Submit (Surrender #2)(29)
Author: Melody Anne

Shane had to hide the smile fighting to break free. Rachel was one hell of a good actress. She had innocent schoolgirl down to a science and she also had a way of bringing him out of his lousy moods. She was just so full of life, with an infectious exuberance about her. He wondered how he could see Lia and Rachel in such different lights.

“Of course you’re never interrupting. What would you like to drink?”

“Thanks. I’m parched. I’ll take a martini and a plate of hot wings. Lia promised me some good food before she decided to let her hormones lead her to the nearest dance floor, and I’m starving — not that I’ll eat well here.”

Shane’s eyes were drawn back to Lia. She was no longer looking at him, but instead rubbing up against a different guy, who looked quite pleased with the situation. Shane’s fists clenched in his lap.

“What is your sister doing out? Hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?” He couldn’t believe Lia had put herself at risk again after landing in the hospital. Was she really that foolish? Maybe he’d misjudged her.

“You know Lia — if you tell her to go right, she’ll turn left. She told me that since you’re an idiot, she’s on the hunt for someone who appreciates that she’s a woman. You’re not jealous, are you?” Rachel taunted him as she batted her eyes.

Rachel was getting under his skin — not that he’d let her know that. She was also wrong. Lia and he had skirted around a minor attraction, but they both knew it wasn’t going to lead to anything. Lia was just being a spoiled brat who needed a good spanking. Of course, in this kind of club, that would just be considered foreplay.

“Not at all, Rachel. Lia’s a grown woman who’s free to do whatever she likes with whomever she pleases,” Shane answered through clenched teeth. “For the millionth time, there is nothing going on between the two of us.”

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, maybe you will remember I’m still sitting here. I want to dance, Shane,” Gwen demanded.

“Sorry, Gwen. Rachel’s like my kid sister. If I leave her here alone, her brother will have my hide,” Shane answered, giving her his most apologetic grin.

“Fine, but you could have had one amazing night,” she snapped as she scooted out of the booth and stomped off.

“I hope I didn’t ruin your plans,” Rachel said, her tongue tucked in her cheek.

“Yeah, I bet you are, kid.”

“I’m not a kid. In case you haven’t noticed, I have real boobs and all, now.”

Shane wanted to block that image from his head forever. He snarled at her as he raised his hand for the waiter and ordered more drinks and a few plates of appetizers.

“So, your big sister hasn’t gotten the partying out of her system yet?”

“No. But I do have to say, with Mom and Dad on vacation, we’re having a blast. We have the house all to ourselves. You know, we’re thinking of having a party later on tonight. Want to join us?”

“Why don’t you just have some food and get your sister to go home — alone?”

“That will never happen. She’s going through a midlife crisis or something.”

“She’s only twenty-six, Rachel. That’s a bit young to have a midlife crisis,” he replied with frustration. He was sure he felt gray hairs sprouting.

“You can take that up with her. I’m just tagging along to make sure she doesn’t get drugged and attacked again and maybe end up on some stranger’s bathroom floor.”

“Neither of you would have to worry about that if you didn’t go to places like this.”

“You’re here,” she pointed out.

“I’m a lot wiser than the two of you.”

“Whatever, Shane. You can either join us or get out of the way,” she said stubbornly, crossing her arms in defiance.

Shane suspected it was going to be a very long night. While he sat with Rachel and ate lousy food, his eyes kept straying to Lia. On her fourth dance with the sleazy guy, Shane had had enough.

“I’m getting your sister. It’s time to go home,” he said, getting up and starting toward the dance floor.

“I don’t think she’ll like that,” Rachel called out after him before her laughter was swallowed up by the music.

Shane prowled forward, parting the crowd to reach Lia. When she was in sight, her dance partner snaked his hand low and squeezed her ass.

“I’m cutting in,” Shane said, elbowing the fellow away.

“Find your own date. This one’s mine,” the man growled and grabbed Lia’s arm.

“I’ll give you to the count of one before I rearrange your face,” Shane threatened, needing to smash something and hoping the guy didn’t back down. Make my day…

“Sorry, John, the dance is over,” Lia told him as she reached for Shane.

“You teasing bitch,” the guy spat before turning and getting lost in the crowd. Shane took a step to go after him before Lia grabbed ahold of his hand.

“Are you going to chase after a drunk guy or are you going to dance with me?”

Lia’s words spoken close to his ear stopped him. He turned back to face her and she molded her body to his. As her curves aligned to his body, he clenched his teeth, his hands automatically wrapping around her to pull her in tight. It was as if he were powerless over himself when it came to her.

“I thought you were never going to ask me to dance,” she said, wiggling her h*ps against his. Shane instantly hardened, and took a moment to thank whoever had invented the six-inch heels she was sporting.

“You realize you’re nothing but trouble, don’t you?”

“That’s what all the boys say,” she answered with a giggle as her br**sts rubbed against his chest, and his throbbing body tightened even more.

“Why are you doing this, Lia?”

She looked at him thoughtfully for a few seconds before her eyes dilated. “If I can’t have you, then I’m not going to sit at home crying. I’m an attractive, young, wealthy woman whom most men would find a catch. The crap thing is that I’m not attracted to anyone but you, or so it seems. I think you ruined me when I was a teenager, but I’m still searching. I figure one of these guys will turn out to be prince charming eventually.”

The sadness in her tone frightened him. She was smiling, as if what she was saying were nothing more than a joke, but he could hear the truth beneath her teasing words. Maybe he should give a relationship with her a try. Hmm…