One More Round

by Shelli Stevens

  “I find it amazing you’re all still single. I’m sure you’re all hot commodities on the island.”

  “Me in particular? Are you hitting on me?” His tone lilted upward, his accent a bit stronger as his grin turned unabashed.

  Sarah blushed, hotter than she could remember and sputtered for a response. “No, of course not, I’m—”

  “I’m just taking the piss out of ya, luv.”

  She relaxed and joined in his laughter, remembering the slang phrase now.

  “I was asked to deliver this?”

  They both glanced up at the new voice approaching the table.

  Sarah’s laughter died and her mouth went dry. You were warned he might show.

  “Yes, thank you.” She accepted the glass of wine from Ian and watched as he pulled out the chair to sit next to Colin.

  “You’re welcome. Enjoying an evening out I see?”

  “I am. Kenzie invited me.” She glanced over at Colin and smiled briefly. “Your brother was sweet enough to let me crash his table. This place was packed.”

  “I insisted.” Colin winked.

  The mood at the table seemed to shift, become heavier and darker. Seconds ticked by where no one said anything.

  Sarah took a sip of wine, but really it may as well have been water for all it mattered.

  “I’m going to run to the bathroom. Hold my spot?” She knew they would, but it was just extra words to pretend everything was normal.

  “Of course,” Colin agreed.

  Sarah scooted her chair back and made her escape, grateful for a moment to compose herself.

  *

  Ian watched Sarah nearly run to the bathroom. Her hips swished beneath the denim skirt.

  She looked sexy. The denim skirt showed off toned legs, and the red tank clung to the curves of her breasts. She’d kept her hair down, and it shone as if she’d spent an hour brushing it.

  Oh yes, Sarah was trying tonight to look good. Almost as if she wanted to garner someone’s attention. But who was that someone?

  “You and Sarah seem quite cozy,” he remarked in a calm tone he wasn’t so sure he felt.

  “Just getting reacquainted. She’s a pretty thing, aye?”

  “Aye.” The word about killed him. Hearing his brother say it evoked a dark fury deep inside him. He resented it. Resented more so the fact he could still get jealous over Sarah.

  “Why not take her to a movie?” he suggested with a hard shrug. “You’re single.”

  Colin laughed and shook his head, before lifting the beer to his mouth and drinking another sip.

  Unfortunately, his brother’s reaction only upped his irritation. “You laugh? Why?”

  “Because you don’t mean that for a moment. You would saw my head off with a dull spoon if I made a move on Sarah.”

  “Bollocks.” Actually, yes, he probably would.

  “It’s also a respect thing. Sarah’s sweet, and yes, damn pretty.” Colin sobered, his gaze locking on Ian’s. “If she were just some girl you’d dallied with in high school, and had no real feelings for, then that would be one thing. But I’m not going to move in on a girl you’re still half in love with.”

  Fury and disbelief erupted inside him. “Like hell—”

  “Don’t ‘like hell’ me. You can lie all you want. And, truly, I think you’ve even convinced yourself she means nothing to you. But you’re wrong.” Colin sighed. “And when you realize that, it’s going to be quite a wake-up call.”

  “Do you have no recollection of our history? She hates me. I admit I hate her a bit after what she said that day—”

  “Don’t let pride stand in your way. You both were stupid and made bad choices that day.”

  “Mine a little worse,” he muttered after a heavy sigh. “She won’t forgive me. I hardly forgive myself.”

  “But if she did, would you want her back?”

  That question weighed heavy on his heart, and he wasn’t sure of the answer. How could he ever want to be with someone who thought so little of him? And yet his heart and body seemed to argue otherwise anytime she came within a few feet of him.

  He settled for an answer his brother would expect. “I might want her for a few nights, but I’m not the sort for permanence.”

  Colin grunted. “You would with the right girl. Go ahead and throw crude words my way all you want. But I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.”

  Sometimes Ian didn’t doubt it.

  He played with the idea in his head. Could he ever be serious about Sarah again? Could he even gain her trust once more?

  Do you deserve her trust? The question had always haunted him.

  Their history was messy. Complicated. He’d be smarter off just letting go. So much easier said than done, though.

  “I see I’ve at least got you thinking. That there is a novelty.”

  “Fuck off,” Ian murmured lightly, knowing his brother was just taking the piss out of him.

  “Aye, maybe later. If I find someone who sparks the urge.” Colin’s gaze slid beyond him. “But your girl is coming back. You should pull yourself together a bit.”

  Your girl. As irritating as hearing it was, he did feel a bit territorial over Sarah. And apparently was acting it as well.

  Shite. He’d have to be more careful.

  He couldn’t help but watch when she sat down. Her focus was on the band, while she took occasional sips of wine. But she had to sense he watched her—there was a stillness to her body, even as her gaze seemed deliberately glued to the stage.

  Her lips tightened at one point, the plump curves almost pouting with unhappiness. And then those little lines appeared between her eyes in a tiny scowl.

  Oh yeah. She was aware of him.

  It just fascinated him. Made him want to get deeper into her head. Was she thinking about him? Thinking about that moment in the garage?

  His fingers curled into fists and he drew in a slow, steadying breath.

