Nailed (14 page)

It made her feel … needed.

And how pathetic was that? Any woman would meet his needs. It wasn’t
her
he wanted.

Except for the chemistry between them. That, at least, did make her special.

She sat up, holding the sheets against her chest, wanting to pull them from the bed, but he tugged, loosening her grasp.

“You’re being exceptionally shy this morning,” he teased.

He was right, she was being silly. She released the sheets and stood up.

Oh, God, that was a mistake. The heat in his eyes as his gaze seared down her body took her breath away. She turned and hurried to the bathroom before even her full bladder wouldn’t stop her from climbing right back into bed with him.

A few minutes later, as she was opening the shower stall door, she heard a knock on the door.

“Sweetheart, breakfast is here.”

“I’m just about to take a shower,” she called to him.

She heard the door open and she turned around.

“That sounds like an invitation to me.”

“I…” But the sight of him dropping his robe to the floor, his cock swelling and rising, caught her breath.

He guided her into the shower stall, which was the size of the whole bathroom in her apartment. He turned on the water, then pressed her to the wall and kissed her.

“It’ll take a minute for it to heat up,” he said.

With the way he was looking at her, and the feel of his cock pressing against her belly, it took no time at all for
her
to heat up.

His hand stroked down her side and rested on her hip. She couldn’t help it. Her hand glided down his chest then over his sculpted abs until her fingertips trailed over his cock. She wrapped her hand around it.

There was a bench on one end of the stall, so she pressed him toward it. The water washed over them—warm and soothing—as she guided him to sit down. She stood in front of him and he stroked her breasts, then his lips found her nipple and he took it in his mouth. Pleasure seeped through her and she could feel the moisture pooling between her thighs.

She knelt on the bench facing him, her legs on either side of him, then pressed his cock to her opening. Once it was in position, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, driving her tongue into his mouth as she slowly lowered herself onto his hard-as-rock cock. She moaned into his mouth as it filled her. Stretching her. Pushing deep inside. While warm water rained down all around her.

Once he was all the way in, she sat facing him for a moment. His gaze locked with hers and she thought she saw … could it be that he…?

He grasped her hips and lifted, then lowered her again. All thoughts scattered at the feel of that marble shaft moving inside her.

Her head tipped back, the water streaming through her long hair as he glided into her body in a steady rhythm.

She squeezed him, loving the feel of him inside her.

“Ohhh, Kane.” The pleasure soared within her and she gasped. “I’m going to…” Bliss swelled inside her, her whole body a tingling mass of sensation.

“Oh, fuck, baby. Me, too.”

Then they both groaned in a simultaneous, wildly explosive orgasm, the tiled stall filled with the echo of their passion.

His hands on her hips slowed, until finally she settled on his lap, the two of them staring into each other’s eyes. She sucked in deep breaths, her heart still pounding from the intensity of the experience.

He simply stared back, looking as stunned as she felt.

Then he kissed her neck.

“We should finish our shower and go get breakfast before it gets cold.”

*   *   *

After breakfast, they packed up and checked out. Will met them at the waiting limo, which took them to the airport.

“So the honeymoon’s over,” Will teased, as he sat beside River on the plane. “Now back to the real world.”

The real world.

River shivered. She had no idea what that was anymore. Certainly, her life had changed radically. And that thought was hammered home when they pulled up in front of a luxury apartment building.

She was surprised when Kane got out of the car and offered his hand.

“We’re not going to your house?” she asked as she walked toward the entrance with Kane and Will.

“No, I just go there on weekends and whenever I want to entertain,” Kane said. “Will and I both have apartments here.”

A doorman held the door open for them and they entered the vast, luxurious lobby.

“You can’t entertain at your apartment?” She hadn’t seen it yet, but judging from his student apartment, and his current house, she was sure it would be stunning.

He shrugged as they stepped onto the elevator.

“The house makes a better impression. Of stability. Class. It’s what’s expected.”

“And that’s important to you?”

