Sweet Hill Temptation (A Short Story)

by Ryan, Joya

  “I’d like to keep a distance between us. I don’t need any more scandal. And I don’t need people refusing to come back to my café, thinking I offended the town’s golden boy.”

  “How can I help?” he asked with such conviction it startled her.

  “I don’t need your help. I just came here to—” She took a breath to yell. To tear him a new one. Tell him that she could fix things on her own. Tell him how much she hated him and that she didn’t care and hadn’t thought of him. Instead, as if the wind around them had stilled, so did her heart.

  There was only one thing she had really come here to say, and it was a question.

  “Why did you leave the way you did, Luke?” Her voice sounded softer and more vulnerable than she liked. But there it was. The truth. The one question she asked herself over and over. How could he have just snuck off in the middle of the night after what they’d shared? “Did you take off early because you were ashamed of me?”

  “No.” He frowned hard and looked appalled by her question. “I’ve never been ashamed of you, Annabelle.”

  “Then how come you didn’t say good-bye?”

  He let out a long breath and dropped his arm from the door. Judging by the expression on his face, he was mulling over what to say.

  “I didn’t know how to say good-bye to you. I had an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, so I just took it. I thought we said everything we needed to that night.”

  The words stung more than she was prepared for. But it was the truth, just like she’d asked for. So now it was her turn.

  “You asked me if I thought of you since that night.”

  His eyes zeroed in on hers, and she held his stare. She wouldn’t be weak. She would tell him exactly what she thought.

  “I did, a lot. But mostly I thought of myself.”

  He frowned when she said that, but she just continued. “I thought of how I was so stupid. Thought of what an idiot I was. Did you know I actually believed that you cared about me? Believed we connected on some level that no one has ever—” She stopped because, damn it, her voice cracked.

  Luke moved to touch her, but she just straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I came here to let you know I won’t make that mistake again.”

  She turned to leave, and Luke grabbed her hand.

  “We did connect, Annabelle.” He coaxed her to face him. “You can be such a hard-ass, but that night, I finally saw a side of you that not many get to.”

  She wanted to scoff, because it was more like no one. Because that side he was referring to had a kind of vulnerability that terrified her. The kind that hurt.

  “You don’t scare me in the way you think you do,” he said with a small smile. Her body let go of an ounce of tension. He pulled her a little closer. “I know what you’re capable of, know there’s more to you than you let on. And I know you hate that.”

  She did hate it. So much. Because growing up with Luke Jacobs was hard enough. He was pulling her pigtails one moment, then wiping her tears the next when some kid at school made fun of her. Somehow, he’d crossed enemy lines and become her confidant. That, and she’d threatened to kick him in the shins until he bled if he ever told anyone he saw her cry. And he never did.

  For a man who seemed to have everything, including the respect of the town, a good name, and success, he had always treated her like an equal.

  “The truth is, Annie, we connected long before that night.”

  He pulled her so close now that his breath fanned over her forehead and they stood in his doorway with the hot August night and crickets surrounding them.

  “Remember when I found you in my tree house?”

  Her gaze snapped to his, and she nodded. She was upset because her mother had just left again, and at eight years old, she was still learning how to handle it. It was also the day Luke’s father left and never came back.

  “You just hugged me,” he said. “When everyone else was trying to give me an explanation, to make sense of things, you let me sit there with you, hide with you, and just be.”

  That annoying sting behind her eyes was back. They had been kids. Scared. Unsure. But in that moment, they had each other and understood what the other was going through.

  “I knew then that there was more to Annabelle Thompson than a tough girl with no fear.”

  She gave a half scoff, half smile and said the only thing she could when someone challenged her toughness. “Well, I think you’re full of shit.”

  He laughed and cupped her neck. “And you’re the only one who calls me on it.”

  Damn it, she was caught again. He smelled like spice and summertime, and all male. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man. Actually, two years, to be exact. Largely due to the fact she’d been busy building her café, and also because no other man made her feel like this. Like losing control. Like giving in.

  “I couldn’t face you,” he said so low she almost missed it. Looking up to meet his eyes, she saw an ounce of pain there. “I didn’t know how to tell you good-bye. And I didn’t call because I knew if I heard your voice …” He shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said. “And you’re right, there was something between us.” He kissed her palm. “I think there still is.”

  She swallowed hard, wanting to deny it, deny him. But she couldn’t deny something that was so horribly obvious. Luke Jacobs had always been, and probably always would be, special to her.

  “Damn it,” she sighed.

  He smiled. That megawatt country boy grin that made her panties instantly wet. “I’m wearing you down, aren’t I?”

  She shook her head.

  “Liar.” He nipped her fingertip, and a flare of pleasure shot through her body.

  “How long,” she managed to get out before losing herself even further. “How long are you here this time?”

  He looked at her for a long moment. “I came back for harvest, but I have no intention of leaving.”

  “Good enough.” With that, she pressed against him, pushing him into his house, and snagged his bottom lip between her two.

  He groaned and returned her kiss. “There’s the mouth I’ve been missing,” he said, kicking the door shut and instantly pushing her against the wall.

