled her eyes. “Joe, I'm not exactly a damsel in distress,” she chided.

  “No,” he said. “A damsel in distress is smart enough to know she needs help.”

  Her lips formed a thin line. “It's not your job to protect me.”

  He shook his head.

  She was right.

  He didn't want to admit it, but she was.

  “Mara, you weren't the only one in those photos,” he reminded.

  She closed her eyes for a minute before focusing her gaze on him again. “I know. But I'm not going to change my whole life because someone pulled out their camera.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “Someone who knows where you live, who delivered the photo to you personally,” he stated.

  “I know,” she said, shaking her head. She took a deep breath before sliding his spare key across the desk. “Joe, I've made my decision. Whatever happens, I'll be okay.”

  He stared at her, knowing that he couldn't change her mind, knowing that he shouldn't. Still, when he watched her walk out of the club that night, he had to stop himself from following her.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  Chapter 19

  This was ridiculous.

  He stared up at the dimly lit window, calling himself all kinds of a fool. For over a week, he'd been coming here, watching, waiting. He tried to convince himself that he was doing it for her own good, that he was doing it to protect her, but deep down, he knew the truth. As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Every night he sat in his office watching the monitors, searching for her. But true to her word, she had kept her distance, and that burned. He couldn't help but admire her courage, even as he cursed her stubborn bravado.

  It was the worst kind of irony.

  He should be happy. Things had played out exactly as they were supposed to—even Cal had breathed a sigh of relief. So why did he feel so empty?

  He hadn't felt this empty since...

  No, he didn't want to think about her or the cruel lesson she'd taught him years ago.

  Every time a woman got too close, he thought of Annette Peters. She had been the most popular girl in college. Everyone wanted to be a part of her world. And he was no different. Except that he wanted to be her world. Annette was an excellent student, head cheerleader, and she came from one of the richest families in town.

  So, it was no wonder that a no-account like him was stunned when she set her sights on him. He was a goner from the first look. Like everyone else in town, he was instantly besotted. He had fallen in love the minute he saw her, even going so far as to buy an engagement ring. But when he went to propose, he found her in bed with his roommate.

  That was when he learned the truth.

  Love was a deluded emotion. He couldn't trust it. And just when he thought he was in deep, that was the moment when he was played for the biggest fool. He made a promise to himself that night that he would never again be that vulnerable. And now here he was, sitting outside her apartment like an idiot. After that day, he had never been the same. Even Annette's tearful pleas couldn't change things. Something inside of him shut down. And up until now, that was the way he liked it.

  Until Mara.

  There was something about her that made him want more.

  And that was dangerous. Because opening up to Mara meant taking the biggest risk of all.

  He saw the silhouette of her body standing before the window. The blinds rose, and he saw her face. God, she was beautiful. He felt his cock press painfully against the barrier of his pants. Her head turned, and she spotted his car. For a moment, he stopped breathing as he waited for her reaction. Then she lowered the blinds.

  So, she knew he was here.

  He shifted, his erection stiffening.

  To hell with this.

  He got out of the car, making his way up to her apartment. He raised his hand, hesitating for a moment, before knocking. He listened as she moved around inside. Finally, the door opened. Her hair glinted in the light as her mouth tilted up on a smile.

  “
Hey,” she said, her tone breathless.

  Before she could say another word, he pulled her into his arms, his hand delving through her soft curls as his mouth took possession. Moving her inside, he shut the door behind them. God, he missed her, missed her taste. He spun her around, imprisoning her against the door. His hands moved over her body, memorizing every line, every detail. His fingers traced the swell of her breasts through her shirt. He caught her moan in his mouth. Still, he needed more. He pushed her shirt and bra up in one fluid motion. Her breasts filled his hands perfectly. His thumbs brushed across her nipples.

  Still, it wasn't enough.

