by Anne Rainey
“He’s taunting you, Jeanette. What’s to say he won’t come here?” He shook his head, unwilling to think of what all could happen if the freak got his hands on her. “No, it’s too risky.”
Fear crept into her big brown eyes. “Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“Who knows, but I’d rather you not find out the hard way.” She was starting to get anxious, and River could feel her panic rising. He wanted her calm. Safe. He tamped down his new protective instincts and focused on the task at hand.
He took hold of her shoulders and brought her close. “Please, for me,” he murmured. “I won’t sleep knowing this guy is calling you, harassing you. It’ll only be temporary. And you’ve stayed with me before, so what’s the problem?”
She bit her bottom lip and looked away. “I feel like a complete fool. A child in need of protection. I’m tired of everyone treating me like I can’t stand on my own two feet.”
“No one thinks that, sunshine, least of all me. We simply care about you, that’s all. Is that so bad?”
She let out a deep sigh. “No, I suppose not.”
“So you’ll stay with me?”
She nodded. “But don’t think for a minute that you can keep me locked up. I have a life, River. I can’t put it on hold.”
“No, of course not.” Just the thought of her in his apartment day and night sent his libido straight into overdrive.
Within an hour, Jeanette had packed a bag and they were at his apartment. Sammy had called the second River had walked in the door, asking him to come in to the restaurant. When River thought of the family restaurant, an image of his father, Chet Jennings, standing behind the counter with his apron tied around his waist and laughing with the customers sprang to mind. His dad had been a barrel-chested man with a mustache and deep-set eyes that always saw everything. He’d worked himself to the bone to keep the place running. After his death, the place had lost business and come close to bankruptcy. Too close. River and his four brothers had stepped in. They’d turned the old diner into a successful bar and grill, because letting the restaurant go wasn’t an option. Not for any of them. It was their legacy. It was a part of their family. They’d all been willing to fight tooth and nail to keep it.
Although, it had taken a ton of work to remodel. His brother Vance owned a construction company, and he’d offered to do the work free of charge. One of his other brothers, Brodix, with his keen mind and financial expertise had managed to bring in the maximum profit, keeping the restaurant safely in the black. It was his oldest brother Sammy who took on the daily running of the place and oversaw the rest of the operation.
Sammy had always been more of a father to River than a brother. For whatever reason, River had always had a hard time talking back to Sammy. They all did. It wasn’t out of fear but rather respect. Oh, he and Sammy had left bruises on each other plenty over the years. That was just what brothers did. But before Wanda and Chet had come along and adopted the five of them, they’d all looked to Sammy for guidance. Even though he’d only been a kid himself, Sammy had done what he could to watch out for the rest of them. Sammy still carried around a truckload of guilt over the abuse River had suffered at the hands of Larry Briggs. Didn’t matter that Sammy had just been a kid at the time too, and placed in a different foster home as well. The situation hadn’t been something Sammy could control. But Sammy still felt responsible. It was just the way he was made.
Now, Sammy needed his help and he wouldn’t leave him hanging. Apparently the walk-in freezer was on the fritz, and there was melted food and spoiled meat to deal with. With Brodix out of town with Sarah—she was off doing research for the newspaper she worked for—they were down one. Still, knowing Jeanette was upset, River couldn’t leave. He could never handle it when she was angry with him.
He took hold of her upper arm and pulled her along with him to the couch. The large, overstuffed cushions practically swallowed her small frame. “Please, don’t worry. This guy will get caught, and you’ll be back in your apartment in no time.” When her gaze wouldn’t meet his, River started to wonder if there was something else bothering her. “What is it? You’ve been quiet ever since you got that phone call.”
“It’s nothing,” she mumbled.
River wasn’t buying it. He crouched down low in front of her and looked her in the eyes. “This place has everything you could ever need. For once, let me pamper you. I only want you out of harm’s way.” When had her happiness become so important to him? “Sammy needs my help at the restaurant, but I’ll only be gone a little while.”