  All thought was gone, except for Luke’s warmth. His body was a furnace, constantly drawing her in and burning her up.

  “I wasn’t kidding before when I said I like this look,” he said against her mouth. He peeled off her leather jacket while she kicked off her boots, leaving her in nothing but her flimsy pajamas.

  “I kind of like your outfit too.” She reached between their bodies and gripped his erection. “It’s accessible.”

  “I aim to please.”

  His lips were on her neck, licking and biting his way down. When he grabbed the hem of her cami, she raised her arms and he tugged it up and off.

  “Jesus,” he said on a long breath. “You’re fucking perfect.”

  Delivering a few small kisses along her collarbone, his mouth traveled down to nip along a breast, then circle the peak with his tongue.

  “Yes, Luke, more.” She wound her fingers in his blond hair and arched, willing him to deepen contact.

  “You know I’ve dreamed of you”—he licked her nipple and she inhaled sharply— “dreamed of your body”—he bit down on the bud—“your legs wrapped around me while I buried myself inside of you.”

  She moaned, and he sucked on the entire rosy tip of her breast. He splayed out his hands on her sides and pulled her closer. Deeper suction made her skin break out in goose bumps and her entire body tingle. Releasing her from his mouth with a popping sound, he moved to the other breast and repeated the delicious torture.

  “I want you,” she said, admitting it out loud for the first time since the last night they were together.

  “I want you too, baby.” Delivering a few lingering licks over her now exceedingly sensitive breasts, he moved lower, sliding his tongue down her middle until he reached the waistline of her skimp
y shorts. “But I’ve waited a long time to have you again, and I want to reacquaint myself properly.”

  The wicked promise in his voice caused her spine to shiver with shuddering anticipation. When he gripped her shorts and began pulling them down, it was all she could do not to thrust her hips out and beg.

  “No panties?” His breath hit her dead center just as her shorts dropped and pooled at her feet.

  She stepped from them, and Luke stayed on his knees, simply staring.

  “Can’t wait,” he said, and he clutched her thigh. Throwing her leg over his shoulder, she gripped the top of his head to steady herself, and he dove home.

  His tongue snaked over her most sensitive spot once, twice, flicking faster with every sweep. Need climbed in her belly, lighting her up from the inside out.

  “God, yes!” She threw her head back.

  He devoured her, licking and sucking the little bundle of nerves until she was panting. Only when she was right there on the edge of release did he let up. She was just about to beg him to go on, to ask why he’d stopped, when he drove his tongue into her core.

  “Yes! Luke!” She pulled his hair and rocked her hips, meeting every thrust of his tongue and crying out for more.

  “Come for me, baby,” he rasped.

  There was no way she would argue with him. She gave up control and let him take her however he wanted. Her body soared, so high and so intense she thought her knees would buckle from the pleasure.

  But Luke was there to catch her.

  Jesus Christ, Luke had never been so hard in his whole life. The woman he’d been thinking about for what seemed like an eternity was finally in his grasp. And there was no way he was letting go now.

  “Just like I remember,” he said, rising to face her.

  Actually, if he were being honest, it was better. No one would guess Annie Thompson was so passionate. So expressive. She had the sweetest little moans when she came, and it was like tasting honey and wildfire—everything she was. Sweet and unpredictable. And Luke got her all to himself.

  “Now,” she said with a powerful kiss.

  She bit his lip while tugging on his boxer briefs, and fumbling to get them off.

  “Now,” she said again, pulling the elastic band down just enough so his aching cock shot free, and damn if the thing didn’t twitch trying to reach her.

  Reality hit hard.

  “Wait … we can’t.” Luke hated having to say those words, especially when he was on the brink of keeling over with desire for the woman before him.

  “W-what?” she breathlessly asked. “Why?”

  He was about to kick his own ass. Yes, he wanted her, so fucking bad. “I don’t have any condoms.”

  She pulled back just enough to look at him, and she whispered, “I’m on the pill and clean.”

  Holy shit, could this really happen? Luke had never been with a woman without a condom. Not even Annie that first time.

  “I’m good too,” he said.

  She nodded and kissed the side of his mouth, his jaw, his neck. He groaned, gripped the underside of her knee, and locked her leg against his hip.

  “You sure?” he asked, reaching with his free hand to position himself at her entrance.

  “Supersure.” She smiled.

  That was all it took. When the tip of his cock met her slick heat, he didn’t need any more invitation. He thrust to the hilt.

  Her eyes shot wide, and she gasped.

  “You okay?” he asked, slowly retreating.

  She was so tight, so wet, so ready. And he could feel all of her. No barriers. Just them. And it felt amazing. She wiggled a little against him, as if testing the waters, and his whole world hung in the balance in that moment. Waiting for the word to continue or stop.

  “Don’t stop,” she said in that sexy voice he remembered hearing once before.

  Thank God. Grabbing her other knee, he lifted her up. Balanced between his hold and the wall, she locked her legs around him and he sank inside her again.

  “You feel so good,” she said, clutching his shoulders.

  “So do you, baby.”

