Branding & Saving Lily Box Set: Books 1 & 2 (Jacob and Lily's Duet)

by Gracin Sawyer

  It could be a chance to show Jacob I could do more than just needing to be saved. “If I win, will you show me how to cook more than a rabbit?” The idea of learning to cook amazing food really intrigued me.

  “You know, I’d love some help in the kitchen with someone who actually cares about food. Deal.”

  A deep growl resonated behind me and Flapjack dropped my hand. “Jacob.”

  Jacob was back? I turned to see him standing at the doorway, watching between Flapjack and myself closely. “Jacob!” My heart fluttered at seeing him. I didn’t understand why it did that with him and no one else, but I hoped it never stopped.

  He held a rifle and wore enough pistols to look like a mercenary. I didn’t see any blood, but he was dirty. The Stetson he wore cast a shadow over his eyes, darkening the strong gaze he held us in.

  Between my legs began to ache, like a magnet it pulled me to him. I wanted to touch him, kiss him, make sure he was okay.

  “What’s going on?” he asked Flapjack.

  “We just made a pact to see who could out cook who with a rabbit. I swear, boss, nothing else.”

  Jacob looked at me, his gaze softening. A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Rabbit?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, rabbit.”

  He took a step into the house and set his rifle down. Unbuckling the holster around his waist, he took it off and set it with his rifle, leaving the black one around his shoulders on. I could see why Carter was scared of him, but he did the opposite to me. I hadn’t ever felt as protected as I did at that moment. Fear was replaced with security.

  And Jacob Cardosa was the man who did that for me. I would forever be grateful.

  “I was worried about you,” I admitted, wanting to reach out and touch him, but wasn’t sure I should. I had kissed him last night, but what if he was upset about it? I was still learning things and might have overstepped my place.

  In one step, Jacob closed the distance between us and his lips crashed down on mine. I couldn’t explain how much I needed his kiss, but it was like dousing the already burning fire inside of me with gasoline. I guess I hadn’t overstepped, because this kiss was a remembrance of what happened between us.

  He leaned back and rested his forehead on me. “You never have to worry about me, honey.”

  I was breathless, unable to answer after the kiss. My knees were weak and I didn’t want to hold myself up.

  All too soon, he stepped back but grabbed my hand. “We need to talk.”

  I nodded and let him lead me to his study. The last time I was close to that room I thought he was going to kill me and I ran away. But not today. No more running. No more being afraid.

  “I need to tell you what happened last night.”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to know. Couldn’t he just kill them and let me move on? He pulled a tall chair with wooden legs out for me and I gladly sat down. It was close to his desk and he half sat on it, still holding my hand. It was like he wasn’t ready to stop touching me either. And I loved it.

  “I found the two men who helped Knox.”

  I tensed. No, I wasn’t ready to hear this.

  Jacob left the desk and kneeled before me. “Lily, it’s okay. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

  “They’re dead?” I quivered.

  His strong jaw clenched. “Yes.”

  I stuttered. “What about Knox?”

  He looked up at me and touched the side of my face with his other hand. “Lily, I know who he is, but I swear he has never worked for me.”

  I fought back the emotions threatening to make me cry. I wouldn’t cry. I was learning to be a strong woman. Strong like Jacob. If I was strong enough, he might let me stay with him. I nodded instead.

  “There’s more.” He looked at the office door. “Doc, you wanna come in here.” It wasn’t a question. I was learning quickly that nothing Jacob said was optional.

  Doc came in, slowly at first then took his hat off, showing his long white hair. He fumbled with the brim and stared at me. His eyes glassed over.

  “What’s going on?” I asked Jacob.

  He grabbed my other hand and squeezed. “Lily, I promised we’d find your mom.”

  “Oh no, Jacob, please don’t. I can’t.” I shook my head, and the tears I held back welled in my eyes.

  “Doc found her.”

  I knew she was dead, I saw her, but the thought of her body mutilated by elements and animals, just being discarded in the woods, had my stomach rolling.