“Wait, you’re leaving?” Her gaze shot to his. “But I thought we could have dinner together. Maybe watch a movie or something. There’s an Abbot and Costello marathon this weekend.”
He flicked the tip of her nose with a finger. “That sounds pretty great. I won’t be gone long, I swear.” His voice turned deep with desire. “I cannot say that it doesn’t give me a secret thrill to have you here all to myself.” His groin tightened at the thought.
Her pretty brown eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Hell, yeah,” he groaned.
She smiled and shook her head. “You’re driving me crazy these days, River Jennings. Completely batty.”
He bobbed his eyebrows. “If you only knew what I wanted right now, you’d run for the hills.” She was such a tempting little thing. His mind kept imagining her naked, lying contentedly across his bed, all sleepy from his loving.
River hated to do it, but he needed to go. They needed the extra help at the restaurant, and he couldn’t leave his brothers in the lurch. When she leaned against the back of the couch and pulled her legs up underneath her, River cursed under his breath. The tempting picture she presented nearly drowned out all his good intentions. He would make it up to her later. He would make it up to both of them later. He’d see to it.
“I really do have to go, sunshine,” he explained.
“You make me crazy,” she muttered as she glared at him.
River leaned down and touched her lips with his index finger. “So you tell me. All the time.” He leaned in and had to hold back a chuckle when she stiffened and turned her face away, not allowing him to kiss her on the lips. So stubborn. He kissed her cheek instead. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he murmured. “I promise.”
She shrugged. “Don’t hurry on my account.”
He quirked a brow at her. “That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble one of these days,” he vowed as he strode from the room.
As River reached his car, he realized his phone was beeping, signaling a new text message. Christ, his concentration was shot all to hell just thinking of Jeanette’s sweet body safely ensconced in his apartment. There was something damned enticing about that knowledge.
He retrieved his cell from the front pocket of his jeans and checked the messages. Sammy, asking about Jeanette. River smiled. Sammy would always look out for those he loved. He sent a quick text back to let him know of the new developments before getting in behind the wheel and revving the engine to life.
The sooner he took care of things at the restaurant, the sooner he could get back to Jeanette.
Chapter Six
Jeanette didn’t know how she’d gotten herself into such a mess. Her whole life seemed to be a series of near misses. She attracted chaos like sugar attracted ants. She took a deep breath and willed her wildly beating heart to calm down. But how was she supposed to remain calm in the wake of all that had happened? Any sane person would be going nuts right about now.
She sighed and got to her feet. Her stomach rumbled. She supposed if she was to be detained, she might as well get something to eat.
Her spirits rose and her anxiety began to ebb at the tempting prospect of being near River 24-7. He was by far the handsomest man she’d ever met, in a dangerous, outlaw sort of way. A little thrill of anticipation ran up and down her spine at the thought of his return. Even now, thinking of the kiss he’d given her made her imagine other, more inti
mate things. Curiosity had her wondering what he would look like nude. Jeanette groaned as an image popped into her mind. Heat curled through her, and she marveled at the peculiar sensation.
Her stomach rumbled again, and a wave of dizziness overtook her. Food. That’s what she needed. Food and another pain pill. Then she’d wait for River to return. She intended to have a talk with him about his high-handedness, and afterward she’d seduce his socks off. The thought made her heart leap. She ignored it and kept her mind on her stomach. If she were to go up against River, she’d need to keep up her strength.
Just as Jeanette polished off a bologna-and-cheese sandwich and some chips and washed it down with her meds, the doorbell rang. It sounded again before she could reach it and pull the door wide. An older, short, gray-haired woman with a floral print blouse and navy slacks stood on the other side. Jeanette smiled.
“Wanda, hi.” She stepped out of the way to let River’s mom enter. “Come on in.”
