He sighs, drawing my gaze, as he runs his hands through his hair. “Veronica has been after my money for a while now, so what you saw was me letting her think she’d finally worn me down, only to tell her to back off
and leave me the fuck alone.” He offers me a wry grin. “Of course you didn’t see that because you’d already fled.”
“Money?”
“She’s more interested in my money than me.”
“I think you underestimate your charm.”
“Is that so? So you forgive me then?” He leans across the table and tries to gather my hands. I move them into my lap.
“It’s been a long night,” I say, muffling a yawn. “I’ll just let my brother take me home and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
“Ryan’s your brother?” His gaze freezes on my face.
“Yes.”
“Phew. That’s good.” He looks me up and down, his frown deepening. “So, why are you here?”
I feel a hot blush creeping on to my cheeks, and decide this new naughty Sofia is going to be honest so that he knows what he could have had tonight. “I thought I’d surprise you, and show up in my thigh-highs,” I lean over the table and watch him swallow hard, “and I thought you might like my new lacy thong and bra.” His breathing has become heavy so I sit back into the chair. “But I guess you had other plans, huh?”
“You don’t really mean that.” He frowns, unsure. “Do you?”
“About what I’m wearing under the jacket or that I’m going to let my brother take me home and you won’t get to see or touch me at all?” I raise a brow, trying to ignore the throbbing in my ankle and the way Shane is currently looking at me; as though he’s the big bad wolf and I’m his dinner.
“You really came out here…for me?”
“Yeah, and it didn’t turn out too good so I’m going home and won’t be trying this again any time soon.”
“Sofia—”
“Leave it Shane. Please. I’ve had enough for tonight.” I turn my head as my brother walks into the kitchen.
Ryan looks between Shane and I before lifting me from the chair and carrying me out to his truck, all without a word to Shane.
“I’ll get you home, bandaged, and dry and then I want to know what is going on because I’m guessing you’re wearing a lot less than I am beneath that jacket.” Ryan slams the truck door before climbing in his side. “Just don’t talk because I’m angry.”
It isn’t until I’m home and tucked into bed that I curl in on myself and cry tears of humiliation, and frustration. Mainly humiliation. The one time I decide to try and seduce a man, I fall flat on my face.
4
Shane
Sofia McKenzie baffles me.
First she’s telling me she won’t allow me to use her, and then she’s showing up at my house dressed to seduce. I’m not sure what changed between this afternoon and this evening but I like the change. I could kick myself in the ass for missing that opportunity with her. But for the way I chose to get shut of Veronica, I could be in bed enjoying the beautiful Sofia.
I need to make it right between us.
Why wait until morning?
Exactly! Why wait until morning?
“I’m going out and you all need to leave.” I snap my fingers and dash upstairs to grab my car keys.
“Well really, Shane.” My mother’s voice follows me up the stairs and I grin, finally having an excuse to kick them out.
Jogging back downstairs, I refuse to give my mother and her husband who dropped in unannounced with Veronica, an explanation for my hasty departure. I do insist, “I’ll see you out. Now.”