The Tantric Principle by Jennifer Probst Page A

storm the barricades.

    She’d known her heart was at stake from the past week they spent together. For the first time in her life, she felt cracked open to her vulnerable, mushy center. A deep connection burned between them on a level she had never reached with another man. Her gut knew he felt the same way, but Arianna didn’t know if he’d ever admit his feelings. How could she fight a ghost from the past? An experience that had shaped the man he was today?

    She didn’t need to find any of the answers tonight. She only knew she wanted to be with him, for as long as it lasted.

    “You said you trusted me,” he said.

    She spoke softly. “I do. Grant, I’m not looking for validation of our relationship. I’m not looking for explanations every time you have a meeting or flirtation with a student. I can separate business from pleasure and I’m not jealous. I just don’t want to be judged on a past experience I can’t fight.”

    “You’re nothing like my ex-wife.”

    “I know. But are you going to be suspicious every time I watch another student come on to you? Are you going to worry that I’ll turn against you and cause another break in your school?”

    “Missy likes the way she’s feeling and she’s transferred the emotions to me. I’ve seen it before.”

    Arianna couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips. “I used the same excuse to keep from falling for you. Convinced myself it was like a therapist.”

    “Sometimes it is.” He didn’t speak for a while, and she knew he was uneasy. “Is that what you think we have?”

    She reached down and stroked his erection with her hand. He was slippery from her juices and warm to the touch. Grant gasped and gave himself up to her ministrations, but before he could explode he pushed her away again, breathing deep.

    “Let go,” she whispered. “I want to please you.”

    “You do. But I follow tantra, so I don’t allow myself to come often. My body holds all of the sexual energy and I can go deeper into my practices.” His eyes glittered with raw hunger. “I also get my satisfaction from you. Your pleasure is mine. We’re linked.”

    “Grant?

    “Hmmm?”

    “You’re an amazing teacher. And I love the way yoga has changed my life. But I’m not sleeping with you because I’m getting off on secretly screwing my instructor.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Not even a little?”

    She punched him in the arm. “If you need more time to work this out, I’m okay with keeping us a secret. Just don’t get upset when I call things the way I see them.”

    “Deal. Now come home with me.”

    “I have to get up so early and—“

    He kissed her hard and deep. “Arianna, I want you to sleep in my bed tonight. Even if it’s just for a little while.”

    The wall holding back her heart shook on its foundation, then slowly steadied. She nodded. They got dressed and walked out together hand in hand.

Chapter Six

    “You got it.”

    Arianna looked up at Tim. He stood in the doorway with a half smile on his face. “Got what?” she asked.

    He shook his head in amazement. “The promotion. Un-frikkin' believable. Sanders promoted you.”

    The file dropped from her fingers as his words shot through her brain and squeezed with clarity. “You’re joking.”

    “Not. He wants you to lead the team for the Rosebud account. Damn, Arianna, he’s sending you to Chicago.”

    The reality of her situation crashed over her. Sheer excitement fought with pure emotion.
    Grant. She would have to leave Grant.

    Arianna pushed the thought aside and stood up. “Is this official? How do you know?” she demanded as she made her way through the corridor to her manager’s office. “Don’t start this crap with me that a rumor was started and I have to keep it quiet. You know I don’t play that game well.”

    He trotted after her. “Don’t know what you have against the grapevine. It works for me.
    Never wrong either. You can’t just barge into his