Nailed (11 page)

But to marry Kane to get it?

The irony was, after those two short days with him in college, she was sure she’d been falling in love with him.

The fact that he wanted to help her with her company showed her that he really did want to make up for what happened. The fact he still cared—or even remembered—after all this time meant he really must have felt guilty. And maybe it was true that he’d had nothing to do with the recording.

But that didn’t mean she should marry him.

He’d said she was the best sex he’d ever had and a part of her was delighted about that.

So all the sex she wanted with a guy who was amazing and sensitive in bed and she would have no financial worries as she built her business.

“I’d like to talk this over with my girlfriend.”

“No. I want to be absolutely clear about this. I don’t want you to tell anyone about this. As far as everyone knows, this will be a real marriage. I proposed and you accepted.”

“I can’t tell Tia?”

“The only people who will know are you, me, Will, and the lawyer who drew up the contract.”

“How soon do I need to decide?”

“I have my jet standing by to take us to Vegas and a suite is already booked.”

“Now? But—”

“Once a decision’s been made, I don’t believe in waiting.”

“But I haven’t decided.”

“What do you have to lose? If you find you don’t like the situation, you can always divorce me.”

“Again, you certainly have a way of turning a girl’s head.” She paced. “Going into a marriage with the idea of divorce as a likely outcome just seems wrong.”

Kane walked in front of her, stopping her pacing, then wrapped his hands around her forearms. Heat skittered through her.

“I’m hoping that’s not how this will end. I really am in this for the long run. I think it’s an ideal arrangement that will work beautifully if we both really try and make it work.”

“Why do you think it will work?”

He shrugged. “A lot of cultures have arranged marriages and they work. Why can’t this? Especially if we’re motivated.”

“Like making it a clause that I lose control of my company if I divorce you?”

“If you don’t agree to it, you won’t even have a company.”

His words hit home. Hard. He was right. Looking for a new job would take all her time and energy, and leave her stressed. She wouldn’t have the emotional resources left to work on building her business, let alone money for the physical resources.

She sighed.

She wasn’t willing to give up her dream.

Could she really marry this totally sexy, gorgeous guy who was great in bed … who had broken her heart?

She stuck out her hand. “Okay. It’s a deal.”

*   *   *

River had never been on a private jet before and it was hard to hide how impressed she was at the luxurious leather seats and the high-quality service of the staff who brought them drinks and a lavish meal, including an entrée of lobster pasta that was better than anything she’d ever tasted.

When they got off the plane, a limo took them to a lovely chapel. Not like the neon-signed, tacky ones she’d seen in sitcoms and movies. It was a charming stone building with stained-glass windows and a heavy oak door with intricate designs carved in the thick wooden door frame.

The driver opened the car door. Kane got out, and offered his hand to her. She took it as he helped her out of the limo, and he continued to hold it as they walked up the stone steps to the chapel door.

They stepped into an entryway with wooden paneling and stairs leading up. As they walked up the stairs, her nervousness increased.

Kane glanced at her. “Your hand is shaking. Are you nervous?”

“I’m about to get married. Of course I’m nervous.”

He squeezed her hand and, even though he was the cause of her anxiety, it was somehow reassuring.

“I have a surprise for you.”

They reached the top of the stairs and she gazed at him.

“You mean something more surprising than the fact I’m getting married right now?”

He chuckled. “No, I suppose not, but I hope you’ll like it.”

An older woman with a big smile and welcoming blue eyes greeted them and led them into a room with a sofa and armchairs.

“When you’re ready, let me know and we’ll start the service,” she said, then slipped from the room, closing the door behind her.

On the sofa was a large, flat box—maroon with a huge white bow.

River walked to the sofa. “Is this the surprise?”

He laughed. “You’re very perceptive,” he teased.

She just shook her head. “But I have nothing for you.”

His indigo eyes glittered. “Well, that’s not really true.”

