Sweet Hill Temptation (Sweet Hill 0.50)

“You don’t scare me in the way you think you do,” he said with a small smile. Her body let go of an ounce of tension. He pulled her a little closer. “I know what you’re capable of, know there’s more to you than you let on. And I know you hate that.”

She did hate it. So much. Because growing up with Luke Jacobs was hard enough. He was pulling her pigtails one moment, then wiping her tears the next when some kid at school made fun of her. Somehow, he’d crossed enemy lines and become her confidant. That, and she’d threatened to kick him in the shins until he bled if he ever told anyone he saw her cry. And he never did.

For a man who seemed to have everything, including the respect of the town, a good name, and success, he had always treated her like an equal.

“The truth is, Annie, we connected long before that night.”

He pulled her so close now that his breath fanned over her forehead and they stood in his doorway with the hot August night and crickets surrounding them.

“Remember when I found you in my tree house?”

Her gaze snapped to his, and she nodded. She was upset because her mother had just left again, and at eight years old, she was still learning how to handle it. It was also the day Luke’s father left and never came back.

“You just hugged me,” he said. “When everyone else was trying to give me an explanation, to make sense of things, you let me sit there with you, hide with you, and just be.”

That annoying sting behind her eyes was back. They had been kids. Scared. Unsure. But in that moment, they had each other and understood what the other was going through.

“I knew then that there was more to Annabelle Thompson than a tough girl with no fear.”

She gave a half scoff, half smile and said the only thing she could when someone challenged her toughness. “Well, I think you’re full of shit.”

He laughed and cupped her neck. “And you’re the only one who calls me on it.”

Damn it, she was caught again. He smelled like spice and summertime, and all male. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man. Actually, two years, to be exact. Largely due to the fact she’d been busy building her café, and also because no other man made her feel like this. Like losing control. Like giving in.

“I couldn’t face you,” he said so low she almost missed it. Looking up to meet his eyes, she saw an ounce of pain there. “I didn’t know how to tell you good-bye. And I didn’t call because I knew if I heard your voice …” He shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said. “And you’re right, there was something between us.” He kissed her palm. “I think there still is.”

She swallowed hard, wanting to deny it, deny him. But she couldn’t deny something that was so horribly obvious. Luke Jacobs had always been, and probably always would be, special to her.

“Damn it,” she sighed.

He smiled. That megawatt country boy grin that made her panties instantly wet. “I’m wearing you down, aren’t I?”

She shook her head.

“Liar.” He nipped her fingertip, and a flare of pleasure shot through her body.

“How long,” she managed to get out before losing herself even further. “How long are you here this time?”

He looked at her for a long moment. “I came back for harvest, but I have no intention of leaving.”

“Good enough.” With that, she pressed against him, pushing him into his house, and snagged his bottom lip between her two.

He groaned and returned her kiss. “There’s the mouth I’ve been missing,” he said, kicking the door shut and instantly pushing her against the wall.

All thought was gone, except for Luke’s warmth. His body was a furnace, constantly drawing her in and burning her up.

“I wasn’t kidding before when I said I like this look,” he said against her mouth. He peeled off her leather jacket while she kicked off her boots, leaving her in nothing but her flimsy pajamas.

“I kind of like your outfit too.” She reached between their bodies and gripped his erection. “It’s accessible.”

“I aim to please.”

His lips were on her neck, licking and biting his way down. When he grabbed the hem of her cami, she raised her arms and he tugged it up and off.

“Jesus,” he said on a long breath. “You’re fucking perfect.”

Delivering a few small kisses along her collarbone, his mouth traveled down to nip along a breast, then circle the peak with his tongue.