by Elisa Leigh
When Momma J introduced us, I was thankful I didn’t have to try and pry any information out of this sweetheart. She seemed more closed off than a bank vault.
Three
Kinsley
For the next hour, no incidents happen as I organize the bar to my liking. I hear Maverick getting set up with the band, but I do not dare risk looking in his direction. When his set begins, I’m shocked by how good he is. Listening to his rendition of Where Are You Going by Dave Matthews Band is beyond what I expected, and I love he is playing one of my favorite bands.
Finally, I get the courage to look at him and watch as his fingers stroke the guitar. He is completely lost in his music and doesn’t seem to notice all the women enraptured by him and his playing. He continues to play song after song, and the crowd loves it. Secretly, so do I.
When the band takes their break, he heads to the bar with them. I have been working here for over a year and got to know the house band pretty well, having talked with them many times.
“Can I get you guys the usual?” They all nod, with a “yeah” or “please” to answer my question. I look to Maverick, and he nods saying, “the same.” I pass out everyone’s beers and when I set Griffin’s, one of the guitar players, beer down he starts in with me. It’s always the same questions, and his harmless flirting never bothers me.
Griffin is a deputy with the police department in town, and his friendship makes me feel safe. He’s thirty and searching for ‘the one’ for himself. When I first arrived, he thought maybe I could be his girl, but quickly realized I wasn’t ready for a relationship. Seeing as I just got out of a bad one, we became good friends instead. It doesn’t hurt he is now hopelessly in love with Becca, not that he has done anything about it.
“Hey, cutie. You been waiting for me?”
I laugh, clutching my chest. “How did you know? I’m not sure how I survive without you during the week.”
“I knew it.” Winking at me, he asks about Sadie. “How’s little miss this week?” I look at Maverick curious how he’ll take me having a kid, not that it matters because my daughter is everything. Maverick perks up, seeming interested in the conversation.
“She’s good. I think she is getting her first tooth. She’s been a little crabby and waking up a lot at night.”
“I remember when Gillian was cutting her first tooth. I’ve got some stuff I used on her and will text you the name of it.”
“Thanks, Griffin. I don’t mind getting up with her, but I hate seeing her in pain.”
“I know you do sweet girl, but it’s all a part of growing up, and she’ll be fine. Get the stuff, and it will help.”
“I will.”
A customer calls for me at the other end of the bar, and I head that way to get his order.
∞∞∞
Maverick
Watching as Kinsley walks away toward another man, albeit a customer she is going to serve a drink to has me seeing red. I have never been the jealous type or cared enough if a man wants the woman I am spending time with. They weren’t my forever, so why would I care?
My father always told me when he met my mother, he knew instantly she would be his. I would listen to him spin his tale of love at first sight, but I never believed it would happen to me. Fuck, I never thought I would be one of those men who gets married. Until this afternoon I was pretty sure I would be a bachelor for the rest of my life.
It all changed the moment I heard a beautiful voice singing. She has some serious talent with an aching sadness, as she poured it out in her Jeep this afternoon.
Walking through the restaurant parking lot earlier, I was pumped, excited to play for a live audience for the first time in fifteen years. Hearing a country song being sung by a sexy as fuck woman made me stop in my tracks. I was entranced with the conviction in which she sang the words of her song.
How many people have I met lately who are openly raw and genuine? Easily the answer is none. In my life, people don’t want their vulnerabilities broadcasted. It’s how they get hurt, manipulated, or pushed in directions they’d rather not take. I get it because I have been living the same type of life long enough. Showing the world a façade of myself to get through what I thought was living. The sad part is, it’s such an empty life and an unfulfilling way to live.
Watching her, I am struck by a light I can feel shining through her. This woman is setting something off in me. Something, I’m not sure is a good thing. Feelings, emotions and shit, feel weird. I don’t know how to deal with the influx, but I can’t look away or make myself leave this spot. The fear of losing something, which means more to my meaningless existence than anything else has in far too long.
