River's Redemption: Blackwater, Book 5

by Anne Rainey

  Lucy let out a deep breath. “Look, I know that I’m being annoying here, and you probably don’t want to deal with this right now, not with that knot on your head, but you’re too intelligent to simply give up.” In a gentler tone, she said, “You love him very much, but it seems to me that you’re being too hard on River. You don’t really expect him to be celibate do you?”

  Jeanette bit her lip in frustration. She couldn’t let Lucy’s words take root, because pursuing River at this point felt too much like banging her head against a brick wall. A big, stubborn, gorgeous and annoying brick wall. “You’re right, I’m being unfair. But I’m also through pining for a man who sees me as an inexperienced child.”

  “Isn’t it possible that your mind is in a different place right now?” She indicated Jeanette’s injured body. “You’ve been through something very traumatic. Give yourself a break here.”

  Jeanette considered that a moment. She had always prided herself on being an open-minded person, accepting of new possibilities. Why then was she so anxious to close her mind to a relationship with River? “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right.”

  She smiled and patted her hand. “Of course I am.”

  God, Jeanette was so confused. She didn’t know which end was up. She sighed and rubbed her eyes; then pain shot through her hand. “Ouch.” She held up her palm, remembering too late the skin on her left hand was scraped raw. The pain meds the doctor gave her weren’t quite cutting it.

  “I guess I’m not really thinking straight right now,” Jeanette admitted, wanting to put an end to the conversation. “I should give River and me a chance.”

  “Damn right you should.”

  Jeanette’s heart jumped at River’s deep voice. He stood in the doorway to the apartment, looking as yummy as ever with his messy black hair and sinful green eyes. He wore a pair of tight, dark jeans that molded to the length of his muscular legs, and a black short-sleeved T-shirt. He oozed male confidence and sexual prowess. River had a dark and savage quality about him that had always drawn Jeanette. And, as usual, he looked good enough to lick. He clutched an overnight bag in one strong hand, and his patented grim expression was firmly in place.

  Lucy gave River a stern look. “And how long have you been standing there?”

  River strode to the couch and dropped the bag onto the far end of it. “Long enough to know that Jeanette ought to have her head examined if she thinks I’m just going to walk away. Not my style.”

  Jeanette arched a brow and shook her head. “I would tell you how incredibly arrogant you sound right now, not to mention how terribly rude it is to eavesdrop, but it’ll have to wait until the room stops spinning.”

  Right away, River was contrite. “Tell me what to do to make you feel better, damn it,” he bit out. “I feel useless as hell here.”

  Love me, she thought. Just love me.

  Instead, she said, “I’m fine, really. There’s nothing to do.”

  “I should probably get going,” Lucy piped up. “I have a bunch of errands to run before I can get home and relieve Reilly. I left him alone with the twins. Another couple of hours and he’s bound to be wrecked.”

  “Give the babies a kiss for me,” Jeanette said.

  “Ditto,” River replied. “From their favorite uncle.”

  A small hint of envy invaded Jeanette’s heart. Lucy had what Jeanette so badly wanted—a loving man and two terrific babies. Lucy deserved every last drop of happiness, though. She hadn’t had the easiest upbringing, with a father who didn’t want anything to do with her and a mother who’d died in a car accident when Lucy was very young. It was one of the threads that had tied Lucy and her together as friends these past few months, ever since Lucy had met Reilly. A drunk driver had stolen both of Jeanette’s parents’ lives. When someone you loved was ripped away from you and you weren’t prepared, didn’t get to say good-bye, it left a hole in your heart. Lucy understood what that was like. Now the woman walked around with a grin twenty-four hours a day. Reilly made her happy, and that was as it should be.

  “I will.” Lucy leaned down and gently hugged her. “Take care, and let us know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, for everything.”

  Lucy turned to River and frowned. “Be gentle. She’s been through a lot.”

  He bent and kissed Lucy’s cheek, then said, “I’m a regular pussycat.”

  Lucy snorted. “Yeah, right,” she replied as she turned and left.

