SeduceMe(12)

He countered by asking, “You really believe they can resist the temptation?”

Shana’s teeth sank into her lower lip. Lucky for her, she was wearing twelve-hour, stay-put lipstick in crimson, or she’d be wearing more of the lipstick on her teeth than her lips.

As she contemplated her answer to Drake’s query, he continued to watch her, a scorching-hot look on his handsome face, an intriguing challenge in his dark eyes.

Even a social misfit could sense physical attraction. It existed between her and Drake in spades. It also existed between her and Jane. She couldn’t deny it, even being as inexperienced as she was in this arena. Their interest in her was genuine. She had a lifetime of false flattery under her belt to know the difference. The men who’d come onto her during her international touring years had all wanted something from her, yes. But it wasn’t her body, per se. It wasn’t whatever charm or wit or intellect she might possess that enticed them. It was her name. Her prestige. Her fame. Her fortune.

These two fascinating people knew her past. They’d admitted as much. But that was not what drew them to her, she was certain of it. What she felt right now was their attraction to the person she’d become. The person she still strove to be.

It was strange how it all fell into place for Shana, but it happened quickly and it couldn’t be denied. These were two people with honest intentions. Potentially wicked intentions, sure. There was no missing the naughty sparkle in Drake’s eyes or the quick rise and fall of Jane’s chest, echoing her excitement as though she’d shouted it into a canyon for all to hear.

In the end, Shana knew enough about human nature, had met enough people with pretenses only meant to suit their needs and fulfill their desires, to know when someone was shining her on.

Drake and Jane were not.

Of course, that didn’t mean she had a clue as to what they were really up to and what she was supposed to do about it. But she felt comfortable in their presence and she wanted to know them better. She wanted them to find her interesting enough to let her into their world.

A shocking turn of events from the simple invitation she’d thought she’d be accepting this evening, but one she found appealing. There was a certain fear that walked hand in hand with her vulnerability, but she’d never felt more inspired or motivated to unravel herself from that fear than she did at this moment. With Drake. With Jane.

“Well,” she said in that breathy voice that had replaced her normal one. Her heart picked up several extra beats as her pulse seemed to radiate from every single erogenous zone she possessed, making her body vibrate. “If it wouldn’t cause you any problems to show me what really happens on stage, I think witnessing the reality of the situation might be…beneficial…to me.”

The idea of spying on a few of the scenes heightened her arousal, already in high gear because of her two new acquaintances.

They reached an elevator where a security guard stood sentinel before the gleaming brass doors.

“My office is upstairs,” Drake informed her. “Shall we?”

The guard pushed the button on the richly paneled wall and the doors slid open with a soft whoosh that made Shana’s stomach flip. Were it not for Yvette’s obvious advocacy of this unique opportunity, Shana might have changed her mind. Cowardly backed out…just so she didn’t make a fool of herself. Not that it’d been smooth sailing so far, what with her two left feet and bundled nerves. But she was ready to experience something different. Something significant. Something outside her realm of normalcy and reclusiveness.

So as Drake made a sweeping gesture with his large hand, she stepped inside the elegantly appointed elevator and silently said “to hell” with her insecurities.





Chapter Three



Shana stood between Drake and Jane, tightly clutching her small purse with both hands. Drake stole a glance at her, captivated by the way she trembled ever so slightly, revealing both apprehension and exhilaration.

He found it impossible to believe some of the things Jane had said about this woman earlier, particularly about her not being comfortable with her body. Drake found every inch of her alluring. She had a striking face, with wide-set, amber-colored eyes. They were as rich as the finest scotch he’d ever poured and they sparkled beneath the soft glow of the elevator lights. Her cheekbones were high and well-defined. Almost delicate looking and very prominent. Her lips were full and painted a deep crimson color that complemented her bronze skin.

From his research, he’d learned her father was from Playa Del Carmen outside of Cancun and her mother was American. She’d been born in the States and had dual citizenship, but she’d lived her first few years in Mexico. Her real name was Shania Gonzalez. In her younger years, she’d been an international sensation in the classical music world, and of course Drake’s curiosity burned to know what had made her step out of the limelight after she’d turned eighteen.