Nailed (15 page)

“Oh, God, River. You’re really married,” Tia said in awe, and then she grabbed her and hugged her tight. “I’m so happy for you.” She eased off on the tight hug and sat back. “Now let me see the ring.”

Tia grabbed River’s hand and stared at the glittering diamond.

“Oh, my God, it’s huge! You lucky girl.” Tia’s smile glowed. “So tell me about the wedding.”

“We did a quick trip to Vegas.”

“You went to
Vegas
?” The pitch of Tia’s voice had increased a notch. “And you didn’t invite me? I’ve never been and I’ve always wanted to go.”

River squeezed Tia’s hand. “Oh, Tia, I wanted you there. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

*   *   *

After spending the afternoon with Maggie, Kane’s personal shopper, River returned to the penthouse with a ton of bags. The doorman insisted on bringing them to the apartment for her, so she grabbed just a couple of the bags and walked to the elevator while he arranged for the rest.

As the elevator glided upward, she glanced at her reflection in the mirrored walls, not quite recognizing herself. Maggie had taken her to a salon and the stylist had dyed her hair, so now rather than the deep burgundy color, her hair was done in a trendy tortoiseshell ombré, with her natural dark brown mixed with multiple golden tones, deeper at the roots and lighter at the ends. They’d left her hair long, but layered it to add more fullness.

They’d shown her how to do her makeup to go well with her hair, showing off her green eyes with warm, smoky shades. She had to admit, the look suited her, but it left her not feeling like herself.

The doors opened and she stepped off the elevator. A large suitcase stood in the entryway.

Chapter Thirteen

River’s first thought was that Kane had had second thoughts and was sending her on her way, but she realized she was just being silly.

“There you are.” Kane walked from the hallway into the living room, file folders in his hand. “Did you have a good time?” He walked to his desk where his briefcase stood open, with barely a glance her way.

“Yes, I guess so.”

He laughed as he placed the folders into the case. “You’re the only woman I know who isn’t thrilled by a shopping trip.” He added a few more things from his desk, then closed the case and glanced her way. Then his eyes lit up.

“Well, hello. You look stunning.”

Besides her new makeup and hair, she wore a new dress in emerald green, long with a slim line that made her look taller and slimmer than she’d ever thought possible. The matching shoes, with their four-inch heels, helped a lot, too.

She loved the dress, and the shoes, but it was a little conservative for her. But the way it made her feel—sexy and very feminine had convinced her to buy it, at Maggie’s urging, of course.

Now with the way Kane was looking at her, she thought she might never take it off.

Heat thrummed through her. Unless he suggested it.

He walked toward her, his heated gaze lingering on her body, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He slid his fingers through her thick mane of hair and cupped her head, then drew her in for a kiss. His lips were coaxing on hers and she opened to allow his tongue to glide inside.

She wrapped her arms around him, realizing she’d missed him, even though she’d been gone only a few hours. His kiss grew more passionate and desire quivered through her. She wanted to strip off the dress and feel his hands all over her body. She wanted to stroke his solid muscles and feel his hard cock slide inside her.

Oh, God, he was becoming addictive.

Their tongues curled around each other, and then he drew hers into his mouth and suckled lightly, igniting a deeper need in her.

Then he drew away.

“I can’t tell you how much I want to continue this, but I’m afraid I can’t.”

“Why not?” she asked in surprise.

He smiled, as if happy at her disappointment. “I have to go out of town. There’s a chain of Italian boutiques expanding their market into the U.S., and if the meeting goes well, I’ll be one of their biggest investors. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but it might even lead to more distribution opportunities for your nail polish, down the road, of course. I’m sorry to do this so soon, but it can’t be helped.”

“That’s wonderful! Can I go with you?”

His smile grew broader. “I would love that, but I’ll be gone a week and I assume you’ll need that time to get started on your nail polish if you’re going to meet the deadline for Rapture.”

“Oh, right.” Disappointment washed through her.

“I believe your supplies have arrived. A card was delivered to your old apartment today saying there’s a box waiting for you. I’ve arranged for someone to pick it up.”

