Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2)

by Sterling, Ginny

  As soon as the door to the office closed and Millie was pulling away in her car, Danielle shrieked with laughter and called Jacob. “You’re on, lover boy - the eagle has left the nest! She is on her way!” she said excitedly. Jacob murmured ‘thanks’ and hung up quickly to get ready for his guest.

  16

  Jacob was shocked when Danielle called the other night to let him know she told Millie the made-up story of him leaving. At first, he was quite upset. The last thing he wanted was to deceive her or mislead her again. Danielle reassured him over and over again that Millie was very upset and missed him terribly. That was the only thing keeping him from calling her or sending her an email to tell her of the deception. He wanted to make it up to Millie. He wanted to secure their relationship again. He wanted her in his life… and if it meant Danielle telling her a whopper of a lie, and he happened to be in on it? So be it. He sincerely hoped she would be okay once she heard all he had to say.

  When Jacob had gotten back from the restaurant that night, he was crushed and not sure what his next move should be. He thought he was going in the right direction, but it seemed to backfire for him. He was surprised when he received the email from Millie shortly afterwards and could have jumped for joy. Maybe Danielle was right after all?

  Jacob spent the next day, getting through as much as possible in the office and switched afternoon shift with Max to get away from the station early. He left the station and picked up some flowers and candles at the store. He came home and picked up a bit, since he was still in the process of moving his things in.

  Jacob had tried to wait until the remodeling was completed, however, necessity demanded a few items start showing up there. Like clothes, he found out one afternoon while painting, and his microwave for when he tried to heat up something to eat one evening while he was finishing up in the yard. Slowly he had begun moving other items over and had begun sleeping at the house. He planned on being completely out of his apartment by the end of his lease next month.

  Jacob’s phone rang and Danielle’s voice shrieked through the earpiece. He jerked and held the phone away from his head, grinning at the excitement in her voice. Millie was on her way here! He felt like a nervous teenager getting ready for his first date and waited for her car to pull up. He wanted to stand outside on the front porch and wave to her as she pulled up, but settled for peeking through the blinds to see her reaction to the house he had fixed up for her… for them.

  Millie pulled up and slowly got out of the car, a hesitant smile on her face. This place was lovelier than she ever remembered. She decided right then, that if Jacob sold the house and ended up leaving the area, that she would buy it. This was where she had made love to him and he had put so much work into the home that called to her.

  Millie got out her camera and snapped a few photos from the front of the house. She stepped to the side to get a different angle so they had plenty to choose from for the listing. She walked towards the front door and stopped, admiring the small fountain in the middle of the circular driveway. It was in the most perfect spot and had lovely little purple flowers surrounding it. It just set the scene and made it feel welcoming when you walked up to the door.

  The house had recently been painted a pale yellow and the wrap around porch boards had been stained a deep brown. The contrast was striking to look at, but the ‘pop’ of color on the house numbers next to the door, and the flowers in the pots, gave an elegant look. The small swing at the end of the porch had two small seat cushions that matched the flowers, completing the look. She snapped photos of the front door, the porch and the swing.

  Millie walked up to the door and noticed the lockbox was not present on the door. “That’s odd,” she said aloud. Danielle hadn't placed the box yet, which meant it officially wasn't on the market to be shown to other realtors. This also meant that she was not going to get pictures of the interior unless Jacob happened to be inside. Millie’s heart thumped hard in her chest as she rapped on the front door.

  Jacob opened the front door with a smile. He had seen her reaction as she walked up and was relieved to see she had liked what he had done to the place. He hoped that would be a good sign of how the evening would go and hopefully things would end (or begin again!) on a good note. “Please come in,” he said, “and thank you for coming. I am really glad to see you,” as he held the door open for her to step inside.

