by Debra Kayn
“Listen, hon.” Kate tugged Shauna’s hair and waited for her to sit back up. “It’s not something to be embarrassed about. You’ve spent the last five years finishing college and getting work experience. You’re driven. Everyone who knows you understands how sweet you are. You don’t fool around with people’s feelings. He’ll understand, and be happy to show you the ins and outs of sex. Besides, you need to get laid. You’re entering nun status. I’m afraid the next thing you’ll be doing is buying a cat. Don’t turn into a cat woman.”
“Promise me that you’ll shoot me first.” Shauna groaned and held up her hand. “Never mind. I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. I’m going to keep on believing that I’m so damn sexy, some man is going to think he won the lottery when I finally spread my legs and show him what I got. Besides, I haven’t been burdened in any way by not sleeping with anyone.”
“Probably not, but once you start there’ll be no stopping you.” Kate nodded. “Sex is better than thigh-high boots.”
“Mm.” Shauna grinned. “Maybe we need dessert. I’m hungry, and these drinks are going to my head. I’m about ready to get up and dance.”
“Lord help us.” Diana returned with a tray full of drinks. “Here, drink another one before you get out there and shake your thang. You’ll thank me in the morning.”
Instead of removing the straw, Shauna sucked at least half the contents up and sat back, smiling. “Have I ever told you both how much I love our nights out? You’re the bright spot in my life. I’m gonna be friends with you forever.”
“You’re dangerous when you’re drunk.” Kate leaned over and threw her arms around Shauna’s shoulders. “If I were a lesbian, I’d take your virginity.”
“I would too.” Diana drew a cross in the area over her heart with her finger. “Okay, if we’re all talking about some hidden sexual desire involving the opposite sex, that’s a sign that we’ve already drank too much. We’re going to have to figure out how we’re getting home. I’m not driving.”
“Got it covered.” Kate grinned. “I already called Jackson after the last round of drinks, and he’s coming to pick us up soon.”
Suddenly her two friends grew silent, and Shauna glanced from one to the other, then followed their gaze to find out what had caused them to stop all conversation. Grayson filled her vision. Afraid he’d caught her frozen in shock, she raised her glass in the air.
“Hey you, just in time.” She downed the rest of the drink and clunked the glass on the table. “Next round is yours.”
Grayson frowned, looking at the empty glasses on the table before looking at Kate for answers. “How many of those has she consumed?”
Shauna scoffed. How typical of him to judge her. She was of legal age, and if she wanted to go out with her friends and tie one on, no one could stop her. Tomorrow was Saturday, she had a date, and not with him.
“Three.” She grinned. For some reason, his anger pleased her, and made her feel vindicated. She’d show him how much she was over him.
“I’m going dancing.” She stood up, swayed, and ended up grasping Grayson’s arm in an attempt to keep herself standing.
“You’re not a drinker.” His eyebrows furrowed.
She grinned. “I wasn’t until tonight, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to start living life more. I’ve pushed aside my interests for a long time, and now I’m going to concentrate on enjoying myself — and I’ll start off by dancing.”
“Shauna?”
“That’s Ms. Marino to you. I’d invite you to dance, but you’re … you’re too cool and stuffy to be seen dancing with the town clown.” She poked her finger into his bicep. “So, I’m gonna go dance, and you’re gonna stay here and not dance.”
Was she making sense? She shook the thought away. It didn’t matter. She straightened her shoulders, stuck her chin in the air, and sauntered off.
She hadn’t even made it halfway into the crowd of dancers when Grayson wrapped his arm around her waist and ushered her out the front door before she could utter a protest. The moment she caught her breath, she whirled on her heel, a little unsteady, and tried to go back in. The ground tilted and the alcohol sitting at the pit of her stomach threatened to come back up. She stilled. One hand on her stomach and the other on her forehead, she weaved as the ground tilted.
“Whoa.”
Grayson came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her secure against his chest. “Slow down. Relax and take some deep breaths. You’ll feel better in a moment.”
The soft, cool breeze helped steady her. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. In her head, Grayson had come for her. He was here, embracing her in the night. His hand stroked the bare skin of her arm. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he whispered, smoothing her hair off her forehead.
She twisted around in his arms and linked her hands behind his neck, plastering herself against his hard frame. She gazed up into his eyes. “I’m not thinking. I’m feeling. Admit it, you can feel this … ”
“Stop it, Shauna.” He rolled his shoulders and tried to move away, but she wouldn’t let go.
“Kiss me, Grayson. Why are you so scared of one little kiss?” She tilted her head. “Let me prove how much I want you, how much you excite me.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s nothing between us. I’m thirty — ”
“I know how old you are, and it only makes me want you more.” She ran her finger over his lips. “You’re mature, sophisticated, and sexy — everything that’s made me love you over the years.” She took his hand and held it above her breast. “My heart is racing because of you. No one else makes me feel alive the way you do.”
