Surrender 01 - Surrender

slurred , surprised by how difficult it was to force the words out.
    “Shh, you’re fine, sugar. Let’s just have a dance or two and then I’ll take you somewhere you can lie down,” he replied before his lips captured hers, preventing her from protesting any further. With her last bit of energy she tried pulling away, but it was useless. The world was starting to blacken, and she slumped in his arms as she began to pass out.
    “That’s right. Don’t fight it…” were the last words she heard.

Chapter Eleven

    Rafe walked into the club, irritated to be there, but it was where his best friend wanted to meet. The man was constantly on the hunt for new women — one-night stands being his preferred choice for satisfying his desires.
    Rafe preferred to have exclusive women along for the ride — there to do anything he wanted until he became bored with them. Only Shane, a man he’d known since his early school years, could get him out to a club, and only because he was like a brother to Rafe. The two of them were good for each other, helped balance one another out.
    With two sisters who drove him crazy, Rafe appreciated the way Shane helped level the insanity out. His sisters were great, but they could be too much to handle at times . Shane knew Rafe better than any other human being. He’d been there when Rafe went through the divorce, and he’d stayed by his side as Rafe did what he needed to in order to pick the pieces back up.
    “I can already tell by the expression on your face that you’re thrilled to be here.”
    Rafe turned around and shot an irritated glance in Shane’s direction. Why he put up with the man , he’d never know, he thought sourly. Really, the friendship should never have survived all the crap Shane was known for pulling. If Rafe hadn’t known beyond a shadow of a doubt that Shane was a good guy, he’d have cut all ties and called it good.
    “Let’s get this over with. I have plans this weekend.”
    “Loosen up, brother. You have to stop and smell the roses once in a while. We’re two single guys out on the prowl and they only allow the hottest women in here. Let’s have some fun first, then discuss business later.”
    Rafe sighed as a skimpily dressed hostess led them to a private table, then bent down to show her ample cleavage while asking them what they wanted to drink. Rafe normally would have enjoyed the view, but he still couldn’t seem to get Ari from his mind.
    Never could he remember being so taken by one woman. It was the reason he should cut his losses and forget all about her. She’d said no — that should be the end of it — except that Rafe didn’t take rejection well. Not that he could remember the last time he’d actually been rejected.
    “We’ll take a couple shots of bourbon to start,” Shane said as his hand reached out and copped a feel on the hostess’s round ass.
    “Sounds good, baby. I’ll be right back,” the woman practically purred.
    “Damn, I may not need to look any further. She’s hot enough to fry all my circuits,” Shane said with a low, drawn-out whistle as he watched her walk away, her hips swinging hypnotically .
    “I don’t know how you screw so many women, then leave them in the dust and have them still thinking you’re their freaking Prince Charming,” Rafe grumbled.
    “It’s all in the attitude, man. I just make them believe it’s their idea for us to have only one night together. Then, when I run away a free man, they just think it was an exceptional night of sex, and we’re good friends.”
    Rafe snorted as he looked around the club. It was quite crowded for seven o’clock on a Friday night. He’d hoped to have a little peace for a couple of hours more. As his bored gaze started returning to his friend, his eyes caught on a woman being led to the dance floor.
    “No,” he uttered in disbelief.
    “What?” Shane asked as he followed Rafe’s gaze and saw a small brunette being led out onto the dance floor. “Do you know her?”
    The two men watched as the man held on to the woman, her body flopping against him as he felt her up. Rafe’s eyes narrowed further when it was obvious she was barely conscious.
    “Son of a bitch!”
    Rafe stood up so suddenly that his chair skidded out from behind him , hitting the people walking by. The customer the chair hit grumbled something, but then he continued walking past. It was smart the guy didn’t stop to confront Rafe, because he was seeing red as he watched Ari