by Elisa Leigh
I look over his shoulder to where Mike should be laying on the floor and find him gone. Searching the bar and hoping to catch him before he leaves, I need to beg him not to tell Liam. I spot him leaving the bar with his phone to his ear. His eyes snap to mine and smiles evilly at me. He cocks his head to the side, and I know exactly who he is on the phone with. Bastard!
“Kinsley, who is that man? Is it Sadie’s father?” I don’t talk to anyone about Liam. Becca is the only one who knows anything about him, and I kept the details vague. I’m not starting now.
“Thank you for stepping in Maverick. But who he is, is none of your business.”
He leans his massive body over the bar and grabs my hips, pulling me closer as he runs his nose over the shell of my ear and whispers, “Oh Sweetheart. If anything is my business, it’s the man who just put his hands on what will be mine.”
My eyes widen with his admission, and my body shakes with all of his touching and caressing. Is he serious right now?
“Yours?” I growl.
He pulls his head back a few inches from my face. “One day soon, very soon. You will be mine, Kinsley.”
Without backing away and feeling tired from the exchange, I let him know how wrong he is. “What does that even mean? Look, you seem like a nice guy, but I am not some slut working at a bar hoping to sleep with the band. You have got the wrong idea buddy. I’m sure you can find what you’re looking for in that crowd.” I point towards the gaggle of women openly staring him down. He looks over, and some of them wave, causing jealousy to flair through me.
“You need to get back on stage before Momma J has a fit. I’ll see you later Maverick.” Then, I turn to help a crowd of college students at the end of the bar, not daring to look back at the man undoing me.
∞∞∞
Maverick
I let her walk away from me. One, because I need to get back on stage in less than five and two, because it seems like she has a lot to wrap her head around. She is so damn beautiful, but seeing the fear in her eyes put there by that asshole has me seeing red.
He is lucky that’s all I did to him. I don’t know who he is, but from what he said he did not seem like the ex. He is definitely someone from her past though. I need to make sure I’m around to speak with Kinsley before she leaves for the night. The desire to protect her is consuming me, and I cannot get the way she looked out of my head. I can give her everything she needs if she would only let me.
Making my way to the stage, Griffin stops me. “She okay?”
“I’m not sure. The douche had a hold of her wrist and would not let go. I’m sure you saw what I did. Is that the ex?”
He shakes his head, “I don’t think so. The ex’s name is Liam O’Sullivan. I only know because I ran a background check when she petitioned to change her name. Did you catch his?”
I nod “Only the first name, Mike. She did not want to share, and I guess I haven’t earned that right.”
Five
Kinsley
Counting the till, I check it twice to make sure I have not made any mistakes. I walk it over to Momma J, who is sitting at the bar waiting for the band to finish. They have been breaking down their instruments for the last half hour, while we prepare to close.
“Hey, Momma J can you close me out?”
“Sure thing darling girl.”
I hand her the till and watch as she checks to make sure everything is accounted for. Smiling she gives me my tips.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Got some good tips tonight, sugar. You starting to pour on some of that Northern charm you Yankee’s aren’t known for?”
I laugh. “Hell no, Momma. It was a good night, and I’m not going to question it. Every little bit helps, ya know?”
She nods, knowing I’m supporting my daughter and myself on what I make from this job.
“How many more weeks do you have with me girl?” I give her a sad smile knowing my time here is coming to an end.
“Well, there’s eight weeks until school starts, and I will start in seven. I am out of here the week before. You know all of this Momma J, you’ve got me for six more weeks. I have a feeling you are going to try and get me to stay longer, aren’t you?”
Turning on her barstool to face me, she gives me a sly smile. “I admit to nothing. Ah, come on. You know this place needs you.” Grabbing my hand, she adds quietly “I need you sugar.”
I know Momma J and Pops will be sad to see me go. I am a pretty good bartender and help keep this place running smooth. Undeniably, I am going to miss this place too. I love the people I’ve met here. They have all welcomed me with open arms.
When I started to show from my pregnancy, some of the uppity debutante bitches who live in this small town, began to gossip about me and where the father of my baby was. Momma J called them on their shit real fast and declared to the bar that, “Anyone who messes with my girl Kinsley is messing with me and mine. You don’t like it, get the fuck out of my bar.” That was the end of the that.
The only thing that changed was the bitches did not come into the bar much, which suited us just fine. The other residents treated me exactly the same, like a long-lost daughter. The old ladies from the church made me baby blankets and donated baby furniture for the nursery. It might not have been much, a wooden crib, changing table, and rocking chair, but it was given from the heart, and it filled my empty one. Pops sanded and painted the furniture, then brought it to Becs and my cottage and set it all up.
The way I have been accepted and pulled into the fray is almost too much for my fragile insides to take. Coming from a family that did not show love, I never heard ‘I love you,’ never got a hug, a caress, or anything warm to let me know I was worthy and appreciated. I went to the best schools and given the best of everything a girl should have, but it came at a price. A price I paid without consenting.
“Where’d you go on me sugar?”
