Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2) (12 page)

              Millie checked her email several times over throughout the day, to no avail. Jacob had not responded yet. She kept herself busy doing filing, working calls and following up on leads. When she broke away for a quick lunch, she walked towards the park and when she didn't see him, she turned around and came right back to the office. Millie sat down again and proceeded to set up appointments and schedule two open houses.

              About 4:00 PM, Millie was getting a bit miffed. Surely he was not giving her the silent treatment? Although she probably deserved it, she thought. How long did she not respond to him? Millie checked her email one more time and let out a huge sigh.             

              Danielle almost laughed aloud at the disappointment that was evident from her friend and coworker. If Millie’s ramrod posture would have allowed it, she believed she would have honestly slouched in the chair! “Would you do me a huge favor? I am to feeling so hot and I think I’m going to go home, if you don't mind? Could you run out to Jacob’s house and get the photos so the listing can go online soon? I haven't been able to and my lunch is not agreeing with me. I hate to ask, but the house is empty so you should be all right…” she said letting it trail off. Danielle wiped the grin off her face and turned away to hide her expression.

              Millie’s heart thumped in her chest. She wanted so much to see Jacob and to see the changes he had made in the house. She still could not believe he had to relocate so suddenly. Millie checked her email, once more, and took the camera from Danielle. “Sure, get some rest. We will upload them in the morning,” she said, grabbing her purse and keys, heading out the door.

              As soon as the door to the office closed and Millie was pulling away in her car, Danielle shrieked with laughter and called Jacob. “You’re on, lover boy - the eagle has left the nest! She is on her way!” she said excitedly. Jacob murmured ‘thanks’ and hung up quickly to get ready for his guest.

16

              Jacob was shocked when Danielle called the other night to let him know she told Millie the made-up story of him leaving. At first, he was quite upset. The last thing he wanted was to deceive her or mislead her again. Danielle reassured him over and over again that Millie was very upset and missed him terribly. That was the only thing keeping him from calling her or sending her an email to tell her of the deception. He wanted to make it up to Millie. He wanted to secure their relationship again. He wanted her in his life… and if it meant Danielle telling her a whopper of a lie, and he happened to be in on it? So be it. He sincerely hoped she would be okay once she heard all he had to say.

              When Jacob had gotten back from the restaurant that night, he was crushed and not sure what his next move should be. He thought he was going in the right direction, but it seemed to backfire for him. He was surprised when he received the email from Millie shortly afterwards and could have jumped for joy. Maybe Danielle was right after all?

              Jacob spent the next day, getting through as much as possible in the office and switched afternoon shift with Max to get away from the station early. He left the station and picked up some flowers and candles at the store. He came home and picked up a bit, since he was still in the process of moving his things in.

              Jacob had tried to wait until the remodeling was completed, however, necessity demanded a few items start showing up there. Like clothes, he found out one afternoon while painting, and his microwave for when he tried to heat up something to eat one evening while he was finishing up in the yard. Slowly he had begun moving other items over and had begun sleeping at the house. He planned on being completely out of his apartment by the end of his lease next month.

              Jacob’s phone rang and Danielle’s voice shrieked through the earpiece. He jerked and held the phone away from his head, grinning at the excitement in her voice. Millie was on her way here! He felt like a nervous teenager getting ready for his first date and waited for her car to pull up. He wanted to stand outside on the front porch and wave to her as she pulled up, but settled for peeking through the blinds to see her reaction to the house he had fixed up for her… for them.

              Millie pulled up and slowly got out of the car, a hesitant smile on her face. This place was lovelier than she ever remembered. She decided right then, that if Jacob sold the house and ended up leaving the area, that she would buy it. This was where she had made love to him and he had put so much work into the home that called to her.

              Millie got out her camera and snapped a few photos from the front of the house. She stepped to the side to get a different angle so they had plenty to choose from for the listing. She walked towards the front door and stopped, admiring the small fountain in the middle of the circular driveway. It was in the most perfect spot and had lovely little purple flowers surrounding it. It just set the scene and made it feel welcoming when you walked up to the door.

              The house had recently been painted a pale yellow and the wrap around porch boards had been stained a deep brown. The contrast was striking to look at, but the ‘pop’ of color on the house numbers next to the door, and the flowers in the pots, gave an elegant look. The small swing at the end of the porch had two small seat cushions that matched the flowers, completing the look. She snapped photos of the front door, the porch and the swing.

