Page 262 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“I prefer to think of it as working with Mallory,” he said evenly. But she could tell from the way his jaw sharpened that she’d hit a nerve.

“If it’s taking you so long, maybe that means that you’re not cut out for the dark side.” She looked at him tentatively. “Maybe you should consider other options.”

He leaned in closer, causing her pulse to bump up a notch. “Depends on what the options are.” His voice had a husky edge that evoked a longing she could scarcely contain. He trailed a finger down the curve of her cheek.

It took all of the intestinal fortitude she could muster to keep from throwing her arms around him. She had to fight against this! She blinked rapidly and then backed away.

He looked surprised and then impressed. “You can resist me.”

“Why yes I can,” she said tartly, her hands going to her hips. She didn’t dare admit that he was wearing her down to the point where she felt like she was dangling on the edge of a cliff and hanging on by her fingernails.

He gave her a crestfallen look. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

She made a clucking sound with her tongue. “You certainly have a high opinion of yourself.”

“No one can resist me.”

She laughed and then realized he was serious. “Are you really that conceited? Listen to what you’re saying. You act like I’m the only female on the planet who’s oblivious to your charm.”

He shrugged. “Let’s just say that when I set my sights on someone …” his blue eyes caressed hers and then darkened intensely “… it’s rare that I don’t get what I want,” he murmured.

The determined look in his eyes took her off guard. In the next second, a heat wave pummeled over her. She had to exert all of her willpower to fight against the compelling force demanding that she give in. How easy it would be to get lost in this intoxicating passion, swirling around her, making her dizzy. She closed her eyes and fought to clear her mind. “No,” she barked, clenching her hands into fists. “No!” She opened her eyes and glared at Sheldon. “Stop it,” she demanded. “Stop it, or I’ll leave this instant!”

“You really do have the strength to resist me,” he mused with a trace of awe. It was like he had to say it out loud in order to believe it. He held up his hands. “Okay, no more mind tricks.”

She gave him a firm look. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

Derek got off the treadmill and began walking away. She moved to stop him. “Wait,” she called. “My friend, I want you to meet her!”

His eyes widened as he looked away and took off like a shot.

“Great. Look what you’ve done. He’s gone.” She held up two her index finger and thumb to demonstrate the measurement of an inch. “I was this close to getting him fixed up with Brooke.”

Sheldon laughed. “Obviously. The guy couldn’t get out of here fast enough. It wouldn’t have worked out anyway. Brooke would’ve eaten him for lunch.”

The fact that Sheldon was right didn’t help matters. She spun around. “Why are you here? I can understand why you wanted to stop me from getting Dawson and Alex together. If all goes according to plan …” she gave him a superior look “ … good will win the day and triumph over evil, then Dawson and Alex’s daughter will one day do great things.”

A shadow crossed his features, but then he gave her a benign smile as he spread his hands. “You bested me. I’ll admit it.”

She thrust her chin in the air. “I did what was best for Dawson and Alex … and what was best for this country.”

“Yes, you did it all for the greater good. Asking nothing in return.” His voice was low and taunting. “How magnanimous of you to think only of others.” There was an open challenge in his eyes. “Because I’m sure you got absolutely nothing out of the deal.”

Heat climbed up her neck. “Only the satisfaction of helping two wonderful people rediscover their love.”

He smirked. “And the satisfaction of achieving a perfect record … so far.”

She rocked back as a scorching anger seared over her. He could see right through her. “I’ll ask you this only once more. Why are you here? Brooke is a spoiled princess, and I hardly think her love life will have any overall effect on the state of the world. The only reason I’ve been given this assignment is because Gertrude wants to teach me a lesson. I’m supposed to learn to be more patient and compassionate … even when I’m dealing with a tyrant like Brooke. Surely, you must have more pressing matters to deal with. After all, there must be scores of people in need of corrupting.” She glared at him as she waited for an answer.

Amusement glittered in his eyes. “I thought it was obvious, love.”

“What’re you talking about?” she snapped.

“My reason for coming here is quite simple. I’m here for you.”

His comment took the wind out of her sails, and she felt dizzy all of a sudden. “Me?” she croaked, pulling at the neckline of her shirt. “What do you mean?”

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