Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 13

KIMBALL

The scent of coffee teases my senses as I blink my eyes open. My eyebrows pull together because I don’t understand why or how I’m smelling coffee. I always say I’m going to program my coffee maker, but I never do.

I stretch, my body feeling deliciously sore and making me freeze.

Everything that happened last night comes rushing back to me. Nathan showing up at my door and bringing me food and some flowers. Eating and laughing with him in a way that made me feel like we’ve known each other our whole lives instead of only a matter of days—one of which wasn’t a good interaction at all. Him carrying me to the couch and settling in to watch a movie with me.

We didn’t make it through the movie.

I wanted him, and he wanted me just as much. The way he made me feel and the pleasure he gave me was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It was like he knew exactly what to do and how I needed him to touch me to make me feel the most pleasure.

My cheeks heat up and I press my hands there as I fight back the urge to let out a girlie squeal. When I roll over and press my face against the pillow he used last night, I get a hint of his spicy scent there. It makes me relax on the bed as I take a few deep breaths.

I could get used to waking up to coffee in the air and the lingering scent of Nathan in my bed. The thought has me freezing and a feeling of loss and sadness creep in because this isn’t his home. He’s just visiting.

I’ve never been one to get involved with the tourists and visitors to Sweetwater Valley because having a fling just isn’t the kind of person I am. I’ve never judged those who can do it, but I know where my boundaries are.

I hate saying goodbye. There are already too many goodbyes in my life with all the animals we take in at the rescue and then find homes for. I don’t think I could handle having those same kind of goodbyes in my life when it comes to people.

I’ve never even really been tempted by any of the people coming and going through Sweetwater Valley before. Nathan is different. It was almost like I didn’t have a choice in the matter.

I’m not sure if that pisses me off or makes me sad. Maybe a little bit of both.

There’s no way I could ever ask him to stay. Not after he talked about his life in the city and the amount of time and effort that he’s put into working towards his dreams there. I would feel guilty for even suggesting that he give any of it up.

And I’m not going to leave Sweetwater Valley. I can’t. My entire life is here and the work I do at the shelter is something I could never walk away from. Those animals need me and while I’m sure someone else would step up into the role, I’m not sure I would recognize myself if I walked away. It’s a part of who I am, a part I’m proud of.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I mumble, “it was just a bit of fun.”

With that, I stand up and hustle into the bathroom to do my morning routine. I need to go into the rescue soon, but I need a moment to myself first to get my shit together. While I’m glad I didn’t wake up alone, if the scent of coffee in my apartment is any indication, I’m not sure how I’m going to face Nathan.

Maybe it would have been easier if he had just slipped away.

My heart aches at the thought. If he had it would have been a first for me, but isn’t there a first time for everything?

It doesn’t take me too long to get dressed, but a little longer to muster up the courage to leave my room. I can hear him moving around in what I assume is my kitchen and I find myself smiling without even realizing it.

It’s going to hurt when he leaves and goes back home.

Knowing I can’t put it off much longer, I force my feet to carry me out to the living room. The moment I enter, Nathan’s gaze snaps up from where he’s cooking at my stove and a breathtaking grin covers his face. My heart starts to pound as uncertainty sweeps through me.

I’m not sure I can do this.

“Hi,” I squeak.

Nathan’s deep, amused chuckle makes me fidget where I’m standing. Okay, it’s not only the sound of his amusement, but also the sight greeting me.

He’s standing in my kitchen with only his jeans on. His bare feet are peeking out from the bottom and his chest is on display. My mouth goes dry while my nipples pebble. Thankfully, I’ve already put on a bra or else he would be able to see the evidence of exactly what he does to me by only existing.

“You know, I was hoping to bring you breakfast in bed,” he pouts slightly as his eyes roam over my body. “I had a whole plan to wake you up with my face between your thighs so you could have some breakfast after I enjoyed mine.”