              Millie walked up to the door and noticed the lockbox was not present on the door. “That’s odd,” she said aloud. Danielle hadn't placed the box yet, which meant it officially wasn't on the market to be shown to other realtors. This also meant that she was not going to get pictures of the interior unless Jacob happened to be inside. Millie’s heart thumped hard in her chest as she rapped on the front door.

              Jacob opened the front door with a smile. He had seen her reaction as she walked up and was relieved to see she had liked what he had done to the place. He hoped that would be a good sign of how the evening would go and hopefully things would end (or begin again!) on a good note. “Please come in,” he said, “and thank you for coming. I am really glad to see you,” as he held the door open for her to step inside.

              Millie crossed the entryway, breathing deeply of his cologne and letting a soft sigh slip, as she walked into the foyer. She was so pleased to see the fireplace carvings on the mantle had been cleaned and polished. The wooden swirls practically glowed from the patina of the wood grain. It was amazing to behold and the mirror above the fireplace was perfect and complimented it so well. Millie moved to take a photo, and stepped back to get out of the reflection, bumping into Jacob. “Oh!” she said, “I’m sorry,” but the instant heat between their bodies that she felt made her feel like a liar.

              Jacob put out his hands and pulled her to him, holding her against his chest. “I am not. I have missed you so much. Millie, can we talk? Can I explain to you what happened? The full story?” he said holding her tightly, afraid she would leave too soon.

              He held her for quite a few minutes, just breathing her perfume and he placed a kiss on the top of her head. Jacob felt her arms tighten around his waist, hugging him and felt relief. “Baby, I am so sorry. I am not sure where to start, but you were never a contest or a game and I don't want you to think that ever. Before I ever met you, before I ever knew you…yes, there were comments made at the station about how you never dated anyone in town but that was just some of the guys who didn't know you. They had never met you and were talking smack. Trash talk.”

              Jacob noticed that Millie had not moved nor commented. He wasn't sure how well she would take his side of the story nor if she would understand how much he cared for her. The last few weeks had been hell for him. “Heck, I didn't even know you and it sounded like a challenge, so I said I would get you to go out with me. That was it. No bet, no wager, no contest. It was pure ego talking and my mouth was running. I honestly never dreamed of buying a house because I had my apartment and it suited me fine because I had nothing in my life. It was just me. But telling you that I was looking for a house, got me to at least talk to you…and that was the lie I have told you. I freely admit to being guilty on that part,” he said nervously, kissing her still head again.

              Jacob grew nervous and kept rambling. “I talked with you, emailed you, went out with you and was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful you are. Those guys don't know anything about you or I would be in serious trouble because you are amazing, baby.  You are so funny, so smart and so loving. I can’t understand why they ever thought you were cold because you burn me up when you kiss me or touch me. You are the sexiest, most sensual woman I have ever met and I can’t imagine my life without you. I have missed you so much and want a chance to win you back. I need you, baby,” he said hugging her tighter wishing she would say something in the silence that was growing.

              Millie didn't move for quite some time. She just stood there, holding him, stunned by the emotion in his voice and the words he said to her.  She felt at home in his arms but frightened that he had the ability to hurt her heart so easily. Should she trust him? She wanted so much to be a part of his life and to go back to where they were before she had been pulled over that fateful afternoon.

              Millie had missed him terribly. She missed his smile and his laugh. Most of all, she missed how he looked at her, like his world centered on her. She thought of that day at the park, happy with him lying in the shade of the tree…she thought of them holding each other in this very home, making love together. She wanted more.

            
 
“I need you too,” she whispered softly against the fabric of his shirt, squeezing him tightly. “But Jacob, I don't want to ever feel like that again. I need you too much and letting you in is scary. Don't make me regret it, please,” she finished.

              Jacob thought his knees would give in relief
.
“Never,” he said, vowing it. “I need you to understand how much I have come to care for you and how much I want this to work between us.” He kissed the top of her head, kissed the tip of her ear, and the side of her cheek. “Millie?” he asked, questioningly as she turned her head up towards him, leaning into a soft embrace full of promise. Jacob savored the moment, hoping things were truly all right between them.