He cupped her face and gave her another light kiss. “Will is going to come by tomorrow and make sure you’re all set up and have everything you need.”

“That’s very nice of him.”

“Since he lives in the building, he’s nearby. Feel free to call on him for anything. Even if you just need someone to talk to.”

She nodded. “When are you leaving?”

“I have to leave now. Are you going to miss me?”

Staring into his indigo eyes, gazing at her with such warmth, took her breath away. She wanted to admit that she was falling deeply and hopelessly in love with him.

The elevator doors opened and the doorman exited with a cart full of her bags and packages. She drew herself up straight, thankful for the interruption.

“Take them into the master bedroom,” Kane said to the doorman. Then he turned back to River. “I was wondering if those few bags you brought up with you were all you’d bought. I’m glad to see that you found so much more.” He hooked his hand around her waist and pulled her close to his side. “So are you going to miss me?” he asked again.

“Of course,” she said in a matter-of-fact manner. She was his wife. It’s what she was supposed to say.

But she certainly didn’t want to let him know it was true.

He was in this marriage to simplify his life. To have easy access to regular sex. And he’d chosen her because she had been a challenge … the one who’d gotten away.

With his looks and charm, he could have any woman he wanted, anytime, but she knew he worried about things like propriety and social expectations, so this is what worked for him.

But that meant she had to keep her heart on a tight leash. She couldn’t let herself believe he might actually have feelings for her, other than basic affection.

And she could never admit to Kane how she really felt about him.

*   *   *

River sat on the couch, feeling very alone, wondering what to do next. Her nail polish supplies hadn’t arrived yet, which was odd since Kane had said someone would bring them by. She’d already reviewed her promotion plans several times, and had started looking for more nail polish blogs online, but until she got her supplies, there wasn’t much more she could do.

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since Kane had left on his business trip and she’d never felt so alone or out of her element.

The phone rang—again—and she wished it would stop. Whoever it was could leave a message for Kane. The only ones who knew she was here were Kane and Will. Kane would call her on her cell and Will would just knock on the door, since he lived in the building.

She went into the kitchen and made herself dinner. Just a small salad, since there was little in the fridge. Tomorrow, she would have to get some groceries.

She put the TV on while she ate, then when she finished, placed the empty plate on the coffee table and slumped on the couch. It was weird being in this huge lavish place on her own. She certainly didn’t look forward to sleeping in that big bed all alone again tonight. She had barely slept, the night filled with odd, unfamiliar noises.

Was this what it was going to be like being married to Kane? Bouts of great sex, sure, but then he’d disappear for days on end?

She walked to the kitchen and washed the few dishes, then decided she’d go in the hot tub. There was a private hot tub and a swimming pool in Kane’s own private courtyard, separated by a glass wall between the living room and the spa room and another wall of glass to the pool. The sight of it had been calling to her all day. She walked into the room and gazed at the sunset beyond. The pool glimmered with the molten gold of the sky.

She grabbed one of the colorful beach towels from the shelf and searched around a bit, hoping she’d find a spare bathing suit, but no such luck. Hers had faded last summer and she’d tossed it out.

She bit her lip. It was totally private here, so there was no reason she couldn’t just go in naked.

She found a hair clip and a covered elastic in the spa bathroom, so she gathered her hair into a ponytail and clipped it atop her head, then walked back into the spa room and glanced through the glass to the living room. Of course, there was no one there. She stripped down and set her clothes neatly on a lounge chair beside her towel, then walked to the sunken tub and settled into the hot water.

She glanced toward the living room again. Had she heard someone out there?

No, she’d been thrown off kilter all night because of noises she wasn’t used to. No one was going to come in. She was all alone here.

She pushed the button to start the bubbles, then just settled back and closed her eyes. The hot water and the flow of the bubbles were so relaxing. She should have done this last night. Maybe then she would have slept better.

“River?”

Chapter Fourteen

River jolted forward at the male voice, her eyelids popping open. “What?”

