The Secretary Gets Her Man

Maybe that’s what was wrong with her. All the changes were setting her off balance, goosing her own biological clock.

But just because Joe Colter sat in her grandmother’s kitchen oozing more sex appeal than was fair, was no reason for her to turn into a stammering, awkward girl. She was a much different woman than the one who’d left here sixteen years ago.

And she didn’t intend to stay.

“You said you were on your way home, yet isn’t this place a little out of the way? As I recall your ranch is the other direction.” She filled the carafe with water and scooped coffee into the basket.

“The neighbors reported seeing a strange car outside a few days back. I’ve made it a point to cruise by since then.”

“Wasn’t me. I just got in.”

“I know. I pretty much have my finger on the pulse of the town.”

“Mmm, and that would be why you tackled me like a linebacker sacking the quarterback?”

He chuckled. “I didn’t say my information was always accurate. I apologize for jumping you, but when a stranger crouches in a shooting stance, it’s a natural reaction.”

“I guess I’m lucky you didn’t shoot first and ask questions later?”

“No, you’re lucky I was the one who came to check rather than the Truman sisters. They would have shot first and questioned later.”

Penny laughed. Though both women had been married—several times each—they were still known as the Truman sisters. Georgia was a retired telephone operator who knew the dirt on everyone in town, and Wanetta ran a dress shop in town that specialized in hats. As a child, Penny had wished the sisters could have adopted her. “Do they still live across the street?”

“Still. And believe me, your grandmother held you up to them like you were the President’s guard. You’ve become their hero, and it can get a little scary.”

Penny turned, feeling her heart soften. “Grandma talked about me?”

“She was proud.”

“Why didn’t she ever tell me? Why did she shut me down every time I called and wanted to visit?” She asked the question aloud, even knowing Joe wouldn’t have the answer.

“I didn’t know you’d been interested in coming home.”

Snapping out of her inward thoughts, she looked at him. Censure colored his tone even though his features gave nothing away.

“You thought I’d just turned my back on her or something?”

He shrugged. “Seemed that way.”

“As a lawman, you should know better than to assume. You ought to check your facts, Colter.” Annoyed, she tapped her foot, staring at the coffeepot, wishing it would hurry up and drip. She was beginning to regret inviting Joe to stay.

“I don’t imagine you’re an easy woman to check facts on,” he said reasonably. “And I didn’t think I had the right.”

She could have kicked herself. Her testiness made it seem like she cared what he thought of her, made it seem like she would have expected him to know her, to wonder about her, to keep up with her.

Those were her own fantasies. Not his.

The coffeepot wheezed and finally started pumping.

“So how long will you stay?”

She shrugged. “Long enough to get the house cleaned out and up for sale.”

“A few weeks, then?”

“Yes, maybe a bit longer.” Unless she ended up making a fool out of herself over Joe Colter.

“Need any help unloading your car?”

She shook her head, looked at him. “I can get it later.”

“It’s obvious you can.” He pointedly glanced at the well-defined muscles in her arms. “Would you like the help?”

She swallowed hard at the look of appreciation shining out of his sexy eyes. “Ah, chivalry. Goes along with the protecting and serving, hmm?”

“You’re nervous.”

She nearly dropped the cup she’d been reaching for. Glancing over her shoulder, she did her best to appear bewildered by his observation. “Excuse me?”

“I’m making you nervous.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I?” he asked softly.

So softly, her hands trembled. She wouldn’t melt, she told herself. She wouldn’t fall into the depths of those intoxicating hazel eyes. “Yes. I’ve just driven over six hours. I’m punchy. Not nervous.” Rather than waiting patiently for the coffee to brew, she took advantage of the pause feature and set her cup right under the drip mechanism.

“Whatever you say. You know you’ll get a damn strong cup of coffee that way.”

“I like it strong.”

“What else do you like?” His voice was deep and provocative.

She laughed. “I’m not a pathetically naive girl anymore, and I’m not biting, Colter, so you can just rein in the flirting.”

She didn’t know he’d moved until he put his hand on her shoulder. She jerked and coffee hissed, spit and danced as it hit the hot plate.

