Nailed (4 page)

“I’d love to start my own company one day,” she said.

He smiled. “I’m sure you will.” He glanced at her plate. “You all finished?”

She nodded.

“Okay, I’ll get them to pack up the rest of the pizza.” He smiled, a glint in his indigo eyes. “Then we’ll go back to my place.”

Chapter Three

Present

River realized the bus was coming up to her stop. She’d almost missed it, caught up in her reverie. Damn it, she just wanted to forget all about Kane Winters … and she had. But now he’d dropped right back into her life. And this time she couldn’t just walk away.

She had to be cautious. She wouldn’t let her guard down.

This time, she wouldn’t let him hurt her.

*   *   *

Kane sipped his coffee, waiting for the waiter to bring the bill. He wanted another chance with River, but clearly she was going to fight him every step of the way. He smiled, remembering her soft body pressed tight against him, her lips moving under his. His groin tightened. He intended to have her back in his bed and the challenge would just make his victory all the sweeter.

When he’d talked to her that first time back in college, he’d been surprised. He hadn’t known what he’d expected, but he’d found he really enjoyed talking to her. She’d been the quirky girl with the odd clothes and the hair streaked with bright pink. He’d thought she’d have odd ideas and a keep-away attitude, but she’d been warm and pleasant to talk to.

Before that, he hadn’t realized she was broke—struggling to keep up with her expenses and maintaining her scholarship so she could afford to stay in school. Most of the people he knew had parents who provided everything they needed. Will was a notable exception, but he still had some help from his parents. River was different. He admired her courage and her determination to succeed.

He’d noticed her long before that fateful spring day—she had a pretty face and an alluring figure—but she wasn’t the kind of girl someone like him would hang out with. And she certainly wouldn’t fit in with his friends or be accepted by his family looking the way she did. He hadn’t really cared about that kind of thing except for the practical aspect that she’d be uncomfortable not fitting in, so why start something with her that was bound to end?

But that day, he’d been challenged. And he’d found the challenge to be well worth the effort.

First year of college—Spring semester

Kane opened his apartment door and led River inside. Her eyes widened.

“Wow.” She glanced around his place, taking in the clean lines of his contemporary black wood furniture, his sixty-inch plasma TV, the white leather furniture, and colorful art on the walls.

“Is this your parents’ place?” she asked.

“No, this is my place.” He tossed his keys in the drawer of the bureau in the entryway then walked into the living room. “Do you live in the dorms?”

She shook her head. “I rent a room in a house off campus.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t it be easier to live on campus?”

“Sure, but … I can’t afford that.”

Her answer confused him. He wouldn’t want to live in the cramped, crowded dorms, but he thought living on campus was the cheaper alternative to off-campus housing … yet she couldn’t even afford that.

“Would you like something to drink? I’ve got wine, beer, hard lemonade?”

“Lemonade, thanks.”

He walked into the kitchen and retrieved a can of hard lemonade from the fridge, and poured it into a glass with ice, then grabbed a beer for himself. When he walked back into the living room, she was sitting on the couch with her chemistry textbook lying on the table.

She really had come over to study.

She took the drink he offered and sipped it, then frowned and pushed it aside as she opened her book.

For the next two hours, he went over the chapters with her, reviewing and querying her to test her knowledge. The whole time he was aware of her closeness … her warmth … the sweet vanilla scent of her hair and the curve of her body.

“Let’s take a break,” he said.

“But we still have another chapter to go over.”

“I know. We can do that after.” He stood up and walked to the kitchen, then returned with another drink for each of them.

He set her lemonade in front of her, then sat down again.

“There’s a party after the exam tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?”

“I’m not much for parties.”

“But it’s your last exam. You want to celebrate, don’t you?”

She frowned. “I don’t get it. Why are you asking me? Why did you even start talking to me today?”

A barrier had gone up and he feared he’d lose his chance with her.

He smiled. “Why are you so surprised that I want to go out with you?”