My body shudders with desire and need. His words ignite something in my gut, and I press my thighs together hoping to alleviate the ache. It doesn’t help. Not even a little bit.

“Sorry to ruin your plans,” I tease him to cover up the way I want to jump on him and take him up on his offer.

From the way he’s smirking at me, I do a piss poor job of covering for myself. Oh well.

He points to the small table and demands, “Go have a seat, Kitten. I’m just about to plate up your omelet.” When my eyebrows go up, he gives me a sheepish grin. “I wasn’t sure if you had specific meals in mind for what’s in your fridge, so it’s a cheese omelet. I hope that’s okay?”

“Sounds delicious,” there’s a dreamy quality in my voice that I can’t even try to hide.

When was the last time someone cooked for me? Probably when I lived at home with my parents. None of the guys I’ve tried to date, which was so long ago anyway, ever cooked for me. I frown at the thought because I never really thought about how they never stepped up to care for me.

There were always other problems with those guys that the fact that they liked how I was willing to take care of them, while not reciprocating, never occurred to me. It should have.

Maybe that was the underlying problem? It certainly was easier to say that we didn’t have anything in common or had different dreams of the future. Then there was the one guy who cheated on me, which is a hard pass for me to even consider continuing the relationship.

“How do you like your coffee?” Nathan’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up to find him watching me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Hopefully, he’s thinking that I’m just not a morning person and has no idea I’m considering what has been missing with my previous relationships. I lick my lips and swallow hard before telling him, “Far too much sugar than is probably healthy and a splash of creamer.”

The way he scrunches up his nose has me giggling softly, but he doesn’t comment and goes about making my coffee along with his own. The lack of judgement, and simple acceptance, has tears pricking the back of my eyes. It’s so damn sweet I can hardly stand it; and just what I need.

Nathan sets a plate down in front of me, along with my perfectly made coffee, and then joins me with his own. When he looks at me, his eyebrows pull together, and he reaches over and smooths his thumb on the edge of my mouth as if to stop the scowl on my face.

“What’s going on in that head of yours, Kitten?”

Fuck. His voice. It does something to me. It almost makes me forget about my wayward thoughts.

But it’s not a good idea to talk about past relationships with the person you’re currently doing…whatever it is we’re doing. Right?

Shit. I’ve never been great at relationship stuff. It wasn’t just the guys who I didn’t work out with; sometimes the problems were with me.

I was told more than once that my commitment to the shelter was just too much for them to handle. I wasn’t willing to apologize for making it a priority, and not just because it’s a job I love. Even when I tried to tell them that it was more than a job, that it is a calling, they never understood.

I had one guy get really pissed at me because I had to leave a date early when I got a call that I was needed at the shelter because a stray needed help. The dog was skin and bones with matted hair and open sores. It was heartbreaking.

That heartbreak became magnified when there was nothing that could be done to help the stray. Sometimes you have to weigh quality of life over quantity. Later, when I finally got home, my heart hurting, there was no one there to give me the comfort I desperately needed.

Talk about compounding the problem.

It was the last guy I tried dating. It felt like a punch to the gut to have someone dismiss what was so important to me and not even consider the way it would impact me. I decided then to stop trying to force something that just wasn’t meant to be.

Now, Nathan has walked into my life like a damn dream.

“You like to take care of me,” I whisper into the silence that’s settled around us at the table.

Nathan’s dark brown eyes peer into mine and soften in a way that has the tension in my shoulders and the worry about how all of this is going to crash down around us when he leaves floating away. It’s dangerous, but I don’t really care right now.

“You need someone to have your back, Kimball,” his voice drops an octave and goosebumps cover my skin. “It would be an honor to be that someone and take care of you so that you can be at your best to help those who don’t have a voice and need you in their corner.”

Fucking hell.

And there it goes.

My heart.

How in the world did this man drop into my life—at first with his scowls and accusations—and steal my heart away from me?

