Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 10

KIMBALL

Why the hell did I ask Nathan to come to my house and hang out? What was I thinking? How am I going to get through spending time with him and not jump the man like he’s a damn bronco and I’m a cowgirl?

Okay, maybe I should do that.

But the problem is that I know I wouldn’t be able to keep my feelings out of it. I’ve never been good at that kind of thing. I’m all in or I’m not and it’s just as simple as that.

There was just something about the way he was looking at me—with so much longing and yearning I could feel it from the top of my head to the tips of my toes—and I couldn’t ignore it. I tried.

I tried to stand strong and be a badass bitch with an ice encrusted heart. The thing is, I’m not that person.

Sure it might have taken a little bit of time, but he came to me, on his own, and put himself out there to be vulnerable and apologize to me. I believe it was even sincere. That must count for something in this world where far too many people refuse to acknowledge their faults, their reasoning, and the hurt they inflict on other people.

While there are people who might see what was driving his behavior as excuses, I don’t. Was his anger misplaced when it came to me? Absolutely.

The thing is, he didn’t know that at the time and his emotions were already heightened because he couldn’t reconcile what he was dealing with, in a very real situation, with his clients, and the ideal of his grandfather. Honestly, even though I had to endure his misplaced anger, the whole thing is kind of sweet.

I shake my head and chuckle at the thought as I log out of my computer and shut it down. The last few tasks I had to get done today will still be there tomorrow. They’re there every day.

I’ll always think that spending time with the animals is more important than anything I can do in this office. Maybe cuddling with Midnight was self-serving, but it wasn’t entirely selfish.

She benefits from it as well.

Kind of.

“Are you going to put that fine man who came into see you out of his misery?” Sadie’s voice makes me jump and I stumble a little bit when I bounce off the corner of my desk. I look at her with wide eyes to find her shoulders shaking as she tries to hold in her laughter. “He’s sitting out in the parking lot like he’s waiting for you.” With her eyebrow arched, her eyes are filled with far too much knowledge for her age, “You gonna make his whole life and let him in?”

“Jeez, Sadie,” I gasp and press a hand to where my heart is still pounding in my chest while I narrow my eyes at the girl in front of me. “Why are there times when you’re the most immature chick I’ve ever met and then times when your old soul peeks out at me?”

Sadie’s grin is wide and filled with joyful abandonment as she wiggles her eyebrows at me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she deflects while rubbing her nails on her the shoulder of her shirt like she’s buffing them.

I can only chuckle at her antics and shake my head. “Sure you don’t,” I tease her and stick my tongue out at her.

Sadie’s face turns serious, and I find myself holding my breath, curious about what she’s going to say next. “You’ve been different and kind of off since you went out to Mr. Jacobson’s place. When I started hearing rumors about his grandson being in town, I figured he might have something to do with it. I was willing to let it play out and see what happened and I’m glad I did because he looked nervous and scared as hell when he came in this afternoon to see you.”

My eyes widen and I gasp, “He was?”

“Oh yeah,” she giggles, “sweaty palms and all. I thought for sure he was going to stutter, but no such luck on that front,” she pouts a little. “I hoped he was going to make whatever he did right. A guy doesn’t look like he’s drowning in guilt too often.” She huffs and rolls her eyes. “If they think they’re right then they get all cocky and fucking impossible.”

“Language,” I scold her.

It doesn’t have the desired effect, probably because I’m grinning at her the whole time. She plants her hands on her hips and shoots me a look that screams ‘really?’.

She points at me and sasses, “You know I’m right.”

I hold my hands up in surrender. “You aren’t wrong, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah, that’s because I’m right,” she grumbles under her breath. With a wave toward the front of the building she prods me, “Now go out there and give the man a break and make his dream come true. We’re good here. You deserve some fun and maybe, hopefully, a little love.”

My mouth falls open as my brain scrambles for something, anything to say to her. Before I can, she’s gone.

With a shake of my head, part in consternation and part in pure awe, I grab my purse and head out of my office making sure to lock my door as I go. The thought of Nathan being nervous to come and see me and apologize has a giddy feeling rushing through my veins.

He seemed confident when I spun around in the cat room, but maybe that was more bluster than reality. I was also not expecting to see him and was more than a little flustered. All I could see was him and the sincerity in his apology.

My own nerves kick up a I head straight out the rescue door and into the parking lot. He’s parked right next to my truck, and I wonder if he did that on purpose or if it’s a happy accident. Either way, it brings a smile to my face.

When I’m closer, he hops out of Mr. Jacobson’s truck and comes right to me. There’s an ease in the way he slips my purse from my shoulder and laces the fingers of his other hand with mine. He keeps glancing at me as he leads me to my truck.

It’s almost like he’s expecting me to disappear from right in front of him. My stomach flutters and my heart damn near melts.

“You remembered which truck is mine?” My question is a whisper, a thought barely floating on the wind.

