The Cowboy's Temptation Page 0,57

legs. She knew she had to get back to the office immediately and clean out her desk. It was the first place she went.

She was afraid that Jim might have called and told security to block her from the building but she was waived right through. Several of her co-workers even waived to her. She was able to find an empty box in the copy room and used it to pack up her pictures and some other small items that were hers. Just like her apartment, she had pitifully few personal items to pack. The past six years fit into one small box, she realized.

Not anymore, she told herself. Elissa set the box on her desk and looked around to make sure she had everything. She was just about to leave when she heard the door close behind her. Elissa spun around and watched as Jim approached, his eyes gleaming with something that Elissa didn’t want to confront.

“I don’t have anything else to say, Jim.”

Jim stopped walking when he was right in front of her. “I guess I took the wrong approach at the restaurant. What would you say if I threw myself into the mix to tempt you?” he chuckled.

The idea was so repulsive she almost gagged. “Sorry, not even remotely interested. I thought I’d made that clear before I left,” she said. Elissa stepped around him but one arm whipped out to stop her.

“Elissa, I think you’re a very beautiful woman. I don’t like being told no, so how about if we just spend a few days and explore what we might have together. I could have us on the company jet and in Vale, Colorado in just a few hours.”

Elissa tried to keep the revulsion from her face, knowing that would only infuriate him more. “No, thanks,” she said and tried to slip out of his embrace. But he wouldn’t release her. “Jim, let me go,” she said, her voice rising.

His grip tightened painfully on her arm. “Did I mention that I don’t like rejection?” he said through gritted teeth. Jim worked out every day to maintain his physique and, although he didn’t have muscles like Jake, he was still much stronger than Elissa. He grabbed her wrists and pushed her back against her desk.

“Stop it! Let me go!” she cried.

Elissa heard the door open an didn’t care who was entering and found her like this, just so long as she could get away from Jim’s repulsive embrace. She was stunned when the man was physically lifted from her and thrown across the room. Elissa opened her eyes and was thrilled to see Jake standing over the man sprawled on the floor, looking like an avenging god. “I guess you didn’t hear the lady. She told you no.”

Jake turned to face her and she could see the anger still steaming in his eyes. “Come on, we’re leaving,” he said.

Elissa quickly grabbed the box she’d just packed up and stepped over Jim’s still prone body. She didn’t say goodbye to anyone as they made their way out of the building. She noticed several people staring at her so the rumor about the most recent event had already started filtering through the office.

Once they were in the elevator, Jake turned to face her for the first time. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking down at her, his eyes probing to see if there were any ill effects from the man.

“I’m fine now. Thank you,” she said, smiling up at his handsome face.

“I thought you were safely back at the ranch. What are you doing here in New York? I thought you would still be there when I came back.”

“I was planning on it. I have a flight back tonight”

His eyes were hooded as he looked at her, not revealing his thoughts. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back here?” he asked.

The elevator doors opened before she could answer so he guided her out the door and through the lobby. Once out on the street, he raised his hand and whistled, hailing a cab as if he’d lived in New York City his whole life. The cab pulled up and he directed them to the airport.

“Wait, I have to get my bags,” she said and gave the cabbie her address.

“You’re coming back with me, Elissa,” he growled.

She turned to face him, wondering why he was still angry. She saw the look in his eyes and the question as well. Her heart tripped into double time and she smiled