Darci stared at him in disbelief, not certain how to feel about being called a filly, even more uncertain about how to respond to the man who seemed intent on taking over her office. “I should never have let Alex go to lunch,” she muttered.

Cole cleared his throat. “My wife. Darci, this is Todd Perkins, the man who’s going to help us win the war.”

Todd snatched off his hat with a sheepish grin. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am. Sorry about all the racket, but I’ve been cooped up in the truck too long and needed to let off some steam.” He stuck out his hand, pulled it back to examine it, then poked it out again.

Darci hesitantly put her hand in his, relieved when he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and released her. If this was Cole’s secret weapon, they were in bigger trouble than she’d suspected.

“Where’s that lunch you promised, Todd?”

“Well, the horse I was going to barbecue got away, so I had to settle for hamburgers.” He stepped out of the office and grabbed several fast food paper bags.

Darci felt a laugh bubbling up inside her, suddenly not caring about anything but the wonderful smells wafting toward her. Cole grabbed several napkins, and with a dashing flourish, made three place mats on her desk. He and Todd carefully spread out hamburgers, french fries and chocolate shakes, arranging everything as if this was the finest gourmet meal.

Cole stepped behind her and pulled out her desk chair. “Madam.” He swept his arm through the air to indicate she should sit.

When his lips brushed the skin at the back of her neck, she froze, aware only of the sensations shooting through her body with lightening speed. When the pleasure quit zinging around, it settled in the pit of her stomach, stirring up the desire she’d managed to keep buried for most of the morning. Quickly, she stuffed a french fry in her mouth, trying to distract herself.

Cole remained behind her, reaching over her shoulder for his own food, and she resisted the urge to turn around. She wanted to see the expression on his face, to see if he was as affected by all this as she was. But she was afraid to, afraid she’d be wrong…afraid she’d be right.

He moved close again, but this time only to speak low in her ear. “Relax. In spite of appearances, he has one of the finest business minds I’ve ever met.” His lips lightly stroked her ear as he spoke, and she almost choked on her food as she tried to swallow. How could she relax if Cole insisted on touching her every time he was near?