Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 17

KIMBALL

I sigh as I lean against the bar at The Goose. Yesterday was a long ass day, the only bright spot being when I went to see Nathan at the sanctuary. Seeing all those animals hurt, some of which I didn’t even see since they had already been taken by the Monroe County Animal Rescue, but I saw more than enough.

When we were leaving, I let the van go ahead, knowing Doc would meet the animals at the rescue and that my staff knew what to do. My heart was aching too hard, and I knew I wouldn’t be any help to the animals in that state.

All I wanted was Nathan.

Rhodes must have seen the look on my face because he stopped me with a gentle hand on my arm, his voice soft and filled with understanding, “Are you okay?”

“No,” I croaked. I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. “How can people do that to animals? For money? Because they can?” I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes and murmured, “I just don’t get it.”

“There is evil in this world,” his voice held sadness as he voiced a truth that we both knew.

I dropped my hands and looked up at the sky, hoping for peace in the blue expanse dotted with clouds that hung over everyone’s head regardless of the path they chose. “I want to see Nathan.” I looked at Rhodes and he was giving me a soft smile. “I know I should go back to the rescue, but I just need,” I paused, trying to find the right word and settling with, “a moment of peace.”

He nodded solemnly and nodded toward my truck and walking me toward it. “So,” he started, a gentle teasing tone in his voice, “the rumors are true? About you and Mr. Jacobson’s grandson.”

I felt my face heat as I nodded. “They’re true.”

“Good.” When I looked up at him in surprise he grinned softly. “You deserve happiness, Kimball. You give so much. A lot of us have wondered when it would be time for someone to give to you, to make you happy, and to support you in order for you to be able to keep going.”

He winked at me once I was safely inside my truck before striding to his vehicle and I knew he would follow me just in case. His words and the happiness he had in his eyes, for me, stuck with me the entire drive.

I didn’t even think about how it would look for the Sheriff to arrive with me at Mr. Jacobson’s place. I should have.

The wariness in Nathan’s eyes was like a punch to the gut, but I also understood it. I was just glad he didn’t immediately start hurling accusations at me. I don’t think I would have handled that well at all.

When everything was explained, he didn’t hesitate to wrap me up in his arms and give me the comfort I so desperately needed. I’m so damn glad he did. I meant what I said to him, I didn’t blame him for not being able to read a situation he didn’t have all the information about.

Or maybe I’m just a pushover.

Maybe I’m okay with that. At least when it comes to this.

After Nathan held me for a while, the desire that I always feel when I’m near him started to creep in. Our bodies were pressed against each other and the warmth of him, which was comforting, started to turn me on.

Nathan must have sensed it because one moment he was touching me with gentle, soothing hands, and the next he was gripping my hips. The way his fingers tightened as I felt his cock hardening underneath me told me that his thoughts were just as carnal as mine.

“I need you,” I moaned.

Nathan tucked his head into the crook of my neck, his voice raspy, “Let me take care of you, Kimball.”

I nodded and the next thing I knew, he had pushed me back on his lap, closer to his knees, unbuttoned my jeans and his hand was sliding down the front of my pants. Everything beyond the way his fingers felt against my skin melted away. Nothing else mattered.

He slid his middle finger along my slit and grunted at finding me soaking wet for him. If I hadn’t felt so needy, I probably would have felt embarrassed. Being in a constant state of arousal around my man is not something I can really control.

The grip I had on his shoulders tightened and I arched my back while circling my hips, wanting more, needing more. When two of his fingers plunged into my pussy, I let out a mewling sound that had him chuckling and nipping at the column of my throat.

His beard was scratching my skin, heightening the way he was playing my body. His movements were slow at first, building me up to a steady thrum of need. The sound of how wet I was as his flingers plunged inside of me had me shivering in his arms.

There was something so fucking naughty about being in the barn, which wasn’t at all private, still fully clothed, while he finger fucked me. I was right on edge of my orgasm far too fucking quickly, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.

When he curled his fingers and flicked his thumb over my clit, I was done. I floated on a sea of pleasure, mindless and so damn grateful for it. He stole the evil I had endured that day and replaced it with something more, something to be cherished.

