The Cowboy's Temptation Page 0,34
her response like a drug.
His erection ached and he could feel the warmth of her through his jeans. He wanted this tiny woman more than he’d ever wanted anyone else. His other hand moved up to cup her left breast, finding the nipple already hard and waiting for him and the realization that she wanted him as much as he did threw him over the edge.
Jake was about to pick her up and carry her inside to the couch when he heard the kitchen door open and close. He didn’t want to acknowledge the interruption but the voice calling his name was persistent and sounded urgent.
“Jake? You in here?” a voice called out from the family room. The sound penetrated Elissa’s brain a moment later and she looked around, trying to figure out where she was and what was happening. Jake was pulling her shirt down and holding onto her waist, his broad shoulders hiding her from the person now stepping out onto the pool patio.
“What’s up, Jimmy?” Jake asked, his voice deeper than usual.
“Oh,” the intruder said, only just realizing that Elissa was behind Jake. “Sorry boss. But there’s a problem in the barn. One of the pregnant mares is having a bit of a problem.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute,” Jake said.
“Sure thing,” Jimmy said and quickly turned around to head back the way he’d come.
Elissa pushed against Jake’s shoulders so she could jump down off the fence but he wouldn’t budge. Once the man was gone, Jake turned back to face her, only then letting her jump down but holding her waist firmly but gently.
“I’m sorry, Elissa. I have to go see what the problem is. We’ll finish this later.”
Elissa stepped back and out of his hands. “No, please. This can’t happen again. I don’t…” She tried to step around him but Jake wouldn’t let her.
He grabbed her waist and bent down to kiss her hard on her mouth. She fought it for only a moment before her lips softened and her body sagged against his. Only then did he lift his mouth from hers. “We will finish this,” he said, then walked away, stepping out of the pool area and striding quickly towards the barn.
Elissa leaned back against the fence and watched him. How could he have that kind of control over her body and mind, she wondered, her hungry eyes watching his broad shoulders and long legs eat up the space between the house and the barn.
Who was he anyway? He was such a mystery to her. He didn’t act like the type of men she’d known in New York. But was that enough for her to take a chance?
She shivered, remembering his hands touching her body and how easily he could make her forget where they were. She shook her head and walked into the house. No – definitely not worth taking a risk on Jake. He probably had this effect on any woman he came across. She’d seen the other women in town and how they flocked to him. She didn’t need that kind of frustration.
Her body definitely wanted Jake. But what would happen if she allowed him to make love to her? Men needed variety. Would she be able to handle watching Jake with another woman? Could she just forget what he made her feel?
No way. Things were fine just the way they were, she told herself. She needed to figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life and then she’d be more centered. Hadn’t she climbed through the ranks in New York? She was one of the youngest executives. Surely once she knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life, this silly thing with Jake would go away. Elissa convinced herself that Jake was just a transitional person in her life and she needed to get back on track or get hurt by her life’s confusion.
Elissa wandered into the barn the next day. She knew everyone was extremely busy. There were several mares that were due to give birth any day now and one was having problems.
She didn’t want to bother anyone but she wanted to say hello to Jemima. She knew it was a silly feeling but she actually missed the gentle horse. Elissa felt as if she and the horse had formed some sort of indefinable bond over the past two weeks. Rick and Jake and a few other ranch hands were walking out of the second barn when