Then her cheeks flushed. She quickly turned to the box and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in maroon tissue paper, was a white satin gown. She picked it up and drew it from the box. It was a strapless sheath that flared below the knees. The bodice was edged with lace, sequins, and pearls. In the box, there was also a beautiful headpiece of lace and satin flowers with two short tufts of fine tulle spraying from each side.

“It’s … beautiful.”

“I didn’t think you’d want to get married in your jeans.”

Her heart fluttered. This whole thing was crazy, but River was a firm believer in taking big, wild chances. And right now, the man standing in front of her was a chance she knew she had to take.

“There should be shoes in there, too,” he said. “And stockings.”

She noticed a shoe box tucked in the corner of the larger box, partially hidden by the tissue paper. She opened the box and drew in a breath. Inside were white satin shoes with high, narrow heels, edged with lace, sequins, and pearls, just like the dress. They were elegant and sexy. There was also a pair of long white gloves.

“I’m going to leave you to change. When you’re ready, text me.”

She watched his retreating back. “Kane,” she said as he reached the door.

He turned. “Yes?”

She smiled tremulously. “Thank you.”

He sent her a broad smile, and then left the room.

She walked to the door and turned the lock. She noticed a full-length mirror on one wall and an open door to a bathroom. She freshened up, brushing her hair and fixing her makeup. She glanced at her nails. Today, she was wearing a sunset gradient, from deep mauve shifting subtly through pink to orange to yellow on the tips. Not exactly a wedding mani. Good thing there were gloves.

She found the stockings he’d mentioned in the bag, along with a lacy white garter belt and a white satin evening bag. She changed, then sat and put on the shoes. She went into the bathroom and grabbed an elastic and some hair pins from her purse and swept her hair up into a ponytail, then took one tress and wrapped it around the elastic to cover it. She set the headpiece on her head, pulling her hair up through the opening. She spread the tufts of tulle wider until it formed a halo around her head.

As she pulled on the gloves, she realized there was something inside one of them. She pulled out a narrow box in royal-blue velvet and opened it. Inside was a string of pearls and hanging from it was a teardrop diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.

She fastened it around her neck and gazed at herself in the mirror.

Oh, my God. I’m a bride.

She sucked in a shaky breath then picked up her phone and texted Kane.

Wait there a minute,
he responded.

A moment later, there was a knock at the door. She opened it, expecting to see Kane, but instead Will stood there, wearing a tuxedo and holding a lovely bouquet of pink and yellow roses. He was broad shouldered, tall, and just as handsome as she remembered.

“Will. Hi.”

He smiled. “Hello, River. I’m here to walk you down the aisle.”

As he handed her the bouquet, she realized the colors of the roses were the same shades as the pink and yellow in her mani, so it tied in nicely. Had Kane planned that?

“You look beautiful,” Will said, a warm smile on his face. He offered his elbow.

“Thank you.” She hooked her arm in his. “You weren’t on the flight with us.”

“No. I was in Chicago on business,” he said as they started to walk, “so as soon as Kane contacted me, I flew out here to meet you.”

He led her down the hall then stopped outside a double door.

“Before we go in, I just wanted to say something.”

She gazed up at him to see concern in his hazel eyes.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Kane is my best friend and I love him deeply, but I also know that once he sets his mind on something, nothing stops him. I’m worried that in his exuberance, he might be pushing you a little faster than you want to go.”

Man, there was an understatement.

But did Will think they were actually in love and that this was just a case of Kane rushing her to the altar?

“I know this might be overwhelming to you,” he continued, “and that Kane has sworn you to secrecy about the arrangement, so I just want to let you know that if you ever want to talk, I’ll be there for you.”

“Oh, well … Thank you.”

He smiled warmly. “Okay, are you ready?”

She smoothed down her dress and stared at the oak doors.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chapter Ten

At that, Will opened the doors. River drew in a breath at the sight of the beautiful stained-glass windows in the chapel with the setting sun glowing through. It was an ethereal sight. Organ music started and Will guided her down the aisle.

