Page 39 of Rescued Love
I learned a lot about Kimball while we ate. I learned about her favorite color, the music she likes to listen to, and she’s told me some stories about her growing up in Sweetwater Valley alongside her best friend. I now also know her favorite breed of dog, even though she’s convinced she’ll never get one unless one happens to come through the rescue.
The commitment and passion she has toward the animals she helps is humbling. I thought I was passionate about the law and justice. It’s not that I’m not but being around Kimball has shown me the true definition of the word.
She lights up when she talks about her work. I’m more than happy to bask in the light she emits.
When I’m done cleaning up, she looks up at me, hope shining in her brown eyes. “Do you want to watch the next movie in the series?”
The hint of shyness in her voice, like she’s afraid that I’ll turn her down makes protective instincts I wasn’t aware I had roar to life inside of me. I never want to let this woman down.
It’s a big feeling, one I’m not used to at all, but I like it.
Before she can stop me, I stoop down and scoop her into my arms. The little yelp of surprise she lets out is adorable as fuck. Her arms wrap around my neck to hold on as I move toward her couch.
She hisses, “What are you doing?”
“Saving you the trouble of walking.” When I deposit her on the couch, she immediately stretches out with a drawn-out sigh that has me chuckling. “See? Wasn’t that better?”
“It really was,” there’s a dreamy quality to her voice that makes me feel like one of the damn superheroes we’re about to watch.
“Cue it up, Kitten.”
She looks up at me, her smile wide and something so damn welcoming about her that I can’t help but sink into the seat next to her. I pull her feet over my lap, needing to touch her. The leggings she’s wearing don’t do a damn thing to stop me from being able to feel the warmth radiating from her.
The only thing better would be being able to touch her bare skin.
Soon.
I’ll be doing that soon enough.
Kimball gets the moving going, but I’m barely paying attention. My focus is on my woman and the way she cozies into the couch underneath her. Everything about her screams comfort and home.
When was the last time I felt at home, truly at home?
The fact that I can’t even remember is a little pathetic. My place in the city is utilitarian because I’m not there enough for it to be more. The place I work is a means to an end; that end being some notion of success I’ve bought into even though I’m not sure I believe in it.
And then there’s this woman in front of me.
She’s created her own brand of success based on her ability to help animals in need. She gives them a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, a path toward health if they need it, and, most importantly, a hope for a better future. Her passion for animals drives her and I know that drive could rival anyone at my firm.
Hell, her passion would take laps around Marcus fucking Mann. She’d kick his ass in the drive department.
Mine too, honestly.
And she does it because she cares, not because she wants to prove something.
I’m in awe of her.
And I think I’m fucking falling in love with her.
My heart starts to pound in my chest with the realization because it’s far too soon for me to be having such feelings. Right?
“I can feel you staring at me,” she says out of the side of her mouth.
When she glances at me quickly, she does a double take to fully take in my expression. I have no idea what she sees on my face, but it causes her cheeks to pink while she fidgets with her hands.
“You’re kind of amazing, Kitten. Did you know that?”
I let out a low growl when she bites her lower lip and looks up at me from underneath her lashes. “That’s sweet, Nathan,” she whispers.