CHAPTER 16
KENDRICK
The last few weeks have been amazing. I wish I didn’t have to ruin it by sitting in the courthouse today, but it’s finally time to get some justice for Cody’s crimes.
He’s been out on bail since the day after his arrest, but I wasn’t surprised considering who his father is and how well-respected he is around town.
I can’t even look over at him because he’s sitting there calmly while dressed in his Sunday best. He looks normal, like someone who wouldn’t wish harm on anyone because he’s such a good guy.
But I know the truth after witnessing the way he completely broke down at the sight of Eliza on my porch.
When he glances in our direction, his attention isn’t on me. No, it’s on Eliza. The way he looks at her, with yearning and need, has me seething. He’s lucky Eliza’s hand is on my thigh because it is the only thing keeping in my seat and not lunging at the kid.
Sheriff Gaines already warned us not to expect Cody to be spending years in jail. I’m not holding my breath because by the look on the judge’s face, he’s already made his decision about the kind of guy Cody is.
But it’s how things have always gone in this town.
They made assumptions about me; ones I didn’t live up to nor was I willing to argue about. The town has done the same thing with Cody, but they’re mostly based on his dad being a pastor. Neither is correct, but he looks the part and maybe so do I.
Will the town find out how wrong they are about him? Or about me?
Does it even matter?
Eliza gives my knee a squeeze as the judge adjusts himself and shuffles the papers in front of him again.
“After taking everything into account, including the remorse of the defendant, their previously spotless criminal record, and the status of the Hilton family in town, I’ve made a decision about sentencing. ”
I tune out the judge knowing listening to every word he says will only piss me off. I don’t want to be lost to a rage which will only get me in trouble. There’s no doubt in my mind that Cody is going to be let off with barely any consequences for his actions.
He spent a long time sabotaging my ranch, but it’s not going to make a difference.
The fact that he made plans to ruin my family’s ranch and then followed through with them, even if they weren’t well thought out, isn’t going to sway anyone.
It’s not going to matter to the judge, and I’m sure the same is true for the people in town.
All because of who his parents are.
All because he can dress the part of a good guy.
All because they want to believe that the pastor’s son isn’t a complete psychopath.
But I know the truth. I saw the way he went off when he saw Eliza.
The bang of the gavel has me focusing again on the judge before I look over at Eliza. She studies my face for a moment before her eyes soften.
She leans into me and whispers, “Community service and probation with the recommendation of therapy.”
I nod once, understanding what she’s saying and trying hard not to react while silently thanking her for knowing I wasn’t listening. I’m not even sure why I came today.
This is exactly how I figured everything would go down. Status and image hold weight, whether it’s right or wrong, and Cody has both on his side.
Sounds of excitement and relief are coming from his side of the courtroom, but I don’t bother looking in that direction. I’m sure he’s being hugged by his parents. I don’t think I’d be able to hold it together if I saw people rallying around him.
The need to get out of here has my skin crawling and makes my movements jerky as I help Eliza up and then lead her out with my hand on the small of her back.
We’re just about to exit the courtroom when Sheriff Gaines steps into our path.
I brace myself for him to say something fucked up in the hope of stopping myself from losing control.
That would not help me right now.
“With the verdict,” Gaines sounds slightly annoyed which surprises me and causes me to actually look at the man, “I’d like you to consider a restraining order. It might not keep him away from your land and both of you, but it could be a deterrent and could help if anything happens in the future.”
His jaw is clenched, and he keeps glancing toward the front of the courtroom with judgement in his eyes. I’m surprised, but I don’t say anything. There’s no point in questioning a man who is trying to help and is doing his job.
“We’ll come in and do that,” my words are clipped.
Thankfully, he doesn’t take offense and simply nods. “I’d be happy to help you. Just stop in when you can, but don’t wait too long.”
We share a long look. Now, I don’t believe all of the issues I have with Gaines have disappeared, but he’s earned a little respect. It’s something.
Without a word, I continue to lead Eliza away from the celebration going on behind me. The moment we step outside, I take a deep breath and try to let go of just how pissed off I am.
Maybe I’m wrong to be mad. Maybe Cody deserves another chance. Then I remember the way he screamed at Eliza about being with me and how she should be with him. I’m worried about what role he’ll play in our lives in the future.
I’ll just have to keep my eyes open.
When I look down at my woman, she’s already looking up at me with soft gray eyes filled with love. “Take me home, Kendrick,” she murmurs softly.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
I wink at her before closing the distance between us and kissing her. Yes, I kiss her on the steps of the courthouse. I don’t give a single fuck about who is around or who could see us.
Let them talk.
Let them say whatever they want about us.
Their words won’t touch me, not then and certainly not now.
When I pull away from her, Eliza giggles and her eyes are alight with stardust and sunshine. “Love you, Baby,” I whisper.
Somehow, her eyes get even brighter. “I love you, Kendrick.”
With those words ringing in my ears, I practically float to where my bike is parked. I’m thankful the weather held out, and we were able to ride to court today. I don’t think I could have handled being cooped up in the truck. Not today.
The wind buffers us and the sun shines down on our backs as I roar through Seneca Falls and head back home. If people stop and stare, let them. They can have their opinions and their whispered words.