“I’m sorry to barge in, but I baked a fresh batch of those chocolate cookies with the marshmallow on top—the ones River is so fond of—and I wanted to bring them over before I forget. My mind isn’t what it used to be.”
Jeanette smiled. “You’re as sharp as ever, and you know it.” She led her to the kitchen. “Want a glass of tea?”
“Oh, that sounds lovely, dear. Thank you.”
She poured a glass of iced tea for each of them, then motioned to the table. “River had to go to the restaurant, but he’ll be back soon, I’m sure.”
“I know, Sammy told me. The freezer quit, and we lost a bunch of meat.” She opened up the plastic container and handed her a cookie.
Never one to turn down Wanda’s cooking, Jeanette took it and bit into it. “I’m sorry about the meat.” She waved the treat in the air. “This is delicious, as always.”
Wanda shrugged. “It’ll be fine. That’s not really what I wanted to talk to you about anyway.”
“Oh?”
“River told me about the mugging. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, really. Just a bit of a headache from landing on the pavement. Not my finest moment.”
“I hope they catch the guy. I also heard about the phone call you got earlier.”
Jeanette laughed. “The grapevine is in full swing, I see.”
She winked. “I do have ways of getting information.”
Jeanette felt like Wanda was holding something back, but she couldn’t guess what. “Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
“Well, yes.”
“You know you can ask me anything in the world.” Jeanette reached out and covered Wanda’s hand with her own. “I hope you don’t mind, but I consider you a second mom.”
Wanda beamed. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I’ve always thought of you as more of a daughter too. Which is why I wanted to know what you plan to do with that bullheaded son of mine.”
Had Jeanette heard her right? “Pardon?”
She tsked. “He’s dragging his feet where you’re concerned.”
“You mean…you know how I feel about him?”
“Yes, I’ve known for a long time.” Her gaze softened. “And I couldn’t have chosen a better match for him than you.”
“Uh, Wanda, we’re just friends,” she warned.
She cocked her head to the side. “Are you so sure?”
Jeanette ran a hand through her hair, unsure what to say. Heck, she wasn’t sure what was going on herself, so how was she supposed to tell Wanda? “I mean, there have been some sparks flying back and forth lately, but that’s all. Nothing’s happened between us.”
Wanda smiled at Jeanette and patted her hand. “I was young once too, dear. I know what it’s like to want to be with the one you care about twenty-four hours a day. And when he seems so determined to keep you at arm’s length, it gets truly exasperating.”
“Truly,” Jeanette grumbled. “I don’t know why I haven’t given up already. I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.”
Wanda sat up a little straighter. “No, he cares about you, as more than a friend. I think he’s just trying to protect you.”
She threw her hands in the air, allowing her irritation free rein. “From what? I’m not some virginal princess here. I don’t need protecting.”
“From himself, I’m afraid. But you’ll get him past that. I know it.” She nodded. “You’re good for him. Always have been.”
Jeanette sighed. “You have a lot of faith in me. I just hope I don’t let you down.”
“Nonsense.” Wanda took a long drink of her tea, then said, “Now then, if there’s anything you need from me, just holler.”
“Thank you,” Jeanette said, her chest filling with emotion. Wanda Jennings was a true gem, and Jeanette was lucky to have the older woman in her corner.
For the past twenty minutes, River had been watching Jeanette sleep. She was all curled up into a ball on the couch and snoring like a freight train, her hair tangled around her shoulders. She always made a lot of noise when she was in a deep sleep—just one more adorable thing about her.
After they’d called the repairman and fixed the walk-in freezer, he and Reilly had taken an inventory of all the food that had been lost. It’d taken longer than he’d wanted it to. The entire time, he’d had thoughts of Jeanette in his home. He was pretty sure he’d broken more than a few speeding laws getting back to his apartment.
