The Cowboy's Temptation (3 page)

After about five minutes, the crowd thinned out until only Jake and the woman were standing there.

Elissa tried not to fidget. She put her hands down by her sides, refusing to let them brush back her hair or rub her eyes again. She was tired, but that wasn’t new. She seemed to be in a perpetual state of sleep deprivation lately.

If only that cowboy would stop staring at her, she might not feel so selfconscious. He was extremely tall, at least a head taller than the other people in the small airport. And incredibly handsome in a rugged, Marlboro man kind of way. She wasn’t used to men looking like that and he definitely tantalized her senses, but she turned away, forcing her eyes to look towards the windows.

Less than ten seconds later, she found herself looking at him again, drawn to him as if he were some sort of magnet. His muscular legs were encased in dusty jeans with a red shirt covering extremely broad shoulders tucked into the waistband. She noticed that his stomach was flat. No flab hanging over his belt buckle. He held a cowboy hat in his hands that had definitely seen the range, and was still covered with dust. Her eyes were traveling higher as she took in every detail of the brawny man, wondering what his arms would feel like. She could only see the muscular forearms and they were impressive with long, lean fingers that a surgeon would envy.

She looked higher and instantly flushed red when she found that his eyes were staring right back at her.

Turning away from his stare, she searched the airport, hoping Veronica would show up soon. What could be keeping her, Elissa wondered? She hoped nothing had happened to the babies. She would give Veronica five more minutes, then call her on her cell phone.

Elissa bit her lip as the tall cowboy strolled over to her. She didn’t want to deal with the usual pick-up lines so she turned her back on the man, hoping he would get the hint.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said politely. Elissa instantly liked the slight drawl in his voice and the deep sound fell over her skin like a caress.

Elissa shook herself mentally. Polite or not, she was thoroughly disgusted with men in general. She was fed up with their lies and their manipulations. And one insensitive cowboy was not going to get in her way of a happy reunion with her best friend. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested,” she said curtly and turned away again, taking her cell phone out and pressing buttons, hoping he would get the hint.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think you understand,” he started again.

 

Elissa ignored him and waited for Veronica to pick up her phone. “Hello?” Veronica’s voice came on the line.

 

“Ronny? Are you there?” Elissa asked.

“Lissy? I’m so glad to hear from you. Please tell me you are still coming. Don’t say you’re bailing out on me at this point. You need this vacation just as much as I need you.”

“No, no. Don’t worry. I’m at the airport waiting for you. Are you going to be long?”

“I’m at the doctor’s office. He’s poking me again because I’ve been having so many contractions. Rick asked Jake to come and get you. He should already be there. Did he not show up?”

Elissa’s mind froze. Veronica had sent someone else to pick her up? And there was a man standing behind her, patiently waiting for her to get off the phone. Elissa turned and looked at the tall, handsome man.

He raised one eyebrow at her look. “Elissa Stone?” he asked, curtly.

 

Elissa could only nod her head, the cell phone falling several inches away from her ear as the reality of her offense registered in her mind.

The man didn’t blink an eye but his lips thinned slightly, indicating his irritation. “Jake Callahan, at your service. Let’s get your bags,” he snapped and turned to head towards the baggage claim area.

“Uh oh,” Elissa whispered into the phone. “What’s wrong?” Veronica asked.

 

“I think I just insulted Rick’s boss,” she said. “I’ll see you later,” Elissa said and hung up the phone to rush after the retreating man.

“I’m sorry,” Elissa said as soon as she caught up with him. His legs were so long, she had to run to keep pace with him. It didn’t help that she was wearing three inch heels and he was wearing cowboy boots. “I thought you were trying to pick me up and…”

Jake stopped short, whipping around to look down at her. “I AM trying to pick you up,” he snapped. “Now which are your bags,” he said, waiving his hand toward the baggage cart.

Elissa had been so intent on apologizing she wasn’t aware that he had stopped. She ran right into his chest and almost fell onto her bottom. She would have completely embarrassed herself if two strong arms hadn’t reached out to grab hold of her at the last minute. But as soon as she righted herself, he released her as if she were on fire, taking an immediate step back.