When she notices me and really takes me in, I’m surprised she spends as long as she does openly perusing my features. She probably doesn’t realize she is doing it. I know I’m a good-looking man, working out a couple hours a day will do that for you. The difference is she is seeing me as me, the man and not the CEO of a company or a billionaire. Usually, when women see my tattoos, they are surprised and sometimes fearful of what is hiding beneath the suit. The color covering my arms is my one vice, the one thing I give myself to be who I really am.
I sit here staring at this magnificent creature. Captivated by her dark brown hair, which is pulled into a crazy looking bun. I wonder how long it is and how many times I can wrap it around my fist as I pull her head back while making love to her from behind.
Listening to her sing earlier sent vibrations pulsing through me, making it so I couldn’t turn away. When she finally noticed me, I could see her checking me out, and it excited me to see she looked as interested as I am.
When she shook my hand, I couldn’t get enough, and when she pulled away, I wasn’t ready to let her go. I could tell by her reaction she has been hurt in the past, which pisses me the fuck off. I need her to know I will never hurt her or take away the light shining through her. She should never be snuffed out.
I have been playing music since I was a kid and always wanted to become a musician. Being the only child my father had, I knew I would have to take over for him when he retired. He would have supported my dream to become a musician, but I wanted him to be proud of me and show him that I’m proud of what he built.
When it came time for college, I went to Harvard and got my MBA. I started working at the company at the age of twenty-four, which was nine years ago. Two years ago, dad retired and named me CEO of Sutton Enterprises. I am the youngest and wealthiest CEO in Tennessee.
None of it matters to me though. I am running the company and making everyone a shit ton of money, but I’m bored. My life is stagnant, with all my passions and dreams pushed to the side.
While talking to a few of my buddies I used to jam with back in high school, they encouraged me to come and play with them. They have a standing gig on Friday and Saturday nights and their lead singer left the band because he got married and wants to spend more time with his wife.
Griffin, my best friend, said to contact Momma J. She is the one to approve any new band members, before playing in her restaurant. When I met her for the first time, I liked her instantly. She has a lot of sass but seems to know what she’s talking about. I get the OK to start tonight and see how things go. If the crowd likes me, then we can make it a permanent arrangement.
I’m not worried about the crowd. After practicing with the guys for a bit, I know we were going to sound great playing live.
When Kinsley is far enough away, I grab Griffin by his shoulder and pull him closer to me. “You like her? I thought you are all hung up on some chick named Becky.”
He smirks and asks, like the fuck he is, “Like who? Shit man, get off me.” He shrugs my hand off and backs up a step.
“Shut the fuck up.” I nod my head towards Kinsley, and he smiles big.
“Nah man. I tried when she first came to town about a year and a half ago, but she was going through a lot of shit. And its Becca, not Becky, fucker. Get it straight. She doesn’t know I’m
alive though. Actually, Becca is your girl Kinsley’s best friend and also Momma J’s daughter. Momma J unofficially adopted Kinsley when she came to town, gave her a job, and got her involved with the goings on around here.”
Hmm, I wonder where she’s from and where her family is.
“Does she have a kid?”
He looks at me as he is pondering what to tell me, which pisses me off because we have known each other since we were fifteen.
“Look, man, Kinsley is a nice girl. What do you want with her?”
Tipping my beer in his direction, I tell him “That isn’t your fucking business.”
“Actually, asshole it is my business. You’re my best friend Mav, but Kinsley is also a good friend of mine. She is like a little sister to me, and I don’t want you to screw with her. She’s worth more than that.”
“Fuck you. The women I spend time with know the score before we hit the sheets. If they get confused after the fact, that’s not on me. I never make any promises to them.” I let out a heavy sigh. I guess I can see where he would want to protect my girl from me, but it burns a bit.
“Grif man, Kinsley is different from those other women.”
“I know she is and that’s exactly my point. You met her, what a few hours ago and you’re a changed man all of a sudden?”