River went to the couch and sat next to her. He ached to kiss her. Staring at her resting so beautifully, River hated to wake her, but there were unresolved issues between them. He brushed her cheek with his lips before moving his hand through the heavy fall of her hair. He loved that she wore it down these days. For so long she’d worn it in a ponytail, and he’d often wondered what it looked like all brushed out. Right now it practically begged for his fingers to delve in and play.
First things first. “Wake up, little sunshine. We have things to talk about.”
Jeanette blinked sleepily awake. When she saw him, her face lit with a tempting smile. She stretched her arms above her head and mumubled, “When did you get back?”
“A few minutes ago.”
She covered a yawn. “You should’ve woken me.”
“I just did.” This time when River leaned down, he kissed her lips. He couldn’t help himself. Ever since he’d had a taste of her, she’d become irristible to him. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Jeanette gave an exagerated sigh. “Fine, if I must.”
“You know, Mike interrupted something the other day that I never did get to finish.”
She froze. “H-he did?”
When she moved to sit up, River stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. “Yep.”
“What?”
“This…”
In a heartbeat, River was there, drinking in her surrender with a kiss. His tongue dipped into her mouth in a gentle demand. When had he become so helpless to her? So in need of her? His tongue played tag with hers as her soft lips parted on a sigh. She drove him into high gear with each whimper. He flattened his hand beside her head on the couch, holding her captive for his invasion. Allowing no escape.
Jeanette wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a much deeper taste. He groaned his approval and sucked at her tongue, eager to gobble her up. Her legs opened, and River moved his body on top of hers, settling himself into the cradle of his thighs.
He pulled back an inch, both of them gasping. He took hold of one of her hands and rubbed it over the fly of his jeans, showing her how much she affected him. “Do you feel that?”
“Yes,” she breathed out as she cupped him in one small fist.
“You want it?” he asked, his voice rough with arousal. “You want me?”
“So much it hurts,” she answered. She sat up and brought him up against her body, rubbing her breasts against his chest. River had to bite back a groan. “But I’d like to take it slow. Explore a little.”
“Explore?” River’s throat was as
dry as the Sahara. She was as needy as he was, and he loved the hell out of it. Never had he thought anything could be so damn hot as Jeanette needy and anxious for him to love her. If only he could give in to his body’s demands and pull her into his arms, then carry her off to his bed. He wouldn’t bother with niceties. He’d damn well tear her clothes off and have his wicked way with her.
“Would you let me…play, River?”
Ah, hell. He was pretty sure he knew what she meant by that, but he needed to be 100 percent sure they were both on the same page.
“Play?” he asked as he cupped her waist and anchored her against him.
Her cheeks turned pink, and River nearly exploded out of his jeans at the pretty sight. “Yes,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’d like to take a little time getting to know your body. If that’s okay with you.”
Damn, but he liked that idea. A hell of a lot. His throat closed up, forcing him to nod his agreement.
A slow, sexy smile spread across her face. “I’m really curious what you look like naked. What you’d feel like under my fingertips. Wondering about that keeps me up at night. Did you know that?”
River grabbed her shoulders and maneuvered their bodies so that he was lying on the couch and she sat astride him. He moved his hands away and pressed his hard cock into the softness just below her navel. Jeanette moaned, or it might have been him. Hell, he wasn’t really sure.
“What do you do when you think of me, sunshine?”
Jeanette loved the endearment. Sunshine. She’d noticed over the years that he only called her that, no other woman. It made her feel special. But her shyness reared its ugly head as she thought of his intimate question. What did she do when she thought of him? No way could she answer that. Way too X-rated. She couldn’t tell him something so personal.
“Come on, tell me what you do,” River cajoled, as if unwilling to let her retreat into her shell. He moved his hips lower so that he pushed and stroked the juncture between her legs. A cry of need escaped her. River gave her little butterfly kisses along her lips and cheeks, until finally he was barely touching her ear. “Do you touch yourself when you think of me? Do your hands caress and your fingers stroke? Tell me, sunshine.”