Page 66 of Shadow's Surrender
She quirked her lips. Yes, Kiara knew her, sometimes better than Scarlett knew herself. “I didn’t want to,” she whispered. “I fought it, but …”
In the beginning she knew she should’ve walked away from Shadow, but the excitement and the rush of being with him had made it impossible for her to give him up. She craved him, and after she had her fix, she always wanted more. As she’d gotten to know Shadow, his humor, his quiet strength, and his tenderness captivated her in ways no other man ever had. Scarlett’s insatiable appetite for him wasn’t just for the sex, but for the whole confusing mix of physical and emotional feelings. And now, not having him in her life was not an option.
“He must really be something,” Kiara said.
“He is.” Scarlett covered her face with her hands. “I’m toast, aren’t I?”
“With your family … yes, but with him? I guess it depends if he’s in love with you. If so, then you’re lucky as hell. We only have one life, so why not be happy? I’m just mad at you for keeping him a secret for so long.”
“I didn’t mean to. I really didn’t think it would go anywhere past a summer fling, but I should’ve told you. I guess I thought you’d disapprove. I didn’t want to hear what I’d been telling myself over and over—that I was crazy to be involved with him.”
“Do you still tell yourself that?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Not anymore. I’m just letting myself live in the moment and be happy.”
“I want to meet him. I bet he’s gorgeous. Does he have tattoos?”
“Yes … He’s so sexy and buffed and hot. I still melt every time I see him. It’s like I’m thirteen all over again and just discovering guys.”
“Let’s go on a double date this weekend,” Kiara said.
“Do you think Conrad would be cool with that? He and Warren are on the same soccer team.”
Kiara laughed. “Conrad can’t stand Warren—he thinks he’s an arrogant blowhard.”
“I didn’t know that.” She giggled. “You and Conrad have been spending a lot of time together since you guys started dating a few weeks ago.”
“He’s awfully sweet. Time will tell if he’s my Prince Charming.”
“Every time I’ve seen him at the club, he can’t stop talking about you. I hope it works out for you guys.” Scarlett knew how anxious her friend was to settle down and have her own home and family.
“We’ll see. How do you like your job?”
“So far I love it, but it’s only been three days,” Scarlett said. “I’ve always loved the history and Victorian architecture of the Palace Hotel, so to be working there now as a public relations assistant is just amazing.”
“Maybe a full-time slot will open up soon.”
“I’m good with working part-time because I still want to stay active in the Sheridan Center for Children. I’ve been asked to join the board, and I’m seriously considering it.”
“That’s great.” Kiara snatched another cracker and nibbled on it. “Hey”—she snapped her fingers—“why don’t you bring Shadow to the pool party?”
“I’m not sure if he’d want to go.” The thought of her friends possibly judging and ostracizing him tugged at her heart.
“Ask him, then you’ll have your answer. He has to know your world, right?”
“Right,” she replied with a bit of hesitation. “But … there’s something I haven’t told you about Shadow. He’s … uh, a member of the Insurgents.”
Kiara blinked several times. “The outlaw biker gang?” Scarlett nodded. “What the hell? Are you crazy?”
“I think I am, but his club isn’t a part of my life, you know?” As a matter of fact, Shadow rarely talked about the club, and he never introduced her to any of his friends or brought her to the clubhouse.
“It’s totally a part of his life—itishis life. Check out some of the documentaries about outlaw clubs on YouTube—pretty scary stuff.”
“I’ve watched a ton of them. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t freak me out,” Scarlett said. “I guess it’s because I know him.”
Kiara nodded. “I get that, but be careful. Anyway, you should still think about asking him to Daisy’s pool party.”
“We’ll see.” She put her empty glass down on the table. “I wish Shadow would open up more. I think something bad happened in his past, but every time I get close to asking him, he changes the subject. I think it has something to do with the death of his parents.”