“Maybe I needed to find the right woman to change for. She deserves to be treated right. No, she deserves someone to worship at her feet. No one else can or will do a better job than me.” Picturing me on my knees in front of her has my dick going hard instantly. I am so fucked if fantasies of this woman are making me hard as granite.
“Did you know she sings, Grif? Fuck, she pulls up this afternoon as I am walking in and sits in her little Jeep, belting out some song and is completely oblivious to those around her. That girl has a set of pipes on her. Not to mention she’s sexy as sin.”
“Yeah, she sang here a few times. She has a voice of an angel, I agree with you there.”
Narrowing his eyes, he studies me. “If you’re serious about getting to know her, you gotta know she has a kid. A cute kid and a fuck ton of baggage. If you’re ready to take that on, then I’ll tell you what I know. But I swear to God, Mav if you are just looking for a place to stick your dick, we’re going to have issues. Kins isn’t that girl, she’s so much more.”
Jesus, what the hell do I know about kids? I’ve hung around with Gillian a little, but otherwise, I don’t have much experience. Sure as shit if I go after this woman, I’m not only getting her but the kid too. I wonder where the kid’s dad is and if that is the baggage? There has got to be more to it, than an ex. Did the bastard hurt her?
Foreign feelings of possessiveness and the need to protect what I’m thinking of as mine fills my veins and shoots through my entire being. I have barely met her, but God do I want to know her, love her, and be inside of her. I want to be surrounded by her undeniable beauty. The girl is gorgeous, but the light shining through from her soul is a warmth my cold being needs to absorb in the worst possible way. To be engulfed by all of her would be a dream few reach.
“I hear you, Griffin. This is probably crazy, but I think this girl could be mine, like forever mine.”
Griffin’s brows draw together, “Yeah, well Mav. You aren’t the only one thinking that.”
Looking in the direction he is staring, I jump out of my seat and make my way down the bar to save my sweetheart from the asshole currently putting his hands on something that doesn’t belong to him.
Four
Kinsley
Sitting in front of me with his bright red hair and hazel eyes is none other than Mike Walsh. “Hey there Kinsley. It is you isn’t it Kins?”
Clearing my suddenly dry throat, I whisper “Yeah, Mike it’s me.”
God, I thought I had been careful since my past hadn’t caught up with me, before now. I changed my name when I got here, not spoken to anyone from my old life since I left and stayed off the radar as much as possible.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
Eyeing me speculatively he asks, “A Jack straight up?”
“Sure, give me a sec,” I say before walking away to make his drink.
How did he find me? Did Liam send Mike to come and fetch me for him? This is so fucking bad. I cannot leave Lynchburg now and leave the only family who has ever loved Sadie and I. Giving up my life isn’t an option. I’m never going back to a place I was barely hanging on. Maybe this is a coincidence, and he is in town on a business trip, and he only came in to get a drink. Yeah, keep dreaming Kinsley. You know exactly why he is here and that Liam must have found out about Sadie.
Placing the whiskey in front of him, he picks it up to sniff before twirling the glass and taking a hearty swig. I stand frozen with my heart beating uncomfortably fast in my chest, waiting for him to break me out of this nightmare and hoping beyond hope I can escape from it.
Keeping the glass in his hand, he peers into its contents as if it holds the answers to the questions he needs answered. Glancing over his glass he asks, “How have you been Kinsley?”
“You know, just working here at the bar.”
His eyes sharpen on me. “No. I don’t. How could I know since you haven’t spoken to my boy in over a year? Do you know how broken he has been since you left?”
What? That makes absolutely no sense. The last image I have of him is him slamming his cock into a tall, thin, brunette beauty who I was on a few committees with. Sasha seemed to be enjoying herself as she locked eyes with me and moaned my husband’s name loudly. She must have figured something out that I didn't, because Liam and I were not good together in bed.