It felt almost like a real wedding.

As they walked past the wooden pews, her heart pumped faster. She couldn’t believe this was happening. At the front of the chapel, there was a minister and the woman who had ushered them in. And Kane stood there watching her, looking incredibly handsome in his tuxedo.

When they reached him, Will took her hand and put it in Kane’s then stepped to Kane’s side. Her stomach tightened at the thought that there was no one here for her, but she pushed it aside. That’s the way it was. No point stressing over it.

The minister started the ceremony and for some reason, tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them back, but too soon, they were saying their vows and her voice was strained, rasping from her closed throat as she said, “I do.”

Kane rolled down the long glove on her left arm and drew it off. Then he slipped a ring on her finger. A sparkling band of diamonds. Her eyesight blurred a little as she stared at the glittering ring. He was so generous and kind and she knew he would treat her well, but—God, what was she doing? This whole thing was happening so fast her head was spinning.

She’d always dreamed of this day—standing at the front of a church, wearing a beautiful white gown … marrying the man of her dreams. One who loved and cherished her and wanted to be with her forever.

But that wasn’t Kane. He didn’t love her.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Kane’s arms came around her and their lips met. The kiss was persuasive and tender and when she opened her eyes as he drew away, she saw what she could almost believe was glowing happiness in his eyes. As if he were in love. But that was just her imagination, because it’s what she wanted to see in her groom’s eyes.

If only it were true.

*   *   *

Kane and Will walked her back to the room where she’d changed. She felt numb as she sat on the couch, waiting for them to leave so she could change back into her jeans.

“I thought we’d go for a celebratory drink,” Kane said as he sat beside her.

Will sat in the chair angled toward the sofa.

A drink. Thank God. She certainly wasn’t ready for what would come after that.

Her wedding night.

“Oh, but all I have to wear are jeans,” she said.

Kane nodded. “They won’t be appropriate for where we’re going, so I had some dresses sent over. They should be here any time now.”

Within moments, someone knocked on the door and Will answered it, then returned with a garment bag. He hung it on the open door of the bathroom.

“Pick whichever one you like,” Kane said as he stood up. “Will and I will go change and meet you back here.”

“Wait. First, I want to get a picture,” Will said.

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and snapped a couple of pictures. Then Kane took a couple of pictures of Will with River, insisting on having photos of his bride and his best friend.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Winters,” Will said.

He took her hand to shake it warmly. She turned her head to smile at him, at the same time as he leaned in to kiss her cheek, so his lips accidentally brushed hers. The crackle of awareness that shot through her startled her.

She drew back.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, barely able to speak, dismayed by both the reminder that she was now Kane’s wife, and her surprising reaction to Will.

“We should get going,” Kane said.

Once the two men left the room, she unzipped the bag and pulled out the dresses. There were three, but the purple wrap dress caught her eye. She loved the color, and it was almost the same color as the purple nail polish on her nails.

She slipped out of the wedding dress and pulled on the cocktail-length dress. It fit her perfectly, the wrap style accentuating her figure. She checked the bottom of the bag and found two pairs of shoes. One pair was black and the other pair was a perfect match for the purple. The latter were part suede and part smooth leather, with rhinestones edging the change in texture.

They had stiletto heels and when she stepped into them, she felt taller … and sexier.

There was even an evening bag in the same purple suede studded with rhinestones.

A knock sounded on the door just as she was moving her essentials from her purse to the small bag.

“Come in,” she called.

The two men entered the room again, now wearing suits rather than the tuxes, but looking quite dashing. Kane’s suit was black and he wore a purple tie that matched her dress.

He smiled. “The personal shopper told me she’d sent two black dresses and a purple dress. I knew you’d choose that one.”

“And it looks great with your nails,” Will said. “That’s quite the manicure.”