Rescued by Love Read online

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2017 Jules Dixon

  ISBN: 978-1-77339-243-1

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to anyone who experiences the grip of addiction. No matter where you are or whatever the reason, please know I care about you.

  Rescued or not, you are always worthy of love.

  <3 Jules

  RESCUED BY LOVE

  Triple R, 7

  Jules Dixon

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Drexel, age 18

  The boss’s fifteen-year-old daughter approached me for the third time that night. Rory Jessen had hovered within a five-foot halo of me for the last three hours. She didn’t say anything. She was just … around.

  I didn’t mind the company, but her silence made me uncomfortable. Then again, her voice made me uncomfortable, too. This girl wasn’t the normal chick-at-a-party threat. She was harmless.

  I’d only come to this party to avoid the typical Fourth of July bash with kegs of beer, ending with a hookup that did nothing to make me want to stay in Omaha, Nebraska. If anything, that interaction would only make me want to run faster from this city. Didn’t bother me that I wasn’t in the mood to listen to some girl ramble on about how her bra was uncomfortable and how she’d love someone to help her take it off, or her tan lines were … well, I should just see for myself.

  Nice ways to imply, “I’m ready to get naked.”

  My life in Omaha had never been the sparkling example of personal fulfillment. Taking a chance and moving away was a better idea than sticking around for something I’d never have here.

  She gathered all of her blonde hair in one hand and draped it over her shoulder, leaving the other peachy-skinned, lightly-freckled shoulder bare in her tiny tank top. “Is that your red Mustang in the driveway?”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  “I’d really like to see—”

  “Hey, Drex.” Evan Conley rolled up, looking as player as always. “When do you leave for KU? You gonna play ball there?” He led a group of guys I knew from playing baseball over to us.

  Rory clammed up, but her golden lashes flickered and she played with her hair again. Seen that move before.

  Hmmm. Which one of these players do you like, Rory?

  I faced him, turning my back on her. “I leave in a month. Yeah, full-ride scholarship to pitch.”

  “You’re moving away?” Her timid voice cracked in the middle of the question.

  Her voice tingled my backbone, which unfortunately made my body respond in the typical teenage boy’s way.

  Boner City. Population: me!

  I shoved my hands in my jeans pockets and turned to her. “Well, that’s what college is about. Are you going to live here in the Jessen Castle forever, Princess?”

  The four guys standing around me chuckled.

  “I … I just meant…” Her eyes pooled with tears and her plump lips quivered.

  Shit. Boner deflator.

  “Drex, nice ‘Stang. When did you get that?” one of the guys asked.

  I faced him. “Graduation present from my parents.”

  “Wish my parents were like that.”

  No, you really don’t.

  I glanced back over my shoulder and the blue eyes—a serene, endless blue, usually as calm as a summer’s day—were gone.

  Probably for the best.

  I spent the rest of the evening hanging with the guys. We all worked at Jessen Auto Mall as runners, car washers, and general part-time minions. The dealership had been my real home for the last three years. If I wasn’t training or playing baseball, I was there.

  Most of the people my age left before the fireworks started, heading to more hookup friendly parties. I’d had plenty of social interaction with the opposite sex in high school, but I didn’t want to start something that had expectations attached to any horizontal fun before I went to college. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before exiting out the back door. Continuing past the pool, which was still filled with several adults and younger kids, I made my way along a path through the trees, separating the backyard and a secret orchard behind them. At least that’s how I’d remembered the area the last time I’d been to the Jessens’ home when I’d helped Mr. Jessen paint the gazebo. I stepped past the hedge of compact Cyprus trees creating a barrier to help with the north wind in the winter. The gazebo still looked brand-new and vines had grown up over the last year, sealing the back side in a layer of dark green, almost black.

  I was a step away from the wooden structure when a familiar male voice filtered through the vines. I stopped.

  “Cory, you’re kind of cute.”

  Cory?

  “My name is Rory.”

  “Oh, right. Weird name, but you’re still cute in a plain sort of way.”

  “Why are you standing so close to me?” Her voice trembled.

  “Because I’m going to kiss you like you’ve been wanting me to.”

  What the hell?

  “No. I don’t want to kiss—” There were muffled sounds, and I heard Rory mutter, “Please, stop.”

  That’s enough.

  I stepped inside. The water bottle in my hand dropped to the wood floor, and my canvas shoes shuffled to a stop as I witnessed Evan pinning Rory against the gazebo, his hands under her shirt and her hands shoving his shoulders away.

  Evan was oblivious to my presence. “You like that, right?” he insisted.

  Her wide eyes connected with mine and panic transferred from her into me. A protective instinct surged through me.

  “Evan, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I stepped right behind him, my palms fisted.

  “Drex, I’m in the middle of something.” He hadn’t pulled his hands away from her.

