Rejected to Revered (Abbott Ranch Book 2)

Kieffer, Six

Kieffer

25 Years Old

(Spring 2012)

I had Taylor in the palm of my hands. If I'm being honest, it was actually the other way around. It's been three years since I've got to have her lips on mine and what happened then was happening now only stronger. The emotions rolled through us like waves. I was a bastard for taking advantage of the texts but I knew this is what we both wanted even if I didn't deserve it, or her.

"Tay." I barely pulled away.

"Hmm."

"Tell me to stop." Her eyes hit mine and I could see she wasn't going to. "Tell me to leave." She gave me a small shake of her head and tears hit her eyes. "Fuck, I don't deserve to have you."

"Please Kieffer, take me. I don't want you to go anywhere." That's all it took, I'm a weak shit. I backed her up against the bed and followed her as she laid back. The trust in me she had was about enough to make my heart burst out of my chest. I felt it rolling off her.

I yanked off my flannel and t-shirt only parting our lips when the tee came off, then moved on to her clothes. Shirt and bra came off quick, her jean shorts were next and I took in a deep breath. I've wanted her for so damn long and I'm finally getting her. I'm fucking nervous as shit.

Once clothing free with the condom, I thankfully had in my pocket on, I backed away enough and looked right into her gorgeous eyes.

"I want you, so bad." Her words were perfection, I rolled my tongue through my lips and ran my hands up her thighs lightly making my way to her core. My thumb rubbed up against her and the quiet 'oh' had me about to burst. I watched her closely as I slid a finger inside her, but she was already slick and ready. I spread her legs wide and line up while sliding up her body to get her lips back on mine. She was like my drug and I needed her. I pushed in slowly, feeling a little resistance, so I inched in and back out as slowly as I could. Her eyes went wide and I stopped moving.

"You okay?" She nodded pulling my lips back to hers so I started moving again. Once both of us were completely sated and 'jello' as she said, she fell asleep on my chest. Not even an hour later my phone started going off for a fire call. I volunteer with a few of my brothers, so I had to slip out from under her and leave. Which made me feel like an even bigger asshole.

To make everything worse I was fully ready after that night to say fuck it and try things with her Kooper be dammed, and me knowing I ain't worthy of her. I was going to do everything damn thing I possibly could to show her that even though I didn't deserve her she was my world. I didn't get that chance though because she dodged my calls and texts for almost two weeks.

We were damn busy on the Ranch, Dad had us all running around like crazy getting everything reloaded and set up before the heat was too much, not that that mattered we'd be out there regardless. Today I was out in a preview of that heat, on my horse, moving cattle to another field.

It was a long and hot day. It fucking sucked. When I was finally finished, I headed to my parent's place, Momma always had dinner ready and waiting for all of us. I pulled off my boots and made it inside to see most of my brothers already there waiting.

"Yea you ain't kiddin'!" Kyler laughed loudly, Kessler was just watching him unamused, along with Koop, Karver was smiling down at his phone. I walked over and smacked Karver on the back.

"Who got you smilin'?"

"Don't worry about it." He laughed. I nodded a few times knowing if he doesn't wanna spill it he won't. I walked over and kissed Momma on the cheek before heading over to Kooper.

"Koop?" He looked up from his phone, his brows raised. "Where's Taylor been?" He looked at me confused.

"At her house?"

"I mean why ain't she been around?"

"Dude, her Momma died. Why would she be around here?"

"Kooper" Our Momma let out on a sigh.

"What?" It took me a few to process but when I finally did that's only thing that came out my mouth.

"The warehouse fire y'all got called to a few nights back?" I scratched the back of my neck and turned to Momma.

"Go." She nodded toward the door and with a tight smile I took off running. Slid my boots on quick and ran over to my truck. The drive to her house I barely remember I was in a daze. I ran up to the door and franticly knocked. Mr. Jackson opened it and you could tell he'd been having a rough few days.

"Mr. Jackson, sir."

"What do you need boy?"

"Is Taylor here?"

"Yea she is."

"Can I please see her?"

"I don't think she's in the right mindset for any of y'all friends of hers."

"Please Mr. Jackson, I just need to see her." He was about to turn me away again when I heard her quiet voice from behind him.

"It's okay daddy." She squeezed past him and shut the door. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding when she finally looked up at me.

"Oh, fuck Tay." I pulled her against me hard, her arms when around my back and I felt her body shake with her quiet cries. Rubbing her back lightly we just stood there it could have been hours I didn't give a damn.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"You're supposed to keep goin' and make her even more proud of you every damn day." I sighed resting my chin on top of her head. "What you ain't supposed to do is cut me out. Tay, I would have been here with you."

"For what? What could you have done?"

"Held you, just like this."

"You couldn't for long enough."

"That a bet?"

"Shut up." She said around a small laugh.

"Come to my place? Just come watch a movie with me or somethin', get you out of this house for a bit." I felt her head shake against me.

"I can't."

"Can't or won't."

"Both, I just need...I don't know what I need. I want to be alone though." She pushed away from me. "I don't want to see anyone, which is why when Kooper asked I turned him down over and over again. I'll text you when I'm up for something, but until then Kieffer just let me grieve in quiet." I didn't like it, I didn't like it at all, but it is what she wanted.

"I'm still gonna text you every damn day." She smiled.

"I know."

"Just, anythin' you want or need aight?" She nodded. "I mean it. Ice cream at midnight I'll get it." She let out another small laugh.

"You're a good man Abbott." Little did she know I was anything but. She hugged me one more time before disappearing into the house and shutting the door, taking my heart with her.