  Bending down, he took the straining bud into his mouth. His tongue swirled over the tip, grazing it with his teeth. Deftly, his fingers undid the button on her pants before sliding them down her legs. He got down on his knees, his mouth blazing a trail across her abdomen. Hooking his thumbs into the waistband of her panties, he eased them down. Her legs automatically parted in invitation as her head fell back against the door.

  He buried his face in her, inhaling the scent of her arousal. His tongue slid through her slit as he tasted her sweet honey. He pulled her clit into his mouth, his tongue flicking it gently as his finger plunged inside of her. She arched against him, her pussy pressing against his mouth. He felt her muscles contract around his finger. When she was on the brink, he got up, hastily pulling his shirt over his head. Next he slid his jeans and boxers down.

  Bending his knees, his hands slid around to grip her buttocks, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. Then he lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist. He plunged deep, unable to stop himself. Her pussy gripped him, pulling him inside, wanting him inside. He let out a groan at how good it felt to be inside of her. She was so tight and wet that he felt like the top of his head was going to come off.

  He moved inside of her as his mouth covered hers. His tongue drove into her mouth in rhythm with his cock. She moaned, and he felt her body convulse around him. It was all the encouragement he needed to let go. He exploded inside of her, pressing his face into the curve of her neck, inhaling her scent.

  In that moment, he knew.

  It was too late to run.

  He had been caught a long time ago.

  * * * *

  Mara awoke, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the apartment. Her gaze traveled around the room until it focused on the man sleeping at her side. Even in sleep, his arm tightened around her waist. She smiled.

  Last night, he had come to her, and that meant more than he would ever know. They had come together with a ferocity that spoke of how much their time apart had taken a toll. If she had ever doubted how much he wanted her, her questions had been answered. He might not have said the words, but the tenderness with which he held her afterwards said everything she needed to hear. She snuggled against his chest, inhaling his scent.

  Suddenly, a noise outside made her lift her head. She stared through the doorway.

  There!

  There it was again.

  She looked down at Joe, ready to wake him, but his eyes were already open. He sat up, reaching down to grab his pants. In mere seconds, he had pulled them over his hips and was heading into the living room.

  She grabbed her robe, sliding it over her shoulders as she got up. Following behind him, she watched as he looked out the peephole. He turned around, motioning for her to stay back. She hid behind the wall as she listened to him open the door.

  “Goddamn son of a bitch!”

  Her pulse leapt. Hesitantly, she peeked around the corner. What she saw made her understand his anger. The word ‘slut’ had been painted across her front door in bright red. Her eyes widened, and all the air rushed out of her lungs in a startled gasp.

  When he heard her, he shut the door, crossing the room to pull her against him.

  “Who?” She barely got the word out.

  She felt him shake his head. “I don't know, but I'm damned sure going to find out. Until I do, you're staying with me.”

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  Chapter 20

  Joe glanced down at his watch. After what had happened, he hated leaving her alone, even if it was for only a few hours. When he looked up, he realized that Cal was staring at him.

  “You with me here?” he asked expectantly.

  “Sorry,” he replied.

  Cal shifted in his chair. “What's going on, Joe?”

  Joe shook his head. “It's nothing.”

  “If it was nothing, then we wouldn't be talking about it right now.”

  He looked away, knowing that his friend could read him better than anyone.

  Too well in this case.

  “Is it the girl?”

  When Joe didn't respond, he continued. “Look, I've never been one to pry, mainly because I hate it when people do it to me. But when it starts to affect business, I have to say something.”

  Joe's eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to say? Business is fine.”

  Cal tilted his head to the side. “Joe, even when you're here, you're not here. I'm not the only one who has noticed that your mind has been somewhere else. The staff are talking, and I can't have that.”

  Joe let out a disgruntled sigh.

  “Look, I get it. Really, I do. But now is not the time to lose focus. We have too much at stake right now.”

