Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2) (6 page)

              9

              Back at the office, Millie began her search for a home for Jacob and sent off a quick email to him to narrow down some results…

Jacob,

Have you been pre-approved for a loan already? I forgot to ask. Do you have a price range in mind?

Millie

              Millie shook her head, thinking that was too casual and too informal. She started to sign it ‘Millicent’ but that didn't feel right either. She went ahead and clicked the send button. She perused through several others, but with no ‘leads’ or suggestions from Jacob, they all looked ‘okay’ in her book. She sent him another email with a variety of listings, some starting at $85,000 and went as high as $199,000. They varied from one-bedroom condo for sale, to a 3-bedroom home on a half-acre. She needed more information from him and more ideas so she knew more about him and what he was looking for.

Jacob,

              Looking through my listings and Danielle’s, there are several different homes out there for you to look at. When would you be available to see a few so we can get a better idea of what you are looking for? Would you care to see one or two of these? Click on the links and let me know your thoughts….

Millie

              Jacob heard his alert go off twice telling him he had two emails from Millie. He pulled over on the side of the road and read his emails on his phone. He knew he was being evasive but he honestly had no idea what would constitute a ‘perfect’ home for him. So far his apartment had been okay, it just wasn't a ‘home.’  Jacob pulled back into traffic and continued along his route.

My dearest Millie,

              Which ones do you like? Let’s see one or two of your favorites this weekend, but how about dinner tonight? I will call the bank shortly and get the pre-approval - I appreciate the assistance.

Yours,

Jacob

              Millie smirked. He was laying it on thick and wasn't even pre-approved yet for an amount? Well, that would certainly give her a range to work on. Why did he want to know what places she liked? This was going to be his home, not hers. Sheesh.

Jacob,

              They are all pretty nice places; it just depends on your taste and your style of living. I appreciate you calling the bank, they will give you a price range and we can narrow down the search then and know what you are looking for exactly. I will have to pass on dinner, thank you for the offer. Working late tonight trying to narrow down my newest client’s demands… he isn't very picky and not giving me much to work on.

Millie

              Jacob heard the ding again, smiled and pulled into the town’s coffee shop. He knew he was fitting a stereotype, but there was no way he could read her email and reply safely. Besides, he could use a cup of coffee too. Jacob flipped open the email and sighed. She said no to dinner, blaming him.

My dearest Millie,

              Sorry your newest client is being so difficult. Sometimes it’s just really hard to express exactly what he wants in words; maybe he can show it in actions more? My tastes lean towards classy & gorgeous. Oh, and red? I really like red.

Yours,

Jacob

PS-Red lipstick & pearls, not much else. I’m a pretty simple guy.

              Jacob grinned from the driver seat at his phone. He could practically see the blush on her face now. Maybe he would see it in person? It was nearing 11:00 AM and he could take a few moments for lunch shortly. He grabbed two coffees, sandwiches and two bags of chips. He thanked the clerk and headed back to the car.

              Millie was fanning herself. Her heart was racing. Red lipstick, pearls and nothing else. Oh my word. She was imagining it and trying to stay composed as people walked along the street looking in the office window occasionally. She could feel heat building in her and was imaging his body with red lipstick placed in a few key places. She fanned herself again hotly.

              Danielle was there watching Millie out of the corner of her eye, practically laughing. She didn't even need to read that email to guess what got her all flustered. It was obvious by the way Millie was fanning herself and breathing. Curiosity was killing her but she assumed it was very private and would not be shared willingly.

              The phone in the office rang loudly and Millie jumped, which drew a giggle out of Danielle. “Shall I get that for you?” Danielle teased.

              Millie gave a relieved smile. “Yes, please do,” Millie, breathed. “Just don't ask,” she said to Danielle’s raised brow and smile.

              Danielle snatched up the phone quickly before the voicemail could pick up. “Clark realtors, this is Danielle. May I help you?”  Danielle turned back to the computer to focus on the call. She decided to tease Millie a bit and set her on edge, pretending that it was Officer Hunter on the phone.

