Sweet Hill Temptation (Sweet Hill 0.50)

She could see his biceps bulge in her peripheral vision, and that safe feeling enveloped her once more.

“Do you want me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. That was a simple question with a simple answer. The rest—like tomorrow or details—didn’t enter her mind then. She wanted Luke.

“Good.” He grinned. “Because right here”—he skimmed her cheekbone with the back of his hand—“with you, is where I want to be.”

Her lips trembled. She wanted to respond. To argue with him and point out all the reasons that this was a bad idea. That while she felt a deep connection to him, they were very different people living in a town that recognized those differences.

“You and me together … it isn’t going to look right. People will talk.”

“I know you have a lot riding on your reputation, Annie. I don’t want to complicate that.” Only Luke would think about her reputation in this. His was spotless while hers was comprised of past mistakes, and everyone was watching to see how badly she would mess up again. “I’m not interested in keeping you, or us, a secret.”

He adjusted his hips, and the scrape of his jeans against her thighs made her body buzz like a freshly lit firework. She locked her legs around his middle and hugged him close. Fully clothed, lying on the ground, she just clung to him, wanting to somehow feel all that strength he offered.

“Luke …” It was the only word she could form. What else could she say? Could she really tell him no? Tell him she’d rather stay away from him than try and see if they could be more? That would be a lie. Because she did want more. But it wasn’t that easy.

She couldn’t control what people would say or think. She didn’t want to give anyone any reason to stand against her. She relied on Sweet Hill for her livelihood. A town that loved everything Jacobs. If she so much as breathed wrong in their direction, it could be a problem. People would know. And it would affect her business.

“Please, Annabelle.” His mouth was over hers, so close it was as if they were breathing for each other. So much heat and longing was in his eyes that she dared not deny him anything.

She was already so far past gone for Luke, she was ready to concede. And she’d do it with a smile on her face. Because right then, he looked at her in a way no one ever did.

“Yes,” she said.

With her thighs wrapped around his waist, she squeezed tighter and let herself enjoy the moment. The feeling of being totally and completely wrapped up in Luke Jacobs.

He whispered her name and kissed her. Soft, slow, and totally consuming. The connection that she felt two years ago, and again last night, came rushing full force with the power of his mouth working hers. It was a feeling she was already addicted to. Already wanting more of.

With the warm grass against her back, and an even warmer man against her front, they lay there for a moment, Luke simply kissing her. Not pushing too far. As if reassuring her that he would always be there. Something she desperately wanted to believe.

He pulled back just enough to say, “Have dinner with me tonight.”

She looked up at him. The sun was shining around him, making those green eyes of his sparkle.

“We haven’t even made it through lunch,” she said with a little laugh.

Brushing his lips against hers, he whispered, “Which is why I think tonight should be somewhere public. Otherwise, I may never eat anything but you.”

Her body shuddered and a whole new dose of desire rushed to every cell. Annie was lost. Totally and helplessly lost to him.

“Okay.”

Chapter Five

“Have a good day, son?” Luke’s grandfather asked, looking up from the computer he was working on.

Every day after quitting time, Luke drove farther up Apple Heights to his grandfather’s place, where Andrew

Jacobs spent most of his days going over paperwork and distribution forms. The little home office he ran reminded Luke of his childhood, running around and hiding under his grandpa’s desk. A desk he had been groomed to sit behind one day. He just hoped he could work hard enough for himself and his absent father to earn it.

“Yes, Pop. Harvest is running smooth. Based on what we’ve shipped, we’re already in the black.”

Andrew Jacobs nodded. Swiveling in his chair, he faced Luke. “Is that why you have a permanent grin slapped on your face?” He glanced over the rim of his glasses and raised an eyebrow. “Apples never made me that happy, so I’m betting something else has you walking around like a smiling buffoon.”

“Just a good day,” Luke said.

“Uh-huh. That kind of good day”—he gestured in Luke’s direction—“usually comes from a woman.”