Sins of the Past (8 page)

“My fault? What did I have to do with anything?”

“It seems your little stunt at the grocery store caused Ashley to think she needed to stage an intervention. She didn’t want you sinking your claws into me before she could.” Jacob shook his head. “She had no idea that I was imagining all the ways I could get rid of her in my head. If I had to hear ‘oh, you poor thing’ or ‘bless your heart’ one more time, the woman was going to find the end of my crutch shoved in a spot where it didn’t belong.”

Lorna grimaced as Jacob mimicked Ashley’s voice perfectly. Her heart beat rapidly against her chest as her hope soared at what he was telling her. Had all of her heartbreak and pain been simply a misunderstanding of her own doing? She had to admit that she was jealous of Ashley. When she had looked out her window and seen the woman on Jacob’s porch, Lorna saw red. What if she had handled things differently? What would have happened if she had asked Jacob what was going on instead of avoiding the man for two days?

Lorna shrugged internally. There was nothing she could do to change anything now. “I’m sorry. Just the sight of that skeevy skank gets under my skin and I jumped to conclusions.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you,” Jacob said as he kissed her forehead. “Next time just ask me instead of making me chase you all over town. I would have told you that you have nothing to fear from her. You would know that I told her I’m already falling for my sexy neighbor who has a mouth on her that would make my old commanding officer blush.”

Lorna gasped in mock outrage as she laughed at Jacob. Ignoring the comment about her mouth, she focused on what he had said about falling for her. Looking up into his eyes, she admitted to herself she was falling for Jacob as well. Not only was there chemistry and instant attraction between them, but it was like they were connected on a deeper level. If she believed in soul mates, then Lorna was staring directly at hers.

“You have nothing to worry about when it comes to Ashley.” Jacob leaned down and kissed her before continuing. “When I moved to this town, I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I just wanted somewhere I could recover in peace before I decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Meeting you was just a bonus. If you’re willing, I want to see where this relationship takes us.”

“You know about my past and why I don’t put myself out there.” Lorna decided Jacob was worth taking a chance for. “You’re the first guy I have ever had feelings for, which is why I acted like a complete ass. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve because I know how it feels to have it crushed, but if you’re willing to take a chance on me then I can do the same.”

It felt good and scary at the same time finally telling Jacob how she felt about him. She knew she was well on the way to falling in love with the man and vowed to never jump to conclusions again. If their relationship ended, it wouldn’t be because of her stubborn pride. Nor would it be because of Ashley Johansen and her bid to find the perfect husband. If the woman even looked at Jacob wrong, Lorna was going to give her the beat down she had been putting off since the eighth grade.

“Are we still on for the fair?” Jacob asked, drawing Lorna out of her daydream of smashing Ashley’s perfect face against the concrete.

“Yes. We can still go to the fair together. In the meantime…” She finished her statement by pulling Jacob against her. She ran her nose along his collarbone and took in a deep breath of his masculine scent before claiming his lips with hers. Her stubbornness had kept them apart for two days and Lorna knew she had a lot of time to make up for. For once in her life, she didn’t care about work and car deadlines, or what anyone else in town thought of her. She was going to spend her time making out with her boyfriend and enjoying it.

* * * *

“I’m really glad you agreed to come with me tonight.”

Lorna looked up at Jacob and grinned as she popped another piece of cotton candy in her mouth. She just about moaned at the sweet taste. Pulling another piece, she held it up to his mouth and waited for him to lean down and take it. “I’m really glad I came too.” They had been there about two hours just talking and checking out all of the sights. They weren’t able to go on any of the rides because of his knee, but Lorna was still having fun.

She shivered when Jacob sucked her finger into his mouth along with the cotton candy and nipped it before letting it go. He had done it several times since telling her she had to hand feed him as they walked along since he needed both hands to use his crutches. Each time he pulled her finger into his mouth, it took everything Lorna had to keep from throwing him to the ground and giving the crowd a real show.