              At Danielle’s sharp accusing glance, Millie waved her hand at her neck in a sideways fashion. “I am not here!” she gasped, desperate for a moment to collect herself. Assuming that call was for her, she had no idea how she was going to reply to that email, much less talk on the phone just yet.

              Millie took several deep breaths and heard Danielle answer several questions, realizing it wasn't Jacob on the phone she let out a sigh of relief and dismay. He certainly got her riled up quickly and knew exactly what to say to her. Millie stood and stretched for a moment, gathered up her papers and grabbed her camera to get ready to head to their newest listing and get some photos to put online.  She had her back to the office door and she heard the bell chime and Danielle’s snicker of delight at the same time.

              Millie felt her spine go ramrod straight in anticipation. Jacob! Millie took a deep breath and turned, smiling coolly.

              Danielle grabbed the paperwork and camera from Millie “I’ll get these, you take your time and handle him,” she said with a wink. She was not going to let her friend pass on having lunch with a man in uniform!

              Jacob stood in the doorway, watching the exchange with a grin. He had flowers in one hand, a carrier holding two coffees in the other. The bag of food was perched precariously on the holder between his chest and the cups.

            
 
“Morning, gorgeous, would you have time to share lunch with me?” he said happily. He made his way to Millie’s desk and put the vase on the corner. He stopped at the florist who teased him about making girls cry a lot when he picked out pink roses in a crystal vase this time. He winked paid for the purchase, awaiting Millie’s reaction to him just showing up at her office.

            
 
“Jacob, I was just getting ready to head out for a bit to go look around for you,” she said calmly and clasped her hands to keep them from shaking. My goodness he could really fluster her. She was still mentally picturing him, however, she was taking him out of that uniform now.

            
 
“Look no further. Here I am,” he teased knowing full well she meant to look for houses for him-not for him specifically.  He liked keeping her on her toes.

              Millie rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “You know exactly what I meant,” she said with a smirk and plopped down indelicately in her office chair.

              Jacob took that as an invitation and sat down across from her, scooting the chair forward and handing her a coffee. Millie murmured ‘thank you’ and took a sip.

Jacob opened the bag and spread out a large napkin on her desk, put the flowers beside the napkin and proceeded to dole out the sandwiches and chips. “A picnic with lovely flowers and beautiful company,” he said with a wink.

              How could she argue with that? She would pretend she hadn't gotten his email yet so she could come up with a witty response. Maybe she could brave her way through this and keep levelheaded…and maybe, just maybe she could drag it out of him to see what he was looking for so she could hurry and find him a place.

              Millie got out a notepad and a pen, took a sip of the coffee and smiled at Jacob. “Let’s make this a working lunch then, shall we?” taking another sip of coffee.

              “Nahhh,” said Jacob. “Let’s make this a hot lunch date?” he invited and heard Millie choke. He almost started laughing as he saw her eyes widen, but instantly regretted it. He felt bad teasing her upon seeing her flinch in pain and the loud coughing began.

              Millie felt the scalding coffee go down her throat the wrong way. She felt searing pain rush into her lungs and began to hack wildly. She coughed, attempted to delicately putting a napkin over her mouth until she could catch her breath. “No, no ‘hot’ lunch dates. We are working. Employer and employee,” she said firmly pointing to herself as the employee. Her voice sounding strained from the wracking fit.

              Jacob frowned, he would have to try something else, some other tactic to get her back to the friendly, laughing Millie he missed from last night. Jacob let out a big sigh and took a bite of the sandwich. “If you must,” he said chewing. “But I prefer lunch date and will refer to it as that,” he said stubbornly.

              Millie looked at him, annoyed. “Seriously? Okay, whatever,” she said, picking up the pen again and ready to take notes. “So how many bedrooms are you looking for?” she asked pointedly.

              Jacob was determined to see her either laugh or get riled up again. “How many do you think we need?” he asked slyly, taking another large bite of the sandwich. He watched her carefully to see where to pounce next.

              Millie looked at him and the sandwich he bit into incredulously. Was he kidding? She hesitated, picked up her own food. She took a bite and grumbled, “WE do not need any…. But YOU obviously need some sort of a general idea if you are looking for a house,” she said markedly.

