Page 121 of Shadow's Surrender
“I wish you would,” she said tentatively.
After rolling the joint, he put it between his lips, and lit the end. He inhaled deeply and blew out a plume of smoke.
“I bet the marijuana helps with your pain.”
“And a lot of other things.” Another inhalation.
The sound of Scarlett clearing her throat rasped through the phone.
“My dad told me about everything. He said that … umm … he loved your mom very much.”
Shadow stubbed out the joint with two fingers, then put it back into the baggie for later.
“What the fuck do you want me to say to that?” he said, slamming the glove box shut.
“I just wanted you to know. I guess I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I’ve always said you can say whatever to me.”
Then Shadow heard the metal gate clang, and he jerked his head up. And there she was: radiant and smiling, golden hair falling past her shoulders, captivating green eyes. Other than a light pink shine glossing her lips, she wore no makeup. A purple sundress hugged all Scarlett’s curves, and her slender arms folded across her chest as she approached the car. His heart raced and his breathing quickened.She’s fuckin’ beautiful.
Scarlett opened the door and slipped inside, then swiveled toward him, her gaze holding his.
“I thought it would be easier to talk in person,” she said softly.
The phone fell from the console and he cursed as he bent down to retrieve it.
“Are you mad that I’m here?”
Spiced vanilla swirled around him, waking up his dick and playing havoc with his emotions.
“No.”
She lightly caressed his forearm, then leaned over and brushed her fingers over the bandages on his wrist and his arm. Her touch was so damn soft, soperfect.
“Do you still love me?” she whispered, pulling her hand away.
“Yeah,” he said quickly.
“That’s good,” she muttered.
Shadow tucked her hand in his and squeezed it. “All of this feels like some fuckin’ B-rated movie. I don’t know …”
“I’m sorry for what my family did to you. I’m in shock over it, really. I can’t believe my mother could do something like that. She’s always been cold and distant, but …” her voice trailed away.
“This isn’t your fault, and it isn’t mine either. We were just kids put in the middle of our parents’ bullshit.” Shadow pivoted in his seat so that he faced her. “But sometimes … no, a lot of times, I blame myself. If only I could’ve made more money, my mom wouldn’t have had to hook up with a rich man … your dad,” he said.
“You were a teenager. How much money could you have made? You’ve carried the blame for your mother’s death since it happened. I don’t think she would’ve wanted that. The one to blame is my mother. She murdered yours. I can’t believe it or get past it. My family has caused you so much pain. How can you ever look at me again without thinking about all of this?” She pulled her hand away and looked down.
For a long minute Shadow watched her, then he reached over and brushed the long, wavy strands of hair over her shoulder. She looked up and a ghost of a smile whispered across her lips.
“When I look at you, I see a beautiful, sexy woman. I don’t see the ugliness of your mother or the lies of your father. This isn’t about you.”
“Then, why are you pushing away from me?”
Shadow shook his head while he raised one of his shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Do you want us to go our separate ways? It’ll be hard, but being in limbo like this is worse.” She turned her head and looked straight ahead.
