Shadow’s Surrender

by Wilder, Chiah

“Not for me, dude, but I’m happy for you.”

  Shadow saw Scarlett waltz into the room looking calm and collected. No one would’ve guessed that she’d just got her brains fucked out. She had poise, he had to give her that. And damn … the pretty socialite was one of his better fucks.

  A tall man in an expensive-looking suit came over to her and slipped his arm around her small waist. She smiled warmly at him, but her gaze drifted to Shadow’s and he lifted his chin at her. She then wrapped her arm around the dude’s neck and kissed him. Shadow chuckled and turned toward Eli and Brooke.

  “I’m outta here,” he said.

  “So soon?” Brooke said.

  “Yeah—I got some stuff to do.”

  Shadow bumped fists with Eli, then he strode out of the room without a backward glance at Scarlett.

  When he entered the clubhouse, the usual Saturday night party was in full swing. He strode over to the bar where Helm, Rags, and Bones were enmeshed in a conversation.

  “How was Eli’s deal?” Rags asked.

  “Not bad. And for the record, people fuck strangers at engagement parties.” He clasped Helm’s shoulder then walked away, leaving his buddies dying for more information.

  Shadow climbed the stairs to his room, anxious to get out of the pansy suit and join the party.

  Chapter Three

  Scarlett sat on the large front porch cooling herself with a colorful Chinese fan; it had been a gift from her parents on one of their many trips to Hong Kong.

  “I’m just melting here,” Kiara said, running her fingers through her short hair. Kiara and Scarlett had been friends since their first day of high school, and had even gone to the same university back East. After graduation they’d both returned to Pinewood Springs, where Kiara secured a part-time job at her father’s prestigious financial planning firm, CWP Wealth Management. “I wonder how long the outage is going to last.”

  “It’s already been too long,” Scarlett replied. Heat licked and coiled her limbs like a hot-blooded serpent, and perspiration surfaced on her forehead and the bridge of her nose. The sky blazed blue and the sun burned an intense yellow while the ground smoldered and sent up a disoriented haze. Even the birds were silent, and the grass stood still as if too hot to move.

  “You seem restless since Brooke’s engagement party. Jessica and Daisy have noticed it too.” Kiara leaned forward and poured iced tea from an insulated pitcher into her glass. “What’s going on?”

  An image of herself perched on the counter with legs spread wide and Shadow thrusting and grunting made Scarlett shift in her seat. “I guess I’m just bored.”

  Kiara’s eyes widened. “Of Warren?”

  “Of the monotony of life. I want something other than fashion shows in Denver, tea at the club, committee meetings, and all the fundraisers and cocktail parties I have to go to.” Scarlett pulled at a loose thread in her cotton sundress.

  “That’s the world we live in—high society,” Kiara said as she ran the glass of iced tea over the side of her glistening face. “The people on the other side of the tracks think we got it made, but they have no idea how many obligations we have.” She took a sip of tea.

  Scarlett leaned back against the soft cushion. “There are so many damn rules I have to live by that they lace me in tighter than a corset. I’d love to throw caution to the wind and just have a wild summer.” She picked up her glass of iced tea from the glass-top table.

  Kiara giggled. “Me too.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “But I don’t dare. Being respectable can be such a burden.” She sighed. “If I’m being totally honest, I just want to plan dinner parties and wait for some big, handsome man to come home from work.” She tilted her head up and stared at the non-moving ceiling fan. “I want to take kids to swim lessons, broil steak on the grill for my good-looking husband … and make love all night.” She glanced sideways at Scarlett. “Why do you keep pushing Warren away? If you’re not careful, some other woman’s going to swoop in and take him from you—someone like Melody. You know she has her eyes on your man, right?”

  Scarlett shrugged and watched the melting ice cubes in her glass. “My dad’s the one obsessed with him, not me.”

  Kiara laughed. “I think you’re right about that. You seem so much more at ease since your dad’s been away on business. When’s he coming back?”

  “Tomorrow.” Scarlett’s mouth turned downward and her eyes narrowed. “And the forecast is storm and thunder.”