“It’s the alcohol talking.” He stepped back, folded his arms over his broad chest, and ran his gaze up and down her body before settling on her chest. Her legs quivered. No one had ever undressed her visually the way he could, and she wanted to find out what he’d do if she took off her clothes.
She stepped forward and rose up on her toes. “Please, Grayson. Let go of the past, and see me for who I am today. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
In a move she never saw coming, he backed her up to the side of the building, pulled both of her hands above her head and pinned her to the brick wall. He stared down into her eyes as he rubbed his lips over her mouth. She trembled and moaned, arching her neck, reaching for him.
“What would you do if I decided to take you right here, the way you’re asking me to do?” He nipped her bottom lip and she mewed. “How far will you go?”
She clutched at his shirt. “Please.”
• • •
He sealed her lips with his mouth, deepening the kiss until she melted. Every muscle in his body tightened, and he had to hold back from being too rough. Any other woman and he would’ve had her skimpy skirt hiked up around her waist by now, taking everything she was offering. But this was Shauna.
She tasted sweet, intoxicating, and a little dangerous. He brought her arms down, and trailed his hands along the side of her ribs. He growled as she pressed her full breasts against his chest. His fingers burned with the heat coming off her body. She sagged against the wall, and he pressed his hardness against her stomach, keeping her standing. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her.
Natural urges took over as he touched one of her round breasts for the first time. He’d spent years dreaming, imagining, fantasizing about how they’d feel. She elicited a low mewl and arched toward him, maybe urging him on, but he was too lost in the pleasure of fondling her to decipher what she was asking. He closed his hand around the curve of her breast, and his body hardened at the ripeness.
He trailed kissed down the smooth line of her neck to the open V of her blouse. His breath came hard and fast, and all thoughts escaped his thinking. No woman had ever made him lose his mind the way Shauna could.
He pulled back without letting her fall, and searched her eyes. Passion
and willingness stared back at him. She trusted him. What the hell am I doing?
Her lips were wet and swollen from his kiss. Her heart beat wildly against him. She would’ve let him strip her naked, and he would’ve taken her in the parking lot. The raw power he received from her left him wanting to take her up on the offer, but he couldn’t allow himself to use her that way. She wasn’t the type of woman who’d scurry away in the middle of the night and be content with sharing a couple of hours of sex.
“Come on.” He stepped back and held out his hand.
“W-where are we going?” She slipped her fingers into his palm. “Grayson?”
He kept pulling her toward his car. “Don’t talk, just walk.”
“Whoa … hang on there.” Kate ran across the parking lot, and grabbed Shauna’s other hand. “You can’t just take her away without asking if she wants to go.”
Grayson stared at Shauna. “Well?”
Shauna hugged Kate. “It’s okay. I’ll go with him.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.” Shauna nodded. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Kate glared at Grayson. “You hurt her again, and I’ll have Jackson kill you.”
He raised his brow. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Good.” Kate turned around and marched back into the lounge.
Grayson had Shauna in the passenger seat of his car, buckled in, and heading out of town in record time. He glanced at the speedometer and eased his foot off the accelerator. The sooner he delivered her home, the safer she’d be. He wanted to punch something when he thought of what could’ve happened to her tonight if he hadn’t shown up.
He glanced beside him and softened. Typical. The first time he finally gets her alone all week, and she’s too drunk to hold a conversation.
She stared out the window into the darkness. The utter silence made him feel guilty. Even though it was her damn fault. She’d forced him into the position to push her away. What was going through her head when she decided to throw herself at other men?
“If you’re going to get sick let me know and I’ll pull over to the side of the road.” He hit the button on the door panel and cracked his window open, letting in the cool breeze, hoping to sober her up.
“I’m not going to get sick.” She refused to look at him.
“It was a stupid thing you did.”
“The drinking or asking you to kiss me?” She placed her head against the side window.
“Both.” He shook his head. “You’re old enough to realize what a dangerous situation you could have been putting yourself into by drinking and walking outside with me. If it were anyone else but me … ”
“What?” She finally turned her head and gazed at him. “Are you saying I’m so desirable that any other man wouldn’t have walked away when I threw myself at him?”
“Yes.” He scowled. “You know damn well what I’m talking about.”
“Whatever.” She went back to studying the road. “Forget it ever happened. From now on, I’ll limit myself to two drinks. You’re safe from me. I won’t be repeating that mistake again.”
He pulled up in front of her house and shut off the engine. “Stay there, I’ll walk you to the door.”
“I don’t need your help.” She opened the door.
Despite how the evening was turning out, he refused to leave her outside in her condition. He followed her up to the front door, hanging back while she moved to the end of the porch and removed a key from underneath a flowerpot. She struggled with unlocking the door, and he stepped around her to do it himself, before handing her the key back.
“Where’s your dad?”
She shrugged. “Probably in the garage.”
He wondered if he should march across the lawn and tell Mr. Marino to take care of his daughter, but common sense told him that wouldn’t be a good idea. Shauna had lived on her own for six years, and could take care of herself.
“Eat a piece of bread and drink some water before you go to sleep.”
She paused with the door open, then slowly turned around. “Can I ask you something?”