  “Lily,” Doc started, still fidgeting with his hat. I stared at him through blurry eyes. “She was my daughter.”

  “What?” I looked at Jacob. “How did you know?”

  His mouth twisted as he contemplated his words. “Twenty years ago your mom fell in love with a man her father didn’t approve of and ran away with him. After they married, they had you, but she only visited her father once a year, not leaving a lot of time for an old man to bond with his granddaughter. But,” Jacob hung his head, “damn this hard. A few years ago they stopped coming to see him because they were kidnapped. He came here looking for help in finding them.” He looked back up at me. “Lily, I know you’re Garcia’s daughter.”

  I gasped. I didn’t want him to know who I used to be. That wasn’t who I was now. Knox took a lot of things from me and my former life was one of them.

  He kept going, not waiting for me to respond, not that I could. “I’m not sure what happened between Knox and your father, but Garcia reported you dead. It was his signature on the report.” Jacob choked up but cleared his throat. “I’m still not clear on how you ended up with Knox, or why you were never sold or moved from this property, but I’ll find out. I promise you, there won’t be any secrets.”

  I sniffed and looked at Doc. “So you are my grandfather?”

  His tears fell freely now. “Lily, I’m so sorry.”

  I stood up, reaching out for him. He embraced me tightly and cried into my shoulder. “I tried to find you guys. I really did.”

  “I know. It’s okay.” There was nothing to stop the floodgates from opening now. Tears soaked my face. I felt his grief mixed with mine. Years of wanting someone to save us, and he spent years trying to rescue us, it was a desperate link, but we both had one thing in common. My mom.

  Doc pulled back first and wiped at his face, trying to man back up. It must be hard for an old cowboy to show so much emotion. “When Jacob told me you tried using your mom’s name, Rachael, I knew who you were, but I had to find her first. I couldn’t just let her rot alone in the woods.”

  I smiled weakly. “I’m glad you found her.”

  Jacob pulled me so my back was up against his strong chest, his hands on my shoulders, giving me comfort. “That’s what took so long. We buried her, honey. I’ll take you there one day so you can see for yourself.”

  “Thank you.” I twisted to look up at Jacob. “No secrets, right?”

  “No secrets.” He gently squeezed my shoulders, reaffirming his side of the promise.

  “I might know a little bit about why I was kidnapped.”

  Jacob tensed. “Lily, you need to tell me.”

  “Well, I don’t know the details behind it, you’d have to ask my dad, but I think he was behind Knox taking me. I guess my dad did something bad and needed to get rid of me, why I don’t know, so he made a deal with Knox, except my dad wasn’t supposed to know where we were. Here on this mountain, Knox said we were hidden from the world, and no one would ever think to look here. Now I know why.” It was sad how easy talking about being kidnapped and abused was, but talking about anything else seemed so foreign.

  “Shit.” Jacob looked at Doc, who just nodded in confirmation of the silent conversation they held. “It all makes sense now.”

  Jacob sat down and pulled me to his lap. “Honey, Garcia reported you as dead. There’s a death certificate and everything. I think there is more behind your kidnapping.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m confused.” Why would my dad have m
e taken and then report me as dead?

  Doc flopped his hat back on his head. “No wonder we can’t find Knox. Garcia’s hiding him. But when he finds out Rachael is dead and their daughter is alive, Knox might have to run.”

  My heart raced. What did this mean for me? “Does this mean you’re going to send me back to my dad?” I didn’t want to go back. He was family, yes, but he also sold me to Knox for five years. He was as good as dead as far as a father goes. Only in my past was he allowed to live.

  Jacob stiffened. “Hell no. You’re mine, remember. You and me. I’m not handing you over to anyone.” He paused briefly. “Unless you want to go.”

  “No, I want to stay here. I’m just trying to understand everything.”

  “Well,” Doc started, “whatever Garcia did to have to make a deal bad enough to sell my daughter and granddaughter, we should find out. It would be a good start to weave the rest of this story together.”