  “Your dad’s always scared the hell out of me ever since the first day I met him,” Kiara said.

  “You and practically the whole town, and that’s the way he likes it. He’s not at all like your dad.” Scarlett’s stomach clenched at the thought of her father coming home and the end of the temporary peace that had descended on the house during his absence.

  “He’s pretty wonderful.” A small smile spread across her friend’s face as she rolled her eyes. “I’m totally a daddy’s little girl.”

  Scarlett returned the smile. “That’s okay, I wish I were. You even have a mom who’s cool. Mine is too busy acquiescing to every fucking thing my dad wants. Do you know that my mom has never taken my side in any argument or disagreement I’ve had with him? And my two older brothers are just miniature versions of my father.” Scarlett threw her head back and stared up at the ceiling. “Ugh … my family is such a fucking cliché—rich people who are miserable.”

  Kiara laughed. “That’s the way most of the families are in our circle. I’m one of the lucky ones—mine is pretty normal. I think once you have your own house and are married to Warren, your life will improve.”

  “I’m terrified of being Mrs. Warren Huntington,” she whispered.

  “Getting married is scary as hell for women and for men, but I’d love to be in your position. I mean, Warren ticks all the boxes, right? He comes from a respectable family, has a degree from an Ivy League college, and treats you like a princess. What more can you ask for?”

  “A spark between us. I mean, forget about love, but I’d like to feel something akin to desire or lust for him, but I don’t. Let’s face it, my dad’s a big real estate developer and Warren’s dad owns a ton of land in an area where my father wants to develop.” Kiara’s eyes widened as understanding crossed over her face. Scarlett snorted. “Yeah … our relationship is just one big fucking merger.”

  Her friend shook her head emphatically. “No, you’re wrong. Warren cares about you—I see it in his eyes. All our friends wish they could be you.”

  “Yeah … Well, Warren isn’t as great as you all think. He likes having me as arm candy, and he’s not a very good kisser.”

  “He’s not?” Kiara looked around as if she were afraid Warren would come out from the neatly trimmed bushes at the side of the porch.

  “Nope.” Shadow’s lips on hers with their tongues twisting and dancing together flashed through her mind, and a moan escaped through her lips. He didn’t even ask for my phone number. The thread of disappointment that had been weaving through her since that night, coiled tighter around her nerves.

  “Wow, you never told me that. I hope he’s making up for that in other ways.”

  “Nope.” Warren’s lack of foreplay and technique made their intimate time together less than exciting. Hooking up with Shadow at the party had turned out to be the most exciting and wild sex she’d ever had. She’d orgasmed twice and that was two times more than she had ever climaxed with Warren since they’d started sleeping together. Based on that alone, who could blame her for using the excuse of a migraine for the past several days to get out of making love with Warren? The fact that Scarlett hadn’t told any of her friends about her hookup surprised her. She and her sorority sisters shared just about everything, but for reasons she couldn’t articulate, she’d wanted to keep her encounter with Shadow to herself. So silly.

  “One of my mom’s friend’s”—Kiara cut her gaze to the opened windows of the house—“Mrs. Fielding,” she whispered, then gave another glance
at the house, “has had lovers for the last several years, and the men are always in their thirties or younger.” She sat back and clasped her hands in her lap.

  “Well, Mr. Fielding has been cheating for years on her, so I guess she’s decided to see what she’s been missing out on.” Scarlett laughed.

  “You’re so bad. Would you ever think of doing that?”

  “Not if I were married. That’s why it’s so important to be sure about the guy beforehand, and I’m not sure at all about Warren.”

  “And here he comes,” Kiara said, her head tilting toward the circular driveway.

  Scarlett looked over her shoulder and saw Warren’s cherry-red sports car slowly pulling up and then stopping in front of the house. A big smile showed off his brilliant white teeth, and he waved at the women as he walked up the brick sidewalk.