Instead of looking deeper into that train of thought, I tuck into the omelet he’s made and make happy little sounds with the first bite. It’s delicious. I eye him and then my fridge.

“Did you put some magic in here because this is the best omelet I’ve ever had,” I tease him.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Can’t give away all my secrets just yet,” he counters with a wink.

We eat in silence, and I studiously ignore all the unasked and unanswered questions between us. I can just enjoy these moments with him, for as long as they last. And then I can let him go when it’s time.

Even if it’ll hurt.

As I take my last bite, I smile at the man who has made it feel like my entire world has turned on its head without even trying. I shake my head and lean over to kiss his cheek.

His lips part in surprise as his eyes roam over my face. I have no idea what he sees in my expression, but it’s enough for him to gently grip my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He holds me in place, not allowing me to move away from him. His eyes lock with mine before he presses the sweetest kiss to my lips.

“I like your kisses,” I whisper.

His eyes darken with desire and then he’s kissing me again. I can taste coffee on his tongue as he makes my body light up from the inside out. With a groan, he pulls away from me and frowns.

“You’re pure fucking temptation, Kitten. You have no idea how much I want to carry you back to your bed and spend the day in it with you.”

My eyes widen and I let out a needy sound from the back of my throat. I don’t think I’ve ever made the sound before. It wasn’t sexy; at least I don’t think so. From the feral glint in Nathan’s eyes, he disagrees.

“I think I’d like that,” I murmur without even thinking.

Nathan sighs and shakes his head. “Only in theory. You’d feel badly for not going in and doing what you do best.” He glances over at the clock on my wall and huffs out a breath. “And I would feel bad for leaving Grandpa to do the chores.”

Oh, fuck. As if the man hasn’t already stolen all my heart? He goes and says something so damn sweet and thoughtful.

“You’re a good man, Nathan.”

He hums and shakes his head as he gently releases his hold on me. “You know, before I came here, I don’t know if I could have agreed with you. It seems the fresh air and the lack of criminals agrees with me,” his tone is light.

Even though I know he’s joking, there’s some truth underlying his words. It’s also a reminder that this isn’t his home, and he has a life he’ll have to get back to. Eventually.

Before my mind can go down that road, he kisses my forehead and gathers our plates and gets them put away in the small dishwasher that I rarely use since I’m normally just cooking for myself and don’t make a lot of dirty dishes by myself.

“You ready to head out?” I’m damn proud of myself when my voice doesn’t crack, even though I feel it right there waiting to prove just how much this man has gotten to me.

Nathan tilts his head slightly and deadpans, “Not before you give me your number, Kitten.”

I laugh and tease him, “Oh? You want my number? You gonna ask for it?”

There’s a sparkle in his eye with my challenge. He lobs back, “Do I need to?”

“Nope,” I pop the p.

After we exchange numbers, the smile on Nathan’s face making my heart pound in my chest, he walks with me out to my truck. The way he has his hand on the small of my back is something I could get used to.

Just another way he’s showing me that he wants to care for me.

He makes sure I’m safely bucked in my truck, which he does himself, before kissing me until we’re both panting. I can feel his reluctance to walk away. It’s warring with his obligation to Mr. Jacobson in his eyes.

“Damn, Kitten,” he growls before giving my forehead a kiss, stepping back, and closing the door to my truck.

He strides over to his grandfather’s truck and hops inside, shooting me an expectant look that tells me he’s waiting for me to pull out first. Warmth fills me and I smile.

My smile doesn’t dim. No, it grows when I head to the rescue and then straight to Midnight’s kennel to give her the snuggles that she deserves. It’s still there hours later when I’m at my desk and catching up on some paperwork.

When my phone rings, I answer it by chirping, “Hi best friend, aren’t you supposed to be working?”

