River's Redemption: Blackwater, Book 5

by Anne Rainey

  River couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Damn, she lit his world on fire when she smiled like that. He wanted to see that smile for decades to come. He’d missed it these last few months. If he had his way, he’d never have to go another day without it again.

  Chapter Five

  “So, uh, River kissed me yesterday,” Jeanette said as she perused a rack of evening dresses.

  Fashion Wear, the store Lucy had taken her to, had a gorgeous collection of party dresses and eveningwear. Jeanette stared at a display of skirts, but all she saw was River and the heat in his gaze as he stared down at her after the kiss. Her body temperature spiked all over again. “I don’t get it,” she admitted. “It wasn’t so long ago that he was dead set on keeping our relationship out of the bedroom. Then he kisses me like I’m the most scrumptious dessert he’s ever tasted. That man is beyond annoying.”

  “Seriously?” Lucy grinned. “I can’t believe he kissed you.”

  “See?” Jeanette threw her hands in the air. “You’re as baffled as I am.”

  After they’d helped babysit the twins, River had stayed true to his word and taken her to the Blackwater Bar and Grill for dinner. It’d been the first time Jeanette felt they were out as more than friends. And he’d repeatedly found reasons to touch her, even stroking her hair and asking if she felt okay. It’d been so close to a date that Jeanette hadn’t wanted the night to end.

  Now it was Saturday afternoon and Jeanette was stuck shopping for clothes. Not her favorite pastime, for sure. She groaned for the umpteenth time as she stared at the pile of clothes Lucy had for her to try on. The woman had a full day planned. Jeanette wasn’t sure she’d survive it. “Don’t be such a sissy. They’re just clothes.”

  Jeanette cursed under her breath and grabbed the pile of colorful material. “We’ve been at it for two hours solid. My feet hurt.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes and pointed toward the dressing room. “Wow, you are such a whiner.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she groused. “This just better be worth it.” A few minutes later, Jeanette looked in the mirror of the large dressing room. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her. Amazing the difference a few scraps of material could make.

  She shored up her nerve and swung open the curtain. “Well, am I a fashion don’t?”

  Lucy’s wide-eyed star made Jeanette intensely uncomfortable. “Dang, you look absolutely gorgeous. I really had no idea.”

  Jeanette slumped. “Gee, thanks, pal.”

  Lucy shook her head and beamed a smile at her. “That came out all wrong. I just meant that the skirt looks fabulous on you. River is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you, I can promise you that.”

  Jeanette shook her head in denial of that statement before looking down at the white skirt. She tugged at the hem, willing it to grow another inch. She’d never felt comfortable with her thighs showing. Not even in the dead of summer. It made her feel vulnerable and gangly. She turned and looked into the mirror, studying herself from every possible angle. The white skirt was clingy and short, and the pale blue silk blouse with its V-neck and short sleeves was a nice touch. She looked delicate and feminine, which was the plan. The notion was foreign to her. From the time she was big enough to walk, Jeanette had been a jeans-and-T-shirt sort of girl. But River liked feminine women, right? Holly had sure been feminine. And stacked. Jeanette looked down at her chest. She so wasn’t stacked.

  She groaned. “I’m not cut out to be a sexy siren.”

  Lucy tsked. “Of course you are. You just need to open the gate and set her free.”

  Jeanette’s spirits began to lift. Yes, she could do this. River would sit up and take notice. Beg, even. No more platonic-friendship crap. “You’re right.” She smoothed the skirt down. “I’m buying this one.”

  “Atta girl. Now let’s see what else we can find in this joint that’ll make River drool.”

  Jeanette rolled her eyes. “I’d settle for more kisses like the one he gave me yesterday.”

  “River is going to get a taste of what he’s been missing all these years,” Lucy promised. “Trust me.”

  “I like the way you think,” Jeanette said, getting excited for the first time all day.

  By the time they were finished, Jeanette had three new outfits and an overstuffed credit card. But it would be worth every penny if it meant River would stop treating her like his kid sister.

