Authors: Opal Carew
“Thanks,” she said, unable to hold back a smile at his compliment.
She was used to people like Louise who disapproved of her creative abandon. She glanced at Kane, but could tell nothing from his expression. Did that include him?
Kane offered his arm.
“First, I need you to undo the necklace. I couldn’t get the clasp undone.” She lifted her long hair—still in a ponytail—out of the way as she turned her back to Kane.
“Don’t you like the necklace?” he asked.
“Of course. It’s lovely.”
He rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. She released her hair, and it swished across her back.
“I just assumed you’d be sending it back.”
“Sending it back where?” Kane asked.
Her finger slid to the large teardrop diamond.
“I don’t know. I assumed you just gave it to me for the wedding.”
“It was a gift. As was the wedding dress, the shoes, the dress you’re wearing now.”
“Oh…” She gazed up at him. “But … are they real diamonds?”
He smiled. “Of course.”
“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable—”
“Accepting a gift from your husband?”
She gazed up at him.
Kane is my husband.
Her knees felt weak.
How did I let this happen?
“I’m just … what if they got stolen?”
“Then I’d buy you something new.”
She drew in a breath, feeling overwhelmed. She wasn’t used to getting gifts from men. And certainly not expensive gifts like diamonds. She wanted to be gracious, but … they were so extravagant and … they weren’t her.
She glanced at the glittering wedding band. Except that. It was simple and lovely.
“Now let’s go for that drink.” Kane offered his arm again. She wrapped her fingers around it.
“What about my clothes and … the other things?”
“Someone will take care of that for us,” Kane answered as he led her from the room.
Will leaned in close. “Don’t worry. Now that you’ve married into money, you’ll get used to having other people handle that kind of thing.”
Her back stiffened. Did Will think she’d married Kane just because he was rich? Her cheeks flushed as she realized that
was
why she’d married him. Maybe it wasn’t just to relax and live off his money, but it
was
because of his investment … and his connections.
From Will’s comment earlier, he knew Kane had sworn her to secrecy about the arrangement, so he must know that it was a business deal of sorts between her and Kane. Her cheeks heated more. Did he think she was a gold digger, selling her body to advance her business?
A limo was waiting for them at the door and she slid inside, followed by Kane, then Will. Ten minutes later, the limo pulled into the entrance of a hotel. As she got out of the car, the skirt of the wrap dress revealed a long expanse of thigh. She quickly stood up and smoothed it down, but she’d seen the heat in Kane’s eyes as his gaze had lingered.
And that reminded her that after these drinks, he would take her to a hotel room and they’d consummate this marriage. His hands would glide over her naked skin. He’d kiss her and touch her in intimate places. Anxiety skittered through her along with shimmers of heated desire.
A uniformed man held the door open for them and they crossed the bright, noisy lobby to an elevator. When the doors opened to a lounge, it was quieter. Softly lit and carpeted, with a spectacular view of the Strip. The hostess led them to a window seat. The sun had set and the sky was streaked with orange and purple as the sunlight slowly faded and the city lights became brighter.
A waitress in a short, tight dress, cut low in front showing her ample cleavage, delivered a bottle of champagne to the table. She popped the cork and filled three glasses.
“You know, you were the one that got away,” Will said. “The one he talked about incessantly, wondering what might have been. Well, he finally trapped you,” he said with a wink, “and I truly hope you find happiness together.” He raised his glass. “To a happy life together.”
River raised her champagne and they all clinked glasses. She sipped the bubbly liquid, barely tasting it.
* * *
Kane watched his new bride. Her face had gone pale when Will made the toast and he was pretty sure she was imagining a bleak future with him. She must be feeling panicky and pressured, and probably second-guessing the rush decision.
Not that he was. He was glad he’d been able to talk her into this before she had a chance to really think it through. Because he was bound and determined to convince her that they could be happy together.
He sipped his champagne as she and Will talked. He was really glad the two of them were hitting it off. They were the two most important people in his life.