Hailey laughs on the other end of the call. “I’m on lunch right now which is why I’m taking a moment to call you. I heard through the gossip mill that a certain grandson of a certain animal lover was seen in the grocery store yesterday picking up some food and flowers. Do you know anything about that?”

“I might,” I tease her, but don’t tell her what I know she’s dying to know.

“Damn it, Kimball. Tell me everything right now,” she demands.

I do. I tell her everything while leaving out certain details that she doesn’t need. When I’m done, she sighs, and I go on high alert.

“You know I love you, right?”

“Right,” I answer tentatively.

“I’m worried about this for you,” she whispers.

I know why and I should have known my best friend would notice on the way happiness and contentment had filled every word as I recounted getting to know Nathan and spending the night with him.

“I don’t want you to be hurt.”

“I know,” I sigh and slump back in my chair. “I don’t want to be hurt.”

She gently prods, “What happens when he goes back home?”

“It’ll hurt,” I can barely get the words past the lump in my throat. “It’ll hurt a lot because, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I’m already falling for him.”

There’s a note of teasing in her tone, “Falling?”

I huff out a laugh, but it’s a little on the hollow side. “Truth?” She makes a humming sound, and I leap. “Fallen. I’ve already fallen. Even knowing the risks. I couldn’t help it.”

“I get it,” she comforts me. “Trust me. I really do get it. I didn’t have a choice when it came to Wesley even though it didn’t happen right away. I felt the connection between us the moment we made eye contact at the Fourth of July thing at The Goose. I tried not to get involved.”

“But then your knight in firetruck rescued you from your kitchen fire and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Exactly.” She sighs, “The heart wants what the heart wants and all that. When there’s something to fight for, you’re willing to do it. No matter what stands in your way. If you two are meant to be together, and it sounds like he’s just as smitten with you as you are with him, then you’ll figure it out.”

“Really?” I sit up a little straighter, hope growing in my soul.

Could we make this work? What would that even look like? I know I won’t be moving, and I would never ask him to give up the life he’s built for himself. But, still, is there a way?

“I don’t know what it might mean or how to tell you to go about getting what you both clearly want, but what’s the other option? Walking away?”

“Hell no,” I bite out the words.

My best friend laughs. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“I’m just going to see how it goes for now. It’s not like we’ve spent a lot of time together. I’m not even sure when I’ll be seeing him again,” I admit, sadness coating the words.

“You’re buying the first round of drinks the next time at The Goose if Nathan is there at your place again when you get home tonight,” she challenges me.

I perk up, “You think he’ll be there?”

“I don’t doubt it,” her voice softens when she hears the vulnerable hope in mine.

“I guess we’ll see then,” I try and deflect and lock down any expectations about Nathan and his time.

I haven’t heard from him yet today, but that doesn’t mean much. The animals need to be taken care of and that comes first. It’s clear how serious he is about helping Mr. Jacobson out.

“Gotta go,” Hailey chirps, “my students will be back any minute.”

We say goodbye to each other, making plans to meet up again this weekend, and I’m left wondering if Nathan will be at my place when I get home. I hope he is. I want to see him.

The thought of heading home to someone has been a wish I’ve ignored for a long time, but it’s like I can’t try and deny it anymore. Not after getting a taste of what it could be like.

It’s not easy to concentrate the rest of the day and I find that I’m leaving the rescue later than I normally would because a family came in and was having a hard time choosing between two dogs. My heart felt full because it was clear to me that both dogs chose the family. It was going to be hard if only one got adopted, but the family saw and recognized the same thing I did and adopted both animals.

The way the kids fawned over the dogs who were so damn happy it looked like they were smiling. It was the perfect way to end the day.

When I look up from fishing my keys out of my purse, I find Nathan leaning against my door with his hands stuffed into his pockets and a smile on his face.

“You’re here,” I breathe out.

He opens his arms for me, and I walk right into them. My soul settles, the happiness from two dogs finding their forever homes magnifying in the comfort of this man’s arms.

He’s mine.