  River looked at the time on his cell phone. Christ, he’d been away from Jeanette for only one day and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. What was wrong with him? They’d had a great time watching the boys with Reilly. Seeing her with the babies had warmed River. She was a natural with kids. Even when Cameron had spit up on her, she’d laughed it off and called it a badge of honor. She’d make a terrific mother.

  Afterward, they’d had dinner together. River had found it difficult to keep his hands to himself. Dropping her off at her apartment and driving home alone had been tougher than he ever could have anticipated. He’d ached to stay the night, to tuck her in and make sure she was safe. To wake her before the sun came up and make slow, sweet love to her. Instead, he’d let her go. Because it was the right thing to do. Why was he so miserable then? And she was probably laughing it up with Lucy right now. Was she thinking about him? Aching for him? He took out his cell phone and checked his messages for the tenth time. She’d said she would text him when she was finished shopping. He’d used the excuse that he’d worry if he didn’t hear from her. Not entirely untrue, but he’d also simply wanted to hear from her.

  “Earth to River,” his mom said as she took his plate and brought it to the sink.

  “Sorry, I’m a little preoccupied today.” She’d called him early to ask if he’d wanted to come to the house and have lunch. She’d made his favorite, fettuccini with Alfredo sauce. His mom’s Alfredo was the best around. He suspected she was plying him with food to soften him so he would talk about Jeanette. She was forever playing the matchmaker, and she’d been after him for years to take Jeanette out on a date and move their relationship past friendship. Up until now, River had managed to stand firm. Now, he was beginning to think he’d wasted a hell of a lot of time.

  “Do you love her?”

  Right to the point, that was Wanda Jennings. River smiled. “Whoa, let’s not get carried away.”

  A soft smile passed over her face. “She loves you. I know it.”

  He held up a hand. “I see those wheels of yours turning, but don’t get your hopes up. I’m barely back on her good side right now.”

  His mom took a drink of her ice water. “You’ve put her through a lot, you know,” she chastised. “I think maybe you were her first and last crush.” She paused before asking, “Are you afraid you’ll let her down? Not be the man she imagines you to be?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” Uncomfortable with the conversation, River stood and began pacing.

  “You’re a good man, son. I’m very proud of you. But you have to stop living in the past or you risk losing the future.” When River’s gaze met hers, he knew she spoke the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak past the rock lodged in his throat.

  She stood and came to him, placing a comforting hand against his cheek. “And River, you will have to be extra patient with her. She’s always looked at you with total adoration, but if you push her away too many times, she’s liable to take the hint and go. For good.”

  His mom was right, as always. “I love you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I love you too, sweetheart. And I want you to be happy. That’s all. Just happy. You deserve it.”

  River took her hand in his and stroked his thumb over the back of it. How many times had those hands comforted him in the middle of the night after he’d woken screaming? How many times had she stayed until the wee hours of the morning so he wouldn’t be alone with his demons in the dark? His dad had been the same way. Always there, always a pillar of strength. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anythin
g.”

  “Was Dad proud of me?” His voice came out gruffer than he’d meant it to.

  To his utter horror, his mom’s lower lip quivered, and she started to cry. Don’t panic, he told himself. You can handle this. Thankfully, he didn’t think words were needed. Instead, he took her into his arms and held her tight as she cried. The tears soaked his T-shirt, and he wished like hell he’d never opened his big mouth.

  Once she appeared to be winding down, he leaned back and saw her smiling up at him. “Do you remember the time you got in that fight at school? Grady Mason, I think was the boy’s name.”

  River frowned as the memory surfaced. “He’d been picking on Reilly, if I remember right. Why?”

  “I was so worried for you. You seemed so filled with anger in those days. You rarely smiled. But your dad always had faith in you. He was so proud of you that day.”

  His eyes widened. “He grounded me for a month because of that fight.”

