Diana Palmer - Hard To Handle: Hunter; Man In Control

T he silver-haired man across the desk had both hands clasped together on its surface, and his blue eyes were narrow and determined.

Hunter wanted to argue. Hed protested assignments before, and Eugene Ritter had backed down. This time the old man wouldnt. Hunter sensed Ritters determination before he even tried to get out of the job.

That didnt stop him, of course. Phillip Hunter was used to confrontation. As chief of internal security for Ritter Oil Corporation for the past ten years, hed become quite accustomed to facing off against all manner of opponents, from would-be thieves to enemy agents who tried to get the jump on Ritters strategic metal discoveries.

The desert is no place for a woman, he told the old man. He sat back comfortably in the straight-backed chair, looking as formidable as his Apache ancestors. He was very dark, with jet-black hair conventionally cut, and eyes almost black in a lean, thin-lipped face. He was tall, too, and muscular. Even his perfectly fitted gray suit didnt hide the hard lines of a body kept fit by hours of exercise. Hunter was ex-Green Beret, ex-mercenary, and for a short time hed even worked for the CIA. He was an expert with small arms and his karate training had earned him a black belt. He was thirty-seven, a loner by nature, unmarried and apt to stay that way. He had no inclination to accompany Eugenes sexy field geologist out to Arizona on a preliminary survey. Jennifer Marist was one of his few ongoing irritations. She seemed to stay in hot water, and he was always deputized to pull her irons out of the fire.

Her last exploration had put her in danger from enemy agents, resulting in a stakeout at her apartment a few months ago. Two men had been apprehended, but the third was still at large.

Hunter and Jennifer were old sparring partners. Theyd been thrown together on assignments more often than Hunter liked. Like two rocks striking, they made sparks fly, and that could be dangerous. He didnt like white women, and Jennifer was unique. Her soft blond beauty, added to her sharp intellect, made him jittery. She was the only female whod ever had that effect on him, and he didnt like it. The thought of spending a week in the desert alone with her had him fuming.

Jennifer isnt just a woman, shes one of my top field geologists, Eugene replied. This is a potentially rich strike, and I need the new capital it will bring in. Jennifer cant go alone.

I could send one of my operatives with her, Hunter replied.

Not good enough. Jennifers already been in danger from this assignment once. I want the bestand thats you.

We dont get along, havent you noticed? he said through his teeth.

You dont have to get along with her. You just have to keep anyone from getting his hands on her maps or her survey results. He pursed his lips. The sites in Arizona, near the Apache reservation. You can go see your grandfather.

I can do that without having to follow your misplaced ingenue around, he said coldly.

Jennifer is a geologist, the older man reminded him. Her looks have nothing to do with her profession. For Gods sake, you get along with my other female employees, why not with Jennifer?

That was a question Hunter didnt really want to answer. He couldnt very well tell Eugene that the woman appealed to his senses so potently that it was hard to function when she was around. He wasnt in the market for an affair, but he wanted Jennifer with a feverish passion. Hed managed to contain his desire for her very well over the years, but lately it was becoming unmanageable. The temptation of being out on the desert with her was too much. Something might happen, and what then? He had good reasons for his dislike of white women, and he had no desire whatsoever to create a child who, like himself, could barely adapt to life in a white world. White and Apache just didnt mix, even if he did frequently wake up sweating from his vivid dreams about Jennifer Marist.

You can always threaten to quit, Eugene advised with a sharp grin.

Would it work? Hunter queried.

Eugene just shook his head.

In that case, Hunter said, rising to his feet with the stealthy grace that was unique to him, I wont bother. When do we leave?

First thing in the morning. You can pick up the tickets and motel voucher from my secretary. Youll need time to lay in some camping equipment, so the motel room will be necessary the first night. You and Jennifer will be pretending to be husband and wife when you switch flights in Phoenix to head down to Tucson. Thats going to throw any followers off the track, I hope, and give you both time to scout the area before they discover their mistake and double back. Better get in touch with our operatives in Arizona and advise them of the plan.

Ill do that now.

Try not to look so dismal, will you? Eugene muttered darkly. Its demoralizing!

Stop sending me out with Jennifer Marist.

Youre the only man in my corporation who could complain about that.

Im Apache, Hunter said with quiet pride. Shes white.

Eugene had been married twice and he wasnt stupid. He could read between the lines very well. I understand how it is, he replied. But this is business. Youll have to cope.

Dont I always? Hunter murmured. Will you tell her, or do you want me to?

Ill enjoy it more than you would, Eugene chuckled. Shes going to go right through the ceiling. It may shock you to know that she finds you offensive and unpleasant. Shell fight as hard to get out of it as you just did.

That didnt surprise Hunter. He had a feeling Jennifer felt the same unwanted attraction he did and was fighting it just as hard. From day one, their relationship had been uneasy and antagonistic.

It wont do her any more good than it did me, Hunter murmured. But if she ends up roasting over a campfire, dont say I didnt warn you.