  River looked back at Jeanette. “Did you take anything for the pain?” He sat next to her and put his arm around the back of the couch, his thick, muscular legs spread out in front of him. When he began to gently massage her shoulders, Jeanette sighed and leaned into him. This close, Jeanette could smell his clean, masculine scent, with just a hint of aftershave. It’d always been hard to resist that potent mix of male aggressiveness and spice.

  “The doctor called in a prescription,” she said around a yawn. “I’m sure it’ll kick in soon.”

  He frowned. “Maybe a hot shower?”

  “Nope, already tried that.”

  He cursed under his breath. “One question—did they get the asshole?”

  “Actually, no,” she replied, catching his angry expression. “He took off after I kneed him in the crotch. I gave the police a description, and they’re on the lookout. I’m not really holding out hope, though.”

  “Shit,” he muttered. “So, this guy got your purse, which means he knows your address. Did you cancel your credit cards?”

  “Yes, he knows where I live, although I don’t think it’ll matter.” She quirked a brow. “Don’t muggers usually just want quick cash? I had all of forty dollars on me. So the joke’s on him.” She tried to lighten the mood, but judging by River’s expression, it didn’t help one iota.

  “And your credit cards?”

  “All taken care of. I will need to get a new driver’s license, unfortunately. And before you ask, yes, I’ve already called the bank. They’re sending me a new debit card.”

  “I still don’t like the idea of him knowing where you live. You aren’t safe here, sunshine.”

  Oh God, it was too much. His nearness, his concern—it all wrapped around her like a warm embrace. She couldn’t keep an emotional distance with River on the best of days. Definitely not now when her defenses were down. “There isn’t anything to worry about, River.” She stood and started for the kitchen. When he followed her, she turned. “And will you please stop hovering.”

  He closed the distance between them and took hold of her chin. “I will hover as long as it’s necessary, so you might as well get used to me being around.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “You expect me to get used to having a constant shadow?” Jeanette didn’t bother to add that River was the most gorgeous shadow she’d ever seen. And it was that very thing that had her feeling all wound up inside. It had to stop, because it was ruining her plan to stay angry with him.

  “Hey, I’m the good kind of shadow,” he said, tweaking her nose. “It’s the bad shadows of the world I’m trying to protect you from.” His eyes turned from teasing to intense in an instant. “By the way, what’s this about you working at the Dawg Pit? You should’ve come to me if you needed money. You can always come to me, sunshine.” She immediately moved to object, but he laid a finger against her lips and said, “Don’t. We’ve been friends too long. You should’ve come to me. And you can get over your mad too. I’m sorry you had to see me with Holly. It hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. But until the police catch your mugger, I’m not going anywhere. So stop pushing me away, damn it. It’s pissing me off.”

  The pain in River’s eyes threatened to overwhelm her. She had been hurt when she’d seen him with that woman, but she didn’t have the right, and Jeanette knew that. He had every right to be with anyone he chose. They weren’t a couple. He didn’t owe her any explanations. Still, as illogical as it was, Jeanette felt betrayed. It was this stupid crush of hers that was causing the fri
ction between them.

  She moved his finger away and gently intertwined their fingers. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” she replied, meaning it. “I could’ve knocked. I should’ve been more considerate of your privacy.” She sighed. “And yes, I do need money for school. I’m on summer break, and working at the Dawg Pit seemed like a good idea.” When he started to speak, she overrode him. “I called this morning and quit. Don’t worry, I have no desire to go back to that end of town.” She shuddered. “Ever again.”

  “But if you hadn’t been trying to avoid me, you never would’ve been there at all.” River lifted their linked fingers and kissed her knuckles one by one. “These last few months have been hell without you. I’ve missed you,” he admitted. When his mouth teased Jeanette’s wrist, he could feel the beat of her pulse as it quickened. The wild heat of her passion all but simmered under the surface. Just a taste. He could allow himself that much of her.