He shrugged. “To a certain extent. Especially in business.”

She stared down at the glittering rings he’d given her, then at her bright, multicolored mani. He’d probably prefer she wear something more subdued. Maybe a deep red, or even something neutral like a nude. And what would he think of her wardrobe?

If he had a house specifically to entertain in, he must host parties and she’d be his hostess. Would he expect her to dress a certain way? Behave a certain way?

Will leaned in and nudged her elbow. “He may sound like a stuck-up prig, but we both love him anyway,” he said with a grin.

“Yeah, thanks, buddy,” Kane said with a hint of sarcasm.

The elevator stopped on floor eighteen.

“Well, see you later,” Will said as he stepped into the carpeted hallway.

The doors closed and the elevator started moving again.

She frowned. “Why do you care about what other people think?”

He shrugged. “What other people think of you can help you or hurt you in life. It’s important, and anyone who says otherwise is just fooling themselves.”

“Then why did you marry me? I won’t fit in your upscale world.”

“You’re a beautiful, talented woman. You’ll do fine.”

Was he saying she was a trophy wife? But she knew better. If that’s what he’d wanted, he could attract any number of stunning women who would fit far better into his world than she ever would.

“And if I wasn’t?”

He smiled and slid his arm around her waist, drawing her close. “Look, I love the person you are. Your creativity. Your quirkiness. I’m just saying that you have those other assets, too. And as my wife, I know you’ll want to make a good impression when we’re out with people where it matters.”

“And who
matters
?” she asked with gritted teeth, leaning away from him.

His arm loosened around her and slid away.

“I just mean contacts who could affect my standing in the business or social community. Just as I’ll act appropriately to help you with your business.”

The elevator doors opened and she strode out, not caring that she didn’t know which direction to go. But it didn’t matter because she walked right into a huge penthouse apartment. She slowed as the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows caught her eye. She held her breath as she stopped at the window, gazing out the glass at the sight of the river glistening in the sunlight below. And the park along its banks.

“It’s … beautiful.”

He stepped to her side and gazed out with her. “I like it.” He took her elbow. “Come on, I’ll show you the place.”

It became a blur as he took her from lavish room to lavish room. The kitchen gleamed with shiny granite counters, glossy hardwood floors, and rich, dark cabinets. The living room was all light-colored leather and the same dark wood as the kitchen.

“There are three bedrooms, but one is my den.”

Her back stiffened. Was he going to put her in the second bedroom? It made sense. She was here to satisfy his sexual needs, but that didn’t mean they needed to sleep together. He might want his own space.

And that was fine with her. Better, in fact.

But he pushed open the double doors at the end of the hall and rolled her suitcase into it. When she glanced inside, and realized this was clearly the master bedroom, she relaxed a little. She’d been lying to herself. It might be better for her sanity to have her own room, but being in his room with him made her feel more … wanted.

“Can we go to my place and pick up some of my things?” she asked.

“No need.” He led her to a door and opened it. On the other side was a huge walk-in closet filled with dark-stained, solid wood furniture with brass fittings. There were drawers, shelves, closed cupboards, and lots of space to hang clothes.

Then she saw her clothes hanging alongside his.

“I had someone move your things in this morning.”

“People went through my stuff? And packed it up and brought it here?”

“You can’t tell me you really wanted to do that yourself.”

No, she hated moving. “But … my stuff is private.”

He shrugged. “It’s not like the people doing it would care. They do this all the time. You don’t have anything that would surprise them.”

“That’s not the point,” she flared. “It’s my stuff. I don’t like the idea of anyone going through my stuff.”

“I’m sorry. I’m used to people handling that kind of thing for me. I never even thought of it being an issue.”

He took her hand. “You aren’t going to hold this against me, are you? After we’ve gotten off to such a good start?” He squeezed her fingers. “I just wanted you to feel at home right away.”

His smile—designed to charm—succeeded.

She nodded. “Okay. Thank you. It was very thoughtful.”