  Millie crossed the entryway, breathing deeply of his cologne and letting a soft sigh slip, as she walked into the foyer. She was so pleased to see the fireplace carvings on the mantle had been cleaned and polished. The wooden swirls practically glowed from the patina of the wood grain. It was amazing to behold and the mirror above the fireplace was perfect and complimented it so well. Millie moved to take a photo, and stepped back to get out of the reflection, bumping into Jacob. “Oh!” she said, “I’m sorry,” but the instant heat between their bodies that she felt made her feel like a liar.

  Jacob put out his hands and pulled her to him, holding her against his chest. “I am not. I have missed you so much. Millie, can we talk? Can I explain to you what happened? The full story?” he said holding her tightly, afraid she would leave too soon.

  He held her for quite a few minutes, just breathing her perfume and he placed a kiss on the top of her head. Jacob felt her arms tighten around his waist, hugging him and felt relief. “Baby, I am so sorry. I am not sure where to start, but you were never a contest or a game and I don't want you to think that ever. Before I ever met you, before I ever knew you…yes, there were comments made at the station about how you never dated anyone in town but that was just some of the guys who didn't know you. They had never met you and were talking smack. Trash talk.”

  Jacob noticed that Millie had not moved nor commented. He wasn't sure how well she would take his side of the story nor if she would understand how much he cared for her. The last few weeks had been hell for him. “Heck, I didn't even know you and it sounded like a challenge, so I said I would get you to go out with me. That was it. No bet, no wager, no contest. It was pure ego talking and my mouth was running. I honestly never dreamed of buying a house because I had my apartment and it suited me fine because I had nothing in my life. It was just me. But telling you that I was looking for a house, got me to at least talk to you…and that was the lie I have told you. I freely admit to being guilty on that part,” he said nervously, kissing her still head again.

  Jacob grew nervous and kept rambling. “I talked with you, emailed you, went out with you and was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful you are. Those guys don't know anything about you or I would be in serious trouble because you are amazing, baby. You are so funny, so smart and so loving. I can’t understand why they ever thought you were cold because you burn me up when you kiss me or touch me. You are the sexiest, most sensual woman I have ever met and I can’t imagine my life without you. I have missed you so much and want a chance to win you back. I need you, baby,” he said hugging her tighter wishing she would say something in the silence that was growing.

  Millie didn't move for quite some time. She just stood there, holding him, stunned by the emotion in his voice and the words he said to her. She felt at home in his arms but frightened that he had the ability to hurt her heart so easily. Should she trust him? She wanted so much to be a part of his life and to go back to where they were before she had been pulled over that fateful afternoon.

  Millie had missed him terribly. She missed his smile and his laugh. Most of all, she missed how he looked at her, like his world centered on her. She thought of that day at the park, happy with him lying in the shade of the tree…she thought of them holding each other in this very home, making love together. She wanted more.

  “I need you too,” she whispered softly against the fabric of his shirt, squeezing him tightly. “But Jacob, I don't want to ever feel like that again. I need you too much and letting you in is scary. Don't make me regret it, please,” she finished.

  Jacob thought his knees would give in re
lief.“Never,” he said, vowing it. “I need you to understand how much I have come to care for you and how much I want this to work between us.” He kissed the top of her head, kissed the tip of her ear, and the side of her cheek. “Millie?” he asked, questioningly as she turned her head up towards him, leaning into a soft embrace full of promise. Jacob savored the moment, hoping things were truly all right between them.

  He didn't want to push the issue with her, he felt insecure and unsure. He softly kissed her again and finally broke the embrace. “Would you like to see the rest of the house? I know you really liked it,” he said. “I am hoping you like what I have done to it.” He took her hand and led her into the dining area. He showed her how the walls had been painted and the trim work cleaned of grime and dust. It was amazing what a thorough cleaning could do!

  Millie stepped into the kitchen area and just stared. Gone were the yellow counters and wallpaper. The room was breathtaking and felt like the center of the home where people could gather. It was comfortable but elegant. The yellow counters had been replaced with a stunning countertop that had strange waves in the stone. “Is that granite,” she asked surprised that there was so much ‘movement’. There were ripples in the stone that glistened like a copper river over rocks and moss. The green, brown and golden colors shone and complimented perfectly the bronzed fixture hanging from the ceiling. The small penny tile held the old world charm but the fixtures and handles definitely looked brand new. It was perfect.

