Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,48

shifted uncomfortably in the chair, the mere memory of it making him hard again. She’d moved her arm over her breasts and slid a hand over her lower region, but not before he’d gotten an eyeful.

If he was smart, he’d hightail it out of here right now … but she so clearly needed someone to talk to.

“You’ve known Kane a long time,” she said. “You must be really close friends.”

“That’s right. I’d do anything for Kane.”

“How much do you know about why he married me?”

“I don’t really want to talk about that. It’s really between the two of you.”

She nodded. “I just wondered if you thought it was strange.”

“Kane does things in his own way. And he always gets what he wants. I’ve learned not to question his methods.”

“He cares so much about what people think. I assume he wants the appearance of propriety being married gives him.”

“You don’t think he married you out of love?”

She glanced at him. “I thought Kane said you knew. I…” Then she bit her lip as if she’d done something wrong.

He knew that she wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about the reason they got married, so she must be afraid she’d violated that stipulation.

“I know you married him because of a business deal.”

He didn’t want to say more. He knew Kane wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone before and when she’d refused to give their relationship a second chance, Kane had used the deal to pressure her into marrying him. He also knew Kane was a little confused about his own feelings, especially since they were all tied up with the guilt he felt about what had happened in college. But he also knew Kane didn’t need love to be part of marriage. He was very practical and had told Will—many times—how good the sex was between him and River. That, and the fact his desire for her had never diminished after all these years, was enough for him.

But Will wasn’t confused. He knew that Kane loved her, even if Kane hadn’t figured it out himself.

“I can’t help wondering what you think of me,” River said.

He smiled. “I think you’re a very practical young woman who makes my friend very happy.”

The pizza arrived. He brought out plates and served her a slice, then sat down beside her.

She took a bite. “It’s really good.”

They both sipped wine and ate their dinner. When they were done, he told himself he should leave. Now.

But she still looked so sad.

Her eyes seemed to shimmer. “Thank you for staying with me. I feel a bit overwhelmed with being here alone, and all the changes.”

“I get it. It’s a lot to process.”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I feel so alone. I don’t feel like I belong here. Everything has changed and I…” Her voice cracked and tears welled in her eyes.

He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his side. She rested her head on his shoulder and settled against him. God, it just felt too … good.

He picked up the remote control. “Want to watch a movie now?”

“Sure. Anything you like.”

He turned something on—one of the latest on The Movie Channel—and barely noticed what was happening on the screen. He was too aware of River snuggled close beside him.

But he was loath to let her go, since she was obviously still hurting.

* * *

River couldn’t believe she was snuggled up to Kane’s best friend. Not that anything would happen between them. Of course it wouldn’t. But it felt so good being next to him, his protective arm around her.

And she was so tired. She’d barely slept at all last night and she was sleepy.

The movie droned on and she found her eyelids closing. She snuggled closer and soon fell fast asleep.

When she woke up, it was dark and a blanket was tossed over her. She lifted her head and glanced around. Will was nowhere to be seen.

Then she saw the note on the coffee table.

Call me anytime.

Then his phone number below.

She sighed and glanced at the clock. It was two a.m. And she was alone again.

She pushed herself up from the couch and wandered to the bedroom, then climbed into the bed. But instead of falling asleep, she tossed and turned for hours. Finally, she got up and went into the den and sat at the desk in front of Kane’s desktop computer.

She’d tried to connect to the Internet on her laptop earlier in the day, but she didn’t know the WiFi password,