  Warren Huntington always looked as though he were on a runway modeling clothes for Armani or another equally expensive designer. With his piercing blue eyes, short blond hair, and angular jaw, he was one of the most eligible men in Pinewood Springs society—something Scarlett’s parents, brothers, and friends kept reminding her. Too bad he didn’t do anything for her. He was too charming, too perfect, and Warren always said the right things at the right time in public. She swore he must have a script tucked away somewhere for every occasion. Even when they were together, he rarely let his charm … or his guard down.

  “Hi, beautiful,” he said as he leaned over and brushed a kiss across her cheeks. He pulled back, a slight frown creasing his brow. “You’re sweaty, sweetheart.”

  “No shit—the AC’s out.” A jolt of satisfaction ran through her at the look of disapproval Warren threw her.

  “Isn’t the power out at your house?” Kiara said.

  Good ol’ Kiara—always trying to keep the peace.

  Warren turned away from Scarlett and focused on her friend. “It is, that’s why I came over. How about taking a ride in my car with some nice cool air? I’ll treat you ladies for lunch in Aspen.” He glanced over at Scarlett. “That is, if you don’t still have your headache.” A twinge of bitterness laced his voice.

  “That sounds wonderful,” Kiara said, looking over at Scarlett.

  Her first inclination was to beg off, but the heat was oppressive and a cold glass of white wine in an air conditioned restaurant sounded like a slice of heaven.

  “Let me freshen up a bit,” she replied, rising to her feet.

  Scarlett stood up and walked into the house, then made her way to the en suite bathroom in her bedroom and turned on the faucet. Cupping her hands, she let the cool water fill them before splashing her face several times. She glanced up at the mirror and watched as lines of water trailed down her face.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” she said to her reflection. “Why can’t you get him out of your head? You had amazing sex at a party with a stranger. Get over it. This is becoming pathetic.”

  She flung off the damp sundress and glanced again in the mirror. A tingle shivered through her and landed straight to her core as she stared at the purplish-red love bite on her breast. Scarlett’s eyes moved downward to the small bruise marks on her hips where Shadow’s hands had held them as he pounded into her, and she pressed her thighs together as the memory of their liaison invaded her mind.

  “Stop it, right now. Stop,” she said as her pulse raced.

  “Scarlett?” her mother’s voice called.

  “Shit,” she muttered under her breath as she grabbed a plush towel off the rack next to the sink and wrapped it around her.

  “Who are you talking to?”

  “Just thinking out loud, Mom. Warren and Kiara are waiting downstairs for me, so I have to go.” She squeezed out a small amount of tinted sunscreen and rubbed it over her face and down her neck.

  “Where are you going?” Beads of sweat pearled along her mother’s hairline.

  “Warren’s taking us to Aspen for lunch.” Scarlett applied pink gloss to her lips then looked at her mother. The older woman’s face was more lined than usual and had a dove gray pallor. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

  “It’s just the heat. I wish your father would’ve put in a generator like he said he would the last time the power went out.”

  Scarlett nodded, filled a glass with cold water then handed it to her mother. “Drink this—you need to stay hydrated. Why don’t you come with us for lunch?”

  Her mother put the glass down on the counter and wiped her mouth. “I don’t think Warren would like me tagging along.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Anyway, it’s an oven inside the house. Go get your purse and let’s get out of here.” A bit of color had returned to her mom’s cheeks.

  “I’m feeling better. Anyway, your father might call. I’ll have Clara make up a pitcher of lemonade and I’ll sit on the back porch with the battery-operated fan your father bought last week at the hardware store. Have a good time.” Her mother started to walk away but stopped and looked over her shoulder, catching Scarlett’s gaze. “It’s never good to keep your man waiting. You better get going.” She turned away and shuffled out of the room.

  Scarlett chose a pink and lavender sundress from her closet, slipped it on, then headed down the stairs.

  “I’m ready.” The wrought-iron screen door closed behind her.

  Warren placed his phone in his pocket and pushed away from the white rail. “You look so pretty and cool.” He held his hand out to her.

  “Thanks.” Scarlett scurried down the steps and over to the sports car, then opened the passenger door.

