I clench my eyes tightly, already knowing what’s coming next. “But it wasn’t?”
She shakes her head against my shoulder. “No, it wasn’t. After a weekend with his father, Eli came home and was real quiet. I finally got it out of him that his father beat him for leaving the milk out of the refrigerator. He had a cracked rib and the worst bruising. I took pictures and took Eli to the police station, but somehow my ex made it all go away. I was still required to let him see Eli.”
She sits up and looks at me. “I couldn’t do it, King. I couldn’t make him go over there. That night, I withdrew all my savings, and we left in the middle of the night. We drove across the country, and that’s how I ended up here in Whiskey Valley. I know a father has rights...”
I interrupt her. “He wasn’t a father, Nat. A father doesn’t abandon their son... he doesn’t hurt him.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. “What’s his name?”
She instantly starts shaking her head. “No. I don’t want you to do anything, King.”
I move one hand to the back of her neck and force her to look at me. I search her eyes. “Do you trust me?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, I do, King. I didn’t want to, but I do.”
I lean in closer. “Then trust me with this. I won’t let anything happen to you and Eli.”
“You don’t know—" she starts, shaking her head.
I lean in and press my forehead to hers. “I do know. I won’t ever let anything hurt you again, Nat. I promise you that.”
Her hand goes to the side of my face, and she cups my cheek. “Oh, King, how could I believe Jacqueline? You’re nothing like what she said. I’m so sorry.”
I pull her into my lap and settle her sideways. I hold her face in my hands. “Can I kiss you, Nat?”
She nods, and I pull her closer while settling my lips on hers. The same feeling I had with our last kiss consumes me. I couldn’t explain it before, but I can now. Kissing Natalie is like being home. It’s a feeling of comfort and wonder, and it’s not something I want to lose. She moves on my lap, and there’s no doubt she feels the hard press of my cock on her backside. She rotates her hips, and I groan. My hands are on the underside of her breast, and I don’t want to pressure her, but I bring my hand up and cup her large, soft breast, stroking my finger across her firm peak.
She moans, and I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Her back arches, pressing her more firmly against me. I would love nothing more than to lay her back on the blanket and make love to her. I want to erase all her bad memories and fill them with good, but I know to do that, she needs a fresh start. She needs to know she can trust me, and me taking her out in the open after she apologized is not the way to do it.
It’s hard... but I force myself to pull back. “Nat.”
She looks at with hooded eyes. I tip her chin up. “What’s his name?”
“He’s not a nice man, King.”
I shake my head. She has no idea. I’m nice until someone messes with what’s mine. “I’m not either.”
“Yes, you are.”
I shift her on my lap. “Quit stalling. What’s his name, and where are you from?”
She takes a deep breath. “Brad Jones. Baskins Creek, Texas.”
Brad Jones. He has no idea what’s coming for him, but he’s about to feel the wrath of a King.
Chapter 15
Natalie
I wanted to sit under the shade tree and kiss some more, but King had other ideas. He took me around the ranch, pointing out the Santa Gertrudis cattle and the horses and introducing me to cowboys that we run across. He introduces me as Eli’s mom, and it seems everyone has something nice to say about my son. I’m very proud of the hard work he’s put in. I’ll have to be sure to tell him.
When we pull back in by the barn, I’m sort of sad it’s over. This is the most carefree I’ve been in a while. I don’t know if it’s the ranch or King, but I love how it feels to be with him here.
“Well, thank you for everything. I’m going to grab Eli and head home.”
Before I can walk away, he’s holding my hand pulling me in the opposite direction. “I want you and Eli to stay for dinner.”
I want to, but I’m shaking my head. “It’s almost dinner time. Paulina won’t appreciate us just showing up—"
He stops me. “Trust me, she’ll love it, and there’s always plenty. Please.”