After I came down from my orgasm, my body boneless and my mind blank, he pulled his fingers from my body and sucked them clean. While he tasted me, he held my eyes and I could see the love there, along with the regret for even considering something nefarious when I showed up at the sanctuary.

I tried to move off his lap and go to my knees, but he held me against his body and shook his head. “That was all for you, Kimball.” When I opened my mouth to protest, he shot me a stern look that had my jaw snapping closed. “I’ll get mine soon enough.”

And he did. Last night after I went back to the rescue, checked on the animals, and got a full report from my staff. Sadie had been in school and not with me, thankfully, but when she came in, tears streamed down her face at the state of the animals we had helped to rescue.

Yeah, I was right there with her.

I spent most of the day today, even though it’s Saturday and I normally only work the weekends when we have adoption events, just to make sure everything was going okay. With the dogs from the dog fighting ring, we’re at capacity and there was no way I was going to leave my staff to deal with it all themselves.

And there were some dogs who were right on the line of being too far gone who I wanted to check on. Out of the five we were watching closely, two took a turn for the worst and had to be put down today.

I’m drained.

Emotionally.

Physically.

Mentally.

Just done.

I’m hoping that spending some time with my best friend and my man will help lift my spirits. That’s the only reason why I agreed to keep our standing night out. Wesley is on duty tonight, but that’s not stopping Hailey. I think, really, she wants to see me and make sure I’m doing okay.

She had offered to come by the rescue today and help, but we had plenty of hands. I wouldn’t have had anything for her to do. Right now, we’re waiting to see how some of the animals bounce back, health wise, and earning the trust of those who have been taught to fear everyone.

Fuck. I could use a drink. Which is the other reason I still agreed to meet up here.

“You doin’ okay, Kimball?”

Looking up, I find Clint with concern in his eyes. He’s one of the owners of The Goose and a nice guy. He was in the same grade as Maverick growing up and enough years ahead of me that we weren’t in high school together.

I do remember hearing the stories about Clint and Maverick when I was in school and then the rumors that swirled around them after they came home from college. It’s been a couple of years since everything changed in their lives.

Maverick, the town’s resident playboy, fell in love with Lark, who was new in town, in the grocery store. Clint finally got his head out of his ass and pursued the woman he was in love with Lana, someone Maverick and he were friends with and then left behind in many ways.

I’m a little surprised to see Clint behind the bar because it’s not often that either owner is here at night and even less on the weekend. They have families they like to spend time with instead.

I totally get it and don’t begrudge them.

Instead of answering his question, I counter with one of my own, “What are you doing here tending bar on a Saturday night?”

“He’s not the only one here,” Maverick says as he saunters up and stands next to Clint.

Maverick being here has my eyebrows shooting up to my hairline. I glance around the bar and notice Lana, Lark, Poppy—Lark’s sister—and a few other ladies sitting at a table. When Lark notices me, she waves and makes a motion like I should join them.

I smile at her enthusiasm but shake my head. She makes a motion like she’s going to be watching me and all I can do is laugh. She’s a wonderful person and I’m so glad that she crossed paths with Maverick. They’re perfect for each other and they needed each other.

Sometimes life gives you exactly what you need. Nathan’s face flashes in my mind and I know I’ve found what I need in him.

When my mind wanders to the animals who were traumatized and abused by the dog fighting ring, the smile on my face drops. Because sometimes life is just shitty as well.

I turn back to Maverick and Clint and force a smile. “I get why you’re here tonight. Had to come and oversee girl’s night while not looking like you’re overseeing girl’s night?”

“Honestly, I’m not even trying to pretend like I’m not,” Maverick admits, his eyes straying toward his wife.

I giggle, not even a little bit surprised at his response. I tease them, “Don’t you have kids you should be at home with?”

“When the grandparents offer, who are we to turn them down?” Clint winks at me as he puts the bar’s signature drink down in front of me.

I shoot him a grateful smile before picking it up and clutching it in my hands. “Thank you.”

“Where’s Hailey? And that guy everyone is talking about you spending time with?” Maverick arches an eyebrow at me, his stance making me think of an overbearing big brother.

