I give him a funny look. Maybe it’s time for me to get out of here. “Since when have you worried about practicalities? Beach hopping in a combi sounds like perfection to me.”
“Since you’re planning on camping in my van—sorry,yourvan—for the foreseeable future. It’s not safe, Dove, not when you’re on your own.”
His words send a churning to my stomach. Why does he care so much? “You could come with me.” I have no idea where the suggestion comes from. I should be outraged he thinks I can’t take care of myself.
His blue eyes lock with mine. They are as dark as the ocean tonight and send a shiver through me with their intensity. He takes my hand,lacing our fingers together. “Are you okay? You can tell me if you’re not, maybe I can help.”
That’s a little too sweet and dangerous for a girl in my position. I pull my hand free, unease settling in. Being so close to him is disarming my tough-girl act, and I can’t afford to slip back into the past. The way I felt about him back then was just puppy love, a crush on a boy I knew I could never really have. They all had this way of making me feel special, and River was no exception, but that was all so long ago, it doesn’t mean anything now. “Don’t get all serious on me, River, you’re the one I can rely on for a good time, not a lecture.”
His head drops. “I’m worried about you, Dove. It might have been a long time since I saw you last, but we were close once, and you turn up here with nothing to your name, covered in bruises and a couple of broken ribs. I would be asking any of my mates the same questions if they did.”
I place a hand on his thigh and give it a squeeze. “Don’t waste your time worrying about me. I’m a big girl, I can look after myself these days.”
“Baby, even when you were gone, I was worried about you. Let me help, I can give you a place to stay, whatever else you need. Just say the word.”
I shake my head. Yeah, it’s real sweet he’s offering, but in my experience, a man gives you anything, he wants something in return, and I can’t afford to make that mistake again.
He tosses back his drink then motions for the bartender to bring him another one. I play with my straw, not sure where to go now. I need to get out of here, but it’s nice catching up with him. It feels normal, and with the week I have had, I need normal.
“How’s your dad?” he asks after some time.
My heart constricts; I’m not sure I can talk to him about him. About what we went through, the pain is still so raw. I nibble my bottom lip.
He squeezes my hand, the gesture too kind.
My head drops so I don’t have to look at him, too scared I might burst into tears. “He…he died, Riv, cancer. A few years back.”
“Oh, shit, Dove, I’m so sorry.” His arm snakes around mine, and he pulls me into his chest, kissing the top of my head, like no time has passed between us at all. He holds me close for so long I lose track of time.
Eventually I pull back from him. This is too comfortable, and I need to make my exit before I give into temptation. “That’s life, right? That’s why you have to make the most of it.” I throw my drink back, wishing it could numb the pain, but nothing will. My broken ribs are one thing, the emptiness inside me, another. River’s arm on me feels too good, too natural, and I know I want more; I always did when it comes to him. And that would be a terrible idea. “Thanks for the drink, Easten. I’m going to get going.”
As I pull away completely, his eyes lock with mine, and I have no idea what this is, but something has shifted between us since we were kids. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia or maybe it’s something else, I have no idea. I just know I have to leave before this surprisingly comfortable reunion between two old friends becomes a mistake I can’t take back. Kissing Slater when I was pissed with him is one thing, but River is different. I might not ever be able to leave.
“Stay a little longer,” he pleads, his damn charming smile making it all the way to his cheeky dimples. Why does he have to be so irresistible.
My head drops, looking into his eyes is way too dangerous. “I can’t, Riv.”
He pulls me back to him closer, his hand coming to my chin. “You won’t.” He’s so close I think he’s going to kiss me. My heart races like mad, not sure what to do. He smells so good, like coming home. Like diving into the ocean on a hot summer’s day. It’s a feeling I thought I might never experience again. And I know I’m not sticking around for long, so maybe this is the only chance I will ever get to…
His lips meet mine. And it’s like the earth stops spinning. I have imagined what it would be like to have River Easten kiss me for so damn long I can hardly believe it’s real. But the way he tilts my head just so as he deepens the kiss is so very real, his tongue taking control, nudging my lips open. I give him full access. He tastes of whiskey and salt, and I want it all.
My hand laces into his long hair, and I kiss him back just as passionately. He caresses me like I’m fragile, his large body surrounding me as he presses me to the back of the booth, the hand around my neck holding me in place. I could get lost here with him, let him take away the pain lodged in my chest. I’m sure he could. At least for tonight.
“I can’t even tell you how much I missed you, baby,” he mummers into my lips. His words send my heart into overdrive because I missed him too, so much it hurts. His hand skates up my thigh, toying with the hemline of my shorts.
Oh, dear God, this man is intoxicating. Heat radiates off me at an alarming rate, my hips rising off the booth seat, telling him I want more.
“I asked you to watch her, not make out with her.” A voice comes from behind us. A very distinct, harsh voice. Kasen. I swear my heart nearly stops. Fuck, what is he doing here?
I distance myself from River, a sudden icky feeling washing over me. My eyes go wide as his meet mine, and they are filled with guilt. Anger and hurt vibrate through me. “You called him?”
River reaches for my hand, but I shove him off me. “You didn’t give me a lot of choice, baby. You’re injured and homeless. This town is no place for a girl like you to be all alone at night.”
I pull away aggressively, frustration vibrating through me. “Fuck you,” I spit, ready for a fight. Standing in a rush, I flip over the back of the booth, needing to be away from him.
Sadness washes over him. “Come on, Dove, what did you expect me to do?”
My eyes narrow in on him. Out of any of them, I thought he might be different, but I guess what they all say is true. Kasen fucking Throne rules this town just like his dad did before him. “Have my back. I should have known you three would stick together.” I’m making a scene now, I know I am, but I don’t care. I’m not leaving here with Kasen just because he says I have to. Says I’m his. It’s bullshit.
