Page 26 of Rescued Love
“Allegedly,” he echoes and nods curtly.
Nathan clenches his jaw, and his hands fist again, but this time it’s in anger. Somehow, I know his anger isn’t directed at me. He’s pissed about his client.
“I would think you have to defend people all the time where you don’t, personally, agree with them committing the crimes they’re accused of, if they are guilty.” I’m sure it can’t be easy. People whoareguilty want to get out of trouble just as much as people who are innocent; I’m sure some even more. “Was this different just because of the victims?”
He shrugs one shoulder and shuffles a little bit closer. I freeze when his hand reaches for me, but he doesn’t make contact. Instead, he runs his hand over Midnight’s back.
Fuck, I had forgotten she was even in my arms.
“I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve been able to separate myself from the innocent or guilty part of the job and focus onthe law and accomplishing my goal which is winning the case. I couldn’t this time,” his voice sounds far away, like he’s not really in front of me, as his hand pets Midnight. His focus snaps back to me and I suck in a sharp breath. “It was even worse because my rival, a guy I went to law school with and have competed against for years, was put on the case with me. He’s slimy and loves to kiss the client’s ass.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline, disbelief filling my voice, “You’re still competing against someone you went to law school with?”
He sighs and grips the back of his neck as his cheeks pink a little bit in embarrassment. “We’ve both been trying to become a partner at the firm and started there after being interns.” He shakes his head and huffs out an unamused laugh, “It’s ridiculous and I know it, but when you work in an environment that fosters that kind of competition, it’s easy to buy into it.”
“I can understand that,” I murmur.
I want to wrap my arms around him and give him a hug. It looks like he could use it. I hold off because we’re not done with this conversation.
“I was distracted and frustrated with the case,” he goes on like he knows that he hasn’t given me quite enough reason to move past our first meeting. “It wasn’t going unnoticed either. I was told to take time off and that it wasn’t really a choice.”
My voice is gentle as I push, “And you thought you’d come see your grandpa and make sure no one is taking advantage of him?”
“I needed to know,” he agrees with my assessment. “Then I saw your truck and made some major leaps in terms of why you were out there. I should have asked and then listened. I shouldn’t have projected all my bullshit onto you. I’ve learnedabout how you’ve helped out Grandpa and the sanctuary. I’m sorry.”
He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly; it makes me wonder if he’s not used to apologizing. That almost has me giggling. Almost.
I take him in, his slumped over posture and sad eyes. They still suck me in, don’t get me wrong, but I can see how much he regrets what he said to me. It’s written all over his face.
While I might not agree with how he handled it, I can understand where he was coming from. At least he’s being upfront about it and not trying to allow that to be an excuse without owning his own behavior and choices.
That means something.
“I’m not out to bring your grandfather down,” my voice is stern, needing him to understand and hear me. He nods, a look of defeat on his face. “I think it’s amazing what he does, and he’s helped me when I’ve gotten wind of animals who needed a home when there’s no way I could help give it to them. Sweetwater Valley has his back and so do I. I always will,” I soften my voice with my last words, wanting him to feel my sincerity, not just hear it.
“I know. I fucked up. He told me how you’ve helped him.” He winces and adds, “Ansel and Dixon mentioned it as well.” He straightens up slightly, “I told Grandpa about our first meeting. He was not happy.”
The look on his face has me giggling. His brown eyes light up as he looks at me like he’s trying to memorize my face. It’s both touching and a little scary.
But not in a creepy guy kind of way. Nope. It’s scary in a way that tells me just how deeply I could fall for this man.
“I accept your apology.”
His eyes widen and before I realize what is happening, his arms are wrapped around me, and I’m being crushed against his chest. His very firm, but lean chest. He’s not a bulky man, but there is a strength about him that I’m not ready to admit that I crave.
Midnight lets out a yowl that has Nathan jumping back while I coo at the kitten in my arms. The glare she shoots him has me biting my lip to stop myself from laughing. The look of pure horror on his face isn’t helping matters.
“Shit,” he groans.
“She’s fine,” I assure him.
He reaches out to pet her again, but she hisses and backs further into me. Before either of them can stop me, I press the kitten against his chest and his hands come up to support her without really thinking about it.
Midnight turns her glare in my direction, but I just shake my head. “You know you’ll forgive him because you’re a slut for ear scratches.”
I swear she huffs at me while Nathan immediately starts to give her those ear scratches. Her eyes close with contentment before she starts to purr.
“Animals are easy,” he rasps. “They’re always so forgiving, even when they shouldn’t be.”