Telling Liam would have been a big mistake. He was like a brother, but private stuff like that, he didn’t tell anyone.
Claire must really hate him. From the way he attacked her back then, and now he had molested her on the porch. Shaking his head, he ran himself a bath.
The best choice for him was to pretend it didn’t happen.
Shane didn’t know how he was going to get over the love and desire he felt for her. Every second he spent with her was a second more he wanted her completely.
More than sex—even though the sex would be fantastic—he wanted a family. To be with Liam and Claire, the only two people in the world he could trust.
He ignored the tears as he climbed into the hot water. As the years had passed, he’d learned to cry in silence.
Silence was the only way he could deal with the pain.
Chapter Eight
For the next few days, nothing happened. Claire and Shane avoided each other. Neither spoke unless they had to, and for the most part, no one noticed a difference.
Liam was still attentive, but every time he left the room, Shane suddenly had some work he needed to finish off.
The annual summer dance was happening on Friday. Claire had never been to one. For years she hadn’t had any dates or been old enough to attend, and now everything had changed. She was old enough to go and had two men to go with. She’d been delighted when Liam and Shane had asked if she’d go as their date.
“You want me to be your date?” she asked.
Liam looked behind him and nudged Shane in the arm. “Are we asking the wrong Claire Martin? Do we need to go and find another one?”
Laughing, she punched him in the arm. “Stop your jokes. They’re not funny.”
“Yes, they are. Anyway. Are you going to go with us?”
She glanced at Shane and saw him smiling. He didn’t look closed off, and deciding to take a chance in life, she agreed.
In no time at all, Friday had come, and Claire was nervous. The ranch hands had left early, and she’d been able to take a long leisurely bath and prepare herself.
Claire pulled a pale-yellow dress over her head. With the heat of summer, she settled on one with thin straps and a modest top which showed a small amount of cleavage. The hem settled at her knees. Modest and sensual. She finished with sandals with a small heel and left her brown hair to tumble down her shoulder. In the fresh air, she found her normally dull locks looked full and glossy, which was something no hair care products could achieve.
“Are you ready? We want to get into town tonight!” Liam called from her door.
Glancing at her reflection one last time, she sent up a prayer and went to open the door. “How do I look?” she asked.
Liam stared at her for a few seconds. With every passing second, her hopes died. She’d tried to look her best. “Should I change?”
“Don’t you dare. You look good enough to eat.”
Loving the compliment, Claire gave a twirl and accepted his arm. He wore jeans and a checkered shirt. The dance they were going to was taking place at the local bar. Cowboys, ranchers, and most of the townsfolk would be in attendance. She was excited. Tonight would be her first dance with a date. She hadn’t attended prom but rather stayed with her friends at Liam’s house.
Shane wore the same as Liam, only he had a black cowboy hat on his head.
“Don’t you think she looks stunning?” Liam asked as they walked down the steps.
“Beautiful,” she heard Shane whisper. As the days had worn on, Shane had begun to spend more time with her. The tension was still there between them. At least he didn’t disappear every time she walked into a room.
“Who’s driving tonight?” she asked. Shane took her arm and led her out to the truck.
“I’m the driver for this evening, ma’am.” He helped her up into her seat and went around to the driver’s side.
“Hey, what about me?” Liam complained as he hurled his body up next to hers. She chuckled when Shane shot him a glare.
The truck started up, and they were on the road. The windows were rolled down and the breeze drifted through the car, sending her hair all over the place. When it hit Liam in the face, he grabbed her hair in a fist, placed his arm over her shoulder, and held it. “That should keep it in one place.”
Claire laughed as tingles erupted along her skin. His fist pulled small strands of her hair, sending an electric bolt of heat straight to her clit. How could the small bite of pain create such blissful pleasure?
Shane tapped her leg. He didn’t move his hand. She glanced down where his hand rested on her thigh. His darker, sun-tanned skin was in complete contrast to her pale thighs. She wanted him to move further up and curl around to the inside.