Her dream shattered as she scooted out of the chair, away from his touch. “What are you doing here?” Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, she pushed her desk chair between them, hoping to ward off any further advances.

His eyes gleaming with determination, Jeffrey reached for her again, but she nudged the chair forward just enough to discourage him. The sweetness of her dream quickly faded, to be replaced by the harshness of Jeffrey’s duplicity.

“Come on, Darci. Let’s kiss and make up. Let’s go back to the way it was between us.”

His tone was low, coaxing, but she knew she’d never respond to it again. Never the way she did to Cole, to his voice, to his touch.

“I’m married, Jeffrey.” She shook her head in frustration when he didn’t respond. “Go away. Just leave me alone.”

Jeffrey frowned, then leaned on the edge of the desk. Darci couldn’t help remembering how Cole’s black jeans had stretched taut when he had sat on the very same corner, how her breath had caught just at the thought of his strong muscles pressed against her. In comparison, Jeffrey seemed overpolished, almost soft in his carefully pressed business suit.

“I just wanted a chance to talk with you without the toy cowboy around.”

“Trust me, he’s no toy,” she muttered. Louder, she added, “He’s my husband, Jeffrey.” Holding up her left hand, she wiggled her ring finger to confirm her words. “Love, honor and cherish, till death do us part. I’m sure you’ve heard the words somewhere before.” She’d heard the words, had listened and wished with all her heart they were true, that Cole could stay with her forever. But some dreams simply weren’t meant to come true.

When Jeffrey didn’t respond to her reminder, she sighed, knowing he didn’t choose to acknowledge her wedding vows. “I don’t want you here in my office. Please leave.”

“We can still get your…contract with the cowboy annulled, Darci. We can still be married to each other. I do love you, and I know you love me.”

She shook her head at his ability to forget what he’d done to her. “You love my corporation. A man who truly loved me wouldn’t take another woman to his bed just after he became engaged.” With a touch of surprise, she realized that the pain of his betrayal had faded, just another sign of how wrong her engagement to Jeffrey had been—another sign of how right her marriage to Cole was beginning to feel.

Jeffrey shrugged, showing just how indifferent he was to the entire affair. “I was just letting off some steam, sowing the last of my wild oats.”