  I stood up, not wanting to leave Jacob’s comfort, but needing to move. Pacing seemed like the best option. “But that means you’ll have to let Garcia know about me. What if he just takes me?” I decided to use my father’s name, letting him go as my father. It was freeing and empowering to be able to make such a change.

  Jacob stood too but didn’t make me stop moving. “Honey, I told you, I’ll protect you with my life. He won’t take you.”

  Doc cleared his throat. “We won’t let him take you. I already lost my daughter, I won’t lose my granddaughter again.”

  I nodded, uncertain. “But Jacob, I don’t think you understand. Garcia is powerful, he could come here and just take me.”

  Jacob laughed and Doc let out a chuckle. Jacob’s hand found mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Honey, for as powerful as you think Garcia is, I am even more so. Trust me, he won’t take you.” He looked so calm and relaxed. I wished I could be the same way. “I don’t know how he kept you hidden from me so long, right here under my nose, but I promise I’ll right the wrong. I’ll fix this.”

  I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Now I can hide with you.”

  His arms encircled me, his warmth penetrating through my clothes. “No hiding, Lily. I will never hide you.”

  Chapter 20

  Jacob

  It was hard for me to know it was because of my security and who I was, that helped hide her. I would spend the rest of my life making it up to her.

  Flapjack was able to get her to smile and even laugh at dinner, giving me hope. All I could do was watch her, mesmerized by her sweet laugh. I didn’t care how it happened, or who helped her get there, but I would do anything to hear that again and again.

  Doc stayed in the main house to eat with us. They had lots to talk about and I was lucky enough to hear a few memories they shared when Lily was a small child. I found myself a bit more attached to each one. Lily wasn’t just some woman who came to me by chance, it was fate. I could hear my own mother telling me to hang on to her and love her like she deserved.

  After supper, we sat around the table, still talking while Flapjack cleaned up. “What’s the next thing we need to do, boss?” Doc wiped his mouth with the linen napkin and placed it on the table.

  “I’m gonna make a few phone calls tomorrow, one of them to Garcia, and we’ll go from there. I’m not sure he’ll cooperate, but if he’s hiding Knox, then I need to find out.” I’d have to extend an offer to have him meet with us. A ‘keep your friends close and enemies closer’ deal was the only way to keep ahead of Garcia. “He might even help us kill Knox after he finds out his wife is dead.”

  Doc grumbled. “I suspect he might. Although, I’m not sure anyone wants to kill him more than me.”

  I found Lily’s hand under the table and pulled it to my lap, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I do.”

  Doc looked between Lily and me. “Jacob, as my boss I shouldn’t say this, but as her grandfather, I sure as hell hope you know what you’re doing. Don’t break her heart. She’s been through hell. This might not even be the right time to start something.”

  I chuckled. “Doc, I have no plans to hurt her.”

  “With that said,” Doc stood and kissed Lily on the forehead, “I’m heading to bed. Hunting takes it out of a man and I’m not as young as I once was.”

  Lily smiled. “Good night, grandfather.”

  Doc shook his head and chuckled as he walked out the door. “Grandfather. I never thought I’d hear that again.”

  Having Lily’s hand on my leg seared me with intense heat, making me hard with a need only she could fulfill.

  I leaned her way, cupping my hand at the back of her head, threading my fingers through her long soft hair. “Lily,” I started, but she held a finger up, touching my lips.

  “Tell me upstairs.”

  The blood in my veins pulsed to the hard beats of my heart. She stood up, still holding my hand, pulling me to her. “Jacob, whatever it is, show me, teach me, don’t tell me.”

  Aw, hell. I don’t think she knew what kind of effect she had on me, and saying that made my dick ready to show her everything. I scooped her up and without breaking eye contact, carried her upstairs. My room or hers? Hell, they each had a bed, it didn’t matter.

  My room was closer, by a foot. That mattered.

  Laying her on my bed, seeing her hair spilled out over my pillow was the most sensual image. I wanted to go slow and savor every moment with her, sending her over the edge, watching as she writhes in delight.

  “I’ll go slow, I promise,” I whispered in her ear as I nibbled down to her neck, wanting to touch and taste every inch of her.