See? That’s why I was never going to find anyone in Sweetwater Valley. Either I wasn’t interested, or I was like a little sister. I wasn’t ever into Maverick, but you get the point.

“I’m the first one here. They should be here soon,” I inform them and shrug one shoulder. “Wesley is on shift tonight. I’m not sure about Ansel, though,” I muse which reminds me I need to touch base with my friend.

Ansel has been picking up extra shifts. I’ve suspected he’s interested in someone who works at the hospital, but he hasn’t said, and I haven’t pushed. He’s entitled to have his secrets, and I know he’ll tell me when he’s ready.

Maverick leans forward and lowers his voice when Clint walks off to serve another customer after knocking the bar twice as his way of saying he’ll see me later, “Heard about the mess over near Dogwood Ridge. That must have been tough. Is there anything I can do to help?”

I smile warmly at the man in front of me. He’s a good guy; he always was, but I don’t think he saw himself like that for a long time. Not until Lark.

“Honestly?” He nods in response to my question. “It really sucked,” I admit, my shoulders deflating. “It was,” I swallow hard and shake my head before trying again, “we won’t be able to rehabilitate all the animals. We’ve already lost some.”

His eyes are filled with sorrow when I look at him and my heart aches. I’ll never understand the cruelty some people can exhibit and inflict on another living thing.

“What would really help is if you can bring your adorable kids by to give some of the animals cuddles,” I suggest, knowing that the entire family will love doing it.

Maybe, if I’m lucky, they’ll adopt another animal while they’re there. Not long after Lark moved to Sweetwater Valley and they got together, they adopted a lab puppy we had who had come from a puppy mill. We always set-up at all the town’s events and that year’s fall festival saw a lot of animals finding their forever homes.

Bear is an incredibly lucky and loved pet in their home.

Maverick narrows his eyes at me while I give him my most innocent look. “Fine,” he sighs before pointing a finger at me, “but we’re not adopting another animal.”

I’m barely able to keep the maniacal chuckle inside. Because I won’t be at all surprised if they do adopt another pet.

I think I’ll keep that to myself for now.

Even if they don’t, the animals in my care will love the attention the kids will give them. And both animal and kid will be able to get some of their energy out in our outside dog runs.

With a big grin at Maverick, who is shaking his head at me, I pick up my drink for another sip. Just before I get the straw to my lips, I feel a presence take up the stool next to me. When I glance at the guy, I’m stunned for a moment.

He clearly doesn’t belong here, and I’ve never seen him before in my life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we have tourists who come through Sweetwater Valley, but they’re generally on vacation and have a casual vibe about them. This guy is wearing a suit and has a slimy vibe that has me leaning away from him slightly.

“You’re gorgeous,” his voice is oily and makes me instantly uncomfortable.

The other thing about this sleaze is that even though he paid me a compliment, he hasn’t looked at me once. His eyes are trailing over my body and making my skin crawl.

“Not interested,” I deadpan.

The guy looks up at me, surprise widening his eyes as his jaw goes slack. It seems I’ve stunned him. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long enough, and he gets himself together.

He leers at me and pats his hair down at the back of his head, as if one strand could possibly be out of place with the amount of gel he’s slicked it back with. I don’t think even a category five hurricane could get his hair to move at this rate.

“Sorry,” he tries to placate me like I’m a fucking child, “I forgot how things go in backwater places like this. My name’s Marcus Mann. I’m a successful criminal defense attorney and I’d like to spend the night with you.”

Now it’s my turn to be shocked because there is so much to unpack in his little introduction.

Maverick snarls, “Backwater?” Marcus glances his way and when I look at him, I can see the rage in his eyes. “ Christ , this guy is a fucking tool,” he mutters, but not very quietly.

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing at the way Marcus puffs up his chest to appear more important than he is. Little does he know that shit won’t work with Maverick.

When Mav crosses his arms across his chest and stares the sleazeball down, clearly unimpressed, I almost lose it. Marcus looks toward me, trying to dismiss Maverick who I know won’t walk away from me right now, even if he has customers to serve.

