Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2)

by Sterling, Ginny

  “I will tell you what?” Jacob started and cleared his throat when he saw the hopeful look cross her face “Why don't we get you to that open house and maybe we’ll forget about this if you promise not to speed through here again,” he said roughly, watching her bright shiny cherry-red lips, wondering if the lip gloss she had just put on was flavored.

  Millie almost squealed in happiness, but instead she took a calm deep breath and said, “Oh I promise,” and crossed her heart towards him. She looked up through her lashes and watched his eyes follow her hand.

  Jacob almost forgot how to talk. My goodness, she was amazing. He watched as she dragged one manicured finger slowly down her thin blouse. He could see the outline of her bra through the fabric, as it pulled tightly against her breasts. He wondered if she would ever act like this again if he was around or if she acted like this each time she had been stopped. Graham had taken to calling her a speed demon cause she was so nasty with him. The guys at the precinct were going to eat this tale up.

  Jacob dragged his eyes back up, snapped his citation booklet shut, and asked her to continue along carefully. He left the car and watched her pull out slowly onto the highway. Jacob followed her for a bit, watching and then took a side road to circle back around his beat for the day.

  Millie pulled in as the first car arrived. She hopped out and smiled welcoming them to the house. She gestured them inside and proceeded to point out all the charms, features and how close it was to the local school. She had a contract that afternoon on the home and wanted to cheer. She smiled, thanked them and reassured them that this was the most amazing home for their growing family. Seal the deal, Millie thought happily.

  Jacob finished his beat later that afternoon and returned to the precinct to fill out reports, check in and see if there was anything needed. He overheard Graham complaining about how he was so bored and needed some excitement in this small town. To which Richard, another officer, said teasingly towards Jacob, “Anything exciting with you today hero?”

  Jacob took a sip of his coffee and smiled broadly. They began ribbing him to share his tale of what had happened today. Jacob told them about the stop and how Millicent Clark was acting.

  Graham thought he was going to have to put his eyes back into his head. “She did what?” he stuttered. Jacob laughed hard. “Yup, she pulled out her lip gloss, crossed her heart and was flirting heavily.”

  “My gosh, she has another mode other than business?” another officer quipped. They had all been given the cool treatment and growing up in a small town, they had gone to school with Millicent Clark or had heard from others about how she would turn a man down if you dared to ask her out. She was a conquest to the guys in high school, and apparently not much had changed with them at all. He heard the challenge come up once again, just like old times. “Betcha can’t get her to go out with you?” Graham teased him and ruffled his hair.

  Jacob shrugged him off and told them all, “If I get her to go out with me, it is because she likes me. Not because you guys dared me to date her,” he said, “and it's only ‘cause she wouldn't go out with you, Graham,” he said teasing the older man. “Maybe you weren't her type,” he said with a wink.

  Several men laughed and teased Officer Graham at this statement. “She’ll never go out with you,” Richard announced. “You aren't her type either, unless you are planning on buying or selling a home,” he quipped “and your apartment doesn't count.”

  “Well, maybe it’s time to look for a place to call home,” Jacob said taking up the gauntlet “Perhaps it is time to thaw out Miss Millicent Clark and show her what it’s like to date a man,” he said with a gleam in his eye. He was looking forward to the chase. Millicent Clark was stunning and he would enjoy himself thoroughly.

  3

  Millie was sitting on a bench at the park, having a bit of string cheese and watching the children play. She had brought a book with her and was just enjoying being outdoors for a few moments. She needed a break away from the phones, the Internet and Danielle’s yammering. Danielle was her best friend and coworker; however, Millie wasn't near as bubbly and happy as she was.

  In fact, Millie enjoyed getting away and just listening to the children play and feeling the breeze. She kicked off her heels and swung her feet under the bench, dreaming of having her own child someday, much later on.

  Jacob watched from afar. He had swung by the real estate office however did not see her inside. There was another lady, Danielle, at the desk and suggested he come back later since she was on her lunch break, or she would be happy to help him. He said he would wait for Millicent to return and walked back out the door to the office. When he rounded the corner lot of her office, he saw the park up ahead and spotted Millicent under a tree in her crisp white suit, swinging her bare feet.

  How strange, he thought, watching her stretch and wiggle her toes; strange and inviting at the same time. She looked like she would rather be playing with the kids than sitting on the bench. He watched for quite some time, casually resting his shoulder on the side of the brick building.

  Millie watched the children with delight as her friend Melissa gently swung the youngest in the baby swing. Her older child, Brant, was swinging his legs as fast as he could, pumping them to make the swing go higher. Melissa occasionally would chat with Millicent but mostly they both wanted time out in the park, in the sun.

  Brant fell forward from the swing and landed on his hands and knees on the bark cushion under the swing set. Millie raced forward, barefoot, and dusted him off as she squatted down next to the crying child. She talked with him a moment, gave him a little hug and placed him back on the swing, nodding at Melissa, and gave the little boy a tiny push. She then gingerly stepped back to the bench, sat down, dusted off each of her feet bottoms and slid them back into the tall pumps she had worn that day. Millie started back towards the office, tossed an apple up, caught it happily and took a big bite, glancing up the hill and almost choked.