  River pulled her a little closer, causing their mouths to brush together. Damn, a gentle glide with his tongue was all it took to set River on edge. There was a sweet promise hovering in the air. The promise of pleasures galore if he chose to throw caution to the wind.

  Maybe this once he could touch heaven.

  Jeanette wasn’t like any other woman he’d known. She drew him in, made him ache with need and unspent desire. His loins grew heavy, and his erection threatened the fly of pants. Just that quickly, he needed her. Yet this was the one woman he couldn’t have. He couldn’t give in to his body’s demands. He couldn’t take her that way, because he had nothing to give back to her. He was too screwed up. She deserved so much better than his messed-up ass. He felt bound, utterly powerless, and that was not a good feeling for a man.

  He prided himself on keeping his distance with women. He liked them, all shapes and sizes, but he kept the relationships strictly physical. Somehow, without even bothering to try, this one small powerhouse had managed to tie his insides into knots. All logic flew out the window as a voice screamed at him to take what she offered.

  And Jeanette was offering. She gave her consent in the way her body melted into his, the way her hands clutched at his chest, and when she let loose a small moan, he knew he had to stop lest he take her right in the middle of the living room floor. But as he pulled away without allowing his tongue to journey inside her mouth, River felt an odd sensation run the length of his spine. Too late, he realized what it was, and before he could react, he was unceremoniously yanked away from Jeanette. He stumbled over a footstool and landed on his ass.

  River shook his head. “What the fuck?”

  “Oh my God!” Jeanette stepped in front of him as if to protect him, hands on her hips. “Mike, what on earth has gotten into you?”

  “This is him, isn’t it, Nett?” the unwanted visitor asked. “The guy you’re always talking about. The one who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.”

  Well, didn’t that just piss him off? Whoever the tall blond was, he had a pet name for Jeanette. Fan-fucking-tastic, this day just kept getting better.

  Chapter Three

  Jeanette turned to help River to his feet, and he let her. Once he was upright, he yanked her to his side and raked her with a look that demanded she stay put until he got some answers. She glared at him as if willing him to play nice.

  River decided he didn’t really feel like playing nice to a man who knew Jeanette as Nett. “I would introduce myself, but you seem to know me pretty well already.” He looked down at Jeanette, curious what she’d said about him. She blushed. With her long, shiny, dark brown hair in a wild and wavy mess around her shoulders, her cute ass encased in a pair of soft, tight, black cotton shorts and red short-sleeved T-shirt, she looked good enough to eat. And damn if River didn’t much care for the fact that another man was getting an eyeful of Jeanette looking so fucking adorable.

  River stepped closer to the guy until they were toe-to-toe. “She’s never talked about you,” he said, his voice low and even, belying the storm brewing inside him. “Wonder why that is?”

  “River.” Jeanette seared him with a look. “Men and your testosterone,” she muttered as she glared at Mike. “You seriously need to chill. I already have a headache, and you aren’t helping.” Mike arched a brow, and Jeanette issued one last warning. “You two will play nice and introduce yourselves like civil adults, or I’ll be the one doing the butt-kicking.”

  River heard her words, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to take his eyes off Mike. The guy was all but devouring Jeanette with his gaze, and he was doing it right in front of River. That was about more than he could take. She was his, dammit.

  No, wait. They were friends. Nothing more. Right?

  Fuck, things were getting complicated.

  “For Nett, I’ll be a good boy,” Mike said. He held out a hand as if he hadn’t just knocked River to the ground. “Name’s Mike Forrester. A…good friend.”

  River clutched the man’s hand and gave it a quick, firm shake before releasing him. He didn’t much care for the way the guy had said good friend, as if to imply there was something more intimate between them. River had had just about as much baiting as he could take. “Jeanette, would you mind brewing a pot of coffee?”

  Jeanette shook her head. “No way am I leaving you two alone together.”

  Mike smiled brightly, as if he were having the time of his life. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

  Sweetheart? What the hell was that all about? He knew damn good and well that Jeanette wasn’t seeing anyone. She’d been too busy with schoolwork. As a matter of fact, with the exception of him and his brothers, River didn’t think there were any other men in Jeanette’s life. So where had she managed to meet Mike?