  Her lips trembled and a tear rolled down her cheek. I grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him off her. “Yeah, you’re in the middle of apologizing to Rory and then leaving.”

  Evan spun around and held up his hands, backing away. “Oh, dude, I didn’t know she was yours.”

  “She’s not mine, but she’s definitely not yours.” I pushed on his chest to move him toward the house. He didn’t deserve to even breathe the same air as Rory.

  “Well, if she’s not yours, then she can be mine.”

  “It’s time to leave, Evan, and never look her way again. She’ll never be yours. Do you understand me? And while you’re at it, don’t come back to the dealership. You do and I’ll let Mr. Jessen know I saw you stealing from customers’ cars when you thought no one was watching. Those cameras they have in the parking lot would back me up.”

  His jaw tightened. “You can be a real ass, Mason.”

  “Yes, I can. Just remember that, Conley. Now apologize and leave.” I stepped forward and he stepped back.

  “I’m sorry, Princess. The two of you were made for each other.” He turned to me. “She’s glacial as the Arctic and you’re full of fucking hot air. Good luck thawing her out, Mason.”

  I rushed toward him and he sprinted out of the gazebo entrance and ran down the path. In less than a minute, the muffler on his piece-of-crap truck rumbled away,
but Rory’s sobbing was louder than the truck’s engine.

  When I walked back into the gazebo, she sat on the bench to the left of the doorway, hugging her knees to her chest.

  I cleared my throat. “Rory?” She continued to cry. I moved onto the bench next to her. “Rory?” I reached out to her bare shoulder. As my fingers skimmed her skin, she flinched away and her crying hiccupped to a stop.

  “What?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Just leave me alone, please.”

  “Can I stay to watch the fireworks?” I asked.

  “I don’t own the gazebo or the fireworks, Drexel.” She wiped her eyes while she stood and walked to the opening on the other side, staring up into skies filled with colors and shapes that only happened one night every year.

  I tried not to stare at her but I couldn’t help it. Her shimmering waves of golden hair glinted every color of firework, and made it impossible to look at anything but her.

  I pushed off the bench and made my way to the opening, leaning against the opposite side. “Really, are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.” She encased her arms in a self-protective hug around her midsection.

  I raised an arm to pull her close, but there were too many things to think about.

  I’m leaving. She’s the boss’s daughter. There’s no future for me here. But she’s beautiful. And she’s genuine. And welcoming. And she’s…

  “Do you need to talk to someone about what that asshole did?”

  “Maybe, but I really don’t want to talk to you about it.”

  I could understand that. I didn’t like talking to me either.

  She sighed, which sounded like she had released what happened, but I didn’t want to be a part of anything still hurting her.

  “I’m sorry, Rory.”

  “For what?”

  “My ‘princess’ comment earlier.”

  “Obviously, you’re not the only one thinking it.”

  “Who cares what people are thinking?”

  Her eyes skimmed up my body to meet mine, the trail igniting a path of nerves inside me I’d never experienced before.

  “I care what you think, Drex.”

  I stepped closer to her. Not only because I wanted to, but also because I craved to. “Why in the world would you do that? I’m not worth you caring, Rory.”

  “I don’t understand why I feel that way, I just do. Everyone needs to know someone cares. Sometimes I think you need someone to care for you.”

  I moved until she had to crane her neck to look up at me. Sliding my fingers across her cheek, I collected her tears and let them soak into my fingers. I promised her in my mind they would be her last.

  I swallowed, sensing her tiny hands balancing against my chest, the palms warm and her fingertips pressing lightly against me. “There’s a lot in life I don’t understand, too, but Rory, what Evan did was unacceptable and if he ever comes near you again—”

  “Kiss me.” It was a whisper, but I heard it and her eyes raptly focused on my lips.

  I wanted to tell her no, for all of those reasons my brain had rehashed over and over, but only the last ones really made any sense to me.

  She’s so…

  Some sliver of hunger had me sliding my hand into her hair. The nervously twisted strands caught in the webbing of my fingers. I stopped and cupped her head, not wanting to hurt her. How she rolled her head against my hand to linger and deepen the connection was almost too much.

  I cleared my throat. “Rory, I’m not boyfriend material. Plus, I’m leaving Omaha soon, and your dad probably wouldn’t—”

  I didn’t get to argue more. Her small fists knotted in my t-shirt and my head was towed down to her waiting lips. Both of us froze when we touched. The thump thump thump of our hearts beat louder than the fireworks going off over our heads.

  It wasn’t like I hadn’t kissed a girl. I’d kissed plenty of girls.

  But kissing this girl was different. This girl was unpretentious and comforting. She was complex and stunning. She was soft and warm and her lips tasted like freshly picked strawberries. Her hands softened on my chest, skimmed their way to my neck, and strayed into my hair.

  I broke the kiss and took a step back.

  “Rory…” Her name was the only thing I could get out before she grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the bench, forcing me to sit with a solid push on my chest.

