Governor Marcus Deane had watched the beautiful Ariella from afar for nearly a year. Drawn to her shy, sweet ways, the intense man responsible for leading the state of Texas knew he wasn't the kind of man a woman like her needed. He had to content himself to just be the friend she needed.

But someone knew how he felt, and knew of her connections to some highly influential men, and they were going to use her to get exactly what they wanted.

Marc will do anything to protect this woman he loved--and the children he was raising alone.

Ariella Avery needed time and space to heal from the pain she'd experienced over the last two years. Finley Creek was the place for her to do that. Until someone started targeting her...

Now she has to depend on Marc. Strong, sure, handsome, and far too intense for her, Marc terrifies her on a different level. And makes her question everything she wants from her future. Because one thing is certain, if they fall for one another, it could change everything...

If they survived.