Will stood in the doorway, looking concerned. “I’ve been calling all day and you didn’t pick up.”

“Oh.” She started to stand and suddenly remembered she was totally naked. She wrapped her arm over her chest, but from the uncomfortable look on his face, he’d already seen more than she would have liked. Her cheeks flushed.

“You were the one calling?”

“Didn’t Kane tell you I was going to stop by?” he asked.

“Yes, but I thought you’d just knock on the door.”

“The elevator opens right into the penthouse, so there is no door. And I didn’t want to just walk in on you.”

“Oh, God, of course. I didn’t even think of that. I’m sorry.” She felt like an idiot, but she wasn’t used to the idea of an elevator opening right into an apartment.

“It’s okay. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Now that I know you are, I’ll just go.”

“Wait. No.” She knew she sounded a little desperate. “I’d really like some company.”

At that moment, the bubbles turned off, leaving the water clear enough that she was totally visible. His gaze dropped to her body as she tried to cover herself, then veered away.

“I … uh … don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said.

Oh, God, he thought she was coming on to him.

“No, I don’t mean … I just thought maybe we could talk. I’m not used to being alone in this place and…” She bit her lip. “I’d really like some company. Maybe we could talk? Or watch a movie?”

“Okay, sure,” he said, staring at the wall. “How about I order a pizza?”

She smiled, her stomach gurgling. “That would be nice.” As he turned toward the door, she said, “Wait. Could you just hand me the towel on the chair there?”

He walked farther into the room and retrieved her towel, then walked toward the tub, his gaze averted. She took the towel from his outstretched hand, feeling very self-conscious at having him so close with her totally naked. But even if he’d gone back into the living room, the tub was visible through the glass wall, so she didn’t want the towel that far away.

“I’ll go call for the pizza.” He walked across the room and went through the door.

As soon as she saw him disappear into the kitchen, clearly trying to give her some privacy, she stood up and wrapped the towel securely around herself. She took a quick shower in the spa bathroom, then pulled on her clothes and brushed out her long hair.

She double-checked that all the buttons on her loose-fitting floral shirt were fastened, and then smoothed it down over her snug jeans. She left the bathroom and pushed open the glass door to the living room.

“The pizza will be here in a half hour.” He sat in one of the armchairs beside the couch facing the TV. “What movie would you like to watch?”

“We could just talk until it gets here.”

“Sure.” He put down the remote control and sat back. “How are you settling in?”

She sank onto the couch. “Not very well. I’m not used to the place yet. I don’t know where anything is and … well, that stove is so fancy I’m not quite sure how to make it work.”

“Oh, yeah. Kane likes the latest technology. I’ll show you how it works before I go.”

She nodded then suddenly realized she was the hostess here. “Um, would you like a drink or something?”

“How about I get you something, since I know where everything is? We could open a bottle of wine to go with the pizza? Or would you like a beer?”

“Wine would be nice, thanks.”

A few minutes later, he set a glass of red wine in front of her, and then sat down again.

“I’m sorry I didn’t answer Kane’s phone when you called,” she said. “I didn’t think anyone would be calling for me.”

“It’s your phone now, too. And it wasn’t just me. The doorman called when the grocery order arrived.”

“Kane ordered groceries for me?”

Will laughed, a warm chuckle. “You don’t think he’d leave you here with no food, do you?”

“No, I guess not.”

He leaned back in the chair, stretching out his long legs. He was so different from Kane. Everything from his laid-back attitude to his casual clothes. Clearly, he was more at ease in the soft, faded denims designed for comfort and the band T-shirt he wore right now as opposed to Kane’s casual look, which typically consisted of designer jeans that look like they were tailored to fit his body and crisp button-down shirts.

“So you must be pretty excited about your new nail polish launch,” he said.

“Yeah, sure. I’m anxious to get started on making the polishes.” She ran her palms over her denim-clad thighs. “I just hope they do okay. I’d hate to think Kane invested in me and pulled strings to get my line into Rapture, and then no one buys them.”