Surrender 01 - Surrender

day; they were looking forward to playing at Stinson Beach, and really looking forward to meeting the woman who seemed to be tying their big brother up in knots.
    They hadn’t liked any of his mistresses they’d met previously, and they’d hated his ex-wife, but a woman he wanted to hide from them had their curiosity piqued. It would be a great afternoon.
    “Have we worked out the plan, yet?” Rachel asked as they stopped at a light. It was nearly impossible to hear anything over the wind while they drove.
    “I have no clue. First step was in finding the girl. We’re going to have to assess the situation and think quick on our feet once we’re down there.”
    “A challenge. You know, I always enjoy that.”
    “Yes, because you’re a meddling brat, Rachel.”
    “Aren’t you the touchy one. Did you have a bad night? Were you just a tad upset that I was sitting on your boyfriend’s lap? You know I don’t want Shane. I’ve known he was all yours from the first day he walked in the room and you practically tripped on your bottom lip.”
    “I’m not in love with Shane!”
    “Oh my gosh, Lia. Give it a rest. I know about the hotel incident,” Rachel told her with a wicked smile.
    “How do you know about that?”
    “Like you’re the only one who knows how to get information. I’ve had the employees spying for me forever. I know some things about big brother, too. If you spill the dirt about you and Shane, then I just might tell you,” Rachel gloated.
    Lia glared at her sister for a moment before turning her eyes back to the road. The rest of the trip to the beach went in silence while Rachel gloated and Lia pouted. Lia was dying to find out what her little sister knew.

    *****

    “I can’t believe you talked me into this. I have so much I could be getting done this weekend. After the incident a couple weeks ago at the bar, I really shouldn’t trust you guys to take me anywhere,” Ari grumbled as she climbed from Amber’s minivan.
    “Quit being such a grump. It’s a stunning day. You really need to get some color on your blindingly white skin, and we all need fun,” Shelly said.
    “You’ll have to forgive us someday, Ari. How were we supposed to know that the hot waiter would slip you a roofie? We just thought that he was really into you. If anyone needs to have a hot night of sex, it’s you. I’ve never seen anyone with such a stiff neck,” Miley joined in.
    “OK, OK. I’ll drop it if you never bring up that sicko Chandler again. I can’t believe he was only in jail a couple days. What is the world coming to? I’ll certainly be a lot more careful about what I drink from now on,” Ari grumbled as she felt her face turn red.
    Her friends had no clue at all about her night with Rafe — her very hot, very exciting night. She still got goosebumps when she recalled his touch. Ari knew she was tense. It seemed that he’d opened a floodgate of hormones inside her, and she was too chicken to pursue a guy to fill her raging needs.
    She really wanted to experience another night like the one with Rafe. She just didn’t want to have another night with him — well, she did, but she was smart enough not to.
    “Ooh, twelve o’clock. Let’s go watch some beach volleyball,” Amber said while practically drooling.
    The three other women turned in unison, then stood with their mouths gaping open. There were some seriously sexy men wearing nothing but beach shorts and sweat, and playing a fast game of volleyball.
    “There’s an open spot not far from the net with a perfect view,” Shelly pointed out as she began rapidly moving to a small gap in the crowds on the sand nearby. After a moment’s pause the other three women hurried behind her.
    “Don’t be a prude, Ari. Drop the shrug and flaunt your killer breasts. You want those hot guys to notice you, don’t you?” Miley asked as she grabbed the knot on the back of Ari’s neck.
    Before she could stop her friend, Ari was sitting on her towel with nothing on but the bikini top Amber had lent her and a skimpy pair of shorts. She felt naked as she looked around self-consciously, convinced everyone would be staring at her in horror.
    “We’d better get this lotion on you before you turn into a lobster. You need some color, not a wicked sunburn,” Shelly announced as she squirted some of the ice-cold liquid onto Ari’s neck, instantly sending shivers down her spine.
    “Thanks for warming it first, Shelly,” Ari snapped as the woman