Briar Phillips is no stranger to bad boys, but Derek Owens is a whole new breed of danger. He's a grumpy loner with a dark past… and he's still in the closet.

The hulking cowboy storms into Briar's veterinary clinic after hours, refusing to take no for an answer. He needs Briar's help and he needs it now. But with a body built for dominance and demons in his gaze, he's a temptation—and a threat to Briar's peaceful way of life.

Once a flamboyant city kid, Briar has sworn off hard men like Derek. The emotionally unavailable kind with troubled pasts and rough hands. But as they grow closer, it's tempting to forget all that… and surrender to Derek's arms and his demanding gaze. Giving love to a man who thinks he doesn't deserve any at all.

But Derek's past won't stay there, and soon it threatens to haunt them both. Giving in to the cowboy might lead to more than just heartbreak for Briar–it might be downright dangerous.