Sweet Hill Temptation (A Short Story)

by Ryan, Joya

“I know.”

  “God, you’re sexy when you’re thoughtful,” he said, nipping her chin. “Had me wondering why you took off last night.”

  It would be easy to come back with something snarky. Point out the irony. But she didn’t, mostly because she wasn’t that girl. She knew why Luke had left the first time and she didn’t take off last night as some kind of payback. She just needed to think. Needed to figure out how far she was willing to fall again.

  “I just wanted some space to get my mind right.”

  He pulled back and stared at her. “Mind right about what?”

  She shrugged. “About this situation. I know it was a one-time thing, but I’d appreciate you keeping it to yourself.”

  “Hold up.” He took several steps back and crossed his arms, looking at her like he would a child who was about to be reprimanded. She tried not to get hypnotized by the way his T-shirt pulled tight over his chest and biceps.

  “First of all, if you think last night was a one-time thing, I suggest you go back to wherever you do your thinking and try again. Because there is no way I’m letting you walk away that easy.”

  “Excuse me?” Her gaze snapped to meet his.

  “You heard me, Annabelle. I’m not interested in a one-night stand. You coming up here, charming me with delicious food, only to break my heart is just cruel.” He gave an exaggerated pout.

  “Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes because she could tell Luke was trying his damnedest to keep a straight face. “I just assumed it was a one-night thing because—”

  “Well, you assumed wrong.”

  She let out a deep breath, having no idea what to say next.

  “I’m sorry about how things ended last time. But I’m here, and I want you. For more than a single night. What is it you want, Annie?”

  She blinked a few times, because honestly, no one had ever asked her that question. Not her mother when she came in and out of Annabelle’s life, not the town when rumors started up about her, not even Luke two years ago.

  But he’s asking now.

  “I may be interested in more than one night,” she said softly. What she was certain of was that she was tired of being left. “But it’s not that simple, Luke. I was on the town’s shit list, and had you not pulled that stunt with the apples, I might not have bounced back. I would have been serving an empty café today.”

  “We do live in a gossipy town,” he said.

  “Exactly. So starting something with you would be risky. One bad move and I’m back to White Trash Thompson, enemy number one of the Jacobs family.”

  “Don’t ever call yourself that again,” Luke snapped. “You’re not trash. You’re ambitious. Most people here just don’t understand you.”

  “And you do?”

  He waited until she looked at him before he said, “Yes, I do.”

  She pinched the bridge of her nose. Things were getting too heavy too quick. A few more words and looks from Luke and she was afraid she’d start believing him.

  “Do you want your lunch or not?”

  He smiled and took the bag. “Only if you’ll come in the orchard and share with me. We can talk more about us.”

  “I can’t stay long,” she said, swaying on her feet. Once again, Luke Jacobs with his lethal smile and confident swagger had her attempting to balance with trembling knees.

  “I don’t need long.” He took her hand and led her deep into the orchard, not stopping until the only things that surrounded them were rustling tree branches swaying in the breeze.

  She sat beneath a Golden Delicious. Luke dropped the bag and gently pushed her to her back, instantly wedging himself between her legs. The grass tickled her shoulder blades, and Luke’s weight on top of her felt amazing. Like she was safe. Secure beneath him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure you hear me,” he said, hovering over her.

  Oh, she was hearing him. She was also lifting her hips, wondering just how far they were about to go. But Luke stayed still, simply looking at her, and all she could see was him.

  “I want you, Annabelle.” Putting his forearms on either side of her head, he balanced his weight atop her.

  She could see his biceps bulge in her peripheral vision, and that safe feeling enveloped her once more.

  “Do you want me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered. That was a simple question with a simple answer. The rest—like tomorrow or details—didn’t enter her mind then. She wanted Luke.

  “Good.” He grinned. “Because right here”—he skimmed her cheekbone with the back of his hand—“with you, is where I want to be.”

  Her lips trembled. She wanted to respond. To argue with him and point out all the reasons that this was a bad idea. That while she felt a deep connection to him, they were very different people living in a town that recognized those differences.

  “You and me together … it isn’t going to look right. People will talk.”

  “I know you have a lot riding on your reputation, Annie. I don’t want to complicate that.” Only Luke would think about her reputation in this. His was spotless while hers was comprised of past mistakes, and everyone was watching to see how badly she would mess up again. “I’m not interested in keeping you, or us, a secret.”

  He adjusted his hips, and the scrape of his jeans against her thighs made her body buzz like a freshly lit firework. She locked her legs around his middle and hugged him close. Fully clothed, lying on the ground, she just clung to him, wanting to somehow feel all that strength he offered.

  “Luke …” It was the only word she could form. What else could she say? Could she really tell him no? Tell him she’d rather stay away from him than try and see if they could be more? That would be a lie. Because she did want more. But it wasn’t that easy.

  She couldn’t control what people would say or think. She didn’t want to give anyone any reason to stand against her. She relied on Sweet Hill for her livelihood. A town that loved everything Jacobs. If she so much as breathed wrong in their direction, it could be a problem. People would know. And it would affect her business.

