Taken Hard

By Sam Crescent

With women throwing themselves at him, Caleb Hard never intended to settle down. But he secretly wants to find a woman and have a marriage exactly like what his parents have. The moment Lilly enters his world, he can’t get the woman out of his mind.

Her mother’s reputation follows her everywhere, and Lilly is used to being whispered about. When Caleb offers her friendship, she’s more than happy to take it. What she doesn’t expect is for him to admit he wants a virgin like her. A perfect gentleman, Caleb doesn’t rush.

He’s fallen in love, and this isn’t about sex. He wants forever, but he doesn’t want to scare her off. Is there any chance of them ever truly working?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9780369503947

Book preview

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2021 Sam Crescent

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0394-7

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Audrey Bobak

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

TAKEN HARD

The Hard Boys, 2

Sam Crescent

Copyright © 2021

Chapter One

Lilly Jewel watched as Caleb Hard tried to avoid three women at the bar. She rolled her eyes at just how stupid his behavior was. Everyone in town knew he was a player. The Hard boy rebel. The one who would sleep with you and forget your name the next morning. According to many of the women, he wasn’t a nice man. The problem was, Caleb was, in fact, very nice. He never actually told any of the women he’d be available long-term. They were the ones to assume they’d be the woman to tie him down.

So far, no one had tied that man down, and she pitied the woman or women who even tried.

Caleb got to the bar and let out a shudder. Beer, please.

Lilly got him his usual, placing it in front of him. Maybe you should start finding another place to go pick up women. I think you’ve exhausted the town.

Nah, it’s just a rough night. How are you doing? he asked.

Me? She frowned, glancing left and right, while also pointing at her chest.

Yeah, silly. I was curious how you’re doing these days. Hanging out with Aunt Betty, that woman is a hoot. She warned me not too long ago about sticking my dick where it didn’t belong.

Lilly couldn’t help but smile. Aunt Betty was the woman she lived with, and she helped keep an eye on her. Long story short, Eliza, Aunt Betty’s niece, had come back to town, fallen in love with the oldest Hard boy, James, and they were now happily married with a baby girl, Darla.

She adored Eliza and their little baby. James wasn’t so bad either, but Lilly had done everything she could to avoid men in her life.

Her mother was known as the town whore. She would sleep with anyone and didn’t even need a price to do it. Purely because of her mother’s reputation, Lilly had been branded the same, and as such, men thought it was well within their rights to touch her.

She hated it.

Working at the bar gave her a little extra spending money, while her work at the library gave her peace and quiet.

She’d had no choice but to give up her idea of college and had been working full-time straight out of graduation. One day soon, she hoped to be able to afford some night classes.

Her true passions in life were books and writing. Whenever she got the time, she sat at her secondhand laptop, typing away. In the past four years, she’d written over fifteen novels. All of them romance, none of them any good. She loved to write and read.

Caleb clicked his fingers in front of her face. Earth to Lilly.

She waved his hand away. Sorry, I was off in my own little world there. What were you saying?

You really are an interesting woman. I was only asking how you are.

Lilly chuckled. I’m fine. Aunt Betty is fine. Have you been by to see James and Eliza?

Hell, no. I don’t go see them. I go to see that gorgeous niece of mine. She’s the only woman, besides you, that doesn’t give me the stink eye.

Oh, I give you the stink eye, Mr. Hard, just not for you to see. She gave him a wink, laughed, and saw someone signaling for a drink. Have fun.

She turned and attended to several customers down the counter. Some of them regulars who were really nice. Others, not so much. Then there were the few travelers and tourists. Once they were all served, she gathered up the empty glasses, taking them around back to be cleaned.

When she came back, she saw Caleb still seated at the bar, and what was more, he continued to watch her.

Are you making sure I’m doing my job properly? she asked, hand on hip. She couldn’t recall him ever sticking around for long. In the last year, though, since Eliza had been back and introduced them, she saw him constantly.

