Excerpt of The Rancher and the Renegade by Jackson D'Lynne

“God, what I wouldn’t give for a pair of shorts, a clean bra and panties, and my own gun. How am I supposed to kick ass if I can’t lift my leg higher than the hem of this friggin skirt?”

“Careful, mulani, your century is showing. Nothing says ‘I’m not from around here’ quite like feminism and kung fu.”

She snarled, not in the mood to trade witty barbs with an invisible comedian.

“Tone it down, Wonder Woman, before you prickle Espada’s nose hairs with whiffs of your wrongness and get him sniffing around here trying to figure out why. Espada and his men may look silly all dressed in matching black duds as they are, but they are all business and all dangerous.”

“I know that.”

“And now that they think you’re engaged to the rancher, they’re going to watch you like a hawk, or try to get rid of you. A heartbroken rancher is easier to manipulate.”

“What do you suppose I do? Huh? Act the dutiful little woman?”

“No, but you can at least stop being a haughty bitch and just do what you have to do to get the job done. How is this any different than any other DEA assignment you’ve worked?”

Mari couldn’t wrap her brain around it…why was this any different? Why couldn’t she just go through the motions to complete their task and get the hell out of Laredo?

Ty. Ty was the difference. He and the desire she felt for him changed everything and getting involved with him could screw it all up.

“How? How can getting involved with Ty screw up anything? You want him, he wants you, you have a scorching fling, and when the task is done, you cut ties and leave him behind in the dust of a newly freed Texas town.” Perez chimed in, not even trying to hide the fact he was listening to her private thoughts.

The unrepentant ass.

“Would you please give me a moment to think without you invading my thoughts?” she ground out, tired of his nonchalant attitude and intrusive behavior.

“Whatever. Just think about it, will ya? A fling would do you some good, loosen you up a little. You’re too tightly wound, even for a cop.”

“This coming from the guy who screamed at me for having naughty thoughts about Ty only a few days ago?” Her incredulity leaked into her voice.

“Well, I changed my mind,” Perez retorted.

“Uh, huh.”

Seriously? He wanted her to consider having a pointless affair with Ty?