  “Please, Annabelle.” His mouth was over hers, so close it was as if they were breathing for each other. So much heat and longing was in his eyes that she dared not deny him anything.

  She was already so far past gone for Luke, she was ready to concede. And she’d do it with a smile on her face. Because right then, he looked at her in a way no one ever did.

  “Yes,” she said.

  With her thighs wrapped around his waist, she squeezed tighter and let herself enjoy the moment. The feeling of being totally and completely wrapped up in Luke Jacobs.

  He whispered her name and kissed her. Soft, slow, and totally consuming. The connection that she felt two years ago, and again last night, came rushing full force with the power of his mouth working hers. It was a feeling she was already addicted to. Already wanting more of.

  With the warm grass against her back, and an even warmer man against her front, they lay there for a moment, Luke simply kissing her. Not pushing too far. As if reassuring her that he would always be there. Something she desperately wanted to believe.

  He pulled back just enough to say, “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  She looked up at him. The sun was shining around him, making those green eyes of his sparkle.

  “We haven’t even made it through lunch,” she said with a little laugh.

  Brushing his lips against hers, he whispered, “Which is why I think tonight should be somewhere public. Otherwise, I may never eat anything but you.”

  Her body shuddered and a whole new dose of desire rushed to every cell. Annie was lost. Totally and helplessly lost to him.

  “Okay.”

  Chapter Five

  “Have a good day, son?” Luke’s grandfather asked, looking up from the computer he was working on.

  Every day after quitting time, Luke drove farther up Apple Heights to his grandfather’s place, where Andrew
Jacobs spent most of his days going over paperwork and distribution forms. The little home office he ran reminded Luke of his childhood, running around and hiding under his grandpa’s desk. A desk he had been groomed to sit behind one day. He just hoped he could work hard enough for himself and his absent father to earn it.

  “Yes, Pop. Harvest is running smooth. Based on what we’ve shipped, we’re already in the black.”

  Andrew Jacobs nodded. Swiveling in his chair, he faced Luke. “Is that why you have a permanent grin slapped on your face?” He glanced over the rim of his glasses and raised an eyebrow. “Apples never made me that happy, so I’m betting something else has you walking around like a smiling buffoon.”

  “Just a good day,” Luke said.

  “Uh-huh. That kind of good day”—he gestured in Luke’s direction—“usually comes from a woman.”

  Luke nodded. “Yep. Annabelle Thompson, to be exact.”

  His grandfather leaned back in his chair. “The Thompson young lady.”

  Luke nodded slowly.

  “Good luck with that, son.”

  “Everyone is staring,” Annie said from across the small table. She took a sip of her wine, and Luke couldn’t help staring as her lips closed around the rim—

  Shit, he had to stop thinking that way or else he really wouldn’t make it through dinner without taking her—in public or not.

  “They’re staring because you’re hot.”

  “Or they’re worried I’ll slug you again.”

  He shrugged and smiled. “That too.”

  She looked around and fidgeted. Marco’s House of Meatballs wasn’t exactly extravagant, but it was the nicest restaurant in town, and keeping their date in town was his goal. He knew Annie struggled, trying to rise out of the shadows of her mother. He also knew that she fit here, even if she didn’t believe it yet.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Pink stained her cheeks, and she gave a little smile, which was adorable because Annie rarely blushed. He was catching glimpses of the softer side he’d seen in the past and this afternoon in the orchard. He liked it. Just as much as he liked her ball-buster side.

  “You look pretty good too,” she said. “But I have to admit, I prefer you in dirty jeans and shirtless.”

  He grinned. There was his girl. The one who wasn’t shy about anything, especially what she wanted.

  “Well, I prefer you naked. But silk and leather is a close second.”

  That made her really blush, and damn it, Luke wanted to take her home and see just how much of that creamy skin he could heat.

  There was definitely more than the brass side of Annabelle Thompson. He just wished more people saw that. For Luke, it had always been easy with her. He liked that she could dish back but he could still make her smile.

  “I was hoping you would come stay with me tonight,” Luke said.

  She eyed him for a long moment. “Like the whole night?”

  He nodded.

  “I don’t know. I work pretty early.”

  “Perfect. So do I.” He gave his best smile, the one reserved for when he really wanted something, but this time Annie didn’t budge.

  “Is this some kind of game, Lucas?”

  “No.”

  She crossed her arms and stared at him. “Because I don’t need your charity. Parading me around just so everyone can see that the great Luke Jacobs spends some of his precious time with a Thompson. It’s not going to make everyone magically like me.”

  “A lot of people already like you.”

  “A lot of them don’t.”

  “Well, then that’s their problem. I want to spend time with you because I like you. Charitable is the furthest thing I feel for you, Annabelle.”

  Something in her eyes softened. He’d seen this before. It was like she really wanted to believe him. Lifting her chin in that stubborn way he recognized, she looked at the nightly specials page and coolly said, “I can’t stay at your place tonight.” She glanced over the menu. “But you can stay at mine if you’d like.”