But he hears it. “Of course,” he confirms. He shakes his head ruefully and murmurs, “I’ve been replaying meeting you in my head and regretting it more and more with every run through. There’s no way I could ever forget which truck is yours.”

The entire time he’s talking, he’s staring into my eyes and allowing me to see the truth there. There is regret in his eyes that has me taking a step closer to him.

“Stop beating yourself up about it,” I urge him softly. “You explained yourself and I’ve forgiven you. Let’s move on.”

Nathan smiles and I swear the sun is shining down on me with that one simple act. My heart flutters in my chest and I barely stop myself from reaching up and rubbing that spot in the middle of my chest.

“Thank you,” his voice is a gentle rasp and filled with so much more than those two simple words convey.

I nod and then wink at him. “You gonna follow me?”

“Yeah, Kitten,” he reaches up and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, “I’ll follow you.”

Why the hell does it feel like he’s not only talking about our plans to head to my place? I shake that feeling off because it’s far too soon for such big emotions. Far too early.

My jaw almost falls to the ground when he opens my truck door, waits for me to get in, and then reaches around me to buckle me in. How does this man render me speechless so easily?

Then he follows that sexy as hell display up with a forehead kiss and I fucking melt at the same time that my nipples go hard. After winking at me, he jogs back around to the driver side of his grandpa’s truck and gives me a look filled with patient urging.

Right. I’m driving and he’s following.

“Forehead kisses should not render me stupid,” I mutter under my breath as I pull out of the rescue and head toward my place.

It’s not much, but it’s enough for me. I’m nervous to see his reaction to my apartment.

I sigh because he probably has something nicer considering he lives in the city and is a lawyer. I snort out a laugh because it might be nicer, but it’s probably a bachelor pad.

“Don’t have sex with him, Kimball,” I try and give myself a small pep talk when we park in front of my building and Nathan is out of his car and striding my way faster than I can blink.

The man has a look of determination on his face that takes my breath away.

Climb him and ride him until you’re both sweaty and satisfied.

Nathan looks into my eyes as he opens my door and unbuckles me with so much heat that I swear he can read my inner thoughts. Or maybe the need I see in his eyes he sees reflected back at him in mine.

I can feel the heat coming from him and soaking into my back as he follows me to my place. I glance back at him nervously before I open my door.

“It’s not much,” I admit and wince.

Why the hell did I just say that? The need to face palm myself is riding me hard, but I resist. There’s no need to make myself look even worse in front of this man.

Nathan shrugs one shoulder like the size or state of my place doesn’t matter. “I just want to spend time with you, Kimball. I don’t care about anything else.”

Damn it. My heart fucking melts with his words, and I screw up my courage and lead him into my place. He takes it in with one sweep of his eyes and a small smile grows on his face.

I was honest with him, it’s not much.

When he looks at me again, there’s an intensity in his eyes that has my breaths coming out in pants. “It suits you.”

“Oh?” I cross my arms across my chest and arch an eyebrow in challenge. “How so?”

He looks around again, his feet moving through my space so he can get a closer look at the pictures on the wall and the books on my shelf. I’m not sure why it feels so right to have him in my space, but it does.

“It’s cozy,” he starts and glances at me over his shoulder. “It feels like a place you can call home, a place where you feel safe and comfortable.” He turns toward me and meets my gaze. “Like I said, it suits you.”

I swallow hard as a bright smile takes over my face. I’m not used to getting compliments and I’ve never been great at accepting them. Coming from him? I find it’s a little bit easier.

I’m not sure I’m ready to examine why that is.

The longer we stand and stare at each other, the more labored our breathing becomes. It feels like my heart is slowing down along with the passing of time as we soak up being in my space together, but it also feels like my heart is racing far too fast.

Should I be concerned? Is this what a heart attack feels like?

Fuck. You want him. You’re not having a heart attack.

I blink at Nathan and bite my bottom lip. There’s a desperate need for me to close the distance between us, but something holds me back at the same time.

“Kimball,” his voice is strained like he’s barely holding himself back.

“Nathan,” I whisper, need clawing through the word and making itself obvious.

I don’t know who moves first and it doesn’t matter. One moment we’re standing there and taking in each other like it’s the last chance we have to do so. The next, our mouths are fused together in a kiss that is both chaste and filled with fire.

His hands grip my ass and pull me tighter against the length of his body like he can’t help but want me closer, needs me closer. I gasp and he takes full advantage by stroking his tongue into my mouth and finding my own.

He tastes fucking delicious, and I let out a moan. After swallowing down the sound, he grunts, his fingers digging into my ass. He explores my mouth with his togue, memorizing me the same way I’m doing to him.

I never want to forget.

I never want to lose this moment.

If I could live in it, I would.

As he slows down the kiss, I reach up and grip his shoulders trying to encourage him to give me more. Needing in.

“Nathan, please,” I beg against his lips.

The way his mouth tips up in a smile, the connection between us not breaking completely, might be considered arrogant on anyone else. Not on him. Not when he looks down into my eyes with such contentment in his gaze.