When they had arrived, it seemed as though the town took a collective gasp when they saw her get out of Jacob’s truck with him. Since then, it seemed that as the day went on, the crowd that followed them around had grown. Lorna could hear the whispers, but was trying her best to ignore them. Between her soaked panties and rising lust for Jacob, and her frustration with the crowd that refused to give them any privacy, her warring emotions were about to drive her crazy.

As if sensing her thoughts, Jacob stopped and pulled her up against his chest. “Don’t worry about them. They will eventually get bored once they see they aren’t going to get a show. They’ll move on soon enough.”

Lorna really hoped so. She turned her nose and ran it along Jacob’s collarbone before kissing it. She loved his masculine smell and it did a lot more to calm her than his words. Even though the night was really warm, she wiggled her way closer to him as if she was trying to burrow under his skin. The warmth of Jacob’s large body felt wonderful.

“Come on. You’ve had your cotton candy, now I want one of those huge corn dogs and maybe a beer.”

Lorna laughed and turned to lead Jacob. “Come on. I know exactly where we can get both.”

She led him over to a tent that had several picnic benches set up under it. “Have a seat and I’ll go get everything.” She knew he was having a hard time maneuvering through the crowd with his crutches, and based on the stress lines around his mouth and the sheen of sweat above his lip, Jacob was in pain.

“Are you okay?” Lorna sat down next to him, concerned. “Do we need to go?”

Jacob shook his head. “I’m okay, nothing a few aspirin can’t handle. I’m having too much fun with you to leave.” He grimaced. “You may want to hold off on that beer, though. As much as I would love one, I better not mix alcohol with medication.”

Lorna stared at the stubborn set of Jacob’s jaw and realized there was no way she was going to convince him to go home and rest his leg. Nodding, she got up and headed to the concession stand.

Without Jacob by her side, it took Lorna longer than she expected to get through the crowd. They had been nice enough to get out of his way as he moved, but now that she was alone, they acted like she didn’t exist. Throwing an elbow, Lorna grinned, satisfied when she heard the guy she had to squeeze past grunt.

By the time she fought her way to the concession stand and headed back, Lorna felt anger rising. She gripped the tray in front of her tightly as she was jostled, nearly knocking over their drinks for what felt like the hundredth time. Growling, as she finally made her way through the crowd, Lorna came to a complete stop at what she saw. Ashley was sitting so close to Jacob, that she might as well have been glued to his side. If it wasn’t for the uncomfortable look on Jacob’s face, she would have dropped the tray and walked away. Instead, she dropped it for a different reason.

Fed up, Lorna marched over to Jacob and Ashley. “If this crowd wants a show, then they’re damn well going to get one.” She mumbled under her breath. She had no idea what Ashley had seen on her face, but the woman’s eyes widened and she had enough sense to stand and move away from Jacob just as Lorna approached.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Lorna hissed through gritted teeth.

“I’m just being neighborly and checking to make sure Jacob had everything he needed.”

Ashley raised her sugary sweet voice, drawing more attention from the crowd and Lorna barely resisted the urge to mar her perfect, cosmetically enhanced face. “Jacob has all the help he needs. If he wants anything, I’ll be the one to give it to him. So go sink your claws into some other unsuspecting guy because Jacob is mine.” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at Ashley, daring her to say something else.

Ashley was smart enough to recognize the threat in Lorna’s stance. With only a huff, the other woman turned on her impossibly high heels and flounced away. Lorna snorted. “Who the hell wears six inch hoe heels just to walk around the fair?” she asked out loud as she turned back to Jacob. She winced when she got a look at the man’s face. His features were blank and she had no clue if he was angry with her or not for claiming him in public. She might as well have stamped
MINE
on his forehead.

Lorna took a step back when Jacob moved to stand and held her breath waiting for the guy to yell at her. She expected it since it was what she would have done if he had gone caveman on her in public. Sometimes she let her mouth get her into trouble and it looked like now was one of those times. She gasped when Jacob let go of one of his crutches and snaked his arm around her waist to pull her against him.

