The Cowboy's Temptation Page 0,40
Could she do it?
“What’s cooking?” Jake asked, striding into the kitchen and opening the oven.
Elissa grabbed the oven mitts and pulled them on. She grabbed the potato casserole made of grated potatoes, cheese and milk. She set that on top of the stove, then reached in to pull out the breaded chicken breasts. There was more than enough to feed Jake. Elissa always made enough so she could wrap up a plate for him. She didn’t know why she did it but had stopped questioning it a few days ago. The meal was always gone in the morning and he had told her he loved her cooking. It was enough to spur her on to make more interesting dishes.
“This smells fantastic,” he said, inhaling the scent of the two casseroles. “How did you learn to cook?”
“Um…I didn’t,” She said, and shyly placed the chicken on a platter for the dining room.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I had to cook for my family when I was in high school but since then, I never had the chance. Without the pressure of my job, I’ve found that I really enjoy cooking,” She explained and disappeared into the dining room after making that admission.
Jake was right on her heels as were Rick and Ronny, both with a baby in their arms. They placed the two sleeping infants into the swings, then sat down to dig into Elissa’s meal.
They talked quietly, laughing at the goings on of some of the ranch hands. None of the laughter was malicious though, Elissa noted. It was as if the entire ranch staff was a family member to Jake. He genuinely cared for each of the people he and Rick were talking about. It was a comforting realization for Elissa who was used to the cut-throat, back stabbing relationships she’d experienced in New York. Anyone was food for the gossip mills and the sillier, the faster they spread. Everyone liked to talk about the ridiculous things others did in order to make themselves look better, smarter, sharper.
Maxine woke up just as Elissa brought in a blueberry pie. Without hesitating, Elissa picked up the tiny bundle and started walking, cooing and singing to ease the baby’s discomfort. Instantly Maxine relaxed and stared fixedly at Elissa’s face.
Jake watched with a lump in his throat. He tried to tear his eyes away from Elissa with the baby in her arms but she was just too lovely.
Rick cleared his throat and Jake snapped back to the present. Elissa had gone into the family room so the three of them could eat their dessert in peace but Jake wanted her back in here. He didn’t want to look at Rick and Ronny, he wanted to look at Elissa.
He finished his pie in record time and jumped up, thanking Rick and Ronny for dinner. Rick walked over and took Maxine from Elissa’s hands and smiled. “I think we’ve got it for tonight. Why don’t you let Jake walk you home tonight? It’s a nice night. And you need a break from all this baby stuff.”
Jake nodded his thanks and put a hand to the small of Elissa’s back, guiding her out of the house. He didn’t even give her a chance to turn down Rick’s offer.
Jake was determined to have a talk. He would even put some furniture between them if he couldn’t keep his hands off her – which would probably be the case after this afternoon.
Over dinner, Elissa had made up her mind. She wanted Jake. He wanted her. There was no need to stop this attraction as long as she kept her wits about her. She’d learned enough from men’s comments back in New York to understand the mentality she needed to take in order to make this work between them.
She would simply enjoy the sex at night and continue with the things she enjoyed during the day. It shouldn’t be too hard. She’d have the best of both worlds.
They entered the house through the kitchen and Elissa kept on walking, completely aware of the man next to her.
“Elissa,” Jake said, putting a hand to her arm to stop her from walking. “We really need to talk.”
Elissa looked up at him and her eyes were filled with her decision. She wanted him. She was ready. Good grief, she thought as she took in his jeans and tan shirt that stretched across his shoulders, she was more than ready for him. Just thinking about what she was going to do made her knees