The Secretary Gets Her Man

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.