She stared at her glass. “I’m not like the girls you usually go out with.”

“Maybe that’s part of the attraction.”

And he
was
attracted to her. Much to his surprise. While they’d been studying, whenever he explained something in the textbook, she’d leaned in closer to see the page and every brush of her thigh against his sent heat to his groin. Whenever she’d stroked her hair behind her ear, he’d wanted to brush his fingers through the soft strands … to feel her soft skin under his fingertips.

Her gaze locked on his, her green eyes serious.

“Are you slumming it with me? Getting some kind of strange kick from asking out the weird chick?”

A prickle of anxiety emanated from her and he wanted to quell her unease.

“You’re different, that’s true, but that’s a good thing.” He sent her his most disarming smile. “I really like you.”

The barrier seemed to fade and she looked uncertain.

Vulnerable.

He leaned forward and her eyes widened, but he could see the look of longing in them. This attraction he felt for her seemed to be mutual.

He closed the distance and brushed his lips against hers. Instead of pulling away, she leaned into the kiss. Then her mouth moved on his and heat blasted through him. Her tongue brushed against his lips and he opened them, drawing it into his mouth. Intoxicated by the sweetness of her.

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her tight to his body. Her soft breasts crushed against him and—God help him—he could feel her nipples harden through her shirt. His hand glided up her side, then he cupped her soft breast.

She stiffened and jolted back, sucking in a breath. She shook her head, looking panic-stricken.

“No, I can’t…” She was on her feet and racing for the door.

He stood up and strode after her, scooping up her backpack on the way.

She reached the entrance and grabbed the doorknob, but he grasped her arm before she could open the door.

“Wait. Let’s talk…”

Her head jerked around and she stared up at him, her eyes wide with … damn, was that fear?

She backed against the door as if seeking escape.

“No, I … need to go home.”

“River, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything. You seemed to be enjoying the kiss and—”

“No!” she flared. “I didn’t want you to do that. It’s not my fault.”

“River…” He said her name in a calm, soothing voice as he drew her back from the door. This wasn’t a conversation for the neighbors. “I’m not saying it was your fault. I just misread the situation. I shouldn’t have touched you like that. I’m sorry.”

She was breathing quickly and his chest tightened.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I just want to go home.”

“Okay. I’ll drive you.”

“No, I’ll take the bus.”

He pulled his keys from the bureau drawer. “I’m going to drive you.”

She glanced at him uncertainly as he drew her gently from the door and opened it.

“I just want to ensure you get home safely. Okay?”

She bit her lip, then finally nodded and stepped through the door.

It was clear something had happened to her in the past. Something that had scarred her deeply. And, God damn it, he wanted to kill the bastard who’d done it.

Present

The waiter arrived with the bill and Kane paid.

“Do me a favor and pack up the pie and have it sent to the young lady.” He handed him an extra twenty.

“Of course, sir.”

Kane scribbled her name and address on the back of his business card and handed it to the man, then left the restaurant.

The memory of her pain that night still haunted him, and what had happened the next day had scarred her even more.

Because of him.

And he intended to make up for it somehow.

*   *   *

River stashed her purse in the locker at Giselle’s, feeling tired and cranky. She hadn’t slept well last night—of course she hadn’t after seeing Kane again. She was appalled at herself for the desire she had felt for him when he’d kissed her. For the fact she’d wanted that kiss … and more.

He had hurt and betrayed her in college and she couldn’t let go of that pain. She couldn’t trust him.

She went to the register as Louise unlocked the door. There were already customers waiting to come in. The big electronics store in the mall was having a huge sale that day with hourly specials and it looked like a lot of wives and girlfriends weren’t as interested in wireless routers.

The morning was fast and furious and River wound up selling more in those few hours than she’d sold all week. She thanked her current customer as she handed the woman her bag and realized there was no one else waiting.

“River.” Louise stepped beside her, a frown on her face. “You didn’t ask her to sign up for our text promotion.”

