Arianna wasted no time. She refused to analyze what had changed, but the possibility of sex with her teacher was too tempting to discard. She showered, threw on a black lace thong and matching bra, and wiggled into her one knit black dress, casual but sexy. The knit dipped in a low rounded neck that showed her cleavage, and stopped above the knee. She left her legs bare and hooked strappy jeweled sandals on her feet. Then headed out.

* * *

Grant watched her walk into the dining room with a fascination and desire he no longer wanted to hide. God, she was gorgeous. This woman knew who she was and her confidence shimmered from every facet of her body, from her long legs and determined stride, to the gleam of mystery in her jade green eyes. Her dark hair swung silkily past her jaw, gleaming burgundy in the low light. Arianna Devlin would challenge a man on every level, and only the strong would survive. A pleasant buzz rang in his head at the thought of taking all that passion and channeling it. Her mind held a feminine strength which showed in her practices. Difficult postures usually frustrated beginner students. Arianna let her mind go and trusted her body to surrender. Her quick wit and honest conversation was a refreshing change from the women he usually met. His resolution to avoid her shattered into pieces when he’d put his hands on her today. Her flesh bent under his persuasion, and the heated resentment in her gaze only intrigued him. She obviously wanted him, but he held back. One word and she’d be in his bed. One word.

She reached the table. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted to order,” he said, as she took her seat.

“Steak. Bloody. Steamed broccoli. Vodka martini, extra dry, shaken, not stirred, and extra olives.”

He signaled the waiter with the order and then leaned forward, intrigued. “Most of the women I know are vegetarians.”

She tilted her head in challenge. “I have no problems eating cows. I love bacon, vodka and bread. I also balance my cravings with salads for lunch and yogurt for breakfast.”

“A woman in balance is someone I respect.”

“I’m glad.” She smiled at him, her face open. “I take pleasure very seriously. Life is too short.”

“I agree. So, tell me what brought you to my yoga class?” She started on the dinner rolls and slathered the inner flesh with butter. “I work in an advertising agency. Fast pace, tons of stress. All the late hours and bad food finally caught up with me. I didn’t like the way I felt anymore, so I needed a change.”

“Most people never slow down to even assess why they aren’t happy. I give you credit.” She took a bite of the roll. A drop of shiny butter gleamed in the corner of bee-stung lips.

Her tongue slid out and licked the corner of her mouth with slow motions. Grant stared at her openly. His erection was immediate, imagining those same lips over his shaft, opening and sliding upward to receive him. Again, she didn’t pretend not to notice. She smiled the age old smile of Eve and beckoned him over to her garden.

“Why don’t you want to go to bed with me?” she asked.

Her blunt question only made him want her more. Her body was dangerous, but her cleverness and companionship was deadly. Damn, he liked her. Grant reached for his red wine.

“Would you like to hear my story?”

“Yes.”

He nodded and went back into his past. “I was married. She began as one of my students.

I loved her and I was faithful. My following began to grow and instead of hopping to different locations, I decided to embark on a yoga school. I wanted to develop something like the karate schools and train students to go deeper into the practice than a class at the local gym. She supported my goal, and we built the school together.” He paused and waited for her questions. She said nothing, just nodded her head for him to continue. “The school became successful, but my wife began to change. She became jealous of the female students. As you know, the practices sometimes morph into an intimate level. There are standards to follow, but sometimes the women in class form an attachment to me. The same thing happened with the male students and my wife.”

“Makes sense.”

“She believed I was having an affair. Became irrational, stalking me and the students.

Began a chasm within the school until sides formed. Rumors started. I tried to talk to her, pulled back from my classes so we could fix it.” Grant kept his voice neutral though the old emotions still clawed at his gut. “During one of my classes, I was served with divorce papers. Things got nasty. She rallied the students against me and some females made accusations that weren’t true.” Their food came. Silence settled over the table while he forked up his pasta. Then he continued. “She ended up getting the school. My reputation was ruined as a teacher. I walked away with nothing and had to start over. So, I moved to New York and made a fresh start.”

