Hot off the press! Word around town is Ethan Traub— of the Texas Traubs—is bringing the family oil business to Thunder Canyon, along with his sassy personal assistant, Lizzie Landry. Settling down isn't part of this wealthy bachelor's game plan. So why are we hearing rumors that he's starting to see Lizzie as something more than his devoted employee? Lizzie may be secretly in love with her heart-meltingly handsome boss, but she knows better than anyone that he's not the marrying kind. Besides, she's got her own dreams—to hightail it back to Texas to open her own bakery. But my sources tell me the oil baron won't let her go so easily. Stay tuned, faithful readers, to find out if this is one deal Ethan will seal with a kiss! A New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, Christine Rimmer has written more than a hundred contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. She consistently writes love stories that are sweet, sexy, humorous and heartfelt. She lives in Oregon with her family. Visit Christine at www.christinerimmer.com. "Lizzie, don't do this to me. You know I can't live without you." Instantly, Lizzie Landry felt her determination weakening. How does he do that? she wondered. At the same time, she found herself thinking that he really would be lost without her, and she did worry that he… She caught herself. Oh, come on. What was her problem here? After five years with Ethan Traub, she ought to be immune to his considerable charm and shameless flattery. And she was. Pretty much. It was only that she did hate to leave him when he needed her. Which was constantly. But no. She had to be strong. The break had to be made. She put on her sternest, most unwavering expression. "Ethan, you've been putting me off for months, and it's not going to work this time. We have to talk about this." The melting look in those dark velvet eyes of his faded as he scowled. She watched as his perfect, manly lips assumed a downward curve. "There's nothing to talk about," he grumbled. "You're coming to Montana with me. Eventually, if you're still unhappy with—" Lizzie put up a hand. "I'm not unhappy, Ethan. It's been wonderful working for you. If I still had to work for someone, I would want it to be you." "Great, then. We have no problem. You can keep working for me." "No, I'm not going to do that. I want to be my own boss. That was always my goal—a goal it's time I reached. And you know that I'm ready to move on because I have told you so. Over and over and over again. Two weeks' notice. I think that's fair." "Two weeks!" he blustered, rising from behind his desk. Bracing his knuckles on the desk pad, he loomed toward her, six-foot-four of killer-handsome, seriously imposing Texas male. "It's impossible. It's not going to happen. You'll need more than two weeks to find your replace-ment—not that you're going to be finding one right now. We're leaving on Thursday." "Ethan, I told you. I'm not going to—" "Oh, yeah." He cut her off before she could finish her sentence. "You are. For so many reasons." Lizzie tried not to groan. "Please don't start on the reasons. I've heard them all." "And now you're going to hear them again." "Do I have a choice?" "None." And he proceeded to tell her everything she already knew. How he couldn't get along without her, how it just wasn't reasonable for her to be talking about cutting out on him now. "You know I need time, Lizzie. It's not going to be easy finding another assistant as good as you are. Someone flexible as to living arrangements. Someone smart. Someone calm and capable. But also fun to be around. Someone who can manage the office, the house—and have my back on the personal front." There was more in the same vein. Okay, yes. She'd been flattered the first time she heard it. But after months of trying to tell him she was ready to move on, listening to how she couldn't go was getting old. She waited for him to wind down before reminding him, yet again, "Montana doesn't work for me. I'm a Texan, born and bred right here in Midland. And I'm staying here in Midland and opening my bakery as planned. You need to get used to that idea because you are not changing my mind. Not this time." "Traub Oil needs you." "Traub Oil managed fine without me for over thirty years." "All right, then." He straightened to his full height. "I need you." He towered over her now because she remained in the chair on the far side of his desk. She considered rising to face him. Upright, after all, she was only a few inches shorter than he was and could almost stand head-to-head with him. But no. She stayed in her seat. And concentrated on projecting calm determination. "You don't need me, Ethan. Not really. You're going to be fine." He shook his head. "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie…" And then, with a heavy sigh, he folded his long, hard frame back into his fat leather swivel chair. "How about a bonus? A… severance bonus. Stick with me a little longer, you walk away with more cash." Do not ask, her sternes