hers. All the noise … all the people … dissolved away. All that was real to her were his lips moving on hers. His body pressed tight to hers.
Then their lips parted and he smiled. “Why don’t we go outside and get some fresh air?”
She trailed after him, clinging tightly to his hand as he led her through the swarm of people until they reached a patio door. There was a big deck that wrapped around the house. She could hear a lot of people around the corner, off the kitchen where the keg was. He led her down the steps to the yard. It was a clear night and in the moonlight she noticed the lovely gardens.
“Hey, Kane.” A few girls were sitting on a bench with plastic cups in their hands.
He waved, but led her toward the back gate, which was open. They stepped through to a lovely park beyond.
He smiled. “It’s a little quieter here.”
She nodded, delighted to be alone with him. They walked along the moonlit path, then he drew her to the side, under a large tree, and gently backed her against the trunk. He gazed down at her, his eyes glittering, and stroked her hair behind her ear. The brush of his fingers sent tremors through her and she longed to feel his lips on hers again.
He leaned in and she tilted her face up, anticipating his kiss. Their lips met and her pulse quickened. Her hands slid up his chest to his broad shoulders and around his neck. His mouth moved on hers in a gentle persuasion, then his tongue glided inside, stroking. His solid body pressed her against the bark of the tree and she leaned into him more, wanting this closeness. Loving the feel of his strong arms around her.
When their lips parted, he smiled, his eyes twinkling. He started to lean in for another kiss when they heard voices. His lips brushed hers again but she was nervous, knowing if others had walked into the park, they’d see her and Kane.
“Hey, Winters, gettin’ lucky?” said one guy.
She cringed, clinging to Kane as she peered around him at the three guys walking toward them.
“Yeah, but it can’t be much of a challenge,” said a different guy. “A freak like her is probably hard up.”
Oh, God. Her cheeks flushed and shame consumed her. How stupid she’d been to believe that she could ever have anything real with someone like Kane. He released her and turned around.
“Why don’t you guys get lost?”
She ducked around the tree and strode across the park while Kane was distracted by the three guys. She didn’t hear anything they said over the pounding in her ears. All she knew was that she had to get away from here right now. Away from them.
And away from Kane.
“Hey, River.” Kane was racing after her.
She felt a hand grasp her arm and she tore it away.
Kane caught up and strode along beside her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his words etched with concern.
Then she realized tears were flowing from her eyes and she dashed them away, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
“Ah, damn. River, please stop.”
This time when he wrapped his hand around her arm, she didn’t pull away, but she didn’t turn toward him, keeping her head down so he wouldn’t see her red eyes.
“Those guys are jerks. I’m sorry what they said hurt you.”
“Why are you spending time with someone like me?” Her words came out thin and coarse.
“What do you mean someone like you? I find you—”
She raised her head and glared at him, her anxiety turning to anger.
“My family is nothing like yours. I don’t have any of the things your friends do.”
He frowned. “It don’t care about that.”
“Really?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And you wouldn’t care that my father was a drug addict … or that he was in prison?” she challenged.
“Was he?”
“Yes.”
To his credit, his expression didn’t change. “I still don’t care.”
“And my mother? Want to know what she does for a living?” Before he could respond, she said, “She’s an exotic dancer.”
River couldn’t admit to any more. Not even to herself. She couldn’t face believing that those men her mother had brought home … with River in the next room … were any more than dates. Or one-night stands. Or whatever. Surely her mother hadn’t taken money for …
“River, I mean it. It doesn’t matter.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I told you, I like you.