She knows she should stay away from him, but try as she might, she’s unable to resist him or his sexy, erotic demands.The deeper she becomes ensnared, the more she realizes she may never want to escape.
All his life, enigmatic rancher Cade Donovan has chosen women who don’t expect too much from him.But when a storm strands him with Sofia, his lovely, won’t-take-no-for-an-answer event planner, all his dominant and protective instincts flare.
Cade wants everything she has to offer, but he soon discovers Sofia’s beauty hides a determination he hasn’t counted on.Her untamed responses send him on a journey that will banish his demons and change them both forever.
Dedication
For amazing friends who challenge my thinking—Michelle Wilson, aka Ms.Romantic Reads, Kimberly Penn, Professor of Sociology.I appreciate the intellectual discussion with you and value your contribution in my life.
For BAB—as always!Tanja—there’s a scene here that you asked for.
Whitney—the best PA in the world.And Emmy Ellis—your genius amazes and delights me.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Santo: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte
You’llThink of Me:Darrell Brown, Ty Lacy and Dennis Matkosky
Valium: F.Hoffman-La Roche AG
Koozie: Société Bic
Chapter One
“He’s a fucking badass.Ahotfucking badass.But still, a fucking badass.”
“Who?”With a scowl, Sofia McBride looked up from her clipboard and glanced at her assistant.
“Cade Donovan.”
She followed the direction of her assistant’s gaze.
Sofia wasn’t the type to swoon, but…
He was standing next to the registry station near the front door of the country club and was dressed in an athletic-cut black tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist.
Rather than a typical bow tie, a sexy Western bulldogger tie was fastened around his throat.Intricately crafted leather cowboy boots were polished to a shiny gleam, and he wore a black felt cowboy hat.
Even from down the hallway, she noted his rakishly appealing goatee.
Though she’d never met him, she’d grown up in Corpus Christi, less than fifty miles from the Running Wind Ranch.Because his last name was Donovan, he was local royalty, and she’d heard of his exploits—fast cars, bull-riding championships, women—all the privileges money could buy.
He was mouthwatering.Given how tempting he was, no doubt he’d earned every bit of his reputation.
The woman at the front pointed toward the Bayou Room where Sofia and Avery were putting the finishing touches on the preparations for Lara and Connor Donovan’s wedding celebration.Cade touched the brim of his hat with old-world charm.
“He’s heading this way,” Avery said unnecessarily.
“You need to get going.”
“How about we switch jobs for the evening?”Avery suggested.“You can go to the Oilman’s Ball, and I’ll stay here.”
“No chance.”Sofia’s answer had nothing to do with Cade and everything to do with her friend Lara, who’d just married into the family.
