Page 39 of Shadow's Surrender
“We probably got another ten days or two weeks left. I have some other small jobs we’re doing too, so it’s taking us a bit more time than I planned.”
“I don’t think there’s a big rush for you to finish. Just between us, my dad will probably use it a total of four times before he gets bored and the novelty of it wears off.”
Smokey laughed. “I take it you don’t play?”
“I know how, but I don’t like it.”
“I’ve never played the game, but it doesn’t seem like much fun hitting a ball with a racket. I’d rather use all my free time riding my bike.”
“Hey,” Shadow said from behind.
She whirled around and held herself back from falling into his arms. “Hi. I was just giving out iced tea. Do you want some?”
He cut his eyes over to Smokey. “Don’t you have some shit you gotta do?”
Smokey narrowed his gaze. “You and me both.” He turned back to Scarlett and smiled. “Thanks again.” Then he lumbered away.
“How’ve you been?” she asked, pouring him a cup of tea.
“Good. What were you and Smokey talkin’ about?”
“The construction.”
Shadow grunted and took the cup from her. His fingers brushed along Scarlett’s and a current of desire flashed through her—it was brief, but her body responded to him as if he’d touched her intimately. Scarlett looked up and when their eyes met, an unspoken feeling of want passed between them. He downed the tea and handed the cup to her, his gaze never leaving hers.
“Thanks,” he said thickly.
“You’re welcome.” She bent down and brushed away some ants that were crawling over the top of her feet. “Am I going to see you later?” she whispered as she straightened up.
“I got some stuff to do right after work.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “Stuff.”
“Don’t you want to be with me anymore?” The minute the question spilled out of Scarlett’s mouth, she wanted to take it back. She sounded so weak and needy. How she hated that.
“It’s just that we had a good time, you know. I mean, you’re rich and I’m—”
“Common,” she interrupted.
“Differentis what I was gonna say.”
“Common suits you better.” She knew it was a cruel blow, but he’d wounded her pride. She picked up the empty pitchers and cups, and tucked the bag full of unused ones back under her arm.
“Don’t get pissed off, baby. It’s the way it goes. We had a lot of fun.”
“I’m not pissed. I agree with you—it’s time to move on.”
“You’re acting pissed.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You were this summer’s diversion, that’s all.” Scarlett turned to leave when he gripped her arm.
“I’m not buying your bullshit.”
She smiled sweetly at him. “I don’t give a damn if you believe me or not.” She tipped her head toward the work zone. “You better get back there, after all, my father’s paying a lot of money.” She turned away from him with a sharp little jerk, pulling free from his hand, and walked back to the house.
“Here, let me help you, Miss Scarlett,” Jane said as she grabbed the pitchers from her hands.
“Thank you,” she said.
She placed the unused cups on the counter in the butler’s pantry, threw the empty ones away, then scrambled up the back stairs. Tears trailed down her face as she locked the door to her room. She lay across her bed and cried.
