A fake relationship leads to very real feelings between a rancher and his beautiful friend in this classic romance by the New York Times–bestselling author.

"Nobody does it better!" —Linda Howard

Eccentric neighbor, loyal friend, and totally innocent tease, impish Elissa Dean was exactly what Kingston Roper needed—to get him out of a romantic bind, that is. His sister-in-law's intentions were anything but sisterly, and King had to produce a make-believe lover to run interference. Sweet Elissa fit the bill nicely.

The act seemed foolproof . . . until seeing Elissa in his bed heated King's blood and holding her filled him with unbearable longing. As the fantasy threatened to become reality, King was torn—did he desire a woman he could not touch? Would he touch a woman he dared not love?

First published in 1987.