Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,8

her.

Kane raised an eyebrow. “No idea?”

“I’m taking a broad spectrum of classes to keep my options open. I like math but I also like art. I’m taking sciences to keep more avenues available, but I like physics better than chemistry.”

“So you’ll just figure it out as you go along?”

She nodded and took a sip of soda. “It’s hard because the courses I like aren’t very practical, but the ones that are practical don’t interest me much.”

He picked up another piece of pizza and put it on his plate. “What do you think is practical?”

“I don’t know. Being an accountant … going into law.”

“But you don’t like those?”

She shook her head.

“I know you’re taking at least one business course. What about that? An MBA will help you get a good job.”

She glanced his way. He’d noticed she was in his business class, too?

“Sure, but I won’t be going to graduate school.”

She would have a hard enough time paying off the student loans for the expenses her scholarship didn’t cover.

She pushed aside her plate. “What about you? You probably have it all planned out.”

“Pretty much. I’ll be getting an MBA, then I’ll start my own company. A friend of mine who’s in computer science has some great ideas. I have money in trust from my grandparents to start a business, so we’ll be partnering to do a start-up.”

River was sure he meant Will Anderson, a studious, almost nerdy guy so unlike the frat boys he usually hung around, yet they seemed to be best buddies. Will was in the one computer science class she took and he always pulled off As.

“I’d love to start my own company one day,” she said.

He smiled. “I’m sure you will.” He glanced at her plate. “You all finished?”

She nodded.

“Okay, I’ll get them to pack up the rest of the pizza.” He smiled, a glint in his indigo eyes. “Then we’ll go back to my place.”

Chapter Three

Present

River realized the bus was coming up to her stop. She’d almost missed it, caught up in her reverie. Damn it, she just wanted to forget all about Kane Winters … and she had. But now he’d dropped right back into her life. And this time she couldn’t just walk away.

She had to be cautious. She wouldn’t let her guard down.

This time, she wouldn’t let him hurt her.

* * *

Kane sipped his coffee, waiting for the waiter to bring the bill. He wanted another chance with River, but clearly she was going to fight him every step of the way. He smiled, remembering her soft body pressed tight against him, her lips moving under his. His groin tightened. He intended to have her back in his bed and the challenge would just make his victory all the sweeter.

When he’d talked to her that first time back in college, he’d been surprised. He hadn’t known what he’d expected, but he’d found he really enjoyed talking to her. She’d been the quirky girl with the odd clothes and the hair streaked with bright pink. He’d thought she’d have odd ideas and a keep-away attitude, but she’d been warm and pleasant to talk to.

Before that, he hadn’t realized she was broke—struggling to keep up with her expenses and maintaining her scholarship so she could afford to stay in school. Most of the people he knew had parents who provided everything they needed. Will was a notable exception, but he still had some help from his parents. River was different. He admired her courage and her determination to succeed.

He’d noticed her long before that fateful spring day—she had a pretty face and an alluring figure—but she wasn’t the kind of girl someone like him would hang out with. And she certainly wouldn’t fit in with his friends or be accepted by his family looking the way she did. He hadn’t really cared about that kind of thing except for the practical aspect that she’d be uncomfortable not fitting in, so why start something with her that was bound to end?

But that day, he’d been challenged. And he’d found the challenge to be well worth the effort.

First year of college—Spring semester

Kane opened his apartment door and led River inside. Her eyes widened.

“Wow.” She glanced around his place, taking in the clean lines of his contemporary black wood furniture, his sixty-inch plasma TV, the white leather furniture, and colorful art on the walls.

“Is this your parents’ place?” she asked.

“No, this is my place.” He tossed his keys in the drawer of the bureau in the entryway then