Her voice came out low and husky. The anger and frustration left him. If another woman had thrown herself at him the amount of times Shauna had done, he’d tell her exactly what he thought, but this was Shauna and regardless of her insane obsession with him, he’d lived next door to her and knew her history. He’d never told her, but he admired the way she’d put her father first in her life and taken care of him. That said a lot about her, especially at her age. He also knew she put her own life on hold, and hadn’t had a typical childhood without a mother in the picture. Wherever her thought process took her where he was concerned, he had no idea, but he never believed she did it to harm him.
“One question, and then you’re going to bed,” he said.
She stepped toward him. “Why did you leave my message on the wall in the men’s restroom at the Quayside all these years?”
He turned his head and stared out into the dark. Despite knowing that every man in Cottage Grove could read the message, she’d written it for him.
“Grayson?”
His gaze went back to Shauna. Whether he could blame his need to tell her the truth on the late hour or the constant emotional battle warring inside of him since her return, he gave her his answer. “To remind myself of you when you were gone.”
“Oh,” she said on an exhale, her body leaning toward him.
“Go inside, Shauna,” he whispered. “Lock the door.”
He waited until he heard the double click, and then he cursed under his breath. Until she’d latched the door, he hadn’t been sure if he was going to walk away.
Chapter Ten
“Where did the golf ball go?” Shauna lifted her hand and shielded her eyes against the outside play lights.
John pointed to the sand trap and chuckled. “Don’t worry. We have a whole bucket full of balls. You’ll get one on the green eventually.”
She handed him the nine iron and smiled. “I’m glad you suggested coming out here after dinner. I wasn’t ready for our night to end yet.”
“Me neither.” He swung and watched the golf ball sale through the air. “Can you imagine their electric bill? I bet it costs them quite a bundle to light up the range every night. I’m surprised we’re the only ones out here. Although, I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
“I’d be humiliated if anyone saw how horrible I am at golf. It’s much harder than it looks.” She stepped up to the tee. “This one is going in the hole. Watch.”
She hooked her index finger with the pinky of her other hand, lined up her stance, took a deep breath without losing sight of the ball, and swung. John laughed, and she glanced down at the tee. The ball was still there. “Dammit.”
“Here. I’ll help.” He guided her back into position, wrapped his arms around her, and set up her hands. “When you swing the club behind your shoulder, don’t look away from the ball.”
His breath brushed her cheek and she shivered. He was a good sport, and obviously had patience. She sucked at golf, but he didn’t seem to mind showing her ways to improve. He trained dogs for a living, and as long as he didn’t throw her a treat, she was all for learning.
“There. Don’t move. Whatever you do, don’t take your eyes off the ball on the tee.” He moved back, letting her go. “Relax — ”
“How am I supposed to do that? I’m afraid to breathe and screw up.” She blew out her breath.
“Would it help to know that from back here, your stance looks great?”
She wiggled her butt. “Hey mister, you’re supposed to be watching my swing.”
“Oh, I am.” He chuckled.
Determined to show off, she lifted the club back and swung. The twang of her club arching around her and the small vibration in the palms of her hands gave way to jubilant dancing.
“I did it!” She shimmied, holding her arms above her head.
“I knew you could do it.” John swept her up i
n his arms and kissed her.
She froze but the longer he kissed her, she softened and gave him back everything he put into the kiss. Then, as suddenly as the kiss had begun, it was over. She moistened her lips, and a pang of regret filled her. She expected too much. After experiencing Grayson’s kiss last night, how could she expect to feel the same spark, the same overwhelming sensations with John?
The lack of feelings came from her, not John. She laid her hand on his jaw and smiled. She’d love to give John everything, but Grayson owned her heart, and there wasn’t enough left to give someone else. John deserved so much more.
Unwilling to let go of him, she leaned into him and sighed. “I don’t think being rich is all it’s made out to be. Sure, you get to dress in the latest fashion and you can do anything you want, but there are drawbacks too.”
He rubbed her back. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. It seems like it would be a lonely life. You could never be sure of who your friends truly are or what they thought of you. Everyone is too busy trying to climb the ladder and use each other to gain entrance into some party or business transaction. I bet none of them have ever stood out under the stars and talked about their dreams and wishes — instead they probably talk about the stock market and who was seen driving around in a new BMW.”
“What kind of things do you wish for, Shauna?” John asked.
She shrugged. “Frivolous things that all normal women think about, I suppose.”
“Give me the scoop. Being a man, I’m clueless about what women want.”
She leaned back without letting go of him. He gazed down at her, and she could tell he was serious.
“We dream about finding someone to love us, who will never leave. It’s not about finding someone who’ll stick with us, but who can’t live without our love. Sometimes, it seems like an impossible task,” she whispered.
“You make it sound too complicated.” He winked. “Men are more basic in their wants and needs.”
“Maybe so.” She stepped back. “It’s the whole Venus and Mars thing. It keeps us guessing.”
“That’s true. I know you mystify me.” John sighed.