Aw, damn.

“Sorry, Louise, I—”

“In fact, you haven’t signed up a single person today.”

“It was really busy and—”

“That’s no excuse. It’s a new promotion and management wants us signing up as many people as possible.” She glared at River. “They feel it will increase business.”

“But most people I ask are already signed up for e-mail coupons.”

Louise tapped her nails on the glass counter impatiently. “I want you to sign up at least five new people this afternoon. Understood?”

River drew in a breath. “Yes.”

She realized that Louise was staring critically at her nails. Now what was wrong? She’d put on one of the spring colors. She’d chosen Blue Me Away, which was a soft periwinkle. She glanced down at her nails. Oh, God, there was a big chip in the polish, revealing naked nail on her index finger. And another on her thumb.

“Do you really think it’s appropriate for your nails to be in such a state? It doesn’t leave a very good impression on the customers. Would you buy nail polish from someone who doesn’t even know how to take care of her own nails?”

River had to bite back a sharp retort. River knew how to take care of her nails and she also knew a decent polish when she used one. This polish was gloppy and applied unevenly. And it clearly didn’t last, since she’d put it on only two days ago, and used a quality base coat and top coat.
Her
nail polish didn’t chip after only two days’ wear. Ever.

By break time, River had signed up two people for the text program.

“How you doing?” Tia asked when they sat down for a quick coffee at the Starbucks in the mall. Tia had come on shift at noon. “It seems like Louise has been giving you a hard time.”

River stared at her nails. She’d done a quick fix by applying White Water, Pink Fizz, and Seafoam over the blue polish in quick strokes using an almost dry brush, giving her nails a sort of grunge multicolored effect. Louise had raised her eyebrow with a critical glare, but River had been with a customer at the time, so Louise hadn’t said anything. River couldn’t help feeling a little smug when the customer called her friend over and asked River to show them how she’d done it. Especially when that resulted in a sale of all four colors to each of them.

“Nothing new there. Louise clearly doesn’t like me.”

“Oh, well. Screw her. The customers like you. And anyway, you’re going to start your own business and a year from now, you’ll be laughing at us poor saps who have to drag our asses in to someone else’s business and follow their rules.” Tia patted River’s hand. “You’ll be making your own rules.”

Her own rules. Yeah, not if Kane got his way.

“You know that a start-up company like mine probably won’t even be profitable in a year. I’ll still be schlepping into the store with you.”

“Naw. You’re going to be a big success. I know it. You’re talented and smart.”

“Not that smart. I didn’t even finish college.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re going to make it big. I know you are.” Tia squeezed her hand. “I believe in you.”

The gesture filled River with warmth. She loved that Tia believed in her. And cared about her. She was just a casual friend—River didn’t really get close to people—but Tia filled a void in her life. Tia cared about what happened to River more than her mother ever had. And her father had been practically nonexistent in her life.

“I know you do. Thanks.” River smiled awkwardly. She patted Tia’s hand, then drew hers away, unwilling to allow herself more of the comforting contact.

Tia sipped her coffee. “So how did dinner go with your Kickstarter person? Was she nice?”

River frowned. “She was a he.”

“Oh?” She glanced at River. “You don’t seem happy. Did he hit on you?”

“No.” She certainly wouldn’t tell Tia about the kiss. “He was a guy I knew in college.”

“Oh? A guy you
dated
in college?”

She shrugged. “Do you consider going out two times dating?”

“That depends. Did you have sex with him?”

“Tia!”

Tia laughed. “I’m just kidding. I know you well enough to know that that would never happen. So what’s the deal?”

Oh, God, if Tia only knew.

“He did something that … hurt me.”

Tia’s eyes filled with concern. “Oh, God. What, honey?”

River just shook her head. Tia knew how private River was, so she didn’t push.

“Okay, well, it’s over now. You don’t have to see the jerk again.”

“The problem is I’m not sure about that.”

“You aren’t? But why would you even consider it?”