Shaking my head, I clear the memories that are trying to take root. “Nowhere Momma, just tired and ready for bed.”
Looking around, I’m disappointed to see the band has left and I missed seeing Maverick leave. “The band already left?”
Momma J chuckles at me.
I snap my head back in her direction. “What are you laughing at?” I accuse the senseless lady.
“You. I’m laughing at you.”
I narrow my eyes at her, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Eyes twinkling, she shakes her head at me. “Let me get Pops to walk you to your Jeep.”
I shrug my shoulders, appreciating the care they take with me and the other girls who work here. “Okay.”
Right as she turns to go, I feel warmth at my back, and when a hand comes down on my shoulder, I tense. The rumble of the voice I have been listening to all night, let’s me know I’m safe
“I’ve got it Momma J. I’m heading out that way.”
She takes a minute to consider his offer, while his hand never leaves my shoulder. Eyes coming back to mine, she winks at me and nods at Maverick. “I’m trusting you with my girl here Maverick.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure she’s safe. I’d never let anything happen to her.”
“Alright then. Kinsley dear, kiss my grandbaby for me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Grabbing my purse, I kiss her on the cheek and tell her “I will Momma.”
Walking back to where Maverick is waiting for me, his hand goes behind my neck, and he starts to caress it as he walks us out. I don’t know why I allow his touch, but it makes me feel safe when I haven’t felt that way in a very long time. If I'm completely honest, I’m secretly thrilled that he wants to touch me. A single mom, who hasn’t lost much of her baby weight and is not much to look at.
His hands are not rough like I had imagined they would be. As his thumb strokes up and down my neck, tiny sparks fizzle from where he touches me, down my spine, and over my breasts. I feel the strength he possesses in his grip as well as the gentleness. When we
get outside, a shiver runs through me due to the slight chill in the air. He pulls me to his side, and I sigh at the warmth emanating from him.
We walk the sixty seconds it takes until we are at my Jeep and I turn to say thanks for the escort. When I turn, he presses me up against the side of my vehicle and leans his hard body into mine. His eyes roam my face as if he’s committing it to memory. His hands cup my face, and his green eyes lock on mine. I wait for what’s coming.
“Kinsley, what are you doing to me?”
Instantly, my eyes go wide. “I... I... I’m not doing anything.” I stutter out.
“Shhh. I know Sweetheart, but that’s just it. You don’t have to do anything. Just being who you are has me absolutely captivated. I need to know you, Kinsley.” He leans down and brushes his lips against mine softly, giving me the sweetest kiss, I have ever had. Butterflies are bursting in my middle. I’ve never felt this immediate attraction to someone before.
“I’m going to follow you home Kinsley. Wait for me to pull in behind you before you drive off.”
“What? Why would you follow me home? I think you have the wrong idea about me Maverick. You are not coming inside.”
“Relax Kinsley. Of course, I’m not. I’m following you home to make sure you get there safely. That guy in the bar earlier is still bothering me.”
I consider this a moment, but in the end, I get no bad vibes from him, and I concede. “Okay, I’ll wait. Thank you.”
When he pulls up behind me, I drive home.
Six
Maverick
Parking behind Kinsley, I get out of my truck and go to her door and open it. She’s reaching over grabbing something from the passenger seat and doesn’t see me.
“Ahhh! Jesus Christ in Heaven you scared the shit out of me.” She says, glaring at me.
Holding my hands up in front of me, I give her the look that gets my momma every time.
Kinsley narrows her eyes at me and then shakes her head, but finally gets out of her Jeep. I close her door and follow up the path, stopping behind her while she gets her keys ready to unlock the door. She’s about to insert her key, but hesitates and turns to me.
“Thanks for stepping in earlier tonight. And walking me to my
Jeep. And following me home. And walk-”
I can’t stand it. She is too adorable standing there going on and on about what I did tonight, things that any man should do. I lean down and place a gentle kiss on her petal soft lips, silencing her. When I pull away, her eyes are closed, and she’s got the cutest smile on her face. Damn, this woman is going to kill me with her sweetness.
I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her close, and place my forehead against hers. “Those things should be expected from the man who plans to make you theirs, Kinsley.”
“Is that what you’re planning Maverick? To make me yours? That is a lot of talk after only one night.” She says while stepping into me and hugging me close.
“You have done more in one night than anyone has done in the last ten years. In one night you opened me up to the possibility of a future I never planned. You, baby, are going to be my undoing, and I look forward to every second of it.”
“Maverick, there’s so much you don’t know.” She whispers, looking up at me.
“Are you feeling a fraction of what I am, Kinsley? Are you able to walk away from what we could have?”
God, please don’t let her say no. I know she’s the woman who is going to be waking up next to me for the rest of my life. This is fast, and it is going to take some effort, but the things that matter always do. I am not opposed to hard work, especially if it gets this woman by my side for the rest of my waking days.
She nods slightly, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you, God, I owe you one. I kiss her forehead and pull back.
“Go in and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
It kills me watching her walk away from me, but I know I need to give her time. I need to take this as slow as I possible, which won’t be slow at all.