              Jacob conceded that one. Score one for Millie. “I think maybe three or four bedrooms,” he gave in. “I would like to have a large family someday,” he said quietly in all seriousness. “I was an only child and I want to have several children, if possible.”

              Millie nodded and wrote it down. “Several bedrooms usually meant at least two bathrooms, if not more. There is less fighting and squabbling,” she said casually.

              Jacob agreed. She had quite a point and he hadn't thought of that. He was just watching her concentrate and take an occasional bite from her sandwich. He loved watching her lips.  He noticed that she must have come inside and fixed her lipstick right away after their kiss this morning. It looked completely perfect, like he had never disturbed it. Thinking back on his reflection this morning, he started to laugh to himself.

            
 
“What’s so funny?” Millie asked genuinely confused. They were talking about bathrooms. She had no idea what was funny but he could certainly share the joke with her!

              “Nothing,” Jacob said. “What’s your next question for me,” changing subject. He enjoyed seeing her.

              Millie struggled to keep from rolling her eyes in frustration. Suggestive, evasive, irritating, but down right sexy. He was a heck of a combination in a man. Could he not be serious? “Are you wanting a master bath with a separate shower and tub or do you care?” she wondered.

              Jacob smiled knowingly at her and winked. “Bet you can guess what it is that I want. In fact, I think you can picture exactly what I need right now,” he whispered erotically.

              Millie felt her jaw drop and snapped it shut with an audible pop. Damn he flustered her! She could only imagine what was going through his mind. Red lipstick and pearls kept popping into her head. Red lipstick, pearls, steam, soap and the two of them in a two-person shower?  Millie swallowed hard and could not meet Jacob’s eyes. “Never mind, next question. Do you want a fenced yard or land?” she asked tapping the pen on paper.

              Jacob watched her squirm. He would have given his eyeteeth to know what was causing her to blush so hotly. No sense in letting the fun stop, right?  “Both have merits, if it’s already fenced then I can get a dog or two. If it’s land then I could always put a swing set, a pool and still surround it later. I am okay with either option, but if it is already done, than we have some privacy in our yard when we are alone,” he said grinning.

              Millie wadded up her napkin and tossed it towards him
.
“Stop it,” she said halfheartedly knowing he was teasing her now. “Be serious,” she quipped, taking another bite of her sandwich. “What about kitchen. You prefer gas or electric? Do you like a galley kitchen or an open floor plan?” she queried.

              Jacob shrugged. Honestly he didn't care much. He was looking for a place, but that was to be able to hang around her. If he found a place that suited him, great, if he didn't, he was okay with that too. “Maybe we should go look at a few and see what I do or do not like. I wish I could give you more, Millie. I am sorry I’m making it tough for you,” he said apologizing.  “Dinner tonight and maybe we can go see a place?” Jacob asked.

              Millie felt bad. She wasn't brushing him off but was more concerned she would not be able to keep work and personal separate. “How about I go through my listings, find us three or four houses to look at and we make a day of it Saturday?” she compromised.

              Jacob smiled. That suited him perfectly. He was off this Saturday and it was only two days away. He would give her that much space and it gave him time to think of ways to woo her. Jacob agreed and they finished their sandwiches together. They ended up splitting one bag of chips.  Millie insisted she didn't want any chips, but ended up sneaking several of his. He left the other bag on the desk for her.

              His hour was over and he had to return to the patrol car. He stood up, came over and gave Millie a quick kiss on the lips before she could protest, wiping the lipstick off this time. “I will see you Saturday morning? Meet you here?” Millie nodded happily.

              Jacob had no intentions of not seeing her ‘til Saturday. He didn’t mind giving her space, just not THAT much space. He wanted to be first and foremost in her thoughts. She made him happy and gave him something to look forward to. He liked her emails, her banter and genuinely liked her personality. She could be a bit on the frosty side, but she warmed up fast and he liked her that way.

              Jacob got back to the car, finished his afternoon patrol and thought of different ways he would love to seduce Millie Clark. He assumed the feeling was mutual from the way she had kissed him the last few times. He could only imagine how hot she could get and he couldn't wait to find out.