              He didn't want to push the issue with her, he felt insecure and unsure. He softly kissed her again and finally broke the embrace. “Would you like to see the rest of the house? I know you really liked it,” he said. “I am hoping you like what I have done to it.” He took her hand and led her into the dining area. He showed her how the walls had been painted and the trim work cleaned of grime and dust. It was amazing what a thorough cleaning could do!

              Millie stepped into the kitchen area and just stared. Gone were the yellow counters and wallpaper. The room was breathtaking and felt like the center of the home where people could gather. It was comfortable but elegant. The yellow counters had been replaced with a stunning countertop that had strange waves in the stone. “Is that granite,” she asked surprised that there was so much ‘movement’. There were ripples in the stone that glistened like a copper river over rocks and moss. The green, brown and golden colors shone and complimented perfectly the bronzed fixture hanging from the ceiling. The small penny tile held the old world charm but the fixtures and handles definitely looked brand new. It was perfect.

              Jacob’s smile matched Millie’s. “I take it you like it?” he said, pride in his voice.

            
 
“Oh, yes! It’s beautiful Jacob. It’s truly lovely. Did you hire a designer?” she asked, smoothing her hand across the granite and stopped suddenly. She had seen this material before! “Oh my gosh, Danielle’s countertops! You had her ask me?” she exclaimed, surprised. “Why? She wasn't remodeling, she was telling you what choices I suggested for her place, wasn't she?” Millie was amazed and stunned.

            
 
Jacob could see the realization dawn on her face. “She helped me, yes. How else could I make sure the house you loved was perfect for you and ready when I got the nerve to ask you to move in with me,” he said boldly, pulling her to him, kissing her. “So, do you think you would care to move in with me?” he said, smiling against her mouth. His eyes closed, tense, hoping she would say yes.

              Millie was flabbergasted. It seemed to be moving so fast, but she couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather be. She wanted to be with him, she had been so happy with him. She had watched him from afar and always thought he was so attractive, but never spoke to him, but now? So many things had changed her view of him: knowing him, being with him, laughing with him and loving him. Thinking Jacob was ‘handsome’ has turned to ‘breathtaking’ and ‘heart stopper.’ She wanted to move in with him, but wanted to be sure too and not just swept away in the moment! Trying not to ruin it, she said, “Let me see when my lease is up and I will let you know as soon as I can.” 

              Jacob was hoping for a ‘yes,’ but it wasn't a resounding ‘no’ either. He could certainly understand wanting to take it a bit slowly this time. He took her hand and showed her the unfinished rooms, a small hall bathroom that still needed work, and the master bedroom.  There were several rooms in the house that desperately needed paint, updating and some cleaning. He just had not gotten to them yet. Jacob had focused on one room at a time and was currently working on the master bathroom, which he found needed new tile around the shower due to age and crumbling mortar.

              They continued the tour around the house, finishing at the backyard. There was quite a mess of debris, pulled weeds and shrubs, and broken fence pieces in a pile. Some bushes had died and a few trees had to be cut back, but the arbor stood proudly and would be quite the eyepiece in the springtime if it was covered in flowers. He had much planting to do around the yard next year.

              Millie and Jacob stepped back inside due to the sun beginning to set. He invited her to sit down on the couch and offered her something to drink. “If I could just have water or hot tea?” she asked. She sat comfortably on the couch, listening to the movement in the kitchen, and thought of his offer to move in. It was definitely tempting. He had truly swept her off her feet before, and she knew (and secretly hoped) it would not take long again. Millie almost laughed aloud at that thought: she was practically already there!

              Jacob brought Millie a hot cup of tea and got himself a Coke, sitting on the couch opposite of her. It felt tense to him. He wanted so much to be himself with her, but didn't think pulling her into his lap and making love to her shortly after they had begun talking again would be the wisest move he made.

              Millie sipped on the tea, watching Jacob fidget nervously a bit. Frankly she was surprised he had not attempted to kiss or touch her more. He had always been loving and tender, she had assumed he would still be…unless he was trying to give her space? Maybe that was it? Millie wasn't sure if she should head home, or go with her gut instinct and test the waters with Jacob. She opted for the latter just to gauge his response and decided she would see where things went from there. She didn't expect declarations of love from him, but she did expect him to act like he did before towards her.