Nailed Read Free Page B

have a guaranteed minimum order for a collection for all four seasons, plus a holiday collection. And exclusivity is only guaranteed for one year. After that you can continue the arrangement or choose to supply other stores. You can really go either way. With them you’ll be established as a high-end product and can charge whatever you like for your polish. Probably in the thirty-to-fifty-dollar range. If you open up to other stores, you’ll probably want to drop your price, or come out with a more affordable line for department stores, but keep a more exclusive line for Rapture.”
    Her heart was in palpitations and her breathing uneven. Here he was casually talking about her polish being sold by Rapture  … and she was still getting over the shock that such a thing was even possible.
    “I don’t know how … I mean … they’ll really carry my polishes?”
    *   *   *
    Kane’s heart swelled at the sight of the subdued joy in her eyes. She blinked, clearly in disbelief.
    He leaned forward and took her hand, pleased when she didn’t jerk it away.
    “Yes, River. They really will.”
    “But…”
    He thought he saw tears shimmering in her eyes, but she blinked them back.
    “Why did you do this?”
    He compressed his lips. “I want to make up for what happened between us.”
    Now she snatched her hand from his, her head shaking. “You can’t … this won’t…”
    He took her hand again, and held it tight enough she couldn’t pull it away. “But it’s a start.”
    She stared at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. He released her hand and she leaned back in her chair. She picked up her glass and finished the liqueur. As soon as she put it down, he refilled it.
    “I’ll have to work quickly,” she said. “They want five hundred bottles?”
    “Actually, seven hundred. For now. Then they want you to deliver another five hundred within a month after that.”
    “Seven hundred bottles,” she said, her voice a little shaky. She stared at her hands, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll get going on that. Thank heavens I already have three hundred ready to go.” She raised her gaze to his. “I’ll get it done.”
    “I know you will. And if there’s anything I can do to help…”
    She tipped her head. “You want to help mix nail polish and fill bottles?” she asked doubtfully.
    He laughed. But in fact, the thought of spending countless hours working by her side, sleeves rolled up, helping her achieve her dream held a certain appeal. Especially the idea of being alone with her.
    “I’m happy to do that, but there are more efficient ways I could be of use. Like supplying staff to help you get the work done.”
    She shook her head. “No, that would increase the expenses. I don’t have enough up-front capital.”
    “It’s not a problem if I pay for them.”
    She frowned. “Get this straight right now. I will not accept charity from you.”
    “Fair enough. But if I’m your partner, it’s not charity.”
    “What? No. No way. You are not my partner.”
    He shrugged. “The only way to get the deal with Rapture is if I’m a partner. Francoise won’t make a deal like this with an unknown entity. She knows me and knows if I’m involved, she has no worries about the product being delivered on time and being of the highest quality.”
    His heart ached at the disappointment etching her eyes.
    Her hands clenched around the armrests and she pushed herself to her feet. “Well, I should have known it was too good to be true.” She started across the room. “Good night.”
    “River, wait. Are you really going to walk away from this deal for such a small thing?”
    She spun around, glaring at him. “Small? Giving up control of my company to you?”
    He stood and walked toward her. “Sweetheart, I’m not taking over your company.”
    “Don’t call me sweetheart,” she said through gritted teeth.
    “I’ll simply be an investor. You will control the company.”
    She planted her hands on her hips.