“Fuck,” he growls, “I want you so damn bad, Kitten.”

I blink and nod vigorously. I want him too. It’s been too long, and I’ve never experienced this kind of desire before.

I swear it could knock me on the ass if I’m not careful.

“But I won’t have you tonight,” he pants out the words and his fingers tighten on my body like he never wants to let me go.

“What? Why?” My voice is filled with bewilderment. “I want you too,” I admit, wanting to make sure he knows and there isn’t anything to question between us.

Is that what’s holding him back? Is he worried I don’t want him like he wants me?

Silly man.

“I never want you to feel like this thing,” he motions between us, “is just about getting in your pants. I want to savor this and you.”

I snort out a laugh, even while part of me melts at his declaration and my face heats with embarrassment. I decide to own that shit and not react. “What if it is just about getting in your pants,” I counter.

Nathan throws his head back and laughs. The sight of it and the pure joy radiating from him has me freezing in place. He has a great fucking laugh.

“Oh, you can use me, Kitten,” he leans down and nuzzles right where my neck and shoulder met, “I don’t mind at all.”

He kisses my skin leaving delicious tingles in his wake. It does nothing to curb the desire I’m feeling toward him.

“I want to get to know you,” he insists.

I nod and then bury my face against his chest, my breathing heavy. I need a moment to get my shit together or else I’ll be climbing him like a damn tree.

“I can pop some popcorn,” I suggest, “and you can choose a movie?”

I look up at him with hopeful eyes and he just nods. By the time I’m back, the smell of almost burnt popcorn fills my apartment, he’s sitting in the middle of my couch with his legs spread and his focus on my TV as he looks through the streaming services I have.

My tone is full of snark when I quip, “What’s up with you taking up most of the couch?”

He chuckles and pats his hands on either side of him against the back of the couch where his arms are stretched and showing off his impressive wingspan. Is that why it felt so comfortable and safe being in his arms?

Huh.

“I didn’t know which side you preferred but wanted to make sure I was next to you either way,” he tells me with a damn twinkle in his eye. “Since we’re watching a movie, I expect cuddles.”

With my giggle filling the room, I move toward him, choose a side, and settle right into his side. Like I’m going to turn down cuddles? Yeah, not gonna happen.

“Smart,” I grumble at him which causes him to wink.

“I thought I might have to follow you into the kitchen when the burnt popcorn smell started to waft around.”

I scoff and gently slap his shoulder. “Whatever, I just wanted to get as many kernels popped as possible. It’s not burnt,” I insist while holding the bowl up for him to inspect.

He grins like he’s just won the damn lottery and plucks a handful out of the bowl. It’s a big handful as well. I get lost for a moment examining his forearms and hands.

A man’s hands are sexy as hell.

They can cause destruction. They can create immense beauty. They can give so much pleasure.

“I would have shared,” I huff out and roll my eyes, but there’s no real heat in my words. I nod toward the TV and ask, “Did you decide on something.”

“Are you good with action flicks? Superheroes?” He eyes me a little warily as he asks about what kinds of movies I like.

“No,” I deadpan, “it must be a romantic comedy or drama for me to watch it. Otherwise, I’m out.”

I keep a serious expression on my face, but the wide-eyed look, full of worry, that he shoots me has a laugh bubbling up. I can’t stop it in time.

He grumbles something under his breath before giving me a pointed look. I hold my hands up in surrender and shoot him an apologetic look.

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” I sass at him, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders and tucks me deeper into my side. “I’m good with whatever, but you can never go wrong with superheroes,” I tell him honestly.

It’s not a lie either. I am good with anything he chooses. I have a feeling I won’t be able to ignore him and all the places where our bodies are touching.

The only thing stopping me from saying something inappropriate is the popcorn. With the number of times Nathan looks at me, I’m not the only one struggling here.

But he doesn’t do anything more than cuddle me and find excuses to shower me in little touches while we watch a movie. Even when I cook a simple dinner and we’re eating, he brushes against me or touches my arm subtly. It’s driving me up the wall, but it’s also nice that he doesn’t want to jump into bed with me.

The conversation between us is easy and light. I hang on every word as he talks about where he lives, but my heart aches when I realize that he doesn’t have much there beyond his job.

I’m pretty much married to the rescue because I love it so much, but it’s not the only thing that takes up space in my life. Whenever he talks about his job, I can feel the stress radiating off him. I’m not even sure he’s aware of it because it’s become the norm for him.

When dinner is done and the sun has long since set, he looks at me with yearning in his eyes. I almost ask him to stay, but I bite my tongue.

He kisses my forehead, a-fucking-gain, and whispers against my skin, “I loved spending time with you Kimball. Can I see you again?”

I nod, a dreamy floaty feeling taking up residence in my body. That feeling stays with me long after Nathan’s gone.

Right up until I realize that he never asked for my number, and I never offered it up.

Well, shit. What now?