  Joe pushed away from his desk to walk over to the monitors. He hated to admit that Cal was right, but deep down he knew that he couldn't deny it. Ever since he met Mara, he had been consumed. Whoever was following her was only making the situation worse. In truth, he couldn't blame Cal for being worried.

  He was worried himself.

  “I can handle it.”

  Cal pinned him with a steely glare. “What about the person following her? Have you taken care of that yet?”

  When Joe didn't reply, Cal let out a muttered curse. “Damn it, Joe. We can't afford this kind of trouble right now.”

  “I know. I'm going to take care of it,” he replied.

  Cal's lips formed a grim line. “I wish I could believe that.”

  His jaw clenched at the unspoken accusation.

  Cal scrubbed a hand over his face before leveling him with an intense stare. “Two weeks. I'll give you two weeks. If this problem isn't solved by then, I have to pull the plug. I'm sorry, buddy. I wish it could be different, but I can't jeopardize the old man's chance at the White House.”

  Joe didn't look at him. He couldn't. He understood better than anyone else how much Cal's family meant to him.

  Cal stood up, crossing the room to stand by the door. When he reached it, he turned to look at him. “Look, I'm sorry, buddy. I know what this place means to you.”

  With that, he disappeared into the night like so many other patrons. Cal was right about one thing. This place did mean a lot to him. It had become a second home. It provided a freedom that he didn't feel anywhere else. But it was more than that. He had too much invested in this place to let it all slip away.

  So, that meant he had no choice.

  He had to find the bastard that was stalking Mara, and he only had two weeks to do it.

  * * * *

  He watched her from across the street.

  Sitting at a table in the picture window of the restaurant, she chatted unsuspectingly. The bitch had no idea that he was watching her.

  Good.

  The more comfortable she got, the easier it would be.

  He would have had her the other night, if it hadn't been for Gates. The bastard was hiding her away like she was his own private toy. And from the way things looked, that was exactly what she had become.

  His fingers curled into his palms, his nails drawing blood.

  She was his.

  She would always be his, and it was time for her to realize it.

  All he needed was one unguarded moment, and he would claim her.

  He hated seeing her with Gates, hated the knowledge that the bastard was with her every night, to
uching her, fucking her.

  Not for long.

  A slow smile crept across his face. He would make her pay for letting Gates touch her.

  And he had already begun to plan her penance.

  * * * *

  “So, you're staying with him?”

  “Well, for now I am,” Mara admitted.

  Lexi leaned back in her chair, her eyebrows arched.

  At the look on Lexi's face, Mara let out a huff of exasperation. “It's just for now. Just until we find out who's doing this.”

  “Funny, I don't remember Joe doing the same for any other girl,” she countered.

  Mara pursed her lips in irritation. “He's just concerned,” she explained.

  Lexi's eyes narrowed as she murmured, “Uh huh.”

  Mara tried to ignore the look Lexi gave her, but it was becoming harder by the minute. She didn't want to talk about her feelings for Joe. She wasn't ready.

  Lexi leaned across the table. “I want you to think about something. If all he wanted was sex, he didn't have to take you home with him. And he certainly doesn't have to try to find whoever is doing this. Just think about that when you try to kid yourself into believing that this is just a physical relationship.”

  She looked away, unable to face the truth in her friend's eyes. As much as she wanted to deny it, it was more than physical. To her. The problem was that she didn't know if it was more to Joe. When they'd started this thing, it had been an unspoken agreement that things would be casual. But living with him, being with him day and night, had changed that.

  She couldn't deny it.

  As much as she wanted to know how he felt, asking him was out of the question. There was too much potential for a bad situation to get worse. She wanted answers, yes. But she wanted them to be the right ones. Because the wrong one would break her heart and risk what little time they had left. And she just wasn't ready for it to end. Her feelings for Joe were far more intense than anything she had ever felt before. Looking back, she couldn't believe that she'd actually thought she was in love with Dan. What she'd felt for him was nothing compared to what she felt for Joe.