“How about we take my SUV.” He nudged her toward his black four-wheel drive. “After we’re done, we can stop at the Blackwater and grab a bite to eat.”
“Good plan,” she replied, grinning up at him before walking ahead to his Chevy Blazer.
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.