Marcus moves to put his hand on me, probably my thigh, but I bat it away like I’m swatting a fly. His face starts to turn red, clearly my actions pissing him off, and I become uneasy in the situation.

When arms wrap around me from behind, I startle so hard that I almost fall off the stool before quickly realizing who is touching me and melting back into them.

“Marcus,” Nathan sneers, “what the fuck are you doing here?”

The greasy stain stares at the arm Nathan has wrapped around me and then my man, his eyes flashing with something vicious, which he tries to hide quickly, that has me gripping Nathan’s arm. Maybe it’s to stop me from slapping this asshole. Maybe it’s to stop Nathan from launching himself at him, which he clearly wants to do considering the way his body is full of tension.

“I was just having a conversation with this beauty,” Marcus tries to sound highbrow, but it comes out as more of a whine.

“No,” Nathan barks, gaining the attention of more people even though we already had an audience since Marcus sticks out like a sore thumb, “I wasn’t asking why you’re here in The Goose. I was asking why you’re here in Sweetwater Valley.”

That vicious look is back in Marcus’ eyes, and I give Nathan more of my weight, hoping to ground him. When I glance over, Clint is now standing next to Mav. While Clint is normally an easy-going guy, nothing about the look on his face is easy-going at the moment. He looks ready to launch himself over the bar as well.

I almost smile. If this is the asshole I think it is from my talks with Nathan, he shouldn’t be here. And Nathan is about to see just how a small town can have your back.

“I came to see you,” Marcus tries to sound smooth, but it just sounds like he’s trying to sound more important than he is. “The partners sent me to get you to confer on some things before Culbert goes to trial next week.”

I glance over my shoulder to find Nathan staring Marcus down with narrowed eyes. “You’re full of shit. If you were sent here, Nigel would have let me know to expect you. I don’t know why you’re here, but I’m on vacation. I won’t be working while on vacation and Nigel would have told you that. If you can’t mount your own defense for your client, that’s your problem and not mine.”

Nathan’s arm tightens around my waist, and I run my fingers over his arms, trying to soothe him. I can feel the anger radiating off him and it makes me want to wrap him in my arms and never let go. I’ll be doing it, just not right his moment.

“Wha-what?” Marcs sputters.

I look over to find Maverick and Clint watching Nathan with a look of approval on their faces. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes. Men.

“You heard me,” Nathan’s voice is hard and uncompromising. He nods toward the door, “You need to leave. And let me be clear, you need to leave The Goose and Sweetwater Valley. Go home and do your damn job.”

Marcus’ mouth opens and closes a few times like a fish, and I cough to try and cover up my laughter. The slime’s eyes snap down to mine, hatred burning there. But I don’t care.

When I look at his hands, they’re soft and too damn smooth.

He’s not a man who can follow through. He’s a man who makes idle threats.

Just when I think Marcus is about to say something, Rhodes comes strolling up, his badge displayed on his belt even though he’s out of uniform. Without looking at Marcus, Rhodes kisses my cheek and then gives a friendly shoulder squeeze to Nathan. When he does look at Marcus, it’s with disdain shining in his eyes.

If I were on the other side of that look, I would be intimidated as hell, and it would have nothing to do with whether the man is carrying a gun or not.

“Nathan,” Rhodes nods at my man and then me, “Kimball, is there a problem over here you need help with?”

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Nathan emphases Rhodes’ title with a smile. I keep my eyes on Marcus who pales slightly while standing up. “This overstepping colleague,” he spits the word out like a curse, “was just leaving and going back to where he belongs.” He arches an eyebrow in challenge. “Right, Marcus?”

Marcus doesn’t even answer. He just power walks out of The Goose without looking back.

“That was fucking strange,” Nathan muses.

I don’t even get a chance to answer before my man spins me around and kisses me hard, not giving a single fuck that we’re in the middle of The Goose on a busy night or that everyone’s eyes were already on us because of that little confrontation. Nope. He doesn’t care in the least.

He kisses me like he’s missed me. He kisses me like he needs me to breathe. He kisses me like he’s never letting me go.

And I kiss him back the exact same way.