Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2) (4 page)

6

              Jacob invited her to head back into town but stay to the right side of the road at the split. They followed it along for a bit pulling into a small parking lot of a Mexican restaurant. “You like this place?” Millie said, doubt written all over her face. It looked like a hovel from the outside, but must be good because the small parking lot was packed. She had heard that Westover had the best hole in the wall Tex-Mex place but that wasn't her. She normally had lunch at her office, or ate at home.

              Jacob got out of the car, circle around and opened the door for Millie just as she was starting to open it. Again, Millie was surprised but also pleasantly pleased. Jacob smiled widely and took her hand, assisting her down from the tall vehicle. Millie stumbled for a second; Jacob steadied her and brought her close to him. Millie pulled back quickly, uncomfortable with the heat she could feel coming off of him and how good he smelled when she got close. It sent her hormones into overdrive.

              Jacob moved to hold her hand, but Millie waved him off pretending to smooth her hair down. ‘
Baby steps, Jake’
he told himself and didn't let the small defeat get to him. They were after all, almost technically on a ‘date’…well…more like going to have a drink together and maybe dinner but she was definitely pulling away and it was feeling more like a business meeting by the way that she was dressed and giving him the cool treatment again. Jacob held open the front door to the building and stepped inside.

            
 
“Jacob!” came the loud yell of the bartender and a few of the wait staff. Jacob watched as one perfect dark eyebrow on Millie’s face rose in question. Jacob didn't let that stop him, he warmly said hello to a few people there, hugged an older woman coming from the kitchen and asked her, “Maria, can I get my spot if it is open?” She patted him on the cheek, “Of course you can, my boy, you follow me,” she said warmly. “Welcome back,” and led them to a small corner table away from the door.

            
 
“Well, this is interesting,” Millie said trying to keep the snide tone out of her voice. She didn't want to be mean about it, but this was a bar and she did not frequent bars. Apparently Jacob did. It was noticeable since everyone that was employed here seemed to know him.

              She glanced down at the hard wooden seat and gingerly sat down. Maria watched with amusement and distain. “Jacob, you brought a pretty lady with you this time. You want your usual?” Jacob stretched in the corner, positioned his chair facing outward and said with a smile, “Absolutely, Mama Maria… let’s get two of my usual if that is okay with you, Millie?”

            
 
“Depends,” Millie said carefully, picking up a laminated menu that was still slightly moist from being washed off recently. She put it back down holding it with two fingers. “What is your usual?” she hedged.

            
 
“Live a little! Mystery is good for you in small doses, right, Mama?” he said with a wink and held up two fingers. “Two of it, one for me and one for my lady,” he said giving her a huge smile. Maria patted him on the top of his head and turned back to the kitchen to get his orders. “Mama? I didn't know you were Mexican?” Millie said whispering.

              Jacob smiled “I’m not, but could be from the volume of food I get here,” he said with a chuckle. “Everyone who she considers family or friend calls her Mama Maria. I met them about a year ago when I was here having a drink with the boys from the precinct after hours and we broke up a fight at the bar between a few drunks watching a heated game of soccer on the TV. She was so happy that they weren't hurt and it was broken up gently since one of them happened to be her son. She told me to call her Mama ever since. I actually come here a lot when I have nothing to do and will just sit in this corner and watch people come and go.”

              Millie looked around over her shoulder and found several people watching her curiously. She turned back to her company at the table, “So you have a drinking problem? This is a bar,” she reiterated. 

              Jacob laughed again. “I can see why you’d think that, but no. I occasionally will have a margarita if I don't have to go anywhere for hours, but the chips and salsa they make are simply divine. It’s chunky, spicy, without burning your tongue off. I love it,” he said lightly and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

              Millie did not want to think of his tongue and how it felt, she instead judged his stance and looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. I wasn't trying to accuse but drew the conclusion since you said you came here a lot and everyone seems to know you.” She gave him a tight smile and leaned forward to put her white blouse sleeves on the small wooden table, genuinely hoping there was nothing that would come off on her shirt.

              Jacob uncrossed his arms and his face lit up as he spied Maria coming back over to the table with a full tray. “Perfect, Mama! Thank you!” he said happily and she placed the basket of chips, a large bowl of salsa and two large margaritas in front of them. Jacob grinned. “I said the usual, Mama, not your special,” he teased. Mama looked at Millie, Millie stared right back. “It’s on me. You might need it, Jacob,” Maria stated and turned to walk away. Millie was insulted and frankly shocked at the obvious snub.

              Jacob smiled widely at Millie’s expression. “Lighten up. Millie, it's okay. This place is great and it's relaxing.” Jacob took a sip from the icy goblet and smiled. They were going to be here a while. There was quite a bit of alcohol in the mix tonight. This is going to be fun if Millie drinks it, he thought wondering if she had ever been tipsy before.

            
 
“So, Jacob, why do you come here?” Millie asked casually taking a small sip of the cool concoction. The tart and sweet hit her just right and was absolutely delicious. “If she comes back, can I get a glass of water too?”

            
 
“Of course,” he said smiling. “I come here and sit in this spot ‘cause I can spend plenty of time relaxing and no one rushes me out or feels defensive cause I am a cop. I never come in uniform but people know you, you know? I take this corner ‘cause I can see everything including the doorway and it's a bit more solitary,” he said with another sip and grabbing a chip. “I am not a double dipper, so you are safe,” he continued, teasing Millie and scooping up the salsa. “Eat up, Millie. There is plenty coming. She will be back in a few with a big plate for us. I hope you like enchiladas?” he said lightly making small talk.