  She fit him perfectly. Like warm silk gloving him. He knew right there that this could become addicting. The feel of her, all of her, tangled around him was like a drug. He withdrew and returned with another hard thrust, coaxing another moan from her. So he did it again. And again. Until all she would do was take it. Let him in. Let him take care of her.

  Her ass banged against the wall, and the sound was like music to Luke’s ears, heightening his desire. But when her nails dug into his back, it spurred him like a wild bull, driving him even deeper, needing more.

  “Luke,” she said between strangled breaths. “You’re going to … make me … again …”

  He smiled and bit her bottom lip. “Good. Come on, baby. Come for me again.”

  Nothing had ever brought him more satisfaction than that moment— Annie in his arms, coming apart for the second time around him. Because of him. It was like it was what he was meant to do. Bring her pleasure. Make her feel good.

  That was what she did to him.

  She had him crazed. Desperate for her. Gritting his teeth, he held back the ache in his gut and his own release, until she had hers.

  Pumping faster, they held on to each other.

  “Luke, yes!” She yelled his name to the ceiling, and he felt her flood him with her orgasm. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He was right there with her. A release so powerful it made him see stars and made his legs a little shaky.

  Still breathing hard, Annie buried her face in his neck and hugged him like she didn’t want him to leave her. So he wouldn’t. Hopefully, he’d just changed her mind about keeping a distance, as she was saying earlier.

  After long moments, she lifted her head and looked him in the eye. “Okay. Maybe I missed you a little.”

  Chapter Four

  “Ah, crap. What now?” Annie said, walking up to her café, which had a small crowd of geriatric looky-loos surrounding her front door. She couldn’t possibly hope that they were forming a line to get in this early in the morning.

  Since she’d left Luke sleeping last night, she was so wired that instead of rest, she’d pulled an all-nighter pacing around her home and thinking. There was no way anyone could know her business, right? Of course, this was Sweet Hill and everyone seemed to know everything.

  “Good morning,” she said with a cheery smile, making her way through the bystanders to get to the front door.

  She stopped dead in her tracks. There were three big crates of apples piled on top of one another, the name JACOBS ORCHARD printed on the side. A big note was stuck to the top of the box of Pink Ladies:

  When life gives you apples, make apple pie.

  And yours is the best in town. Hope these help!

  ~Luke

  The little old ladies surrounding her smiled. A couple of older gentlemen nodded and grunted, including Herb Lee, owner of Leeve It and Lube, across the street.

  “This true?” he asked. “You making pie today with Jacobs apples?”

  Annie looked at the crates, then at the crowd. They didn’t look hostile, or look at her like she was hostile. This was a good sign. Sure, Luke’s sign—basically a public banner of peace between her and him—also helped.

  “Looks like I am.”

  A few claps and cheers let out as she opened the door to the café and turned on the lights.

  To her surprise, everyone followed her in. Herb hollered at his son, and a few other men from his shop who had also gathered, to pick up the crates and take them inside.

  “Where do we put these, Miss Annie?” Joel Lee asked, hoisting up a crate.

  “They can go in the kitchen in back. Thank you so much.”

  And in a matter of seconds, her little place was full of people ordering coffee and happy to spend their morning waiting for apple pie.

  Annie set straight to work, hustling between patrons, delivering coffee and scones, getting everyone settle
d, all while having a massive smile on her face.

  The sentiment behind what Luke had done wasn’t lost on her. He put to bed the miniscandal of her slugging him, but in a way that the town would know they had made up without knowing they’d “made up.”

  He must have delivered the apples at an ungodly hour, since she’d left him not too long ago. The gesture was incredible.

  “Looks like you kids worked it out,” Nana said, shuffling into the café for her morning shift and peeking into the kitchen. “Gotta love them apples.” She smiled and tied her apron on.

  Annie laughed and under her breath muttered, “You have no idea.”

  It was only fair that Annie take him lunch since Luke had given her hundreds of dollars in apples that morning. Which was keeping the café pretty busy and putting the regulars back in their seats.

  Pulling up to the loading dock, she got out, paper bag in hand, and searched for Luke. She found him bent over the forklift, messing with the engine.

  She tilted her head, examining his amazing ass in those jeans, and a small sigh escaped. It just wasn’t fair for one man to possess all that hotness.

  “Hey,” she called out.

  He looked over his shoulder. “Hey, baby.”

  Grabbing a rag from his back pocket and wiping his hands, he turned and walked toward her. Not hesitating for a second, he wrapped her up and kissed her like crazy.

  Her eyes shot open in surprise, but when he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, she parted them and let him in, basking in his crisp taste and masterful mouth.

  “Thank you for the apples,” she said, a little breathless.

  “You’re welcome. Thank you for wearing this dress.” His hand skated down to grab her ass as he delved his tongue deeper, consuming her, sweeping her up in his touches and slow, intense kiss.

  Bag in hand, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him closer.

  “Mmm, something smells good.”

  She leaned back and smiled. “I brought you lunch. A pulled-pork sandwich and sweet-potato fries.”

  “My favorite.” He brushed the tip of his nose against hers.