“Of course this is going to work.” Jacob told her as he kissed her cheek. “I’ll make some coffee while you get ready.”
Chasity put her clothes on, but she took her time. She truly didn’t see this working. If he thought he had to prove something to her, that only kept him from being with her. It wasn’t just about sex. It was something he was holding back. If he was holding back, nothing would every be right with them. She would think about it while she baked today, maybe that would give her some clarity on the situation. Smelling the coffee, she went to the kitchen.
“How do you take your coffee?” Jacob asked her.
“At the bakery. Lock up when you leave.” Chasity said then walked out before he could stop her, it was going to be a long day.
When she got to the bakery she began her normal routine. Her heart just wasn’t in it today. She burned the muffins, then put salt in the cupcake icing instead of sugar. By the time Tina got there she knew she needed to get away.
“Wow, what happened in here?” Tina asked as she walked in. “It doesn’t even smell right.” She crinkled her nose up.
“I know, I haven’t been able to concentrate and I think it’s best if I go home. When you run out, just close up.” Chasity said shaking her head.
“I hope whatever is going on gets better, and don’t worry about the bakery, I got this.” Tina told her as another customer came in.
It was only ten, but Chasity went straight to Callie’s. Sometimes a girl just needed her sister. Since it was early no one was there. People started to come in around five, so she had time to visit and talk. The babies would be here soon and then Callie would be off bed rest and the crowd would thin out around here.
“What are you doing here so early?” Chase asked as he met her at the door.
“Having a bad day and I wanted to visit with Callie.” Chasity shrugged.
“Okay, you know where to find her. Is there anything I can do?” Chase asked her.
“No, I’ll be fine. Just one of those days.” She shrugged and took off for the stairs.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you anytime soon.” Callie said as she walked in.
“Why not, oh because I’m so early.” Chasity sat beside her on the bed.
“No, because you had a date last night, and I figured you would be spending all your spare time with him wrapped up in the sheets.” Callie said wiggling her eyebrows.
“We aren’t going to work.” She said shaking her head.
“What is the excuse this time, is he too hot for you?” Callie joked.
“Actually, something like that.” Chasity nodded.
“What, back up and explain.” Callie instructed her.
“Things were going quiet nicely, but when he woke me up and I tried to steam things up he said no.” Chasity confided.
“He said no to sex?” Callie said shocked.
“Yes, he said we both had to get up early.” Chasity told her.
“Well, you did have to work this morning.” Callie nodded.
“Yeah, I did, but he didn’t leave.” Chasity told her.
“What do you mean?” Callie asked her.
“I mean, he spent the night in my bed. I woke up on top of him, but he still said no even though I had been grinding on him in my sleep.” Chasity threw up her hands.
“Oh my God, you let him stay all night?” Callie sputtered.
“Yeah, and no sex.” Chasity fumed.
“Did he say why? Did he forget a condom?” Callie’s brows were arched.
“I have no idea about the condom, but it wouldn’t have mattered at the time. He said he had something to prove, and we wouldn’t ‘make love’ till he had done it.” Chasity told her.
“Oh, no problem. Just have sex then.” Callie nodded.
“See that’s what I said, but he said with us it would never be sex.” Chasity told her.
“Oh how sweet. He can’t hold out long, just go with it and keep tempting him.” Callie told her.
“I shouldn’t have to if he wanted to be with me. He said he could take care of me other ways, and that he hadn’t been with anyone since we ran into each other here the first time.” Chasity huffed.
“Wow, that’s a long time for him. Did he say what he had to prove?” Callie asked her.
“Not really, he said before he kissed me at the bakery he had talked with Luke. Apparently, Luke told him about his reputation, and from what he said, he doesn’t want anyone to think I’m just one of his girls.” Chasity snarled.
“That’s so sweet.” Callie said clapping her hands.
“No, it’s not.” Chasity huffed.
“Umm, why not?” Callie asked confused. “Are you really this upset over sex?”
“I’m not happy about the sex, but I wouldn’t walk away over it.” Chasity bit her lip.
“Okay, so if not then what is really bothering you?” Callie wrapped her arm around Chasity and hugged her tight.
“He told me I have all of him, but I don’t. All those other girls got everything and I get to be held but that’s all. He was way more intimate with them. I can’t handle that. I know he wants me, but I don’t think I’m enough. He couldn’t wait to get the others into a bed, but not me.” Chasity felt the first tear fall and shook her head. “Look, I better go. I have a lot of things I need to do.”
“Are you okay?” Callie asked rubbing her shoulder.
“Yeah, just got a lot to do.” Chasity said before she left.
Chasity considered going home, but she knew his scent would be everywhere and she didn’t want to deal with it. She drove around a few minutes, but she didn’t want to go back to the bakery either. Her mind was all over the place and she ended up parking at the trail for Linville Falls. She had done it a few times, but not recently. It was just what she needed. The trail to the lower falls was pretty easy and if she still needed to walk, the upper falls were gorgeous.
