Den of Desire by Shauna Hart Page A

every move.
    After a quick stop at her apartment to pick up clothes, he'd brought her here. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of staying. In all honesty, he couldn't say he was either. Thank God his grandfather was in Florida with Ellen for the week. Explaining Mara's presence, even for a short time, wasn't something he was ready for. But he couldn't let her go home knowing that someone was stalking her. Her apartment wasn't safe, and that meant that her staying here was the only option.
    The protectiveness he felt for her worried him. Things were getting too intense. Words like relationship, commitment and dating were definitely not something he was ready to face. Still, the more time he spent with her, the closer he came to just that.
    She let out a long sigh.
    “What are you thinking about?” he inquired softly.
    She rolled onto her side to look at him, cradling her cheek in her hand. “Who's doing this to me, Joe? Who's watching us?”
    The consternation on her face created an unwelcome tightening in his chest. “I don't know, but I promise you that I will find him,” he vowed earnestly.
    Her eyes narrowed. “You think it's a man?”
    “You don't?”
    She looked away, refusing to meet his gaze. “It's just ... I saw you with that woman tonight,” she admitted.
    “What woman?”
    She nervously wet her lips. “She was wearing a schoolgirl outfit.”
    Realization dawned. “You mean Andrea? She's just a member.”
    He watched her hesitate for a moment before she spoke. “You seemed close,” she observed.
    A slow smile crept across his face. “Are you jealous?” he prodded.
    Even in the dim light, he could see her face flame with embarrassment.
    “No ... I just meant...” She trailed off.
    He reached over to stroke her cheek with his hand. “She's just a member, Mara,” he repeated.
    Her eyes met his, and she smiled.
    “So, what about you? No old boyfriends who might be lurking around?”
    She shook her head. “No,” she replied.
    One side of his mouth tilted up. “Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”
    Shadows passed over her face as her expression turned serious. “My last boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend,” she confessed.
    “Ouch,” he replied with a wince.
    She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, I guess I wasn't adventurous enough for him.”
    A wry smile slid across his face. “I think we've definitely proved that's not true,” he chided.
    Her lips curved into a shy grin. “I guess that you have shown me the joy of giving up control.”
    “You guess?” he challenged.
    She threw back the sheet to climb on top of him, her thighs straddling his hips. “So, what about you? Do you ever give up control?” she inquired.
    When his hands reached for her hips, she captured them, pulling them high over his head.
    “Mara...” he said, starting to stop her.
    She silenced him with a long, sensual kiss. When she pulled back, the intent look on her face stopped him from further protest.
    “Are you willing to give up control?” she asked.
    One eyebrow arched. “I think I proved that the other night.”
    She leaned down, her lips coming dangerously close to his, but just out of reach. “Feel like proving it again?” she questioned.
    He chuckled, a low deep rumble low in his chest. “What did you have in mind?” he countered.
    The side of her mouth quirked up. “I've found that it's best not to ask questions when you're the student,” she explained against his mouth.
    “Is that what I am?”
    Her tongue traced the shape of his lips, dipping seductively into the corner. “Tonight, it is.”
    She rubbed her breasts against his chest as her mouth moved over his. When he started to move his hands, she stopped him.
    “Uh-uh. No touching until I say,” she commanded.
    “Exploring your dominant side?” he prodded.
    Her grin tickled his lips. “You said I needed to experiment,” she reminded him softly.
    “That I did.”
    Her tongue traced a path of fire across his throat,