Shared Too by Lily Harlem Read Free Book Online

wide and modern and set between a restaurant and a beauty parlor. Huge windows with heavy red drapes stretched on either side of a glass door that had Hanrahan’s written above it in slanting black letters.
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    Quinn killed the engine and jumped out of the car. I hadn’t seen him so enthusiastic about going anywhere for a long time.
    “Come on,” he said, opening my door and offering me his hand.
    I looked into his sparkling eyes. “What time is the band due on?” I asked, stepping onto the sidewalk.
    “I think they’re already on,” he said, “judging by the sound of it.” Standing in the cool, dark air I understood what he meant. There was a deep thudding bass coming from the building and I could just make out singing. I glanced back into the car. Liam had made no move to get out.
    “Come on,” I said. “Come and dance with me.”
    He looked over his shoulder, glanced at me, then Hanrahan’s, took a deep breath and nodded once before opening his door and climbing out.
    Quinn flicked his key fob at the car and it flashed and winked as he pushed into the bar. Thumping music and thick warmth wrapped around me. Liam pressed in close behind and I reached for his hand. He didn’t like loud music and this was way above his decibel level. I felt bad for persuading him to come at all. I should have left him quiet with his newspaper and Betsy on his lap, but I’d wanted to dance with him as well as Quinn. It had been selfish of me and a sudden pang of guilt tugged my heartstrings.
    Turning, I looked up into his handsome face. “Sorry,” I mouthed as we pressed through a crowd in order to keep up with Quinn.
    His eyes were narrow and he tugged at his bottom lip. “It’s okay,” he said. “Really, it sounds like a funky band. We’ll have a nice time.” I squeezed his hand, pleased that he was making an effort.
    We drew up to the bar next to Quinn, who’d already caught the barman’s attention.
    A glass of white wine appeared in front of me, along with a lager and a cola. “What do 39
    Lily Harlem
    you think?” he asked, looking around at the people lining the bar, his gaze keen and interested. “They’re good, aren’t they?”
    “Yes,” I agreed, nodding and straining to see the band on stage. “They sound great.”
    Hanrahan’s was clearly popular and a crush of people were dancing and talking, drinking and laughing. The band was on a small, raised stage, the cute lead singer clutching a microphone and singing about emotions eating him alive. The air was hot and sticky. I slipped off my jacket and Liam took it from me, folding it over the crook of his elbow.
    “Are you glad we came?” Quinn asked, returning his attention to me and running his finger down my bare arm.
    “Well, I will be once we’ve had a dance.” I grinned up at him.
    “Sure thing,” he said, taking a quick sip of his drink and grabbing my hand.
    I turned to Liam. “Back in a minute.”
    “Take your time, baby.” He reached for a black tray farther up the bar. “I’ll take our drinks and go sit by the door.” He nodded at a vacant table against the closed curtains.
    It was away from the denseness of the crowd and a small red candle flickered in the center.
    Quinn coiled his fingers with mine and tugged me deeper into the crush of people.
    He was so much taller than I. All I could see were shoulders and shoes.
    He found us a spot at the front and began to dance to the fast beat. His hands reached out for mine, he pulled me close and our hips jigged together. I looked up into his face. Lights danced on his skin and his eyes flashed down at me. In a sudden flourish he spun me right around and caught me against his chest. He laughed at my surprise and I joined in, grasping for his shoulders to steady myself.
    Three energetic songs later I was hot from dancing and glad of the sleeveless top I was wearing. My forehead and cleavage were damp and I thought of Quinn’s glass of 40
    Shared Too
    cola on the table. I