            
 
“I hope so too since you ordered them for both of us,” she said teasing back. They both helped themselves to the chips and Jacob was absolutely correct: the salsa that was brought to the table was simply amazing. She had taken a few sips of the margarita and was beginning to feel relaxed and could see the appeal of this place and of him. He was so relaxed and animated. He talked about his job and how long he had been with the department and how he was one of the ‘youngsters’ on the force and they all treated him like a kid brother. He really like the group he worked with and it showed on his gorgeous face, Millie thought. It's his eyes, definitely his eyes.

              Maria brought out two hot platters of food and set one in front of each. “Jacob, it’s hot. Be careful,” she said gently and asked if he wanted another drink. Jacob declined but asked for two glasses of water instead. Maria looked at Millie, asked politely if she needed anything and Millie smiled at her, declining nicely. Jacob was really glad to see Millie warming up a bit and relaxing. A margarita or two might do her some real good.

            
 
“It has been forever since I have had enchiladas and it smells amazing,” Millie said. This place was truly growing on her. It was a bit loud, a bit dark inside, but so welcoming except for Maria. Everyone was talking and laughing. Occasionally they would all start fussing at the television mounted up in the corner at the bar. She could see why he liked the place. “So tell me, what do you like in a house? For real this time so I know what to look for,” she said smiling at him, thinking about the first few emails and not focusing on the last one that led them to this place. Millie hoped her roses would be okay in the car. She had a vase she planned on using for them right next to her bed, she thought with a blush.

            
 
“I would love to know what brought that color into your cheeks” Jacob said softly, teasing her. Millie shook her head and pertly asked again “House?”

              Jacob laughed, took a big sip of the margarita and said wryly, “Not quite sure.”

              “What do you mean, not sure?” Millie said surprised. “Everyone has an idea of what they want, how many rooms, what is an absolute ‘no go’ and what their dream place would look like.”

            
 
“Not for me,” Jacob said lightly. “I have no preconceived notions of what I want. My apartment is pretty sparse. I’m not there a lot so I don't really care. It’s just a place to lay my head to rest. Kitchen? I barely use it. Bathroom? As long as it has a shower.”

            
 
“Ah ha!” Millie said playfully “let’s start there then, the bathroom! So you want a tub and shower combo or is a shower only okay? Keep going. Do you need a second bedroom or are you planning for a family later on and want to get a place with a few rooms and a yard?” Millie could feel heat rising up her neck and into her face. Must be the margarita and not the thought of him planning or making a family. Millie stopped, took off her jacket, unbuttoned several buttons on her blouse and rolled up her sleeves. “Man, is it warm in here or just me?
”
             

              Jacob was thoroughly enjoying his dinner and his company. Tonight was probably the best evening he’d had in quite some time, he thought. Millie was relaxing a bit and warming up, and when she did, she was amazing. Her eyes lit up with her smile and her whole demeanor changed. She was inviting and pleasant. “Nah, Millie, it’s quite perfect here,” he said, surprised that it was absolutely true. This was perfect and he wanted to do this again, with Millie, which surprised him even more. He genuinely liked her. Not only was she quite a looker; she was funny and smart.

              Millie took a sip of water and pushed back the margarita farther away from her. “Man, that is strong stuff,” she said wrinkling her nose. “It’s fantastic but it's really, really strong. I need to be able to think,” she said trying to focus. “Shower or bedroom,” she repeated absently, shaking her head as if to clear it.

            
 
“Yes, please. Either?” Jacob said with heavy innuendo that was not missed by Millie. He watched as she threw back her head and laughed loudly. Jacob stared. This was exactly what he had wanted to see and was truly intrigued. He was surprised that she had picked up on the line, and thought it was funny. “Shower,” he heard her repeat again as she shushed him. Jacob smiled.

              “Bedrooms?” Millie continued without stopping. Jacob smile grew even broader and lecherous “Oh, yes, bedroom. Bathroom. Kitchen. Den. Outside. Where ever you want me…” he said picking up his margarita and toasting her.

              Millie laughed again, picked up her goblet and clinked it against his. “Now you have to stop,” she said with a giggle. “I am trying to be serious and work. I am working for you remember? You don't want me to mess up your buying experience. Outside? Really?” she said, not even the slightest bit outraged. She was intrigued and felt her face becoming flushed.

            
 
“I am having a marvelous evening with you, Millie, and would like to do this again.” Jacob said with a smile towards her. He was impressed she didn't seem to be shocked when he replied ‘outside’-maybe she had a wild streak in her?

              “Me too,” said Millie, surprised it was completely true. She did want to come back here again with Jacob. Dinner, drinks, and Jacob’s company was truly appealing.

            
 
“Okay. Let’s start again,” she said laughing harder. “Jake, I think I may be tipsy,” she said giggling again.

              Oh, he liked the way she said his name and the fact she had just nicknamed him. Wonder how long this will last, he thought. “Jake? I like that on your tongue, Millie” he said softly. “Let’s put the house thing on hold for a bit and finish our dinner so we can get out of here.” Millie drunkenly waved her hand to brush him off.

              “I can’t drive like this,” she said. “Officer Grumpyass will throw me in jail and toss the keys. I swear that man is after me. He keeps stopping me for speeding and I’m not trying to. I swear,” she repeated.

              Jacob laughed. The nickname suited his coworker at times, but he would never admit it. “Graham is just doing his job, Millie. You have a bit of a speeding problem if you have gotten stopped that many times. Have you ever thought about downloading an app or setting the speed warning on your car if it has the setting?” he teased.

              Millie rolled her eyes at the direction of the conversation. “I am not sure that I have that, but I did put a small strip of green tape on the dash to make sure I don't go over it,” she explained.

              Jacob pushed her drink closer to her, urging her to finish and offered to drive if needed. Millie nodded and finished her margarita.