  “But you were defending your brother,” she replied softly. “See, he knew you would always put family first. He had nothing but unconditional love for his sons, and don’t you ever doubt it.”

  His heart filled to bursting with emotion. “I loved him, but I don’t think I ever told him.” He looked away as tears filled his eyes. “I-I’m sorry.”

  “You might not have said it with words, but you showed it in other ways.” She patted his shoulder. “He knew, River. He always knew.”

  His hopes rose as her words penetrated the barrier of guilt around his heart. God, he was a lucky bastard. He understood the gift his parents had given him with their total acceptance. And he would always cherish it. “Thank you. I will not let you down,” he told her solemnly.

  “Of course not.” She hugged him tight. “You’re a Jennings, after all.”

  They wrapped up their conversation, and River was about to leave when his mom yanked one last promise out of him. “Bring Jeanette to dinner next week,” she said. “I haven’t seen her in a while, and I’d like to catch up.”

  He cringed. River knew his mom. Dinner was only a way for her to get her hands on Jeanette. She would attempt to play matchmaker for sure. It was what Wanda Jennings did best. Although, the idea didn’t make him want to run in fear the way it once had. Clearly, he was getting soft.

  An image of Jeanette’s shiny, dark hair and subtle curves came to mind. The pull of lust in his loins was immediate. He kissed his mom good-bye, then left her to her baking. By the time he reached his SUV, his cell phone chimed, signaling a new text. The words on the screen had him grinning like an idiot.

  I’M HOME. COME OVER ANYTIME. :)

  Within minutes, River was back at Jeanette’s apartment building. At first, he only stood in the shadowy part of the street, watching her window. She’d gotten under his skin. This need he had to protect and be near her, it was new and left him feeling exposed. River shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, still watching her window for some sign she was inside, safe. What was he doing? She deserved better than him. A guy without all the baggage would be a good start.

  As the seconds ticked by, he was suddenly struck with the odd sensation that he was the one being watched. He whipped around as if expecting to see someone behind him, but only darkness greeted him. He turned back around and just about jumped out of his skin when he came face-to-face with Jeanette.

  “Christ, woman, you scared the crap out of me.”

  She only crossed her arms and spoke in a slow, terse tone. “Why are you standing out here? Are you spying on me?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Why is it that I always feel as if I’m being chastised by my mother when I’m around you?”

  “You need chastising, Mr. Jennings.” When he began to explain that he’d merely missed her and had wanted to see if she was feeling better, she interrupted him with an imperious hand in the air.

  “You’re standing in the dark, staring at my apartment window. Some people would consider that sort of thing creepy.”

  “Don’t be so full of yourself, sunshine. I’m not stalking you.” He chuckled. “You texted me, remember?”

  “I said you could come over,” she replied. “I don’t remember saying anything about creeping around in the dark.”

  He looked her up and down, purposely perusing her figure in a slow, calculated way. Today she wore a pair of jeans. Tight jeans. He could see every supple curve of her hips and ass. “I’m not creeping around in the dark. I was just thinking about some things. People do that, you know?”

  Jeanette was beyond glad to see him, and that irked her. The velvety tone of his voice floated over her like a caress, and that irked her even more. “Oh, is that so?”

  He angled his head and came within an inch of her face and said, “Yeah, that’s so.”

  She had the most insane urge to slap his smug grin, but she decided he needed a good dose of his own medicine. So she changed tactics. All at once, she closed the distance between them, then wound her arms around his neck. “So, your reasons were completely innocent?” His cool green eyes darkened. Jeanette went up on her toes and planted a kiss on his mouth. She put everything she had into it, touching with her tongue, nipping with her teeth. When she felt his arms slowly gliding around her waist and pulling her in against the hard length of his body, Jeanette knew she had him. Trouble was, he had her too.

  Oh man, he tasted good. No woman could kiss a mouth like his and walk away with her mind in one piece. But when she felt his hands skimming over the swell of her bottom, she knew she had to put a stop to things before they got carried away.

