Page 58 of Wild For You

Her eyes narrow again. “No.”

So, it’s not the money she’s after. It’s something else. “Erin.” I pause to make sure I have her undivided attention. “Did I mention I’m a rich andinfluentialman? I can turn you into one of the most sought-after physical therapists or—”

“Is that a threat?”

I shrug. “Again…your words, not mine. I was going to say, ‘or whatever it is you want to achieve in life’.”

Her lips tighten. Apparently, the woman’s bright enough not to underestimate me even though I wasn’t threatening her.

“You wouldn’t try to harm my career.”

“You’re right I wouldn’t. But I could tell people that you’re not willing to see a client’s therapy through, starting with the hospital where you work part-time and then make sure the medical board hears of my complaints.”

“No one would believe you,” she says, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

“Why wouldn’t they?” I stare her down. “My name’s Cash Boyd. I’m not just one of the most famous bull riders in the world. I’m also an entrepreneur and self-made millionaire. And—”

She holds up her hands and rolls her eyes. “Please, save me your accolades. If I wanted to know who you were, I would have read everything I could find about you on Google. But I haven’t because I’m not interested. You could be a poor street musician for all I cared.” She blows a stray strand of hair out of her eyes, her beautiful cheeks blushed with fury.

I smile, amused.

She frowns at my smile. “Let me guess. I’m reminding you of a lapdog again?”

“You asked me what I wanted,” I say, ignoring her question. “I want you to stay.”

“Of course, you do.” She resumes packing.

“I’m serious, Erin. I want you to do your job because I know you can.”

“Cash.” Sighing, she turns to face me again. “You want me to stay to do what, exactly? Because you sure as hell don’t want me to do my job. I can’t work with someone who doesn’t want my help. I can’t stand back and watch you ruining your health. I’m done with it. Whatever you claim to want today, we both know come tomorrow you’ll have changed your mind. Apparently, you don’t have what it takes to see this through. Not because you can’t do it, but because you’re too proud to let someone else take charge for a while. Trust me, I’m doing us both a favor by leaving.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes again.

“I mean it.”

She stares at me in silence, assessing me, trying to read my expression. Seconds pass. Eventually, she shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you. Feel free to give me a bad recommendation or ruin my career. I don’t care. My mind’s made up.”

She doesn’t wait for my answer. Instead of resuming packing up the equipment, she slings her handbag over her shoulder and points to the scattered stuff. “I’ll pick up the rest tomorrow.”

I follow her as she heads out into the hall. “Where are you going?”

“Hotel. We both need to cool off.”

I follow her, trying to keep up with her hasty pace, but she’s too fast for me. I reach the entrance in time to see her cross the front yard and climb into the tractor Margaret often uses.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Erin?” I shout.

“What does it look like?” She starts the engine. “Goodbye, Cash.”

I want to ask her whether she even knows how to drive the thing when the engine sputters to life, and with a strong jerk pushes forward, throwing Erin out.

My body freezes on the spot as I watch her landing on the ground with a loud thud.

My heart stops as I watch the machine act up—something it’s been doing for months. The engine sputters again, then jerks toward Erin.

A rush of adrenaline surges through me at the realization that if she doesn’t move from the spot, she’ll be run over.

She’ll be seriously hurt.

I have to save her.That’s the only coherent thought I can form.

Moving the fastest I’ve ever moved since the accident, I lunge forward.

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