Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,13

mean falling-down-drunk crawling. What are you boys doing out here when there are woman to get laid?”

“Ya mean to lay,” one of his buddies said. “Or get laid by.” Then he started laughing as if he’d told a hilarious joke.

“Hank, I’m with someone,” Kane said.

Hank, the one who’d spoken first, frowned and gazed in River’s direction.

“What? You’re with the pink-haired freak?”

Chapter Four

River’s chest constricted and she wanted to crawl under the table. At the same time, she noticed anger flare in Kane’s eyes and he leaned forward slightly, as if ready to surge to his feet.

“Hey, Hank,” Will interjected. “Why don’t you guys show me where the keg is? I just got here.”

Hank, whose face had gone pale, dragged his uncertain gaze from Kane’s ferocious stare.

“Yeah, sure, man. It’s out on the deck.” Hank and his two friends headed across the kitchen toward the door leading outside.

“Nice meeting you, River,” Will said with a warm smile, shaking her hand again. Then he turned and followed the others.

“Sorry about those jerks,” Kane said. “I would have slugged him, but it wouldn’t be a fair fight in his condition. And I don’t think you’re the type to be impressed by violence.”

“True.” But a part of her wished he’d done something to stand up for her.

As they finished their pizza, she felt all the more conspicuous. People came and went, passing through the kitchen to the deck to get refills from the keg and it seemed everyone glanced their way. At the pink-haired freak with popular Kane. A trio of girls passed by, giggling and glancing at her.

She started to fidget, wishing she was anywhere but here.

“Finished?” Kane asked.

She nodded and he took her hand and led her through the crowded kitchen into the living room. People were everywhere, chatting, dancing, laughing. River wasn’t used to parties and found it loud and overwhelming. Kane must have sensed her discomfort because he led her down a hallway, then opened a door. Inside was a pool table and an air hockey table. Four guys were playing air hockey, but the pool table was free.

Kane picked up two pool cues from the rack on the wall and handed her one.

“Do you play?” he asked.

“No, I’ve never really had the chance.”

He placed the white ball on the table and took the first shot, dispersing the balls. He took her hand and drew her to the side of the table near the white ball, then positioned himself behind her, telling her how best to take the shot. Then his arms came around her so he could help her line it up. But the heady scent of his aftershave filled her nostrils, and the warmth of his body so close, and the feel of his arms entwining with hers, made her knees weak. He helped her take the shot, keeping her steady. She sank one ball.

He helped her with the next few shots, until she got the hang of it, but she found herself longing for him to back her up against the table and lift her onto it, then step between her thighs and …

Oh, God, why was she thinking like that? She’d never … ever … She drew in a breath as he moved away after her shot.

The thought of being with a man, after the leering creeps who had been with her mother … after the time one of them cornered River and started touching her in ways that made her sick with revulsion … She’d just never wanted to. But with Kane … Oh, God, with him she could imagine letting go. Opening to him. Letting the flame of desire he’d ignited inside her flare to a blazing maelstrom.

He won the first game and the second, too, but she was improving. Other people had come in to play so they handed off their cues and walked into the hallway.

“You did great,” Kane said, holding her hand as they walked through the house. “In no time you’ll be pool shark.”

She laughed. “Not likely. Especially since this is the last time I’ll probably be near a pool table for quite a while.”

He stopped and turned her to him. “There’s a pool table in my apartment building.” He smiled. “We could play whenever you like.”

She gazed into his deep blue eyes. Was he really saying that…? He expected to keep seeing her?

Then he leaned in and kissed her. His arms slid around her waist and he drew her close to his warm body, his lips moving softly on