“I think there’s something we need to get out of the way.” He reached around her to put the carafe back on the hot plate and took the mug out of her hand, then turned her to face him. “I owe you an apology.”

She frowned. “For what?” He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from him. The urge to press against him had her heart pounding.

“For what I did to you. I know I’m late by sixteen years, but I wanted you to know how sorry I am for hurting you.”

Penny was mortified that he’d actually brought up the subject and was thankful for the shadowy light in the kitchen—hoped it hid the immediate tinge of color that rushed to her cheeks. Color that might have been anger or embarrassment, she wasn’t totally certain which. Probably a little of both.

Gathering her dignity, she ducked beneath his arm and moved away from him. “Really, Joe. Get over yourself. Do you actually believe I’ve given you a thought after all these years? I can’t believe your ego.”

He went very still. Similar to a panther watching his prey, waiting for the precise moment to pounce. Danger radiated a second before he took his next step, crowding her against the cabinets.

And Penny found herself frozen in place.

“Haven’t you?” he asked softly. “Thought of me?”

Since her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, she shook her head.

“Liar.” He put a finger under her chin, tipped it up. “Everything about you radiates a challenge, y’know that? And I never could resist a challenge.”

She knew he was going to kiss her and she knew she should stop him. But she didn’t do a damn thing to evade him.

His head lowered. A breath away from touching, he said, “I’ve thought about you. A lot. And I’d wager hard-earned money you’ve thought about me, too.” His gaze dropped to her lips, moved back to her eyes. “Maybe this’ll refresh your memory.”

Chapter Two

I’d wager hard-earned money.

The words stung like bees around her heart, but her traitorous, needy body overruled common sense as she melted into the kiss.

His hips pinned her against the counter and his belt buckle pressed against her middle. For an instant she wondered why he didn’t wear a thick holster with all the latest weaponry and gadgets, then remembered where they were. Darby, Texas. A little blip on the map outside of Austin. Here, there were no drug cartels or terrorists.

Just Joe Colter. The man by whom she’d judged every relationship over the years. The man who’d been her first love, who’d toyed with her affections and broken her heart.

The man who could still kiss like nobody’s business. Just a minute longer, she told herself. Because she had thought of him. And she did remember. Oh, how she remembered.

But she couldn’t allow herself to get caught up, to entertain any silly dreams or listen to mythical biological clocks ticking—a clock she intended to ignore, had to ignore.

Joe Colter was obviously entrenched in this town, the very town that she’d once run from—because of him. Her life was with Texas Confidential now.

Indulging a moment longer, her heart pumped when she felt Joe’s fingers tremble as his hands gently framed her face. That she could cause the reaction in him filled her with feminine power.

As though a floodgate had suddenly been opened, she poured herself into the kiss—just to show him what he’d missed, she told herself.

The problem with cockiness was that it often backfired.

And Penny’s intentions definitely backfired.

He insinuated a knee between her thighs, exerted just enough pressure to have her aching and throbbing and yearning to take him right down to the floor with her, to put out the fire.

And that was very dangerous. Joe Colter wasn’t for her. He never had been and never would be. He made her vulnerable. And she’d spent the last sixteen years teaching herself not to be vulnerable—or at least how to hide it well.

She put a palm on his chest, eased back.

“Looks like you win the bet again.”

He winced, closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know.” Why did she keep needling him in ways that reminded them both of the past? “Forget I brought it up. I participated as much as you did just now.”

He leaned back and watched her for a long moment, looking as though he wanted to say more. Instead, he swept a finger beneath her eye. “You’re tired. I shouldn’t have taken advantage.”

Gentleness. She wasn’t used to it, and ridiculously, it made her want to cry.

Pretend, Penny. She deliberately let her gaze drift down the front of him, below his belt, then back up to his blazing hazel eyes. “From where I’m standing, looks like I’m the one who might have taken advantage.”

His brow cocked. “You always did pack a hell of a punch. Both with your fist and with your mouth.”

“Nice to know some things stay the same, hmm?”

“Or get better.”