  She looked up only to see Jacob Hunter was leaning against her office building, arms crossed over his chest and smiling directly at her. He was stunning in his black officer’s uniform, tanned skin, and sunglasses. Millie took a breath, carried her apple down by her side, and strode to her office purposefully.

  Jacob could almost see the shutters come down on her expression. She was back to business and it showed. Heck, she even hid the apple, if possible, in her hand and had it tucked almost behind her as she walked up the small hill.

  “Well, hello again, Miss Clark,” he drawled. “Taking a quick break?” He wondered if she came out to the park often. He liked seeing her act human, he thought wryly.

  “Are you following me?” she said crisply “Can I help you with something?” she said as she strode past him walking to the front door of her office. She looked over her shoulder as she heard him chuckle.

  “Actually, you can help me,” he said walking in the office behind her, undeterred. Millie smoothed her suit and had a seat in her leather office chair at her desk facing the window. “I am interested in looking for a home,” he said lightly “and I am interested in hiring you for my agent,” he said with a smile.

  Millie looked at him with a Cheshire cat smile and calmly said, “I am not available at this time but Danielle is,” - who then chimed in that she had plenty of houses to show him.

  Jacob was not put off or deterred, a bit surprised that she would turn down the business and the change in her attitude from earlier, but he would not be swayed. “Thanks, Danielle, but I had my heart set on Millicent finding me my dream home. She has an idea in mind for me already of what I like to see and what works for me,” he said with a wink.

  Millie blushed hotly. She was positive he was referring to the heavy flirting she had done to get out of the speeding ticket. She watched him sit back in the chair in front of her desk with a smug smile across his tanned face.

  Jacob was playing every card he had, and enjoyed watching her get flustered. He was completely satisfied with gett
ing a reaction other than aloofness from Millicent. He continued on teasingly “Oh yes, she knows exactly what I am looking for and what I would like to have around me… in a house”

  “Enough!” Millie said hotly and could feel the tips of her ears even getting hot, she was blushing so hard. Her palms were starting to sweat and he was getting completely under her skin! However, two could play that game!

  Millie turned on him in her swivel desk chair, a smile plastered on her face that did not reach her eyes. Prey just became predator. She looked him up and down…and unbuttoned her top three blouse buttons “Isn't it stuffy in here?” she said calmly.

  “I believe I have enough room in my schedule to find you a hole to crawl in… I mean a house to live in,” she said firmly, smiling all the while. “One thing I don't shirk from is a challenge and I believe you have just given me one. You are on, Officer Hunter. Challenge accepted,” she said softly, sticking out her hand for a shake.

  Jacob viewed her for a few moments, completely in awe. The icy kitten had very big claws and wasn't afraid to use them. Oh, he was going to thoroughly enjoy this, and hell, maybe he would buy a house if she found one. He wasn't seriously looking for a house, he was seriously looking to spend some time with her around town and get an official date with her.

  Jacob leaned forward with a smile lifting one side of his face in a smirk. He reached to shake her hand, pulled it towards him, leaned forward and kissed the inside of her wrist. He thoroughly enjoyed the gasp she made and the effort she gave to jerk her wrist back. Jacob stood, pulled out a business card and laid it on her desk. “Please call or email me and let’s set up a time to get together,” he said casually, as he left the office.

  Millie watched him leave, admiring the view for certain! She heard the clank of the bell on the door signaling it had shut, let out a loud whoosh of breath and turned to Danielle. “Really? Your mouth is hanging open,” she said smartly.

  Danielle was flabbergasted. She had never seen Millie riled up like that before, but it was certainly interesting to watch. Officer Hunter may be just what she needed in her life. “What exactly was all that, Millie? He is sex on a stick, my friend…” she said stunned at her business partner.

  “That,” Millie said perplexed at her own emotions, “is my next client. I am going to sell him a house and probably enjoy it more than I should.” Danielle was right. Officer Jacob Hunter was ‘sex on a stick’ and flustered her more than she ever cared to admit. The way he looked at her made her heart race and he had a knack for getting her upset. She prided herself on keeping her cool and not showing any emotions.

  She grew up hiding how she felt. Millie had been forced to. Anger, fear, rage, happiness, sadness…all emotions were frowned on by the home she had grown up in. It led to anarchy and rebelliousness in the girl’s dorm area. She had her knuckles rapped more than once for getting upset and smarting off, or for giggling with the other girls. When she was calm, cool like the director of the home, she didn't get in trouble. She, in fact, was rewarded several times for her dedication to studies and had been told that her calm demeanor “inspired” others.

  “Yes, Danielle, that is my next sale…“ Millie affirmed.

  4

  The next day, Millie tackled the problem of contacting Jacob. She had all night to think of what to say and decided to chicken out. She decided to send an email. She didn't really ‘chicken out’ per se. It was more along the lines of ‘determining your battle strategy’ and she refused to let him get the better of her again. He was extremely good looking and made her feel clumsy. His voice gave her goose bumps. His eyes looked at her like she was dessert. Oh yes, in person he got the better of her. She wanted to even the playing field and make it as casual as possible when contact was made. Email was very impersonal and that was the route she planned to take.