“The red ones,” Elissa said breathlessly, staring at his hard, angry eyes.

Jake watched her for a stunned moment, surprised at how small she was. And how good she’d felt. She wasn’t all skin and bones like she appeared. She was actually quite soft in all the right places if his one, brief touch was any judge.

Jake pushed that thought aside and turned towards the baggage that was piled up on the side of the cart. There were four large red suitcases. “Which red ones?” he snapped.

Elissa didn’t understand and her eyes told him so. “All of them,” she stated calmly as if that was the only reasonable answer.

 

Jake looked back at the piled bags and shook his head. “All four bags are yours?” he clarified.

Elissa looked at the baggage rack to make sure she was referring to the correct bags, then turned back to him, nodding. With determination, she moved over to the pile. She hefted one onto the other, carefully balancing the weight so they wouldn’t topple over, then pulled out the arm that would allow her to roll them down the airport terminal to the parking lot. She did the same with the other two, stacking them up as well. Once she had them all situated so she could roll them together, she turned expectantly towards the still angry man.

”I’m ready,” she said and waited for him to lead the way to the car. “Ready for what? To move in?” he asked, staring at her proud expression, then at her four, huge bags neatly stacked one on top of the other.

Elissa flushed but continued to stare at him expectantly. Jake swore under his breath, then walked over to where she was waiting, prettily ready to carry all her own bags. Taking the handles out of her hands, he slung one over his shoulder, then hefted one and rolled the others behind him. “This way,” he said and started walking, not bothering to see if she followed.

”I can carry my own bags,” she protested, trying to take them back from his firm grip.

 

Jake didn’t even respond, just headed out of the automatic doors and led the way to the parking lot.

He stopped behind a large SUV that bore the logo, “Circle K” on the side. He unlocked the back of the truck and placed her bags in the storage area, tossing them like they were pillows instead of the heavy burdens which had weighed her down throughout the whole trip.

“Thank you,” she said quietly and went to the passenger side to climb in.

 

Once they were in the truck, he buckled his seatbelt and turned the ignition. “I need to make a few stops. Do you mind?” he asked, backing out of the parking space.

 

“Not at all,” Elissa said, but suspected that he didn’t care what her answer would be. He was going to run the errands regardless of her assent.

Twenty minutes later, they reached the small town of Hawthorne, Texas. He drove right down Main Street and parked along the road. “I just need to get a few supplies in here,” he said. “I faxed ahead for them so they are probably already gathered up. This shouldn’t take too long,” he said and Elissa wondered if he had ever used so many words before.

She jumped out of the truck and followed him into the store. She loved the smell of it instantly. There was sawdust and pipe smoke and several other scents she couldn’t identify. She walked down the aisles, touching the various hardware that was on display. She had no idea what most of the stuff would be used for, but found it all fascinating anyway.

“I’m ready,” he said, right behind her.

 

Elissa jumped and spun around, dropping the huge bolt and screw she had been trying to fit together.

 

“What do you need that for?” he asked as he bent down to pick it up.

Elissa laughed, a full-bodied laugh that surprised him and caressed his soul in some idiotic way he didn’t want to explore. “I have no idea what it is for. Do you?” she asked, her curiosity evident in her voice and expression as she looked at him hopefully.

“Farm or ranch equipment,” he replied curtly and tossed it back into the bin. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the store, again assuming she would follow.

Elissa hurried behind him, glancing at some of the other things for sale, wishing she could ask him more questions, but not daring. It was a new and fascinating world but he probably thought she was silly for finding the hardware store interesting. Besides, he seemed to be in a rush and didn’t want to hold him back.

He tossed a bag into the back seat of the truck, then got into the driver’s seat, waiting patiently for her to climb into the passenger’s seat beside him.

 

As soon as she was buckled in, he reversed and headed in the opposite direction.

 

“Where are you going now?” she asked.

 

“Back to the ranch,” he said without taking his eyes from the road.

Elissa only nodded then turned to watch the scenery, leaning forward as the mountains came into view. “Oh, my!” she exclaimed. “Are those the Rocky Mountains?” she asked, pointing out the window to the east.