  Jacob’s smile matched Millie’s. “I take it you like it?” he said, pride in his voice.

  “Oh, yes! It’s beautiful Jacob. It’s truly lovely. Did you hire a designer?” she asked, smoothing her hand across the granite and stopped suddenly. She had seen this material before! “Oh my gosh, Danielle’s countertops! You had her ask me?” she exclaimed, surprised. “Why? She wasn't remodeling, she was telling you what choices I suggested for her place, wasn't she?” Millie was amazed and stunned.

  Jacob could see the realization dawn on her face. “She helped me, yes. How else could I make sure the house you loved was perfect for you and ready when I got the nerve to ask you to move in with me,” he said boldly, pulling her to him, kissing her. “So, do you think you would care to move in with me?” he said, smiling against her mouth. His eyes closed, tense, hoping she would say yes.

  Millie was flabbergasted. It seemed to be moving so fast, but she couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather be. She wanted to be with him, she had been so happy with him. She had watched him from afar and always thought he was so attractive, but never spoke to him, but now? So many things had changed her view of him: knowing him, being with him, laughing with him and loving him. Thinking Jacob was ‘handsome’ has turned to ‘breathtaking’ and ‘heart stopper.’ She wanted to move in with him, but wanted to be sure too and not just swept away in the moment! Trying not to ruin it, she said, “Let me see when my lease is up and I will let you know as soon as I can.”

  Jacob was hoping for a ‘yes,’ but it wasn't a resounding ‘no’ either. He could certainly understand wanting to take it a bit slowly this time. He took her hand and showed her the unfinished rooms, a small hall bathroom that still needed work, and the master bedroom. There were several rooms in the house that desperately needed paint, updating and some cleaning. He just had not gotten to them yet. Jacob had focused on one room at a time and was currently working on the master bathroom, which he found needed new tile around the shower due to age and crumbling mortar.

  They continued the tour around the house, finishing at the backyard. There was quite a mess of debris, pulled weeds and shrubs, and broken fence pieces in a pile. Some bushes had died and a few trees had to be cut back, but the arbor stood proudly and would be quite the eyepiece in the springtime if it was covered in flowers. He had much planting to do around the yard next year.

  Millie and Jacob stepped back inside due to the sun beginning to set. He invited her to sit down on the couch and offered her something to drink. “If I could just have water or hot tea?” she asked. She sat comfortably on the couch, listening to the movement in the kitchen, and thought of his offer to move in. It was definitely tempting. He had truly swept her off her feet before, and she knew (and secretly hoped) it would not take long again. Millie almost laughed aloud at that thought: she was practically already there!

  Jacob brought Millie a hot cup of tea and got himself a Coke, sitting on the couch opposite of her. It felt tense to him. He wanted so much to be himself with her, but didn't think pulling her into his lap and making love to her shortly after they had begun talking again would be the wisest move he made.

  Millie sipped on the tea, watching Jacob fidget nervously a bit. Frankly she was surprised he had not attempted to kiss or touch her more. He had always been loving and tender, she had assumed he would still be…unless he was trying to give her space? Maybe that was it? Millie wasn't sure if she should head home, or go with her gut instinct and test the waters with Jacob. She opted for the latter just to gauge his response and decided she would see where things went from there. She didn't expect declarations of love from him, but she did expect him to act like he did before towards her.

  “Do you mind if I get comfy a bit? It’s been a long day,” she said shyly, unbuttoning her top two buttons of her blouse and kicking off a high heel. She watched as his eyes stayed glued to her hands unbuttoning the button and he swallowed hard. Okay, she thought he is playing it cool and giving me space. She knew right where things stood with him and he had not changed, he was playing it safe to keep her from running. Which translated to ‘you mean a lot to me, I don't want to screw this up’ in her book.