“Good.” He kissed her, a gentle kiss on the lips. “Now, in addition to this space”—he gestured to where her clothes were hanging—“you’ve also got that dresser. And if you need more space, we’ll accommodate that.”

She stared at the dresser he indicated, which had six big drawers.

“I’m sure my stuff only takes up half of that thing.”

“But you’ll be getting more clothes. Things better suited to your new life.”

“My new life?” she echoed.

“Well, let’s face it. You had to live on a budget. And you did a great job. But now you can get some quality items. I’m setting up an appointment for you with my personal shopper and she can help you pick out some things.”

She frowned. “I think what I have is fine.”

But she glanced at her dresses, pants, skirts, and blouses hanging up beside his finely tailored suits. His clothes were clearly custom made and of the highest quality whereas she shopped at the Goodwill store. She loved doing that—she got some amazing finds and it allowed her creativity to shine. But when she looked at her clothes hanging side by side with his, it was like one of those puzzles: what doesn’t fit here?

He smiled. “You can’t honestly be turning down the offer of new clothes.”

She didn’t care about fancy clothes. She honestly loved her wardrobe. Every piece meant something to her. But she had agreed to be his wife and that meant making some concessions.

“You already bought me that nice dress for drinks last night, but if you don’t think that’s enough for going out to special places, I could get a few more things. But I can pick out my own clothes.”

“Of course you’ll have a say, but it’ll be easier if you go with her. She’ll take you around to the right stores, ensure everything fits just right, and I’ll ask her to arrange a whole makeover for you. Hair, makeup. Everything. I’m sure she could do it tomorrow afternoon.”

She just stared at him, flabbergasted. Wasn’t there anything he liked about the way she looked?

*   *   *

“What do you mean, you’re married?”

River bit her lip as she stared at Tia’s shocked expression.

“It was pretty fast.”

“Fast? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone. The last guy you went out with was…” Tia’s eyes widened. “Nooo! It’s not the billionaire? That guy from your past?”

River bit back the retort that it hadn’t been a date. She was supposed to be selling this to Tia.

“But you said…” Tia shook her head. “I mean, I thought you hated him.”

“I did. For a long time. But when I went back to talk to him like you suggested, he explained what happened back in college.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t his fault. His friends were responsible for the whole thing, and neither of us knew.”

Tia’s eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t he tell you that in college?” she asked doubtfully.

“I left school after what happened—I mean, it was the end of the school year anyway, but I didn’t go back—and he didn’t know how to find me, so we were never able to talk things out. But he said he never forgot me and he finally realized he was in love with me.” That last part was how River wished things had happened. “Then when he saw my Kickstarter campaign, he used that to get in touch with me again. And although I was really angry at him, I never forgot that night with him, and what it was like. When he explained what really happened…” She shrugged. “Well, you know what they say about love and hate being two sides of the same coin.”

“Okay, I know I was a little inebriated when you told me the story of what happened between you two,” Tia said, looking a little more convinced, “but I remember you saying he was your first. And that he was perfect. But then you said something about it all being a lie.”

“Well, that’s because he … uh … went out with me on a bet.” The oversimplified summary sounded weak. But there was no way she’d tell Tia about the rest of the humiliation.

“He slept with you on a bet? Oh, that’s harsh.”

River nodded. “The fact that he didn’t really want to be with me … really hurt … you know?”

Tia patted her hand. “Of course. He seemed so nice, but any man who would do that…”

Oh, no, this was going in the wrong direction.

“No, he said that sleeping with me wasn’t part of the bet.” And part of her clung to the belief that that was really true. “That he had already started falling for me by that point and really wanted to be with me.”

“And you believe that’s true?”

River gazed straight at Tia and summoned her most convincing voice. “Yes, I do. Would I have married him otherwise?”

“Okay. As long as you’re sure, I’m happy for you.”

They gazed at each other a little longer and a smile blossomed on Tia’s face.