  She was so damn unattainable. Like a rare, exotically beautiful butterfly one could observe, but shouldn’t touch.

  And he wanted to touch. Wanted to taste. The need to possess her raged through him again. Just as fierce as it had the other day in his garage.

  The band began to play an upbeat song and half the crowd got up to dance again. When a flicker of wistfulness entered her gaze it was all he needed.

  “Come.” He set down his drink and caught her hand. “You’ll have to join me for a dance.”

  Panic replaced the wistfulness, and she tugged at her hand. “I can’t—”

  “Say yes. It’s just a dance, doll.” He tugged her onto the floor to join the crowd of people.

  It wasn’t a slow song, but a fast-moving one that had people hopping around in a somewhat chaotic jig fashion.

  Though hesitant at first, it didn’t take long before Sarah joined in. She kept space between them, but clearly enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd. Seemed to relax enough in his presence to have fun.

  With her body moving to the beat, and her hair swinging wild, he had to fight the temptation to wrap the silky black strands around his fist and pull her closer. To press his mouth to the delighted smile on her lips.

  Her cheeks were pink by the time the song ended and her smile was wide.

  “Thank you. That wasn’t bad exercise.”

  “My pleasure.” And it had been. It wasn’t enough, though. It would never be enough until she was lying beneath him and he was claiming her once more.

  They rejoined Colin at the table and discovered Kenzie there as well.

  Ian could feel the curious gazes of his siblings on him and Sarah—knew what they were thinking—but he refused to acknowledge them.

  “When do you sing, Kenzie?” he asked instead.

  “I’m up next song. Care to join me?”

  “Not at all. I have no wish to burst eardrums.”

  Everyone laughed, seeming to appreciate the humor.

  Aleck approached the table, increasing the crowd of
McLaughlins.

  “Ian. Sarah. I must say it’s great to see you both getting along so well.”

  Really? Ian was tempted to smash his beer bottle over Aleck’s head, but instead just kept a lazy smile on his face.

  “Well, now, it seemed the adult thing to do,” Ian murmured.

  “Aye. It is.” Kenzie stood. “Time to sing. Try not to fall asleep on me now, all right?”

  “As if I could. I can’t wait to hear this.” Sarah turned her chair a bit more and faced the stage.

  Watching her, Ian could see she truly enjoyed hearing Kenzie sing, even clapped along with the melody as the tempo grew fast again. There was no denying Kenzie had the musical talent in the family.

  The evening progressed, and his siblings came and went from the table, but he and Sarah stayed put for the most part. There was no more dancing, no intimate discussions, but they were deeply aware of each other. There was no denying he was, and he could still sense the tension running through her body.

  Finally, with the night growing later, she stood. “I should probably head out.”

  When she dug into her purse for money, he waved her hand away.

  “I’ve got you.”

  Alarm flashed in her eyes. Maybe he’d chosen the wrong words.

  “It’s a glass of wine. I insist.”

  “Besides,” Aleck added as he passed the table again to pick up empty glasses from another one. “Haven’t you realized your money is no good here?”

  Her eyes widened with disbelief. “You guys…”

  “Look, if you ran up a hundred-dollar tab, I might have to come down on you and charge half.” Aleck shrugged. “But I’m afraid arguing at this point is useless.”

  Her cheeks reddened and she looked uncertain. “Okay,” she finally relented. “But take my tip money.”

  She dropped a twenty on the table and rushed toward the door before anyone could argue.

  “The cheeky lass.” Colin grinned and reached for the money. “Don’t mind if I do.”

  “Actually, I mind.” Ian stood and plucked the bill from his brother and handed it to Kenzie. “You should be ashamed, stealing from your sister. She earned this.”

  “Appalling manners. The lot of you.” Kenzie tucked the twenty into her bra. “And are none of you going to offer to drive her home?”

  “Actually, I was making my way to do just that.” Ian flashed a quick smile and strode toward the door.

  Kenzie intercepted him before he reached it. “I’m glad you’re driving her home, but don’t mess things up this time.”

  “How would I mess things up?”

  “Don’t break her heart. It took her grandmother dying to return to the island. I’ve missed my best friend, and if you do anything—”

  “I’ll not do anything she doesn’t want me to do,” he said softly. “I love you, dear sister, but this really is none of your business.”

  She shook her head and fire flashed in her eyes. “I think it is, but I’ll trust you. You’re a good man, Ian. When you want to be.”

  “When I want to be,” he agreed lightly, and then hurried outside after Sarah.

  Chapter Ten

  Ian spotted her when she was halfway across the gravel parking lot of the pub. She seemed to make her way to the street.

  “Sarah,” he called out. “Hold up, please.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, and he smiled when he heard her sigh of frustration.

  “How are you getting home?”

  “I took the bus, if you must know.”

  He caught up to her. “Let me drive you home.”

  “It’d really be better if you didn’t.”

  “Might not be better, but it’s safer. It’s late. You shouldn’t be out walking alone at night.”

  “The island isn’t really all that dangerous from what I remember. Just the occasional deer bent on a suicide mission.”

  His lips twitched at that comment. “We may be safer than Seattle, but the island is not without crime.”

