by Anne Rainey
She’d known, even then, that the instant their gazes had locked she’d met her other half. She’d tried to deny it, to run from the pull of desire that was constantly between them, but it was like running from her own heart. Futile. In the end, she would happily surrender to River, and he would happily claim her like a pirate claimed the booty of a ship. But where would that leave her when he tired of her? Where would her heart be then?
Just when River thought nothing could breach the wall of anger he’d erected, he watched Jeanette go on tiptoes to kiss him. And she did it right in front of Mike. She was proving that River was the one who held her desire in the palm of his hand. That she would surrender to him if only he’d let her. Lust surged hot and heavy through River’s blood, and suddenly he forgot what a bad idea it was to mix friendship with passion.
Sometime between Reilly showing up that morning and Jeanette’s friend dropping in unannounced—and unwanted—River had decided he was no longer interested in keeping his distance. He burned to make love to her. To see her coming undone in his arms. But he wouldn’t let things get carried away. Jeanette was too sweet, too good. She would wither and die if she was tied to a man who couldn’t even sleep a single night without demons haunting his dreams. She would eventually lose that bright smile he’d grown so addicted to. It would kill him if he screwed that up.
Still, he had only so much self-control. And when he heard Mike clear his throat in an effort to remind them they were not alone, it was the perfect opportunity to push her from him. He had to get himself under control, or he’d forget all of his well-thought-out plans.
He broke the kiss, both of them breathing heavily, and tried to calm his thundering pulse. She frowned up at him, clearly both confused and turned on. Did she have any idea how badly he wanted her? Needed her? She mistook him ending the kiss as a rejection. He couldn’t let her go on thinking such silly notions.
River cupped her chin in his palm and caressed the cute little cleft with his thumb. “I very much want to continue. You have no idea how much I want to continue, sunshine,” he murmured. “But now isn’t the time.”
“I don’t understand you sometimes,” she replied.
“What if…what if I hurt you?” he asked. “What if I screw everything up between us?”
“I’m not afraid of that happening,” she told him. “I’m not made of glass.” She slapped him playfully on the chest. “Although I am frustrated with you. Like twenty-four-hours-a-day frustrated.”
He groaned as he smoothed his fingers down her chin to her neck. He touched her erratic pulse, and Jeanette watched while one corner of his mouth tipped upward in that sexy, ornery grin of his. He winked, as if he knew exactly how easily he got under her skin. Geez, she was so freaking transparent around River. A drooling, pathetic mess.
Jeanette allowed her gaze to travel the length of River’s big, hard body, and she noticed that certain parts of him were most definitely alert. Hmm, apparently she wasn’t the only one overheating here. The thought made her feel loads better.
If I have to suffer, then at least I’m not alone.
“If you two can stop ogling each other for a few minutes, I’d like to tell you why I’m here.” Mike’s gaze darted from River to Jeanette, then back to River. “I’d like to talk to Jeanette alone, if that’s okay.”
River was about to tell Mike where he could stick it when Jeanette spoke up. “That’s fine. River was just leaving anyway.” She dared River to say otherwise, fixing him with a steely glare. “Right, River?”
He smiled, and it wasn’t all that nice of a smile either. The look he gave Jeanette merely said, No way in hell am I leaving you alone with this guy. It was clear he not only didn’t trust Mike, he was also still reluctant to leave her side since the mugger had all her personal information.
Jeanette’s voice rose an octave. “Good Lord, I’ll be fine for a little while without you standing guard. Besides, I’m not a complete imbecile. I can protect myself to some degree.”
River was firm on this issue. He would not make a mistake with her safety. However, he could give a little bit, if it made her happy. “I’m not leaving you, sunshine. Might as well get used to it.” Anger and indignation flared in her eyes and caused her cheeks to flush. Damn, she was sexy when she was pissed. “But, if you need some privacy, then I can go in the other room. I need to make some phone calls anyway.”
He could tell she wanted to argue with him, but in the end she simply nodded. River leaned down and gently touched his lips to her forehead before heading into the kitchen. But not before he gave Mike one last look of warning.
Chapter Four
In the kitchen, River paced. He wanted to make love to Jeanette, but he was powerless against his own animalistic needs. All that would matter once he was deep inside her body would be the thought of having her total submission. He knew himself well enough to know he would want to claim her fully. And keep her.
He moved to the window and stared out at the noonday sun. Summer was in full swing. Kids played outside; people mowed their lawns. And out there somewhere was a mugger with all of Jeanette’s personal information. Her home address. Her phone number. How the hell was he supposed to keep her safe when she refused to let him? Contrary woman.
The soft touch of her lips against his filtered into his thoughts, drowning out all else. Did he dare take their relationship to the next level? Jeanette had made it very clear she wanted nothing more. He couldn’t be so selfish as to drag her obvious feelings for him through the mud, yet he was practical enough to know he possessed only so much restraint.