She saw the appreciation in his eyes. She knew she looked good, much better than she had as a nerdy high school girl. But beneath the makeup and casually provocative clothes, she was still no-nonsense Penny Archer. She hadn’t been able to hold him sixteen years ago. She wasn’t even going to try now.

“It’s getting late…” she hedged.

“You’re right. I’ll find something to board up that window.”

“That’s not necessary. It’s a warm night, I’ll leave it for morning.”

“The mosquitoes will likely carry you off by then.”

She smiled. “I’ll shut the kitchen door.”

“It’ll only take me a minute.”

She let out a breath in a hiss. “I really am capable of boarding up—”

He winked, interrupted, “We aim to protect and serve.”

“Fine, then. I’ll help you.”

“I didn’t ask for help.”

“Neither did I.”

He shook his head and let out a sigh. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she drawled, charmed despite herself. “Maybe because it’s after midnight and I’m kind of tired? Or maybe because I’m just not used to being treated like a damsel in distress?”

“Baby, you don’t look like any damsel in distress I’ve ever seen.”

That made her laugh. “Compliments. I like those. Come on, Colter. Neither one of us’ll get to bed if we don’t take care of that window.”

His grin was slow and provocative. “I think I’ll leave that statement alone.”

“Good idea.”

They found a piece of plywood in the garage and hammered it over the opening. Joe insisted on helping her unload the car, too. He grinned when she glared at him.

“We’re going to butt heads, you and I, aren’t we?” he asked.

“Seems so. Are you looking for compliments to the mayor on how well you’re doing your job?”

“Hell no. If I could hand this position over to somebody else tomorrow, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

That made her pause. “You aren’t happy with your job?”

“I’d rather just run the ranch.”

“Then why don’t you?”

“I made a commitment.”

Just like he’d made a commitment to seduce her all those years ago, she thought. Granted, it had been a bet, but he’d put his whole self into accomplishing the task. Boy, had he.

Penny hadn’t realized just how much that incident still bugged her. She’d thought she’d dealt with it, matured, forgotten.

She hadn’t.

She had an idea she was going to have to let Joe fully explain himself before she left. And she would tell him just how he’d made her feel, let him have it with both barrels. Get it off her chest.

Then she could move on.

Perhaps this was the unfinished business she’d thought about when she’d been driving into town. The part of her past she had to face and put behind her once and for all so she could move on.

But not tonight.

“Is that all of it?” Joe asked, setting down her duffel bag and handing her the case containing her laptop computer.

“For now.” There was an attaché case in a special compartment of the trunk that held another weapon and more ammo, but she had an extra loaded clip for the thirty-eight in the suitcase. And chances of needing an arsenal in Darby were next to none.

She walked him through the house to the front door and held out her hand.

“It was good to see you again, Joe.” He took her hand, staring at her with an enigmatic smile that made her want to squirm. His expression seemed to say that a handshake was pretty silly in view of that hot kiss they’d exchanged less than twenty minutes ago.

“Call if you need anything.”

“Boxes.”

“Boxes?”

“For packing my grandmother’s things. Where would be a good place to find some?”

“Out in back of Garvey’s market would be your best bet. The Evans just moved to a new place last week. I can check and see if they kept their packing boxes.”

“No need. I’ve got to go into town tomorrow anyway. I appreciate the tip, though.”

THE NEXT MORNING when Penny heard someone in the house she was prepared.

And deadly calm.

She palmed her thirty-eight and stealthily moved toward the kitchen. A drawer squeaked, wood binding against wood. A utensil clattered against the floor.

Knife?

Adrenaline jolted like a shot of pure caffeine. A hell of a noisy intruder.

Gun palmed upward, back against the wall, Penny took a steadying breath, pivoted and crouched in an offensive stance in the kitchen doorway.

She swore when she saw Joe retrieving a fork from the floor.

Her thumb shot the gun’s safety home and her finger came off the trigger.

“Damn it. Don’t you know about doorbells and such?”

He turned, looked from the gun in her hands to her face.

“I knocked. You didn’t answer. And you left the door unlocked, by the way.” He pulled fragrant rolls out of a bag. The coffeepot was already hissing and spitting steam as water dripped through the grounds. The smell alone was enough to make her forgive him.

