And Cowboy Makes Three (Cowboys To The Rescue 2) by Martha Shields

smoothly as it always had, and she’d be fine. Back to her innocently passionate self. Though he didn’t want to, he could certainly find enough discipline within himself to wait until tonight to taste the delights of his wife again.
    He bent to place a quick kiss on her lips. “We just need a little time to learn each other’s schedules. I’ll use the other bathroom today.”
    “But I can—”
    “Don’t worry about it. I just need to grab the shampoo.”
    “Okay. I’ll be out of here by the time you shower so you can shave.”
    Jake opened the shower door and grabbed his shampoo. “See? We’re compromising already.”
    He stole another kiss, then walked out the door.
     
    “How did it go today?”
    Claire twisted around from the computer in her seventh-floor office to see Jake leaning against the doorjamb, an intimate smile on his face.
    Damn the man. How could she play it cool when just the sight of him made her forget to breathe? She’d escaped making love that morning, even though she’d been ready to throw him on the floor the instant she felt his hands on her.
    “Don’t look at me like that,” she told him.
    That wicked brow lifted. “Like what?”
    “Like you know what color my underwear—” She rolled her eyes. “I guess you do know, don’t you?”
    His grin widened. “Black lace. The ones I bought you in Vegas.”
    Claire felt heat climb up her neck, and she craned to look around him. “Mrs. Hamby...”
    “Has gone home for the day. Which is what we’re going to do. It’s after seven, angel. I came to take you to supper.”
    She shook her head. “I’ve got too much work.”
    He stalked around the desk like a huge cat, certain of his prey. “The beans will still be here tomorrow.”
    Claire eyed him warily as he approached, but she was determined not to let him intimidate her. “That’s true, but I scheduled meetings with each one of the employees under me tomorrow, and I need to know what I’m talking about.”
    Instead of towering over her, he gave her a quick peck on the lips, then sat on the edge of her desk. “So your first day went well?”
    Pushing her chair back so she could look at him without craning her neck, she sent him a grateful smile. “It’s a little early to tell, but I think everything’s okay. Thanks for giving me such a supportive introduction this morning. It helped the transition.”
    “No problem. But the transition started days ago when Jim Gordon informed the staff of the change first thing Monday morning. So they’ve had three days to get used to the idea.”
    “Are you sure Jim doesn’t resent not getting this job?”
    Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Has he said anything to you? Acted in a way like he—”
    “No, of course not I just wondered.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve never been responsible for so many people before. I guess I have to get used to it.”
    “Like you have to get used to me?”
    She quickly glanced up at his sexy tone, but his face was playful. “I hope it’s sooner than that.”
    He grinned and reached for her. “Let me help.”
    She pushed her chair back to avoid his arms. “Oh, no, you don’t, Jacob Anderson. Not in my office. You made me director of this department and I’ve got to maintain a high sense of—”
    She squealed in a very unbosslike manner as she suddenly found herself lifted from her chair. He took her place and laid her across his lap. Before she had a chance to protest, his lips covered hers. The warm pressure swept her senses away, and with them went every well-thought-out, logical reason to avoid his touch. Nearly an entire day had passed since she’d tasted him, held him, breathed in the musky scent that fogged her brain. Every cell of her skin ached to feel his pressed against it. She wanted him hot, and hard, and now.
    Slipping a hand under his jacket, she traced his ribs around to his back.
    Jake groaned and shifted her so her bottom settled on his arousal. White-hot desire surged through