Submit (Surrender #2)(36)
Author: Melody Anne

“Thanks, love,” Shane said as he grabbed Rachel’s drink; she snarled at him.

“Nice of you to join us,” Rafe commented dryly after quickly pulling himself together.

“Duty called. Sorry,” Shane replied, though he didn’t look the least bit apologetic.

Rafe let the captain know they were ready, and soon the door was shut and the jet was rolling toward the runway. Vegas was only a short flight away, and Ari couldn’t contain her excitement as the jet began its ascent.

“What was so important that you had to keep all of us waiting?” Lia asked.

“I don’t want to bore you with business. We’re on our way to Sin City. It’s time to have some fun.”

“Do you even know what fun is, Shane? Last time I checked, you were the babysitter, trying to kill all the fun of an otherwise perfect night.”

“You’re just pouty, Lia, because I’ve now had to save you at two separate occasions in which you keeled over at my feet,” Shane replied with a wink.

“Do you want me to kneel at your feet in undying, heartfelt gratitude, you pretentious pig?”

Before Shane could make a response, Rafe cut in.

“Lia, what has gotten into you?”

“Chill, big brother. I was just kidding. If anybody needs to have a little fun while we’re in Vegas, it’s you.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t harass Shane,” he warned.

“Last time I checked, Shane was a big boy. I think he can defend himself. Do you need your bestie to defend your honor, Shane?”

“I know exactly how to handle you, Lia.”

“Oh, really, and how’s that?”

“Never has a little girl needed to be bent over a knee and spanked as much as you do.”

Lia’s mouth hung open as fire burned from her eyes. “I’m not a little girl, Shane!”

“Quit acting like one, then.”

Ari watched Lia cross her arms and sit back. Now both men were irritated, and Ari had to chuckle to herself that these confident businessmen were allowing women to get under their skin. If only their board members could see them now.

Amid all the tension, Ari decided to take full advantage. Rafe looked up and their gazes connected. Slowly, she crossed one leg over the other, causing her already short skirt to ride up almost indecently high on her toned thighs.

With a painted fingernail, she rubbed the edge of her skin where the fabric of her skirt rested, then slipped her index finger inside and pulled the material another inch higher. Rafe gaze was glued to the movement of her hand, making her feel triumphant and feminine.

Bringing her hand up, she toyed with the V of her blouse, then waited for him to look her in the eyes again. Batting her eyelashes at him, she pasted on a wide-eyed, innocent expression, suggesting she had no idea why he was squirming in his seat.

Sending a glare her way, Rafe quickly stood, and Ari wondered whether she might have just lost the round — was he going to come over and carry her off? Not that it would have been much of a loss — unless he left her aching.

“Let’s go to the back and discuss business,” Rafe finally said, and he and Shane walked from the main sitting area.

Ari was shocked until she realized she’d gotten to him so much, he’d had to run away. It was a powerful feeling.

As soon as the men were gone, Rachel leaned in.

“Good job, Lia. Way to get them out of here.”

Ari was glad they hadn’t seemed to notice her seductive little ploys. Or maybe they just weren’t saying anything.

“I got the tickets for Thunder from Down Under, and we’ll be in the VIP section. Mmm, I hope we get to do some touching.”

“Rachel!” Ari said with shock as she looked toward the back of the jet, praying Rafe couldn’t overhear.

“Don’t be a prude, Ari. This is a girls’ trip. Now I know Rafe will put his foot down if he knows where we’re really going, so we’re telling him we’re going to the La Rêve performance and then dinner. He’ll probably figure it out when I post pictures of me groping the hot guys, but by then it will be too late for him to stop us,” Lia said with a big smile.

Ari gulped at the thought of Rafe’s reaction when he saw pictures of that kind. After the way he’d acted over Prince Adrian, she was going to make sure her hands weren’t anywhere near any strippers’ body parts.

“He doesn’t own you, Ari. Besides, a little jealousy is a good thing. It reminds your man not to take you for granted. Don’t let him walk on you — and don’t forget that you’re a stunning, sexy catch. Make him chase you.”

“I’m not worried, Lia. It’s just that your brother can be…well, I guess, intense,” Ari finished lamely.

“That just means better sex.” Rachel sent her a wink before she got up and headed to the bathroom.

The men returned a few minutes later, and the women’s discussion was put on hold as the jet began to make its descent into Vegas. As Ari looked out the window and saw the bright lights of the Vegas Strip appear, excitement bubbled through her veins.

Whether she paid for it later or not, she was going to have one heck of a fun weekend. As they made their way down the stairs, Rafe reached for her as she hit the bottom step.

“Are you having fun with your games, Ari?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she countered.

“You never do lie well,” he reminded her.

“Obviously, I won that round,” she said, feeling not only satisfied, but victorious as well.

“Did you really win, Ari? Yes, you made me hard, but I bet right now, you are soaking wet, and aching for me to slam inside you. Plus, I still have your panties,” he countered with a smirk as he shifted his hand in his pocket implying they were in there. Ari looked around at the others in their party, hoping he didn’t have them, and really hoping that if he did, he wouldn’t pull them out. Her victory had been very short-lived.

Grrr, the man was driving her insane. Just once, she needed to win. Was that asking too much? With an angry scowl, she stomped off, refusing to give him the pleasure of seeing her grab for the trophy panties.

The sound of Rafe’s laughter followed her as she made her way to the waiting limo. Let him laugh now — she would figure out a way to bring him to his knees sooner or later. The victory would be oh so much sweeter because she’d been waiting so long.

Chapter Twenty-One

Stepping through the double doors onto the marble floors of the foyer, Ari was stunned. Such elegance! Such extravagance! She walked through the Venetian Suite to its tall living room windows to look upon the Las Vegas Strip twinkling far below.