  She sat next to me. “Drex, don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  Her voice was a whisper. “Just don’t stop. I won’t tell anyone. I know you’re going away, and there’ll be nothing after this. I promise, I don’t expect anything more. I just want to kiss you, but if you don’t want to—”

  I wanted to stop her rambling, and kissing her definitely seemed like the way to do it. I leaned in and she met me. I lifted her onto my lap and we tangled our tongues while the symphony of sparkling and exploding fireworks became an inspirational and enthusiastic backdrop. Even when the explosions had evaporated, we remained joined as if we both had something to say. If it never made sense to anyone but the two of us, that wasn’t the point, the point was she cared and I needed to feel cared for, if only for a few minutes. The actions never escalated beyond our lips, but for some reason, I hadn’t even thought about trying to take it further. What she was offering seemed like enough.

  And too much.

  “Rory?” Her mom’s voice echoed through the garden. “Are you out here?”

  She broke the kiss. “Thank you for stopping Evan. I’ll miss you, Drexel. Have fun at college. Bye.” She pecked one last kiss on my cheek, then ran toward the house.

  “Oh, there you are, honey. Were you out here all alone?”

  Her flip-flops bounced on the stone path. “I was in the gazebo enjoying the fireworks.”

  I chuckled.

  Those were definitely some fireworks.

  I was leaving the state of Nebraska and didn’t plan on coming back for anything or anyone. And even if that wasn’t the plan, she was the boss’s daughter. What we’d done shouldn’t happen again. Couldn’t happen. Wouldn’t. I was thankful she didn’t have expectations. I definitely wasn’t the right guy for her anyway.

  The air was a dusty, gray cloud of firework smoke. Standing from the bench, the sharp odor coated any remaining scent of her strawberry lip-gloss and fragrant lotion, taking memories and obscuring them with a haze. Probably a good thing.

  Shaking my head and clearing away any lingering thoughts, I took the side exit and left the Jessens’ home with a smile and something new inside me. I couldn’t put a name to the feeling, and I didn’t need to.

  It’s time to get the hell out of Omaha. Permanently.

  Chapter Two

  Six years later

  Aurora

  I wiped a tear.

  “I vow to be beside you through the days with rainbows and the days with only rain. I promise to respect you and support you through every trial of our lives. There are so many dreams we share and I can’t wait to have them all come true with you. And when there are surprises, we’ll face them together—hand in hand. Jude, my love for you is unending and I am devoted to you. I love you and I take you as my husband today and always.”

  Goose bumps rose on my body. Vows made between two people to be the one for each other forever always got to me. Especially nontraditional and personalized vows, and Jude Saylor and Presley Bradenhurst had jam-packed theirs with so much heart. My chest burned as my heart absorbed their love.

  The officiant finished the ceremony with the exchange of rings. “With the spirits lifting you up, guiding and lighting your way, you may now kiss each other to seal your commitment.”

  And they did. And I dabbed at my eyes while cheers sounded around me.

  They’d chosen to have their ceremony around the fountain inside Joslyn Art Museum. Less than a hundred people filled the chairs, but it was only the people who obviously meant the most to them. The crowd erupted in cheers. I stood and followed m
y parents outside to say our congratulations to the couple. For the twenty-first of December it was an unusually warm day, fifty and not a cloud in the sky, and for Nebraska good weather was sometimes even weird in the middle of summer. The couple was blessed in so many ways. After thanking all the guests, Presley and Jude climbed into his truck and off they went to the reception site.

  A hand landed on my shoulder. “I thought that was you.”

  My heart ticked a little faster wondering who it was. I turned and a man in a gray wool topcoat with a black and red rugby striped scarf draped around his neck stood inches away. Stylish and yet casual, just like him.

  “Hey, Ollie, how are you?”

  “Doing good. Man, that was a tearjerker of a wedding.”

  “No kidding.” I thought about checking my makeup in a mirror, but my eyes had caught the back of a familiar head, and definitely not a person I was interested in talking to.

  I can’t. Not again.

  “Ollie, I’m gonna get going to the reception. You coming?”

  “Yeah, let me grab my dates and we’ll be right there.”

  I giggled. Oliver Aston, previous no-rules playboy had turned into a one-man man. I looked forward to the day when Ollie and his boyfriend Holt stood in front of all of us and made their love a legally binding bond, too.

  Not thinking, I walked behind the familiar man, and after a bad calculation, I was sandwiched between him and another guest. I turned to make myself as thin as possible, but my backside brushed over his backside. I moved faster as the familiar spark he and I once had zipped to the surface.

  I heard him chuckle and offer to whoever he was with, “Whoever that was can brush by me anytime. Nice ass.”

  Nice ass? You’re just an ass sometimes, Drexel.

  My heels clicked on the tile flooring and out the door. All the memories of our interactions crushed me. I both hated him and … didn’t.