  “This is going to be so much fun,” Kiara said as she climbed into the back seat. “I hope when we get home the power’s restored.”

  Warren switched on the ignition and cold air blasted from the vents.

  “That feels so good,” Kiara quipped.

  He leaned over, grasped Scarlett’s chin between his fingers, and forced her head back. Scarlett clenched her jaw as she looked up at him.

  “I’m losing patience with you,” he whispered in her ear.

  Before she could reply, he kissed her hard, driving his tongue between her teeth. Anger shot through her and she pushed against his chest with her fists and pulled away.

  Warren’s eyes flashed, but he settled back into his seat. Scarlett knew he wouldn’t have let her off so easily if her friend hadn’t been in the car. To Warren, public appearance was everything. He jerked the car into drive, switched on the radio and cranked up the volume.

  Scarlett pulled down the visor and reapplied her lip gloss, then swiveled in her seat and looked out the window. She brushed her fingertips across her lips trying to feel something, but her mind betrayed her. Warren’s image blurred, and the memory of Shadow’s kisses replaced it. Trees rushed past as they sped down the mountain pass, and she wondered if she’d ever see the rugged stranger again.

  Chapter Four

  Sweat ran down Shadow’s back, making his T-shirt stick to his skin. He peeled it off then tossed the wet shirt on the floor near the closet. A knock on the door stopped him from going over to the desk in the corner of the room to rifle through the top drawer for extra batteries for the fan.

  “Hey,” he said to Smokey when he opened the door.

  “Fuck, it’s hot in here.” Smokey stepped inside and pointed to the moving fan. “And that isn’t doing jack shit.”

  “I know. It’s hotter than hell in here. It reminds me of that broken-down trailer my ma and I used to live in after my old man died. It got so fuckin’ hot in that metal box—even worse than it is in here now.”

  “I hear you. We didn’t have AC when I was growing up either.” He chuckled. “My brother and I used to hang out in the basement a lot during the summers.”

  “Have you heard from him lately?” Shadow asked as he switched off the fan.

  A sad looked crossed over Smokey’s face for a brief second. “Not for a while.” He jerked his head toward the hallway. “A group of us are gonna ride over to Silve
rton. You in?”

  “Fuck yeah. When’s the dude supposed to show up to fix the damn generator we paid a fortune for?” Shadow asked as he slipped on his cut then grabbed the keys to his motorcycle.

  “Soon. Banger just chewed his ass out and reminded him that the Insurgents take priority over everyone on his damn list.”

  Shadow laughed. “I’m sure the dude doesn’t wanna piss off an outlaw MC.” He followed Smokey down the stairs.

  All the windows and the front door in the main room were open, and the steady hum of several fans filled the room. A large stack of batteries sat on the corner of the bar. Two of the prospects placed a couple of shots of Jack in front of Hubcap and Tank, who were leaning against the counter. Shadow perched on a stool next to them and picked up the shot of whiskey Skinless slid over to him. He threw it back, enjoying the hot burn down his throat, then set the glass back on the counter.

  “You riding over to Silverton?” he asked the two members.

  “Yeah,” Tank said as he pushed away from the bar.

  Hubcap shook his head. “Banger wants me over at the dispensary—we’re short-handed today.”

  Shadow held up his hand when Skinless began to pour another shot of whiskey for him. “Is the generator working over there?”

  “Yeah, so at least it’ll be cool, but I’d still rather burn up with a ride than be stuck in an air conditioned building.”

  Tank and Shadow nodded in agreement: for a biker, the ride was everything.

  Tania shuffled over to them, and the exposed skin in her tiny bikini glistened with perspiration. “Are you guys going out for a ride?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Shadow.

  “Yeah,” he replied as he motioned Skinless over. “Gimme a big-ass glass of cold water,” he said to the prospect.

  “I bet it’ll be cooler with the breeze rushing around you,” she said.

  “Yeah.” Shadow curled his fingers around the glass and guzzled the water down.

  “Skinless, can you soak a few paper towels in cold water again for us?” Tania nodded toward the couch where Wendy and Rosie lay motionless.