“I’m sorry.”

She offered no more, but he spotted an understanding in her gaze that soothed him. Grant realized he had never told the story to anyone other than his close friends back in Florida. No one in New York had ever scaled the wall to learn his past. Somehow, Arianna had gotten past. On some strange level, he trusted her. So, he told her everything.

“She lied to me.”

Arianna blinked, seeming to realize the worst had not been told. “How did she lie, Grant?”

“She was having an affair with one of the students the whole time. While she accused me and took my school, she was screwing around with one of my senior aides.” Her hands reached across the table and interlinked his fingers as he’d done back in the studio. The warmth and softness of her flesh closed around him and chased away the cold. “It doesn’t matter,” she said softly. “One of the principles you teach is correct. It’s your own karma that you need to account for. You didn’t cheat. You didn’t do anything wrong. And another principle I’ve learned in this life.”

“What?”

She smiled then, dazzling, sexy. “Life sometimes sucks.” He smiled back. “Sad story over. Now you know.”

“But I don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“I don’t know why you won’t take me to bed.”

Her words shot like cannon fire in the candlelit room. The waiter took their plates, brought two fresh drinks and moved on.

“I promised I would never have an affair with a student. Too messy. Too many lies to cover up.”

“I’m a grown woman with a mind and career of my own. I’m not promising love everlasting and white picket fences. You’re not married. I’m single. And we’re both dedicated to our careers. I just want you. For as long as it lasts.” His body shuddered in response. Grant fought the knowledge things too good to be true usually weren't. “Arianna,” he said softly, his hand tightening over hers. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t want to make a mess of things again. I worked too hard to get back where I am.”

“I understand.”

Slowly, her fingers unraveled and she picked up her martini. He felt the distance close around her and knew it was his doing. Her body would be as open as her mind. He just needed to say yes. “Arianna—“

“No.” She shook her head. “I do understand, Grant. Life’s messy. I’m not going to chase you like some love-struck teenager. I work long hours and weekends. My smart phone is another appendage I can’t live without. I don’t want to change your life, I just want you in my bed. I’m even willing to let you set the rules.”

She waved a hand in the air. “But we probably wouldn’t fit. I’m direct and sometimes rude. I love sex and alcohol and red meat. I swear like a cop in Detroit and would probably side with a condo developer over saving some extinct bird species no one gives a crap about. I’ll still come to class, and I’ll finish up the weekend, but don’t play games with me.” He almost gasped. “Play games with you?”

“Don’t put your hands on me unless you’re ready for me. Got it?

Then he knew.

Grant grabbed the bill, threw down some cash and stood up. Arianna sat, almost sullenly sipping her drink, expecting a male temper tantrum. “Get up,” he said.

“Why?”

He leaned over and spoke against her ear. “Because I’m going to strip off your dress and make you come so many times you’ll beg for mercy. Don’t make me say it again.” He paused.

“Get up. Now.”

Arianna got up on legs that trembled and followed him out of the dining room.

* * *

The door closed.

Arianna walked toward the king size bed and put her purse on the bureau. She turned and he was beside her, his body heat rising to her nostrils, and like a horse in heat, a sound rose from her throat. She expected niceties, a glass of wine, some more conversation, but he reached behind her and unzipped her dress.

The black knit fell to the floor and left her in her thong and bra, her chest rising and falling as the excitement began to build as he stared at her. His gaze was hot and his hands large and hard as he smoothed his palms over her skin. He cupped her neck and moved downward over her shoulders to the swell of her breasts. Paused. Then over the lace to push in a gentle pressure that coaxed her nipples to harden and rise. Continuing down over her stomach, the curve of her hips.

He didn’t speak, just drank his fill as he knelt before her and explored her naked buttocks, sweeping down her thighs, the backs of her knees and calves to her feet. She lifted her foot to kick off her sandals.

His hand stopped the motion. “No, he said roughly. “Leave them on.” Grant straightened. Unclipped her bra. Then slid her panties down until she was naked.