Page 44 of Rescued Love

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.