  Millie didn't want to play the tease, she was just unsure of where they both stood and felt better about it knowing his reaction. She had been afraid that it had been a game and maybe he didn't feel the same way about her, as she felt about him. She felt the sexual tension coming off of him and thought maybe she had better leave, giving them both a bit of time and space, but at least they were back on good terms and could progress from there. I mean, heck, he asked her to move in with him. It doesn't get much better than that!

  Millie set down her cup on the end table and stood, slipping her shoes back on. “It’s a bit late, I think I am going to head out,” she said apologetically. “Will you call me tomorrow or maybe can we see each other?” she asked. It seemed that neither one was ready to cross the line or make the first move between them. Maybe things were still too tremulous.

  Jacob stood and grabbed her hand. “Please don't go yet,” he asked and pulled her to him. “Please don’t. I’m not ready to say goodbye, even if it’s just for tonight. I have been starved for you,” he said swooping in to kiss her. He didn't want to ruin things, but he missed her taste and scent so much. He could not help himself.

  Millie melted against him. This was what she needed and had been waiting for! She breathed in his scent and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was going nowhere fast. She felt at home in his arms.

  Jacob slid his hands down the back of her shirt, cupping her bottom aggressively through the sexy pencil skirt she had worn today to work. It fit her like a glove and wanted to peel it right off. He untucked her shirt, slipping it from the waistband and unzipped the skirt along the back. Her soft skin along the small of her back was so smooth and begged to be touched. He slid his hands inside of the back of her skirt and to his excitement, found her wearing a small lacy thong. He groaned in excitement and cupped her bare backside, sliding the skirt off her hips and letting it fall to the floor.

  Millie loved the feel of his hot hands on her bare bottom. She almost laughed when he groaned aloud finding her in a thong. “No panty lines,” she whispered in explanation against his lips as he began kissing her again. It felt so good to be in Jacob’s arms and she had missed the smell of his cologne. His lips were so hard and soft at the same time.

  Millie unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders, feeling the smooth skin of his shoulders and
catching her breath when she ran her finger over his chest, finding the light dusting of hair over his heart. She felt his skin leap as she continued her exploration of his body, fascinated with the way his body reacted to her touch.

  Millie broke the kiss and began to trail soft kisses down his neck, tasting the salt of his skin and breathing deeply his scent that lingered under the cologne. His hands were everywhere and pulling at her clothes but she would have none of it yet.

  She wanted to touch and play with him. She ran her tongue along his collarbone and dropped a soft kiss on his chest. She then teased his belly button with her mouth and brazenly unbuttoned his pants, tugged them downwards, freeing him. She started at the hard, turgid shaft in front of her thinking of the delights he had made her feel before and felt heat pool in her abdomen. She slid her hands up his rough thighs towards the apex and felt him jump as he caught his breath. She laid a soft kiss on the side of the hot member and licked it from the base to the head delicately, unsure of herself.

  Jacob was in heaven from the feelings she was causing in his body. The pleasure was almost more than he could bear. When she licked him, Millie almost unmanned him. He grabbed her by the arms and crashed his mouth against hers again, yanking at the stubborn shirt that had not moved previously, as he had wanted. He felt the fabric give and gladly would replace the blouse tomorrow if needed.

  He was thrumming with desire and wanted to taste every bit of her luscious body. Jacob picked her up and placed her lovingly on the couch, admiring the view of her body. Soft pink cheeks, full breasts cupped in the luckiest fabric, he thought, and the most amazing set of legs spread in front of him on the couch.

  He nipped gently at the material of her bra, teasing her nipple as he stroked her sweet stomach, feeling her catch her breath. He slipped each globe out of the cup and let her bra stay, shoving them upwards towards him. Jacob feasted on each breast, drawing small moans from Millie. Oh yes, she liked having her nipples touched. He would be willing to touch them anytime she wanted, he thought.