  Jacob,

  What exactly are you looking for in a home? One bedroom, two or three? How many bathrooms? Garage? If you could have any amenities, what would they be and is there a particular part of town you would like to live in? I will start my search when you return some ideas.

  Thank you,

  Millicent Clark

  Jacob looked at his phone. Sheesh, she was direct and to the point. No niceties found at all in that email. No ‘Dear Jacob’ or ‘Officer Hunter.’ Short, sweet and to the point. She meant business and that was it. Jacob smiled evilly at his phone and began typing.

  My dearest Ms. Clark,

  I appreciate your contacting me so quickly. What would any man like in his home? My home will be my ‘castle’ so I think it should be comfortable and appealing… can you think of anything appealing that should be in a home or a bedroom specifically? I am completely open to ideas. Size matters, and I tend to think large is better, don't you?

  Look forward to getting more ideas from you soon,

  Jacob

  Millie flung back her chair from her desk and walked to get some water from the sink. She looked at her reflection and splashed a bit of water on her cheeks, feeling the heat in them. Size matters… humph. Oh, she knew exactly what he was insinuating. Two could play this game. Millie sat down, cracked her knuckles and began to smile. Oh, this is going to be extremely fun.

  Officer Hunter,

  We have no castles on the MLS currently in the area, were you looking to move away? I can send you several different locations if that is the case. I would be happy to put you in contact with another realtor in another location, if needed. Size does matter and is very important… I had heard in town you had a really teeny tiny place?

  Millicent Clark

  Millie guffawed with laughter at the last line of the email and quickly slapped her hands over her mouth, looking at Danielle at the other desk. She could not believe she had typed that and it was certainly a thinly veiled barb towards Jacob’s endowment.

  Danielle started quickly and stared at Millie. “I don't think I have ever heard you laugh like that in a long, long time. What is so funny?” she said racing over to Millie’s desk. Danielle started reading the email response and gasped. “You can’t send that!” she laughed and went to exit out of the screen.

  Millie, still giggling, grabbed the mouse and clicked send. “Oh, yes, I can,” she said satisfied with her reply to Jacob. She would love to see his reaction and wondered what his response would be in return.

  Jacob had returned to the precinct to finish out his day when his phone alerted him he had a reply from Millicent. He peered at his phone and whooped in laughter. The other officers stared at him shocked. “Sorry, guys. Millicent emailed a joke to me,” and got up and left the room. He left them to gossip amongst themselves on whether she had or not.

  Jacob was sincerely amused. She was certainly something else, that’s for sure! There was definitely a sharp wit to go with the beauty. He liked a girl that could think on her feet. This was going to be really fun for him.

  My dearest Millicent,

  It doesn't have to be a castle and no I am not looking to leave the area. I appreciate your concern and dedication. You take such excellent care of your clients, in fact, I would like the client special I have heard about… you know… the one that isn't on the menu? As for concern about size, my place is pretty damn big and I know how to use it. Would you care to see if it’s something you would like to use for your next open house? You can use it as much as you want. All have been more than satisfied so far…care for references?

  Sincerely,

  Jacob

  Millie read her email and laughed again, prompting Danielle to come running over to the computer. Both women giggled like young girls. “Oh my word, what are you going to say?” Danielle laughed. Millie grinned and began typing away….

  Officer Hunter,

  You must be truly confused. There is no menu in real estate. We have MLS listings and there is no hidden special, ever. I would not recommend frequenting places that have hidden specials either. You could get really sick and die… wouldn't that be a true shame? As for size,
you don't have to brag about how big your place is. Even little places have a lot of potential traffic. It is all in how it’s presented. Little places usually seem really big to the owner. If it is presented well, a small place would work just fine. There are some really big places that are true pieces of junk not worth having….

  Sincerely,

  Millicent Clark

  P.S. - I have attached a MLS listing for you as a starting point. Let me know what you like or do not like and we will proceed from there. If this is the house for you, let’s move quickly so someone else doesn’t pick it up.

  Millie searched the MLS for the oldest, ugliest, most run down place she could find in a fifty-mile radius and attached it to the email. She smiled victoriously and clicked send. Danielle just shook her head, moved back to her computer, awaiting the next round.

  Jacob opened the email. Read it and read it again. He was laughing so hard his sides hurt. She basically told him to get sick and die. Oh, and she thought he had a small ‘house.’ To top it all off, the MLS listing she sent was for a rundown piece of property on the outskirts of town, a small shack - literally. He had seen it before because they had caught some kids drinking moonshine out there one weekend. He shook his head. She was fantastic to banter with.

  Jacob then decided to drive into town before sending the next email to her. He wanted to see her reaction in person to see how she would take it. He intended to strike a nerve or two with this one and really get her riled up. He grinned the entire drive into town and parked catty-corner from her office. He got out of his car, whistling, walked to the street corner and hit send on his phone…and waited.