He had to stay away from her, had to quit allowing himself to touch her, to kiss her…to fantasize about her. The only other choice was to take her to his bed.

Todd sauntered into the room, and Cole let his wants go with a sigh of relief. He had to concentrate on Mandy, on just getting through each day. It was the only thing that could possibly keep him from breaking his promise to Darci.

As the heat in his body subsided, he agreed with the wisdom of having Todd stay at the condo. With a guest there, neither of them would be tempted to pursue the need building between them. Cole couldn’t help but wonder how he’d survive when Todd left.

“Wooee! That secretary of yours sure has a temper. I just tried to pay the little lady a compliment and her claws came out.” Todd patted his chest with a frown. “I think I escaped with all my skin intact.”

Cole shook his head, not daring to imagine what his friend believed was a compliment. “Behave yourself, Todd. I have to work with the woman, so don’t antagonize her. Just this once, try to resist your natural urges.”

Todd grinned. “But they’re part of my irresistible charm.” He dragged a chair up to the desk and sat down. “How’s my little darlin’ doin’?”

Cole dragged a hand across his face. “Better, but not well enough to come home yet.”

Todd nodded. “What happens now?”

Cole hesitated, not certain how to answer. But he’d talked through many problems with Todd and knew that any rambling discussion might get him pointed in the right direction. “Somehow, I’ll have to talk to Darci, explain about Mandy.”

“You haven’t told your wife about Mandy?”

“I didn’t tell Darci when we agreed to marry, and now I can’t quite figure out how to bring it up.” Cole glared at the ceiling. “My mind was so focused on getting control of the company, I didn’t think through all the details.” Cole leaned his head back with a tired sigh, wishing Todd could provide some magic answers. “This marriage is only a temporary arrangement, and I can’t let Mandy and Darci get too attached to each other, but how can I possibly keep them apart?”

Todd frowned. “You plan to have them live in the same house together, but not get too friendly?”

Cole winced. “Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? And maybe it is, maybe I’m busily destroying everyone around me. Maybe I haven’t a chance of salvaging my life. But I can’t quit trying, either.”

Silence filled the room as Cole let his mind run through all the moments he’d spent with Darci these past few days.

“She wants family, Todd. Home, hearth and all the trimmings. She wants something I can’t give her.”