Soon, he would give in to that tempting lavender scent of hers and make her his completely. He wasn’t fool enough to believe he could hold back forever. He knew himself better than that. And for some inexplicable reason, he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman. Hell, he hadn’t dated a single woman since Jeanette had walked in on him with Holly. The destroyed look on her face had sent him into a panic. He’d come close to losing her completely that night; he could feel it in his bones. Besides, Holly hadn’t satisfied him the way he’d hoped. He wanted only one woman—a sweet little brunette with a sarcastic mouth and too much spirit for her own good.
His cell phone chirped, interrupting his thoughts of making love to Jeanette. He pulled it out of his jeans’ front pocket and read the text on the screen.
I NEED BACKUP WITH THE TWINS. YOU UP FOR IT?
“This is so not the time, brother,” River muttered to himself. Still, River knew he would go to Reilly’s aid, because Reilly would do the same for him in a heartbeat. Besides, he never could resist a chance to hold the little squirts. He sent a quick reply back. He thought of Jeanette in the other room and wondered if she’d be willing to accompany him. No doubt until the mugger was behind bars, River wouldn’t be able to rest easy.
He started back into the living room, and as he reached the doorway, River heard Jeanette’s and Mike’s muffled voices. He stopped and listened. Not that he was eavesdropping or anything. Of course not.
“I think I’m in love with her, Nett,” Mike said.
“Then I don’t see the problem. Propose to her. Otherwise, you may live to regret it.”
“I know, but it’s a big step. You know me. I’m not the marrying type. I like my freedom.”
Yes, definitely get married. And stop flirting with Jeanette.
Jeanette laughed. “Don’t I know it. It’s half the reason you and I never dated.”
River stiffened. Had she been attracted to Mike?
There was a slight lull in the conversation as if they were both thinking things over before Jeanette said, “I understand how hard it is to settle down with one person. To realize that you’ll be with them until death do you part. But the right person can make it worthwhile, ya know?”
Mike’s voice was gentle and understanding when he said, “You of all people know how hard love can be, though. What if this turns out to be an epic fail?”
“I suppose lov
e truly is a leap of faith. But it’s more than that.” Jeanette sounded troubled.
“How so?”
“It’s like when you find that special person, the one who has the ability to make you lose all track of time. He makes you forget to eat. Gets you all itchy and anxious until you can’t even sleep at night.” Jeanette’s voice was somewhat soft and far away. “You try to fight it, but the truth is that in the end you can’t. You never had a chance. Because when destiny sets you on a course, about all you can do is go with it.”
Silence again, and then, “Sounds like the voice of experience talking.”
She snorted. “Oh, listen to me, getting all philosophical.”
Mike chuckled. “I’ve seen you in action, Nett. I know better than to dismiss your words as philosophical drivel.”
“Well, anyway, what do you think you’re going to do about this girl?”
“I think I’d better take your advice and get on my knees, then hope she doesn’t kick me while I’m down there.”
There was some rustling around, then Jeanette’s voice, tender and caring when she said, “You’re a wonderful, honest and loving man. In fact you’re irresistible. She’ll be lucky to have you.” Her tone turned teasing. “But then it does help that you’re good-looking and rich. And I’d have to say she must be awfully special to catch your undivided attention.”
River had to grit his teeth against the need to storm into the room and land a solid punch in the guy’s face. He didn’t like that she’d looked at Mike that way. And Mike’s flirtatious tone made his damn molars grind together.
“Yeah? If I’m so irresistible, how come you never succumbed?”
“Mike.” He liked that Jeanette sounded affronted. Even if she was only playing.
“Oh yes, I remember now. You were saving yourself for Mister Right.”
Mister Right?
Jeanette seemed shy now. “Well, is that so crazy?”
“Of course not. Rare, but not crazy.” There was a pause; then Mike asked, “So, is Jennings Mister Right?”
River held his breath, more hopeful than he cared admit that her answer would be yes.
“It’s somewhat complicated.”
Well, didn’t that just suck? That wasn’t at all what River wanted to hear.
“Ah, I see. Well, if he hurts you, he will have to answer to me.” Jeanette started to speak, but Mike interrupted. “Hey, I care about you. You don’t deserve to be treated as if you’re just extra baggage.”
“That’s not the way it is. Really.”
“Yeah, well, I need to go, but I’ll keep in touch, okay?”
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.”
“You have my number. Call if you need anything. And I do mean anything, Nett.”
“Thanks, Mike, but I’ll be fine, and I’ll send lots of good energy your way.”
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.”
As the conversation came to a close, River decided to come out of hiding.
Just as he came into view, Mike bent down and, right in front of River, brushed Jeanette’s cheek with his lips. River balled his fists at his sides and reminded himself that Mike was a friend. Nothing more. After Mike was gone, River went back into the living room and said, “I need to go to Reilly’s.”
Her smile faded. “You’re leaving?”
She sounded all soft and fluttery again, and River felt himself drifting closer to listen. She had the type of voice that made a man want to tune out everything else just so he could hear her talk. He could do that with Jeanette for hours and never get bored. He wondered what she’d sound like in the heat of passion, if her voice got all throaty and low, or if she would scream out her climax, letting all her inhibitions go free. ’Course, it didn’t really matter to him how she sounded, just that he get to be the man who made her climax.
Did she play with herself, River wondered? Damn, that thought brought on an image that made his cock flare to life. In an instant, he was ready for action.
