Sweet Hill Temptation (Sweet Hill 0.50)

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.