“That’s because you’re a broken girl with a broken pussy. You don’t know how to please a man Kinsley. I need more than this, you stupid cunt.” Liam’s words whisper through my mind, and I shudder remembering how he treated me.
“I am sure he isn’t that beat up about it. He seemed to be enjoying himself with Sasha before I left.”
Evident confusion spreads across his features. “Sasha? Sasha Fielding?”
Hmm, is that jealousy I am picking up on? Did Mike and Sasha have a thing too? Do all husbands cheat on their wives? I thought Mike was happily married to his doting wife. Although, I’m fearful of what this man represents, what he can bring down on me, I push. “That would be the one.”
Rage cuts across his fierce gaze, and he grabs onto my forearm, stopping me before I can step back. “What the fuck are you talking about Kinsley?”
I try pulling my arm away, but he won’t release me. “Mike, let me go. You’re scaring me.”
Grabbing me tighter he hisses “Fucking answer my question Kinsley, or I’ll have Liam down here faster than you can expect. He’s been looking for your ass for a long time.”
Shaking my head fiercely, my eyes welling up with tears, I refuse to let them fall. “Please. Please, Mike, you can’t tell him. What do you wan-” I am cut off by Tall, Dark, and Furious.
“Get your hands off her.” Maverick grits out. The grip on my forearm tightens, and Mike’s eyes dart to the man issuing orders behind him. His jaw clenches, but he tries for a smile, which does not reach his eyes. My eyes widen as I look from Mike to Maverick, wondering what is about to happen.
“It’s okay man. Kinsley and I have some things to discuss. Don’t we sugar?”
So, he’s going to act like a friend like he isn’t here to report where I’ve been for the last year and a half to my ex-husband. Mike used to be kind to me when I was still married to his best friend. We would all go out together at least once a week. The movies, concerts, and other things young couples do. I wasn’t ever close with Haley. She is a sweet girl, but always closed off, and our friendship was always surface level.
Not surprisingly, the jovial man who was always quick to lend a hand is nowhere to be seen. The man before me is someone I have never met. He is cold and scaring the living shit out of me. Could he be as cruel as Liam O’Sullivan was toward the end of our marriag
e?
Stuttering I beg. “I…I… Mike, please.” I beg, hoping to reach the man I once knew. He has to know things were not great before I left and I wasn’t to blame for what happened. Before I can get another word out of my mouth to request he keep my location to himself, his grasp on my arm falters and falls away.
Looking up I see Maverick in his face, nose to nose. “I guess you didn’t fucking hear me the first time. I don’t like to repeat myself. Keep your motherfucking hands off Kinsley. If she wants to talk to you, she will. I see you fucking touch her again, hear about you touching her. I. Will. End. You.” Growling the last part, he pushes Mike away from him, and he collides into a chair, landing on his back.
Walking back to the bar, Maverick grabs my arm Mike had a death grip on not moments ago. Holding my small hand in the palm of his very big one, he lightly touches my forearm, gliding his fingers, palm down, up and down.
“Are you hurting anywhere Sweetheart?” he questions me. Concern is clouding his striking features as he checks out my arm. Not concerned in the least Mike might retaliate, his warm hands are helping keep the fear at bay. The strength I feel through his touch fills me with assurance, something I’ve never felt from a man.
Shaking my head as if it’s in a fog, I tell him I’m fine as I stare at the bar top. I cannot meet the eyes of this beautiful man, a man who has seen me in too many intimate moments today.
I have never met someone I feel so in tune with or drawn to. Our connection is unnerving me, and quite frankly, it’s freaking me out. Not having much experience with men, I wonder if I am just ready to start looking at men again. Will I start having this kind of reaction to other men, who enter my little world? Or is it this man who is causing my shift in awareness.
Pulling my hand slowly from his grasp, I dare a look into the eyes of this stranger who is healing my heart. He gives my hand a squeeze and releases it from his. I’m so not ready for any of this. Not to mention I need to figure out my next move since Mike came crashing in here.