  And when you were a woman barely five feet tall, beautiful and out alone at night, you could be seen as an open invitation for an attack.

  He didn’t add that last bit, but knew she had the sense to have realized it. Though she had walked out of the bar alone, without even asking anyone to walk her to the bus stop.

  Irritation pricked that she could be so foolish.

  She was probably just trying to escape from you, his conscience argued. Still it did little to alleviate his irritation that she took her safety so lightly.

  “I’d really rather take the bus—”

  “And I’m really not negotiating with you on this, Sarah. Either you let me drive you home, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and place you in my car.”

  “Did you really just threaten to abduct me?” she sputtered.

  Tired of her stalling, he took another step toward her. “Sarah.”

  “Fine. I’ll let you drive me home. But you can be such a bully,” she grumbled, not looking pleased in the slightest.

  “You call it bullying. I call it being protective.” He gestured for her to walk in front of him. “I’m parked in the back.”

  Once they were in his car and heading to her gran’s place, he made little effort to talk. Knew she wasn’t really in the mood after he’d pretty much strong-armed her into getting in the car with him.

  When he pulled up outside her house she’d opened the door before he’d even stopped.

  “Thanks for the ride.” She climbed out, slammed the door and ran toward the front porch.

  Did she really think he’d let her scamper off that easily? He smothered a laugh and followed her.

  *

  Hearing the car door open, and then the sound of footsteps, Sarah’s heart started pounding twice as fast.

  Nighttime. A glass of wine. And that dance with Ian at the pub. It all equaled her having foolish thoughts she shouldn’t be harboring.

  “I don’t need front-door service,” she said tightly.

  “It’s included with the ride home.” He stood beside her as she fumbled in her purse for her keys.

  He wasn’t making a move to touch her, and she said thanks silently for that. Because she knew the minute he did, she would come undone. It would be as if someone tugged the center of a bow that had already come loose.

  She found her keys and then unlocked the door. Still, he didn’t move.

  “Thank you. And as you can see, I’m safely home.” She stepped inside, the doorframe in a death grip between her fingers.

  “Yes. I can see.” He didn’t move.

  All she had to do was say goodnight and shut the door. That was it. She didn’t move.

  “Sarah.”

  Her name on his lips was almost a sigh of regret. A whisper for permission.

  She didn’t know what to say. To do. Emotion thickened in her throat and she struggled to breathe in. Her chest rose with the effort, and then shuddered as she exhaled raggedly.

  He finally moved. Took the step to close the distance between them.

  “Invite me in.” His deep, honeyed words made everything inside her turn to liquid.

  “What are you, a vampire?” she whispered, trying for humor. Anything to defuse the thick awareness and tension between them.

  Their mutual need was so vibrant it was almost visible.

  “No.” He cupped her cheek. “I’m the man who’s going to make you come at least five times tonight. If you’ll let me.”

  Her panties dampened and her knees gave out. There was a moment she literally had to pull herself up and get a grip on herself.

  His words didn’t even shock her anymore. This was Ian. He lived to shock. Lived to offend. Nothing had changed.

  Only he was even worse now. This man was trouble. He was a damn felon, for God’s sake. Why was she even considering letting him into her life again? Let alone her body.

  He wouldn’t be good for her, and certainly not for Emily. Her heart twisted at that last thought and s
he shook her head.

  “How long has it been since you’ve been touched?” His lips hovered over hers. “Since you’ve been with a man?”

  Too long. Especially since her last experience was one she’d tried to block out.

  “We can’t do this.”

  “We can do whatever we please, doll. It’s the beauty of being an adult. It doesn’t have to be serious. It can simply be about the pleasure. About having fun while you’re here.” He brushed his lips across hers, so very lightly. “Are you looking for something more serious right now?”

  “No.” The idea of another relationship with him just distressed her. Made her stomach hurt. “But I don’t know if I can do a fling.”

  “You could try. We’re good together. You can’t deny it.”

  They were. And that memory, combined with the way her body came to life with him now, was tempting her beyond the threshold of restraint.

  He caught a strand of her hair and coiled it around a long finger. “You’re more than a mother, Sarah. You deserve to feel like a woman for a bit. Let me help you.”

  It had been so long. And his words were too close to the thoughts she’d had that day in his garage.

  Sex. Rarely did she have the urge for it. But since she’d come across Ian, the urges had not only been there, they’d been constant.

  “You want to. It’s something your body can’t hide from me. Nor your eyes.”

  He kissed her then. His lips were firm, seeking, and pulling a reluctant response from her.

  “I don’t know if I can,” she whispered when he lifted his head. “You’re right. I want to…”

  “I know I’ve hurt you.” He kissed her forehead. “And I’m sorry. I’m going to try like hell not to do it again.”

  The sex would be good with him. So good. But could she do it? Just have great sex with Ian and walk away at the end of the month? Never look back?

  No. Logic told her this was a bad, horribly bad, idea. But her body and heart were begging for more. Craved the intimate contact from the only man who’d ever truly brought her soul to life.

  “Invite me inside,” he urged again. “Let’s see what happens. If you want me to stop—at any time—I swear to you I will.”