She climbed out of the car and took her time. She looked at the map and around the visitor’s center before crossing the bridge to start the trail. There weren’t a lot of people out today, in the winter the parkway would be closed and there would be no one out here. She walked carefully, the trail was good, but there were still rocks and tree roots to watch for and it had been a long time since she walked it.
The map in the visitor’s center said it was about a mile and a half if she walked both and back. She was nervous being here by herself, but even though there weren’t a lot of people, there were enough that if she did fall and get hurt someone would be close. The trail was peaceful and when she reached the lower falls, the sound of the water was so soothing. After seeing that she decided she had to finish the trail. When she got to the upper falls, she sat and watched for a while just taking in the sights and sounds. It was great.
She didn’t have a clue what was going on in her life, but just being here helped calm her. She didn’t want to cry anymore, so that was good news. She decided to sit a while longer before walking back. She had a while before it started getting dark so it would be fine. Out here, no one was running in and out of the kitchen or saying confusing things or turning her on then saying no.
*****
Jacob was having a good day. He wasn’t happy she left without saying goodbye that morning, but she was just being huffy. He had wanted her as much as she did him, but he had to make sure she understood this meant more than just sex to him. Around eleven he went to see her at the bakery.
“Hi Tina.” Jacob said as he started for the back.
“She’s not here.” Tina snapped at him.
“Why? Is Callie in labor?” Jacob turned to face her.
“No. She said she couldn’t concentrate but I got the feeling something was wrong. Is this your fault?” Tina said folding her arms across her chest.
“I don’t think so.” Jacob said confused. Maybe she really was upset this morning, not just frustrated.
“Maybe you should leave her alone. Every time you get involved she ends up hurt.” Tina
said narrowing her eyes.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m not walking away. We have some things to work through, but I won’t give up. Did she say where she was going?” Jacob said without breaking eye contact.
“No, she didn’t. Just please don’t hurt her. She deserves to be happy.” Tina said dropping her arms to her sides.
“I understand. Thank you.” Jacob said and walked out.
As he got in his truck he thought about what he had done that morning. He took her joke about going steady seriously. If he thought she would go for it, he would buy her a ring and be done with it. He knew she needed more though. When he got to work he had went to his office and got on the computer. It was a small department in a small town so he didn’t have a lot going on. He had searched for a while before he found the perfect thing for her. He paid extra to have it here on Monday.
He went back to the office figuring he would give her time to calm down before he went after her. She had went to Callie’s of course and would still be there when he got off. He had just got there when a call came in about a kitten in a tree.
“I’ve got this one guys.” He said as he grabbed a ladder and headed for his truck. It was Cindy’s kitten and this was the third time this month they had to go get it down.
“Can you please get Socks out of the tree?” Cindy said as she got close to his truck.
“I will do my best sweetheart.” Jacob said and stepped aside to get his ladder. Donna, her mother, stepped up and wrapped an arm around him.
“Hello handsome, wanna come over tonight?” Donna whispered.
“No thank you. I have a girlfriend and all of my time is reserved for her.” Jacob said as he gently pulled her arms away.
“Yeah right. You don’t do girlfriends. Just sex and I’m happy to help.” Donna said trailing a finger down his chest.
“Not anymore.” Jacob said catching her hand and stopping her.
“Who is she?” Donna asked.
“Chasity Stevens.” Jacob said with a big smile.
“Yeah okay. I’ll see you tonight.” Donna laughed.
“No you won’t. The only one I will be with anymore is Chasity.” Jacob told her firmly.
“Isn’t she the bigger girl that owns the bakery?” Donna said rolling her eyes.
“Don’t ever say that again. She does run the bakery and she is perfect. Now let me get the kitten so I can go.” Jacob said
“No need. I can get it. Call me when you come to your senses.” Donna said and turned for the tree.
“I won’t be doing that. I have erased all the numbers from my phone, and please do not waste our time if you can take care of it yourself.” Jacob said and got in the truck heading for the fire department.
“Did you get it?” Luke asked when Jacob walked in.
“False alarm.” Jacob told him and Tray.
“Told you she just wants sex.” Tray said.
“What?” Jacob asked them.
“She has called in three times and every time we get there and we aren’t you, she says she can get it. So how did it go?” Tray asked him.
“What the hell do you mean? I would never do that to Chasity.” Jacob said jerking him from the chair and pinning him to the wall.
“Calm down, I wasn’t implying you slept with her. I figured when you turned her down you’d figure out what she was doing and tell her to quit.” Tray told him as he struggled to get down.
“I did tell her not to waste our time.” Jacob said as he lowered him.
“Good. Speaking of, how did your date go.” Luke said as they sat back down.
“She made lasagna.” Jacob told them.
“Obviously, you didn’t sleep with her or you would be done with her.” Tray said and Jacob jumped up.
“Don‘t or you’re gonna have to fire yourself.” Luke said getting between them.
“What I do is none of your business, but you won’t disrespect Chasity that way.” Jacob told Tray keeping eye contact.
“Good answer, so how is our girl this morning?” Tray asked him with a smile.
“I have no idea, but she is mine.” Jacob told him.
“You haven’t talked to her, I thought you went to the bakery?” Luke said.
