Carlos: Yes your majesty. But I’m here to tell you dad said you better go pick out a dress for the fall ball. You’re my date.

Carmen rolled her eyes. Shane stood there uneasy.

Carmen: I don’t remember asking you as a date and I don’t want you as my date. Plus I already have one.

Carlos: What? Who?

Carmen looked at Shane who avoided her eye contact.

Carmen: Not telling you. Now get out of my room.

Carlos: I’m not leaving until you tell me who.

Carmen: Shane, throw him out.

Shane moved towards him and place a firm hand on his shoulder.

Carlos: Get your fukin hands off of me. Tell me who’re you going with?!

Carmen: That’s none of your business. Get out.

Carlos shrugged off Shane’s hand and pinned Carmen to the headboard. Carlos had a temper problem when Cezar wasn’t around. He hated not knowing Carmen’s secrets. He always had a psycho theory that Carmen belonged to him.

Carmen: Shane!

Shane’s elbow wrapped around Carlos’s neck and she pulled back dragging him by the neck. She side stepped and tripped him. Carlos was red from embarassment, rage, and the loss of breath. He got up and took a swing at Shane and missed.

Carlos: Who the fuck do you think you are? You’ve only been here for what? a week? Do you want to go sleep with the fishes?

Carlos pulled out his black handgun from behind and pointed it at Shane who stood over him. He was clambering up clumsily. Carmen ran in front of Shane to block her from Carlos.

Carmen: I’m warning you. Get away from her and get out.

Carlos stood his ground glaring at Shane. His lips twisted into a snarl.

Carmen: Get out of here Carlos. I don’t want to see you.

Carlos angry marched off slamming the door behind him.

Shane: He needs anger management.

Carmen: Are you okay?

Carmen was patting Shane all over to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

Shane: I’m absolutely fine thanks to your act of bravery. Are you taking this chance to just touch me?

Carmen giggled.

Carmen: Maybe.

Shane picked her up. She was light as a feather.

Shane: You never told me you already had a date to some fancy ball.

Carmen: Is my Shane worrying about who that person is?

Shane pouted. She dropped her on the bed. Carmen let out a small yelp of suprise. Shane turned her back on Carmen and walked towards a comfortable chair to continue reading. Carmen jumped from the bed and onto her back.

Carmen: Silly you don’t have to worry. It’s you.

Shane: I’m not worrying. I don’t like dancing.

Carmen: Common, go with me. Please?

Carmen laid a trail of kisses from Shane’s ear down to her chin. Shane sat down on the deep leather chair and Carmen climbed into her lap.

Shane: No.

Carmen: Please. It’ll be just for a little while.

Shane shook her head no. Carmen kissed the corner of Shane’s lips sending shivers down her back.

Carmen: You know you want to.

Shane picked up her book and tried to concentrate on it. Carmen got in between Shane’s arms. Placing a hand on each side of Shane’s neck she looked into her green eyes. Carmen’s thumb drew gentle circles on her neck massaging her neck coaxing her.

Carmen: I’ll dance for you when we’re back home. All alone.

Shane put her book down and looked straight into the chocolate brown eyes that were staring at her.

Shane: It better be one hell of a private dance.

Carmen hugged Shane and snuggled into the crook of her neck. Shane opened her book again to continue reading. As long as Carlos or Cezar was in the house, they had to watch their actions towards one another.