  Pulling back the slightest but still close enough to feel his heavy breathing against her wet, swollen lips, Jeanette murmured, “Innocent, right.”

  She stepped out of his arms and hurried to go, but came up short when his arm wrapped around her waist. “You don’t get off that easily, sunshine. You started something here tonight, and there will come a day when you’ll finish it. Eagerly,” he growled.

  His voice was gravelly, as if he were as turned on as she was. River might be annoyed with her, but the deep timbre gave away how much she’d affected him with the kiss. She turned around, agonizingly aware of his close proximity. “Yes, I did start something, but one of us has to. Might as well be me.”

  He loosened his hold but still managed to keep her from bolting. His mouth crooked up at the corners. “You shouldn’t tease a man that way. It could lead to trouble.”

  She reached up and gently removed his hand from her hair. “I can honestly say I don’t have a habit of kissing and running.”

  “I know beyond a doubt that you’ve probably only kissed a handful of men your whole life. Am I right?”

  His voice was gentle. He wasn’t making fun of her, but she felt like she’d been slapped all the same. Had the kiss been that awful?

  Her back went ramrod stiff. “That’s none of your business. And now I’m tired. You might as well go home.” Again she turned to walk away, but she didn’t get more than a step before tripping over the curb and tumbling forward. She lost her footing and twisted her ankle. She cried out, and suddenly River’s strong arms were catching her. If he’d been any slower, she’d have landed on her ass. Lovely.

  He caught her up and cradled her in his arms. “See what happens when you try to run from me? Never a good idea.”

  Jeanette buried her face in his shirt. “I feel ridiculous.” She squirmed. “Please, I can walk just fine.”

  He kept his hold on her and crossed the sidewalk to her apartment. “Are you hurt?” River asked, as he glanced down at her.

  “Only my pride,” she muttered.

  “Where’s your key?”

  She slumped against him, too tired to do anything else. She fished around in her pants pocket and came out with a ring of keys. She turned them over to him with her door key facing up.

  River took them and unlocked the door, then flipped on the light. “Why don’t you have an alarm on this place?”

  That amused her
. “An alarm? Why? There isn’t anything here to steal.”

  “I was thinking of your safety, silly.” He looked around. “Jeez, this place is a wreck. Don’t you ever clean?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Must you always criticize my apartment?” River was a total neat freak, the exact opposite of her. “You will never get used to my clutter, huh?”

  He cocked his head at her. “Are you secretly a hoarder or something?”

  “River,” she warned.

  Her tone told him he was treading on dangerous ground, but he never had learned to censor himself. However, he didn’t want her getting angry on top of being in pain, so he tried to smooth over his words. “It’s not disapproval, just curiosity.”

  “Uh-huh,” she mumbled as he took her to the couch and sat her down.

  River started to argue, but the phone rang. Jeanette grabbed it off the end table. “Hello?” River watched a frown appear. “Who is this?” Whoever was on the line, it wasn’t a friend. Jeanette jerked suddenly, as if someone had slapped her. “Ew,” she muttered before hitting the END button and slamming the phone onto the table.

  River knelt in front of her. “Who was it?”

  She blinked several times and said, “The guy who stole my purse.”

  “What the hell did he say to you?”

  “He repeated my street address. Twice.”

  “How do you know it was the guy who mugged you?”

  “The voice.” She shuddered. “He has a really weird, screechy voice. I’d know it anywhere.”

  “Damn it!” River shot to his feet. “When I get my hands on that son of a bitch, I’ll kill him.”

  Jeanette stood. When she didn’t feel any pain in her ankle, she went to River and forced him to stop pacing and look at her. “No, you will not touch the guy. We’re letting the police do their job.”

  He glared at her. “Fine, but you’re coming with me.” His voice was as cold as ice. “You can’t stay here alone. Not now.”

  “It’s not really practical for me to live with you, River. We don’t have any idea how long it’ll take to catch him.” Her nose shot up in the air in a show of defiance. “I’m capable of handling this on my own.”