Page 50 of Rescued Love
Nathan’s brown eyes dance with amusement, knowing exactly what I’m doing. When I look at Hailey, her eyes are narrowed and full of accusation. “No one likes fibbers, Kimball,” she primly informs me before grinning, “but I am tired.” She holds her hand out for Wesley and dramatically commands, “Take me far from this place, my firefighter. I need rescuing.”
Wesley snickers and shakes his head, but helps his woman stand. Nathan is up and does the same for me. We walk out together, Hailey stopping me and giving me a big hug, one of those amazing hugs that only a best friend can give, once we step outside.
“He’s perfect for you, Kimball,” she whispers. “You hold tight and let yourself trust,” she pauses and pulls back and meets my eyes, “and fall. He’ll catch you.”
I swallow hard and nod, knowing she’s right.
When I turn toward Nathan, I can see the softness in his eyes even when there’s only moonlight illuminating him. He holds his hand out and I take it, readily.
I have a feeling that, if everything works out the way I hope it does, I’ll be accepting his affection, his love, his comfort, for the rest of my life.
I can only send up a little wish that he really does feel like he can find a new path, a better path for him, right here in Sweetwater Valley. I don’t want to lose him; I don’t think my heart could take it.
Sure, if that were to happen, I’d have my best friend and the rescue to keep me together. But would it be enough after experiencing what love, yes love, can feel like?
I let those thoughts go as Nathan leads me to his grandpa’s truck and helps me into the passenger seat. I’m not going to worry about what could go wrong tonight, not when I have a man to celebrate with and show just how much it means to me that he sees me as his.
CHAPTER 15
KIMBALL
When we pull up to my building, I glance over at Nathan. He’s been quiet, but the drive has also been short. There have been times in my life when I wished I could read someone’s mind, and this is one of them.
Is he regretting his bold declarations? Is he second guessing calling me his? Does he miss his life in the city? Could he want to go back?
Fuck. I hate insecurities; they’re insidious and once one latches on, it’s hard to shake it.
“Nathan?”
He turns toward me, his dark eyes roaming over my face. I’m not sure what he sees there—probably all my fears lit up like a damn neon sign—but his expression softens. He reaches over and cups one of my cheeks with his hand.
I can feel the start of a callous on his palm and the pads of his fingers. In another few weeks I’m sure you won’t even be able to tell that there was a time when he didn’t work with his hands. The thought makes me smile as I stare into his eyes, getting lost in the earnest way his brown orbs take me in.
“I meant what I said,” his voice is like a lullaby with the way itwraps around me. “I haven’t been happy for a long time, but it’s different here. The thought of leaving, of not being in your life, makes me feel sick.”
“That’s a really big step,” my worries bleed into my voice.
He nods, his eyes serious. “It is and it’s not fair to put my happiness entirely on your shoulders. That’s not what I’m trying to do. It’s not just meeting you that has me wanting to never leave, even though that is a big part of it. It’s this place and the way people lead with kindness. It’s how I feel like I can finally breathe. I didn’t even realize how difficult it had become.”
I sigh and lean toward him slightly. He meets me partway, our foreheads pressed together. “You wanna come in?”
The smile he gives me lights up his entire face and I swear even the stars above us sigh. “Of course,” he rasps. “Need you, Kitten.”
Goosebumps break out on my skin and my pussy clenches around nothing. There’s a promise in his words, a promise of pleasure that I am certainly not going to pass up. I need him too.
“Need you too, Nathan,” I whisper.
With a quick peck to my lips, he’s out of the truck and around to my side so fast that I can’t help but giggle. I love the way he cares for me, which he reminds me of as he opens my door and then leads me inside.
Normally his hand on the small of my back is all comfort, but right now it’s desire and fucking want. His palm is warm, the feeling seeping through my clothing. Even though his touch is light, I can feel the weight of promise in his touch.
I’m practically a ball of frustration when we finally get into my apartment. As he spins me and presses me against my door,I let out a small gasp. His lips are right there, and he swallows down the sound as his tongue dives into my mouth and I melt into him.
My breasts feel heavy, needy for his mouth, as he devours me. I’ve never wished for disintegrating clothing more than I am right now. I want to feel his skin against mine.
“Don’t tease me,” I moan against his lips, “please.”
With a growl, Nathan starts to pull my clothing off. His movements are jerky and hurried. Even though I can hardly wait to feel him fill me, amusement bubbles up inside my chest and I giggle.