“Damn, I think that was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen in my life,” he whispered in her ear.

Distantly, Lorna was aware of the clatter from his crutch as it hit the ground next to her. The area around them had grown so silent that she could hear the rapid thump from her own heart as her body shivered from the silky heat of Jacob’s breath against her shoulder. His voice had gone deep and husky and Lorna imagined him whispering naughty things in her ear in the heat of passion. She had to clench her thighs together as her cunt pulsed with need at the thought.

“Oh, baby. You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

It was what Lorna wanted as well. She wanted Jacob. She wanted to give herself to the man in every way possible. “I’m yours,” she whimpered into his ear. “Take me home, Jacob.”

He let her go and she leaned down to retrieve his crutch. For the first time since she could remember, the people of the town didn’t exist to her. She didn’t even notice them as she and Jacob pushed their way through them and to the car. Her attention was on the man slightly in front of her and the way the muscles in his arm flexed with each step he took. She was sure everyone near them felt the sexual tension sparking between them but she didn’t care. Her thoughts were only for the man she was about to give herself to as soon as they could get home.

Jacob pressed a palm to his good leg to keep it from bouncing as Lorna drove. The drive home was torture and he couldn’t get there fast enough. Need was clawing at his chest. He needed to be inside Lorna more than he needed his next breath. Jacob closed his eyes and bunched his muscles then released them starting at his toes and working his way up. It was something he did to calm and center himself before every mission. He needed that routine tonight to keep him from doing something stupid, like rushing things with Lorna.

He knew she was a virgin and there was no way Jacob was going to just grope and fondle her like some teenager until he got off. He planned on taking his time with Lorna and making it romantic and special for her. He wanted her to enjoy sex for the first time just as much as he knew he was going to. After that, all bets were off. He planned on taking her in every position possible. Looking over at Lorna, Jacob knew it would be a long time before he sated his need for the woman, if he ever did.

Lorna was the type of woman he saw himself growing old with. Not only was she beautiful, but she was strong and feisty. She didn’t take any crap from anyone and from the small glimpses he had seen when her control slipped, she was caring and loyal to a fault. He learned that she didn’t let her guard down around any one, but those who were lucky enough to be let into her world and earn her trust also earned her fierce protective streak. He had seen it at the fair when she claimed him from Ashley.

The woman had descended on him like a dog with a bone, and before he could get a word out to send her away, Lorna was there. The fire burning in her eyes as she put Ashley in her place instantly sent the blood in his body racing toward his cock. Jacob shifted in the seat trying to relieve the pressure of his cock as it pressed against the zipper of his jeans as if looking for a way to escape the unforgiving material.

“Hurry.” Jacob could hear the whimper in his own voice, but he didn’t care when he saw Lorna shudder and her grip tighten on the steering wheel. It seems she was on the verge of losing control as well.

“I’m going as fast as I can. You do know that by now everyone in town knows exactly what we’re headed to do.”

He knew it wasn’t a question, but Jacob answered her statement anyway. “Baby, the whole town could watch me fucking you and right now, I wouldn’t care. The only thing I can think about is the fact that in a few minutes I’m going to have my cock buried so deep inside you, the only thing you’ll be able to do is scream my name.”

Jacob watched as Lorna gulped and the car sped up a little. His harsh words had done exactly what he wanted. He didn’t want her thinking about the dimwitted, narrow-minded people who had made her life hell. He wanted all of her focus on him.

When the car pulled to a stop in his driveway, even with his bum knee, Jacob was out of the car before the engine shut off. He met Lorna at the hood and pulled her to him. He couldn’t resist touching her or tasting her sweet mouth. Tracing the seam of her lips with his tongue, he waited until she opened then licked inside. He tangled his tongue with hers until breathing became a necessity before pulling back.