Cody appeared startled by the firm response. His lips twitched with apparent amusement.

“Suit yourself, Me...liss...a.”

The breath fanning across her cheek was hot and mint-scented. The glint of passion in his eyes sent her pulse skyrocketing. She tried to avoid that penetrating look, but no matter how she averted her gaze she seemed to lock in on hard, lean muscle. Temptation stole her breath.

She saw the precise instant when Cody’s expression registered smug satisfaction, and it infuriated her. It galled her that she responded to him, annoyed her even more that he clearly knew it.

She gathered every last ounce of hurt and resentment she’d ever felt toward him to slowly steady her pulse. With careful deliberation she lifted her glass of tea to her lips and took a long, deep swallow. She kept her gaze riveted to his as she drank, determined to show him that this latest tactic no longer had the power to rattle her. He would not win her over with his easy charm.

Yet even as she did, even as uncertainty and then a flash of irritation darkened Cody’s eyes, she quaked inside and prayed he would back off before she lost the will for the battle. She was weakening already, her palms damp, her blood flowing like warm honey.

Just when she was sure she could no longer maintain the calm, impervious facade, Cody jerked upright, raked a hand through his hair and backed off.

“Score one for Melissa,” Harlan said softly, his voice laced with laughter.

Cody whirled on him. “Daddy, I’m warning you...”

Harlan’s dark brows rose. “Oh?”

Cody frowned. “Dammit, how come you two are in cahoots?”

“Not me,” his father protested, his expression all innocence except for the sparkle in his eyes that was quintessential Harlan. “I’m just a bystander.”

“An unwanted bystander,” Cody reminded him.

“Speak for yourself,” Melissa retorted once again.

Cody scowled down at the two of them for another minute, then muttered a harsh oath under his breath and stalked off. Only when he was out of sight did Melissa finally allow herself to relax.

“Whew! That was a close one,” Harlan said, grinning at her. “Another couple of seconds and the heat out here would have melted steel. Scorched me clear over here. You sure have figured out how to tie that boy in knots.”

To her amazement, he sounded approving. “Shouldn’t you be on his side?” Melissa inquired.

“I suspect Cody can take care of himself,” he observed. “I’m just relieved to see that you can, too.”

Melissa met his amused gaze and finally breathed a sigh of relief. She grinned at him. “It’s about time, don’t you think?”

“Way past time, I’d say,” he said, and reached over to pat her hand. “You want some advice from a man who knows Cody just about as well as anyone on earth?”