But he was still staring. “Good way to get yourself shot,” she muttered as she ducked and looked at her reflection in the toaster. She nearly screamed.

What resembled a distorted, four-eyed raccoon stared back at her. Great. Behind the lenses of her glasses, mascara was smudged beneath her eyes. It wasn’t until she heard Joe groan that she looked down and belatedly realized she wasn’t dressed.

The little camisole and tap pants covered all the essential parts—barely. Emerald satin, they were designed to evoke sensuality, for both the wearer and the admirer.

And Joe Colter was definitely admiring. A bit dumbstruck if one wanted to get right down to it.

A brazen sense of feminine power swept her, had her shoulders pulling back despite the glasses and messy eye makeup.

His gaze finally lifted back to hers. “Coffee?”

She nodded and took the mug he held out to her. With the gun in one hand and the coffee in the other, she couldn’t make any gestures of modesty. Nor could she wipe away the smudged mascara. And despite the appreciation in Joe’s eyes, she felt the need for a more even playing field, a bit more armor.

“If you’ll excuse me a moment, I’ll put on something a bit more suited to company.”

“Don’t go to any trouble on my part.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

JOE FINALLY TOOK a breath when Penny left the room. The satin hem of her little underwear things barely covered the well-toned swell of her behind.

He was going to have major daydreams. And night dreams too.

Penny Archer had changed. Confident, sexy, with just a bare hint of vulnerability that lurked beneath the surface. A vulnerability she did her utmost to hide. He was trained to pick up on subtle nuances. And he’d picked up on hers.

He wanted to pick up a lot more.

But Joe had already been through a rough time with relationships. He had no business entertaining fantasies about a woman from his past. He’d hurt her once. And he didn’t want to hurt her again.

What did he have to offer that she could possibly need? She obviously had an exciting position as a government agent—though exactly what type of an agent he wasn’t sure. Regardless, she wasn’t likely to give that up for small-time life on a ranch.

Because ranching was Joe’s goal. Not law enforcement, or power lunches or good versus evil. He just wanted to be himself. Please himself.

And engaging in a temporary relationship with Penny Archer would be no better than what he’d done to her sixteen years ago.

But man alive, he wanted to follow her into that bedroom and run his hands over that satin encased, dynamite body. She intrigued the hell out of him.

When she came back in the kitchen, she wasn’t wearing her glasses. She’d cleaned up the smudges from beneath her eyes, enhanced them a bit with shadow and added a pale gloss to her lips, making them look wet and tempting. Her curly hair was held off her neck with a clip, the style casual and haphazard and sexy as all get out. The snug jeans and even snugger tank top outlined every delicious curve of her body.

There was an innate sensuality that radiated from her like a shiny gold coin beneath an icy brook, yet there was an aura of mystery, too.

She met his gaze and held it, quietly, comfortably, directly, as though she were a totally open book, a woman of sophistication and experience.

But Joe had an idea few people really knew a damn thing about this woman.

She broke eye contact and looked at the white bakery sack. “Are those Danish from Ellie’s bakery?”

“The same.”

Penny pounced. “Coffee and Ellie’s rolls. You’re a handy man to have around, Joe.”

He grinned. “Not many can resist Ellie’s goodies.”

“And you exploit that weakness to get you off the hook for breaking and entering, hmm?” She bit into a sugary cinnamon bun, closed her eyes, and moaned. “Heaven.”

Joe swallowed hard. A fleck of powdered sugar clung to the gloss on her bottom lip. Mesmerized, he dragged his gaze away from that temptation.

“It wasn’t breaking and entering. The door was unlocked, remember?”

“So you say.” She took another bite. “I thought Rosa was a great cook. I’d forgotten about Ellie’s delights.”

“Rosa?”

“The cook on the ranch where I live.”

Joe realized there was a lot he didn’t know about Penny. “You live on a ranch?”

“Yes. And I love it.”

“Enough to give up being a secret agent?”

She frowned at the odd question. “Don’t need to. The ranch is my home and my home base.”

He had no idea what possessed him to ask such a question in the first place. And though he truly wanted her to tell him more, her evasive tone and look told him today wouldn’t be the day.

