Chapter 21 #2
After Willow shut the wagon, she had then tried several times to call Jake, but he wasn’t answering. Strange, as today was meant to be his day off. She sent him a quick message.
Your dad came to see me. He wants to talk to you. Please call him.
She had hoped for a quick reply, but when the message stayed unread after a few minutes, she sighed.
He was clearly busy. She scanned Sapphire’s post instead and was pleased to see it was really taking off.
Lots of people were commenting to say that they wanted to visit the town now.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. She expected it to be Jake. But it wasn’t. It was Esmae.
Well done! Amazing idea getting Saph on board – that girl is a legend. Honey Springs will soon be right back on the map!
Willow beamed. Not only was Esmae not angry at her for working with Sapphire, but she thought the campaign was going to work.
Could things get any better?
‘Why isn’t The Diner featured?’
Willow was sitting with Lucas in The Diner, which was completely deserted. She had decided to stop by on her way back home to show him Sapphire’s posts, but it was clear from his face that he wasn’t happy.
This was becoming a familiar feature lately …
‘I’m not sure. Maybe she’ll add another post later on,’ Willow suggested. ‘The key thing is she talks about Honey Springs in a good light!’
‘Especially you.’ Lucas pushed her phone back towards her and sighed. ‘She talks about your matcha van.’
‘Only a bit. And my van is next to The Diner.’ Willow shrugged. ‘I don’t see the problem. If more people are coming to me, it will help you too.’
‘That’s not the issue. I just thought the place deserved a mention. I told her my plans …’ His voice drifted off and he shook his head slowly. ‘That doesn’t matter now. All the attention will be on you.’
‘I can’t believe you are being so sulky about this!’
‘I’m not being sulky! This is my business. It matters!’
‘And this is my business. It’s not some silly game.’ She stood up, feeling heat rise within her. ‘I don’t know why you have to keep being like this with me.’
‘Like what?’ His eyes bored into hers. It was like he could see right into her.
‘Like this!’ she yelled, jabbing a finger in his face. ‘You have been unfriendly since I came back. You keep making these nasty, pointed comments. I don’t know why you have a problem with me, but you obviously do.’
Lucas sat back, arms folded. ‘I don’t have a problem with you, Willow. I just don’t agree with everything you do, that’s all.’
‘And what is that exactly?’
A small smile appeared on his face. ‘You want to change things. You think you can come here and wave your magic wand and make everything better – but you can’t. You don’t understand this town anymore, Willow. You’re no longer part of it.’
‘So, that’s how you feel?’ she shot back. ‘Did you feel like that when you had your tongue shoved down my throat the other day?’
‘That was—’
‘What?’ she interrupted. ‘A mistake?’
A silence engulfed them. Willow felt frozen for a moment as sadness swept over her. He did regret it.
If this was really how he felt, she had to get out of here. She’d had enough.
‘I’m going,’ she hissed. ‘Before I say something I regret.’
She reached down for her bag and tugged it, but realized it was stuck. She tugged again, bending further down and at the same time Lucas bent down too and lifted his chair leg.
‘I’m sorry,’ he muttered. ‘It’s tangled …’
As his head came up, it was only inches away from her face. Their eyes locked. Willow could feel his warm breath on her face. His eyes, those dark, deep eyes, were burning into hers again, but now they were different – warm, seductive.
Something stirred inside her. She wanted to look away but she couldn’t.
His lips were so close to hers.
‘Willow …’ His voice was hoarse. ‘Willow, I—’
It happened so quickly. She pulled his head towards her.
She couldn’t wait any longer. She had to have him close again.
She needed him. He didn’t resist. He was just as hungry as she was, urging her towards him.
She slipped onto his lap as he eased back on the chair.
Her lips were gentle, first tasting his mouth and then easing down his neck – licking and exploring.
He squirmed under her. She could feel his hardness grow under the thickness of his jeans.
Her hand reached down and stroked him there, teasing him further.
Giggling softly as she did so. Her own body felt as if it were on fire; she could feel the warmth grow between her thighs and as Lucas’s fingers reached up into her top and traced the outline of her bra, she arched her back in pleasure.
His touch was so perfect, so subtle. He eased his hand into the cup of her bra, deftly stroking her nipple.
She groaned loudly, no longer caring who heard.
He kissed her again, harder now. Her hand reached up, feeling under his shirt and running her fingers over his firm muscles. She moved further down towards his belt, where his stomach dipped and curved. Lucas took a shaky breath.
God, she wanted him. She wanted him so bad.
She was so wet, so ready. She could only imagine what it would be like to slide her hand down further and finally release him.
Lucas squeezed her breast harder and she groaned again.
His tongue against hers was strong, yet subtle.
She was shivering with anticipation. She couldn’t wait any longer.
‘Lucas …’ she whispered, pressing again. ‘Luc, I want you to—’
But then there was a scream, so ear splitting that they both quickly broke apart.
It was coming from outside.