Secrets Collide

with cowboys. The way his jeans fit, the way he looked wearing his cowboy hat, and the pure chivalry had her thinking relationship thoughts she wasn’t sure he wanted to hear.

It was also hard to stop thinking about him with the bed right there next to her. No matter where she went in the room, as soon as she turned around she saw the bed and her mind instantly went to the other night and the following morning. Cy had proven that sometimes dreams can’t live up to real life. She had never been so secure with someone before, and it left her both slightly embarrassed and wanting more at the same time. She couldn’t believe she’d done that thing she’d only read about in magazines. She really should write them and tell them it worked. But then she would also think about the pictures sent to his phone and an imaginary bucket of ice water would hit her. Women were trying to claw their way into his bed and she not only fell into it, she literally leapt into it after a few nice words from him.

Stop thinking of it, Gemma scolded herself. She needed to focus on what was before her. The bed was literally right before her. Oh God, she was thinking about it again. Gemma turned and banged her head on the desk. Focus, she told herself as she tried to banish the image of Cy before her with his hands and mouth and . . . Dammit. Gemma jumped up from where she was sitting and headed straight for the windows. She needed air to clear her head.

Cy opened his door in eager anticipation and didn’t see the white-haired woman sitting in one of the armchairs in the comfortable reading nook that filled the space between the two rooms.

“Good evening, Cyland. Is there something I can get for you?” Cy depended on years of training to not show his surprise. His roommate during training had thought Cy was joking when he told him about the three sisters from his hometown who could bring the whole government to their knees if they wanted. But he was serious. They had eyes in the back of their head and he was pretty sure they could read minds.

“Good evening, Miss Lily. I was just checking to see if Gemma needed anything before I went to bed,” he said as he shot his most innocent look to Miss Lily.

“Humph. And I’m here because I like the view. Has anyone ever told you that you're a bad liar?” Miss Lily set down her knitting and drilled him with a knowing look as she picked up her broom and pretended to sweep the floor.

“Actually,” Cy paused, “no. You’re the first. Others thought I was so good the U.S. government put me undercover. You could say I’m a professional liar, so much so Cy Davies has ceased to exist for many years now.”

Miss Lily swatted him on the bottom with her broom and glared at him. “Nonsense. You’re a spy. It’s a job. It’s what you do, not who you are. You’re the same boy who used to help my sisters unload their groceries and who rescued that poor cat that got stuck in the tree out front there. You just need to remember that and stop lying to yourself about who you are. Now,” Miss Lily said with finality, “it’s time for bed. Off with you.”

Cy chanced a quick glance at Gemma’s door that didn’t go unnoticed. “Good night, Miss Lily.” Cy may have lost the battle, but he hadn't lost the war. He shot Miss Lily a smile as she put her broom down and picked up her knitting. She had reminded him of the mighty cat rescue and now he had an idea.

Gemma took a deep breath of the night air and enjoyed the inspiration from the stars twinkling in the dark sky. What was she doing wrong?

“Mom . . . I don’t want to wear the same thing as Gia.” Gemma stomped her pre-teen foot on the ground and crossed her arms.

“You’re twins. You’re the only ones who can get away with wearing the same outfit. It’s cute. Now put it on.” Her mother handed her the matching floral dress.

“While we may be twins, we’re not the same person. I hate flowers and Gia loves them. It’s not fair.”

Gemma felt her heart speed up. That was it. They aren’t the same person. Gemma hurried back to her seat, pulled out her cell phone, and starting scrolling through her contacts.

She was sending texts when she suddenly felt as if she were not alone. A hand came down and suddenly covered her mouth before she could scream. A strong arm wrapped around her chest, pinning her to her chair. She felt the man press her body tight to his as he lowered his head to her ear.

Gemma tensed as she felt his warm breath on her neck. “You look so beautiful when you’re concentrating.” His hand left her mouth and Gemma whipped around and smacked Cy’s stomach.

“You scared me to death!” she hissed. “How did you get in here? My door is locked.”

“I came in through the window. You have a guard dog outside the door—about five feet, white curly hair, sensible shoes, and large knitting needles.” Cy leaned against the table and pulled her from her chair to stand between his legs. “It’s good to see you again.”

Gemma snuggled into him as he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer. He smiled down at her and she couldn’t help but notice his eyes were darker tonight right before he brought his lips to hers. He kissed her softly but soon his hands were sliding downward as he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth while his hands were busy pulling up the hemline of her jersey skirt.

They were combustible, Gemma decided. He made her feel as if she was the only woman in the world and he couldn’t breathe unless he had her right then and there. That feeling gave her such a rush.

The knock at the door had her jumping back. “Miss Lily,” she whispered as she looked around for a place to hide him.

“Gemma, dear? May I come in?” came the inquiry through the door. She turned back around and Cy was gone.

“Coming,” she called out. “Cy?”

“Over here.” Gemma looked and then saw the very edges of his fingers on the windowsill.

“Oh my God.” Gemma rushed over to where Cy was hanging from the window.

“Sweetheart, can you please get the door and put your guard dog to bed?” he asked calmly as he dangled two stories from the ground.

“Don’t fall in her azalea bush or she’ll kill you,” Gemma grinned before answering the door. “Yes?”

Miss Lily stepped into the room and looked around. “I was just going to bed. Is there anything I can get you before I retire?”

“No, thank you. You’ve done more than enough.” The woman had kept her fed and undisturbed as she worked. For that she was grateful. But now she really wanted to get the man hanging from her window into her bed.

“Okay then, dear. Good night.”

“Good night, Miss Lily.” Gemma closed the door and quietly locked it.

“Now we have all night together,” Cy whispered against her ear as he slid his hands under her shirt to gently cup her breasts.

“How . . .” but she was cut off from asking how he snuck back into her room when he whipped her around and kissed her again. She pushed him back to the desk and kissed him back.

Gemma ran her arms down his back, clinging to him as his hands slid up her legs and pushed her skirt up. Dink, dink, dink. Gemma pulled back. “Seriously? You couldn’t turn off your cell phone? Who’s begging to sleep with you now? Because it sure isn’t going to be me.” Gemma shoved down her skirt and crossed her arms over her chest. She was tired of all these women coming between them, and it was clear she shouldn’t even be thinking of a future with him when he couldn’t tell these women to back off.

“My phone is in my room,” Cy snapped back as he stood up. “That’s all you, sweetheart.” He turned and walked to the window to look out and Gemma felt horrible. She had just hurt him and now she didn’t know what to do to fix it.

“Cy, I’m so sorry. I guess I just don’t know what we’re doing. I’m not used to that. Usually there are dates, movies, and then comes the mind-blowing sex. And I’m certainly not used to competing for a man with America’s Sweetheart and women who get paid to be beautiful. Please say you understand.”

Cy turned around and she saw the frustration on his face. “But don’t you see? There is no competition.” Dink, dink.

“Are we okay?”

“Yes. And now we’ve had our first fight. Let’s get to the make-up sex,” Cy grinned. “ Dink, dink. “But first why don’t you get that. Once I get started, I don’t want to stop.”

Gemma nodded breathlessly and picked up her phone. “I found something.” She scrolled through the text