Evidently, his interrogating skills were getting rusty. Then again, Penny Archer hadn’t committed a crime. He had no reason to interrogate her.

Except for his own personal enlightment.

“So, other than taking your life in your hands, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Bringing you coffee and rolls…and boxes.”

“Oh. Thank you.” She looked around the kitchen.

“There’s a lot to sift through. I’m not looking forward to it.”

He moved closer, touched her smooth cheek, could practically feel her battling to stand her ground, to keep from flinching and stepping back.

She didn’t trust him. That was clearly evident.

“Can I help?” Speed up the process that’ll take you out of my life again?

She shrugged, rubbed a palm against the thigh of her jeans and stepped around him. She did it smoothly, nonchalantly. He knew she wasn’t as composed as she wanted to appear.

“I imagine it’ll just be tedious stuff. And between keeping the peace in town and tending to cattle or whatever on your ranch, I can’t picture you having a whole lot of spare time.”

“I have competent officers in town and a foreman and full crew on the ranch. I wouldn’t mind spending time with you, Penny. Catching up.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Joe—”

“Yoo-hoo! Anybody home?”

Penny smiled, felt her insides go all fluttery. She knew that voice. Georgia Truman. One of the honorary aunts from across the street. Wanetta couldn’t be far behind.

“Aunt Georgia,” Penny said, meeting the women in the front hall where they’d already let themselves in the house. “And Aunt Wanetta. It’s so good to see you.” She hugged each woman.

“Land sakes, let’s have a look at you,” Georgia said, holding Penny at arm’s length. “Look, Wanetta. Our girl’s all grown up and she’s got muscles. Didn’t I tell you that job of hers was demanding?”

“Yes, you did, Georgia,” Wanetta said, adjusting the netted hat she wore that had been knocked askew when Penny had hugged her.

“We saw Chief Colter’s car out front and thought we ought to get over and make sure you’re not having troubles.”

“No, nothing like that. He brought coffee and some of Ellie’s rolls.”

“Ah, yes, you poor dear. Of course you don’t have proper food and supplies in the house. Agnes would have ousted us from the bridge club if she’d known we waited so long to be hospitable like this.”

“You’re forgiven. I just got in last night. And it was very late.” Penny smiled, feeling a little overwhelmed. She wasn’t prepared for the emotions that took over at the familiar sight of the women she’d always wished were kin rather than mere neighbors.

Just as she wasn’t prepared for her emotions over Joe.

It really would be in her best interest to get out of town as quickly as possible. But in the light of day, getting a good look at her surroundings, she realized how much her grandmother had let the house run down. It would take some fixing up to get it in shape to sell.

“Oh, Netta and I heard you come in. But we saw Joe’s car then, too.” She paused just a beat. “We didn’t want to come over in our nightclothes with a man present and all. What I meant was we shouldn’t have waited so long this morning.”

“If you’d been earlier, you would have caught me in my nightclothes.”

“And very nice ones at that,” Joe commented softly.

Georgia and Wanetta exchanged a pleased look and Penny glared at Joe. “Don’t you have work to do? Criminals to catch?”

“Darlin’, your window breaking is the most exciting criminal-type activity that has happened around here in a while.” He winked. “But you’re right. I am due to clock in.”

“Someone broke your window?” Wanetta asked.

“I did. I forgot Grandmother’s key.”

“Oh, what a pity. Although we couldn’t have been much help to you there. We gave Agnes a spare set of keys to our house, but she never would reciprocate. Wanetta and I figured you’d probably written her some telling letters, and she felt concerned she might compromise our government’s secrets if some old snoop read the wrong correspondence.”

“Not that she ever came right out and called Georgia or me a snoop,” Wanetta added, the netting on her hat bobbing like a wiry feather duster.

“I’m sure she didn’t.” But Penny was feeling sick to her stomach, now. She hadn’t written lengthy letters to her grandmother. Oh, she’d sent Christmas, birthday, and various holiday cards, added a few lines of personal tidbits. Out of courtesy and duty. Out of guilt.

But Agnes had never reciprocated. And the few times Penny had called, suggested a visit, Agnes had discouraged it.