That kind of shit used to make me unthankful. It left a bad taste in my mouth. Now, all it does is remind me that their opinions don’t matter when you’re soaring so high their words can’t touch you. It is there, in those moments, when true gratitude is felt.
The moment I put the kickstand on my bike down, Eliza is sliding off the back of my bike and looking at me with her bottom lip trapped between her teeth.
“I think you’ve earned a day off, Kendrick,” her voice is a needy purr.
My eyes drift down her body and take in the way she squeezes her thighs together. Fuck. It’s impossible not to give my woman exactly what she wants most of the time, but when she’s needy like this? I’m a fucking goner for her and she knows it.
Without warning, she turns and practically sprints up the porch steps. I’m off my bike and at her back before she can get to the front door. We race through the house, not caring if Dad is around or not. Hopefully, he’s out at the barn supervising whatever the hell Cliff is up to.
Having Eliza in the house has changed Dad completely and I almost don’t recognize the man.
Everything about him is lighter now and I think it has to do with the love my woman shines on everyone she comes in contact with.
Having her here hasn’t erased the remnants of pain in Dad’s eyes, but I think it will always be there.
He lost the love of his life which leaves a mark on your soul.
I have no idea what I would do if I lost Eliza. It would be so fucking hard to keep going. In my heart I know Dad kept going for me and for the ranch. I’m just thankful that something kept him here because I needed him, even if we didn’t always see eye to eye.
When we get to our room, I kick the door closed behind me and watch in awe as Eliza starts taking off her clothes.
It’s a cacophony of cotton and sin. It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, my cock trying to punch through my jeans is evidence of that, but she’s not even trying.
There’s nothing fake about my woman. She’s just getting naked because she wants me, there’s no attempt at seduction, and yet I can’t wait to be buried inside of her.
My hands move to match her, my clothes falling away in a mess around my feet. I don’t even bother looking to find out where things land, my eyes are locked on the naked flesh of my woman being exposed for me, and only me, to enjoy.
She turns toward me, her tits bouncing deliciously with the movement, just as I finish and wrap my hand around the base of my cock. She licks her lips as she steps closer, the look of hunger on her face making me squeeze the tip so I don’t explode far too soon.
I let out a low groan of approval when she drops to her knees in front of me. I hold my cock out to her like the offering it is. For her. Only for her.
Her tongue swipes across the crown to collect the pre-cum beading there. The sensation is like electricity humming through my veins, and my head falls back on my shoulders as my muscles tense while I try to keep ahold of my control. It’s not easy, it feels like it’s crumbling underneath me.
And then she takes me into her warm, wet mouth.
I’m fucking gone.
My fingers dive into her hair as she takes me deeper. When the head of my dick bumps the back of her throat, she swallows before sliding me back out of her mouth. As she starts to bob up and down my length, my fingers tighten in her hair, and my hips start to pump.
She looks up at me with her gray eyes glazed over with need and lust. She sucks me harder and her tongue plays with the underside of my shaft whenever I’m pulling out of her mouth. It’s almost too much for me to take.
When the tip of her tongue flicks at just the right spot, I see stars and quickly pull out of her mouth with a pop. I’m heaving gulping breaths to try and get myself under control.
“I wasn’t done,” she complains with a pout.
“I don’t want to come in your mouth,” I grit out through my teeth.
Then I’m hauling her up and walking her back toward our bed.
With a slap to her ass, I demand, “On your hands and knees, Baby.” As she scrambled to comply, I can’t take my eyes off her.
Every inch of her creamy skin has my hands itching to touch her.
“Fucking gorgeous,” I murmur, more to myself than her.
She looks back at me expectantly when she’s in position and I don’t hesitate to close the distance to her upturned ass. My hands glide over her skin and squeeze the globes of her ass before spreading them apart to give myself the perfect view of her glistening wet pussy.
My dick throbs with the need to be buried inside of her. One of my hands slides around her hip until it’s resting on her lower belly.
“I might not have it in my hand right now, Baby, but I’m slipping a ring on your finger and you’re going to marry me.” She gasps and her wide eyes take me in over her shoulder. “Then I’m going to plant my baby right here,” I rub over her belly as I tell her how it’s going to go down.
Eliza swallows hard and nods slowly. “You think we’re ready?”
I smirk as I grip the base of my cock and rub the tip up and down her soaked slit. I notch myself at her entrance and pause. “I think we’re ready to take on the world and show it what it means to live without caring about what anyone thinks about our happiness and the family we make.”
As I punch my hips forward and fill her with one, savage thrust, she arches her back and shouts out, “Yes, Kendrick.”
With my hands gripping her hips, I fuck her long and deep, wanting her to feel all of me. Her moans of pleasure and her whispered pleas of more are answered by my body. We move together until we come as one.
Her plump lips are parted, her chant a constant, “Yes!”
I don’t know whether she’s voicing her pleasure or telling me that she’ll marry me. I’m taking it as a yes to my proposal, though I wasn’t waiting for an answer. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll be my wife.
Soon.
She’s already mine, this will simply make it official.
And then we’ll ensure people keep whispering about the life we build. They won’t be whispering about how I’m the bad boy and she’s the good girl with a crooked crown. No, they’ll be whispering about how happy we are and how much they wish they had our life.
But we won’t mind or give a single fuck about what they say behind our backs. We’ll be too busy being grateful for the life we have and living every day with gratitude and love in our hearts.
Just how it should be.