  “Fine,” she muttered, “but if anything is busted, you’ll both pay dearly. I’m in no mood for any more crap today, I swear to God.”

  After she was out of sight, River turned to Mike. “Who is Jeanette to you?”

  Mike stared at River with interest. “Like I said, we’re friends.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched, the only outward sign of his rising anger. “Bullshit. I see the way you look at her.”

  He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Sure, at one time I had a real thing for her. A man would have to be blind not to find that sweet charmer attractive. I even gave it a try once.”

  River’s anger grew as Mike’s words sank in. “She’s not for you.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, well, she turned me down flat. We’ve been good friends ever since.”

  “She’s never mentioned you to me,” River mused, a little hurt that Jeanette had kept the other man a secret. “Care to explain that?”

  “There’s plenty she doesn’t tell you, Jennings,” he said. “And just so we’re clear, if you hurt my dear friend, you will pay.”

  Who the hell is this guy? River hadn’t told him a damn thing about himself, and yet Mike seemed to know plenty. It put him at a disadvantage. “Thanks for the warning, Mikey.”

  “River,” Jeanette groaned as she came back into the room.

  Her irritation was plain as the nose on her face. “For you, I’m playing nice, sunshine,” he told her. They both knew how ugly things could get otherwise. “Let’s not push it.”

  Was that possessiveness Jeanette detected in River’s tone? Since when? She could handle his anger, she could even handle his bad moods, but she wasn’t sure she could handle him if he chose to get possessive with her. He was a throwback to medieval days. Back when men found a woman they wanted and simply dragged her off to their castle. What the woman wanted was irrelevant.

  She counted to ten and kept her calm, barely. She would not allow her anger to drag her along in its wake. Truth was, she couldn’t excuse his domineering behavior, but she did understand it to some degree. She had her own streak of possessiveness, after all.

  She moved closer to him and watched as he kept his icy-green stare trained on Mike. She touched his cheek with her fingertips, enjoying the
feel of the rough stubble there, and instantly gained his full attention. “Mike is my friend, very possibly my best friend. It’s not fair for you to treat him as if he were some creep off the street.”

  River’s face closed down in an instant. “I thought you and I were best friends. Yet not once in all the time we’ve spent together have you told me about him. Why?”

  Jeanette had no idea she had the ability to hurt someone as strong as River Jennings, but she could tell by the look in his eyes that she had done exactly that. She would rather walk on hot coals than cause him pain. “I never meant to keep it a secret,” she murmured. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him that it just didn’t occur to me.”

  River stared so attentively that his lashes didn’t even flicker. It moved her to act impulsively. Rising up on her tiptoes, she touched the thin line of his mouth with her lips. It was meant to be a friendly peck, nothing more. At first he remained perfectly still, as if unsure what to make of her. Jeanette began to grow nervous, but as she tilted her head to the side to better fit their mouths together, she felt him softening. His sinewy arms came around her first, pulling her into the cradle of his body. He took over the kiss then, forcing her mouth open, demanding entrance. His kiss wasn’t gentle and coaxing. And it sure as hell wasn’t a friend kiss either. This time, he was claiming her.

  Oh God, she’d dreamed of such a kiss from him. Ached for it. Now that it was finally happening, she was too stunned to properly react. To take full advantage of it. His lethal strength wrapped her in a cocoon of passion and lust within seconds. River went to her head so quickly, it wasn’t at all fair. But to hell with it. She wanted his swift, lustful kisses as well as his soft, gentle touches. She wanted the whole of him, not just the easy friendship anymore. Not just the tame part that he let her see. She wanted the wild part of him he kept so well hidden.

  She realized no matter what her future held, this dark and mysterious man would always have her heart. She’d handed it to him the day she’d tripped and landed at his feet in the ninth grade. He’d picked up her books and helped her up. The smile he’d graced her with had sent her careening headfirst into love.