Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

Lilly lowered into a chair and gave him the bag.

He opened it up and took a sandwich for himself and then gave her one.

After unwrapping it, he took a bite, watching her.

She kept stealing glances toward him and quickly looking away.

“Do I scare you?”

“No, of course not. I’m a little … I don’t know what to say.”

The tension between them was driving him crazy. He didn’t want her to be shy around him.

“I read some of your book last night.”

She began to choke on the mouthful of food.

He rushed to her, slapping her back.

She tried to clear her throat. “I’m so sorry. You did?”

“I did.”

“And.”

“And I love it,” he said. “You’ve got some general editing that needs work, but I’m no teacher. The story, it’s amazing.”

“Oh.”

He’d read the first hundred pages after dropping her off at Aunt Betty’s. There was no way he could sleep. Once he started, he hadn’t been able to put the book down. He loved every single word.

By reading it, he felt close to Lilly. She poured her heart and soul into the pages, and he felt her passion, her pains, her desires. The book was erotic, and he felt her frustration. With her mother’s reputation, he knew Lilly didn’t want to explore her needs with just anyone.

“You’re a virgin and you’re ashamed that you want to have sex,” he said.

“Wait? What?”

“Your books give it away. You don’t trust anyone. Men haven’t given you a reason to trust them.”

She licked her lips. “It’s just a book.”

“Some books are. This one, I get the sense you wrote this during a really hard time,” he said.

“You’re not just a dumb mechanic, are you?”

He tapped his head. “There’s a lot going on up here.”

“I should leave.” Lilly stood, and he captured her hand.

“Don’t go. You don’t need to leave.”

“But … this is so … I don’t know how you can even look at me. What I did. The way I threw myself at you.”

“Lilly, I’ve been trying to date you for days,” he said. “Actually, scrap that, for weeks. I didn’t know how to ask. I didn’t know what to say.” He ran his free hand down his face. “You’re a good woman. I’ve fucked a lot of women, Lilly. I’ve had my share. I’m not taken seriously. I’ve never cared about the women I screw. They were some fun. The first time we met, I was climbing out of a woman’s window.”

“You want to date me?”

“Yes. I was being a gentleman last night, but I wanted to take it to the next step. I didn’t realize you couldn’t hold your wine or I’d have never given you any. I love being in your company, Lilly. I want to have so much more with you.”

She finally sat down, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Say something.”

“I’m shocked. All this time you didn’t just want to be my friend?”

“No. I wanted a lot more.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

“The book thing, is that true?”

“I read romance books, yes, that’s true. Ask my mom.”

Lilly rubbed at her temple.

“Are you still feeling a little hung over?”

“A little.”

He reluctantly let go of her hand. “Eat. It will make you feel better.”

They finished off their sandwiches without another word spoken. He didn’t know what the fuck to say to help her. Lilly was so silent.

Time ticked on by.

“I—” They both started to say and then stopped, laughing.

“You go first,” Lilly said.

“I understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I’m … I don’t know.”

“Because of your manwhore reputation?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He couldn’t look at her.

“It’s in the past though, right? You’re not sleeping with anyone right now. You’re single.”

“Yes.”

“Do you plan to cheat on me?”

“Hell, no.” The very thought of hurting her made him feel sick to his stomach. He hadn’t looked at another woman since he realized he had feelings for Lilly.

“Then I’d like to,” she said. “Date you.”

He smiled. “For real?” You sound like an eager teenage boy.

Lilly laughed. “For real.”

Never had he experienced this feeling before. This euphoria. Lilly would be his.

Chapter Five

“So, he didn’t force you to have the wine?”

“No, absolutely not.” Lilly looked toward her friend. Eliza stood, lightly tapping Darla’s back and rubbing it. “He was the perfect gentleman.”

Eliza chuckled. “I’m so sorry. I find it hard to believe that Caleb can be a gentleman.”

“You’d be so surprised about him. I was.” She sighed. “We’re going on our first official date tonight.” Lilly was so happy.

“I’m glad you’re finally dating someone. Even if it is Caleb Hard.”

“You do realize he’s your brother-in-law.”

“Yep, and I also know of his reputation.”

Lilly sipped at her ice water. “I don’t judge him for that.”

“You don’t care that he’s been with lots of women?” Eliza asked.

She thought about it and shook her head. “No, it doesn’t matter what came before, does it? All that matters is what is happening now. I like him, Eliza, I really do. He’s a really good guy.”