She shimmied up and over until her body pressed over his, hip to hip, breast to chest. She tucked her head in the crook of his shoulder and felt his breath stir the hair by her temple. Limbs entangled and skin slid against skin. She whispered the words into the dark, the only gift she could give him, the only gift he would take.
“You belong to me now.” She paused. “For a little while.” The words were sweet as they hung in the air between them, And then he was kissing her, and everything went hazy and gray.
Chapter Five
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
They grinned at each other stupidly as students swarmed around them and chattered.
Arianna clenched her hands into fists to keep from touching him. She ached to slide the band from his hair and let the inky strands fall around her fingers. He wore his usual attire of black in a tank top and work out pants. His feet were bare.
She prayed he had the same thoughts as he stared at her. She felt his gaze skim over the low cut halter top and linger on her cleavage. Touch on her nipples. Sliding lower, over her tummy and hips, then back up slowly to lock his gaze with hers. The breath spilled out of her lips at the sensual contact and she took a step forward, dying to touch him, just once.
“Grant?”
Arianna jumped and busied herself with packing up her stuff. The young blonde looked at Grant with a serious case of hero worship and launched into a series of complements regarding the school and how he’d helped her.
Arianna watched from the corner of her eye. Grant impressed her. He was kind, open, and completely in teacher/business mode. There was nothing inappropriate in his gestures, but he did lay a hand on her arm in gentle support. Arianna caught the blonde’s triumph and realized the student believed Grant was interested on a deeper level. Her naked gaze mirrored Arianna’s own from weeks ago.
Suddenly uneasy, Arianna stuffed her bag in the carrier and made her way toward the door.
“Arianna?”
She turned at the sound of her name on his lips. “Yes?”
“Would you mind staying behind and helping me lock up?” The blonde rushed to his rescue. “Oh, I can help you, Grant.” Grant smiled. “Thanks, Missy, but I need to go over a few things with Arianna. She helped me out at the Boston conference.”
Missy nodded but her eyes tracked her competition suspiciously. Arianna held back a groan. First day and already there were issues. She felt like she was back in college having an affair with a professor rather than a yoga teacher. For God’s sake, she wasn’t even being graded!
Arianna took the opportunity to look around at what her lover had built. The studio boasted of floor to ceiling windows with the view of the towering Manhattan skyscrapers fighting for glory amidst streaky blue skies. The wooden floor and beams gleamed with high polish. Ruthlessly organized and clean, there was a raised stage in the front for speakers and demonstrations, but the rest of the space was dedicated to the practice. Mediation blankets, mats and cushions stacked against the far wall. A perfect circle in black and gold was painted at the entrance. Students stood in the circle and bowed before entering the sacred space. It was a practice to become centered and leave the world behind them for the time they practiced. In a city of ruthless competition, Grant had built something special and unique amidst the chaos.
Arianna listed to Grant’s words as he ushered the young Missy out of the school and locked the door behind her. She turned to face a sudden masculine irritation.
“Where do you think you were going?” he demanded.
Her belly jumped at his commanding tone and she took a step back. “Home.” Grant stalked her slowly across the room like a graceful predator. “Don’t think so. It’s been a few days. I’ve missed you.”
“I’m working a big account. I needed to catch up.”
“Were you avoiding me?” he asked.
He closed the gap. Her back hit the wall. Arianna tilted her chin up and met his gaze head on. “A little.”
The slow, masculine grin that transformed his carved features took her breath. “Good, at least you’re still telling me the truth. Now kiss me properly.” He didn’t wait for her response, just took her in his arms and dived right in. His mouth urged her lips open with a sensual persuasion, then slipped his tongue in the wet depths of her mouth to play. Arianna drank in the heady taste of male hunger and coffee. Her nails dug into his shoulders in punishment and a need she couldn’t seem to slake.
He lifted his mouth from hers and cupped her face in his hands. “Hi, babe.” Her heart melted.