Sweet Hill Temptation(15)

She just grinned like a fool, loving how he made her feel—like a woman. She loved how he looked at her—like she was the only woman. And she loved … him.

The truth hit her so hard it almost knocked her off her feet. For months he’d been sweet and supportive. In harvest season, his work hours matched hers, so they shared early morning coffee and always finished the day by four to have dinner and snuggle time.

For Christ’s sake, she’d turned into a woman who actually liked snuggle time.

“Hey,” he called. “Now you’re just being mean. Giving a man a glimpse of the goods only to stay away isn’t nice, you know.”

She snapped back to the present, realizing she was standing in her bra and panties, staring off into space on the edge of a lake.

Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra, then tugged down her panties. The breeze brushed her bare skin, pricking it like tiny daggers and hardening her nipples. Luke went quiet. She stepped in, the cool water lapping at her calves, then her knees. Another few steps and it encased her thighs, then finally her waist.

Right as the lake hit her rib cage, Luke popped up in front of her, drops of water sliding down his chest and stomach. He wrapped those strong damp arms of his around her.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you,” he said before kissing her. “You’re perfect.”

Something behind her eyes hurt. It was the same feeling gnawing at her chest. Before she could think at all, her mouth churned out words she wasn’t prepared for.

“I love you.”

He pulled back and looked at her. She didn’t know how to interpret the expression he made. Was he happy? Mad? Not feeling the same? Oh God, what had she done? She couldn’t bear to hear his response, so right when he opened his mouth to speak, she kissed him.

He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t. She couldn’t risk what he might say, or not say. So she just clung to him harder and wrapped her legs around his waist.

When he groaned and she felt his erection prod her, she knew she had safely snuck by any conversation. There in the water, she sheathed herself on Luke, and prayed he would forget what she had just said. Even though she’d never been more sure of anything in her life.





After their dip in the lake, Annabelle made it her priority to keep Luke distracted. Even after he brought her back to his place, Luke knew she was purposefully keeping his mouth busy—not that he was complaining. His mind was churning, and he had no idea what to say or even think to say. Which was why it was four in the morning and he still hadn’t slept. So he hopped on the computer.

Luke stared at his screen, hardly believing what he was seeing. An e-mail from Global Distribution. They were reaching out, offering to partner with the Jacobs name and take their brand worldwide. Their corporate office was in New York, and they wanted Luke to work there. They’d be faxing over the contract and terms later in the week for consideration.

Holy shit. It was a huge opportunity. Something that could take his career and the family business to the next level. Security for himself and for his grandfather’s legacy. Something he’d had to work twice as hard for since his father wasn’t around to help.

Luke looked over his shoulder to see Annabelle sleeping in his bed. The soft blue light from his screen glowed just enough that he could make out the fire of her hair and the creamy skin of her shoulders.

Just the thought of leaving her again made his stomach ache. Annie was here. Her café that she worked her ass off to open was here. He’d never ask her to leave and give that up. But his grandfather counted on him to keep the business going.

He took a deep breath, trying to ward off the defeat settling in his chest. There had to be a way to make this work. And he had one week to figure out how.





Chapter Seven

“Why the sour look?” Nana said, kneading piecrust. “For the last couple months, you’ve been happy as a pearl.”

“You mean clam, Nana.”

“No.” She shook her head. “My experience is it’s the pearl that is happy, not the clam.”

Annie decided not to argue with her on that.

“Something happen with Luke?”

Annie sighed and pulled the rack of blueberry muffins out of the oven.

“I’m an idiot.”

Nana frowned. “Why on earth would you say such a thing?”

Annie set down the muffins to cool on the rack on the counter and faced her grandmother. “Because I told him I loved him.”

“Oh.” She wiped her hands down her apron and walked over to Annie. “What did he say back?”

“Nothing. At first, I didn’t give him the opportunity, but this morning, things were quiet between us. We didn’t say more than two words to each other. I think I wrecked everything.”