Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she focused on her work. She was very much aware of his reputation around town, but with her, he was taking things incredibly slow. It probably didn’t help that she had an injury.

Once the books were back on the shelves, she returned to the main reception only to pause when she caught sight of Jacob walking into the library.

There were security cameras around, and she made sure she stayed behind the desk.

He approached the counter slowly, and even as he came to a stop in front of her, she noticed there were a couple of feet between them.

“Can I help you?” she asked after a prolonged silence.

She caught sight of his bruised face.

“I, er, I wanted to make sure you were okay.” He pointed at where he’d cut her.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“I didn’t mean to, you know. I just, it was so heated, and he was pissing me off.”

“Caleb and I were just dancing. We weren’t causing trouble with anyone.”

“I know and I’m sorry. It’s no excuse. I … I’ve enrolled in an anger management program. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t … I’m really sorry for what I did and the times before. It was wrong of me.”

Lilly stared at Jacob, a little taken aback. He’d always been mean to her, but the man before her now was remorseful.

“I forgive you.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a rectangular piece of paper. “I got a quote for the cost of the medical. I want to pay it.”

“Jacob, you really don’t have to.”

“I do. I’m sorry, and please, let me pay for the damage.”

She picked up the check, not sure what to say or do. “Thank you.”

“I’m really sorry, and thank you for forgiving me. It won’t happen again.”

She stared down at the check as Jacob left the library. This had to be the oddest day of her life.

At lunchtime, Caleb was there to pick her up. They went to the diner, and it was teeming with people. They ordered their food to go and sat on the hood of his truck to eat. People stopped to talk to them.

“Did you threaten Jacob?” she asked.

“Not seen that son of a bitch since kicking his ass. The sheriff advised I don’t go near him, why?”

“He came by the library today.”

“Did that fucker say or do anything? Advice be damned, I’ll fuck him up,” Caleb said.

She put a hand on his chest. “Stop it. No, he wasn’t mean.” She handed him the check. “He was apologetic and wanted to pay for my hospital visit. He seemed different. He was heavily bruised.”

“I haven’t seen him. You think I threatened him or something?”

“I don’t know. I was curious.”

“Nah, that’s not me, babe. Whoever did it, well, I guess someone is looking out for you.”

“I don’t know who. Oh, well, at least it will help to pay for what he did.” Her side ached a little. “Edward has told me I’m not allowed to come back to work yet.”

“He has?”

“Yeah. I’ve got to wait until I’m completely healed. Don’t you think that’s a little overkill?”

“Him taking care of you?” Caleb asked. “No, I think he cares.”

“Why? He’s not my dad.”

Caleb started to choke on his drink, and she quickly rubbed at his back. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just swallowed something the wrong way. Does the guy have to be your dad to care?”

“I guess not. I don’t know. I don’t like the thought of him taking care of me. He’s my boss.”

Caleb nodded. “Right.”

“Sorry, let’s talk about something else. Tell me about your day.”

Caleb proceeded to tell her about Rome and how he’d shown up again at the garage asking for more dating advice.

She was aware of the youngest Hard boy’s crush on a certain teacher. Caleb kept telling his brother the same advice, just go for it, ask her out. Rome was allowing their student-teacher connection to hinder him.

Rome was a sweet guy. A little nerdish and completely the opposite of his brothers. She thought about Andy Evergreen. The woman kept to herself. Was a hard worker. Had always been kind to her. Rarely a bad word spoken from her mouth.

“I hope he figures it out,” Lilly said, seeing it was nearly the end of her lunch break.

Caleb drove her back to the library, then stopped her from leaving by slamming his lips down on hers, and like so many times before, she melted.

The kisses were incredible, and much to her shame, they didn’t seem to be enough.

“I’ll see you later.”

She’d already told him she needed to go home, and he hadn’t argued with her.

After kissing him again, she climbed out of the truck and headed into the library. She left her bag in a locker in the staffroom and returned to the main desk.