He could do many things without actually making love to her. In fact, foreplay could be damned satisfying. River knew he would be immensely satisfied bringing her pleasure, say, with his mouth. Or with his fingers. Or with both at the same time. Oh yeah, he liked that thought a lot.
He would have to take it slow; she was so shy and tense. He didn’t want to scare her. He wanted Jeanette’s first time with him to be perfect. So perfect she’d want more. And he needed to be careful not to get too carried away. He thought that maybe if he kept his clothes on, he could stay in control. He hoped he wasn’t fooling himself with that idea.
It was a measure of how crazy with lust he was over her that he would even consider going only halfway with a woman. Never in his wildest imaginings had he thought to push his own needs aside just so he could satisfy a woman. But Jeanette was worth all the discomfort in the world. He’d walk through the very bowels of hell if it meant seeing little Miss Innocent all sleep tousled and exposed.
River was so lost in his newest plans that he hadn’t heard what she’d said. Now all he could think about was finding the nearest flat surface and having his way with her.
“River?”
“Uh, what?”
“I was asking you why we needed to go to Reilly’s.”
River shook his head, trying to disperse the images that kept building up. Jeanette spread out, open and smiling. Jeanette on all fours. Jeanette on her knees. And in every damn one, she was gloriously in the buff.
He frowned, not at all happy that he had to put his love life on the back burner. “He needs help with the twins. Want to come with me?”
“Oh! I’d never miss a chance to play with Cameron and Chet.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” River moved to turn off the kitchen light.
Jeanette squinted at him. “Is this just a ploy to keep an eye on me?”
He winked. “Nope, but that’s a bonus.”
She looked down at herself and asked, “Should I change?”
“Not on my account,” he replied, his voice gruff as he stared at the juncture between her thighs. Damn, the shorts fit her like a glove.
Her head snapped up. “Um, okay.” She moved to put on a pair of sandals. “Ready?”
More than you know. “Yep.” As she started to unlock the front door so they could leave, River noticed a smudge on her wrist. He lifted it. A bruise. “Did the mugger do this?” When she nodded, River stiffened. “That bastard,” he grumbled as he leaned down and kissed it.
She cleared her throat and snatched her arm back. “It’s not that bad,” she assured him. “I bruise easily. You know that.”
“Are you sure you’re up to babysitting?” He stroked his hand down the length of her hair. “How’s your head?”
“Actually, it’s much better. The meds must be kicking in.”
“Good.” River followed her out the door and waited while she locked it back again. “So, your friend, is he studying law too?”
“No, he’s majoring in accounting. We had a few classes together our freshmen year. We’ve been friends ever since.”
River still wasn’t comfortable with Jeanette being friendly with other men. But he couldn’t very well tell her who she could talk to and who she couldn’t. That was a little too archaic, even for him. “He’s special to you.”
Jeanette walked to the other side of the street, where there was a small parking lot. “Yes, he is. We’ve seen each other through a lot.”
River was momentarily sidetracked from their conversation by the sway of her hips. He liked walking behind her. That way he got to watch her heart-shaped ass bounce back and forth, and it also allowed him to put himself between her and any other male who might try to get a similar thrill.
Her dark hair hung down around her shoulders in soft waves. He’d noticed she’d been wearing it like that more and more lately. And she’d traded her baggy sweats for skirts. The new feminine look suited her, although he’d liked her tomboyish ways as well. She wa
s hot no matter what she wore.
River realized that yet again he’d lost the thread of their conversation, but Jeanette reminded him when she said, “Mike is pretty easy-going, doesn’t take life too seriously. Some consider him for a real pushover, but he’s had a hard life and knows how to take care of himself. He’s no easy mark.” She paused and looked over her shoulder at him, her face creased in worry. “You really should be more careful around him. He’s not one to toy with.”
That had his male pride going for a nosedive. Did she think he was a total wimp? He reached out and tugged playfully on her hair. “I’m not exactly without my own bag of tricks, woman.”
Jeanette was instantly contrite. “Well, of course I know that, dork. It’s just that Mike can be oddly protective where I’m concerned.”
When they reached her car, River came to an abrupt halt. “You don’t really expect me to get in that, do you?”
“Are you seriously going to insult my car? You always insult my car.” Jeanette’s hands went to her hips and her brows creased.
His lips kicked up to one side. “I didn’t mean to knock it, sunshine.” She squinted suspiciously at him. “I’m sure it gets great gas mileage,” he continued, hoping to appease her. “For a toy car, it’s actually very cute.” She tried to swat his arm, but he dodged her. “I’m just saying that we may have a slight problem with my size.”
Jeanette looked at it again, then at him and started laughing. “Yeah, I see what you mean.”
She drove an old VW bug. He would never be able to comfortably get his bulky frame inside without maybe detaching a few limbs. And he was rather fond of his limbs just where they were.
“How about we take my SUV.” He nudged her toward his black four-wheel drive. “After we’re done, we can stop at the Blackwater and grab a bite to eat.”
“Good plan,” she replied, grinning up at him before walking ahead to his Chevy Blazer.