I know you’re good at what you do.

She smiled. Thanks. Lifting her hand, she tried to stifle a yawn. She hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep the past few days.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I’m fine. She glanced around the bar, seeing several women looking in his direction. Caleb, why aren’t you hitting on any of the women? Don’t you need to find yourself a partner for the night so you can sneak out?

He shook his head. I’m not interested.

Your reputation will take a hit.

Let it.

Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard you like this before.

Caleb rubbed at his face, and she studied him. His arms were heavily inked. The sexiest mechanic in town. Even before Eliza had introduced them, Lilly knew who he was. Her mother had a bit of an obsession with the Hard men. In all her years, she hadn’t been able to get into the pants of the Hard boys. That revelation shocked Lilly. Her mother liked to brag about proving men were scumbags only after pussy.

Shaking off the memories, she continued to look at Caleb. No doubt about it, he was sexy, and those muscles could make a woman feel safe and protected.

People can change, Lilly.

She frowned. I know. She was very much aware of how people could change. She’d yet to witness it herself, though. Her mother had often been emotional when another breakup had occurred. Had sworn off men, and it had lasted a couple of hours before another appeared, saying all the right things. Doing everything she liked, and then bam, she was back in bed.

Lilly was glad she no longer lived with the woman because it had been a constant embarrassment to her.

How are you getting home tonight? he asked.

The same way I do every night. Walking. She’d owned a car for a short time, but due to the expense of gas and the fact it constantly decided not to start and to get it fixed cost her a small fortune, she’d settled on her legs being the only form of transportation she needed.

Caleb sipped at his beer. I’ll walk with you.

Didn’t you bring your truck? she asked.

Nope. I got Rome to drop me off.

His younger brother.

If that’s what you’d like.

It is.

Lilly finished the rest of her shift. Caleb continued to sit at the bar, even after closing. He helped to clean up, and as she locked up, posting the key through the letterbox and hearing it drop, she grabbed her cell phone. Then she sent the owner, Edward, a quick text that she had locked up and had delivered the key. They did this most nights when Edward wasn’t working.

He trusted her with the bar, just not with the key.

She remembered the conversation, how red in the face Edward had gotten. He’d told her it wasn’t about her, but about her mother. He believed if the mother got hold of the key, she’d take advantage, and seeing as Lilly agreed with him, she didn’t press the issue.

Lilly turned toward Caleb and offered him a smile. You really don’t have to do this. Couldn’t you just call your brother?

I could, but then I wouldn’t get to help a pretty lady home.

She snorted. Does that pick-up line usually work? She held her hand up. Not that I’m saying you’re trying to pick me up or implying it.

He laughed. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re adorable? he asked.

She groaned. Don’t say anything else about this. They walked into line and Lilly glanced at the night. The only light came from the glow of the lamps. It was a nice warm night. She loved the summer, lived for it.

Winter months were the hardest. When she lived back at the trailer with her mother, she’d grow crazy trying to get it heated.

She pushed those long winter memories out of her mind and glanced at Caleb.

So, no luck finding another woman to bed?

I’m starting to think you’re some kind of pimp or something. Are you determined to get me in the bed of every single woman in town?

Lilly gasped, putting a hand to her chest. Me? I thought that was your responsibility. Not mine. You’ve certainly done a fine job without it. You’re older than me, don’t forget.

Yeah, when’s your birthday?

In a few days, why?

What are you doing to celebrate it?

Lilly didn’t falter in her steps. I’m going to do what I do every year, work. It’s not a big deal. It’s just a birthday.

Caleb stopped walking. No big deal?

It’s really not.

Clearly you haven’t experienced a Hard boy’s birthday. There’s cake, a small gathering of people. It’s all the norm. You know.

Sounds nice. Her mother had forgotten her birthday years ago. They arrived at Aunt Betty’s house. Lilly thanked him for