Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

“Caleb?” she asked, frowning. “You didn’t want to kiss me?”

“I do. I always do.” He cupped her face. “But not like this. When I kiss you, you’re going to be alert for it. It’s not going to be something you forget the next day.” He pressed his head against hers. “You make it really hard to fight this. I’m going to be a good man for you.”

Before she knew what was happening, she was in his truck. Her bag and jacket in her hand.

“Do you not find me attractive?”

He groaned. “It’s because I do find you attractive and I respect you that I’m doing this.”

“But you fuck women all the time.”

He jerked the truck against the side of the road and turned toward her. His hand was against her cheek. His thumb stroked across her bottom lip. “Don’t. I have a past. You know that, and I’m not going to start pretending that I didn’t. I know I’ve been with my fair share of women and I’m not always proud of that. With you, it’s going to be different. I’m not just going to fuck you and leave you, Lilly. I want more. I will have more with you. I know you’re nothing like your mother, but that’s because I want you.”

He turned back toward the steering wheel, fired up the car, and pulled away from the curb.

They arrived at Aunt Betty’s house too soon.

Caleb helped her out of the car.

“That wine was really strong.”

“Yeah, it was.”

“I don’t drink.”

“I understand that.” He knocked at the door.

Aunt Betty answered. “What did you do to her?”

“I had a glass of wine, Aunt Betty, but it may be two. Don’t worry. Even though I wanted Caleb to fuck me, he wouldn’t. He refused. My mommy would be so ashamed. Even drunk and willing, I can’t get a man.”

Aunt Betty and Caleb shared a look.

“Don’t look like that. It’s the truth. Everyone knows it.” She huffed. “They think I’m so easy. The first time I want to have sex with a guy, he doesn’t want me.”

“Come on, let’s get her upstairs to bed.”

Caleb lifted her in his arms, which was a good thing as the world had started to spin a little. Her stomach also threatened to spill out all the good food she’d eaten, which sucked.

“I’ve got you,” Caleb said.

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

Within seconds, she was at the toilet, being held over the bowl. Her hair was pulled out of the way when she did indeed throw up. “This sucks. Your pasta was so good.”

“I’ll cook it for you again. You won’t miss any.”

“Really. Even after tonight?” she asked.

“Lilly, this isn’t over. I want to see you the moment you’re feeling … sober.” He pressed a kiss to her head, and she wanted to tell him not to leave, but her eyes were starting to feel heavy.

Damn alcohol.

It sucked that she had such a low tolerance to it.

She hugged the pillow against her head, and sleep finally claimed her.

****

More often than not, Caleb loved his job. He loved fixing cars. There was nothing better in his life. They were easy to put together, to find the problem. Rarely were they taxing.

However, this morning, it was like the universe was against him going to see his woman, and Lilly was his. Last night, the wine had gone to her head, but she belonged to him in every single way that counted, and he wasn’t going to ever let her go.

He rubbed the back of his neck, and when he checked the time, he saw it was already lunchtime and he was starving. No sign of Lilly anywhere.

“Fuck!”

He was doing the right thing. There was no way he could live with himself if he’d taken it further. His dick had been hard, and he’d wanted her. When it came to Lilly, he couldn’t get enough of her. He craved her.

When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he grabbed his keys, about to lock up when he caught sight of her. A brown paper sack in her hand.

She’d pulled her black hair back into a loose ponytail.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey.”

“I slept in, and Aunt Betty was there with some painkillers and a very stern warning.”

“Do you remember last night?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Yes.”

He nodded. “Good.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m embarrassed by what I did and what I said.”

“Did you mean it? About having a crush on me?”

She nodded.

“Then don’t apologize for that. There’s no reason to.” He stepped toward her. “I’m going to close the gates. Do you want to eat lunch with me?”

“I made enough for two.”

“You made this?”

“With Aunt Betty’s help.”

He walked past her, drawing the gates to a close. Putting a hand at her back, he followed behind her, going straight to his office. He lifted several pieces of paper and invoices, moving them to the side, keeping them in a nice, neat pile.