  She tilted her head to give me more access, elongating her neck, revealing her collarbone just enough to tease me from the top of her shirt.

  Grasping at the shirt, I pulled it over her head, needing to see her. The black bra had my heart skipping beats. I knew how amazing her breasts were and couldn’t wait to taste them again. The clasp was easy to undo with one hand and I slid it off, tossing it away from the bed.

  “Can I take your shirt off?” She ran her hands up and down my covered chest.

  “You don’t have to ask me, honey.”

  Her hands trembled as she unbuttoned my shirt, going lower until her fingers brushed the waist of my jeans. Just her touch about sent me over. I couldn’t let that happen. I pulled back and finished taking my shirt off.

  I quickly found my place over her, crashing down on her lips. Her breasts touched my chest and I closed the space, careful of her wound and not pressing too hard, loving how she felt under me. She arched, needing something, but I knew until I gave it to her, she wouldn’t know what. I wouldn’t rush this for her though. After tonight, she would forever be mine, and no one would take her from me. They would die trying.

  Claiming her would be like nothing else I’d ever experienced. I deepened the kiss, needing to blend us together.

  I ran my hand down her neck to her breast and caressed it lightly, then harder. She moaned as I rubbed her nipple. I left her mouth to cover the tight nub with my lips, then held it between my teeth and licked it with short tastes.

  Pressing my hardened manhood against her thigh, I groaned. I needed her, but first I had to make sure she was ready.

  Grasping at her jeans, I unbuttoned them and pulled the zipper down. I had to leave her to tug them off, revealing the matching black panties. For fuck’s sake. It was like she was trying to kill me.

  I snapped the tiny black string and ripped them off. I’d buy her more. A lot more. Because I wasn’t about to take the time to pull them off.

  She gasped, but her desire-filled eyes just watched me. Her level of trust with me did nothing to cool the raging inferno inside me. How I had earned that, was beyond me, but I was damn pleased about it.

  From the foot of the bed, I spread her legs enough for me to climb between them. I began kissing her legs, moving higher until I reached her thighs.

  Just like last time, my fingers found her wet. She whimpered in pl
easure as my finger brushed her small nub. Slipping a finger inside her, she arched to meet me. I pulled out only to be met with a plea to help her.

  “I promise to help you, honey. I’m just getting started. I told you, I won’t let our first time be quick.” My dick pulsed in my jeans protesting my desire to take it slow.

  “Jacob.” Was all she said, yet I understood. There would be a moment when all I would be able to say is her name.

  This time I slipped two fingers into her, she stiffened around me, gasping and arching. She was so tight I was worried I’d hurt her. Her body would have to make room for me.

  Leaning forward, I removed my fingers to lick her opening. She was the perfect mix of sweet and salty. Once she realized what I was doing, she tried to stop me, clenching her legs, but I reached up and grasped a breast, kneading it as I slipped my tongue inside her. The warmth I found sent me reeling. She relaxed and her legs widened, letting me lick her.

  Her moans didn’t stop as my tongue darted in and out. I covered her with my mouth and sucked gently, there was no way I could ever get enough of her.

  Leaving her nipple hard and erect, I found her wet opening and again glided three fingers inside. She was so fucking tight. The way her body reacted to my tongue and fingers had me ready to spill out in my jeans.

  She thrashed on the bed, her head moving side to side. “Jacob.”

  Screw it. I couldn’t go any slower. She was mine. I stood and removed my jeans, watching her reaction as my hard cock stood tall and ready to claim her.

  I knelt on the bed, one knee between her legs. She reached down and hesitantly touched my shaft.

  “Is this okay?” She asked, as pre-cum dripped from the tip. She used her finger to swirl it around in an agonizing stroke. My rod pulsed and throbbed under her feather-light touch. I ached for more.

  “Grab it.” I covered my hand over hers and wrapped her fingers around my length. “Fuck, yes.” I began moving her hand. “Just like this.”

  She moaned in enjoyment, but not deeper than me. Holy shit. Her hands were like silk, gliding over my shaft in an intense motion.