“She wasn’t happy when she left, and when I went to the bakery Tina said she left early.” Jacob said running his fingers through his hair.
“Oh hell, you did sleep with her. What the hell?” Luke said getting in his face.
“Back off it’s none of your business either, but it’s not what you think.” Jacob told him.
“It’s not even noon. Chasity never leaves this early.” Luke said and walked to his phone. After a few minutes, he came back. “She’s at Chase’s. He left when she got there, but she told him she was okay.”
“I figured that’s where she went. I was going by after work to see her.” Jacob told them.
“What do you mean it’s not what we think? How many other ways can that be taken?” Tray asked him confused.
“I really shouldn’t be talking about this with ya’ll.” Jacob told them.
“You really should. She’s my best girl friend and he’s basically her brother, who else can you talk to about it.” Tray said.
“Come on Jacob. I think you screwed up and may not even know how bad.” Luke told him.
“Fine. I went for our date, but she didn’t think I would show up and cooked anyways. Then we sat down for a movie and she fell asleep.” Jacob said hoping it was enough.
“Not a chance that is all. She wouldn’t be mad over that.” Tray told him. “Spit it out.”
“What I say goes no farther than here and she never finds out ya’ll know, deal?” Jacob said waiting for their conformation.
“We both want her happy and are willing to help anyway we can.” Luke told him.
“Fine. When I woke her up so I could go home, she wanted more. I told her no. She asked me to stay but I told her I would only stay if she could accept nothing else would happen that night. She said fine so we went to bed.” He hoped they could get enough out of that.
“Nope, still not telling us everything.” Luke said. “Tray, maybe you need to try again. Or maybe we can talk to Carter. I bet he would be good to her.”
“No. She is mine.” Jacob growled at them.
“Then talk or you might lose her without our help.” Tray told him.
“Okay. When I woke, she was on top of me grinding against me. She was still asleep, so I woke her up and made her stop. I told her I wouldn’t make love to her till I could prove she was different.” Jacob told them.
“Oh man, you really screwed up.” Tray said shaking his head.
“Yep, I’m not sure how we can fix this one.” Luke said folding his hands on the table.
“I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?” Jacob asked them. Luke shook his head and got on his phone.
“She’s gone.” Luke told them.
“What do you mean?” Jacob asked him.
“I mean Chase saw her leave the ranch a while ago.” Luke replied.
“Then she went back to the bakery. I’ll give her a while to cool down, then I will go see her.” Jacob told them.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Luke told him, but he didn’t look convinced.
Later when Jacob got off he went to the bakery. Tina said Chasity hadn’t been back, so he went to her house. She wasn’t there either; next stop was Chase’s.
“Hey Chase, have you seen Chasity?” Jacob asked when he walked on the porch.
“No, not since she left. Probably went home.” Chase shrugged.
“No, I’ve been there and she isn’t there, or the bakery.” Jacob told him.
“Maybe we should go talk to Callie.” Chase said as he lead Jacob up the stairs.
“What do you want?” Callie asked giving him the evil eye.
“I want to know where Chasity went.” Jacob told her honestly.
“What do you mean? I guess she went home.” Callie told him h
olding her belly and trying to prop up.
“I went to her house and the bakery but she wasn’t at either one of them.” Jacob told her.
“Really? I have no idea where she is. Maybe she went to the store. Have you tried calling her?” Callie asked him.
“I don’t have her number.” Jacob told her wondering why he never asked for it.
“Well maybe she didn’t want you to have it then.” Callie told him.
“I’m not asking for it, but could you try to get her.” Jacob asked her.
“Fine, but the fact you slept with her last night and don’t even have her number proves your reputation.” Callie snapped and picked up her phone.
“You slept with her?” Chase asked and didn’t sound happy. “That was what was wrong with her when she got here.”
“It’s not what you think.” Jacob told him quietly.
“Once you sleep with them, you’re gone.” Chase said with a shrug.
“I wish everyone would quit saying that. Chasity is way too important for that. “Jacob was tired of everyone saying that.
“She’s not answering.” Callie told them sounding very worried.
“Is there any reason she wouldn’t be answering?” Jacob asked her quickly. “Maybe she has gotten home since I left and is in the shower.” Jacob really wanted to keep her calm.
“I’ll try her house phone.” Chase said and walked to the land line.
“Callie, I’m sure she is fine. Is there anywhere she likes to go to get away?” Jacob asked her.
“She never goes anywhere. Why would she disappear? She was upset but I didn’t think she would take off.” Callie said as a tear slipped down her cheek.
“She didn’t answer the house phone.” Chase told them.
“I’ll go back to her house and wait. I’m sure she will be fine.” Jacob told her and kissed her forehead before walking to the door.
“Do you have the number here?” Chase asked him.
“Yeah Luke gave it to me in case of an emergency at the firehouse.” Jacob said. “I’ll call if I find her. Would you do the same?” Jacob handed him a card with his number.
“Yeah of course we will. Callie stay calm. You talked to her today. You know she is fine.” Chase was telling Callie as he left.
Jacob's Sweet Temptation Page 8