Seven
Kinsley
“What the hell was that?” Becs asks me from the couch as soon as I have got the door locked.
“Jesus, Becs! I didn’t even see you there. You about gave me a heart attack. What are you doing out here in the living room this late at night?” I huff, sitting beside her on the couch.
“Oh no, darlin’. You aren’t getting out of this that fast. My question first. Who was out there with you just now?” She asks all too eagerly.
I look at her pointedly. How does she know? “Your momma texted you, didn’t she?”
She smirks and shrugs waiting for me to give her something. I swear she lives for drama. I cannot help but break and smile at her. She claps her hands quickly, and crisscrosses her legs on the couch facing me.
“Oh my, God. Momma wasn’t making this up? There really is some guy? Who is he? What does he look like? Is he hot?”
I grab one of the pillows off the couch and pull it on my lap. I trace the chevron pattern as I gather my thoughts. How do I tell her this man and he is exactly that, all man, made more of an impact on me than Sadie’s father?
Looking up, I see her gaze is fixed on me and waiting me out. “Maverick is the new singer for the band. He followed me home to make sure I got in safe.”
“Awww. What else?”
“He’s a nice guy. I told him he didn’t have to do it, but he insisted.”
“The rest of it Kinsley. You tell me every single detail, starting with what happened outside just a minute ago.”
My cheeks heat remembering what I shared with him. “He kissed me. He freaking kissed me, Becs! And it was… it was the best kiss I have ever had. The kind of kiss that makes me want more.”
She squeals and pulls me in tight for a hug. “He’s hot right? Tell me he’s hot.”
“Very hot!”
“Good. He better be good to you. If not, I’m going to kick his ass.”
“Calm down crazy. We kissed, that’s it. I have no business getting into a relationship with him. I have Sadie to think about, and I get to start teaching soon. Those are the things I need to focus on. Men are too much work. Not to mention, he doesn’t seem like the kind of man who wants a relationship.”
“Who said anything about a relationship? Make it a summer fling. Something fun until you go back to work.”
Leaning back on the couch I am quiet, while I think about what she’s suggesting. Could I have a fling with a man? Some, no strings attached fun? The answer is no. A big no. While the idea sounds tempting, I know my heart, and it would get attached. And then I would get hurt. I’ve been hurt way too much already.
“Come on Kins. You know it sounds good.”
I shake my head and smile sadly. “I could never do it. More power to the women who can, but I can’t. You know me Becs. There is no way I’d go into something like that and not get attached.”
When I stand to go check on my little girl, Becs grabs my hand. “I know Kins. I just want you to be happy, even if it is short lived. One day you’ll find a man who’s worth giving your big heart to. Until then, it won’t hurt to look at the sexy man, right?”
I squeeze her hand, happy to have her beautiful soul in my life. “Oh, I’ll definitely be looking.”
After I’m done tucking in Sadie, I go to the bathroom to shower before bed. Staring at my naked self in the mirror I try and see what Maverick did today, but I just see me. I pull my hair out of the messy bun, loving how long it’s gotten. What’s even better, Liam would hate it. I get in the shower and wash away the smell of food and liquor.
Rubbing the loofa over my skin, I wonder what Maverick would think if he saw my stretch marks. Would my soft stomach disgust him? I don’t know why I’m thinking about this. I look nothing like the women who were ogling him tonight. Maverick is the kind of man I picture dating models, not single moms. He’s that good looking. There’s no way we could ever work.
∞∞∞
&n
bsp; I’m up at seven, like clockwork when I hear Sadie playing in her crib. She was born in the middle of December and has been the happiest baby. I thank God every day for blessing me with her.
“Good morning my sweet little girl. How did you sleep?” I ask, talking to her while changing her diaper.
“Oh no you don’t, get back here.” I roll my child back over and get her diaper on then change her clothes.
Picking her up, I hug Sadie tight. She is the only one that matters. She is my world and making sure she’s taken care of is my top priority. I take her out to the kitchen, where I place her in the highchair and give her a toy to play with. She giggles and immediately starts slamming the toy on the tray. I love how easy she is to please.
I’m in the middle of making her bottle when there is a knock on the door. The first thing I do is look down at my leggings and an oversized t-shirt. I’m a hot mess, but who the hell cares. I peep out the hole and see a young guy holding flowers.
I wonder who Becca’s new admirer is? The woman is beautiful but isn’t interested in dating right now. She’s engrossed in the creations she thinks of at the bakery she has been working at. One day she hopes to open a bakery herself, but until then she’s happy working at Mad Batter and learning everything she can from her boss Cammie.
“Good morning. Is there a Kinsley who lives here?” The kid squeaks when I open the door.
I am about to take the flowers when I stop and look at him, replaying what he said. Did he just ask for me? “I’m sorry, who are the flowers for?”
“Uh…” He looks down at his clipboard and then back at me.
“Kinsley Ellington?”
I have never been sent flowers before. They’re so pretty, and I don’t know what kind of flowers they are, but I love the colors. Light pinks and whites, a mixture of a few different kinds. Oh, wait I think some are daisies.