Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,10
have touched you like that. I’m sorry.”
She was breathing quickly and his chest tightened.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I just want to go home.”
“Okay. I’ll drive you.”
“No, I’ll take the bus.”
He pulled his keys from the bureau drawer. “I’m going to drive you.”
She glanced at him uncertainly as he drew her gently from the door and opened it.
“I just want to ensure you get home safely. Okay?”
She bit her lip, then finally nodded and stepped through the door.
It was clear something had happened to her in the past. Something that had scarred her deeply. And, God damn it, he wanted to kill the bastard who’d done it.
Present
The waiter arrived with the bill and Kane paid.
“Do me a favor and pack up the pie and have it sent to the young lady.” He handed him an extra twenty.
“Of course, sir.”
Kane scribbled her name and address on the back of his business card and handed it to the man, then left the restaurant.
The memory of her pain that night still haunted him, and what had happened the next day had scarred her even more.
Because of him.
And he intended to make up for it somehow.
* * *
River stashed her purse in the locker at Giselle’s, feeling tired and cranky. She hadn’t slept well last night—of course she hadn’t after seeing Kane again. She was appalled at herself for the desire she had felt for him when he’d kissed her. For the fact she’d wanted that kiss … and more.
He had hurt and betrayed her in college and she couldn’t let go of that pain. She couldn’t trust him.
She went to the register as Louise unlocked the door. There were already customers waiting to come in. The big electronics store in the mall was having a huge sale that day with hourly specials and it looked like a lot of wives and girlfriends weren’t as interested in wireless routers.
The morning was fast and furious and River wound up selling more in those few hours than she’d sold all week. She thanked her current customer as she handed the woman her bag and realized there was no one else waiting.
“River.” Louise stepped beside her, a frown on her face. “You didn’t ask her to sign up for our text promotion.”
Aw, damn.
“Sorry, Louise, I—”
“In fact, you haven’t signed up a single person today.”
“It was really busy and—”
“That’s no excuse. It’s a new promotion and management wants us signing up as many people as possible.” She glared at River. “They feel it will increase business.”
“But most people I ask are already signed up for e-mail coupons.”
Louise tapped her nails on the glass counter impatiently. “I want you to sign up at least five new people this afternoon. Understood?”
River drew in a breath. “Yes.”
She realized that Louise was staring critically at her nails. Now what was wrong? She’d put on one of the spring colors. She’d chosen Blue Me Away, which was a soft periwinkle. She glanced down at her nails. Oh, God, there was a big chip in the polish, revealing naked nail on her index finger. And another on her thumb.
“Do you really think it’s appropriate for your nails to be in such a state? It doesn’t leave a very good impression on the customers. Would you buy nail polish from someone who doesn’t even know how to take care of her own nails?”
River had to bite back a sharp retort. River knew how to take care of her nails and she also knew a decent polish when she used one. This polish was gloppy and applied unevenly. And it clearly didn’t last, since she’d put it on only two days ago, and used a quality base coat and top coat. Her nail polish didn’t chip after only two days’ wear. Ever.
By break time, River had signed up two people for the text program.
“How you doing?” Tia asked when they sat down for a quick coffee at the Starbucks in the mall. Tia had come on shift at noon. “It seems like Louise has been giving you a hard time.”
River stared at her nails. She’d done a quick fix by applying White Water, Pink Fizz, and Seafoam over the blue polish in quick strokes using an almost dry brush, giving her nails a sort of grunge multicolored effect. Louise had raised her eyebrow with a critical glare, but River had been with a customer at the time, so Louise hadn’t said anything. River couldn’t help feeling a little smug