“Good morning, Cole. How are you today?” She struggled to control her temper, knowing she needed Cole more than he needed her right now. And shouting at him for his bad manners wouldn’t have any more effect on him than it had when he was seventeen.

Cole stopped halfway across the room and cocked his head, his black cowboy hat shading his eyes from her view. It didn’t matter, because she probably wouldn’t be able to tell what was clicking through his mind, anyway. But just once, she’d like to have the ability to read him, to know what he was thinking, without having to rely on words that didn’t always tell the truth.

A smile broke over his lips, and she fought the urge to think anything was possible with him by her side. “I’m fine, thank you, ma’am. And you?”

“Terrible.” She pulled a stack of papers in front of her and grabbed a pen.” Please try to treat my staff with respect from now on. It wouldn’t have hurt you to wait until Alex called me before you came in.”

“I’m not used to being put on hold, for anyone or anything. But I’ll work on it.”

His concession was too easy, but she decided not to press him lest she come out the loser. “And we’re not married yet, so please refrain from calling me your wife until we are.”

“Just practicing.”

She knew that was as close as she would get to an apology, so she decided to drop the subject. There were too many other things on her mind right now. Like how good Cole looked in the dark blue shirt he wore today, how his jeans fit him to perfection, how his deep, drawling voice trickled over her skin like warm sand…

Her intercom buzzed, and she picked up the receiver. A tired smile pulled at her lips when she heard Alex’s voice ask if she was all right.

“Yes, Alex. Everything is in order. I’ll explain the circumstances to you as soon as…Cole leaves. Hold all my calls, will you?”

“Protective, isn’t he?” Cole settled himself in one of the leather chairs across from her desk, propping his hat on one knee.

She massaged her forehead, wondering how many aspirin she dared take at once. “If I yelled, screamed and kicked my feet, would you go away?”

A grin touched one corner of his mouth. “Probably not.”

“Then I’ll tell you this only once. Alex is a very loyal, hard-working employee who has stood by me no matter what. If you can’t treat him with respect, don’t bother coming back here.”

One black eyebrow rose at her words. “You’ve grown up, honey. Have you tested those claws on anyone yet or do men fall for all that angry bluster?”