The awkward, accidental half kiss between them had surprised Kane, because he thought he’d seen a spark between them. But it was probably nothing. And even if there was something there, he trusted Will with his life. He knew Will would never take what was Kane’s.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Will?” River asked.
Will’s gaze shifted to Kane, then down to his glass.
“No. I was seeing someone, but it ended recently.”
River frowned. “I’m sorry.” Her fingertips brushed hesitantly over his hand, but then she drew them away.
“Don’t worry about Will,” Kane said. “He’s resilient.”
Will’s gaze shifted to Kane again, but he nodded and sipped his wine.
“That’s right. It was a casual thing that had been going on for some time. We’re still friends.”
“Friends with benefits?” she asked.
Will stared at his glass and Kane’s chest tightened at the sadness in his eyes.
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“You know,” Kane said, anxious to change the subject, “Will suggested you two meet and talk about your business. He thought he might have some ideas to help you with production.”
“Well, production is pretty much mixing pigment with the base, adding things like glitter or flakies, and pouring it all into the bottles.”
“I’m sure you know what you’re doing,” Will said. “I just thought I might be able to help you streamline the process. Or maybe build something that helps, like shaking the bottles.”
“I don’t think at this point I—”
Kane placed his hand on hers. “He just wants to help, River. You’re totally in charge, okay?”
“That’s right.” Will sat back. “We can do it whenever you want. Or not at all. I’m at your disposal.”
Her gaze flickered to Kane, then back to Will. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She lifted her glass to sip the champagne and the glitter of the candlelight on the diamonds in her wedding band reminded him of the velvet box in his pocket.
He pulled it out. “I almost forgot to give you this.”
He set the brown velvet box on the table. She picked it up and opened it. He had hoped her eyes would light up at the sight of the marquis-cut diamond solitaire ring, but she just stared at it, wide-eyed.
“Another gift?”
“It’s an engagement ring. I know our engagement was pretty short, but…” He pulled the ring from its soft cushion of velvet and took her hand, then slid it on her finger. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a ring.”
It looked beautiful on her long, slender finger.
She glanced at Will nervously. Of course, she’d be wondering if he knew yet.
“River, I’ve already told Will about our arrangement.”
She nodded, her cheeks staining a deep crimson and her gaze locked on her glass. She sipped deeply.
“It’s okay. He’s not judging in any way.”
Will chuckled. “And if I was, it’d be Kane I’m judging.”
Kane knew Will was making light of it to relax River, but Will had tried to talk him out of his plan. He’d thought Kane was crazy to force her into this, but he also knew that Kane always succeeded when he set his mind to something.
Will had other reasons to be unhappy, too, but he’d been supportive, knowing how much Kane needed to be with River. Knowing how long he’d been pining for her.
Kane poured River another glass of champagne.
He would make this work. He’d win her over.
And it all started tonight.
* * *
River stood beside Kane as he pushed the key card into the door then opened it. He rested his hand on the small of her back, as if he thought she might flee, and guided her into the room.
But it wasn’t simply a room. It was a huge, luxurious suite.
The first thing she saw was a sitting area with a couch and chairs arranged in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a bar on one wall and a dining area beyond with a table and chairs for six. On the table was an ice bucket with champagne, tall flutes, and a basket of fruit.
And candles. The whole suite was bathed in the soft glow of dozens of candles. The chandelier over the dining table and the lamps were dimmed so the flickering flames set a soft, romantic mood. Soft music played in the background.
Her stomach clenched. This was her wedding night. It was time to consummate the marriage.
She stood hesitantly, but Kane guided her farther into the room.
“Don’t worry. I’m not just going to throw you down on the bed and take you.”
“No, I didn’t think that,” River said.
He gestured to the couch and she sat down.
“Are you sure? Because your expression says otherwise.” He slipped off his suit jacket and laid it on the arm of a chair.
“I assumed we’d have champagne first,” she quipped.