  A sense of victory instantly settled over him. It was either that or the way her foot was snaking up his calf under the table. Oh yeah, he was wearing her down.

  “Why, thank you for the nice invitation, Annabelle.”

  Leaning in, he grabbed her hand and brought it across the table to his mouth, biting down on the fleshy part of her thumb. “Say the word and we can get our dinner to go.”

  Her gaze was on his, her amazing blues glittering like amethyst.

  “Word.”

  Chapter Six

  “Quit being shy. I’ve seen it all before,” Luke called, treading water in the center of the lake.

  “I’m not shy. It’s just fricking cold,” Annie hollered back from the shore. It was the middle of October, and the last couple months with Luke had been incredible. And so hot that she hardly noticed the weather getting colder.

  “Come on, tough girl. Afraid of a little chilly water?”

  Damn the man. He knew she gave in to peer pressure. With the sun setting over the hills, Annie didn’t bother looking for bystanders. One of the perks of skinny-dipping on Luke’s property. There were no other people around.

  She peeled her sweater off, then her jeans. Luke whistled and hooted, so she gave a teasing shimmy.

  “Damn it, you’re sexy, baby!” He whistled again.

  She just grinned like a fool, loving how he made her feel—like a woman. She loved how he looked at her—like she was the only woman. And she loved … him.

  The truth hit her so hard it almost knocked her off her feet. For months he’d been sweet and supportive. In harvest season, his work hours matched hers, so they shared early morning coffee and always finished the day by four to have dinner and snuggle time.

  For Christ’s sake, she’d turned into a woman who actually liked snuggle time.

  “Hey,” he called. “Now you’re just being mean. Giving a man a glimpse of the goods only to stay away isn’t nice, you know.”

  She snapped back to the present, realizing she was standing in her bra and panties, staring off into space on the edge of a lake.

  Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra, then tugged down her panties. The breeze brushed her bare skin, pricking it like tiny daggers and hardening her nipples. Luke went quiet. She stepped in, the cool water lapping at her calves, then her knees. Another few steps and it encased her thighs, then finally her waist.

  Right as the lake hit her rib cage, Luke popped up in front of her, drops of water sliding down his chest and stomach. He wrapped those strong damp arms of his around her.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you,” he said before kissing her. “You’re perfect.”

  Something behind her eyes hurt. It was the same feeling gnawing at her chest. Before she could think at all, her mouth churned out words she wasn’t prepared for.

  “I love you.”

  He pulled back and looked at her. She didn’t know how to interpret the expression he made. Was he happy? Mad? Not feeling the same? Oh God, what had she done? She couldn’t bear to hear his response, so right when he opened his mouth to speak, she kissed him.

  He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t. She couldn’t risk what he might say, or not say. So she just clung to him harder and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  When he groaned and she felt his erection prod her, she knew she had safely snuck by any conversation. There in the water, she sheathed herself on Luke, and prayed he would forget what she had just said. Even though she’d never been more sure of anything in her life.

  After their dip in the lake, Annabelle made it her priority to keep Luke distracted. Even after he brought her back to his place, Luke knew she was purposefully keeping his mouth busy—not that he was complaining. His mind was churning, and he had no idea what to say or even think to say. Which was why it was four in the morning and he still hadn’t slept. So he hopped on the computer.

&n
bsp; Luke stared at his screen, hardly believing what he was seeing. An e-mail from Global Distribution. They were reaching out, offering to partner with the Jacobs name and take their brand worldwide. Their corporate office was in New York, and they wanted Luke to work there. They’d be faxing over the contract and terms later in the week for consideration.

  Holy shit. It was a huge opportunity. Something that could take his career and the family business to the next level. Security for himself and for his grandfather’s legacy. Something he’d had to work twice as hard for since his father wasn’t around to help.

  Luke looked over his shoulder to see Annabelle sleeping in his bed. The soft blue light from his screen glowed just enough that he could make out the fire of her hair and the creamy skin of her shoulders.

  Just the thought of leaving her again made his stomach ache. Annie was here. Her café that she worked her ass off to open was here. He’d never ask her to leave and give that up. But his grandfather counted on him to keep the business going.

  He took a deep breath, trying to ward off the defeat settling in his chest. There had to be a way to make this work. And he had one week to figure out how.

  Chapter Seven

  “Why the sour look?” Nana said, kneading piecrust. “For the last couple months, you’ve been happy as a pearl.”

  “You mean clam, Nana.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “My experience is it’s the pearl that is happy, not the clam.”

  Annie decided not to argue with her on that.

  “Something happen with Luke?”

  Annie sighed and pulled the rack of blueberry muffins out of the oven.

  “I’m an idiot.”

  Nana frowned. “Why on earth would you say such a thing?”

  Annie set down the muffins to cool on the rack on the counter and faced her grandmother. “Because I told him I loved him.”

  “Oh.” She wiped her hands down her apron and walked over to Annie. “What did he say back?”

  “Nothing. At first, I didn’t give him the opportunity, but this morning, things were quiet between us. We didn’t say more than two words to each other. I think I wrecked everything.”