“Part of them,” he replied. He loved those mountains and was encouraged that she found them just as fascinating. “Haven’t you ever been out this way before?” he asked, his curiosity peaked despite his desire to appear detached from the tiny woman with beautiful, sad eyes and one of the sexiest figures he’d seen in a long time. Possibly ever, he thought as he glanced at her breasts out of the corner of his eye.

“Yes, a few times. But it was always with some conference or another and I usually only saw the inside of meeting areas. This is much nicer,” she said, glancing at the flowers springing up on the side of the road. “The flowers are fascinating around here. This is a beautiful area. Is it always like this?” she asked, a smile of wonder across her face.

Jake shook his head. “Only in the springtime. In a few weeks, the heat of the summer will be here and they’ll all die away,” he explained heartlessly.

 

“But they’ll come back next spring, right?” she asked, only mildly deflated by his announcement of the upcoming heat and resulting devastation of the wildflowers.

“I guess,” he said and turned his attention back to the road. Her smile changed her whole personality. She looked more youthful, less tired and angry, he thought. And her eyes twinkled a little.

Maybe she wasn’t such an awful person after all, he considered. There was a tiny amount of hope for this city girl. Anyone who appreciated the raw beauty of this tough land couldn’t be completely bad, even if they
were
from the city.

Chapter 3

After about an hour’s ride, Jake turned down a driveway that was lined with tall oak trees. The trees eventually gave way to a beautiful Spanish style home that spread out in all directions.

“Oh, Mr. Callahan, is this Ronny’s house?” she gasped. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve always wanted a house like this,” she said, getting out of the car so she could have an unencumbered view of the house instead of viewing it through the windshield. “I had no idea she was so lucky!”

“Wow!” she said, immediately walking up the gravel drive to the broad tile steps that led to a double front door. Elissa noticed several rocking chairs at one end of the porch and walked down to them, stopping in awe as she looked up. The chairs were perfectly placed to see both the driveway on one side of the house and a panoramic view of the mountains on the other side.

Elissa just stood there, taking in all the beauty around her and feeling a little jealous that her friend had so much in her life.

 

Jake came up behind her. “Like it?” he asked.

 

Elissa didn’t speak. She just nodded her head.

 

“I hate to break the news to you. But this is my home. Ronny and Rick built their house over behind those trees.”

Elissa laughed, only slightly self-conscious. It was still a beautiful house even if the awesome Jake inhabited it. “Oh, well, I think your home is lovely. I was wondering,” she laughed, “because Ronny was telling me about it and she never described it being a mansion.” Elissa smiled up at the man standing next to her, not embarrassed at all that she had mistaken his house for her friend’s.

Jake stared down at the woman, wondering which was the real Elissa Stone. She seemed so genuine at this moment, almost vulnerable with her incredible eyes and translucent skin. Gone was the snobbish woman he’d initially met at the airport trying to shrug him off as if he were beneath her notice. He wondered if her hair felt as soft as it looked and if he’d only imagined her soft figure.

She quickly cleared her throat and looked down at the tile floor of the veranda. “Well, I guess I’d better get over to her place before she tries to help me,” she said and took one last look at the mountain view before moving back down the porch to get her bags. “Can you point me in the right direction? I’ll walk over to it.”

“You’re staying here, actually,” Jake said gruffly, staring down at her lovely face with her twinkling eyes and smiling, luscious mouth. How could he have missed her mouth before? It was one sexy mouth with the bottom lip fuller than the upper one.

The smile quickly disappeared and Jake wanted to think up a joke, just to get her smile back.

“Oh, no. Ronny said that she’d arranged for me to stay in a cabin. She even put in a modem so I could keep up with work, although I’m not sure how anyone could work with that view,” she said and glanced behind her to the mountains once more.

Jake shook his head. “One of the crew threw a rake through the window, so there aren’t any more available cabins until the window gets fixed,” he said.

His statement created butterflies in her stomach. “That’s no problem,” Elissa said, not liking the idea of staying in Jake’s house, regardless of how huge it was. “It’s summer,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “It shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t want to be in the way,” she said.