Page 17 of From the Moment We Met

“Yes, you do, Lilly. What were you going to say?”

“The cab’s here.”

Jacob dropped his hands, letting out a resigned huff. “Right.” Then he rolled his eyes. The bastard rolled his eyes.

Lilly paused against the taxi door, knowing her mother would roll over in her grave as her daughter threw every bit of manners out the window in lieu of brutal honesty. “I was going to call bullshit on your statement.”

Jacob’s eyes widened as he walked over. “Excuse me?”

“There is nothing like love. Sure, sometimes it hurts like hell, but it’s worth every second. Maybe you just fell in love with the wrong woman. Next time, you’ll fall in love with the right one.”

“You’re such an expert?”

“Not by a long shot, but I know if you gave it a chance, you’d be a happier person.”

“I’m happy,” Jacob growled, an inner fire emanating from him.

Lilly laughed at the blatant lie. She saw right through this man. “Successful, yes. Talented, sure. Gorgeous, you’re adored by millions. But happy? Not a whit.”

Jacob leaned in, their faces only inches apart. “You don’t know anything about it—”

Lilly’s eyes blazed as she leaned forward. “Don’t I? I think I hit the nail right on the head, you’re just too scared to admit it.”

She saw his jaw tick, his fists clench and his nostrils flare. She waited for his retort, round two of his verbal assault.

“God damn it, Lilly.” Without warning, Jacob set down the bag of food, grabbed her arms and pulled her against him, claiming her mouth with a savage kiss.

This kiss was unlike the earlier theatrics in the bar; this kiss bled emotion. It was raw, angry and needy. Lilly’s hands moved up to push him away, but Jacob grabbed her wrists as he delivered a bite to her lower lip. Lilly gasped, and Jacob took that opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth, possessing her completely.

She released a soft moan and Jacob deepened the kiss, one hand coming up to hold her head, tangling in her hair. As the shock wore off, the sparks set in, flooding her every cell.

Just as suddenly as it began, Jacob pulled away; his breath coming in ragged gasps. He looked over her shoulder, his face a sea of conflicting emotions.

Lilly stood there, frozen, her fingers on her lips. Her insides churned like the sea during a hurricane, she had to escape. “I have to go.”

“Lilly—”

Lilly jumped into the taxi and gave her address, refusing to look back at Jacob.

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