Page 14 of Shadow's Surrender
“You’re so bad. Would you ever think of doingthat?”
“Not if I were married. That’s why it’s so important to be sure about the guy beforehand, and I’m not sure at all about Warren.”
“And here he comes,” Kiara said, her head tilting toward the circular driveway.
Scarlett looked over her shoulder and saw Warren’s cherry-red sports car slowly pulling up and then stopping in front of the house. A big smile showed off his brilliant white teeth, and he waved at the women as he walked up the brick sidewalk.
Warren Huntington always looked as though he were on a runway modeling clothes for Armani or another equally expensive designer. With his piercing blue eyes, short blond hair, and angular jaw, he was one of the most eligible men in Pinewood Springs society—something Scarlett’s parents, brothers, and friends kept reminding her. Too bad he didn’t do anything for her. He was too charming, too perfect, and Warrenalwayssaid the right things at the right time in public. She swore he must have a script tucked away somewhere for every occasion. Even when they were together, he rarely let his charm … or his guard down.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said as he leaned over and brushed a kiss across her cheeks. He pulled back, a slight frown creasing his brow. “You’re sweaty, sweetheart.”
“No shit—the AC’s out.” A jolt of satisfaction ran through her at the look of disapproval Warren threw her.
“Isn’t the power out at your house?” Kiara said.
Good ol’ Kiara—always trying to keep the peace.
Warren turned away from Scarlett and focused on her friend. “It is, that’s why I came over. How about taking a ride in my car with some nice cool air? I’ll treat you ladies for lunch in Aspen.” He glanced over at Scarlett. “That is, if you don’t still have your headache.” A twinge of bitterness laced his voice.
“That sounds wonderful,” Kiara said, looking over at Scarlett.
Her first inclination was to beg off, but the heat was oppressive and a cold glass of white wine in an air conditioned restaurant sounded like a slice of heaven.
“Let me freshen up a bit,” she replied, rising to her feet.
Scarlett stood up and walked into the house, then made her way to the en suite bathroom in her bedroom and turned on the faucet. Cupping her hands, she let the cool water fill them before splashing her face several times. She glanced up at the mirror and watched as lines of water trailed down her face.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she said to her reflection. “Why can’t you gethimout of your head? You had amazing sex at a party with a stranger. Get over it. This is becoming pathetic.”
She flung off the damp sundress and glanced again in the mirror. A tingle shivered through her and landed straight to her core as she stared at the purplish-red love bite on her breast. Scarlett’s eyes moved downward to the small bruise marks on her hips where Shadow’s hands had held them as he pounded into her, and she pressed her thighs together as the memory of their liaison invaded her mind.
“Stop it, right now. Stop,” she said as her pulse raced.
“Scarlett?” her mother’s voice called.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath as she grabbed a plush towel off the rack next to the sink and wrapped it around her.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Just thinking out loud, Mom. Warren and Kiara are waiting downstairs for me, so I have to go.” She squeezed out a small amount of tinted sunscreen and rubbed it over her face and down her neck.
“Where are you going?” Beads of sweat pearled along her mother’s hairline.
“Warren’s taking us to Aspen for lunch.” Scarlett applied pink gloss to her lips then looked at her mother. The older woman’s face was more lined than usual and had a dove gray pallor. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
“It’s just the heat. I wish your father would’ve put in a generator like he said he would the last time the power went out.”
Scarlett nodded, filled a glass with cold water then handed it to her mother. “Drink this—you need to stay hydrated. Why don’t you come with us for lunch?”
Her mother put the glass down on the counter and wiped her mouth. “I don’t think Warren would like me tagging along.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Anyway, it’s an oven inside the house. Go get your purse and let’s get out of here.” A bit of color had returned to her mom’s cheeks.
“I’m feeling better. Anyway, your father might call. I’ll have Clara make up a pitcher of lemonade and I’ll sit on the back porch with the battery-operated fan your father bought last week at the hardware store. Have a good time.” Her mother started to walk away but stopped and looked over her shoulder, catching Scarlett’s gaze. “It’s never good to keep your man waiting. You better get going.” She turned away and shuffled out of the room.
Scarlett chose a pink and lavender sundress from her closet, slipped it on, then headed down the stairs.
“I’m ready.” The wrought-iron screen door closed behind her.
