Page 77 of From the Moment We Met

“I am not with Victoria and…what did you say?”

But Lilly had already moved on to new topics. She ran her fingers through her hair, examining it closely. “I’m going to dye my hair blonde, then all the men will want me. Why do men prefer blondes?”

Jacob chuckled. “Not all men prefer blondes.”

“You do.”

“I do not, actually. I discovered a great attraction to brunettes, one in particular.” His attempt to sweet talk her failed miserably.

“Then I’m definitely dying it.” Her chin jutted out in a petulant scowl.

He snorted back a laugh as he pulled into her driveway and shut off the car.

Lilly opened the car door, sucking in a lungful of fresh air. “Thanks for the ride, sorry I ruined your date with Victoria.”

Jacob rushed around the car, grabbing her by the waist, but it was too late, and Lilly lost her balance and fell onto the grass, dragging Jacob down with her. He was about to check her over for breaks and bruises when Lilly giggled, then snorted. Even in her worst drunken state, she was far kinder than Victoria sober. He nuzzled her nose with his own, smiling at the inebriated woman with whom he was fast falling in love. “Are you okay?”

Lilly bit her lip, letting out a half-laugh, half-cry. “No.” She blinked back tears.

Jacob pulled back, studying her. “Are you hurt?”

Lilly shook her head. “I don’t want to like you, Jacob, but I do. I like you too much, and you’re going to break my heart.”

Her drunken admission floored Jacob. The truth comes out when you're drunk, and the truth was she cared about him, perhaps even loved him.

“Who says I’m going to break your heart? You won’t even let me in, Lilly.”

Lilly wrapped a finger around one of his curls, a rueful expression on her face. “I already have, Jacob.”

Jacob held his breath. It wasn’t quite an admission of love, but it was close, and the scary part wasn’t her admission, but the fact that he felt the same way. He stroked her hair from her face, peppering her face with kisses.

Lilly pushed him away, pulling herself to a seated position. “We can’t do this anymore. We’re too different. What I want and what you want are so far apart.” She threw her arms open, signifying the distance between them.

Jacob cupped her face, his mouth against her cheek. “You don’t know what I want, you’ve never asked.”

“I know you don’t want me like you want Victoria.” She stood up, a bit wobbly as she slipped off her heels and headed to the door.

Jacob hurried after her, afraid she might take another tumble. He took her keys and unlocked the door, helping her to the couch while he lit a fire and brought in the hamburgers he ordered.

He smiled as she scarfed down the burger, oblivious to the ketchup in the corner of her mouth. He moved closer to her, his mouth licking away the red dollop and earning a gasp from Lilly.

“You had ketchup, right here.” His thumb traced along her lower lip, and he had to move back before his libido took control.

Lilly bit her lip again and sucked down the rest of the water. “I need to take a shower.”

“How about a bath?”

Lilly shrugged.

“Give me a few minutes.” Jacob walked into her bathroom and turned on the warm water, adding a few drops of lavender oil. He never took care of the women in his life, but he loved taking care of Lilly. He’d gladly handle her every need if she’d let him.

A slightly more cognizant Lilly walked into the bathroom, giving him a smirk. “I’ve got it from here. Thanks for the ride…and the burger. You can head on home now. I’m sure your girlfriend is waiting for you.”

“The only one waiting for me at home is Charlie, and he’ll understand. Truth is, he’d want to be here with you too. So be quiet and come over here.” Jacob pulled down the zipper on her dress, letting the material slide off her body to the floor. His fingers popped open her bra and Jacob had to state the alphabet backward in his mind to avoid a raging hard-on. When she shed her panties, it was all over.

Jacob wanted her so badly he ached. He should look away—that was the polite thing to do—but to hell with manners. His gaze roved over every curve and plane on Lilly’s body, itching to kiss every inch of her until she screamed his name so loudly everyone in London heard.

But Lilly seemed blissfully unaware of his hedonistic ogling as she stepped into the tub and leaned back, her fingers moving through the water. “It feels good. Relaxing. Be honest, did I ruin your night, Jacob? Victoria looked really beautiful.”

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