He laughed. “Would you like some champagne?” He walked to the table and pulled the bottle from the ice.
“Yes, please.”
She noticed a gift-wrapped box—about the size of a small throw cushion—on one of the armchairs. This one was wrapped in ivory paper with a delicate tone-on-tone design, and tied with a big, red satin bow.
“Don’t tell me that’s another gift for me.”
He glanced at the box as he unwrapped the cork.
“No. That one’s really more for me.”
Her cheeks heated.
“But don’t worry about that right now. Let’s just relax.” He popped the cork. “There’s fruit here. And the basket has some chocolate.”
“Chocolate?”
He laughed and carried the two flutes in one hand and the bottle of champagne and a small box of chocolates in the other. He set everything on the coffee table in front of her, then filled the two glasses and handed her one.
He slipped the gift behind the chair, out of sight. He clearly realized the thought of slipping into skimpy lingerie made her uncomfortable and he was being sensitive to her needs. The thought made her relax a little more.
He sat down beside her and opened the box of chocolates. She sipped the bubbly liquid and set her glass down.
“Here, try this.” He held a chocolate close to her mouth.
She opened and he fed it to her. The brush of his fingertips against her lips sent shivers through her.
The smooth, dark chocolate melted in her mouth and she tasted sweet, creamy orange. She enjoyed the delectable treat as it dissolved on her tongue, and then she swallowed.
“Mmm. I love orange cream chocolates.”
“Damn. I wish I’d been the one to make your face glow like that.”
She gazed at him and saw the desire in his eyes.
Her heart rate increased.
They’d been together before—in fact, she’d been the assertive one that time—but now … after so many years … after what had happened between them …
She stared at her hand sitting on her lap and the diamonds sparkling on her finger. But now she was his wife.
And he was trying to make this night special.
She gazed into his indigo eyes, seeing a deep craving there. She tipped up her face and leaned toward him. He met her, his lips brushing hers. Lightly. She pressed her tongue into his mouth, stroking. He could probably taste the chocolate.
He stroked her tongue in return, then drew back and his eyes glittered in the candlelight as his hand curled around her cheek and jaw.
“We don’t have to rush this.”
She nodded then picked up her glass and sipped again.
“Would you like me to change?” she asked. “Maybe check out what’s in the box behind the chair?”
“What I want is for you to be comfortable and I sense that I’ve overwhelmed you.”
“But this is our wedding night and if you bought that for me…”
“It’s okay.” He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth. The light brush of his lips on her skin made her shiver.
She cleared her throat. “The chocolates are good. You should try one.”
He smiled. “Sure.” But he didn’t reach for the box.
She got the hint and selected one then brought it to his mouth. He opened and she placed it inside. His lips closed around the tip of her finger, sending goose bumps dancing along her arm. She watched his lips move a little as he enjoyed the candy. She could imagine it in his mouth. The rich chocolate smooth and sweet … melting … coating his tongue.
She couldn’t help herself. She leaned in close and pressed her mouth to his and ran her tongue along the seam of his lips. They parted and she nudged inside, tasting the sweetness of the chocolate. His was raspberry. Tasting the chocolate on his tongue was delightfully sweet and sexy.
She started to draw away, having indulged more than she’d intended, but his arms came around her and he held her close, then sucked on her tongue, drawing it deeper into his mouth. Her heart pounded as the heady delight of the chocolate, and the feel of his tongue gliding into her mouth overwhelmed her senses.
Finally, his arms loosened and she drew away, a little reluctantly.
“You like chocolate,” he said in his deep, silky voice.
“I do.”
The two words reminded her why they were here and she flushed. This was their wedding night and they were here to seal the deal.
The soft romantic song that had been playing ended and another song started. She recognized it as “Breathe” by Faith Hill, a song she really loved.
He took her hand and stood up.
“Come and dance with me.”
She stood and he guided her to a clear area on the carpet. Then his arms swept around her and he drew her close to his body. It was overwhelming, being enveloped in his arms, his masculine presence all around her.