Surrender by Violetta Rand

Author:Violetta Rand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept

“Drink some more.” Gretchen pours me a second serving of cranberry juice.

I’m uncharacteristically thirsty today. “Thank you.”

“Does your lip hurt?”

I touch the tiny bump on the left side of my mouth. “Only if I touch it.”

Gretchen grimaces. “I still can’t believe it happened. The nerve of that asshole showing up at your friend’s house.”

“Unfortunately,” I say, almost ashamed to discuss it, “when you live with dancers . . .” I don’t want Gretchen to have a negative opinion of all strippers. “You risk attracting shady characters. Especially drug dealers. They prey on dancers.”

She opens the fridge, puts the juice on the shelf, knees the door shut, and then joins me at the table. “After my parents died,” she starts, “Garrick and I didn’t know where we were going to live or what we were going to do. Garrick had a great job, but he didn’t make enough money to pay off the mortgage and cars. He refused to be in debt, even though we had some time to make financial decisions. We didn’t know our parents had a substantial amount of life insurance until weeks after their funeral. We struggled at first. I understand why you dance, Robyn. I hate that you have to do it. Understand?”

I manage a soft smile. She’s a carbon copy of her brother. “I wish my parents shared your outlook.”

She pats my hand. “Give them time. It must be hard accepting that your daughter . . . strips for a living.”

“I’m sure it is.”

She pulls back, a not-so-friendly look on her face now. “I don’t want you to hurt my brother. He’s all I have left and I’m super protective, Robyn. If you don’t care about him, walk away now. He deserves someone special.”

Hearing the somber note in her voice, seeing the depth of her devotion to her brother, drives a spike into my heart. “I won’t hurt him,” I guarantee. “I care.”

She studies me. There’s a long pause in the conversation. “Then don’t worry about Carlos or your family right now. Focus on getting better.”

Tears burn my eyes. Something bad is going to happen; I can feel it in my bones. No one has ever been this accommodating, this kind, this welcoming to me. The garage door opens. Garrick. He’s carrying two boxes and a pink Zales bag.

“Is it your birthday?” I ask Gretchen.

“Nope.” She eyeballs her brother. “Is it yours?”

“No,” I answer, growing more curious by the second. Maybe a late birthday present?

Garrick smiles and leans in to kiss me. “Come upstairs with me.”

I’m wearing Gretchen’s pink terry-cloth robe. She’s only two sizes bigger, but when I stand, it gaps open. I pull the belt tight. “Sure.” I follow him.

I sit on the bed and he places the boxes next to me. “I picked up a few things for you to keep over here.”

I open the first one. There’s an array of panties and bras, all perfectly sized. Even a red lace teddy. I chuckle. “Thank you.” He gestures at the second package. I open it.

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